Improved Soft-Output RAKE Receiver for CDMA Mobile Terminals with High Data Rates

In this paper we propose a soft-output RAKE receiver for CDMA mobile terminals using low spreading factor and/or high-order modulation constellations for high data rates. Based on the outputs of theRAKE correlator fingers, the receiver produces symbol or bit metrics for soft decision decoding. The formulation of these metrics is derived analytically taking into account the multipath propagation, interfering users and channel estimation errors. Simulations show thata performance gain is achieved when low spreading factors or high-order modulation constellations are used.     

The hygienic working practices of maintenance personnel and equipment hygiene in the Finnish food industry

The hygienic working practices of the maintenance personnel as well as the hygiene of the equipment in the food industry were investigated with questionnaires and microbial surveys. The protective clothing, washing of hands and tools as well as avoiding foreign bodies left on the production lines should be targeted when the hygienic working practices are developed for maintenance personnel. Based on the questionnaire to food processors, packaging machines, conveyers, dispensers, slicing and cooling machines were considered the most problematic pieces of equipment hygienically mainly because of poor hygienic design. In order to improve food safety, both the training of maintenance personnel in food hygiene and equipment design should be more emphasised.     

Influence of BaO on Pd/Al2O3-based catalysts in C2H4 and CO oxidation as well as in NO reduction

In this study, Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pd/BaO/Al₂O₃ metallic monoliths were used to investigate the effect of BaO in C₂H₄ and CO oxidation as well as in NO reduction. A FT-IR gas analyser was used to study the activity of the catalysts. Several activity experiments carried out with dissimilar feedstreams revealed that BaO enhances CO and C₂H₄ oxidation as well as NO reduction reactions in rich conditions. This effect is due to BaO, which causes a decrease in the ethene poisoning of palladium. In lean conditions BaO is present in the form of Ba(OH)₂ which reacts with oxidised NO releasing water. Therefore, NO was stored during the lean reaction.     

Increase of N2O Fluxes in Agricultural Peat and Sandy Soil under Elevated CO2 Concentration: Concomitant Changes in Soil Moisture, Groundwater Table and Biomass Production of Phleum pratense

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration on soil moisture, N₂O fluxes, and biomass production of Phleum pratense were studied in the laboratory. Farmed peat and sandy soil mesocosms sown with P. pratense were fertilized with a commercial fertilizer. In peat soil 10 g N m⁻² of commercial fertilizer were added and in sandy soil 15 g N m⁻². In both experiments, soil moisture was regulated with deionized water; 18 mesocosms were tended to keep equally moist, and the other 18 were watered with equal amounts of water. Nine mesocosms from both watering treatments were grown under ambient (360 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentration and the remaining nine under doubled (720 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂. N₂O efflux was monitored using a closed chamber technique and a gas chromatograph. The elevated supply of CO₂ increased production of above- and belowground biomass, soil moisture and N₂O fluxes, but decreased the total N content in the aboveground biomass, especially for the sandy soil. In similar water levels, N₂O efflux from the sandy soil was the same magnitude as that from the peat soil. In addition to moisture, N availability was the main limiting factor for N₂O production, but C availability also seemed to regulate the denitrification activity. In addition to an increase in C availability the increase in the N₂O efflux under the raised CO₂ concentration also required a simultaneous increase in soil moisture.     

The effect of NO2 on the activity of fresh and aged zeolite catalysts in the NH3-SCR reaction

The activity of fresh and hydrothermally aged zeolite-based catalysts in the NH₃-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reaction with excess of oxygen were studied. In addition, the effect of NO₂ in the gas feed as well as the acidity of the catalysts for the SCR activity was investigated. The studied catalysts were hydrogen, copper, iron and silver ion exchanged ZSM-5, mordenite, beta, ferrierite, and Y-zeolites. The investigation verifies that the zeolite-based catalysts are very promising for the ammonia SCR reaction. Especially, the activity at low and high temperatures was higher than the activity of commercial vanadia-based catalysts. From the studied catalysts, Fe-beta was the most potential one. The presence of NO₂ in the inlet flow enhanced significantly the catalytic activity of fresh and hydrothermally aged zeolite catalysts. This suggests that the oxidation of NO to NO₂ is probably the rate-determining step for the SCR reaction.     

Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Bilberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium myrtillus</Emphasis>) Leaves in Northern Europe Following Foliar Development and Along Environmental Gradients

Bilberry is a characteristic field layer species in the boreal forests and is an important forage plant for herbivores of the North European ecosystem. Bilberry leaves contain high levels of phenolic compounds, especially hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, catechins, and proanthocyanidins. We investigated the phenolic composition of bilberry leaves in two studies, one following foliar development in forest and open areas, and the other along a wide geographical gradient from south to north boreal forests in Finland. An analysis of bilberry leaves collected in open and forest areas showed that major phenolic changes appeared in the first stages of leaf development, but, most importantly, synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids was delayed in the forest compared to the high light sites. Sampling along a geographical gradient in the boreal zone indicated that leaves from higher latitudes and higher altitudes had greater soluble phenolic and flavonol levels, higher antioxidant capacity, and lower contents of chlorogenic acid derivatives. The ecological significance of the results is discussed.     

Biological effects of casein-derived tripeptide powders are not affected by fermentation process

Milk casein-derived biologically active tripeptides isoleucine–proline–proline and valine–proline–proline have shown antihypertensive effects both in animal and clinical studies. Contradictory findings from clinical intervention studies may be related to different manufacturing processes. The present study aimed to compare cardiovascular effects of two different tripeptide powders in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Rats received tripeptide powders produced either by Lactobacillus helveticus fermentation (A) or Lb. helveticus plus proline specific endoprotease (B) in drinking fluid for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was recorded weekly. At the end, blood and tissue samples were collected and arterial responses studied. Blood pressure was 13.6 and 14.2 mmHg lower in the groups A and B, respectively, versus the water group (P < 0.01). Vascular responses of aorta and mesenteric artery did not differ between the groups. Both tripeptide products increased urinary cGMP (P < 0.001) and decreased albumin (P < 0.05). The fermentation process did not influence the cardiovascular effects of the tripeptide powders.     

Dynamic analysis of a bistable actuator for digital hydraulics

A fast and small electromagnetic actuator, which requires a small amount of work to switch between two stable positions, for the use in digital hydraulics, is presented. A dynamic study of the bistable actuator as part of a new kind of hydraulic on/off valve is carried out. A prototype is built and measured to verify the analysis. The results show that with careful elaboration the design is feasible. Furthermore, the response times depend on driving frequencies and an optimal current density for minimal energy consumption in cyclic action can be found. A single on/off valve is a critical part of a digital hydraulic system.     

Use of adipose stem cells and polylactide discs for tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint disc

There is currently no suitable replacement for damaged temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs after discectomy. In the present study, we fabricated bilayer biodegradable polylactide (PLA) discs comprising a non-woven mat of poly(L/D)lactide (P(L/D)LA) 96/4 and a P(L/DL)LA 70/30 membrane plate. The PLA disc was examined in combination with adipose stem cells (ASCs) for tissue engineering of the fibrocartilaginous TMJ disc in vitro. ASCs were cultured in parallel in control and chondrogenic medium for a maximum of six weeks. Relative expression of the genes, aggrecan, type I collagen and type II collagen present in the TMJ disc extracellular matrix increased in the ASC-seeded PLA discs in the chondrogenic medium. The hypertrophic marker, type X collagen, was moderately induced. Alcian blue staining showed accumulation of sulphated glycosaminoglycans. ASC differentiation in the PLA discs was close to that observed in pellet cultures. Comparison of the mRNA levels revealed that the degree of ASC differentiation was lower than that in TMJ disc-derived cells and tissue. The pellet format supported the phenotype of the TMJ disc-derived cells under chondrogenic conditions and also enhanced their hyalinization potential, which is considered part of the TMJ disc degeneration process. Accordingly, the combination of ASCs and PLA discs has potential for the development of a tissue-engineered TMJ disc replacement.