A statistical model of FM-TV spectra for satellite interference and distortion prediction

The requirement for a model of FM-TV spectra in the planning procedure of satellite communication systems is introduced. Based on long-term measurements of live TV channels, statistical properties of video spectra are examined and probability distributions for the luminance and chrominance components are proposed. The spectrum of the frequency-modulated signal is then derived, and signal distortion due to bandlimiting is calculated. Adjacent and cochannel interference effects are also investigated, with example cases illustrating influences of subcarrier loading and energy dispersion. The proposed model, which describes FM-TV spectra in terms of random variables, makes it possible to examine relative effects of system parameters, and will, therefore, be of benefit in the planning of new satellite services.     

An 1800 V 300 A nondestructive tester for bipolar power transistors

A nondestructive reverse-bias safe operating area (RBSOA) tester using an ultra-fast shunt circuit is constructed and demonstrated up to an 1800 V 300 A level. An innovative MOSFET shunt circuit is the key to the high power capability of the tester. The tester is an upgraded version of the old tester (rated at 1000 V 120 A) reported by the authors in 1985. The basic operation of the tester is reviewed, the design and the fabrication of the new tester are described, and test results are provided     

Further investigations on Constraint Index testing of zeolites that contain cages

Zeolites such as SSZ-25 and SSZ-35 exhibit Constraint Indexes (CI) lower than expected. Two hypotheses for the origin of the lower CI values are that partial cages on the external surface of the zeolites significantly contribute to the overall conversions and that the large cages within the crystalline structures provide less steric hinderence at the active site than would be expected from the size of the pores. The effect of external surface activity is observed by comparing the as-synthesized materials to those passivated via dealumination with ammonium hexafluorosilicate. The external surface dealumination is verified by XPS and by the reduction in reactivity toward isopropanol dehydration observed from materials still containing their SDAs. The external surface of calcined zeolites is shown to have little influence on the CI value. Cage accessibility is investigated by comparisons of structures having larger cages to those that do not and by following the time dependent behavior of the CI values for these materials. The presence of large cages in the zeolites is shown to lower the CI values below those expected from the pore sizes, and the time dependence of the CI value can provide insight into the existence of these larger cage structures.     

Effect of the New York State cigarette fire safety standard on ignition propensity, smoke constituents, and the consumer market

Objectives: This study examines empirical evidence from the New York experience testing tobacco industry arguments made in opposition to fire safety standards for cigarettes. Design: Percentages of cigarettes exhibiting full length burns (FLBs), cigarette sales before and following the implementation of the New York standards, a sample of retail cigarette prices, brand availability, and selected smoke constituent yields were compared between cigarettes sold in New York and two other states. Cigarette paper analysis was conducted on cigarettes sold in New York. Results: New York cigarette brands averaged 10.0% FLBs as compared to 99.8% for California and Massachusetts brands. Reduced ignition propensity (RIP) appears to have been achieved by cigarette paper banding. Cigarette sales, prices, and brand availability do not appear to have been affected by the New York standards. Yields of the majority of smoke constituents tested did not differ substantially between RIP cigarettes sold in New York as compared to the same brands sold in Massachusetts. Average yields of tar, carbon monoxide, and two compounds were slightly higher, the yields of seven compounds were higher for one brand only, and nicotine was lower, among New York brands tested. Conclusions: RIP cigarette brands have been designed to meet the New York fire safety standards. Their introduction has not affected cigarette sales or prices in New York. There is no evidence that the small increases in smoke constituent yields affect the already highly toxic nature of cigarette smoke. Data on smoking caused fires, deaths, and injuries dating from after the change in law are not yet available. Such data will be able to address the question of whether the demonstrated reduced ignition standards are associated with reduced fires and injuries. Based on the New York experience, prior industry objections to producing RIP cigarettes are unfounded. Other states and nations should adopt similar standards.     

Antigenic variants of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS and the effects of mosquito transmission

Previous results, using a passive transfer assay, have shown that recrudescences of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS strain are antigenically different from the infecting parental population and also that the recrudescence appears to be a mix of antigenic types. This present study examines further these recrudescent populations using an indirect fluorescent antibody test on live, schizont-infected red blood cells. This analysis shows that ten clones derived from a recrudescence are all antigenically different from the parent population and that some are different from each other. The use of this method to examine the antigenic types of recrudescent clones after transmission through mosquitoes also demonstrates a resulting change in antigenicity. Such results showing a link between mosquito transmission and varying antigenicity may have important implications in terms of immunity and vaccine development.     

Traumatic Stress, Perceived Global Stress, and Life Events: Prospectively Predicting Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients.

The authors investigated the relationship between stress at initial cancer diagnosis and treatment and subsequent quality of life (QoL). Women (n = 112) randomized to the assessment-only arm of a clinical trial were initially assessed after breast cancer diagnosis and surgery and then reassessed at 4 months (during adjuvant treatment) and 12 months (postadjuvant treatment). There were 3 types of stress measured: number of stressful life events (K. A. Matthews et al., 1997), cancer-related traumatic stress symptoms (M. J. Horowitz, N. Wilner, & W. Alvarez, 1979), and perceived global stress (S. Cohen, T. Kamarck, & R. Mermelstein, 1983). Using hierarchical multiple regressions, the authors found that stress predicted both psychological and physical QoL (J. E. Ware, K. K. Snow, & M. Kosinski, 2000) at the follow-ups (all ps