On the energy capture of ultrawide bandwidth signals in densemultipath environments

A quasi-analytical experimental analysis is described in this paper to quantify the tradeoff between energy capture and diversity level in a RAKE receiver using measured received waveforms obtained from ultrawide bandwidth signal propagation experiments     

Verification of illumination tolerance for photo-model-based cloth recognition

Globally, robots are being used in garment factories according to their advantages such as high precision, flexibility, and productivity. However, it is difficult for robots to deal with deformable objects such as cloths and strings automatically. The main tasks of such robots are to recognize a deformable object and to pick up and place it at a designated position automatically. The deformable character of cloths seems a main hindrance for automatic handling by robots, especially if the cloth is unique. In this paper, a cloth handling robotic system for unique cloths is proposed with consideration of verification of illumination tolerance. This robotic system comprises two main portions: the first portion generates a model of cloths using an image taken by a single camera, and the second portion estimates the relative pose of cloth appeared in the view of two cameras using the generated model. In our cloths’ pose estimation, the photo-model projected from 3D to 2D is used, where this system does not need defining the object’s size, shape, design, color, and weight. The illumination tolerance of the proposed system under different light conditions of different light sources was verified experimentally for evaluating the proposed system from the view point of practicality. The fluorescent light and the light-emitting diode (LED) light are used in this experiment, having confirmed that the proposed system can recognize cloths in condition that the light environments have varieties.     

The effects of topographic correction and gap filling in imagery on the detection of tropical forest disturbances using a Landsat time series in Myanmar

In this study, we evaluated the effects of topographic correction and gap filling of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images on the accuracy of forest change detection through a trajectory-based approach. Four types of Landsat time series stacks (LTSS) were generated. These stacks resulted from combinations of topographically corrected and uncorrected imagery combined with gap-filled and unfilled stacks. These combinations of stacks were then used as input into a trajectory-based change detection. The results of change detection from trajectory-based analysis using these LTSS were compared in order to assess the effects of both topographic correction and gap-filling procedures on the ability to detect forest disturbances. The results showed that overall accuracies of change detection were improved after gap filling (10.5% and 7.5%), but were only slightly improved after topographic correction (3.6% and 0.6%). Although the gap-filling process introduced some uncertainty that might have caused false change detection, the number of pixels whose detection of disturbance was enhanced after gap filling exceeded those detecting false change. The results also showed that the topographic correction did not contribute much to improve the change detection in this study area. However, topographic correction has a potential to increase the accuracy of change detection in areas of more rugged terrain and steep slopes. This is because a direct relationship between the slope of the topography with topographic correction and an enhanced detection of disturbance in pixels from year to year was observed in this study. For robust change detection, we recommend that a gap-filling process should be included in the trajectory-based analysis procedures such as the one used in this study where a single image per year is used to characterize change. We also recommend that in areas of rugged terrain, a topographic correction in the image pre-processing should be implemented.     

Dynamics of spacecraft with elastic and dissipative elements in the attitude control mode

Rotational motion of a spacecraft with elastic and dissipative elements as a whole about its center of mass taking into account the control elements designed as single-axis gyrostabilizers in the attitude control mode is studied. Oscillatory processes related to the spacecraft attitude control when the terms emerging due to the elastic oscillations of the structure are comparable with gyroscopic terms. A model problem of spacecraft reorientation is considered. Conditions under which the elastic oscillations do not affect the flat slew of the satellite and assumptions under which no flat slew is possible are obtained. Analytical expressions for estimating the spacecraft deviations from the programmed motion (drift of the angular velocity) are found.     

Cytokinesis in fission yeast: a myosin pas de deux

Cytokinesis in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe consists of two distinct but overlapping events: the assembly and constriction of a cytokinetic actomyosin ring (CAR) and the formation of a cross wall or septum. These two processes must be spatially and temporally coordinated both with each other and with other cell cycle events, most notably spindle formation and anaphase chromosome segregation. In fission yeast, the CAR contains two unusual type II myosins, Myo2, encoded by the gene myo2(+), and Myp2, encoded by myp2(+). The relationship of these two proteins to each other and their relative contribution to CAR assembly and contraction is largely unknown. Here we review what is known about the role of each myosin in cytokinesis and present some new information concerning their regulation and possible physical interaction.     

Aqueous degradation of imidacloprid and fenothiocarb using contact glow discharge electrolysis: Degradation behavior and kinetics

Degradation of the pesticides fenothiocarb and imidacloprid in water using contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) achieved rates of 57.8 and 43.2% respectively. Degradation was enhanced using citric or hydrochloric acid to lower the pH to 3.0. Both acids enhanced both the degradation rate and the amount. Fenothiocarb degradation was 77.14% at pH 3 with citric acid, and 100% with HCl. Degradation of imidacloprid at pH 3 was 70.18% with citric acid and 93.02% with HCl. Acidic conditions favor either production of ^·OH radicals or enhancement of the degradation of organic compounds by ^·OH. Both the degradation rates and amounts for fenothiocarb and imidacloprid were reduced in the presence of methanol due to competition between pesticides and MeOH for ^·OH. Degradation of pesticides was not completely inhibited by MeOH. Degradation of both fenothiocarb and imidacloprid using CGDE obeys a first-order rate law with high regression coefficient values (R ²>0.99).     

Integrated eco-design decision-making for sustainable product development

This paper presents an integrated eco-design decision-making (IEDM) methodology that is formed using three stages: life cycle assessment, an eco-design process (Eco-Process) model and an enhanced eco-design quality function deployment process. All product sustainability considerations are conducted within a special eco-design house of quality. This brings together the analysis of factors relating to manufacturing processes, product usage and end-of-life strategy. The concentration of environmental considerations in one place insures that product sustainability is central to any design development and that the implications of change are fully identified and justified. The IEDM methodology utilises of a set of Eco-Process parameters and their associated relationships to allow users with complementary knowledge to enter and access information in a timely and controlled manner. They are then able to contribute their expertise to support decisions with the aim of providing more sustainable products. An application of the approach is presented in the context of a case study considering the redesign of a single-use medical forceps. The materials and production methods used are investigated with a view to quantifying their environmental impact. The resulting IEDM methodology can be seen to be widely and easily applicable.     

On the concerted one-step mechanism of rearrangement of 1,1′-bicyclobutyl radical cations in Freon-113 at 77 K

Conformationally selective rearrangement of 1,1′-bicyclobutyl radical cations to radical cations of bicyclo[3.3.0]octane and bicyclo[3.2.1]octane that occurs at 77 K via the concerted one-step mechanism in a 1% 1,1′-bicyclobutyl solution in Freon-113 irradiated with X-rays at 77 K has been detected by means of the EPR technique. The assignment of the EPR spectra has been confirmed by MNDO-UHF calculations.     

A transceiver system for dual‐simplex high‐bit‐rate digital subscriber lines

Abstract

High bit‐rate digital subscriber lines (HDSL) technology is a new technology that may provide bi‐directional transmission at a rate of 1.544 Mb/s in conventional copper wires. A transceiver system for dual‐simplex (DSX)‐HDSL is presented. Simulation results show that the DSX‐HDSL system combined with simple pair‐selection can provide 18Kft/24AWG service distance without line repeaters. In the presented DSX‐HDSL transceiver, 2B1Q code with (1‐D) precoding is used to reduce the inter‐symbol interference (ISI) and the dynamic range of signal. Hence, a 12‐bit or less A/D converter can satisfy the performance requirement. In addition, another switchable (1‐D) filter is used in the receiver to shorten the duration of channel response, therefore a (5, 32) hybrid‐decision‐feedback‐equalizer (DFE) can obtain an adequate performance.     

Contributions of talin-1 to glioma cell�Cmatrix tensional homeostasis

The ability of cells to adapt their mechanical properties to those of the surrounding microenvironment (tensional homeostasis) has been implicated in the progression of a variety of solid tumours, including the brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM tumour cells are highly sensitive to extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and overexpress a variety of focal adhesion proteins, such as talin. While talin has been shown to play critical early roles in integrin-based force-sensing in non-tumour cells, it remains unclear whether this protein contributes to tensional homeostasis in GBM cells. Here, we investigate the role of the talin isoform talin-1 in enabling human GBM cells to adapt to ECM stiffness. We show that human GBM cells express talin-1, and we use RNA interference to suppress talin-1 expression without affecting levels of talin-2, vinculin or phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase. Knockdown of talin-1 strongly reduces both cell spreading area and random migration speed but does not significantly affect overall focal adhesion size distributions. Most strikingly, atomic force microscopy indentation reveals that talin-1 suppression compromises adaptation of cell stiffness to changes in ECM stiffness. Together, these data support a role for talin-1 in the maintenance of tensional homeostasis in GBM and suggest a functional role for enriched talin expression in this tumour.