Electromagnetically compatible CMOS auto-balanced current sensor for highly integrated power control System-On-Chip

This paper describes the design and prototyping of an auto-balanced contactless current sensor in standard Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, without any additional post-processing cost. The architecture includes two high-sensitivity Hall plates with differential amplification electronics. A high common mode rejection is insured by the integrated auto-balancing system based on the use of integrated coils. When a common current is applied in the embedded coils, the integrated system provides a feedback signal to a digital control unit which in turn adjusts the biasing current of one of the Hall plates in order to balance the amplification of the two Hall plates. Designed in a standard CMOS technology, this sensor can be integrated in power control System-On-Chip requiring extremely electro-magnetically compatible current sensor.     

Using icon arrays to communicate medical risks: Overcoming low numeracy.

Objective: Icon arrays have been suggested as a potentially promising format for communicating risks to patients—especially those with low numeracy skills—but experimental studies are lacking. This study investigates whether icon arrays increase accuracy of understanding medical risks, and whether they affect perceived seriousness of risks and helpfulness of treatments. Design: Two experiments were conducted on samples of older adults (n = 59, 62 to 77 years of age) and university students (n = 112, 26 to 35 years of age). Main Outcome Measures: Accuracy of understanding risk reduction; perceived seriousness of risks; perceived helpfulness of treatments. Results: Icon arrays increased accuracy of both low- and high-numeracy people, even when transparent numerical representations were used. Risks presented via icon arrays were perceived as less serious than those presented numerically. With larger icon arrays (1,000 instead of 100 icons) risks were perceived more serious, and risk reduction larger. Conclusions: Icon arrays are a promising way of communicating medical risks to a wide range of patient groups, including older adults with lower numeracy skills. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Monitoring kidney and renal cyst volumes applying MR approaches on a rapamycin treated mouse model of ADPKD

Object  The aim of our study was to determine total cystic volume in a mouse model of PKD using MR imaging to monitor therapeutic effects in vivo. Materials and methods  We imaged eight female pcy-mice in two groups: four belonged to an untreated control group and four were treated with the anticystic agent rapamycin, which has proven to be effective in reducing cystogenesis in animal models. The mice were imaged using a 9.4 Tesla animal scanner. MRI measurements were taken at six time points during the therapy. Total renal volumes and total cyst volumes were calculated using a thresholding approach. Results  During the course of the treatment, the total cyst volume increased significantly faster than the total renal volume in the untreated group, indicating that growth of the total renal volume in the untreated group was primarily due to the growth of the cysts, rather than the parenchyma. The measured total renal volume in the control (placebo) group was significantly higher than the volume in the treated group. Conclusion  Using MRI, we were able to monitor the cystic volume in a mouse model of PKD to assess the therapeutic effect of anticystic treatment.     

Untersuchung des einflusses molekularer parameter auf morphologie und eigenschaften von polyethylenen niedriger dichte

Based on the example of PE-LD grades and on model substances obtained by preparative fractionation (fractions in the molecular weight range M?_w = 1.2 ? 390·10⁴ g/mol), comprehensive investigations regarding the problems of structure/properties have been carried out. The correlations of M?_w with 15 physical and application technological perameters have been investigated taking into account the reaction mechanism during the manufacturing of PE-LD in the tubular and agitated autoclave reactor, resulting in the formation of so-called primary structure perameters M?_n, M?_w, molar mass distribution, short chain branching and long chain branching. For the interpretation of the results, among other factors, also the morphological conditions have been taken into consideration, which in connection with the molecular parameters reveal — for specific M?_w-ranges — strong changes and saturation ranges, resp., for the physical and application technological properties.     

Die Rolle des Experiments in der Verfahrensentwicklung

Experiments in process development . Design data for the improvement of existing plants or for the development of new chemical processes are determined by experiments in laboratories or pilot plants. These frequently expensive testruns should lower the scaling-up risk for industrial plant and should ensure its long-term functioning and its economy. The various methods of scaling-up and the influence of errors are discussed. Some examples will show how an exact planning of the experiments can minimize the costs of development and product.     

ANTARES: The HTR/VHTR project at Framatome ANP

Framatome ANP is developing a very high temperature reactor (VHTR), relying on its previous experience with high temperature reactor concepts, from its participation in the MODUL and the GT-MHR designs. While being a major actor in the nuclear reactor business with proven light water technology, AREVA wishes to be ready to meet the new challenges calling for small grid requirements, high temperature process heat and cogeneration. The Framatome ANP VHTR design for electricity production is based on an indirect cycle coupled to an “off-the-shelf” combined cycle gas turbine. Although direct cycle HTRs are being promoted for their high efficiency, preliminary evaluations show that the Framatome ANP design efficiency is on par with a direct cycle while avoiding power generation system (PGS) developments and keeping the PGS contamination free. Moreover, the nuclear heat source of the indirect cycle could also be used to meet the heat supplies from a standard design for multiple applications.     

Zweiphasige Strömungsvorgänge in Kreiselpumpen unter Berücksichtigung der Energieübertragung im Laufrad und in der Leiteinrichtung

Zusammenfassung In den verschiedenen Str?mungsbereichen der Kreiselpumpe stellt sich zwischen Feststoffpartikeln und Tr?gerfluid (z. B. Wasser) infolge des Dichteunterschiedes eine Phasenrelativgeschwindigkeit ein. Hieraus resultiert ein differenziertes Verhalten der Phasen bei der Energieübertragung. Auf der Grundlage von [1] sollen die Bewegungsvorg?nge n?her untersucht werden, wobei aus dem Kr?ftegleichgewicht auf die Phasengeschwindigkeiten und damit die Bahnbewegung geschlossen werden kann.