Low-Power VLSI Implementation of the Inner Receiver for OFDM-Based WLAN Systems

In this paper, we propose low-power designs for the synchronizer and channel estimator units of the Inner Receiver in wireless local area network systems. The objective of the work is the optimization, with respect to power, area, and latency, of both the signal processing algorithms themselves and their implementation. Novel circuit design strategies have been employed to realize optimal hardware and power efficient architectures for the fast Fourier transform, arc tangent computation unit, numerically controlled oscillator, and the decimation filters. The use of multiple clock domains and clock gating reduces the power consumption further. These blocks have been integrated into an experimental digital baseband processor for the IEEE 802.11a standard implemented in the 0.25mum- 5-metal layer BiCMOS technology from Institute for High Performance Microelectronics.     

Progressive scoliosis with vertebral rotation after lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in a 10-year-old girl

A case report of a 10-year old girl with a herniated disc is presented. The most significant symptoms were progressive scoliosis with a flat back and paravertebral muscle spasm. An absent H reflex on the left and an increased latency of the somatosensory-evoked potentials of the left posterior tibial nerve were found. The computed tomographic scan of the lumbar spine showed a large central left-sided disc protrusion at the L5-S1 level. Our case presents the youngest patient with documented intervertebral disc herniation and the only one with severe scoliosis and vertebral rotation. The curve was not structural because it improved with surgery and an orthosis was not necessary.     

Optimizing counter-terror operations: Should one fight fire with “fire” or “water”?

This paper deals dynamically with the question of how recruitment to terror organizations is influenced by counter-terror operations. This is done within an optimal control model, where the key state is the (relative) number of terrorists and the key controls are two types of counter-terror tactics, one (“water”) that does not and one (“fire”) that does provoke recruitment of new terrorists. The model is nonlinear and does not admit analytical solutions, but an efficient numerical implementation of Pontryagin's minimum principle allows for solution with base case parameters and considerable sensitivity analysis. Generally, this model yields two different steady states, one where the terror organization is nearly eradicated and one with a high number of terrorists. Whereas water strategies are used at almost any time, it can be optimal not to use fire strategies if the number of terrorists is below a certain threshold.     

A non-autonomous optimal control model of renewable energy production under the aspect of fluctuating supply and learning by doing

Given the constantly raising world-wide energy demand and the accompanying increase in greenhouse gas emissions that pushes the progression of climate change, the possibly most important task in future is to find a carbon-low energy supply that finds the right balance between sustainability and energy security. For renewable energy generation, however, especially the second aspect turns out to be difficult as the supply of renewable sources underlies strong volatility. Further on, investment costs for new technologies are so high that competitiveness with conventional energy forms is hard to achieve. To address this issue, we analyze in this paper a non-autonomous optimal control model considering the optimal composition of a portfolio that consists of fossil and renewable energy and which is used to cover the energy demand of a small country. While fossil energy is assumed to be constantly available, the supply of the renewable resource fluctuates seasonally. We further on include learning effects for the renewable energy technology, which will underline the importance of considering the whole life span of such a technology for long-term energy planning decisions.     

β‐D‐Glucosidase Assisted Gold Dissolution as Non‐Optical and Quantifiable Detection Technique for Immunoassays

Immunoassays are used for detecting protein targets for various applications. Here, a modification of immunoassays to allow a purely electrical detection of the target protein concentration is shown. The modification comprises a β‐D‐glucosidase as reporter enzyme and a cyanogenic glycoside as substrate. The enzymatic reaction produces cyanide in small quantities. For electrical detection of the cyanide, a novel sensor is developed, based on a gold micro wire. The cyanide dissolves the gold wire and changes the electrical resistance of the wire. Monitoring the resistance change allows a quantitative measurement of the target human C‐reactive protein (an inflammatory marker) in blood plasma in the physiological relevant concentration range.     

Fast and exergy efficient start-up of micro-solid oxide fuel cell systems by using the reformer or the post-combustor for start-up heating

The start-up process of a micro-solid oxide fuel cell system strongly influences its overall efficiency, especially for portable applications where a frequent switch-on and switch-off is required. We present herein a novel start-up process for such systems that exploits existing units, such as the post-combustor or the reformer, as a heat source to reach the operation temperature of the cell at 600 °C. Our experimental results show that the employment of platinum catalysts in the post-combustor or rhodium catalysts in the reformer for total oxidation of butane by air combined with an electrically heated wire led to a faster and more efficient start-up than conventional start-up methods using only electrical energy. By using the post-combustor as heat source, the start-up time could be reduced by 79% and the exergy cost by 86%. The latter includes the cost of the stand-alone fuel cell system to produce electrical energy for the joule heating of the wire (i.e. the system efficiency is accounted for). There are several advantages to use the reformer as heat source during start-up, such as prevention of coking of the fuel cell or improved heat transfer by internal heating of the other components. The start-up performance, however, was lower than that of the post-combustor: the start-up time could be reduced by 65% and the exergy cost by 68% compared to a conventional start-up.     

Verstärkung mit vorgespannten eingeschlitzten Lamellen

Oberflächig geklebte Kohlefaserlamellen (CFK) werden seit vielen Jahren zur Bauteilverstärkung eingesetzt. Die hohe Festigkeit dieser Lamellen kann aufgrund der begrenzten Zugkapazität des Betons nicht zur Gänze ausgenutzt werden. Eingeschlitzte CFK Lamellen hingegen bieten wesentliche Vorteile, die zusammen mit Vorspannung noch weiter optimiert werden können. Für den Vorspannvorgang wurde eine spezielle Verankerung, auf Basis der Composite Wedge Technik, entwickelt, die einfaches und rasches Vorspannen erlaubt. Die Verankerung ist zudem nur 8 kg schwer, was besonders vorteilhaft beim Hantieren an der Tragwerksunterseite ist. Nach dem Vorspannen wird die Verankerung entfernt, die permanente Verankerung der Lamellenenden wird durch nachträgliches Verkleben gewährleistet. Es verbleiben keine Stahlteile im oder am Bauwerk. So zeichnet sich die Konstruktion durch geringen Wartungsaufwand und hohe Dauerhaftigkeit aus. Die Effizienz der entwickelten Systeme wurde an vorgespannten Plattenstreifen experimentell untersucht. In den Untersuchungen konnte die Funktionsfähigkeit nachgewiesen werden. Strengthening using Prestressed Near Surface Mounted Strips Exernally bonded carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) strips are used since several years for strengthening of structures. The high strength of the strips cannot be exploited in most applications. Near surface mounted strips offer several advantages, which allow for further optimization together with prestressing. For the prestressing action a special anchoring device, based on the Composite Wedge Principle, was developed, which allows a simple and quick prestressing procedure. Additionally the anchorage weighs only 8 kg, which is especially beneficial when manipulations on the lower surface of the structure are necessary. The anchorage will be removed after prestressing and the permanent anchorage of the ends of the strips will be established by bond. No steel parts remain in the structure, after completing the strengthening. This results in low maintenance and a high durability. The efficiency of the developed systems and the prestressed plate strips was examined experimentally. In these investigations a perfect functionality could be demonstrated.     

橡树林中的小教堂 智利Junquillos小教堂

这是一个简单而朴实的教堂设计项目,它坐落在智利南部边远地区的一个小树林中。与很多教堂建设项目一样,建造这个小教堂的预算并不多。但幸运的是,接手这个项目的建筑师Claudio Baladron与Diego Grass成功地向我们展示了如何用最小的预算去建造最具有品质的经典项目。小教堂位于一片幽静的橡树林中,地理