Simple Inequalities for Consecutive-k-out of-n:F Networks

This paper develops simple inequalities for the failure probability of a consecutive-k-out-of-n:F network. Comparisons with standard networks can be readily accomplished from the results.     

Simple narrow-linewidth 1.5 ?m InGaAsP DFB external-cavity laser

An external-cavity laser consisting of a 1.5 ?m-wavelength antireflection-coated DFB laser chip, a microscope objective and a mirror provides a stable, single-frequency, narrow-linewidth (?f=40 kHz) output. Because the laser operates in the strong feedback regime, it is immune to external optical perturbations. Single-longitudinal-mode operation is maintained by the DFB grating, and the linewidth is reduced by the extended passive cavity.     

Method for Processing Metal-Reinforced Ceramic Composites

A new process is developed to form a ceramic containing a three-dimensional network of metal reinforcement. The process involves four steps: (1) forming a powder compact containing a continuous network of either organic or carbon material by pressure filtration, (2) pyrolyzing the network to form channels within the powder compact, (3) densifying the powder while retaining the channel network, and (4) intruding metal into the channel network by squeeze casting. Pressure filtration is used to form the powder compact containing the pyrolyzable network either by mixing slurries of powder with chopped fiber or by packing powder within pyrolyzable preforms. When pressure is removed after filtration, the differential strain recovery of the powder matrix relative to the organic material can cause damage. Such damage is prevalent for a powder matrix formed from flocced slurries. However, this problem is avoided by using dispersed slurries which produce consolidated bodies that alleviate stresses arising from differential strain recovery by viscous flow. Metal-reinforced ceramic composites with different reinforcement architectures, volume fractions, and sizes can be produced with this technique.     

用于制导弹药的自适应自动驾驶仪设计

传统制导弹药自动驾驶仪的设计要求精确的气动模型,并依赖于变增益(gainschedule),以说明系统的非线性.本文给出了一种简化自动驾驶仪设计程序的方法:在单一飞行条件下设计逆控制器,将逆控制器与在线神经网络组合,以说明因近似逆引起的误差,这样减少了大量设计程序及精确的气动数据.这些数据在大攻角或其它情况下很重要,因为这些领域中的空气动力特征变得高度非线性化.研究发现:逆的选择在其实现的过程中很重要,所以详细讨论.最后,给出该方法在非线性6自由度制导弹药中的模拟结果.     

Measurement of Torsion from Multitemporal Images of the Eye Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques

Two methods of measuring ocular torsion from digital images of the eyes were developed and tested. One method measures torsion from the translation of two landmarks using a rectilinear coordinate system. The second method measures torsion from the translation of two landmarks using a polar coordinate system. The center for the polar sampling is the center of the pupil. After thresholding and filtering the images, landmark translation is measured from the interpolated peak in the normalized cross correlation of the reference landmark with the image.     

Frustrations of National Planning: Reality and Theory in Colombia

Realities of national planning in Colombia are used as background for an examination of theory and models of national planning. Colombia is a democratic and relatively prosperous developing country of Latin America which has had a few periods of violent crises. National planning is highly centralized in Colombia along the lines suggested by several theorists in the United States. Yet the national planning function has been rife with frustrations and dubious successes. Such conditions merit examination of the theory of national planning in general.     

Wavelet processing of images for target detection

This article has as its goal the development and test and evaluation of wavelet-based algorithms for automatically detecting unknown anomalies in two-dimensional images. The general idea behind the work is that the class of wavelet transforms induces a so-called multiresolution analysis (MRA) in image space whereby the image of interest is naturally decomposed into a sequence of images of varying resolution (from coarse to fine resolution) in a computationally efficient manner. The anomaly detection can then be performed sequentially beginning at a coarse scale (low resolution) and proceeding to finer scales as needed. The wavelet representation thus effectively allows the user to zoom in on particular areas of interest and thus detect image anomalies in a very efficient manner. The article includes results from computer simulations testing the proposed approach against a standard energy-detection algorithm for the unknown anomalies embedded in additive Gaussian white noise. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Genetic Profiles and Risk Stratification in Adult De Novo Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in Relation to Age,Gender, and Ethnicity: A Study from Malaysia

Hitherto, no data describing the heterogeneity of genetic profiles and risk stratifications of adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in Southeast Asia are reported. This study assessed genetic profiles, Moorman’s hierarchical classification, and ELN 2017-based risk stratifications in relation to age, gender, and ethnicity in Malaysian adult AML patients. A total of 854 AML patients: male (52%), female (48%) were recruited comprising three main ethnic groups: Malays (59%), Chinese (32%) and Indians (8%). Of 307 patients with abnormal karyotypes: 36% exhibited translocations; 10% deletions and 5% trisomies. The commonest genotype was FLT3-ITD-NPM1wt (276/414; 66.7%). ELN 2017 risk stratification was performed on 494 patients, and 41% were classified as favourable, 39% as intermediate and 20% as adverse groups. More females (47%) were in the favourable risk group compared to males (37%), whereas adverse risk was higher in patients above 60 (24%) of age compared to below 60 (18%) patients. We observed heterogeneity in the distribution of genetic profiles and risk stratifications between the age groups and gender, but not among the ethnic groups. Our study elucidated the diversity of adult AML genetic profiles between Southeast Asians and other regions worldwide.     

Assembly and Characterization of Biocompatible Coenzyme Q10-Enriched Lipid Nanoparticles

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a strongly hydrophobic lipid that functions in the electron transport chain and as an antioxidant. CoQ₁₀ was conferred with aqueous solubility by incorporation into nanoparticles containing phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. These particles, termed CoQ₁₀ nanodisks (ND), contain 1.0 mg CoQ₁₀/5 mg PtdCho/2 mg apoA-I (97% CoQ₁₀ solubilization efficiency). UV/Vis absorbance spectroscopy of CoQ₁₀ ND revealed a characteristic absorbance peak centered at 275 nm. Incorporation of CoQ₁₀ into ND resulted in quenching of apoA-I tryptophan fluorescence emission. Gel filtration chromatography of CoQ₁₀ ND gave rise to a single major absorbance peak and HPLC of material extracted from this peak confirmed the presence of CoQ₁₀. Incubation of cultured cells with CoQ₁₀ ND, but not empty ND, resulted in a significant increase in the CoQ₁₀ content of mitochondria as well as enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, as observed by a ~24% increase in maximal oxygen consumption rate. Collectively, a facile method to solubilize significant quantities of CoQ₁₀ in lipid nanoparticles has been developed. The availability of CoQ₁₀ ND provides a novel means to investigate biochemical aspects of CoQ₁₀ uptake by cells and/or administer it to subjects deficient in this key lipid as a result of inborn errors of metabolism, statin therapy, or otherwise.