High-temperature electrical characteristics of GaAs MESFETs(25-400°C)

The effects of elevated ambient and substrate temperatures (25°C up to 400°C) on the electrical characteristics of integrated GaAs MESFETs in a state-of-the-art commercial technology are reported. The focus is on the large- and small-signal parameters of the transistors. The existence of zero-temperature-coefficient drain currents is demonstrated analytically and experimentally for enhancement- and for depletion-mode GaAs MESFETs. The data show that, while GaAs MESFETs generally display degradation mechanisms similar to those of silicon MOSFETs with increasing temperature, they incur several additional effects, prominent among which are increased gate leakage currents, lowered Schottky-barrier height, decreased large- and small-signal (gate) input resistances, decreased sensitivity to sidegating and backgating up to approximately 200°C, and increased small-signal drain resistance     

BOAR: an advanced HW/SW coemulation environment for DSP system development

The BOAR emulation system is targeted to hardware/software (HW/SW) codevelopment of advanced embedded DSP and telecom systems. The challenge of the BOAR system is efficient customization of programmable hardware, and dedicated partitioning routine to target applications and structures, which allows quite high overall system performance. The system allows multiple configurations for communication between processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) making the BOAR system an efficient tool for real-time HW/SW coverification. The reprogrammable hardware of the emulation tool is based on four Xilinx 4000-series devices, two Texas TMS320C50 signal processors and one Motorola MC68302 microcontroller. With current devices the BOAR hardware provides approximately 40–70 kgates of logic capacity in DSP applications. The emulation capacity can be expanded by connecting several similar boards in chain. The system has also a versatile internal reprogrammable test environment for test bench development, performance evaluations and design debugging. The logic development environment is based on the Synopsys synthesis tools and an automatic design management software, which performs resource mapping and performance-driven design partitioning between FPGAs. The emulation hardware is currently connected to logic and software development environments via an RS-232C bus. The BOAR emulation system has been found a very efficient platform for real-life prototyping of different types of DSP algorithms and systems, and validating correct functionality of a VHDL macro library.     

Internal and external factors of competitiveness shaping the future of wooden multistory construction in Finland and Sweden

In transitioning to a renewable material-based bio economy, growing public and industry interest is apparent for using wooden multistory construction (WMC) as a sustainable urban housing solution in Europe, but its business implications are not well understood. In our study, we evaluate, which internal and external factors of competitiveness are shaping the future of WMC, especially in the context of Finland and Sweden. Based on a multi-level perspective of socio-technical transitions, we conducted a three-stage dissensus-based Delphi study. The identified internal and external factors affecting the future competitiveness of the WMC business emphasize the importance of skilled architects and builders and the role of standardized building systems. Based on our results, the key aspects influencing the future competitiveness of WMC in the region are related to the development of technical infrastructure and project-based business networks, while additional changes in regulatory framework are perceived as less important. We conclude that towards 2030, the strong cognitive rules founded in the concrete-based building culture in these countries is likely to inhibit the dynamics of the socio-technical regime level. A change is also needed in the WMC business culture towards more open cross-sectoral collaboration and new business networks between different-sized players.     

Multiresolution gray-scale and rotation invariant textureclassification with local binary patterns

Presents a theoretically very simple, yet efficient, multiresolution approach to gray-scale and rotation invariant texture classification based on local binary patterns and nonparametric discrimination of sample and prototype distributions. The method is based on recognizing that certain local binary patterns, termed "uniform," are fundamental properties of local image texture and their occurrence histogram is proven to be a very powerful texture feature. We derive a generalized gray-scale and rotation invariant operator presentation that allows for detecting the "uniform" patterns for any quantization of the angular space and for any spatial resolution and presents a method for combining multiple operators for multiresolution analysis. The proposed approach is very robust in terms of gray-scale variations since the operator is, by definition, invariant against any monotonic transformation of the gray scale. Another advantage is computational simplicity as the operator can be realized with a few operations in a small neighborhood and a lookup table. Experimental results demonstrate that good discrimination can be achieved with the occurrence statistics of simple rotation invariant local binary patterns     

WATER FLOW AND BINDER MIGRATION DURING DRYING OF COATED PAPER

The aim of this study has been to develop a mathematical model for water flow and binder migration in coated paper. The model can be used for simulation of the stages starting after the coating applicator including infrared and air drying sections. On the basis of the model the moisture, temperature and binder distribution can be determined across the paper thickness. Approximating equations concerning the paper properties are used in the model. We have measured the diffusion coefficient between the water and binder substances. Representative numerical examples are presented for separate and combined infrared and air drying processes.     

Drought Stress Alters the Concentration of Wood Terpenoids in Scots Pine and Norway Spruce Seedlings

Drought is known to have an impact on the resistance of conifers to various pests, for example, by affecting resin flow in trees. Little is known, however, about the quantitative and qualitative changes in resin when trees are growing in low moisture conditions. We exposed Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings to medium and severe drought stress for two growing seasons and analyzed the monoterpenes and resin acids in the main stem wood after two years of treatment. In addition to secondary chemistry, we measured the level of nutrients in the needles and the growth response of seedlings. After the first year of treatment, drought stress did not affect the growth of seedlings, but in the second year, shoot growth was retarded, especially in Scots pine. In both conifer species, severe drought increased the concentrations of several individual monoterpenes and resin acids. Total monoterpenes and resin acids were 39 and 32% higher in severe drought-treated Scots pine seedlings than in the controls, and 35 and 45% higher in Norway spruce seedlings. In Scots pine needles, the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus increased, while magnesium and calcium decreased compared to controls. In Norway spruce needles, nutrient concentrations were not affected. The results suggest that drought stress substantially affects both the growth of conifers and the chemical quality of the wood. We discuss the potential trade-off in growth and defense of small conifer seedlings.     

Repeatability estimates for milk coagulation traits and non-coagulation of milk in Finnish Ayrshire cows

Effects of systematic environmental factors and milk production and quality traits on milk coagulation properties (MCP), and on repeatability of those traits were estimated from 979 milk samples collected once a month over a period of 2 years from 83 Finnish Ayrshire cows. Estimation was based on a multitrait animal model and REML methodology. In addition, persistence of non-coagulation of milk in individual cows, and factors associated with it were established from a sub sample of 24 cows producing non-coagulating (NC) milk at least once. MCP were at their best during the first lactation, at the beginning and at the end of lactation, and during grazing seasons. Variation in MCP with systematic environmental factors was partly due to variation in composition and quality of milk, especially in pH and ln (somatic cell count, SCC). Coefficients of repeatability for milk coagulation time and curd firmness were 0.65 and 0.68. These estimates were of the same magnitude as those for protein content, but were higher than those for daily milk yield, fat content, pH, and SCC. Based on the repeatability estimates for the milk coagulation traits and effects of the environmental factors, cows should be sampled at least three times during a lactation to estimate reliably breeding values for the milk coagulation traits. A total of 10% of the milk samples did not coagulate in 30 min after addition of rennet. Cows that produced NC milk at least once (30% of the cows) could be classified into those that produced NC milk only a few times during a lactation and those that produced NC milk at almost every sampling. Based on logistic regression analyses, peak and mid-lactation, high milk yield, low protein and fat content and high pH increased the risk of non-coagulation of milk.     

Catalytic Oxidation of Dichloromethane and Perchloroethylene: Laboratory and Industrial Scale Studies

Development of a reliable laboratory scale test for the design of industrial catalysts is crucial. In this article, different laboratory-scale tests were compared with an industrial scale CVOCs treatment. With dichloromethane (DCM) the laboratory scale test results corresponded well to the industrial scale oxidation results. However, the perchloroethylene (PCE) conversions measured in industry were always higher than what was achieved in the laboratory scale indicating that the industrial scale catalytic incinerator operating in transient conditions is highly beneficial in PCE oxidation. It was clearly shown that in order to design high-quality laboratory scale experiments, information on complete composition and total concentration of the emission is needed but also different types of catalytic tests need to be used depending on the industrial reactor. In addition, the catalysts’ performance in an industrial VOC abatement unit was examined as the oxidation efficiencies of DCM, PCE and other hydrocarbons (OHC) were compared after 3, 10 and 23 months of operation. After 23 months and 13,065 operating hours, no significant decrease in the activity of the catalysts was observed showing that the used noble metal catalysts are highly resistant towards these demanding conditions.     

Efficacy and environmental acceptability of two ballast water treatment chemicals and an alkylamine based-biocide

Ship's ballast waters transport large numbers of organisms which may become invasive in coastal regions. One option to address this problem is the use of biocides as ballast water treatment (BWT). Efficacy and environmental acceptability of three commercial active substances (the BWT biocides Peraclean^® Ocean and Seakleen^®, and alkylamine-based biocide Mexel^® 432/336) were tested against three bacteria species, two vegetative microalgae and one zooplanktonic larva, in 10 and 30 Practical Salinity Unit (PSU) waters. In both salinities, PeraClean^® Ocean was the most effective biocide against bacteria causing > 90% mortality at 20 mg/l, compared with 50 mg/l for Mexel^® 432/336 and > 500 mg/l for Seakleen^®. Regarding zooplankton, Seakleen^® was the most effective chemical causing 90% mortality in 24 h at concentrations < 6 mg/l (LC90_24 h) in both salinities, compared with 23 and 26 mg/l for Mexel^® 432/336 and 370 and 480 mg/l for PeraClean^® Ocean in 10 and 30 PSU, respectively. Similar pattern of efficacy was obtained for microalgae in 30 PSU: effective concentrations inducing 50% growth inhibition in 4 days were ≤ 1.6 mg/l for Seakleen^®, ≤ 10.1 mg/l for Mexel^® 432/336 and ≤ 30.9 mg/l for PeraClean^® Ocean. Our work highlighted that treated waters displayed residual toxicity after 24 h still inducing mortality depending on the organism and biocide. However Mexel^® 432/336 is the only biocide which had no impact on oyster larvae development at effective concentration. Altogether our data showed that Mexel^® 432/336 was the only biocide displaying a broad spectrum efficacy in concentrations < 50 mg/l and not toxic for oyster larvae development at this concentration. However residual toxicity of treated waters for any organism should be taken into account in BWT systems utilising biocides.     

A microbiological screening method for the indication of irradiation of frozen poultry meat

A microbiological screening method for the detection of irradiation of frozen poultry meat was developed on the basis of the combined use of total cell count by the direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) and viable cell count by the aerobic plate count method (APC). Samples of ground, deboned poultry leg were irradiated or not with dose levels of 3, 5 and 7 kGy using an electron beam accelerator. All samples were frozen before the irradiation treatment. The average values of the differences between DEFT and APC counts in control samples and those irradiated with doses of 3, 5 and 7 kGy were 1.14 log units for control samples, and 3.16, 3.68 and 3.79 log units for the irradiated samples. A difference of at least 2 log units can therefore be considered as a limit value indicating probable irradiation treatment necessitating further investigations.

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Anwendung eines mikrobiologischen Unterscheidungsverfahrens zum Nachweis der Bestrahlung von gefrorenem Hühnerfleisch

Zusammenfassung Es wurde ein mikrobiologisches Verfahren zum Nachweis der Bestrahlung von tiefgefrorenem Hühnerfleisch auf der Basis kombinierten Einsatzes direkter Epifluoreszenzfiltertechnik (DEFT) und Kolonieauszählung (APC) entwickelt. Die Proben - knochenfreie, zerkleinerte Hühnerschenkel - waren entweder unbestrahlt oder mit einem Elektronenbeschleuninger mit Dosen von 3, 5 bzw. 7 kGy bestrahlt worden. Alle Proben waren vor der Bestrahlung eingefroren worden. Die Mittelwerte der Differenzen zwischen den DEFT- und den APC-Ergebnissen betrugen bei den unbestrahlten Proben 1,14 logarithmische Einheiten und bei den mit 3, 5 bzw. 7 kGy bestrahlten Proben 3,16, 3,68 bzw. 3,79 logarithmische Einheiten. Die Differenz von wenigstens zwei logarithmischen Einheiten kann als Grenze für die Möglichkeit eines Nachweises eventueller Bestrahlung betrachtet werden und macht weitere Untersuchungen erforderlich.