Application of the blind source separation method to feature extraction of machine sound signals

As the result of vibration emission in air, a machine sound signal carries important information about the working condition of machinery. But in practice, the sound signal is typically received with a very low signal-to-noise ratio. To obtain features of the original sound signal, uncorrelated sound signals must be removed and the wavelet coefficients related to fault condition must be retrieved. In this paper, the blind source separation technique is used to recover the wavelet coefficients of a monitored source from complex observed signals. Since in the proposed blind source separation (BSS) algorithms it is generally assumed that the number of sources is known, the Gerschgorin disk estimator method is introduced to determine the number of sound sources before applying the BSS method. This method can estimate the number of sound sources under non-Gaussian and non-white noise conditions. Then, the partial singular value analysis method is used to select these significant observations for BSS analysis. This method ensures that signals are separated with the smallest distortion. Afterwards, the time-frequency separation algorithm, converted to a suitable BSS algorithm for the separation of a non-stationary signal, is introduced. The transfer channel between observations and sources and the wavelet coefficients of the source signals can be blindly identified via this algorithm. The reconstructed wavelet coefficients can be used for diagnosis. Finally, the separation results obtained from the observed signals recorded in a semi-anechoic chamber demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented methods .     

Nucleotide sequence and genome structure of mink enteritis virus

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease. It affects multiple organ systems. Adverse effects of hyperglycemia on infection, fracture healing, and bone remodeling have been recently reported. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of 93 total hip arthroplasties in 78 consecutive patients with diabetes. All femoral components were cemented using contemporary cementing techniques. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in each case. The mean follow-up period was 4.1 years (range, 2-6.5 years). Ninety-six percent of the hips were rated excellent or good. Radiolucencies were observed in only 3.7% of the stems, while 22.2% of the cups showed radiolucencies. There was a 4% revision incidence. There was no postoperative infection in this series--a distinct improvement from previously reported series. However, complications remained high at 24.3%. The most frequent complication was urinary tract infection (14.2%). The most serious complication was myocardial infarction. The authors believe total hip arthroplasty can be safely performed in patients with diabetes, provided that adequate medical and follow-up evaluations are performed. The medium-term clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluations are not inferior to reported series in patients without diabetes.     

An efficient approach for calculating the dispersions of photonic-crystal fibers: design of the nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion

A novel and efficient approach is proposed to calculate the dispersions of the guided modes of the photonic-crystal fibers (PCFs). Based on the vector boundary-element method (VBEM), the surface integral equations for the first and second derivatives of the propagation constants with respect to the wavelength are explicitly derived. Compared with the three-point finite-difference approach, which needs to solve and search three effective indexes near the interested wavelength, this approach can determine the dispersions of the PCFs by only solving one effective index at this wavelength based on the derived formulations. This novel approach saves over 60% computing time without losing the accuracy. Based on this approach, a novel four-ring PCF is designed by optimizing only three geometrical parameters to achieve the nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion property. Compared with previously presented dispersion-flattened PCFs, the design procedure for the four-ring structure could be more efficient and easier because relatively lesser parameters need to be optimized.     

Photodegradation mechanism and stabilization of polyphenylene oxide and rigid‐rod polymers

Poly(2,4‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(benzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d′]bisoxazole‐2,6‐diyl‐1,4‐phenylene) (PBO) and poly(benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d′]bisthiazole‐2,6‐diyl‐1,4‐phenylene) (PBZT), which are polymers with extended conjugated structures, undergo a self‐sensitized photo‐induced electron‐transfer reaction. A second component is not required. This article presents many similar observations on these polymers when they are exposed to light and evidence to support the proposed photo‐induced electron‐transfer mechanism. Methods to stabilize these polymers against photo‐oxidation are also described. Workers investigating other conjugated polymeric systems may find the experimental methods, observations and polymer stabilization approaches discussed in this review useful. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A comparison of lightness contrast effects in CRT and surface colours

The simultaneous contrast effect is investigated in this article. A total of 174 and 154 test/induction combinations were studied for CRT and surface colours respectively. Each combination was assessed by nine observers using a matching technique. The test and induction colours used for CRT colours were similar to surface colours using fabric samples. The results indicated a strong lightness contrast effect for both CRT and surface media; that is, the lightness of a test colour surrounded by a lighter induction colour was reduced for both CRT and surface colours. However, the effect in CRT medium was more pronounced than in the surface medium. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 13–20, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20074     

Growth and morphology of nanometer LiMn2O4 powder

The growth of Li_1+xMn₂O₄ via detonation reaction was investigated with respect to the presence of an energetic precursor, such as the metallic nitrate and the degree of confinement of the explosive charge. The detonation products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the products. Li_1+xMn₂O₄ with 1-2 μm spherical morphology and more uniform secondary particles, but with smaller primary particles of diameters from 20 to 60 nm and a variety of morphologies were found. The oxides produced by this cheap method affirmed the validity of detonation synthesis of nano-size powders.     

Stability analysis on single-phase natural circulation in Argonne lead loop facility

One-dimensional linear stability analysis was performed for single-phase lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) natural circulation. The Nyquist criterion and a root search method were employed to find the linear stability boundary of both forward and backward circulations. It was found that the natural circulations could be linearly unstable in a high Reynolds number region. Increasing loop friction makes a forward circulation more stable, but destabilizes the corresponding backward circulation under the same heating/cooling conditions. The characteristic wavelength of an unstable disturbance is roughly equal to the entire loop length.     

用αβ谱仪测量人工αβ放射性气溶胶体积活度的试验研究

本文介绍了用αβ谱仪系统同时测量αβ谱、实现Ｒｎ／Ｔｈ子体补偿、确定超铀α核素气溶胶体积活度及人工放射性气溶胶总β体积活度的技术途径。利用ＲａＡ、ＲａＣ′ａ峰的二段时间计数可确定空气中ＲａＡ、ＲａＢ、ＲａＣ的气溶胶体积活度，相应的，也能给出ＲａＢ、ＲａＣ对总β计数的贡献。根据一般环境条件下的平衡比，用ＴｈＣ′的。计数修正Ｔｈ子体对αβ测量的影响。￣［２３９］ｐｕ或／和￣［２４１］Ａｍ人工核素的α计数，可通过两段时间分别扣除ＲａＡ、ＲａＣ′拖尾的方法确定；β计数分别扣除Ｒｎ／Ｔｈ子体β贡献即可确定。在本文规定的测量条件下，对室内天然Ｒｎ子体水平在１５Ｂｑ／ｍ￣３以下，超铀α核素气溶胶体积活度的测量下限可达到０．１Ｂｑ／ｍ￣３；即使在７５Ｂｑ／ｍ￣３环境下，人工核素总β的测量下限也可达ｌＢｑ／ｍ￣３以下。