Multitone signals with low crest factor

After an introductory discussion of real-valued and complex signals, it is shown that minimizing the crest factor (CF) of multitone signals is closely related to the construction of complex sequences with low sidelobes in their aperiodic autocorrelation function. Inspired by this observation, a lower bound on the achievable CF is derived. Four differing algorithms for the reduction of the CF of complex multitone signals are compared with each other by computer simulation. The preferred algorithm is presented in detail, and its convergence is proven. Examples of multitone signals with up to 15 tones and lower CF than previously reported in the literature are given     

Chromatographic separation and characterization of hydrolyzed Cr(III) species

Both macroscale and microscale methods to separate hydrolyzed Cr(III) species from acidic to near-neutral pH solutions have been developed. The macroscale approach is based on ion exchange, and involves separating monomeric, dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, and higher order Cr(III) oligomers from such solutions using a gradient elution with increasing cationic charge. With this approach, the concentration of a given fraction can be maximized, and complete resolution between these species can be achieved. In addition, complete recovery of Cr(III) from the column is achievable. For the microscale approach, capillary electrophoresis with indirect detection is used to isolate and uniquely identify the same smaller oligomers and a fraction of larger Cr(III) species that are not uniquely identified. Capillary electrophoresis also provides indirect structural information for the Cr(III) trimer, suggesting that it exists in a triangular configuration rather than as a linear species. These methods are described in detail, and possible applications are discussed.     

Quantitation of platelet life span in splenectomized dogs

Platelet life spans in dogs were measured pre- and post- splenectomy utilizing in vitro whole blood biotinylation. Four splenectomized dogs were found to have significantly lengthened platelet life spans, 193 +/- 7 hours (mean +/- 1 SD;n=4) postsurgery vs. control life spans of 131 +/- 15 hours (n=6; p< 0.01) when analyzed with the multiple-hit model. Additionally, platelets from normal dogs transfused into splenectomized dogs were found to have convex survival curves with extended life spans approximating that of the splenectomized dog. These data indicate that the spleen is a significant determinant of platelet life span in dogs, with survivals increasing approximately 47% upon splenectomy.     

Polyphase Barker sequences up to length 36

Originally, Barker (1953) presented binary sequences for synchronization purposes in telecommunications. A sequence is called a generalized Barker sequence if the magnitude of all autocorrelation sidelobes is less or equal to one. It is shown that uniform complex sequences up to length 36, meeting the Barker (1953) condition, do exist. Examples are given for length 32-36. The sequences were obtained with a stochastic optimization algorithm, that was run with properly selected starting vectors     

Modification of a continuous flow method for analysis of trace amounts of nitrate in iron-rich sediment pore-waters of mine pit lakes

Nitrate was analysed in pore-waters with high ionic strength. Extremely high concentrations of dissolved ferrous iron interfere common analytical methods. The automatic photometrical procedure based on the cadmium reduction method is often used for analysis of nitrate in water samples (continuous flow analysis CFA). An integrated dialysis usually serves for sample dilution and (or) sample purification (from particles). Iron was precipitated as iron hydroxide due to the imidazole buffer system (pH 7.5). The dialysis membrane is an effective barrier for iron hydroxide particles to prevent interferences within the cadmium column or the flow-cell. However, dialysis membrane is blocked successively after analysis of several iron-rich pore-water samples by agglomeration of precipitated iron. The blocking of nitrate diffusion through the dialysis membrane is tantamount to a decrease of analytical sensitivity to recognise by decreasing photometrical extinction. Minimising the iron deposition within the dialyser solved the problem. A simple modification of the CFA apparatus was found to keep the analytical sensitivity nearly constant: The mixing coil for the imidazole buffer was considerably elongated. Nearly all iron hydroxide was deposited at the glass coil surface installed before the dialyser. At least 50 iron-rich samples could be analysed within one sample queue with a loss of sensitivity <10%. The recovery of nitrate was about 95%, demonstrated by spiking experiments.     

Impulses got the better of me: Alcohol moderates the influence of implicit attitudes toward food cues on eating behavior.

This study shows that alcohol consumption enhances the prediction of candy consumption by implicit attitudes and at the same time decreases the predictive validity of cognitive restraint standards. Female participants were assigned to either an alcohol or a control condition and were then given an opportunity to taste candies. For participants in the alcohol condition, candy consumption was uniquely predicted by previously assessed implicit attitudes toward the candy. In contrast, candy consumption was primarily predicted by cognitive restraint (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire) in the control condition. Moreover, participants who consumed alcohol ate significantly more candy at the group level. These results indicate that alcohol increases the behavioral impact of impulsive determinants on eating behavior while disrupting the behavioral impact of reflective determinants. They further demonstrate that measures of implicit attitudes toward tempting stimuli add incremental validity for the prediction of self-control outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A novel process for the chlorination of polymers in solution

A new uniform process for the solution chlorination of PVC, PE, and natural rubber has been developed with initiation by γ-irradiation or radical initiators (azocompounds). The solvent used is dichloromethane instead of the industrially used tetrachloroethane or tetrachloromethane. The reaction is carried out in an autoclave with stirrer at temperatures between 70 and 100°C and pressures from 4 to 7 bar. As a result of the simultaneous chlorination of the solvent, trichloromethane is formed and only less than 1 wt.-% tetrachloromethane. Characterization of the chlorinated polymers by DSC and NMR measurements showed no differences to conventionally chlorinated products.