Scalable phase extraction methods for phase plane motion estimation

To efficiently compute the phase difference (PD) between two complex numbers, two novel approaches are described. The problem of fast PD computation is central in many applications. As a case study, the main focus is on the phase correlation technique that is used for motion estimation. Starting from the problem statement, the system requirements are dealt with showing how PD requires a remarkable amount of computational resources. Reduced complexity techniques are then proposed and specifically tailored to suit the application needs. Each solution is completely implemented both in 0.25 mum as well as 0.13 mum CMOS. The so-called LUT-ROT exhibits noteworthy figures in terms of area occupation, delay and power dissipation, saving nearly 50% in terms of area and power when compared to recent work on this subject     

Neuramide stimulates adrenocorticotropin but not prolactin release from rat pituitary

Neuramide (NMD), a substance found in crude preparations of porcine stomach extract, is a viral inhibitor that also has putative immunostimulatory effects. The effects of NMD on stress-hormone (ACTH and prolactin-PRL) release were assessed in in vivo and in vitro studies. In the former, blood levels of corticosterone and PRL were measured in NMD-treated male rats. In vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of NMD and three of its fractions (obtained with high performance liquid chromatography) on ACTH and PRL release from perfused rat pituitary slices. NMD increased plasma corticosterone levels in vivo and produced dose-dependent increases in in vitro pituitary release of ACTH. No effects on PRL secretion were observed in vivo or in vitro. The stimulatory effects on ACTH release were caused by the NMD fraction with a molecular weight of > 5000 < 10000 Da.     

包含热模型的大功率MOSFET新型电路模型

功率转换器的功率密度越来越高，发热问题越来越严重，这种功率转换器的设计对现代大功率半导体技术提出了新的挑战；因而，热问题的优化设计和核实变得比大功率器件的电模型更加重要，本文提出一种新的PSPICE模型，可以利用它计算MOSFET芯片在瞬变过程中的温度。其中的热阻可以从制造商提供的产品使用说明书得到。本文介绍的模型提供发热和电气参数之间的动态关系。它建立了与许可的热环境的关系，例如，栅极驱动电路、负载、以及散热器的分析与优化设计。利用这个模型可以改善散热器的设计。由于决定功率损耗的参数是分布在一定范围内，受生产制造的影响很大，因而散热器的设计往往由于无法预先知道功率损耗而无法进行。     

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation in a Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome patient sharing two HLA-extended haplotypes with the donor

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution and amount of elastic fibers in the dermis of clinically normal dogs and dogs with dermatoses, particularly solar dermatitis. DESIGN: Skin specimens from 7 anatomic sites were obtained from 19 clinically normal dogs after euthanasia to evaluate the normal distribution of elastic fibers. Biopsy specimens also were obtained from 34 dogs with dermatoses, including 16 with solar dermatitis. Tissue sections were stained with H&E, Verhoeff-van Gieson, and periodic acid-Schiff. ANIMALS: 19 clinically normal dogs and 34 dogs with dermatoses. PROCEDURE: Numbers of elastic fibers were graded subjectively. Comparisons between clinically normal dogs and dogs with dermatoses were made. RESULTS: Normal elastic fibers were present in low numbers in the dermis of adult dogs, regardless of anatomic site or presence or severity of dermatitis. Condensed elastotic material was visualized in only 2 dogs with solar dermatitis. In both dogs, the elastotic material was Verhoeff-van Gieson and periodic acid-Schiff stain positive but was not visible with H&E stain. The most frequent histopathologic finding in the dermis of dogs with solar dermatitis was superficial dermal fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The dermis of clinically normal dogs does not contain abundant elastic fibers. Alterations of elastic fibers in dogs with solar dermatitis are rare. Superficial dermal fibrosis may be a better indicator of solar damage.     

Immobilization of an endopectinlyase on γ-alumina: Study of factors influencing the biocatalytic matrix stability

Endopectinlyase (EC 4.2.2.10) from Aspergillus japonicus was immobilized on to γ-alumina. Adsorption performed at pH 5·0 and a subsequent cross-linking phase using 0·1% glutaraldehyde were the chosen immobilization conditions. The comparison between the main biochemical parameters of the immobilized and free form of the enzyme showed that the immobilization procedure used did not affect the enzyme biochemical properties. The interactions between the carrier and the enzyme are essentially secondary bonding. In fact they depend on the pH and on the presence of phosphate ions in the medium. A tentative chemical model of the biocatalytic matrix thus obtained is proposed.     

Switching Device Based on a Thin Film of an Azo-Containing Polymer for Application in Memory Cells

Results obtained on a conductive multilevel device realized with a 100 nm azo-polymer film are reported. The capability to switch between three different conductance states makes the device versatile both for Write Once Read Many and Write Many Read Many memory cell application. The analysis of the - curves indicates that the hysteretic conductance change with the external voltage can be explained in terms of different hopping distances existing between the nearest neighbors intervening in the two conformational states of the molecular structure.     

Surface tension as a limiting factor for aerobic n-alkane biodegradation

A new mathematical model for n-alkane biodegradation in crude oil, heavy oil and paraffinic mixtures is described. The pattern of n-alkane degradation as a function of the inverse of hydrocarbon chain length reported in this paper can be considered as general behaviour for many aerobic n-alkane biodegradation processes. A new interpretation of n-alkane biodegradation as a function of surface tension, is given. A mathematical expression was obtained starting from the degradation values of n-alkane and relative surface tension, which is a parameter independent of fermentation conditions. An interesting parameter, b, was identified which represented the accelerating conversion factor for n-alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that the n-alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that he n-alkane biodegradation rate may be affected by the fermentation condition (agitation, aeration, etc.) and by the strain of microorganism, while the behaviour pattern of n-alkane degradation was essentially linked to the substrate characteristics (molecular structure, molecular weight and density).     

Manufacturing of polypropylene laminates and related structural reorganization in the crystalline phase

The conditions for obtaining recrystallization in more ordered modifications are described for an uniaxially oriented sample of isotactic polypropylene, annealed with fixed ends. These recrystallization conditions are related to the conditions of a lamination process.     

A numerical procedure for predicting the performance of high pressure homogenizing valves

This paper describes a numerical procedure for the prediction of the homogenizing performance of high pressure homogenizing valves used in diary plants. The method is based on a strict interaction between a complex CFD code and a simple homogenizing simulation code developed by the authors. This latter implements a mathematical model for the evaluation of droplets break-up, that needs an accurate evaluation of few significant fluid dynamic parameters in the whole fluid dynamic domain inside the valve. Due to the relevant pressure gradients within the flow and to the possibility of cavitation, particular attention has been paid in defining the fluid model, the mesh and the parameters required for CFD simulations. Notwithstanding the quite simple model of the homogenizing process, comparatively with the complexity of phenomena involved, the first results obtained are in general agreement with the experimental data available. These results point out the potential of the procedure proposed as a starting point for further implementation of more complex effects.