Peak-to-average power reduction in space division multiplexing based OFDM systems through spatial shifting

A new method to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in space division multiplexing systems applying orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is proposed. The method applies spatial shifting to partial transmit sequences to achieve a decreased PAPR on all transmit branches.     

Video Compression - From Concepts to the H.264/AVC Standard

Over the last one and a half decades, digital video compression technologies have become an integral part of the way we create, communicate, and consume visual information. In this paper, techniques for video compression are reviewed, starting from basic concepts. The rate-distortion performance of modern video compression schemes is the result of an interaction between motion representation techniques, intra-picture prediction techniques, waveform coding of differences, and waveform coding of various refreshed regions. The paper starts with an explanation of the basic concepts of video codec design and then explains how these various features have been integrated into international standards, up to and including the most recent such standard, known as H.264/AVC.     

Electrochemical Faceting of polycrystalline platinum in HF solutions

The electrochemical faceting of polycrystalline (pc) platinum yielding a (100)-preferred oriented electrode surface was accomplished in HF solutions by applying to the pc platinum electrode a square wave potential perturbation at 1 kHz in the 0.2 to 1.3 V range (vs rhe). SEM patterns of the resulting surfaces were also obtained. For HF concentrations up to 2 M no appreciable influence of the electrolyte concentration on the electrochemical faceting was noticed. Otherwise, the voltammetric response of the (100)-type preferred oriented platinum surface in the H-adatom potential range when compared to previously reported data resulted remarkably sensitive to the electrolyte composition. The discussion of results was based on the non-equilibrium adsorption conditions for anions under the periodic perturbation.     

Epoxy paint failure in B-52 fuel tanks: Part II. Influence of DIEGME concentration in the fuel on the failure process

A model has been proposed to explain the failure of the original BMS10-39 epoxy paint on upper vertical surfaces in B-52 fuel tanks. The model involves interaction of the paint with DIEGME, a fuel system ice inhibitor (FSII) in jet fuel, that is distilled from the liquid fuel. In this communication, distillation experiments used to support the model are refined to better match the mass transfer of vapor from fuel in a B-52 fuel tank at close to room temperature. The interaction of these lower temperature distillates with the paint affirms the earlier model. On the basis of these experiments it is proposed that paint failure may be controlled or eliminated by reducing the level of DIEGME in the fuel. Proposed changes in military jet fuel composition are detailed.     

Stress analysis of spontaneous Sn whisker growth

Spontaneous Sn whisker growth is a surface relief phenomenon of creep, driven by a compressive stress gradient. No externally applied stress is required for the growth, and the compressive stress is generated within, from the chemical reaction between Sn and Cu to form the intermetallic compound Cu₆Sn₅ at room temperature. To obtain the compressive stress gradient, a break of the protective oxide on the Sn surface is required because the free surface of the break is stress-free. Thus, spontaneous Sn whisker growth is unique that stress relaxation accompanies stress generation. One of the whisker challenging issues in understanding and in finding effective methods to prevent spontaneous Sn whisker growth is to develop accelerated tests of whisker growth. Use of electromigration on short Sn stripes can facilitate this. The stress distribution around the vicinity and the root of a whisker can be obtained by using the micro-beam X-ray diffraction utilizing synchrotron radiation. A discussion of how to prevent spontaneous Sn whisker growth by blocking both stress generation and stress relaxation is given.     

Integration of prior knowledge of measurement noise in kernel density classification

Samples can be measured with different precisions and reliabilities in different experiments, or even within the same experiment. These varying levels of measurement noise may deteriorate the performance of a pattern recognition system, if not treated with care. Here we seek to investigate the benefit of incorporating prior knowledge about measurement noise into system construction. We propose a kernel density classifier which integrates such prior knowledge. Instead of using an identical kernel for each sample, we transform the prior knowledge into a distinct kernel for each sample. The integration procedure is straightforward and easy to interpret. In addition, we show how to estimate the diverse measurement noise levels in a real world dataset. Compared to the basic methods, the new kernel density classifier can give a significantly better classification performance. As expected, this improvement is more obvious for small sample size datasets and large number of features.     

Secondary Aluminum Production Waste — A Raw Material for the Refractory Industry

Secondary aluminum waste products, and processes that occur during heating and mineral formation on introducing fine periclase powder into the composition of waste products are studied. It is demonstrated that secondary aluminum production waste may be used as a raw material for synthesizing aluminomagnesia spinels. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 6, pp. 15–18, June 2008.     

Testing a new composition of periclase spinel objects

On the basis of periclase powder (70%) and aluminomagnesia spinel (30%), synthesized from secondary aluminum production waste and caustic magnesite, test objects are produced of periclase spinel composition satisfying the requirements of GOST 1579-006-00190495-98. The articles are successfully tested in the working layer for lining tunnel furnace cars of OAO Kombinat Magnezit. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 8, pp. 16–17, August 2008.