Prediction of Speech Quality Based on Resilient Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network

The paper presents a system for monitoring and assessment the speech quality in the IP telephony infrastructures using modular probes. The probes are placed at key nodes in the network where aggregating packet loss data. The system dynamically measures speech quality and results are collected on a central server. For data analysis we applied four-state Markov model for modeling the impact of network impairments on speech quality, afterwards, the resilient back propagation (Rprop) algorithm was used to train a neural network. Information about the speech quality are displayed in the form of automatically generated graphs and tables. The proposed solution has been tested with selected codecs and further generalizes the already presented concepts of the speech quality estimation in the IP environment.

     

Problem of the reference height of the projectile trajectory as a reduced meteo-ballistic weighting factor

This paper deals with the issue of preparation of the aiming angles with the use of tabular firing tables and needed determination of the ballistic elements μB （ballistic wind wB Wxm WzB, ballistic （virtual） temperature τB, ballistic density ρB） from the standardized met messages. The weighting factors are used for the calculation of ballistic elementsμB that are incorporated into the trajectory calculations characteristics of weapon and ammunition. Two different methodologies practically used in the praxis are analysed and compared. For the comparison of the two methodologies the reference height of trajectory determined from the weighting factor functions is employed. On the basis of the analyses conducted, the potential for further increase in accuracy of these aiming angles preparation methods is pointed out.     

Untersuchung der thermisch‐hygrischen Eigenschaften von Ziegeln mit Hohlraumfüllung aus Recyclingmaterial

Investigation on the thermal‐hygral behaniour of bricks with canity filling by recycling meterials. In the investigation project was examined whether bricks with simple cavity structure have a higher heat resistance by use of a heat insulation material filling in the cavities. The insulation material is a recycled product made of polystyrene and wood covered and bonded with cement. The influence of the configuration and thickness of the perforated bricks with vertical perforations and the geometry of the cavities of the brick on the thermal moisture states was evaluated. For investigation of the thermal resistance and the heat transmission coefficients were used the simulation program THERM, that considered the heat transportation through conduction in the brick fragments and the transport mechanisms conduction, convection and radiation in the airfilled cavities. The software package WUFI 2D was employed for the investigation of moisture transfer in the bricks. The investigations showed that the composite brick insulation stone has a thermal resistance twice as high as the initial brick. The moisture states can be partially in the brick more than 80 % humidity. This load is estimated as uncritical because the wooden particles are covered with cement slime.     

Dispersion copolymerization of polyoxyethylene macromonomer and styrene. Part 3. Molecular characterization of polystyrene-graft-polyoxyethylene copolymers

Graft copolymers (polystyrene-graft-polyoxyethylene) (PS-graft-PEO) were prepared by the dispersion copolymerization of methacryloyl-terminated polyoxyethylene macromonomer and styrene initiated by an oil-soluble initiator (dibenzoyl peroxide, DBP). The apparent molecular weights of graft copolymers measured by size exclusion chromatography in tetrahydrofuran were found to be proportional to the -0·8th power of DBP concentration. This reaction order supports the termination of growing radicals by a first order radical loss process. The molecular weight distribution estimated from the size exclusion chromatography (SEC) data was found to decrease slightly with DBP concentration and to drop rapidly with macromonomer concentration. This was attributed to chain transfer events and to the increase of particle number: the higher the particle number the lower the monomer concentration in the particles. The bulkiness of the macromonomer molecules and the high segment density around the propagating reaction loci hinder the incorporation of macromonomer molecules into a copolymer growing chain. ©1997 SCI     

Surface functionalization of mesoporous antimony doped tin oxide by metalorganic reaction

Electrically conducting mesoporous antimony doped tin oxide was functionalized by the metalorganic reaction with several Grignard reagents. This fast and efficient grafting approach enables a direct connection of the metal atoms with the organic functionalities avoiding the formation of insulating Si–O linkers, which is of special interest for the interfacial charge transfer processes. Using this approach we introduced vinyl, allyl and phenyl groups into the pores of mesoporous ATO, which was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, TGA and nitrogen sorption measurements. We obtained a high loading of organic groups corresponding to about 50–60% of the monolayer surface coverage. The obtained mesoporous inorganic–organic hybrids can serve as a platform for incorporation of electrochemically active species.     

On total internal reflection investigation of nanoparticles by integrated micro-fluidic system

We report on a novel sensor for characterization of nanoparticles colloidal suspensions. We employ a diffraction grating under total internal reflection for investigation of nanodisperse fluids passing through an integrated microfluidic channel. Dispersions containing polymeric, metallic, and ferromagnetic nanoparticles are studied. Using this device, we can accurately determine in real-time the specific refractive index for the nanoparticle suspension and the nanoparticle concentration. The nanoparticle concentrations can be calculated with a resolution of 0.3-0.5 wt% for polymeric nanoparticles, 0.03-0.05 wt% for metallic nanoparticles, and 0.05-0.1 wt% for ferromagnetic nanoparticles. This translates to an effective refractive index that can be determined with an accuracy of 7 x 10(-4) for the polymeric and 2 x 10(-4) for the metallic and ferromagnetic dispersions.     

3GPP LTE‐Assisted Wi‐Fi‐Direct: Trial Implementation of Live D2D Technology

This paper is a first‐hand summary on our comprehensive live trial of cellular‐assisted device‐to‐device (D2D) communications currently being ratified by the standards community for next‐generation mobile broadband networks. In our test implementation, we employ a full‐featured 3GPP LTE network deployment and augment it with all necessary support to provide real‐time D2D connectivity over emerging Wi‐Fi‐Direct (WFD) technology. As a result, our LTE‐assisted WFD D2D system enjoys the required flexibility while meeting the existing standards in every feasible detail. Further, this paper provides an account on the extensive measurement campaign conducted with our implementation. The resulting real‐world measurements from this campaign quantify the numerical effects of D2D functionality on the resultant system performance. Consequently, they shed light on the general applicability of LTE‐assisted WFD solutions and associated operational ranges.     

Eucalyptol is an Attractant of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle,Xyleborus Glabratus

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is an invasive wood-boring beetle that has become established in the southeastern United States. The beetle transmits the causal pathogen of lethal laurel wilt to susceptible host trees, which include redbay, an important forest community species, and avocado, a valuable food crop. By examining odors of redbay wood, we developed an artificial lure that captured X. glabratus in redbay forests. Eucalyptol was a critical component of the blend for beetle attraction, and eucalyptol alone in large quantities attracted X. glabratus. Furthermore, eucalyptol stimulated boring by X. glabratus into paper arenas. The results suggest that eucalyptol contributes to host selection behavior of X. glabratus and may be useful for management of this pathogen vector.     

A Novel Insight into the Cardiotoxicity of Antineoplastic Drug Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a commonly used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of many types of cancer. Little is known about the interactions of doxorubicin with cardiac biomolecules. Serious cardiotoxicity including dilated cardiomyopathy often resulting in a fatal congestive heart failure may occur as a consequence of chemotherapy with doxorubicin. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to doxorubicin on the changes in major amino acids in tissue of cardiac muscle (proline, taurine, glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, leucine, glycine, valine, alanine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine and serine). An in vitro interaction study was performed as a comparison of amino acid profiles in heart tissue before and after application of doxorubicin. We found that doxorubicin directly influences myocardial amino acid representation even at low concentrations. In addition, we performed an interaction study that resulted in the determination of breaking points for each of analyzed amino acids. Lysine, arginine, β-alanine, valine and serine were determined as the most sensitive amino acids. Additionally we compared amino acid profiles of myocardium before and after exposure to doxorubicin. The amount of amino acids after interaction with doxorubicin was significantly reduced (p = 0.05). This fact points at an ability of doxorubicin to induce changes in quantitative composition of amino acids in myocardium. Moreover, this confirms that the interactions between doxorubicin and amino acids may act as another factor most likely responsible for adverse effects of doxorubicin on myocardium.