Tight closed-form approximation for the ergodic capacity of orthogonal STBC

In this letter we derive a simple and tight closed-form approximation for the ergodic capacity of orthogonal space-time block coding in arbitrary fading channels. The expression is an analytical function of the power covariance matrix of the channel. In the case of uncorrelated channels the expression only depends on the variances of the channel power gains. These channel statistics can be easily obtained from both analytical and physical fading channel models. Simulations results show the accuracy of the proposed expression     

Non-linear plastic analysis of steel arches under lateral buckling

Curved graphs are proposed that relate the shape of the box cross-section of an arch to the real ultimate lateral strength for various values of length, support conditions and of height of the cross-section.The real ultimate lateral strength of a series of arches is determined and the results obtained are then compared to those provided by Sakimoto and Komatsu [1].Elastic–plastic steel material and geometric non-linearity hypotheses, residual stresses, and initial lateral deflection are all taken into consideration with respect to the real ultimate lateral strength.     

Integrating Travel Delays, Road Safety, Care, Vehicle Insurance and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Road Capacity Expansion in a Unified Framework

Assuming that both road safety and travel time are a function of traffic density and care from a driver’s standpoint, a theoretical framework is developed. First, an expected-utility framework is developed to study the optimal choice of care by a rational driver. Second, the subjective value of traffic density is derived as a measure of drivers’ willingness to pay for simultaneous road safety improvements and travel time savings. Third, the above results are revisited when car insurance is available. Fourth, a simple cost-benefit analysis rule of road capacity expansion is derived when moral hazard is present.     

Seasonal analysis of the thermal behaviour of traditional underground wine cellars in Spain

Traditional underground wine cellars are a good example of bioclimatic construction, providing optimum conditions for maturing wine with no energy consumption. This article studies the annual thermal behaviour of traditional underground wine cellars in one of the most well-known wine producing areas in Spain, the Ribera del Duero. For this we have applied a method based on multiple regression analysis using experimental data monitored for 1 year. The results show that the interior air temperature is fundamentally conditioned by the undisturbed temperature of the ground at the average depth of the wine cellar and by the temperature of the outside air (R² varies between 0.937 and 0.974, with an average of 0.964 for the three wine cellars studied). However, the stability of the wine cellar during changes of outside temperature differs according to the time of year. In the spring and summer, the stability is excellent and the influence of the ground temperature is much greater than that of the outside air temperature (beta coefficient for the ground temperature is 0.85 compared to 0.17 for the outside air temperature). In the autumn and winter, the stability of the wine cellar is reduced by the increased ventilation, reducing the influence of the ground temperature (β = 0.70) and increasing that of the outside air (β = 0.42).     

Electrochemical AFM investigation of horseradish peroxidase enzyme electro-immobilization with polypyrrole conducting polymer

In this paper we investigate the nano-characterization of polypyrrole (Ppy) thin film electro-synthesized on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) with and without horseradish peroxidase enzyme (HRP) using Atomic force microscopy (AFM) performed in contact mode and fluid cell with electrolyte and potential control (ECAFM). In situ electro-synthesis of thin polypyrrole film was made by cyclic volt–amperommetry achieving structured Ppy nanoparticles with two types of particle sizes and the same ellipsoidal shape. Furthermore, the electro-immobilization of HRP, onto this film, was made at a fixed potential, achieving different morphology characterized by highly rough, non-homogeneous structure, and partial maintaining of the ellipsoidal particle in specific sites. The effect of polarization time on morphological parameters was studied and two mechanisms of electro-immobilization of HRP with Ppy conducting polymers were proposed.     

Structural changes in sardine (Sardina pilchardus) muscle during iced storage: Investigation by DRIFT spectroscopy

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy has been used for the first time to evaluate the postmortem changes in structure of components from sardine muscle in relation to quality loss. Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) were stored in ice for up to thirteen days. The spectroscopic study was focussed on the structural changes produced on the lipids and proteins.     

Evaluation of barley and triticale as feed ingredients in growing Iberian pigs: amino acid and carbohydrate ileal digestibility

BACKGROUND: Iberian pig production is linked to the use of the Mediterranean woodland, where the use of local feed resources is of paramount importance for the sustainability of the system. The aim of the present work was to explore the potential of triticale cv. Camarma as compared to barley cv. Esgueva in Iberian pig feeding by studying their respective ileal digestibilities of amino acids and carbohydrates in animals cannulated at the end of the ileum. RESULTS: Leu, Met and Tyr had (P < 0.05) greater standardised ileal digestibilities (SID) in pigs fed triticale diet. There was a trend (P = 0.07) towards greater SID of Thr in pigs fed the barley diet. The least digestible indispensable amino acids were Ile (74.6% SID) for barley and Thr (78.9% SID) for triticale. Except for β‐glucans, apparent ileal digestibilities (AIDs) of individual non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP), sugars and starch were greater in pigs fed triticale (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, total amounts of NSP digested were greater in pigs fed the barley diet (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, triticale cv. Camarma had greater amino acid and carbohydrate AID than barley cv. Esgueva and may represent a valuable grain for Iberian pig feeding. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of process variables on liquid hot water pretreatment of wheat straw for bioconversion to fuel‐ethanol in a batch reactor

BACKGROUND: Crop residues as wheat straw are potential sources for fuel‐ethanol production as an alternative to current production based on starch‐ or sugar‐containing feedstocks. In this work, the effect of liquid hot water (LHW) process parameters, i.e. temperature (170 and 200 °C), residence time (0 and 40 min), solid concentration (5% and 10% (w/v)) and overpressure applied in the reactor (30 bar and no overpressure), on pretreatment of wheat straw was studied using a full factorial experimental design. Pretreatment effectiveness was evaluated based on the composition of the solid and liquid fractions obtained after filtration of pretreated material, and the susceptibility of the solid fraction to enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) using commercial cellulases. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that only temperature and time, within the limits of the experimental range, have a significant effect on the responses studied. While the effect of pretreatment time in hemicellulose‐derived sugar recovery in prehydrolyzate depends on temperature, EH yield was enhanced as both temperature and time were increased. Maximum EH yield was 96 g glucose per 100 g potential glucose in pretreated residue. Xylan and acetyl groups content remaining in solid residue after pretretament, which were found to be directly correlated, had a marked effect on pretreated substrate degradability. CONCLUSIONS: LHW is an effective pretreatment to enhance the potential of wheat straw as substrate for ethanol production. Maximum hemicellulose‐derived sugar recovery (53% of content in raw material) and EH yield (96% of theoretical) fall within different temperature and time intervals, suggesting separate optimization designs for these responses. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tunnel Ventilation Analysis Using a Probabilistic Approach: Case Study,Fire in Road Tunnels with Longitudinal Ventilation

Fire Technology - Tunnels are nowadays key elements in transport networks worldwide. To achieve a safe and efficient operation, a proper integration and design of Mechanical, Electrical and...