Volatile compounds on the surface and within Iberian dry-cured loin

The profile of volatile compounds from external and internal areas of Iberian dry-cured loin was studied by headspace solid-phase microextraction. Higher levels of 16 volatile compounds (hexane, decane, 3-methylbutanal, several sulphur compounds and some aromatic hydrocarbons) were detected in the outer part of the loins. These differences could be owing to several factors, such as greater exposure to oxygen and dehydration conditions in the surface of the product, which favour oxidation reactions and Strecker degradation of amino acids. Moreover, the addition of spices on the surface and the proximity of a mould layer growing on the surface of the product could also contribute to the higher levels of these compounds on the external layer. However, other sulphur compounds coming from spices showed similar levels on the surface and within the loins. This different behaviour could be a consequence of different diffusion rates depending on the features of the compound and the matrix.     

Simulation of electron energy loss near-edge structure at the Al and N K edges and Al L(23) edge in cubic aluminium nitride

Calculations of electron energy near edge structures (ELNES) are compared with experimental data obtained in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. This study concerns small precipitates of aluminium nitride in low carbon steel. The ELNES technique allows to clearly establish that these precipitates crystallize in a cubic rather than in a hexagonal crystallographic cell. The influence on simulated spectra of different parameters are investigated: the size of the atomic shell and its relation with the electron inelastic mean free path. We also examine the influence of the core hole and the sensitivity to cell parameters. We particularly examine the Al L(23) near edge structure and features relating to the different transition channels (A(1g), E(g) and T(2g)). Results of a multiple scattering and band structure calculations using ICXANES and WIEN97 codes, respectively, are compared in the region from 0 to 30 eV above the edge onsets. Both calculations are in a rather good agreement.     

Thermal AFM: a thermopile case study

In this work, an atomic force microscope (AFM) with an integrated thermal sensor has been used to obtain the local spatial distribution of temperatures in a micromachined thermopile with submicron resolution. In this communication, we will show how the dimensional, structural and functional characteristics of a thermopile suits well with the requirements for AFM thermal imaging, and how a deeper insight of the thermopile operation can be gained with the aid of these advanced scanning probe-based tools.     

An analytic method to predict the thermal map of cryosurgery iceballs in MR images

This paper presents a newly developed method to estimate, in magnetic resonance (MR) images, the temperatures reached within the volume of an iceball produced by a cryogenic probe. Building on the direct measurements of the MR signal intensity and its correlation with independent temperature variations at the phase transition from liquid to solid, the thermal information embedded in the images was accessed. The volume and diameter of the growing iceball were estimated from a time series of MR images. Using regressions over the volume in the time and thermal domains, this method predicted the cryogenic temperatures beyond the range of sensitivity of the MR signal itself. We present a validation of this method in samples of gelatin and ex vivo pig liver. Temperature predictions are shown to agree with independent thermosensor readings over a range extending from 20 degrees C down to -65 degrees C, with an average error of less than 6 degrees C.     

New Alternatives to the Estimation Problem in Hardware-Software Codesign of Complex Embedded Systems: The H.261 Video Co-dec Case Study

As Codesign problems become larger and more realistic, the required time to estimate their solutions turns into an important bottleneck. This paper presents a new approach to improve the traditional estimation techniques, in order to avoid this drawback. The presented method has been successfully tested on a large experimental benchmark, attaining quality levels close to those provided by the Synopsys Behavioral Compiler. Finally, a case study based on the standard H.261 video co-dec is described, proving the convenience of the technique on real-life situations. The obtained results show a significant improvement in the process time, while keeping the good precision and fidelity levels that the traditional estimation models usually offer.     

W-CDMA Uplink Capacity and Interference Statistics of a Long Tunnel Cigar-shaped Microcells Using the Hybrid Model of Propagation with Imperfect Power Control

The uplink capacity and the interference statistics (mean and variance) of the sectors of the cigar-shaped W-CDMA microcell are studied. A model with eighteen sectors is used to analyze the uplink. The microcells are assumed to exist in a long tunnel with at least nine base stations. The hybrid model of propagation is used in the calculations. The capacity and the interference statistics of the sectors are studied in terms of the most important parameters: sector radius, specific attenuation factor, antenna sidelobe levels, bend losses and the power control standard deviation error.     

Common-Mode Response Overlapping vs. Shaping in Rail-to-Rail Op-Amp Input Stages

In this paper, a circuit technique—common-mode (CM) response overlapping—for maintaining the small-signal behavior of rail-to-rail amplifiers nearly constant over the whole input CM range, is introduced. This technique modifies the CM response of the rail-to-rail input stage adequately by means of two constant input floating voltage sources, which are adjusted by using a static tuning section. Its performance is compared with a second technique—CM response shaping—, which is also based on two variable input floating voltage sources, but relies on a dynamic feedback tuning loop. Experimental results obtained from two 3-V 0.8-m CMOS single-stage rail-to-rail amplifiers, which operate with CM response overlapping and shaping, respectively, are provided.     

Speeds of Sound and Isentropic Compressibilities of Binary Mixtures Containing Cyclic Ethers and Haloalkanes at 298.15 and 313.15 K

Speeds of sound of binary mixtures formed by either 1,3-dioxolane or 1,4-dioxane and isomeric chlorobutanes at 298.15 and 313.15 K are reported in this paper. Isentropic compressibilities and isentropic compressibility deviations have been calculated from experimental measurements. Isentropic compressibility deviations have been fitted to a Redlich–Kister equation, and the results have been discussed in terms of molecular interactions and structural effects. Isentropic compressibilities have been estimated at 298.15 K using the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory.     

Identification of cracks and cavities using the topological sensitivity boundary integral equation

The purpose of this communication is to present a novel approach to compute the so called Topological Sensitivity (TS) of any variable or functional in elasticity using Boundary Integral Equations (BIEs), and its use as a tool for identification of defects, by itself or in conjunction with zero-order methods, like Genetic Algorithms. The TS of a cost functional provides a measure of the susceptibility of a defect being at a given location. The main contributions are summarized in the following points:     

Convolutional Codes of Goppa Type

A new kind of Convolutional Codes generalizing Goppa Codes is proposed. This provides a systematic method for constructing convolutional codes with prefixed properties. In particular, examples of Maximum-Distance Separable (MDS) convolutional codes are obtained.This research was partially supported by the Spanish DGI through research project BFM2003-00078 and by the Junta de Castilla y León through research projects SA071/04 and SA032/02.