A novel low complexity data demodulation algorithm for pulse position modulation

In this paper, a low complexity data demodulation algorithm is proposed that requires time of arrival information of the received signal exclusively. As an application example, the algorithm is applied to an ultra-wideband impulse radio communication system with pulse position modulation. The algorithm is insensitive to a common time delay for all pulses, that means, it does not require an accurate synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver. For the performance estimation, only a symbol synchronization is assumed, i.e., that there is a priori knowledge which pulse marks the beginning of a received data symbol. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated for straightforward time of arrivals estimators, such as a maximum detector or a threshold detector. It is shown that the proposed algorithm outperforms a least squares algorithm in all considered scenarios. In particular, an increased robustness against additive white Gaussian noise, impulse like noise, and multiuser interference is demonstrated as well as an improved performance for multipath propagation channels.     

Towards mesoscopic thermodynamics: Small systems in higher-order states

A higher-order generalization of the usual thermodynamic formalism is presented for systems with the number of particlesN large in comparison with 1, but sufficiently small that one or many higher-order fluctuations of energy (or other observables) are measurable, directly or indirectly. Then 1 «N «N _A , whereN _A is the Avogadro number, andn2, wheren is the highest order of fluctuations (central statistical moments). The systems are then open, finite and compact, and they have compact boundary surfaces, so that the energy is non-additive and temperatures are non-intensive, in general. Such systems will be called comesoscopic, while a finite or infinite super-system of such systems will be called mesoscopic. Three ideal models of comesoscopic systems are discussed in detail with one or two higher-order temperatures. General conclusions concerning hierarchical composite systems are drawn afterwards.

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Dynamic “Molecular Portraits” of Biomembranes Drawn by Their Lateral Nanoscale Inhomogeneities

To date, it has been reliably shown that the lipid bilayer/water interface can be thoroughly characterized by a sophisticated so-called “dynamic molecular portrait”. The latter reflects a combination of time-dependent surface distributions of various physicochemical properties, inherent in both model lipid bilayers and natural multi-component cell membranes. One of the most important features of biomembranes is their mosaicity, which is expressed in the constant presence of lateral inhomogeneities, the sizes and lifetimes of which vary in a wide range—from 1 to 10³ nm and from 0.1 ns to milliseconds. In addition to the relatively well-studied macroscopic domains (so-called “rafts”), the analysis of micro- and nanoclusters (or domains) that form an instantaneous picture of the distribution of structural, dynamic, hydrophobic, electrical, etc., properties at the membrane-water interface is attracting increasing interest. This is because such nanodomains (NDs) have been proven to be crucial for the proper membrane functioning in cells. Therefore, an understanding with atomistic details the phenomena associated with NDs is required. The present mini-review describes the recent results of experimental and in silico studies of spontaneously formed NDs in lipid membranes. The main attention is paid to the methods of ND detection, characterization of their spatiotemporal parameters, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Biological role of NDs in cell membranes is briefly discussed. Understanding such effects creates the basis for rational design of new prospective drugs, therapeutic approaches, and artificial membrane materials with specified properties.     

Synthesis of titanium aluminide coatings on aluminum and titanium surfaces by mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing

Intermetallic Ti-Al-based coatings were synthesized by mechanical alloying in a vibratory ball mill and subsequent annealing. A titanium layer was deposited on aluminum specimens and an aluminum layer and aluminum-titanium mixture were deposited on titanium specimens. Under the effect of milling balls, powder particles deposit at the substrates, forming layers that have a very good cohesion with the substrate. During subsequent heating, diffusion layers on the basis of titanium-aluminum phases are synthesized as a result of the chemical interaction between titanium and aluminum. In the case of titanium layer deposited on aluminum, the temperature interval of transformations is 600–650°C; first, a Ti₃Al₅-based phase is formed; then, as diffusion saturation with Al increases, an Al₂Ti-based layer appears; and finally, the Al₃Ti compound is formed. The reaction rates depend on the temperature and the duration of annealing. On titanium with a (Ti + Al) layer deposited on its surface, the Al₃Ti, Al₂Ti, TiAl, and Ti₃Al compounds are formed in a temperature interval of 600–900°C. In the case of deposition a homogeneous aluminum layer on titanium, only Al₃Ti and Ti₃Al phases were observed after annealing.     

Synthesis and crosslinking properties of phenolphtalein dimethacrylate

Summary By reacting esterification of phenolphtalein with methacrylate chloride, phenolphtalein dimethacrylate was obtained. Based on the results of elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra, the structure of the product was proposed. The dimethacrylate was used as new crosslinker to crosslink poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The influence of the amount dimethacrylate on the crosslink density and some properties of the crosslinked polymers networks such as swelling, mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) and thermal stability were examined.     

Simple method for estimation of volatile carbonyl compounds in edible oils and fried potato chips

A simple and sensitive method has been devised to determine the amounts of volatile carbonyl compounds in vegetable oils and fried potato chips, using a chemical reaction trap and absorption spectrophotometry. A sample of oil or fried potato chips is heated and simultaneously purged with a flow of nitrogen gas which further bubbles through a tube (trap) containing a hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution. The volatile carbonyl compounds are removed from the sample with the purge gas and retained in the trapping solution as they react to form the less volatile oxime derivatives. These are subsequently estimated by ultraviolet absorption, at wavelength 212 nm for the total oximes and at 272 nm specifically for conjugated diene carbonyl oximes, including furfural if present. Volatile carbonyls can be determined by this method at levels as low as 0.1–0.5 ppm of the sample. The method has been applied to the analysis of samples of canola (low erucic acid rapeseed) oil, cottonseed oil, and potato chips, all before and after storage. The method should be suitable also for other types of fried food.     

APPLICATION OF LINEARIZED MODELS OF MULTICOMPONENT MASS TRANSFER FOR CALCULATION OF EVAPORATION-CONDENSATION PROCESS IN TERNARY SYSTEMS

Results of calculations based on a linearized multicomponent mass transfer theory developed by Burghardt and Krupiczka are compared with experimental data of Modine for condensation-evaporation process in ternary systems. These data have been obtained for acetone-benzene-nitrogen and acetone-benzene-helium in a welted wall column. Models I and II, which take into account diffusional interactions of components in a mullicomponent mixture show good agreement with the experiments as well as with other calculation methods (Krishna-Standart and Toor-Stewart-Prober). When multicomponent mass transfer occurs in the presence of inert species, a straightforward Model II is recommended. Model I, which is more universal, requires some iterative calculations with respect to the sum of mass fluxes. According to theoretical considerations the latter model is limited to the case of low total mass flux. The results of calculations for the systems studied were reasonably good though the total mass fluxes were not small. The calculation procedure based on the presented linearized models are convergent to the proper solutions in contrast to the Krishna-Standart Model IV which in some cases can be unstable.     

Furfural Oxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide Over ZSM-5 Based Micro-Mesoporous Aluminosilicates

Micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates based on ZSM-5 zeolite, obtained by a dual template method, as well as in the presence of a dual-functional template (i.e. a Gemini-type surfactant), were tested in the oxidation of furfural with hydrogen peroxide. Even substantial changes in acidity and porosity of the catalysts result in minor variations of selectivity towards the desired products. Application of the synthesized zeolite-based materials in the oxidation of furfural with hydrogen peroxide leads to formation of 2(5H)-furanone (yield up to 28.5%) and succinic acid (up to 19.5%) as the main C4 reaction products. The kinetic model developed previously to treat the results for oxidation of furfural over sulfated zirconia was able to describe the data also for micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates.

Graphical Abstract

     

Mobilising information systems scholarship for a circular economy: Review,synthesis, and directions for future research

One of today's grand societal challenges is to replace the current ‘take‐make‐waste’ economic model with a circular economic model that allows a gradual decoupling of economic activities from the consumption of finite virgin resources. While circular economy (CE) scholars have long lauded digital technologies such as sensors, distributed ledgers, or platforms as key enablers, our own community has not fully explored the potentials of information systems (IS) for a CE. Considering recent technological advances in software and hardware and our history of helping address wicked challenges, we believe the time is ripe to mobilise IS scholarship for a CE. Our findings from an interdisciplinary literature review show that research has primarily examined IS potentials for increasing efficiency of isolated intra‐organisational processes while neglecting the larger sustainability potential of IS to establish circular material flows—that is, slow down and close material loops across entire product lifecycles. In response, we propose directions for IS research that develop our knowledge of how IS can help understand and enact circular material flows to intensify and extend use of products and components and recycle waste materials. Our directions offer pathways to building and evaluating the problem‐solution pairing that could characterise a prolific CE‐IS relationship.     

Extended bisection method for parameter identification of the transient heat conduction equation for thermo-elastic deformations during drilling

A new interdisciplinary approach is discribed to identifying unknown parameters using an extended version of the known interval bisection method. This developed method is based on the use of finite elements for calibrating the simulation calculation. The resulting thermo-elastic deformations which occur in drilling processes with impaired cooling lubrication are to be used as correction values for tool positioning in the NC control. Based on the strong impact on workpiece temperature of machining, a simulation approach is presented for calculating the temperature fields and their thermo-elastic consequences. In addition, methods are presented to correct these effects. This paper particularly deals with the temperature fields of drilling operations. Special attention is paid to the technique employed for iterative numerical determination of the unknown heat flux η _w and heat transfer coefficient \(\bar {\gamma }\) values. Finally, the data obtained from experiments are compared with those achieved by numerical simulation in order to verify the efficiency of simulation and determination of parameters.