Digitally programmable high-order current-mode universal filters

New high-order current-mode (CM) filter topologies capable of providing all functions simultaneously are presented. The proposed filters are based on digitally controlled current amplifiers and unity gain voltage buffers. The gains of the current amplifiers are digitally programmed to adjust the filters’ transfer function coefficients. It is shown that the proposed approach results in more efficient realizations compared with its counterparts based on other CM active elements. Using BSIM3 0.18 μm CMOS models, simulation results of a fourth-order universal filter are provided.     

Non-operational shock analysis and design of head gimbal assembly in spinning data storage devices

The work presented in this paper was motivated by the experimental observation of de-bonding phenomena between head gimbal assembly (HGA) and suspension for a commercial 3.5-in. enterprise HDD under non-operational 250?G shock test, which leads to revisit design of HGA/suspension with objective placed on withstanding shocks between the head slider and the suspension. In this study experimental observation and numerical finite element studies were conducted to understand such effect on the mechanical failure of HGA when it is subjected to non-operational shock in parked position on ramp. It was observed that by changing flexure angle in HGA, shock stress can be reduced. FEA simulation results have been presented to verify the findings.     

Electron beam irradiated HDPE/EVA/Mg(OH) composites for flame-retardant electric cables

The mechanical properties and flammability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) mixed with various amounts of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) as the filler in composites, irradiated with electron beam at an irradiation dose of 150 kGy, have been studied. It is found that high-energy electron beam irradiation has significant effects on the mechanical properties of the HDPE/EVA/Mg(OH)₂ composites. The tensile strength and elastic modulus increased greater than in the unirradiated ones. Meanwhile, with increasing the content of Mg(OH)₂ in the composites, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value increased sharply. The microstructure of the caves of the unirradiated HDPE/EVA/Mg(OH)₂ composites show poor interface of composites compared with the irradiated ones, as observed in SEM micrographs.     

Effect of the Nanoparticle Exposures on the Tomato Bacterial Wilt Disease Control by Modulating the Rhizosphere Bacterial Community

Ralstonia Solanacearum is one of the most infectious soil-borne bacterial plant pathogens, causing tomato bacterial wilt (TBW). Nanotechnology is an emerging area of research, particularly the application of nanoparticles (NPs) as nanopesticides to manage plant disease is gaining attention nowadays. However, the interaction between NPs and rhizosphere bacterial communities remains largely elusive. This study indicated that metal NPs (CuO, ZnO, and FeO) reduced the incidence of bacterial wilt to varying degrees and affected the composition and structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community. The results revealed that the application of metal oxide NPs can improve the morphological and physiological parameters of TBW infected tomato plants. Among all, CuONPs amendments significantly increase the Chao1 and Shannon index. In the early stage (the second week), it significantly reduces the relative abundance of pathogens. However, the relative abundance of beneficial Streptomyces bacteria increased significantly, negatively correlated with the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the nano-treatment group will enrich some potential beneficial bacteria such as species from Sphingomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, etc. In general, our research provides evidence and strategies for preventing and controlling soil-borne disease tomato bacterial wilt with metal oxide NPs.     

Environmental friendly solar energy in Pakistan's scenario

Like many other developing countries of the world, Pakistan is also energy deficient country. Since last few decades, its electricity generation has become dependent to a large extent on the petroleum fuels. The inevitable depletion of petroleum resources will have far reaching consequences on large scale development for future, unless renewable energy alternation can be found.     

Integrated inventory control and inspection policies with deterministic demand

In this paper, we develop integrated inventory inspection models with and without replacement of nonconforming items. Inspection policies include no inspection, sampling inspection, and 100% inspection. We consider a buyer who places an order from a supplier. When a lot is received, the buyer uses some type of inspection policy. The fraction nonconforming is assumed to be a random variable following a beta distribution. Both the order quantity and the inspection policy are decision variables. In the inspection policy involving determining sampling plan parameters, constraints on the buyer and manufacturer risks are set in order to obtain a fair plan for both parties. A solution procedure for determining the operating policies for inventory and inspection consisting of order quantity, sample size, and acceptance number is proposed. Numerical examples are presented to conduct a sensitivity analysis for important model parameters and to illustrate important issues about the developed models.     

Food protein glycation: A review focusing on stability and in vitro digestive characteristics of oil/water emulsions

Recently, increasing studies have shown that the functional properties of proteins, including emulsifying properties, antioxidant properties, solubility, and thermal stability, can be improved through glycation reaction under controlled reaction conditions. The use of glycated proteins to stabilize hydrophobic active substances and to explore the gastrointestinal fate of the stabilized hydrophobic substances has also become the hot spot. Therefore, in this review, the effects of glycation on the structure and function of food proteins and the physical stability and oxidative stability of protein-stabilized oil/water emulsions were comprehensively summarized and discussed. Also, this review sheds lights on the in vitro digestion characteristics and edible safety of emulsion stabilized by glycated protein. It can further serve as a research basis for understanding the role of structural features in the emulsification and stabilization of glycated proteins, as well as their utilization as emulsifiers in the food industry.     

Stabilizing the dynamic behavior and Position control of a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle

Wireless Personal Communications - Remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) provides an interesting and extensible platform to search the wanted objects and for the inspection of deep sea. The...     

Temporal Masking with Luma Adjusted Interframe Coding for Underwater Exploration Using Acoustic Channel

Wireless Personal Communications - Transmission of video information from a submerged sensory source may lead to numerous applications such as surveillance, deep sea exploration, monitoring and...     

A class of digitally programmable nth‐order filters

A family of new high‐order filters capable of providing all filter functions without changing the circuit topology is proposed for integrated circuit applications. The proposed filters are based on simple active elements, namely, digitally controlled current amplifiers (DCCAs) and unity gain voltage buffers (VBs). Gains of DCCAs are digitally programmed to adjust the coefficients of transfer functions. R2R ladders are also utilized to increase the tuning flexibility of the proposed filters. A filter replicating the famous KHN biquad is extended to realize general nth‐order filters. Comparison with the recent works shows that the proposed approach results in more efficient realizations compared with its counterparts based on other current‐mode active elements. Experimental results obtained from a fourth‐order filter implemented using devices fabricated in a 0.35‐µm CMOS process are provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.