A Design-Based Structural Test Method for a Switched-Resistor DAC

In this paper, a design-based structural testing method is presented to enable a fast, low cost test for a switched-resistor digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). A 24-bit stereo DAC is used to demonstrate this. After schematic-level simulations and experimental verification, it is found that the dynamic parameter THD can be predicted by the static test. Practical production wafer test and final test results evaluate this structural test method by comparing it with the traditional THD test method. In this paper the simulation results, the relevant measurement results, and the testing results are discussed. Finally, the application recommendations are given.

A simple dynamic circuit model for mos structure

A new simple circuit model for the MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) structure is presented. the model consists of three elements, namely, a linear capacitor, a non-linear capacitor and a C-dynamic element. Each component bears a simple relationship to the physical operating mechanism inside the MOS structure. the model can be used for simulating arbitrary MOS structure circuits under all operating conditions. In particular, it is capable of reproducing the structure's frequency-dependent small-signal characteristics. the model is also shown to exhibit many important and interesting dynamic behaviours under forward, reverse and sinusoidal operating modes. The model is based mainly upon the device's physical operating principles. But perhaps the most significant implication of this model is that it is the first ever to use a dynamic element to model the MOS structure from a physical approach.     

Modularisierung von Gaswäschern für die CO2‐Entfernung aus Biogas

Modularization has been identified as one of the research fields of the ?50 % idea”?. A development methodology for modules must consider both the economies of scale for investment costs and costs of operation and maintenance. In this paper, the impact of an absorber module, which is offered as discretized diameter scaling, on the total process is investigated at the example of the CO₂ separation from biogas. The simulation shows the effect of this approach to the stripper diameter and the energy demand of the process. The calculations form the basis for applying cost models.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation and cracking of ethane and propane over LiDyMg mixed oxides

The oxidative dehydrogenation and cracking of ethane and propane over LiDyMg mixed oxides is reported. High yields of olefins and only moderate formation of carbon oxides was observed. Both are primary products that hardly interconvert under the reaction conditions used. Addition of chloride increases the rate of reaction, while slightly decreasing the selectivity to olefins. The addition of carbon dioxide strongly decreases the rate of reaction, the negative order of 0.5 indicating that two active Li⁺sites are blocked by the adsorption of one CO₂molecule. The reaction proceeds at low oxygen pressure primarily via elimination of dihydrogen, while at higher oxygen partial pressure the hydrogen elimination occurs via water formation. It is speculated that dehydrogenation and cracking involve Li⁺and a rather nucleophilic oxygen site.     

Phylogenetic Studies,Gene Cluster Analysis,and Enzymatic Reaction Support Anthrahydroquinone Reduction as the Physiological Function of Fungal 17β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase

17β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSDcl) from the filamentous fungus Curvularia lunata (teleomorph Cochliobolus lunatus) catalyzes NADP(H)‐dependent oxidoreductions of androgens and estrogens. Despite detailed biochemical and structural characterization of 17β‐HSDcl, its physiological function remains unknown. On the basis of amino acid sequence alignment, phylogenetic studies, and the recent identification of the physiological substrates of the homologous MdpC from Aspergillus nidulans and AflM from Aspergillus parasiticus, we propose an anthrahydroquinone as the physiological substrate of 17β‐HSDcl. This is also supported by our analysis of a secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene cluster in C. lunata m118, containing 17β‐HSDcl and ten other genes, including a polyketide synthase probably involved in emodin formation. Chemoenzymatic reduction of emodin by 17β‐HSDcl in the presence of sodium dithionite verified this hypothesis. On the basis of these results, the involvement of a 17β‐HSDcl in the biosynthesis of other anthrahydroquinone‐derived natural products is proposed; hence, 17β‐HSDcl should be more appropriately referred to as a polyhydroxyanthracene reductase (PHAR).     

Cellular neural networks with non-linear and delay-type template elements and non-uniform grids

The cellular neural network (CNN) paradigm is a powerful framework for analogue non-linear processing arrays placed on a regular grid. In this paper we extend the current repertoire of CNN cloning template elements (atoms) by introducing additional non-linear and delay-type characteristics. In addition, architectures with non-uniform processors and neighbourhoods (grid sizes) are introduced. With this generalization, several well-known and powerful analogue array-computing structures can be interpreted as special cases of the CNN. Moreover, we show that the CNN with these generalized cloning templates has a general programmable circuit structure (a prototype machine) with analogue macros and algorithms. the relations with the cellular automaton (CA) and the systolic array (SA) are analysed. Finally, some robust stability results and the state space structure of the dynamics are presented.     

Performance of Φ-Sulfo Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate Versus Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate,Secondary Alkane Sulfonate and α-Sulfo Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate

Sulfoxidation of fatty acid methyl esters with SO_2, O₂ and ultraviolet light of appropriate wavelength, has led to the synthesis of methyl esters sulfonates or sulfoxylates, known as Φ-MES, because of the possible random position of SO₃ group in the alkyl chain. Aqueous solutions based on the sulfoxylated methyl ester of palmitic acid (Φ-MES C16) have been studied and compared to the leading types of surfactants used today: linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) secondary alkane sulfonate (SAS) and α-sulfo fatty methyl ester sulfonate (α-MES) with regard to solubility, performance and skin compatibility. The experimental results obtained indicate that Φ-MES C16 can be regarded as a potential component of detergent formulations and most likely also of body care products.

An Approach to Support Learning from International Experience with Water Policy

International experiences with water policy and governance arrangements are shared through various international meetings and reports. The underlying assumption is that these experiences provide useful information to policy makers who are looking for ways to improve water resources management in their home country or region. However, little has been written about analytical support for these potentially interested policy makers. They have to reach informed decisions about whether or not to initiate a process of policy transfer, about which foreign experiences to consider and about what parts of those experiences to copy, adapt, or reject. Providing such analytical support is complicated by the involvement of multiple actors in water resources management, who do not necessarily agree on these decisions. This paper outlines an approach to offer analytical support to these multiple actors in the initial phase of a policy transfer process. The approach is applied to the case of the Büyük Menderes river basin in Turkey, where local policy makers were engaged in a policy transfer process related to the EU Water Framework Directive. It is concluded that the outlined approach can be used to inform local policy makers, as it yielded new and valid information in the case. In the absence of overriding political concerns, such information would lead to different decisions in various phases of policy transfer, when compared to a process that lacks this analytical support.     

A Derivative-Free Hybrid Optimization Model for Short-Term Operation of a Multi-Objective Reservoir System Under Uncertainty

Short-term operation of a multi-objective reservoir system under inflow uncertainty has been receiving increasing attention, however, major challenges for the optimization of this system still remain due to the multiple and often conflicting objectives, highly nonlinear constraints and uncertain parameters in which derivative information may not be directly available. Population-based optimization methods do not rely on derivatives while generally have a slow convergence. This study presents a hybrid optimization model for short-term operation of multi-objective reservoirs under uncertainty that is derivative free and has a relatively fast convergence. The model incorporates a local improvement method called Mesh Adaptive Direct Search (MADS) into a population-based method NSGA-II and has no requirement for differentiability, convexity and continuity of the optimization problem. The operation of a multi-objective and multi-reservoir system on the Columbia River under inflow uncertainty is used as a case study. Overall, the hybrid model outperforms optimization models based on either the NSGA-II only or the MADS only. The model is intended for conditions where derivative information of the optimization problem is unavailable, which could have a wide array of applications in water resources systems.