Multimode precoding for crosstalk mitigation in ultra‐broadband DSL systems

The achievable downstream bit‐rate performance of digital subscriber line (DSL) channels using low‐complexity linear precoders is suboptimal when the row‐wise diagonally dominant property of the channel matrix does not hold at high frequencies anticipated to be exploited in future‐generation DSL systems, while the optimal nonlinear precoder is computationally demanding. In this paper, we propose two multimode precoders, which are operable in four modes on each tone. Specifically, the proposed precoding strategies exploit the insertion loss and crosstalk information inferred from the channel matrix to execute mode selection for all the transmission tones. The computational complexity of the proposed multimode precoders is derived and compared with existing precoders. Simulation results show that the proposed precoders can achieve near‐optimal performance at a lower computational complexity.     

Modelling prostate motion for data fusion during image-guided interventions

There is growing clinical demand for image registration techniques that allow multimodal data fusion for accurate targeting of needle biopsy and ablative prostate cancer treatments. However, during procedures where transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance is used, substantial gland deformation can occur due to TRUS probe pressure. In this paper, the ability of a statistical shape/motion model, trained using finite element simulations, to predict and compensate for this source of motion is investigated. Three-dimensional ultrasound images acquired on five patient prostates, before and after TRUS-probe-induced deformation, were registered using a nonrigid, surface-based method, and the accuracy of different deformation models compared. Registration using a statistical motion model was found to outperform alternative elastic deformation methods in terms of accuracy and robustness, and required substantially fewer target surface points to achieve a successful registration. The mean final target registration error (based on anatomical landmarks) using this method was 1.8 mm. We conclude that a statistical model of prostate deformation provides an accurate, rapid and robust means of predicting prostate deformation from sparse surface data, and is therefore well-suited to a number of interventional applications where there is a need for deformation compensation.     

Effects of a magnetic field on chaotic convection in fluid layer heated from below

Features of nonlinear dynamics of thermal convection in an electrically conducting fluid layer heated from below and cooled from above subjected to a constant magnetic field are studied theoretically. The Galerkin truncated approximation is employed to derive a low dimensional Lorenz-like model. Numerical analysis was performed to examine the influence of magnetic field on the phase space trajectory of various chaotic regimes. The result indicates that it is possible to suppress or enhance the chaotic convection.     

Correlation between droplet-induced strain actuation and voltage generation in single-wall carbon nanotube films

In this paper, a method of strain actuation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films using droplets is examined, and the physical origin of an open-circuit voltage (Voc)-observed across the film during this process-is explored. We demonstrate that droplet actuation is driven by the formation of a capillary bridge between the suspended SWNT films and the substrates, which deforms the films by wetting forces during evaporation. The induced strain is further evaluated and analyzed using dynamic Raman and two-dimensional correlation spectra. Supported by theoretical calculations, our experiments reveal the time and strain dependency of the capillary bridge's midpoint directional movement. This relationship is applied to display the correlation between the induced strain and the measured Voc.     

Nanobiosensor for the detection and quantification of pork adulteration in meatball formulation

A 27-nucleotide AluI fragment of swine cytochrome b (cytb) gene was integrated to 3-nm diameter citrate–tannate-coated gold nanoparticles to fabricate a species-specific nanobiosensor. The biosensor was applied to authenticate pork adulteration in meatball formulation, which is a favourite food in many Asian and European countries. The sensor was found to be sensitive enough to detect 1% pork in raw and cooked meatballs, prepared from the previously mixed pork and beef in specific ratios (% w/w). The hybridisation kinetics of the hybrid biosensor was studied with synthetic targets from moderate to extreme target concentrations and a hyperbolic relationship was found. However, linearity was observed with probe/target ratios 4:1 to 1:2. This part of the curve quantified target DNA in ready-to-eat mixed meatball preparations with more than 90% accuracy. The biosensor probe was hybridised with a target DNA that was several-fold shorter than a typical PCR-template. This offered the detection and quantitation of potential targets in highly processed meat products or extensively degraded samples where PCR-based identification technique might not work due to the fragmentation of comparatively longer DNA. We believe that the assay can be used as an alternative to qPCR for determining shorter size DNA sequences in degraded samples to address a range of biological problems, such as food analysis, bio-diagnostics, environmental monitoring, genetic screening and forensic investigations.     

Optimization of the basic formulation of a traditional baked cassava cake using response surface methodology

The optimum formulation for production of a Malaysian traditional baked cassava cake was determined using response surface methodology (RSM). Effects of amount of ingredients such as sugar (10-30%) and coconut milk (15-35%) on the textural characteristics (hardness and chewiness) and sensory qualities (colour, firmness, cassava flavour and overall acceptability) of cakes were investigated. Significant regression models which explained the effects of different percentages of sugar and coconut milk on all response variables were determined. The coefficients of determination, R² of all the response variables were higher than 0.8. Based on the response surface and superimposed plots, the basic formulation for production of Malaysian traditional baked cassava cake with desired sensory quality was obtained by incorporating with 25% of sugar and 20% of coconut milk.     

Canine-Specific PCR Assay Targeting Cytochrome b Gene for the Detection of Dog Meat Adulteration in Commercial Frankfurters

This report described a cytochrome b (cytb)-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of canine tissues in commercial frankfurters. Discriminating detection of canine derivatives in processed food products has important application in halal authentication as well as in health, religions, and fare trades. The assay based on a pair of canine-specific primers that targeted a 100 bp region of canine mithochondrial-cytb gene which is present in multiple copies and highly conserved within the same species. The specificity of the assay was tested against dog and eight most common animal meat species as well as five plant species commonly found in frankfurter formulation. The stability and specificity of the assay were verified under different thermal processing conditions under pure and complex matrices. Three commercial brands of chicken and beef frankfurters were tested in triplicate, and specific PCR products were obtained only from deliberately contaminated formulations. The detection limit of the assay was 0.1 % (0.02 ng DNA) of canine meat spiked with other meats in a typical frankfurter formulation. Shorter amplicon length, superior stability, and higher sensitivity of the assay suggested its potential application in the screening of canine-origin biomaterials in processed food products.     

Perovskite-based proton conducting membranes for hydrogen separation: A review

Hydrogen is considered a fuel of the future due to its diversified supply and zero greenhouse gas emission. The application of advanced membrane technology for hydrogen separation within the larger hydrogen production process context can substitute the use of more expensive and energy intensive cryogenic distillation and pressure swing adsorption technologies. This review overviews the basic aspects and progresses in perovskite-based proton conducting hydrogen separation membranes. Different configurations such as symmetric, asymmetric, hollow fiber, and surface modified perovskite membranes with various compositions are discussed and summarized. The challenges and future directions of such membranes are also elaborated.     

Cleavage Strength of Steel/Composite Joints

This paper presents the experimental results of an on-going study to examine cleavage strength, particularly at the interface regions of epoxy adhesive with steel and glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) composite. The adhesion is characterised by mechanical testing of cleavage specimens. A standard specimen was modified to allow testing of hybrid joints. The effects of adhesive thickness and various surface conditions of both adherends were examined. Among key conclusions, the study found that cleavage strength is not strongly dependent upon adhesive thickness and that polished composite gives better adhesion compared with polished steel. Test results were analysed and compared with aspects of numerical analyses. The study has also established a new methodology to test hybrid adhesive cleavage joints.     

Differential scanning calorimetry: gelatinisation of sago starch in the presence of sucrose and sodium chloride

The effect of sucrose and sodium chloride (NaCl) on sago starch gelatinisation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The gelatinisation of starch in the presence of low levels of water and high levels of sucrose was studied. The gelatinisation temperature was found to increase in the presence of sucrose, whereas the gelatinisation enthalpy was unaffected. The gelatinisation temperature range was not as broad in the presence of sucrose as without sucrose. Furthermore, the shape of the gelatinisation endotherm was changed by the addition of sucrose. The double endotherm obtained in limited water–starch systems was changed into a single endotherm, similar to the endotherm obtained in excess water–starch systems at higher temperature. DSC was also used to examine the effects of water and NaCl content on the phase transitions of sago starch. Samples were adjusted to starch–water weight ratios of 2:3 and 3:2 in NaCl concentrations from 1 to 5 M . The gelatinisation temperature of sago starch increased and then decreased as the NaCl concentration increased. NaCl created similar effects on the endotherms with excess water content and on the first endotherm with limited water content. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry