On-demand learning for a wireless campus

The current Internet and wireless networks are harsh environments for transporting high-bandwidth multimedia data. We examine the technical issues involved, and describe an end-to-end solution to support a Web-based learn-on-demand system that operates in a wireless campus environment.     

Structure and stability of an immunoglobulin superfamily domain from twitchin, a muscle protein of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The NMR solution structure of an immunoglobulin superfamily module of twitchin (Ig 18') has been determined and the kinetic and equilibrium folding behaviour characterised. Thirty molecular coordinates were calculated using a hybrid distance geometry-simulated annealing protocol based on 1207 distance and 48 dihedral restraints. The atomic rms distributions about the mean coordinate for the ensemble of structures is 0.55( +/- 0.09) A for backbone atoms and 1.10( +/- 0.08) A for all heavy atoms. The protein has a topology very similar to that of telokin and the titin Ig domains and thus it falls into the I set of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The close agreement between the predicted and observed structures of Ig 18' demonstrates clearly that the I set profile can be applied in the structure prediction of immunoglobulin-like domains of diverse modular proteins. Folding studies reveal that the protein has relatively low thermodynamic stability, deltaG(H2O)U-F = 4.0 kcal mol(-1) at physiological pH. Unfolding studies suggest that the protein has considerable kinetic stability, the half life of the unfolding is greater than 40 minutes in the absence of denaturant.     

An algebraic theory of object-oriented systems

The paper presents an algebraic specification of net objects. By net objects we mean those that are defined in object-oriented paradigms and those defined with nested relations in complex database models. An algebraic specification is set up that involves structures of net objects, accesses of net objects, and some features of object-oriented programming, such as multiple inheritance and polymorphism. Objects and their relationships are then characterized formally in the modeling, which utilizes the hierarchical approach in the algebraic theory of abstract data types, and is further developed by adding mechanisms from existing object systems. Categories of net objects are presented with the properties of accesses among them     

Robust State Feedback Control Through Actuators With Generalized Sector Nonlinearities And Saturation

In control systems, actuators often have nonlinear characteristics that can not be neglected. For linear systems driven by actuators satisfying the generalized sector condition, a robust state feedback controller synthesis method is proposed to achieve the ultimate boundedness control. The method is based on the linear matrix inequality approach and is easy to apply. As an important special case of the generalized sector condition, the saturation characteristic of actuators is discussed separately, and non‐conservative results are obtained.     

Phosphorus Inputs to Lake Simcoe from 1990 to 2003: Declines in Tributary Loads and Observations on Lake Water Quality

Total phosphorus (TP) inputs to Lake Simcoe have led to hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion and loss of cold water fish habitat. Since 1990, efforts have been made to reduce the total TP input to the lake below a defined target of 75 t/year, which was predicted to lead to reductions in spring TP concentration and improvements in end-of-summer hypolimnetic DO concentrations. The total TP load to the lake during the most recent period of record (1998/99-2003/04) ranged from 53 to 76 t/yr and averaged 67 t/yr, compared to an average of 114 t/yr estimated between 1990/91 and 1997/98 (range 85-157 t/yr). Reductions in TP loads from the catchment via tributary discharge (∼26 t) accounted for the majority of the decrease in total load between the two time periods. Total P concentrations decreased significantly in four out of six long-term monitored tributaries; however, concentrations in all six tributaries remain above the level recommended to avoid nuisance plant growth (30 μg/L). Although TP loads to the lake are currently below the target 75 t/yr, excessive growths of filamentous algae and macrophytes continue to be a problem in the nearshore zone. End-of-summer minimum hypolimnetic DO concentrations (average 4.3 mg/L, 1998/99-2003/04) remain substantially below the level (7 mg/L) that is considered protective of lake trout. Efforts to reduce TP loads to the lake therefore need to continue.     

Optical local area network technologies

To utilize the large bandwidth of optical fiber, optical LANs must employ architectures that fundamentally differ from current single-channel LAN architectures. With computer processor speeds continuing to grow exponentially and multimedia applications growing even faster, there is a strong need for higher-speed local area networks (LANs) that can handle the traffic generated by tomorrow's LAN users. Optical fiber is well suited for high-speed traffic transport, but the busty nature of computer traffic and large number of users makes it difficult to utilize the fiber's capacity in LANs. The incorporation of multiple payload channels in future LANs is seen as a necessity; WDM is a good candidate for achieving this. The rapidly improving optical component technologies allow more flexible WDM architecture designs for various emerging applications     

Series analysis of valid sequences in calculation of synchronisation delay for T-codes

An analysis of the series encountered in Higgie's algorithm of computing average synchronisation delay for T-codes is presented. Convergence for the limiting case of those series is established and an analytical method is developed to verify a result previously found by simulation. These lead to significant improvement in the algorithm, facilitating the search for optimal T-codes for any information source.     

Transmission outage models for sub-transmission network reliabilityevaluation

Methods are presented for modeling the failure and repair of transmission equipment and their impact on subtransmission system reliability. The methods account for arbitrary load variation and nonexponential downtime distribution for components. The effects of single independent outages common-mode outages and independent overlapping outages are studied. The results are used to identify conditions when nonexponentially distributed downtimes can lead to significant errors if the method of analysis does not take this factor into account     

Water bamboo husk reinforced poly(lactic acid) green composites

The water bamboo husk is one of major agricultural wastes in Taiwan. In this study, the powder obtained from the water bamboo husk was added to poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to form novel reinforced biodegradable composites. Morphologies, mechanical properties, and heat resistance of these water bamboo powder reinforced composites were investigated. The results indicate that the char yields were increased as plant powder was incorporated to PLA. In addition, the mechanical properties were also enhanced due to the addition of powders. The increments of storage moduli of PLA were about 50–200%. Moreover, the increments of loss moduli of PLA were about 70–200%. On the other hand, the T_g of PLA was slightly decreased by the addition of powder, and this may improve the brittle characteristics of PLA. Furthermore, this type of reinforced PLA would be more environmental friendly than the artificial additive‐reinforced one. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers