Multistage Zeolite Drying for Energy-Efficient Drying

This work discusses the potential of three multistage zeolite drying systems (counter-, co-, and cross-current) with a varying number of stages. The evaluation showed that for 2-4 stages with heat recovery the efficiency of the systems ranges between 80 and 90%. Additionally, by introducing a compressor, the latent heat in the exhaust air from the regenerator is recovered and used to heat the inlet air for an additional drying stage. As a result, for the counter-current drying system and compressor pressure 1.5-2 bar, a maximum energy efficiency of 120% is achieved, which results in halving the energy consumption compared to conventional drying systems.     

A Radiation Imaging Detector Made by Postprocessing a Standard CMOS Chip

An unpackaged microchip is used as the sensing element in a miniaturized gaseous proportional chamber. This letter reports on the fabrication and performance of a complete radiation imaging detector based on this principle. Our fabrication schemes are based on wafer-scale and chip-scale postprocessing. Compared to hybrid-assembled gaseous detectors, our microsystem shows superior alignment precision and energy resolution, and offers the capability to unambiguously reconstruct 3D radiation tracks on the spot.     

Photonic Demodulator With Sensitivity Control

A current assisted photonic demodulator for use as a pixel in a 3-D time-of-flight imager shows nearly 100% static demodulator contrast and is operable beyond 30 MHz. An integrated tunable sensitivity control is also presented for increasing the distance measurement range and avoiding unwanted saturation during integration periods. This is achieved by application of a voltage on a dedicated drain tap showing a quenching of sensor sensitivity to below 1%     

Towards Testing Product Line Architectures

A product line architecture is a single specification capturing the overall architecture of a series of closely related products. Its structure consists of a set of mandatory elements and a set of variation points. Whereas mandatory elements are part of the architecture of every product in the product line architecture, variation points precisely define the dimensions along which the architectures of individual products differ from each other.The increased use of product line architectures in today's software development projects poses several challenges for existing testing techniques. In this paper we discuss those challenges and discuss what we believe are opportunities for addressing them.     

A kinetic model for the acid-oxygen pressure leaching of Ni–Cu matte

A semi-empirical mathematical model for the acid-oxygen pressure leaching of Ni–Cu matte is presented, based on data from batch leaching experiments. The primary controlling factor in the leaching process is found to be galvanic inhibition of the more highly oxidized copper and nickel sulfide species by less oxidized species, particularly Ni alloy and Ni₃S₂. The leaching rate of many species is greatly reduced by the presence of one or both of these phases, and others will not commence leaching until neither is present. The mathematical model is based on first-order chemical reaction controlled rate expressions, as the reactions occurring are electrochemical in nature. Mass transfer effects are included only empirically. Some possibly diffusion-related phenomena are noted, although the model is not extended to incorporate these effects on a fundamental level. The model is verified and extended by the inclusion of several different factors that were tested experimentally. The effects of variations in O₂ flow rate and partial pressure, initial particle size, reaction pulp density and initial acid concentration were all studied, and included in the model. Variations in O₂ flow rate and partial pressure are found to affect the reaction rates via the dissolved oxygen concentration in the solution phase.     

Ethernet-based passive optical local-area networks for fiber-to-the-desk application

We introduce optical local-area network (LAN) architectures based on multimode optical fiber and components, short wavelength lasers and detectors, and the widely used fast Ethernet protocol. These architectures are designed to lower the costs associated with passive optical LAN implementation. Further reduction in overall cost is achieved through decreased network downtime, lower maintenance cost, extended geometrical spans, and larger headroom for future capacity increase. These optically transparent networks represent a novel approach for implementing fiber-to-the-desk.     

Structure determination of CaMgGeO4

The crystal structure of CaMgGeO₄ is described. CaMgGeO₄, M_r = 200.9, orthorhombic, Pnam, A = 11.285(5) Å, B = 5.016(2) Å, C = 6.435(2) Å, V = 364.36 ų, Dx = 3.664 Mg/m³.λ(MoK_a = 0.71069 Å, F(000) = 384, room temperature, final R = 0.045 for 1752 observed reflections. The structure is isomorphous with CaMgSiO₄ (monticellite).     

Narcissism, sexual refusal, and aggression: Testing a narcissistic reactance model of sexual coercion.

Laboratory analog studies investigated the theory that narcissism and reactance contribute to causing rape. In Study 1, narcissism correlated positively with rape-supportive beliefs and negatively with empathy for rape victims. In Study 2, narcissists reported more enjoyment than other men of film depictions that presented consensual, affectionate activity followed by rape (but not in response to either affection or rape alone). In Study 3, narcissists were more punitive than other men toward a female confederate who refused to read a sexually arousing passage aloud to them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)