Drone-Based Autonomous Robot Diagnostic System for Gas and Oil Pipelines in the Arctic and Far North

A drone-based autonomous robot diagnostic system for gas and oil pipelines in the Arctic and Far North has been developed.     

Demodulation Method for Continuous Phase Modulation Signals Based on Least-Squares Method

Continuous phase modulation (CPM) schemes are attractive for telecommunication systems, which are limited in terms of the bandwidth and signal power due to their high spectral efficiency. In this paper we present a method for the demodulation of continuous phase modulation signals based on least-squares method (LSM). This method (CPM-LSM) is based on the optimal linear estimation of information symbols from the phase of the received signal by solving the overdetermined system of equations using the least squares method. Mathematical substantiation for the application of the proposed CPM-LSM method is presented. Preliminary experimental results of modeling using Geo-Mobile Radio (GMR-2) signals indicate that the method is robust with respect to carrier phase errors. Another feature of CPM-LSM method is that it does not use unique words (symbol patterns for amplitude/phase alignment). The latter fact is very important since unique words usually occupy up to twenty percent of transmitted packet size. The absence of unique words can substantially increase the information throughput.     

Path Representation in Circuit Netlists Using Linear-Sized ZDDs with Optimal Variable Ordering

The efficient representation and manipulation of a large number of paths in a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) requires the usage of special data structures that may become of exponential size with respect to the size of the graph. Several methodologies targeting Electronic Design Automation problems such as timing analysis, physical design, verification and testing involve path representation and necessary manipulation. Previous works proposed an encoding using Zero-suppressed Binary Decision Diagrams (ZDDs), which has been shown experimentally to cope well when representing structural or logical paths in VLSI circuits. However, it is well known that the ordering of the variables in a ZDD highly affects its size and, therefore, the efficiency of the methodologies utilizing these data structures. In this work, we show that using a reverse topological order for the ZDD variables bounds the number of nodes in the ZDD representing structural paths to the number of edges in the DAG considered, hence, making the ZDD size linear to the DAG’s size. This result, supported here both theoretically and experimentally, is very important as it can render methodologies with questionable scalability applicable to larger industrial designs. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed variable ordering in one such methodology which utilizes ZDDs to grade the Path Delay Fault coverage of a given test set.     

Fermented and malted millet products in Africa: Expedition from traditional/ethnic foods to industrial value-added products

With the prevalent food insecurity in Africa, there is a growing need to utilize the available crops to develop nutritious, affordable and palatable food for the populace. Millet is critical in this role, relative to its abundance in the continent and good nutritional composition. For ages, fermentation and malting have been traditionally used to transform millet into variety of produce. A paradigm shift has however occurred over the years, giving birth to new commercially available products. This review thus appraises and gives an overview of traditional and modern fermented and malted products. Although, millet has been diversified to several products, its major food uses are still restrained to traditional consumers and largely remains underutilized. Considering the potential embedded in this grain, it is important to explore this crop through the application of appropriate modern fermentation and malting technologies. This will ensure the availability of ready to eat (RTE) and ready to use (RTU) food products and to a large extent address the incessant food security challenges plaguing Africa.     

Vibrational Molding of Filtering Materials Using Stainless Steel and Saponite Powders

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - The paper describes the results of vibrational molding and proposes a process for producing a gradient filtering material from stainless steel and saponite...     

Influence of Sodium Microalloying on Rolling Contact Endurance and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Deformed Powder Steels

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - Rolling bearing rings comprise a large reserve for expanding powder metallurgy production. This reserve is being incompletely implemented. The hot forging of...     

Prospects for Producing Special Cold-Resistant Economically Alloyed Nickel Ferritic Steel for Liquefied Natural Gas Storage and Transportation Vessels

Metallurgist - Ferritic steels are developed economically alloyed with nickel (up to 7%) with increased strength and low-temperature toughness for the manufacture of liquefied natural gas (LNG)...     

Characterisation of the microplasma spraying of biocompatible coating of titanium

This paper presents new results of studying the influence of parameters of microplasma spraying (MPS) of Ti wire on the structure and properties of Ti coatings. Based on the design of the experiment and the results of the SEM study, certain spraying modes were chosen to form the desired composition and structure of the Ti coating.  The dense sublayer (up to 300 µm thick) provides good adhesion to the substrate, and a porous top layer can accelerate the coated implant ingrowth with the bone.  This technology is developed for the manufacture of coated endoprosthesis implants.