Antenna and User Subset Selection in Downlink Multiuser Orthogonal Space-Division Multiplexing

Block diagonalization (BD) and successive optimization (SO) are two suboptimal but more practical (compared to dirty paper coding (DPC)) orthogonal linear precoding techniques for the downlink of multiuser MIMO systems. Since the numbers of users supported by BD or SO for a given number of transmit antennas are limited, BD or SO should be combined with scheduling so that a subset of users is selected at a given time slot while meeting the dimensionality requirements of these techniques. On the other hand, receive antenna selection (RAS) is a promising hardware complexity reduction technique. In this paper, we consider user scheduling in conjunction with receive antenna selection. Since exhaustive search is computationally prohibitive, we propose simplified and suboptimal user scheduling algorithms for both BD and SO. For BD, we propose capacity and Frobenius-norm based suboptimal algorithms with the objective of sum rate maximization. Starting from an empty set, each step of proposed algorithms adds the best user from the set of users not selected yet until the desired number of users have been selected. Proposed receive antenna selection works in conjunction with user scheduling to further enhance the sum rate of BD. For SO, a Frobenius-norm based low complexity algorithm is proposed, which maximizes the ratio of the squared Frobenius norm of the equivalent channel (projected to the joint null space of the previously selected users) to the sum of the squared Frobenius norms of the previously selected users’ preprocessed channels. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms achieve sum rates close to exhaustive search algorithms with much reduced complexity. We also show that in addition to reduced hardware complexity at the receiver, antenna selection enhances multiuser diversity gain that is achieved with user scheduling.     

Kinetics of commercial olive oil oxidation: Dynamic differential scanning calorimetry and Rancimat studies

Four samples of olive oil were oxidized under polythermal (dynamic) conditions in the cell of a normal‐pressure differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and in the Metrohm Rancimat apparatus. The DSC experiments were carried out in an oxygen flow atmosphere using different linearly programmed heating rates in the range of 4–20 °C/min. Through DSC exotherms, the extrapolated onset temperatures were determined and used for the assessment of the thermal‐oxidative stabilities of the samples. Using the Ozawa‐Flynn‐Wall method and the Arrhenius equation, the activation energies (E_a), pre‐exponential factors (Z) and reaction rate constants (k) for oil oxidation under DSC conditions were calculated. The Rancimat measurements of oxidation induction times were carried out under isothermal conditions in an air atmosphere at temperatures from 100 to 140 °C with intervals of 10 °C. Using the Arrhenius‐type correlation between the inverse of the induction times and the absolute temperature of the measurements, E_a, Z, and k for oil oxidation under Rancimat conditions were calculated. The primary kinetic parameters derived from both methods were qualitatively consistent and they help to evaluate the oxidative stabilities of oils at increased temperatures.     

Characterization of Particulate Materials in Respect to Drying

This article reviews experimental methods for the determination of single-particle drying kinetics. Four such techniques (conventional microbalance, acoustic levitator, and drying tunnel, as known from the literature, and a novel method involving the use of a magnetic suspension balance) are discussed and compared. The magnetic suspension balance enables single-particle experiments within the widest range of process parameters with very good resolution and accuracy. Kinetics and/or equilibria for adsorption, desorption, or drying can be determined. To complete characterization, a simple method for measurement of packed bed thermal conductivity is presented on the basis of experiments with wet zeolites. The derivation of particle or crystallite properties from the data is critically discussed.     

The emerging principles of mammalian prion propagation and transmissibility barriers: Insight from studies in vitro

Self-perpetuating conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein PrP(C) into the beta-sheet-rich "scrapie" conformer (PrP(Sc)) is believed to be the central molecular event in pathogenesis of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Recent advances provide growing support for the notion that a misfolded protein alone might act as an infectious agent. Furthermore, findings regarding the mechanism of prion protein structural rearrangement, the role of folding intermediates in conformational conversion, and "conformational adaptability" in the propagation of prion amyloids in vitro yield molecular-level insight into such phenomena as inherited prion diseases, prion transmission barriers, and prion strains.     

Pattern clustering with statistical methods using a DNA-based algorithm

Clustering is commonly exploited in engineering, management, and science fields with the objective of revealing structure in pattern data sets. In this article, through clustering we construct meaningful collections of information granules (clusters). Although the underlying goal is obvious, its realization is fully challenging. Given their nature, clustering is a well-known NP-complete problem. The existing algorithms commonly produce some suboptimal solutions. As a vehicle of pattern clustering, we discuss in this article how to use a DNA-based algorithm. We also discuss the details of encoding being used here with statistical methods combined with the DNA-based algorithm for pattern clustering.     

Raman spectra of (NH4)4H2(SeO4)3 superionic single crystal

Raman spectra of (NH₄)₄H₂(SeO₄)₃ protonic conductor were studied at room temperature using a 1064 nm - excited Fourier transform (FT) - Raman spectroscopy. A tentative assignment of the external and internal vibrations is proposed.     

An algorithm for the minimum weight design of a telescopic jib

The purpose of the algorithm presented in this paper is to determine the discrete cross sectional dimensions of members of a telescopic jib which minimize the total weight of the structure subject to some simplified strength conditions and to the technology and matching requirements. The algorithm can be applied effectively even in such extreme cases as that of a jib consisting of five members, when the number of dimensions to be determined amounts to 35.     

Information systems: On queries involving cardinalities

A query language is considered allowing queries which ask for the cardinality of a set of objects satisfying specified conditions, or ask whether or not some relations (equalities, inequalities, etc.) hold between the cardinalities of sets of objects satisfying some conditions. We describe a precise semantics of this language, and we give a complete axiom system for equivalent transformations of queries. By using these axioms we are able to transform any query into a normal form which makes the retrieval process more efficient.     

Flotation of metal hydroxide precipitates. I. Flotation of copper hydroxide

Flotation of copper hydroxide precipitate has been investigated at total initial copper concentration 10^?2M with sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (DBSNa) and dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium bromide (DDMBABr), both at initial concentration 10^?4M. In particular, granulometric analysis of the precipitate and measurement of its electrokinetic potential were carried out over a wide range of the acidity of aqueous precipitate suspension in order to establish essential factors governing flotation of the precipitate. Moreover, adsorption of the flotation collectors by the precipitate as well as the rate of precipitate sedimentation were measured. The cationic collector (DDMBABr) neither influenced the electrokinetic potential of copper hydroxide precipitate nor adsorbed on its surface. Consequently, no flotation of copper hydroxide was observed with (DDMBABr). On the other hand, the anionic collector (DBSNa) influenced the electrokinetic potential of copper hydroxide within the same pH range where adsorption of DBSNa on the precipitate was observed and flotation was effective. The rate of flotation varied with the pH of the aqueous suspension. This dependence was irregular and presumably governed by the aggregation of precipitate grains since the rate of flotation increased with the size of the aggregates.