Novel JPEG 2000 Compliant DWT and IWT VLSI Implementations

This paper proposes two JPEG 2000 compliant architectures: one for DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform) and one for IWT (Integer Wavelet Transform) implementation. First of all some theoretical issues about DWT and IWT are discussed, then, starting from transforms characteristics, the architectures are presented showing both performance and cost. In the literature many DWT architectures have been proposed; our implementation is a new architecture that computes the DWT using filters of interest for the forthcoming JPEG 2000 standard. Moreover, we propose a Lifting Scheme based architecture for IWT, JPEG 2000 compliant too. The proposed architectures are able to support real-time streams: the DWT one, which is made of 20,000 cells, with an input throughput of 160 Msamples per second and a clock frequency of 160 MHz, the IWT one, consisting of 50,000 cells, with an input throughput of 4.5 Msamples per second and an internal clock frequency of 108 MHz.     

Use of compatible blends to fabricate carbon black composite vapor detectors

The aim of this work was the development of materials to be used in the field of gas sensing for the detection of organic vapors. Conductive sensors were prepared with carbon black filled blends of poly(vinyl chloride) and diol‐terminated poly(?‐caprolactone), an oligomeric plasticizer. For comparison, blends with di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate, a traditional low‐molecular‐weight plasticizer, were also prepared. All sensors were tested upon exposure to different organic vapors. In general, the plasticizer content affected the response rates of the sensors, and a linear variation of the relative resistance with the analyte concentration was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1816–1821, 2004     

The influence of dietary lipid source on quality characteristics of raw and processed chicken meat

The influence of dietary lipid source [animal fats (AF) and vegetable oils (VO)] on quality characteristics of raw chicken meat (breast, thigh and meat batter) and cooked breaded patties prepared using a conventional technology (CT; forming, battering, breading, frying and convection cooking) or innovative technology (IT; forming, pre-dusting, steam cooking, battering and frying) was evaluated. Overall, dietary lipid source did not influence the chemical composition of raw meat while it modified its colour (L*, a*, b*). With respect to AF, VO produced higher breast and thigh meat cooking losses as well as a lower moisture and higher protein content of cooked breaded patties. VO also determined an increase of polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid ratio of both raw and processed meat. Despite the different fatty acid profiles, the oxidative status of lipids was not affected by dietary lipid source and was acceptable in both raw meat and cooked patties as indicated by peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values. As for the processing technology, IT determined a higher moisture and lower lipid content of the cooked breaded patties. Moreover, lipolysis degree was slightly higher in the products coming from IT. Finally, patties from AF group were lighter and more yellow than products belonging to VO group whereas IT led to lighter, less red and more yellow patties in comparison to CT.     

Analysis of the Internet diffusion in the non-profit sector: the social digital divide in Italy

Summary This paper analyzes Internet diffusion among various organizations, based on daily observation of second- level domain name registrations under the “.it”ccTLD. In particular, we analyzed domain names registered by organizations in the non-profit sector.<span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language: HU'>The penetration rate, calculated according to the number of organizations, was computed for various widely separated geographic levels (regions). A concentration analysis was performed in order to determine whether the geographical distribution of Internet use in Italy is less concentrated with respect to both the number of existing institutions and income distribution, suggesting a diffusive effect.<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Regression analysis was performed using demographic, social, economic and infrastructure indicators. Results show that<span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:HU'>a “social digital divide”exists, both in terms of geographical distribution (i.e., in macro-areas - Northern, Central, and Southern Italy - and at the regional level) and in terms of the legal status of the organizations, and that this digital divide will probably decrease in the future.     

A new three-parameter Corresponding States Model for pure Halocarbons Viscosity Prediction

Predictive and semipredictive models for viscosity calculation are currently needed and highly appreciated. Models developed for halogenated refrigerants (HR) and based on Corresponding States (CS) are leading to a prediction accuracy comparable to that of specifically developed models. In the present work, using recently published, highly accurate viscosity dedicated equations, it has been verified that viscosity conforms to a two-parameter CS model is then developed, based on Teja and coworker's three-parameter CS structure. Two fluids of the same family are taken for reference, and the reduced viscosity of a third fluid is obtained in reduced P,T variables. At first the Pitzer acentric factor is proposed as a third parameter, then it is substituted with a temperature-dependent function fitted on saturated viscosity data. The prediction accuracy of the model is comparable to that of the reference fluid equations and, considering its predictive nature, it is a satisfactory tool for the needs of technical applications.     

Graft and crosslinked copolymers by nucleophilic reaction between maleic anhydride copolymers and carbanions

Summary Grafting of polystyryl and copoly(styrene-b-isopren)yl maorocarbanions onto ethylene-maleic anhydride alternating copolymer was carried out under reaction conditions such as to obtain copolymers with middle-low grafting degree and long lateral chains. In order to ascertain the absence of secondary reactions, the coupling of n-BuLi with succinic anhydride vas investigated, and no secondary reaction vas observed. The graft copolymers, wich have molecular weights and elemental composition in good agreement with those expected, were studied by IR spectroscopy and DSC. Both spectra and calorimetric curves confirm the structures assigned to the copolymers. The tensile properties of the copolymers with copoly(styrene-b-isoprene) lateral chains were also investigated, The properties appear very dependent on the degree of grafting, on the solvent (benzene or THF) from which the specimens were deposited, and on their thermal history.     

A mixed-Weibull regression model for the analysis of automotive warranty data

This paper presents a case study regarding the reliability analysis of some automotive components based on field failure warranty data. The components exhibit two different failure modes, namely early and wearout failures, and are mounted on different vehicles, which differ among themselves for car model and engine type, thus involving different operating conditions. Hence, the failure time of each component is a random variable with a bimodal pdf which also depends upon a vector of covariates that indexes the specific operating condition. Then, a mixed-Weibull distribution, where the pdf of each subpopulation (namely the ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ subpopulation) depends on the covariates through the scale parameter, is used to analyze the component lifetime. A Fortran algorithm for the maximum likelihood estimation of model parameters has been implemented and a stepwise procedure, in its backwards version, has been used to test the significance of covariates and to construct the regression model. The presence of a weak subpopulation has been verified and the fraction of weak units in the population has also been estimated. Finally, the adequacy of the proposed model to fit the observed data has been assessed.     

A Methodology for Data Schema Integration in the Entity Relationship Model

The conceptual design of databases is usually seen as divided into two steps: view modeling, during which user requirements are formally expressed by means of several user oriented conceptual schemata, and schema integration, whose goal is to merge such schemata into a unique global conceptual schema. This paper is devoted to describe a methodology for schema integration. An enriched entity relationship model is chosen as the data model. The integration process consists of three steps: first, several types of conflicts between the different user schemata are checked and solved; second, schemata are merged into a draft integrated schema, that is, third, enriched and restructured according to specific goals.     

Experimental noise effects on transfer function—phase evaluations via Hilbert transforms: Application to optical fibres

The effect of measurement noise on the phase of a linear network-transfer-function, computed as the Hilbert transform of the modulus, is investigated experimentally. As a typical example, the case of an optical fibre is dealt with. It is shown that, when noise is present, theoretically equivalent methods of performing this transform lead to results affected by uncertainties strongly depending on the chosen algorithm.     

Impact of tire debris on in vitro and in vivo systems

Background  

It is estimated that over 80% of respirable particulate matter (PM₁₀) in cities comes from road transport and that tire and brake wear are responsible for the 3–7% emission of it. Data on the indicators of environmental impact of tire debris (TD), originated from the tire abrasion on roads, are extremely scarce, even though TD contains chemicals (zinc and organic compounds) which can be released in the environment.