Analysis on the effectiveness of the 20-H rule for printed-circuit-board layout to reduce edge-radiated coupling

This paper presents the quantified study of the electromagnetic radiation mechanism of the 20-H rule using a numerical approach that has not yet been systematically addressed. The 20-H rule is a rule-of-thumb layout technique recommended to minimize radiated fields propagating from the edges of a printed circuit board (PCB) coupling onto nearby structures. Propagating electromagnetic fields may corrupt adjacent cable assemblies, sheet metal enclosures, and aperture openings. The magnitude of this design rule is investigated using the full-wave finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. An analysis on whether benefits exist from use of this rule is examined and under what conditions the rule is valid when correctly implemented. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the validity of the 20-H rule, recognizing that every PCB will have different simulation results. FDTD is used to capture a snapshot view of field propagation. This view allows one to determine the validity of the 20-H rule at a single point of time within a dynamic structure and what may be expected when digital components are finally added to a PCB assembly, which generally negates simulated results.     

Protoplast from <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-carotene-producing fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blakeslea trispora</Emphasis>: Preparation,regeneration and validation

The effects of key parameters on the preparation and regeneration of protoplast from the β-carotene-producing fungus Blakeslea trispora were discussed in this paper, including the combination of various enzymes, mycelial age, digesting time and temperature, pH value, osmotic stabilizers, pretreatment, culture medium and culture method. Under the condition of mixed enzymes in osmotic stabilizer (0.6 M NaCl) combined with 2% lysozyme, 3% cellulase and 3% snailase, the highest protoplast yield, as high as 7.48×106 protoplasts/mL, was obtained when mycelial age was 60 h at pH 5.0–6.0 with digesting for 14–16 h at 28 °C. After purification of the obtained protoplasts, they were regenerated in PDA regenerative medium using bilayer plate culture method. To validate the usability of the protoplasts, a novel plasmid with green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used in transformation for easy visual observation. The results showed that the protoplasts prepared by the optimized method were active and applicable in further gene manipulation experiments. This work was presented at 13 ^th YABEC symposium held at Seoul, Korea, October 20–22, 2007.     

碳酸盐岩气藏加砂压裂重复改造试验效果分析

针对碳酸盐岩气藏部分气井生产效能低的状况，决定在长庆气田下古生界尝试开展加砂压裂重复改造试验，以期提高低产、低效气井的产量，延长气田稳产期。通过潜心研究、精细设计及现场质检监控，优选了4口老井进行加砂压裂重复改造现场试验。从试验结果来看，虽然只有1口井取得明显的改造效果，但4口井加砂压裂施工都是成功的，说明对碳酸盐岩气藏实施加砂压裂是可以实现的，但在选井思路和压裂工艺方面还有待探索和研究。     

Average consensus in networks of dynamic agents with switching topologies and multiple time-varying delays

In this paper, we discuss average consensus problem in undirected networks of dynamic agents with fixed and switching topologies as well as multiple time-varying communication delays. By employing a linear matrix inequality method, we prove that all the nodes in the network achieve average consensus asymptotically for appropriate communication delays if the network topology is connected. Particularly, several feasible linear matrix inequalities are established to determine the maximal allowable upper bound of time-varying communication delays. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and the sharpness of the theoretical results.     

基于聚类算法实现信号盲分类

本文解决了信号处理、工业控制等领域存在的非平稳信号盲分类问题。在聚类中广泛应用的K-Means算法及其它基于中心的聚类算法有两个共同的缺陷-需要预先确定类数目且随机初始化中心引起性能不稳定。本文提出的算法较好地解决了这两个问题，提高了算法稳定性，实现了非平稳信号盲分类。提取非平稳信号的小波系数作为聚类的样本空间，分析聚类结果的统计偏差以估计类的数目，采用调和均值准则进行分类。最后给出的仿真结果表明本文提出的方法较传统的K-Means算法明显降低分类错误率。     

Modelling biological processes under anaerobic conditions through integrating titrimetric and off-gas measurements-applied to EBPR systems.

An innovative method for modelling biological processes under anaerobic conditions is presented and discussed. The method is based on titrimetric and off-gas measurements. Titrimetric data is recorded as the addition rate of hydroxyl ions or protons that is required to maintain pH in a bioreactor at a constant level. An off-gas analysis arrangement measures, among other things, the transfer rate of carbon dioxide. The integration of these signals results in a continuous signal which is solely related to the biological reactions. When coupled with a mathematical model of the biological reactions, the signal allows a detailed characterisation of these reactions, which would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Two applications of the method to the enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes are presented and discussed to demonstrate the principle and effectiveness of the method.     

CMOS gyrator-C active transformers

A systematic approach for synthesising gyrator-C active transformers using MOS transistors is presented. The topology of gyrator-C active inductors and their characteristics are briefly reviewed first. This is followed by the development of ideal gyrator-C active transformers, where only the capacitor loads of the transconductors synthesising active transformers are considered. The self and mutual inductances of both the primary and secondary windings of active transformers are investigated in detailed. Non-ideal gyrator-C active transformers are developed with the consideration of both the resistance and capacitance loads of transconductors. The intrinsic relation between the self and mutual inductances is derived. The configuration of gyrator-C active transformers with multiple primary and secondary windings is also developed. The proposed active transformers offer large and tunable self and mutual inductances with virtually no silicon area requirement. Several practical implementations of the proposed active transformers have been realised in TSMC-0.18 mum 1.8 V CMOS technology and analysed using SpectreRF with BSIM3v3 device models. Simulation results on voltage transfer characteristics, self and mutual inductances, quality factors, stability, the effect of process variations, and noise are presented. The application of the proposed active transformers is exemplified using a 1.6 GHz active transformer quadrature oscillator.     

Fatigue Behavior and Retrofit Investigation of Distortion-Induced Web Gap Cracking

This paper studies a Kansas Department of Transportation welded plate girder bridge that developed fatigue cracks at small web gaps close to the girder top flange. Repair had been previously performed by softening the connection plate end with a slot retrofit, but cracks were recently found to have reinitiated at some of the repaired details and are again propagating. A comprehensive finite-element method study was performed to investigate the cracking behavior observed in the bridge and to recommend appropriate measures for future bridge retrofit. The analytical results show that stresses developed at the top flange web gaps could exceed yielding under the loading of an HS15 fatigue truck. The current slot repair used in the bridge was found to have introduced higher magnitude fatigue stresses in the web gap. To achieve a permanent repair of the bridge, it is recommended that a welded connection plate to flange attachment be used during future bridge retrofit. The web gap details should be able to withstand unlimited number of load cycles once this additional repair is performed.     

A Pervasive Computing Curriculum for Engineering and Science Students

Today, there's an urgent need for well-trained pervasive computing engineers and scientists. Pervasive computing has evolved into a critical field, influencing a broad range of industries from healthcare to manufacturing to defense. However, most computer engineering and computer science programs pay marginal attention, at best, to the field. In this issue, the authors of the Rochester Institute of Technology describes a set of courses on pervasive computing topics and a supporting laboratory designed for both computer engineering and computer science students