Low-noise tape preamplifier with new self-biasing architecture

A low-noise ground-compatible preamplifier for audio signal processing is presented. It amplifies the audio signal coming from a magnetic head producing a total input-referred voltage noise less than 300-nV r.m.s. CCIR/ARM weighted in operative conditions thanks to a low-noise bipolar amplifier, while auto-reverse, metal/normal, and mute facilities are available on chip using low-noise offset-free analog CMOS switches. Total harmonic distortion was less than 0.004% in full dynamic range. This performance was obtained using a nonconventional self-biasing ground-compatible preamplifier architecture, particularly intended for single supply applications, that does not require any external components and auxiliary voltage reference. The preamplifier occupies 1.5 mm/sup 2/ and dissipates 38 mW with a 10-V power supply. A measured power supply rejection of about 120 dB at 1 kHz was obtained using internal regulated voltage supply.<>     

ODDLS: A new unstructured mesh finite element method for the analysis of free surface flow problems

This paper introduces a new stabilized finite element method based on the finite calculus (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 1998; 151 :233–267) and arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian techniques (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 1998; 155 :235–249) for the solution to free surface problems. The main innovation of this method is the application of an overlapping domain decomposition concept in the statement of the problem. The aim is to increase the accuracy in the capture of the free surface as well as in the resolution of the governing equations in the interface between the two fluids. Free surface capturing is based on the solution to a level set equation. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved using an iterative monolithic predictor–corrector algorithm (Encyclopedia of Computational Mechanics. Wiley: New York, 2004), where the correction step is based on imposing the divergence‐free condition in the velocity field by means of the solution to a scalar equation for the pressure. Examples of application of the ODDLS formulation (for overlapping domain decomposition level set) to the analysis of different free surface flow problems are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of social skills training groups and social skills bibliotherapy with psychiatric patients.

The effectiveness of a systematic social skills group training program was compared to both a bibliotherapy program group and a typical hospital treatment control group (10 18–56 yr old patients per group). Assessment instruments included self-report (Rathus Assertiveness Schedule), observational, and in vivo measures. Results on the observational measure show that the skills training group improved significantly more than the control group, and this difference was maintained at follow-up. The skills group also showed superior improvement on the self-report measure. Results fail to demonstrate the efficacy of bibliotherapy. Findings concerning generalization of social skills group treatment effectiveness were encouraging in that 2 of 3 measures employed to test for generalization showed significant effects. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A ?P-Controlled Sliding Integrating-Type Differentiator for Biomedical Signal Processing: Application to dc Ocular Rheography

This paper describes a measurement technique for precise evaluation of hematic ocular flow. The main characteristics and advantages of the proposed technique over conventional approaches are first pointed out. Next, the design criteria and the performance achievable with the prototype instrument developed to carry out the measurement completely automatically, are examined in detail. The instrument, thanks to its microprocessor-based implementation, allows a certain degree of tailoring of the measurement in accordance with the patient's peculiarities. Moreover, it provides the possibility of monitoring the ocular arterial inflow during the test, thus guaranteeing that safety limits will not be exceeded.     

Azoic dyes derived from 1-aryl-5-methyl-3-hydroxypyrazoles

The potentialities for 1-aryl-5-methyl-3-hydroxypyrazoles as intermediates in the field of dyes have been analysed. Some azoic derivatives have been synthesized and both electronic spectra and tinctorial properties on various substrates (wool, nylon, polyester, plasticized PVC) examined. The effect of substituents on the position of the long wavelength absorption maxima is discussed in terms of Hammett σ constants and interesting relationships are obtained. For each application the most important technical properties are assessed and significant fastness to various agents is evaluated.Finally a comparison with properties of similar pyrazol-5-one derivatives is made.     

Helicobacter pylori detection by polymerase chain reaction in gastric juice and its correlation with the histology (Giemsa)]

HP infection is involved in the pathogenesis of several gastroduodenal diseases, as type B chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer, MALT lymphoma and gastric cancer. The recent availability of molecular techniques, specifically the PCR, allow us to detect very low amounts of the bacterium. The aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of HP in gastric juice by PCR technique and to correlate this findings with histology (Giemsa) of gastric mucosa. Gastric juice PCR positive findings were found in 10/31 (32.3%) HP positive patients at histology. We concluded that HP in gastric juice is possible to detect by molecular techniques. In our study 32.3% of the patients showed the presence of HP in gastric juice.     

Antibiotics MDL 62,879 and kirromycin bind to distinct and independent sites of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu)

Antibiotic MDL 62,879 inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by acting on elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). In this study we show that the inhibition of protein synthesis by MDL 62,879 in an Escherichia coli cell-free system was fully reversed by addition of stoichiometric amounts of EF-Tu but not by large excesses of EF-Ts, ribosomes, or aa-tRNA. MDL 62,879 bound tightly to EF-Tu and formed a stable 1:1 MDL 62,879:EF-Tu (M:EF-Tu) complex. We show that binding of MDL 62,879 to EF-Tu strongly affects the interaction of EF-Tu with aa-tRNA and causes rapid dissociation of preformed EF-Tu.aa-tRNA complex, suggesting that inhibition of aa-tRNA binding is due to a conformational change in EF-Tu rather than competition for the aa-tRNA binding site. Indication of a conformational change in EF-Tu induced by MDL 62,879 is further confirmed by proteolytic cleavage experiments: MDL 62,879 binding strongly protects EF-Tu against trypsin cleavage. The observed effects of MDL 62,879 appear to be different from those of the kirromycin class of antibiotics, which also inhibit protein synthesis by binding to EF-Tu, suggesting two distinct binding sites. Indeed, the M:EF-Tu complex was able to bind stoichiometric amounts of kirromycin to form a 1:1:1 M:EF-Tu:kirromycin (M:EF-Tu:K) complex, providing direct evidence that the two antibiotics bind to independent and distinct sites on the EF-Tu molecule. The interaction of the M:EF-Tu:K complex with aa-tRNA and other co-factors suggest that the contemporary binding of the two antibiotics locks EF-Tu into an intermediate conformation in which neither antibiotic exhibits complete dominance.     

A routine for solving sparse systems in structural analysis

A computer subprogram for the direct in-core solution of large symmetric systems of linear algebraic equations is presented. The procedure employs a sparse matrix technique and allows for symmetrical pivoting and reordering to improve numerical stability and reduce core allocation. The work is especially oriented to problems deriving from minimum or stationary principles in structural analysis. A FORTRAN print-out of the complete package is given in the Appendix.     

Fast Thermal Generation Rescheduling

A new dynamic programming algorithm for fast rescheduling thermal generation is presented. The savings in computational times are brought about by the introduction of two new techniques: the variable truncation dynamic programming and the limitation of the solution space to be searched. Several examples on a 20 machine system are used to illustrate the application of the algorithm and to show that optimal solutions are obtained at significantly reduced computational times.