A Fast Computational Algorithm for the Discrete Sine Transform

A sparse-matrix factorization is developed for the discrete sine transform (DST). This factorization has a recursive structure and leads directly to an efficient algorithm for implementing the DST, a feature most desirable and very similar ot that of the DCT. This algorithm requires fewer arithmetic operations compared to that for the discrete cosine transform (DCT).     

Perforated Wall Breakwater with Internal Horizontal Plate

The hydrodynamic performance of a perforated wall breakwater with an internal horizontal plate is studied. It is suggested that a horizontally submerged plate be installed inside the wave chamber to enhance the stability of the structure. Based on the linear wave theory, the 2D problem is formulated to analyze the wave reflection with different porosity, physical dimensions, and wave conditions. The method of matched eigenfunction expansions is used to obtain the solution. Generally, the hydrodynamic performance of a wave chamber is similar with or without an internal horizontal plate. However, the minimum reflection occurs at some particular ratios of the length of the wave chamber to the wavelength, which are less than the corresponding ratios for a wave chamber without the plate, because the waves become shorter over the submerged plate. Thus, the size of the wave chamber can be reduced. It is also found that a moderate porosity is optimal to dissipate the wave energy. By investigating the wave-induced force and moment, such breakwaters with an internal horizontal plate can be designed and constructed with a higher degree of confidence and reliability.     

An adaptive multiple echo canceller for slowly time-varying echopaths

An adaptive structure that cancels multiple echos with slowly time-varying echo path characteristics is presented. The structure consists of two echo path models. One is a primary long-length transversal filter initially used to estimate the echo path in the startup period. The other is a reduced-size filter consisting of several short-length filters used to inherit the significant coefficients of the primary filter after the predetermined conditions are simultaneously satisfied and to function as the echo canceller thereafter. In addition, a monitor/control circuit is used to estimate the time locations of individual dispersive regions from the primary filter and to monitor the short filters to make sure that each one can cover its own dispersive region. With the delays determined, the short filter structure can update the echo path accurately since the number of tap coefficients has been dramatically reduced, increasing the convergence speed. The results of computer simulations utilizing white noise input and speech input are presented     

Nucleation and growth of elastin-like peptide fibril multilayers: an in situ atomic force microscopy study

Controlling how molecules assemble into complex supramolecular architectures requires careful consideration of the subtle inter-?and intra-molecular interactions that control their association. This is particularly crucial in the context of assembly at interfaces, where both surface chemistry and structure can play a role in directing structure formation. We report here the results of a study into the self-assembly of the elastin-like peptide EP I on structurally modified highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, including the role of spatial confinement on fibril nucleation and the growth of oriented fibril multilayers. In situ atomic force microscopy performed in fluid and at elevated temperature provided direct evidence of frustrated fibril nuclei and oriented growth of independent fibril domains. These results portend the application of this in situ strategy for studies of the nucleation and growth mechanisms of other fibril-?and amyloid-forming proteins.     

Prevention of potential fracture between two implants using interlocking bipolar cut short GK nail and Enders nail

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ocular toxicity of intravitreous octreotide. DESIGN: New Zealand white rabbits weighing approximately 2 kg were given 5 mg (group 1, two eyes), 2 mg (group 2, four eyes), 1 mg (group 3, four eyes), 0.5 mg (group 4, two eyes), 0.3 mg (group 5, two eyes) or 0.1 mg (group 7, two eyes) of octreotide acetate, two doses of 0.3 mg 1 week apart (group 6, four eyes) or 0.1 mL of balanced salt solution (group 8 [control group], two eyes). OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings on clinical examination and electroretinography, performed before and 10 days after injection, and on light microscopy. RESULTS: Cataracts developed in groups 1 and 2. No clinical changes were found in groups 3 to 8. Electroretinography showed various degrees of decrease in the b-wave amplitude in groups 1 and 2; the results were normal in groups 3 to 8. Histologic examination showed macrophage and monocyte infiltration in the vitreous and retina in group 1. No histologic change was seen in the eyes in groups 2 to 8. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide injected intravitreally is safe at dosages of 1 mg or less.     

Reappraisal of the role of vegetables in the vitamin A status of mothers in Central Java, Indonesia

Food-based approaches for controlling vitamin A deficiency and its consequences, such as increased mortality, more severe morbidity, and anemia, have become increasingly important, thus prompting a reassessment of the relation between vitamin A intake and status. A nutrition surveillance system in Central Java, Indonesia, assessed the vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentration of women with a child < or =24 mo old with a semiquantitative 24-h recall method that categorized vitamin A-containing foods into 3 categories of plant foods and into 2 categories of animal foods and identified portions as small, medium, or large. Median vitamin A intake was 335 retinol equivalents (RE)/d (n = 600) and vitamin A intake from plant foods was 8 times higher than from animal foods. Serum retinol concentration was related to vitamin A intake in a dose-response manner. The multiple logistic regression model for predicting the chance for a serum retinol concentration greater than the observed median (> or = 1.37 micromol/L) included physiologic factors, vitamin A intake from plant [odds ratio (95% CI) per quartile: 1st, 1.00: 2nd, 1.23 (0.75, 2.02); 3rd, 1.60 (0.97, 2.63); and 4th, 2.06 (1.25, 3.40)] and animal [1st and 2nd, 1.00; 3rd, 1.31 (0.86, 2.02); and 4th, 2.18 (1.40. 3.42)] foods, home gardening [(no, 1.00; yes, 1.71 (1.12, 2.60)], and woman's education level [< or =primary school, 1.00; > or =secondary school, 1.51 (1.02, 2.22)]. Despite the fact that plant foods contributed 8 times as much vitamin A as did animal foods, serum retinol concentrations did not reflect this large difference. Home gardening and woman's education level seemed to reflect longer-term consumption of vitamin A-rich plant and animal foods, respectively.     

Theoretical modeling and characterization of annealedproton-exchanged planar waveguides in z-cut LiNbO3

Planar optical waveguides in z-cut LiNbO₃ fabricated by the annealed proton-exchange technique using pure pyrophosphoric acid as the initial proton source have been investigated. A generalized Gaussian function was used to accurately model the refractive-index profile, resulting in considerable improvements over previous work. The nonlinear dependence of the index on the proton concentration was verified by directly calculating the change in the area under the index versus depth curves. Annealing was found to allow for flexibility in the tailoring of the waveguide parameters. An empirical correlation of the changes in these parameters with the fabrication conditions was achieved through the use of a general power law     

On the detection of a signal in colored noise

A modeling approach is used in the detection of a random signal in colored noise. The received sequence is modeled as a regressive/autoregressive time series, and the presence or absence of the desired signal is determined through a hypothesis testing procedure. The test is based on the construction of anF-statistic using likelihood functions. The statistic can be easily incorporated into the computation of the probability of a false alarm, such as required in the processing of radar signals. Results based on simulated data and actual radar data are presented.This research was supported by NSERC Grant No. A3635.