L’égalisation numérique en communications

This tutorial contribution explains how digital equalization permits very high transmission rates, even with severe channels, by adaptive (real time) correction of the distortion. Equalizers are in general digital filters. Transversal equalizers are only suitable for mild channels. In data transmission, where symbols have discrete levels, severe channels can be equalized by adding a recursive path that is filled in with detected symbols. Engineers have realized optimal equalizers for more than twenty years thanks to the adaptive tracking of the channel time variations, at a very low computational cost. However adaptation requires the periodic transmission of a training sequence deprived of information content. This supervised learning technique is acceptable only in an end-to-end communication system. The most recent equalization methods are usable in multiuser systems such as networks, broadcasted communications, etc., because they employ self-learning or unsupervised equalization. Then adaptation is controlled by the very information data flow. It only takes advantage of an a priori statistical knowledge on the emitted data, e.g. their whiteness, a property that is ensured thanks to jamming. Let us conjecture that all equalizers will be self-learning in a near future.     

Prebiotic synthesis of sequential peptides on the Hadean beach by a molecular engine working with nitrogen oxides as energy sources

Addressing the still open question of the prebiotic origin of sequential macromolecules (peptides, nucleic acids) on the primitive Earth, we describe a molecular engine (the primary pump), which works at ambient temperature and continuously generates, elongates and complexifies sequential peptides. This new scenario is based on a cyclic reaction sequence, whose keystep is the activation of amino acids into their N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) through nitrosation by NOx. This process could have taken place on tidal beaches; it requires a buffered ocean, emerged land and a nitrosating atmosphere. With the help of geochemical studies and computer simulations of atmosphere photochemistry, we show that the primitive Earth during the Hadean may have satisfied all these requirements. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Comportement chaotique des filtres récursifs adaptatifs: application à la compression des signaux téléphoniques

Adaptive filtering gives simple iterative methods for extracting a useful signal by linearly filtering an observation correlated with this useful signal. When the observation contains past values of the filter output—as is the case for a recursive structure— the adaptive filter is a non linear operator which can generate complex behaviours even though adaptation is a standard derivative of the gradient algorithm. Such behaviours are observed in a particular case : theArma adaptive prediction with a sinusoidal input. A slow adaptation speed involves a quasi-periodic behaviour due to the locally unstable character of the predictor. This phenomenon called selfstabilization persists as the adaptation speed increases. Its study is more complicated : the behaviour becomes chaotic. As an illustration, the digitization of telephone signals throughArma adaptive prediction shows the necessity of controlling the qualitative behaviour of the adaptive filtering solutions.     

2-Methylthiazolidine and 4-ethylguaiacol,male sex pheromone components of the cockroachNauphoeta cinerea (dictyoptera,blaberidae): A reinvestigation

InNauphoeta cinerea, male calling behavior is associated with sex pheromone release by the sternal glands. The male pheromone that attracts females from a distance is a mixture of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethylguaiacol. It is active at very low concentrations, 0.05 and 0.01 ng, respectively. Two other compounds, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and 2-methyl-2thiazoline, act at close range, keeping the female in the vicinity of the male. The function of the volatile pheromone and those of previously described contact pheromones are discussed in regard to their possible involvement in the establishment of male dominant-subordinate relationships.     

Effect of Molybdenum on the Structure and on the Crystallization of SiO2–Na2O–CaO–B2O3 Glasses

Crystallization of the poorly durable Na₂MoO₄ phase able to incorporate radioactive cesium must be avoided in SiO₂–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–Na₂O–CaO glasses developed for the immobilization of Mo-rich nuclear wastes. Increasing amounts of B₂O₃ and MoO₃ were added to a SiO₂–Na₂O–CaO glass, and crystallization tendency was studied. Na₂MoO₄ crystallization tendency decreased with the increase of B₂O₃ concentration whereas the tendency of CaMoO₄ to crystallize increased due to preferential charge compensation of BO₄⁻ entities by Na⁺ ions. ²⁹Si MAS NMR showed that molybdenum acts as a reticulating agent in glass structure. Trivalent actinides surrogate (Nd³⁺) were shown to enter into CaMoO₄ crystals formed in glasses.     

Bioactivity behaviour of biodegradable material comprising bioactive glass

Biocomposite of bioactive glass (BG) with chitosan polymer (CH) is prepared by freeze-drying technique. Obtained material is investigated by using several physico-chemical methods. The XRD and FTIR show the interface bonding interactions between glass and polymer. The specific surface and porosity of biocomposite were determined. In vitro assays were employed to evaluate the effect of chitosan addition on the glass by studying the chemical reactivity and bioactivity of the BG and BG/CH biocomposite after soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The obtained results show the formation of a bioactive hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer and highlight the bioactivity and the kinetics of chemical reactivity of bioactive glass, particularly after association with chitosan. The BG/CH biocomposite has excellent ability to form an apatite layer. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) highlights the negative effect of chitosan on the silicon release toward the SBF of bioactive glass when in vitro assays.