Tree-structured piecewise linear adaptive equalization

The use of a tree-structured piecewise linear filter as an adaptive equalizer is proposed. In the tree equalizer, each node in a tree is associated with a linear filter restricted to a polygonal domain, and each subtree is associated with a piecewise linear filter. A training sequence is used to adaptively update the filter coefficients and domains at each node, and to select the best subtree and corresponding piecewise linear filter. The tree-structured approach offers several advantages. First, it makes use of standard linear adaptive filtering techniques at each node to find the corresponding conditional linear filter. Second, it allows for efficient selection of the subtree and corresponding piecewise linear filter of appropriate complexity. Overall, the approach is computationally efficient and conceptually simple. Numerical experiments are performed to show the advantages of tree-structured piecewise linear and piecewise decision feedback equalizers over linear, polynomial, and decision feedback equalizers for the equalization of channels with severe intersymbol interference     

Accurate and efficient computation of dielectric losses inmulti-level, multi-conductor microstrip for CAD applications

An approach to accurate and efficient computation of dielectric losses in complex microstrip structures is proposed. It can be used in lieu of lossy, full-wave solutions to provide accurate and efficient data for the CAD of multilevel, multiconductor MIC and MMIC structures. Results that are as accurate as lossy full-wave techniques over a wide range of frequencies, including the dispersive region, are obtained. In addition to providing accurate results, the method is up to three times faster, depending on the number and type of substrates or superstrates. Results for various multiconductor, multilevel structures that compare well with the lossy, full-wave approach and require significantly less computer time to compute are shown     

Noninvasive real-time multipoint temperature control for ultrasoundphased array treatments

A method for noninvasively estimating spatiotemporal temperature changes in samples using diagnostic ultrasound, and using these as inputs to a multipoint ultrasound phased array temperature controller, is presented in this paper. This method is based on a linear relationship between the apparent tissue echo pattern displacements and temperature, as seen along A-lines acquired with diagnostic ultrasound when the sample is heated by external heating fields. The proportionality constant between echo displacement and temperature is determined by the local change in speed of sound due to temperature and the linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the material. Accurate estimation of the displacements and proportionality constant yields accurate calibrated high-resolution (1 mm spatial, sub-°C) noninvasive sample temperature estimates. These are used as inputs to a multipoint temperature controller, capable of controlling ultrasound phased array treatments in real-time. Phantom and in vitro results show that the noninvasively estimated temperature values can effectively be used to control ultrasound hyperthermia treatments, almost replacing invasive thermocouple measurements. The mathematical background and assumptions of the noninvasive temperature estimator and the controller are presented in this paper, together with experimental results showing estimator and controller performance and limitations. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first demonstration of real-time treatment control based entirely on noninvasive temperature estimates     

A vibrating-tube densimeter for fluids at high pressures and temperatures

A vibrating U-tube apparatus has been developed for determining the densities of pure fluids and fluid mixtures at 10-200 MPa and 323-773 K. Measured parameters areP,T, andr (period of vibration). Fluids are injected into the U-tube at constantP andT. Three or more reference fluids are used to calibrate the response of the instrument. Fluid mixtures are produced by pumping pure fluids into T-junctions on the upstream side of the U-tube using high accuracy syringe pumps. An automated syringe pump is used to maintainP at setpoint ±0.01 MPa.T is controlled to ±0.01 K using a closed-loop, electronic signal amplification/feedback system. For mixtures, a statistically significant number of measurements of r are obtained to account for the effects of small heterogeneities in fluid composition (generally <0.005X;). Typically, density data for 15 fluids can be obtained in a 6- to 8-h period. Considering all of the potential sources of error in the experimentation, conservative estimates of uncertainty are as follows:P, ±0.02 MPa;T, ±0.05 K;p (pure fluids), ±0.0005g.cm^–3; andp (fluid mixtures), ±0.0005-0.0010g-cm^–3.Paper presented at the Twelfth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 19–24, 1994, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.     

A histological and histomorphometrical evaluation of screw-type calciumphosphate (Ca-P) coated implants; an in vivo experiment in maxillary cancellous bone of goats

The bone response to different calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coated implants was evaluated in a goat animal model. Two types of plasma spray coatings were applied to a commercially pure titanium (cpTi) tapered, conical screw-design implant (BioComp^®); hydroxyapatite (HA-PS) and a dual coating, consisting of FA and HA (FA/HA-PS). In addition an amorphous RF magnetron sputter coating (Ca-P-a) and uncoated implants were investigated. Forty-eight implants were inserted in the maxilla of 12 adult female goats. After implantation periods of 3 and 6 months, the bone implant interface was evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. After both implantation periods all plasma spray coated implants were maintained. On the other hand three Ca-P-a and two cpTi implants were lost. Histological examination revealed a better bone response to both plasma spray coated implants. Histomorphometrical evaluation confirmed this finding. At 3 and 6 months significantly higher percentages of bone contact (p<0.001, ANOVA) were measured for both plasma spray coated implants than for the cpTi and Ca-P-a implants, while no significant difference (p<0.05) existed between both implantation periods. Degradation of both plasma spray coatings was observed. Supported by the results, it is concluded that, although Ca-P coatings can improve the performance of dental implants, the presence of a Ca-P coating is not the only important factor for bone healing around implants placed in low density trabecular bone.     

Optimization of the properties obtained by quenching in martensitic stainless steels X30-40Cr13 and X40-60CrMoV14

An experimental study of the effects produced by different parameters of the heat-quenching cycle permitted the optimization of the properties typical of these martensitic stainless steels: hardness and corrosion resistance. The results obtained demonstrate that the heating temperatures currently used in industrial quenching treatment of these steels should be modified.     

Study of the atrophy of the jaws

Examining 230 edentulous patients, a significant degree of atrophy in the maxilla and mandible relatively often has been found. Atrophy could be detected more often in the mandible of female patients. For these forms of manifestation, among others, systemic causes: osteoporosis, diabetes and periodontal disease could be found. The results and their classification may help to draw the attention in the course of treatment to strong dissimilarities or similarities of the edentulous mouth. The degree of atrophy observed on both jaw-bones--among other factors--is significant for the planning and prognosis when indicating total prosthetic treatment.     

Modified frequency domain kurtosis for signal processing

An operator sensitive to signal probability distribution is obtained, by integrating ideas from higher-order statistics and a frequency approach to signal processing. This function, based on a modified frequency domain kurtosis, assigns a level of stationarity to each signal spectrum component and enhances unsteady components over stationary sinusoids embedded in noise     

Effect of internal heating during hot compression on the stress-strain behavior of alloy 304L

The temperature change due to the conversion of mechanical deformation to internal heat and its effect on the as-measured stress-strain behavior of alloy 304L was investigated by means of initially isothermal (compression specimen, dies, and environment at same temperature at initiation of test), constant strain rate, uniaxial compression of laboratory-sized cylindrical specimens. Strain rate was varied in the range 0.01 to 1 s⁻¹, where the thermal state of the test specimen varied from nearly isothermal to nearly adiabatic, respectively. Specimens were deformed in the temperature range of 750 °C to 1150 °C to a strain of 1. The change in specimen temperature with applied strain was calculatedvia finite-element analysis (FEA) from the asmeasured stress-strain data. Selected predictions were confirmed with embedded thermocouples to verify the model employed. Temperature was found to increase monotonically with strain at a strain rate of 1 s^-1, consistent with what is theoretically expected for the adiabatic case. At the 0.1 and 0.01 s^-1 rates, the sample temperature initially increased, peaked, and then decreased as the sample thinned and the contact area between the sample and the cooler dies increased. As-measured stress was corrected for softening associated with deformational heating by interpolation between the various instantaneous stress-temperature behaviors. The resulting isothermal flow data are compared to those predicted by a conventional method that employs an empirical estimate of the heat retention efficiency of the test specimen, assumed dependent on strain rate but independent of strain, to reduce the increase in temperature calculated for the adiabatic case. Differences between the calculated isothermal stress-strain data from the two methods are discussed. Values for the apparent activation energy of deformation and the strain to the peak in the flow curve, which is associated with the onset of dynamic recrystallization, determined from isothermal stress-strain data differed significantly from those obtained from the as-measured compression test data. Formerly Senior Systems Engineer with EG&G Rocky Flats, Inc., is retired.