Photoacoustic technique for simultaneous measurements of thermal effusivity and absorptivity of pigments in liquid solution

A photoacoustic (PA) methodology, in the transmission configuration, for simultaneous measurements of thermal effusivity and molar absorption coefficient (absorptivity) for pigments in liquid solution is introduced. The analytical treatment involves a self-normalization procedure for the PA signal, as a function of the modulation frequency, for a strong absorbing material in the thermally thin regime, when the light travels across the sample under study. Two fitted parameters are obtained from the analysis of the self-normalized PA amplitude and phase, one of them proportional to the sample's optical absorption coefficient and from which, taking it for a series of samples at different concentrations, the pigment's absorptivity in liquid solution can be measured, the other one yields the sample's thermal effusivity. Methylene blue's absorptivity in distilled water was measured with this methodology at 658 nm, finding good agreement with the corresponding one reported in the literature.     

Efficient wavelet-based ECG processing for single-lead FHR extraction

This paper describes a novel model for fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring from single-lead mother?s abdomen ECG (AECG) measurements. This novel method is divided in two stages: the first step consists on a one-step wavelet-based preprocessing for simultaneous baseline and high-frequency noise suppression, while the second stage efficiently detects fetal QRS complexes allowing FHR monitoring. The presented structure has been simplified as much as possible, in order to reduce computational cost and thus enable possible custom hardware implementations. Moreover, the proposed scheme and its fixed-point modeling have been tested using real abdominal ECG signals, which allow the validation of the presented approach and provide high accuracy.     

An architectural counterpoint in Universal Everything: Fluid Bodies exhibition

ABSTRACT

This exhibition review focuses on the quest for weaving boundaries between body-form-space-and material relationship using immersive technologies. Emerging as an architectural counterpoint, Universal Everything: Fluid Bodies exhibition held in Borusan Contemporary focuses on how we perceive the motion and form in relation to it, as well as fusing senses of kinaesthetic and synaesthetic through a data driven and motion-based visual representation. Through these algorithms, the exhibition displays how neuroarchitecture reminds us of the senses of perception. The architectural counterpoint, intention as an interaction and encounter of the body with ‘the machine’ as the ‘voyeur body’ and how this observational dialogue becomes a research methodology in understanding the nature of movement in space through digital tools.     

Exact methods and a heuristic for the optimization of an integrated replenishment-storage planning problem

In this paper we study the coordination of different activities in a supply chain issued from a real case. Multiple suppliers send raw materials (RMs) to a distribution center (DC) that delivers them to a unique plant where the storage of the RMs and the finished goods is not possible. Then, the finished goods are directly shipped to multiple customers having just‐in‐time (JIT) demands. Under these hypotheses, we show that the problem can be reduced to multiple suppliers and one DC. Afterwards, we analyze two cases; in the first, we consider an uncapacitated storage at DC, and in the second, we analyze the capacitated storage case. For the first case, we show that the problem is NP‐hard in the ordinary sense using the Knapsack decision problem. We then propose two exact methods: a mixed integer linear program (MILP) and a pseudopolynomial dynamic program. A classical dynamic program and an improved one using the idea of Shaw and Wagelmans are given. With numerical tests we show that the dynamic program gives the optimal solution in reasonable time for quite large instances compared with the MILP. For the second case, the capacity limitation in DC is assumed, which makes the problem solving more challenging. We propose an MILP and a dynamic programming‐based heuristic that provides solutions close to the optimal solution in very short times.     

A formal algorithmic language FALGOL. Thirty years after

FALGOL (Formal ALGOrithmic Language) is a fundamental theoretical model of high-level operational languages with unrestricted program object hierarchy. This model formalizes binding, assignment, substitution, and recursion; moreover, the principle of dynamic binding is implemented in the model in contrast to other formal systems of this sort, which makes FALGOL appropriate to specify the most difficultly formalized concepts in modern object programming languages.     

Phosphofructokinase from mantle tissue of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Purification and effects of phosphorylation on the enzymatic activity

Phosphofructokinase purified from mantle tissue of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, was phosphorylated "in vitro" by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The incorporation of phosphate gave rise to an activation of the enzyme by increasing its affinity for fructose-6-phosphate, by decreasing its sensitivity to the inhibition by ATP and by enhancing the effect of allosteric activators (5'-AMP and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate). In addition, the effects of phosphorylation on the catalytic activity are pH-dependent.     

Synthesis, Structure and Antitumour Properties of a New 1,2-Propylenediaminetetraacetate-Ruthenium(III) Compound

A novel complex formed by ruthenium (III) and the sequestering ligand 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) has been synthetized and characterized. The structure of the monomeric compound, studied by X-ray diffraction , shows an almost symmetric octahedral geometry around the metal ion, with two chlorine atoms in a cis conformation. The antitumour activity against a variety of murine and human cancers is reported.     

Design and implementation of efficient QCA full-adders using fault-tolerant majority gates

The Journal of Supercomputing - CMOS technology is facing physical limitations in scaling the manufacturing process. Therefore, to deepen the development of better designs in a smaller area, it is...     

Fractional-Fourier-transform calculation through the fast-Fourier-transform algorithm

A method for the calculation of the fractional Fourier transform (FRT) by means of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is presented. The process involves mainly two FFT's in cascade; thus the process has the same complexity as this algorithm. The method is valid for fractional orders varying from -1 to 1. Scaling factors for the FRT and Fresnel diffraction when calculated through the FFT are discussed.