Characterization of an ASIC for CPG sensors with grid-only depth of interaction sensing

A new version of the front-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for co-planar-grid (CPG) sensors is presented. Compared to the first version, the ASIC is optimized for signal/noise performance, modified in peaking time, and it implements timing signals to measure the depth of interaction using the grids signals only. Experimental results using state-of the-art CPG sensors and different approaches for reducing the error due to electron trapping are reported. A new technique that makes use of the sum and difference of the grids signals is also presented.     

Microprocessor testability

As the level of microprocessor complexity increases to several hundred thousand transistors for a single-chip machine, it is becoming very difficult to test commercially available designs to the level of fault coverage desired by some customers. In order to achieve near 100-percent coverage of single stuck-at faults, future microprocessors must be designed with special testing features (designed for testability). The authors describe the testing problem for microprocessors, including the various methods of generating test sets and their application by the user. A survey of the testability features of some of today's commercially available microprocessors is presented. Suggestions for testability features for future-generation microprocessors are also discussed     

Economic evaluation of long-distance hydrogen transmission by chemical closed-loop cycle

All over the world there are enormous unexploited renewable energy reserves (hydro, geothermic, solar, wind, etc.). Most originate far from the location of the users, so their exploitation would greatly benefit from the disclosure of new, more economical, and technically feasible transmission systems.A possible alternative to electricity is the use of hydrogen as a medium for transportation of energy. This work proposes a chemical closed-loop cycle based upon catalytic reversible reactions as a means to transmit hydrogen. A real example for the application of the proposed system for transportation of secondary energy was considered. In particular, choosing a large hydro-electric source as reference, a comparison was made between costs and efficiencies in transferring energy as hydrogen (in its different forms) over long distances, with respect to transportation of the same energy as electricity.     

Associations among milk yield, yield persistency, conception, and culling of Israeli Holstein dairy cattle

Genetic correlations among Predicted Differences for milk yield corrected for economic value of fat content, annualized yield, yield persistency, conception rate, and culling rate were estimated. Correlations were .43 between yield persistency and annualized yield, .42 between yield persistency and conception rate, and .1 between annualized yield and conception rate. For Predicted Differences for these traits computed separately for each of first three parities, correlations between pairs were highest for annualized yield and lowest for culling rate. Regression coefficients for conception rate from cow insemination records on daily yield preceding insemination and on absolute change of yield during month of insemination were significantly negative for the first three parities. A positive pleiotropic effect for yield, yield persistency, and conception rate was suggested; therefore, progeny testing for yield persistency may improve yield and conception rate. High yields and large changes of yield during month of insemination adversely affected conception rate of cows within herds.     

Optimal characteristic polynomials for digital multistep pseudorandom numbers

The digital multistep method generates uniform pseudorandom numbers by transforming sequences of integers obtained by multistep recursions. The statistical independence properties of these pseudorandom numbers depend on the characteristic polynomial of the recursion. We describe a method of calculating characteristic polynomials that are optimal with respect to statistical independence of pairs of successive pseudorandom numbers. Tables of such optimal characteristic polynomials for degrees ≤64 are included.     

Effects of Sodium Hydroxide and Selected Inorganic Phosphates on the Characteristics of Reduced Sodium Meat Emulsions

The effects of adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH), separately or in combinastion with various inorganic phosphates, on meat emulsion characteristics were studied. In comparing the addition of either NaPP or NaOH, 0.075% NaOH resulted in a higher raw emulsion pH and greater solubilized protein than 0.30% NaPP, but NaPP resulted in a more stable emulsion. The combination of 0.075% NaOH and 0.30% NaPP resulted in a soluble protein level less than when the ingredients were added individually and only slightly higher than if neither were present. The addition of NaOH (at 1 part NaOH to 4 parts phosphate) decreased cooked yields. With NaAPP and NaPP, NaOH reduced yields below that of the control.