Buffer Sizing of a Packet-Voice Receiver

Some analytical results have been developed for the analysis and design of a packet-voice receiver in previous work [1], namely, the delay suffered by packets because of the reassembly mechanism is described in terms of the overall delay probability density function (pdf)w(t). This basic analytical result is used here in order to obtain the pdfb(t)of the time spent by packets in the receiver buffer. In this way, the previous work [1] is extended to analysis of the delay distribution of the receiver buffer where arriving talkspurts are delayed to compensate for the variable network delay of all packets within a talkspurt. The tools developed here facilitate a choice of the buffer size at the prescribed level of packet-loss probability.     

Instrumental genesis in the design studio

International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning - The theory of Instrumental Genesis (IG) accounts for the mutual evolution of artefacts and their uses, for specific purposes in...     

Selective hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene over supported metal catalysts

The selective hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene to cyclopentene has been studied in the liquid phase using Pd and Pd Me/Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalysts (Me = Mn, Ni, Co, W). The highest activity was obtained with Pd Co and Pd W/Al₂O₃. For these catalysts, no hydrogen or CO chemisorption was detected although Pd could be seen by XPS at 335·8 eV; it is considered that new species, more active for the selective hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene, appeared at the catalyst surface. The sulfur resistance towards thiophene has also been studied. It was observed that the highest sulfur resistance is coincident with the highest activity. XPS analysis shows that the poisoning species is thiophene adsorbed on the catalyst surface.     

Phosphorus sorption in relation to soil properties in some cultivated Swedish soils

Phosphorus (P) sorption properties are poorly documented for Swedish soils. In this study, P sorption capacity and its relation to soil properties were determined and evaluated in 10 representative Swedish topsoils depleted in available P. P sorption indices were estimated from sorption isotherms using Langmuir and Freundlich equations (X_m and a_F, respectively) and P buffering capacity (PBC). X_m ranged from 6.0 to 12.2 mmol kg^–1. All indices obtained from sorption isotherms were significantly correlated with each other (r=0.96^*** to r=0.99^***). Two single-point sorption indices (PSI₁ and PSI₂) were also determined, with additions of 19.4 and 50 mmol P kg^–1 soil, respectively. Both PSI indices were well correlated with X_m (r0.98^***), with PSI₁ giving the highest correlation. As isotherms for determining P sorption capacities involve laborious analytical operations, PSI₁ would be preferable for routine analyses. X_m was significantly correlated with Fe extracted by sodium pyrophosphate and ammonium oxalate, to Al extracted by ammonium oxalate and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate and to organic c. X_m was also significantly correlated with the sum of Fe and Al extracted by ammonium oxalate. The best prediction of X_m through multiple regression was obtained when Fe extracted in ammonium oxalate and Al extracted in dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate were used. Based on the results obtained, both PSI₁ and oxalate-extractable Fe plus Al can be used for predicting P sorption capacity in Swedish soils.     

Detection of postharvest changes of ascorbic acid in fresh-cut melon, kiwi, and pineapple, by using a low cost telemetric system

The present paper deals with a novel telemetric device combined with a carbon amperometric sensor system to determine postharvest changes of ascorbic acid (AA) in fresh-cut fruits, without displacing products out of the storage rooms. The investigation was performed on kiwi, pineapple and melon, subjected to minimal processing, packaging, cold storage, and simulated shelf life. Results demonstrated that AA content of fresh-cut fruits of all species declines differently during storage. Cold storage notably reduced the degradation rate of AA in comparison with samples stored at 20°C. The cold-chain interruption resulted in a sharp AA content reduction when the optimal storage condition was not rapidly replaced. Unpredicted results showed a high activity of oxidative enzymes, which prevented AA detection in melon samples. Our sensor system allowed us to demonstrate that both ascorbate peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase affected the oxidative stability and the nutritional quality of fresh cut melon fruits.