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.     

Robust Encryption

We provide a provable-security treatment of “robust” encryption. Robustness means it is hard to produce a ciphertext that is valid for two different users. Robustness makes explicit a property that has been implicitly assumed in the past. We argue that it is an essential conjunct of anonymous encryption. We show that natural anonymity-preserving ways to achieve it, such as adding recipient identification information before encrypting, fail. We provide transforms that do achieve it, efficiently and provably. We assess the robustness of specific encryption schemes in the literature, providing simple patches for some that lack the property. We explain that robustness of the underlying anonymous IBE scheme is essential for public-key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) to be consistent (meaning, not have false positives), and our work provides the first generic conversions of anonymous IBE schemes to consistent (and secure) PEKS schemes. Overall, our work enables safer and simpler use of encryption.     

A minimum projected-distance test for parametric single-index Berkson models

In this paper, we propose a minimum projected-distance test for parametric single-index regression models when the predictors are measured with Berkson errors. This test asymptotically behaves like a locally smoothing test as if the null model were with one-dimensional predictor, and is omnibus to detect all global alternative models. The test can also detect local alternative models that converge to the null model at the fastest rate that the existing locally smoothing tests with one-dimensional predictor can achieve. Therefore, the proposed test has potential for alleviating the curse of dimensionality in this field. We also give two bias-correction methods to center the test statistic. Numerical studies are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed test.     

Recent advances in finite element modeling of the human cervical spine

The human cervical spine is a complex structure that is the most frequently injured site among all spinal injuries. Therefore, understanding of the cervical spine injury and dysfunction, and also biomechanical response to external stimuli is important. Finite element (FE) modeling can help researchers to access the internal stresses and strains in the bones, ligaments and soft tissues more realistically, and it has been widely adopted for spine biomechanics research. Although in recent years numerous techniques have been developed, there are no recent literature reviews on FE models of the cervical spine. Our objective was to present recent advances in FE modeling of the human cervical spine in terms of component modeling, material properties, and validation procedures. Model applications and further development are also discussed. The integration of new technologies will allow us to generate more accurate and comprehensive model of the cervical spine, which can increase efficiency and model applicability. Finally, the FE modeling can help to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention technologies for cervical spine injuries.     

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...