New version of an instrument for measuring the sun's height by means of a ring laser

An instrument is proposed for continuously tracking the Sun and measuring its height by the use of a laser gyrometer as measuring converter. The accuracy in photoelectric sighting on the Sun is improved by greatly reducing the light fluxes to be compared by screening out the central part of the Sun's image in the focal plane. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 7–9, March, 1994.     

Effect of pulse time gate on CsI(T1) light output

The mass and charge identification of secondary particles with Z < 4 by a large CsI(T1) scintillation detector is performed using pulse shape analysis and time-of-flight methods. The dependence of the light output on E, A and Z is studied in the energy range of 1–20 MeV/A and special attention is paid to the integration time of the photomultiplier anode signal. It is found that the behaviour of the calibration curves strongly depends on the choice of the integration time interval.     

Self-monitoring and intake interviewers' therapeutic orientations.

A therapist's theoretical orientation is likely to influence every facet of the therapeutic process. We explore the relationship of therapeutic orientation and self-monitoring style. To test the hypothesis that high self-monitors would be more eclectic than low self-monitors, we surveyed 30 intake therapists at a child guidance center. Results supported the hypothesis; those frequently using more than one orientation had higher self-monitoring scores. Furthermore, self-monitoring correlated negatively with psychoanalytic endorsement, but in a positive direction with behavioral, systems and eclectic endorsements. Results are discussed in terms of training needs of those differing in self-monitoring style. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Malted weaning food made from maize,soybean, groundnut and cooking banana

Infant malnutrition and mortality are common in Africa, although Africa is endowed with agricultural produce that could be harnessed through processing to produce adequate infant food. This project was set up to explore the possibility of using local raw materials to develop a nutritious, low‐dietary‐bulk, cheap infant food. The materials used included cereal (maize), pulses (soybean and groundnut) and tuberiferous plants (cooking banana). The grains were first germinated and dried or kilned before milling and formulation. The malted products were compared with fermented ones in terms of nutritional, dietary bulk and acceptability criteria. Malting increased the nutrient content, reduced the dietary bulk and enhanced the taste of the infant food. In terms of protein content, least gelation concentration and overall acceptability, malted samples had values in the range of 138–151 mg g^?1, 150–175 g l^?1 and 7.2–8.82 respectively, while the control (fermented) sample had values of 54 mg g^?1, 100 g l^?1 and 6.29 respectively. Roasting of malted cereals above 55 °C reduced the bulk reduction ability but enhanced the taste of the products. A combination of malted maize and soybean, roasted groundnut and cooking banana in the ratio of 50:15:15:20 gave a very recommendable weaning food for infants between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Current-mode A/D converter

The authors report the design of a new current-mode A/D converter, based on a modified successive-approximations model, in 1.2 μm CMOS technology. The proposed circuit is characterised by good accuracy and fast dynamic performance, low power consumption and small occupation area. SPICE simulations allow the design approach to be validated and the electrical performance of the ADC to be predicted     

Filter matrix estimation in automated DNA sequencing

In four-color fluorescence-based automated DNA sequencing, a 4×4 filter matrix parameterizes the relationship between the dye-intensity signals of interest and the data collected by an optical imaging system. The filter matrix is important because the estimated DNA sequence is based on the dye intensities that can only be recovered via inversion of the matrix. Here, the authors present a calibration method for the estimation of the columns of this matrix, using data generated through a special experiment in which DNA samples are labeled with only one fluorescent dye at a time. Simulations and applications of the method to real data are provided, with promising results     

Wideband microstrip array antenna with sidelobe cancellationchannels

An antenna array for wideband operation (up to 70%) is presented. The structure has low windloading area and consists of parallel printed circuit boards (PCB) with microstrip dipoles, feed network and metal fences placed between the PCBs. The low profile, low weight antenna array forms the main beam and three difference patterns for sidelobe cancellation. Experimental results are compared with calculations for both microstrip dipole and array     

Analysis of the deformation of polypropylene hot-tool butt welds

Thin microtomed samples from hot-tool butt welds of polypropylene pipes are subjected to uniaxial tensile stress using a specially built instrumented microtesting machine. The deformation of the interface between the weld and the bulk polymer is measured by an optical method. An analysis of these measurements is carried out using the finite element method, and contours of the effective stress are obtained. There is a steep stress gradient at the junction of the weld flash and the bulk polymer, although the stress concentration factor is relatively low. The stress is essentially constant in the bulk polymer apart from the region near the weld zone. Tests on samples without the weld flash show that the maximum stress occurs within the weld zone. This is consistent with long-term tests on larger samples, where the fracture is found to initiate within the weld. The method of analysis enables the stress-strain response of the weld material to be determined.