Influence of temperature changes on crystallization of an ethylene–propylene random copolymer

Unconventional procedures were used to crystallize an ethylene/propylene copolymer (E/P), with the aim of investigating the effect of temperature changes on crystallization kinetics and spherulitic morphology. The solidification process of specimens crystallizing under isothermal conditions was cyclically stopped for a while, by increasing the temperature, and afterward reestablished by cooling at the original temperature. The resulting morphology characterized by rings within spherulites was compared to that obtained by continuous isothermal crystallization. The different temperature dependencies of the thermal expansion coefficients of liquid and solid phases account for the presence of rings within spherulites grown in a temperature field. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2008–2013, 2004     

The outocompact SX approach to copper solvent extraction

Since 1977, Outokumpu has been developing a wide variety of solvent extraction applications focusing on both equipment and process development. The work, a response to an increasing demand for lower operational costs as well as higher investment cost savings, is reviewed in this article. For more information, contact R. Kuusisto, Outokumpu Technology, Riihitontuntie 7 E, Espoo 02200, Finland; +358-9-4211; fax +358-9-421-2434; e-mail raimo.kuusisto@outokumpu.com.     

Paper Making from Banana Pseudo-Stem: Characterization and Comparison

This study deals with the determination of paper-making potentialities of banana pseudo-stems growing in Thailand. Chlorine dioxide (D_o and D₁) and extraction (E_p) treatments were all performed in sealed plastic bags in a thermostatically controlled water bath. Unbleached banana kraft pulp in the kappa number range of 23–28 was not easy to bleach with three-stage sequence of D₀-E_P-D₁. The determination of mechanical properties of standard paper after mild beating in the laboratory is discussed as is the interpretation of the results. As an indication of potential paper-making properties, they are important for the pulp producer in the control of fiber characteristics. The brightness was achieved at 45% ISO, with a viscosity level at 585 mL/g. Drainage of pulp was extremely slow and paper-making properties were characterized by low strength, low bulk, rough surface, and extremely poor optical properties.     

The perceptual experience of slope by foot and by finger.

Historically, the bodily senses have often been regarded as impeccable sources of spatial information and as being the teacher of vision. Here, the authors report that the haptic perception of slope by means of the foot is greatly exaggerated. The exaggeration is present in verbal as well as proprioceptive judgments. It is shown that this misperception of pedal slope is not caused by calibration to the well-established visual misperception of slope because it is present in congenitally blind individuals as well. The pedal misperception of slope is contrasted with the perception of slope by dynamic touch with a finger in a force-feedback device. Although slopes feel slightly exaggerated even when explored by finger, they tend to show much less exaggeration than when equivalent slopes are stood on. The results are discussed in terms of a theory of coding efficiency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crisis Management in Finland: Contemporary Challenges

Finnish crisis management has become more challenging after the Cold War. The country is now considered increasingly vulnerable as it faces a diversified set of threats. These changing perceptions are reflected in substantial doctrinal changes: a broader security agenda and a new foreign policy line with crisis management as one of the central foci, guided by national defence priorities and constrained by economic imperatives. The ever‐present resource scarcity has not hindered organizational changes and improvements in the Finnish capacity for crisis prevention and response. Future enhancement of Finnish crisis management requires the development of international structures and the creation of a knowledge community of academics and practitioners.     

Microchip technology in mass spectrometry

Microfabrication of analytical devices is currently of growing interest and many microfabricated instruments have also entered the field of mass spectrometry (MS). Various (atmospheric pressure) ion sources as well as mass analyzers have been developed exploiting microfabrication techniques. The most common approach thus far has been the miniaturization of the electrospray ion source and its integration with various separation and sampling units. Other ionization techniques, mainly atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and photoionization, have also been subject to miniaturization, though they have not attracted as much attention. Likewise, all common types of mass analyzers have been realized by microfabrication and, in most cases, successfully applied to MS analysis in conjunction with on‐chip ionization. This review summarizes the latest achievements in the field of microfabricated ion sources and mass analyzers. Representative applications are reviewed focusing on the development of fully microfabricated systems where ion sources or analyzers are integrated with microfluidic separation devices or microfabricated pums and detectors, respectively. Also the main microfabrication methods, with their possibilities and constraints, are briefly discussed together with the most commonly used materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:351‐391, 2010     

Replication of Routing Tables for Mobility Management in Ad Hoc Networks

Ad Hoc networking is a rather old technology that is gaining new momentum in the research community. It is still an area under development and there are several proposals for the technology regarding routing protocols, addressing, interoperability, etc. Because of the extreme conditions where Ad Hoc networks should operate, it is envisioned that in medium to large scale networks, a hybrid proactive and reactive routing mechanism should be used. Therefore, considering the proactive routing protocols as the most suitable protocol for certain topologies in Ad Hoc networks, this paper proposes a specific layered structure to enable both technologies in a seamless manner. This approach supports both reactive (e.g., AODV, DSR) and proactive link state (e.g., OLSP) protocols. The proposed layered structure divides the routing problem into different parts, where one module performs the routing algorithm, another module takes care of replicating and synchronizing the routing tables, and a third one evaluates the routing information for triggering hand-over signals to the upper layers. The overall responsibility for selecting the appropriate routing schema and for initiating the roaming process resides on a proposed Context Sensitive Roaming Layer. This paper describes the interface and the functions implemented by the Roaming Layer. The paper also analyses replication using the Server Cache Synchronization Protocol (SCSP). Finally, the last part of the paper describes the demand for Ad Hoc networks, which is driven by applications supported with an appropriate billing or bonus mechanism.