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Around the global construction industry, there is an emerging trend to pursue a "zero-waste" goal at the site level, but little is known about it. This paper aims to shed insights on the waste management concept of "zero waste construction site" by delineating its meaning, system boundary, assessment period, and operation strategies, which are further formulated in an analytical framework. Owing to the nascent nature of the concept, we adopted a qualitative approach including archival study, a series of semi-structured interviews, and two in-depth case studies in Shenzhen, China to sketch the analytical framework. Meanwhile, an analogy between "zero waste construction site" and "net zero building" is continuously made to fine-tune and finalize the framework. This research demonstrates that the zero-waste goal is challenging but achievable on individual construction sites. The system boundary to examine the zero-waste goal is contingent on the project scope, be it a new construction, renovation, or demolition project. The assessment period is dependent on the duration of the construction project. However, it would be too costly, if not entirely impossible, to achieve a "zero waste construction site" by treating it as a closed system. Rather, one needs to consider open, off-site strategies, e.g., engaging third-party recycling services, reusing recycled materials in subsequent projects, or trading it in to a recycled material market. The analytical framework can be utilized to scrutinize existing construction waste management practices. In the long term, the research will contribute positively to a "zero waste" society.

PurposeWe recently showed how a refined sequential detection pattern and image processing pipeline for multi-offset adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) can increase the contrast of weakly scattering inner retinal structures, including microglia. However, sequential detection was still time-consuming, preventing dynamics from being monitored over short intervals (< 3 mins). Here we show that simultaneous fiber-bundle (FB) detection can overcomes this limitation to reveal the structure and dynamic activity of microglia and macrophage-like cells in healthy and diseased retinae.MethodsWe designed and implemented a custom 7-fiber optical FB with one central confocal fiber and six larger fibers for multi-offset detection in AOSLO at a single focal plane. We imaged the ganglion cell layer at several locations at multiple timepoints (from minutes to weeks) in 8 healthy participants and in 4 patients with ocular infections or inflammation, including ocular syphilis and posterior uveitis. Microglia and immune cells were manually segmented to quantify cell morphometry and motility.ResultsFiber-bundle detection reduced single acquisition time to 20-30 seconds, enabling imaging over larger areas and monitoring of dynamics over shorter intervals. Presumed microglia in healthy retinas had an average diameter of 12.8 μm and with a spectrum of morphologies including circular cells and elongated cells with visible processes. We also detected the somas of putative macroglia, potentially astrocytes, near the optic nerve head. Microglia moved slowly in normal eyes (0.02μm/sec, on average) but speed increased in patients with active infections or inflammation (up to 2.37μm/sec). Microglia activity was absent in a patient with chronic uveitis that was quiescent but apparent over short intervals in an active uveitis retina. In a patient with ocular syphilis imaged at multiple timepoints during treatment, macrophage-like cells containing granular internal structures were seen. Decreases in the quantity and motility of these immune cells were correlated with improvements to vision and other structural and systemic biomarkers.ConclusionsFB-AOSLO enable simplified optical setup with easy alignment and implementation. We imaged the fine-scale structure and dynamics of microglia and macrophage-like cells during active infection and inflammation in the living eye for the first time. In healthy eyes we also detected putative glia cell near the optic nerve head. FB-AOSLO offers promise as a powerful tool for detecting and monitoring retinal inflammation and infection in the living eye over short response to treatment.

A position-sensitive pixel array silicon detector with a junction field effect transistor (JFET) switch structure is studied as a device for the direct illumination of X-ray from synchrotron light source. Considering an absorption length of silicon at an X-ray energy and a required thickness of a silicon, a 525 μ m n-type silicon wafer with high resistivity is chosen as the active volume of the detector and is depleted by applying a negative bias voltage to the junction side. The electron–hole pairs produced in an active volume by an X-ray illumination are collected on the electrodes . All pixels with one row are read in parallel and the next row is selected by the control voltage after one row has finished being read. The field shaper is introduced to produce inter-pixel isolation. We perform the simulation of the pixelated silicon position detector with JFET switch and present the characteristics of the transistor such as the drain current as a function of the voltage between the source and drain for different gate voltages. The fabrication processes of the pixel sensor with JFET switch structure based on the simulation result are also described.

Illegal dumping refers to the unauthorised disposal of waste in public or private land, which impacts on the surrounding environment. In literature, many studies on minor offences focused on qualitative methods such as questionnaire surveys, of which the findings might be confined to social expectation bias, small sample size, questionnaire design and limited applicability. This study aims at understanding illegal dumping behaviour records in the big picture of urban big data from multiple sources, including demography, geography, economy, and household. We georeferenced the penalty records from January 2014 to June 2019 in Hong Kong and connected them to other data sources. We found that old urban areas were more prone to fly-tipping of building debris and half of the districts most stricken with fly-tipping of waste predominantly comprising renovation waste had a higher proportion of population residing in owner-occupied properties. The levels of income and education were found to have no direct impact on the tendency to commit illegal dumping behaviours. The findings in this paper, therefore, provide directions for the government in formulating policies to fight against illegal dumping.

The Hong Kong government has implemented the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme since 2006 to promote construction waste recycling among contractors. Under the scheme, in addition to the conventional approach of disposing construction waste at landfills, contractors are given the alternative options of dumping pure inert waste and waste with over 50% by weight being inert materials at public fills and off-site sorting facilities respectively. Yet, the effectiveness of the scheme is questionable. By adopting a mixed-method approach encompassing cross-sectoral learning, attendance of Court hearings and semi-structured interviews, this study aims at understanding the status quo of construction waste recycling in Hong Kong using SWOT analysis, a strategic planning technique from the business sector. Through identifying the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the government’s construction waste recycling initiatives, as well as the external opportunities and threats impacting the realization of such initiatives, we have formulated policy recommendations on how construction waste recycling can be boosted in the future. The findings in this paper provide a useful reference for the government’s long-term solutions to construction waste recycling in Hong Kong.

Suppression or mitigation of edge-localized mode (ELM) crashes is necessary for ITER. The strategy to suppress all the ELM crashes by the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) should be applied as soon as the first low-to-high confinement (L–H) transition occurs. A control algorithm based on real-time machine learning (ML) enables such an approach: it classifies the H-mode transition and the ELMy phase in real-time and automatically applies the preemptive RMP. This paper reports the algorithm design, which is now implemented in the KSTAR plasma-control system, and the corresponding experimental demonstration of typical high-δ KSTAR H-mode plasmas. As a result, all initial ELM crashes are suppressed with an acceptable safety factor at the edge (q 95) and with RMP field adjustment. Moreover, the ML-driven ELM crash suppression discharges remain stable without further degradation due to the regularization of the plasma pedestal.

We explore the inboard-limited internal transport barrier (ITB) as an alternative advanced operation scenario for KSTAR. This paper presents in detail the progress of the ITB experiment at KSTAR. In an earlier study, the ITB formed in both ion and electron thermal channels, and an early neutral-beam injection (NBI) power of over 4 to 5 MW under a limited L-mode was crucial to ITB access. In the present study, we access the ITB experimentally with about 3 MW of NBI power by using the upper single null (USN), which is an unfavorable H-mode condition with a higher L–H power threshold. Finding an ITB access condition with a lower heating power should allow for a more efficient control of the heat flux and for maintaining stable plasma performance. The key control parameters of the experiment are the vertical position and the location of outboard striking point of the plasma. The shape-control attempts to divert the plasma to a vertically shifted USN with a marginal touch of the inboard limiter so that the plasma can remain in the L-mode at the boundary, while the striking-point control maintains the ITB performance for a longer period of time.

Prefabrication has long been recognized as a green production technology to minimize construction's adverse environmental impacts such as waste, noise, dust, and air pollution. Previous studies reported the effects of prefabrication on construction waste minimization. However, these studies relied primarily on small data obtained by ethnographic methods such as interviews and questionnaire surveys. Research to evaluate the effects using bigger, more objective quantitative data is highly desired. This research aims to re-evaluate the effects of prefabrication on construction waste minimization by exploiting a quantitative dataset stemmed from 114 sizable high-rise building projects in Hong Kong. It was discovered that the average waste generation rates of conventional and prefabrication building projects were 0.91 and 0.77 ton/m² respectively. Compared with conventional construction, prefabrication logged a 15.38% waste reduction. Further probing into specific prefabricated components adopted in the samples, it is discovered that precast windows and walls are more conducive to waste minimization. This is coincident with the fact that these components are also widely adopted in the sample buildings. This study reconfirms the positive effects of prefabrication on waste minimization and articulates that two types of prefabricated components play relatively bigger role in minimizing construction waste. The strengths of this study lie in its statistical analyses of a valuable and objective quantitative dataset measuring prefabrication and waste generation rates. Future studies are recommended to prove the corollary - it is not what category of prefabricated component, but the actual proportion of prefabrication in the total construction volume that matters to waste minimization.

Construction waste materials are resources misplaced. Trading them across different jurisdictions is an innovative way to reuse or recycle the materials, which in turn obtains “cleaner production” in the construction sector. It can achieve a win-win situation between the demand and supply sides, but several hurdles must be overcome first. A particular hurdle is that demand and supply of such materials arises sporadically in discrete sites, thereby matching the two sides is not always opportune. We find parallels in the energy sector, where smart grids have been developed to store power generated sporadically by small producers and distribute it to individual users based on their (erratic) needs. Learning from smart grids, this research aims to shed light on innovative institutional arrangements promoting the development of an effective cross-jurisdictional construction waste material trading market. Underpinning this research is a mixed-method approach including cross-sectoral learning and a case study encompassing a series of site visits and semi-structured interviews in China’s Greater Bay Area. By comparing the commonalities between electricity and construction waste in terms of production, market, transmission, distribution, and consumption, we elaborate smart grid innovations and their possible applications to construction waste materials trading. Our research contributes to the body of knowledge on waste management, the circular economy, and the sharing economy. It will help establish a cross-jurisdictional waste material trading market in the Greater Bay Area. It also provides useful references to other regions in searching solutions for waste trading/sharing.

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling constitutes an indispensable component in the overall waste management strategy. Unlike the traditional recycling approaches whereby C&D waste is transported to off-site facilities for treatment, construction managers are actively exploring the possibility of on-site recycling where C&D waste is treated directly at source. This study reports the barriers and facilitators of implementing on-site C&D waste recycling by contextualizing it in Hong Kong. It does so by adopting a mixed-method approach combining case study, site visits, and interviews. It is discovered that the barriers include (1) site space constraints, (2) narrow window of opportunity to trade recycled products, (3) vulnerable business case, (4) lack of support from off-site recycling, and (5) lack of government policy support. A series of facilitating measures are also proposed, including (1) developing customized on-site recycling equipment, (2) establishing a demand-supply information-sharing platform, (3) developing more thriving off-site recycling, and (4) providing more government support. This study probes into the real-life on- and off-site waste recycling practices in Hong Kong's prominent C&D management system. It can also provide useful references for others in developing their own C&D waste recycling strategies by rationally deploying on- and off-site recycling., Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image, Highlights • Identified five major barriers to on-site C&D waste recycling in Hong Kong; • Developed four facilitators to promote on-site C&D waste recycling in Hong Kong; • The facilitators discussed may serve as useful reference for other economies.

An overview of advances and progress on the KSTAR plasma control improvement is given. The enhancement of the KSTAR plasma control system (PCS) continues in order to enable implementations of more sophisticated control algorithms and capabilities of integrated controls on magnets, gas, heating and off-normal event handling. Features and functionalities on the generic magnetic controls, kinetic controls and new fault scheme design are added for the operation space expansion, mainly regarding recent achievements of high plasma current up to 1.1 MA for 10 s, high-performance long pulse up to 90 s, and discharges relevant to ITER research. Technical challenges and prospective upgrades in the near future are described.

Chitosan-based composite films with different amounts of grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% v/v) were fabricated via solution casting technique. Experimental results showed that GFSE was uniformly dispersed within all chitosan film matrices. The presence of GFSE made the films more amorphous and tensile strength decreased, while elongation at break values increased as GFSE content increased. Results from the measurement of light transmission revealed that increasing amounts of GFSE (from 0.5 to 1.5% v/v) did not affect transparency of the films. Furthermore, packaging of bread samples with chitosan-based GFSE composite films inhibited the proliferation of fungal growth as compared to control samples. Hence, chitosan-based GFSE composite films have the potential to be a useful material in the area of food technology.

We develop the compact NMR/MRI device using high temperature superconducting (HTS) wires with the persistent current mode operating. So, the joint techniques between 2G wires are very important issue and many studies have been carried out. Recently, the K JOINS, Inc. has developed successfully the high performance superconducting joints between 2G wires by partial melting diffusion and oxygenation annealing process [1]. In this study, the current bypassing properties in a loop-shaped 2G wire are measured experimentally to develop the permanent current switch (PSC). The current bypassing properties of loop-shaped test coil wound with 2G wire (GdBCO) are evaluated by measured the self-magnetic field due to bypassed current by Hall sensors. The strain gauge was used as heater for persistent current switch, and thermal properties against various thermal inputs were investigated experimentally.

A prototype two-stage MSO (molten salt oxidation) reactor system with a capacity of 10 kg/h was developed based on the test results of lab-scale and bench-scale MSO systems. This study first discusses the features of the prototype MSO reactor system. The second part of the study attempts to identify the proper conditions of the prototype two-stage MSO reactor system, where each reactor performs different functions. The volatility of radioactive elements doped in the spent resins was first investigated to establish the proper operating conditions of the primary MSO reactor. A parametric model study of the secondary MSO reactor for the oxidation of hydrocarbons from the primary reactor and an experimental validation were then performed to establish the optimum conditions for the two-stage MSO reactor system. The retention of cesium was greatly influenced by the pyrolysis temperature. The highest pyrolysis temperature with cesium retention of ≥99.9% was 790 °C and this was established as the optimum primary reactor temperature. The optimum conditions of secondary MSO reactor for the substantial oxidation of hydrocarbons generated from the primary MSO reactor were determined to be λ (the ratio of actual air feed rate per stoichiometric air rate) of 2, and a temperature of 800 °C.

Effect of Cu and powder mixing with Cu-free (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B jet-milled powder on the magnetic properties of sintered magnets was investigated. The coercivity of a magnet prepared from the Cu-free (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B powder was about 10 kOe even though the alloy powder already contained some Dy (3.5 wt%). When small copper powder was blended, however, the coercivity of the magnet increased almost 100%, exhibiting about 20 kOe. On the contrary, the coercivity enhancement was moderate, about 4 kOe, when dysprosium content in the sintered magnet was simply increased to 4.9 wt% by the addition of small 3 powder.

s: Phase Contrast MR Angiography(PC MRA) is excellent MRA technique for measuring the velocity ofvessels in the human body. PC MRA need to at least four images for angiogram reconstruction and it caused longerscan time. Therefore, we used keyhole imaging combined PC MRA to reduce the scan time. However, keyhole imag-ing can lead the erroneous effects as loss of phase information or frequency discontinuous. In this study, we appliedthe keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA for improving the temporal resolution and also measured the velocityto evaluate the accuracy of phase information. We used 0.32T MRI scanner(Magfinder II, Scimedix, Korea). Usingthe 2D PC MRA pulse sequence, the vascular images for a human brain targeted on the Superior Sagittal Sinus(SSS)were obtained. We applied tukey window function for keyhole images to minimize the ringing artifact and erroneousfactors that are induced frequency discontinuous and phase information loss. We also applied zero-padded algorithmto peripheral missing k-space lines to compare keyhole imaging results and the artifact power(AP) value was mea-sured on the complex difference images to validate the image quality. Consider as based on our results, heavy imagedistortions and artifacts were shown until using at least 50% keyhole factor. Using above the 50% keyhole factorsare shown well reconstructed and matched for magnitude images and velocity information measurements. In con-clusion, we confirmed the image quality and velocity information of keyhole technique combined 2D PC MRA. Espe-cially, measured velocity information through the keyhole imaging combination was similar to the velocity informationof full sampled k-space image despite of frequency discontinuous and phase information loss in the keyhole imagingreconstruction process. Consequently, the keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA will give some clinical usefulnessand advantages as improving the temporal resolution and measuring the velocity information via selecting the appro-priate keyhole factor at low tesla MRI system.Key words: keyhole imaging, PC MRA, velocity measurement, zero-padding

In order to improve the remanence of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets, we investigated the influence of compaction conditions such as packing density, applied field and green density on the magnetic properties. While the remanence decreased with increasing the packing density and green density, it increased with the increase of the applied field. In addition, XRD analysis revealed that the remanence was enhanced as the degree of powder alignment was improved. The green density was more influential on the remanence than the packing density and applied field.

s: Parallel imaging technique can provide several advantages for a multitude of MRI applications. Especially,in SENSE technique, sensitivity maps were always required in order to determine the reconstruction matrix, there-fore, a number of difference approaches using sensitivity information from coils have been demonstrated to improveof image quality. Moreover, many filtering methods were proposed such as adaptive matched filter and nonlinear dif-fusion technique to optimize the suppression of background noise and to improve of image quality. In this study, weperformed SENSE reconstruction using computer simulations to confirm the most suitable method for the feasibilityof filtering effect and according to changing order of polynomial fit that were applied on variation of spatial resolutionof sensitivity map. The image was obtained at 0.32T(Magfinder II, Genpia, Korea) MRI system using spin-echo pulsesequence(TR/TE = 500/20 ms, FOV = 300 mm, matrix = 128×128, thickness = 8 mm). For the simulation, obtainedimage was multiplied with four linear-array coil sensitivities which were formed of 2D-gaussian distribution and theimage was complex white gaussian noise was added. Image processing was separated to apply two methods whichwere polynomial fitting and filtering according to spatial resolution of sensitivity map and each coil image was sub-sampled corresponding to reduction factor(r-factor) of 2 and 4. The results were compared to mean value of geometyfactor(g-factor) and artifact power(AP) according to r-factor 2 and 4. Our results were represented while changingof spatial resolution of sensitivity map and r-factor, polynomial fit methods were represented the better results com-pared with general filtering methods. Although our result had limitation of computer simulation study instead ofapplying to experiment and coil geometric array such as linear, our method may be useful for determination of optimalsensitivity map in a linear coil array.Key words: SENSE, sensitivity map, polynomial fitting, low pass filtering, spatial resolution

In order to increase the coercivity of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets without much reduction of remanence, small amount of Dy compounds such as and was mixed with (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B powder. After mixing, the coercivity of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets apparently increased with the increase of Dy compound in the mixture. Addition of was more effective than for the improvement of coercivity. Reduction of the remanence by the addition of Dy compound, however, was larger than expected mostly due to unresolved coarse Dy compound in the magnet. EPMA analysis revealed that Dy was diffused throughout the grains in the magnet mixed with whereas Dy was rather concentrated around grain boundaries in the magnet mixed with .

Ring forging process is more appropriate for high-length and thin walled ring, because it utilizes the forging press and hence does not require heavy-duty ring rolling mill. Although ring forging process is very simple and economic for facilities, the process is not efficient because of multi-forging-step and low material utilization. An effective ring forging process is developed using a hollow ingot. When a hollow ingot is used with a workpiece, the ingot can be forged into a final ring without multi-stage pre-forging process, such as, cogging, upsetting, and piercing, etc.. Finally it has advantages of the material utilization and process improvement because a few reheating and forging process are not necessary to make workpiece for ring forging. The important design variables are the applied plastic deformation energy to eliminate cast structure and make uniform properties. In this study, the mechanical properties after forging of hollow cast ingot were investigated from the experiment using circumferential sectional model. Also, the effects of process variables were studied by FEM simulation on the basis of thermo-visco-plastic constitutive equation. Applied strain is different at each position in length direction because diameter of hollow ingot is different in length direction. The different strain distribution become into a narrow gap by additional plastic deformation during diameter extension process.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) facilitate the engraftment of human (h) hematopoietic stem cells when transplanted simultaneously in animal and human studies. However, the type of MSCs that preferentially enhance the engraftment of HSCs is unknown. Recent studies have shown that MSCs derived from a single source are heterogeneous in terms of cell size, morphology, proliferation rate, and differentiation potential. This study was designed to investigate the properties of UCB-MSCs, which influence the engraftment of hHSCs in a NOD/SCID mouse model. We categorized MSCs as being the most effective (UCB-352 MSCs) or the least effective (UCB-156 MSCs) at promoting the homing and engraftment of HSCs, and compared the characteristics of these 2 MSC populations. We observed that the 2 populations showed differences in characteristics typical of immature MSCs, and related to proliferation potential. We showed that UCB-352 MSCs, which proliferate quickly, preferentially enhanced the engraftment of HSCs in NOD/SCID mice. In addition, we observed differences in the pattern of both PODXL and Oct4 expression, and in the levels of cytokines such as SDF-1 and SCF using flow cytometry and membrane arrays. The more effective UCB-352 MSCs expressed higher levels of PODXL and Oct4, which were associated with immaturity, than did the UCB-156 MSCs. Furthermore, UCB-352 cells secreted greater levels of SDF-1 and SCF, both of which are required for hematopoiesis. We propose that the proliferation potential of UCB-MSCs, coupled with their immature characteristics, may serve as a novel standard to promote the homing and engraftment of HSCs.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB), a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, offers practical and ethical advantages. It has been reported that various adult stem cells transplanted into a damaged liver show characteristics of a hepatic lineage. In a previous study, we reported on novel UCB-derived adult stem cells, termed umbilical cord blood-derived multipotent progenitor cells (UCB-MPCs). We demonstrated that these cells were capable of differentiating into hepatocyte- like cells in vitro. To assess the hepatic differentiation capacity of UCB-MPCs, rat models of hepatic injury were generated using carbon tetra-chloride (CCl 4 ) with transplantation of cells into the liver. The transplanted cells successfully incorporated into the liver of the recipient animal differentiated into functional hepatocyte-like cells that expressed hepatocyte-specific markers, such as CK-18 and albumin. Moreover, human albumin was detected in the serum of the recipient rat model. These data indicated that UCB-MPCs were capable of displaying similar characteristics to those of functional hepatocytes in a recipient liver. UCB-MPCs may prove to be a useful, transplantable alternative for hepatic progenitor cells in both experimental and therapeutic applications.

Thermal energy control is a important factor to control properties of large sized product in ingot-forging. Good control of thermal energy helps to increase characteristics and eliminate defects of large cast-forged part, such as large sized forged shell. We have studied about not only large size ring forging process and after heat treatment process by FEM simulation. Changes of temperature and microstructure for forged shell were predicted according to different heat treatment conditions. Therefore, we can choose the proper heat treatment condition by FEA. The sectional properties confirmed by practical experiment and evaluation have presented possibilities of process design by computational analysis.

Independent and cumulative production cross-sections for the (nat)Ti(p,x)(48)V, (43,44m,44g,46,47,48)Sc nuclear processes are reported here, for the energy region of 4-38MeV by using a stacked-foil activation technique. Measured data were critically compared with the earlier reported values, and also with the theoretical data from the TALYS and ALICE-IPPE codes. The measured (nat)Ti(p,x)(48)V reaction is important for charged particle beam monitoring purposes, whereas the (43,44,47)Sc radionuclide have various practical applications in nuclear medicine.

Transport and magnetization of MgIn 2− x Mn x O 4 polycrystalline pellets (0 x 2 O 4 with Mn results in an increase in electrical resistivity and a decrease in electron concentration. The electrical resistivity increases with decreasing temperature throughout the temperature range and variable-range hopping is observed at low temperatures. The diamagnetic pure MgIn 2 O 4 changes to paramagnetic after doping. The paramagnetism of the doped samples obeys the Curie–Weiss law. The magnetic-field dependence of the magnetization of the doped samples can be well described by the Brillouin function.

In this paper, we analyze the performance of random spreading code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems with a multicarrier in asynchronous uplink channels. We first derive the probability density function (pdf) of the multiple-access interference (MAI) plus noise and then extend the results to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with intercarrier interference (ICI) that is caused by a frequency offset. We obtain the pdf of the MAI and the ICI plus noise under Rayleigh and frequency-selective fading as a function of the number of users and the spreading factor, as well as the number of subcarriers and the frequency offset. The bit-error-rate (BER) analysis shows that the power penalty from the frequency offset increases with the system loading. We develop the Gaussian approximation that provides an accurate estimation of the BER with reduced computational complexity comparing to the direct calculations using the pdf.

The Tasmanian sawmilling industry has traditionally been heavily focused on the processing of mature eucalypt timbers. However, the available log supply has contained an increasingly high proportion of younger, smaller regrowth logs. In response to this change, the Tasmanian sawmilling industry carried out an experimental program aimed at determining a means of processing regrowth Eucalyptus obliqua into high quality sawn and dried timber similar to that available from mature logs. Initial investigations revealed that application of conventional processing techniques to the production of dried machined tangentially sawn (“backsawn”) 25 mm and 19 mm thick boards did not produce commercially viable results. Two possible techniques for reducing drying degrade were investigated: storing boards for some time prior to drying and periods of zero airflow applied intermittently during drying. Neither technique proved effective. Quartersawn timber was found to undergo less surface checking and endsplit than did backsawn. Thinner boards showed no decrease in drying degrade when compared to thicker boards.

Gastrodia elata has been cultivated using mycorrizal fungi including Armillaria mellea as an energy source (myco-hetrotrophy) because it is aphyllous and achlorophyllous archid. But the yields of G. elata have been recently decreased owing to the degeneration of spawn tuber arised from successive asexual reproduction. Therefore, this study was carried out to solve this degeneration by seed germination, namely sexual reproduction. The seed germination of G. elata was excellent on the fallen leaves medium of oak tree. The fruetification rate of the capsule of G. elata by artificial pollination was 94.1% and better than natural pollination. The living weight of capsules of G. elata suitable for seeds germination was above 31 mg. The middle-matured seeds and matured seeds of capules were largely germinated, while the immatured seeds was small germinated. The storage temperature of the cropped capsules suitable for a favorable seed germination was and the storage period of it was one month.

Disseminated microsporidiosis is diagnosed uncommonly in patients not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We present a case of disseminated microsporidiosis in a renal transplant recipient who was seronegative for HIV. Chromotrope-based stains were positive for microsporidia in urine, stools, sputum, and conjunctival scrapings. Electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction, and cultures of renal tissue identified the organism as Encephalitozoon cuniculi. The patient was treated with oral albendazole and topical fumagillin with clinical improvement. In addition, she underwent a transplant nephrectomy and immunosuppressive therapy was withdrawn. Follow-up samples were negative for microsporidia. However, the patient developed central nervous system manifestations and died. An autopsy brain tissue specimen demonstrated E. cuniculi by immunofluorescent staining. Disseminated microsporidiosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiorgan involvement in renal allograft recipients.

Background and Purpose— Experimental evidence has indicated the benefits of simvastatin for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Two randomized placebo-controlled pilot trials that used the highest clinically approved dose of simvastatin (80 mg daily) gave positive results despite the fact that a lower dose of simvastatin (40 mg daily) did not improve clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that a high dose of 80 mg of simvastatin daily for 3 weeks would reduce the incidence of delayed ischemic deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage compared with a lower dose (40 mg of simvastatin daily) and lead to improved clinical outcomes. Methods— The study design was a randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial. Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (presenting within 96 hours of the ictus) from 6 neurosurgical centers were recruited for 3 years. The primary outcome measure was the presence of delayed ischemic deficits, and secondary outcome measures included a modified Rankin disability score at 3 months and an analysis of cost-effectiveness. Results— No difference was observed between the groups treated with the higher dose or the lower dose of simvastatin in the incidence of delayed ischemic deficits (27% versus 24%; odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.7–2.0; P =0.586) or in the rate of favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2) at 3 months (73% versus 72%; odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.6–1.9; P =0.770). Conclusions— High-dose simvastatin treatment should not be prescribed routinely for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01077206.

The Karhunen–Loeve Galerkin procedure is a type of Galerkin methods that employs the empirical eigenfunctions of the Karhunen–Loeve decomposition as basis functions. This technique can reduce nonlinear partial differential equations to sets of minimal number of ordinary differential equations by limiting the solution space to the smallest linear subspace that is sufficient to describe the observed phenomena. Previously [1] , it has been shown that one dimensional Burgers equation is reduced to a low dimensional model by this method, which is employed to solve boundary optimal control problems very efficiently. The present paper demonstrates that the Karhunen–Loeve Galerkin procedure can be extended to solve problems of the boundary optimal control of multidimensional Navier–Stokes equations. Since the reduction of modes in the multidimensional case is much larger than that in the one dimensional case, the present technique is found to be more powerful when applied to the control problems of the Navier–Stokes equation than those of the Burgers equation.

The Burgers equation is a simple one-dimensional model of the Navier-Stokes equation. In the present paper, we suggest an efficient method of solving optimal boundary control problems of the Burgers equation, which is practical as well as mathematically rigorous. Our eventual purpose is to extend this technique to the control problems of viscous fluid flows. The present method is based on the Karhunen-Loeve decomposition which is a technique of obtaining empirical eigenfunctions from the experimental or numerical data of a system. Employing these empirical eigenfunctions as basis functions of a Galerkin procedure, one can a priori limit the function space considered to the smallest linear subspace that is sufficient to describe the observed phenomena, and consequently reduce the Burgers equation to a set of ordinary differential equations with a minimum degree of freedom. The resulting low-dimensional model of Burgers equation is shown to simulate the original system almost exactly. The present algorithm is well suited for the problems of control or optimization, where one has to solve the governing equation repeatedly but one can also estimate the approximate solution space based on the range of control variables. The present method of solving boundary control problems of Burgers equation employing the lowdimensional model obtained by the Karhunen-Loeve Galerkin procedure is found to yield accurate results in a very efficient way, when the minimization of the objective function is performed using a conjugate gradient method.

We report that it was successful to use thermal and UV embossing techniques for the fabrication of 1310/1550nm directional coupler demultiplexer and 1x4 MMI optical power splitter, respectively. The mold was prepared with a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, and the pattern was transferred from the photoresist. We experimented also on the durability of the PDMS mold and successfully fabricated 50th replica with thermal curable polymer and 17th replica with UV curable polymer, respectively.

The second amendment to ‘German Rugulations on Consumer Goods’ states that azo dyestuffs, which can release one or more of the listed 20 carcinogenic amines, should no longer be used in dyeing consumer goods. Many acid and direct dyes which liberate harmful amines such as benzidine, o-tolidine and o-dianisidine after reduction are, however, still use. In this study, it was surprising to find that some dyestuffs or dyed substrates released carcinogenic amines such as 4-amino-diphenyl, 2-naphthylamine, 2,4-toluenediamine and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl-methane, although such amines had not been employed as intermediates in the manufacture of the dyestuffs. Benzidine was also detected from a dyestuff which was not made from benzidine. The 2-naphthylamine residues were sourced as being due to the use of 1-naphthylamine contaminated with 2-naphthylamine. 4-Aminodiphenyl was formed by dediazoniation and a subsequent coupling reaction between the benzenediazonium ion and aniline. Benzidine was derived from dediazoniation and a subsequent self-coupling reaction of the diazonium ion of 4-nitroaniline. 2,4-Toluenediamine and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane arose from the alkaline hydrolysis of the readily accessible moiety of the corresponding base units in PU foams or PU finishing agents.

In this study, it was attempted to construct damage assessment model which could systematically analyze and predict the effects on the semiconductor devices. At first, the PIN diode was designed and manufactured for both the simulation and radiation test. After that the radiation test were performed to it with Gamma-ray. Next, after inputting the pulse model similar to that used in the measurement into 3D model PIN diode with the same parameters of the process design, the behavior of the instantaneous charges which were generated inside the devices were analyzed and the output current value was simulated. The results obtained from the two processes showed the similar characteristics

AC susceptibility of the Rb3C60 superconductor shows a weak dependence on ac magnetic-field frequency f. The temperature, Tp where χ″ is maximum, rises with increasing frequency and the effect is enhanced as the dc magnetic-field amplitude Hdc is increased. The temperature is found to obey a scaling law (1 − T p /T c ) 3 2 = 1.9 × 10 −4 H dc [ ln (f 0 /f) + 23] + 8 × 10 −5 [ ln (f 0 /f) + 23] , where f0 (≈ 1010 s−1) is a characteristic frequency and Hdc is in tesla. The scaling relationship is in good agreement with the predicted equation based on the model of thermally activated flux motion.