Management of multidimensional discrete data

Spatial database management involves two main categories of data: vector and raster data. The former has received a lot of in-depth investigation; the latter still lacks a sound framework. Current DBMSs either regard raster data as pure byte sequences where the DBMS has no knowledge about the underlying semantics, or they do not complement array structures with storage mechanisms suitable for huge arrays, or they are designed as specialized systems with sophisticated imaging functionality, but no general database capabilities (e.g., a query language). Many types of array data will require database support in the future, notably 2-D images, audio data and general signal-time series (1-D), animations (3-D), static or time-variant voxel fields (3-D and 4-D), and the ISO/IEC PIKS (Programmer's Imaging Kernel System) BasicImage type (5-D). In this article, we propose a comprehensive support ofmultidimensional discrete data (MDD) in databases, including operations on arrays of arbitrary size over arbitrary data types. A set of requirements is developed, a small set of language constructs is proposed (based on a formal algebraic semantics), and a novel MDD architecture is outlined to provide the basis for efficient MDD query evaluation.     

The aditi deductive database system

Deductive databases generalize relational databases by providing support for recursive views and non-atomic data. Aditi is a deductive system based on the client-server model; it is inherently multi-user and capable of exploiting parallelism on shared-memory multiprocessors. The back-end uses relational technology for efficiency in the management of disk-based data and uses optimization algorithms especially developed for the bottom-up evaluation of logical queries involving recursion. The front-end interacts with the user in a logical language that has more expressive power than relational query languages. We present the structure of Aditi, discuss its components in some detail, and present performance figures.     

Konzept zur Maßstabsübertragung beim Suspendieren im Rührbehälter

Concept for Scale-up on Suspension in a Stirred Tank. The relationships derived for the suspension of solids in a propeller loop can be applied to corresponding processes in a stirred tank by means of analogy considerations. Accordingly, the ratio of stirrer power to slip power of laminar flow state is inversely proportional to the vessel diameter. In contrast, the power ratio remains constant in turbulent flow. There is a pronounced transition range between these two limiting states. The author's own experimental studies performed over a wide range of Re numbers for the recycling flow confirm this relationship. The observations presented explain why numerous authors have determined scale-up rules lying between these two extremes. The experiments shows that the power input for suspension is always significantly greater than the slip power. Under otherwise identical conditions, the necessary stirrer power is smaller by a factor of three for a propeller stirrer than for a disk impeller. The suspension of small solids concentrations can also be approximated by the flow model presented. The somewhat different physical relations valid in this case are substantiated by the author's experiments. The model also provided information relevant to scale-up when the particle properties are unknown. This is demontrated for an example in a 21 m³ vessel.     

Type inference in stack based languages

We consider a language of operations which pass parameters by means of a stack. An algebra over the set of type signatures is introduced, which allows the type signature of a program to be obtained from the type signatures of its constituent operations.Although the theories apply in principle to any stack based language, they have been evolved with particular regard to the proposed ANSI Standard Forth language, which is currently implemented in a type free manner. We hope this work will stimulate an interest in Forth amongst those applying algebraic techniques in software engineering, and we hope to lay the theoretical foundations for implementing practical type checkers to support Forth.     

Determination of mechanical properties of thin films: a theoretical feasibility study

The aim of this work was to determine the principal mechanical parameters of a thin film on a substrate, i.e. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, intrinsic stress, and coefficient of linear thermal expansion. First, standard experiments possibly suitable for this purpose were investigated theoretically. The margin of error of the mechanical parameters determined was estimated as dependent on the geometrical conditions, substrate properties, and error in the respective measurements. In addition, the homogeneity and stability of the parameters were taken into account, for instance inhomogeneity of the film thickness and possible modification of substrate parameters during film growth. To obtain meaningful results, the accuracy of the measurements as well as the homogeneity and stability of several geometrical and physical parameters in general must be extremely high. However, the experimental conditions were found to fulfill these requirements.     

Wear in check valves due to flow induced motion

Experiments showing the frequency and amplitude of the flow induced motion of the gate for a 2- and a 4-in. swing check valve have been performed. The gate motion is due to turbulence in approach flow. We have found the dominant turbulent frequency of the approach flow is about half the natural frequency of the valves. The valves appear to be almost critically damped. Because of this, the valves respond almost as they would to a static force of the magnitude characteristic of the turbulent fluctuation in the flow. Both the dimensionless exciting force and the damping ratio have been found to be independent of valve size so the above statements are true for larger valves also. The recommended valve oscillation amplitudes and frequencies are used to calculate the wear at the shaft and at the stop. For an unpegged check valve, such as one of the 10-in. valves which was used at the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station, it was found that shaft bearing wear would amount to 0.27 in.³/year and stop wear to 0.03 in.³/year.     

A novel cyclic process using CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/CaS pellets for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur without generating secondary pollutants: Part I. Feasibility and kinetics of the reduction of sulfur dioxide with calcium-sulfide pellets

Certain new sulfide-smelting processes and coal-gasification processes generate high-strength sulfur dioxide streams, for which a new process for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur needs to be developed because no process exists that is generally and economically applicable to the treatment of such streams. A thermodynamic and experimental investigation to develop a new process for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur by a cyclic process involving calcium sulfide and calcium sulfate without generating secondary pollutants was carried out. In this process, the starting raw material, calcium sulfate, is reduced by a suitable reducing agent, such as hydrogen, to produce calcium sulfide, which is used to reduce sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur vapor and calcium sulfate. The latter is, in turn, reduced to regenerate calcium sulfide. In this Part I, detailed experimental results are presented on the kinetics of the reaction between sulfur dioxide and calcium-sulfide pellets, which produces elemental sulfur and calcium sulfate. The experiments were carried out at temperatures between 1023 and 1088 K and sulfur-dioxide partial pressures between 9 and 60 kPa by the use of a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The rate of this reaction was demonstrated by the conversion of 40 pct calcium-sulfide pellets obtained from the hydrogen reduction of fresh calcium sulfate in 10 minutes at 1073 K under a sulfur-dioxide partial pressure of 43 kPa. The reactivity decreased somewhat during the first three cycles but remained largely unchanged thereafter up to the tenth cycle. This characteristic of the pellets is important because the solids must be reusable for repeated cycles to avoid generating secondary pollutants. A pore-blocking model was found to fit the reaction rate. The reaction is first order with respect to sulfur-dioxide partial pressure and has an activation energy of 101 to 134 kJ/mol (24 to 32 kcal/mol) for calcium-sulfide pellets reacted and regenerated several different times. Sulfur dioxide-containing streams from certain sources, such as the regenerator off-gas from an integrated-gasification, combined-cycle, desulfurization unit and new sulfide-smelting plants, contain much higher partial pressures of SO₂. In these cases, the rate of the first reaction is expected to be proportionally higher than in the test conditions reported in this article. The reduction kinetics of calcium-sulfate pellets with hydrogen gas is reported in the accompanying Part II.     

Microbiological denitrification of red beet juice

The purpose of study was the determination of optimal conditions for red beet juice denitrification by Paracoccus denitrificans bacteria as well as the evaluation of the usefulness of microbiologically treated juice for the production of a natural colouring preparation for foods. Total reduction of nitrates was found during bacterial culturing at 25 and 30 °C, at an initial pH of 7.0-8.0 and juice osmotic pressure of 900-1100 mOsm/kg. Microbiological denitrification procedure affected colour, taste and aroma of the juice. However, the use of juice as food colouring and component was made feasible by acidification and partial evaporation of water together with volatile substances.