Low PAPR Square STBCs from Complex Partial-Orthogonal Designs (CPODs)

Space-time codes from complex orthogonal designs (CODs) with no zero entries offer low Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) and avoid the problem of switching off antennas. But square CODs for 2(a) antennas with a + 1. complex variables, with no zero entries were discovered only for a <= 3 and if a + 1 = 2(k), for k >= 4. In this paper, a method of obtaining no zero entry (NZE) square designs, called Complex Partial-Orthogonal Designs (CPODs), for 2(a+1) antennas whenever a certain type of NZE code exists for 2(a) antennas is presented. Then, starting from a so constructed NZE CPOD for n = 2(a+1) antennas, a construction procedure is given to obtain NZE CPODs for 2n antennas, successively. Compared to the CODs, CPODs have slightly more ML decoding complexity for rectangular QAM constellations and the same ML decoding complexity for other complex constellations. Using the recently constructed NZE CODs for 8 antennas our method leads to NZE CPODs for 16 antennas. The class of CPODs do not offer full-diversity for all complex constellations. For the NZE CPODs presented in the paper, conditions on the signal sets which will guarantee full-diversity are identified. Simulation results show that bit error performance of our codes is same as that of the CODs under average power constraint and superior to CODs under peak power constraint.

Mechanism of oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones by singlet oxygen

Photo-oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones yields the corresponding ketones as the only product. Studies carried out on three systems, namely thioketones, α,β-unsaturated thiones and thioketenes, have revealed that there exists a similarity in their mechanism of oxidation. It has been suggested that the thiocarbonyl chromophore is the site of attack by singlet oxygen in α,β-unsaturated thiones and that the adjacent C-C double bond is inert under these conditions. Absence of sulphine during the oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones is attributed to the electronic factors operating on the zwitterionic/diradical intermediate. While α,β-unsaturated ketones are poorly reactive, α,β-unsaturated thiones are highly reactive toward singlet oxygen.

Lead-acid batteries for partial-state-of-charge applications

2 V/40 Ah valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) cells have been constructed with negative plates employing carbon black as well as an admixture of carbon black fumed silica as additives in negative active material for partial-state-of-charge (PSoC) applications. Electrical performance of such cells is compared with conventional 2 V/40 Ah VRLA cells for PSoC operation. Active material utilization has been found to be higher for carbon-black fumed-silica mixed negative plates while formation is faster for cells with carbon-black mixed negative plates. Both faradaic efficiency and percentage capacity delivered have been found to be higher for cells with carbon-black + fumed-silica mixed negative plates. However, a high self-discharge rate is observed for cells with carbon-black + fumed-silica mixed negative plates.

Photochemical Oxidation of Thioketones: Steric and Electronic Aspects

Oxidation of diaryl, aryl alkyl, and dialkyl thioketones by singlet oxygen generated via self-sensitization and other independent methods yielded the corresponding ketone and sulfine in varying amounts. A zwitterionic/ diradical intermediate arising out of the primary interaction of singlet oxygen with the thiocarbonyl chromophore is believed to be the common intermediate for the ketone and sulfine. While closure of the zwitterion/diradical to give 1,2,3-dioxathietane would lead to the ketone, competing oxygen elimination is believed to lead to the sulfine. This partitioning is governed by steric and electronic factors operating on the zwitterionic/diradical intermediate.

Partial purification and properties of a transamidinase from Lathyrus sativus seedlings. Involvement in homoarginine metabolism and amine interconversions

A transamidinase was purified 463-fold from Lathyrus sativus seedlings by affinity chromatography on homoarginine--Sepharose. The enzyme exhibited a wide substrate specificity, and catalysed the reversible transfer of the amidino groups from donors such as arginine, homoarginine and canavanine to acceptors such as lysine, putrescine, agmatine, cadaverine and hydroxylamine. The enzyme could not be detected in the seeds, and attained the highest specific activity in the embryo axis on day 10 after seed germination. Its thiol nature was established by strong inhibition by several thiol blockers and thiol compounds in the presence of ferricyanide. In the absence of an exogenous acceptor, it exhibited weak hydrolytic activity towards arginine. It had apparent mol.wt. 210000, and exhibited Michaelis--Menten kinetics with Km 3.0 mM for arginine. Ornithine competitively inhibited the enzyme, with Ki 1.0 mM in the arginine--hydroxylamine amidino-transfer reaction. Conversion experiments with labelled compounds suggest that the enzyme is involved in homoarginine catabolism during the development of plant embryo to give rise to important amino acids and amine metabolites. Presumptive evidence is also provided for its involvement in the biosynthesis of the guanidino amino acid during seed development. The natural occurrence of arcain in L. sativus and mediation of its synthesis in vitro from agmatine by the transamidinase are demonstrated.

An auger spectroscopic study of the surface oxidation of zinc

An Auger study of the oxidation of zinc has been carried out to confirm that the relative intensities of the metal lines in election-beam induced Auger spectra are directly proportional to the number of valence electrons and therefore of direct use in investigating surface oxidation of metals.

A multi-microprocessor architecture for solving partial differential equations

This paper presents the architecture of a fault-tolerant, special-purpose multi-microprocessor system for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). The modular nature of the architecture allows the use of hundreds of Processing Elements (PEs) for high throughput. Its performance is evaluated by both analytical and simulation methods. The results indicate that the system can achieve high operation rates and is not sensitive to inter-processor communication delay.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of surface oxidation of metallic glasses

Surface oxidation of the metallic glass Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxidation behaviour of the metallic glass has been compared with a crystallized sample of the same composition. A similar study has been carried out on the metallic glass Ni76Si12B12,which shows the importance of chemical composition in determining the surface oxidation behaviour of these alloys.

Photochemical oxidation of thio ketones: steric and electronic aspects

Oxidation of diaryl, aryl alkyl, and dialkyl thioketones by singlet oxygen generated via self-sensitization and other independent methods yielded the corresponding ketone and sulfine in varying amounts. A zwitterionic/ diradical intermediate arising out of the primary interaction of singlet oxygen with the thiocarbonyl chromophore is believed to be the common intermediate for the ketone and sulfine. While closure of the zwitterion/diradical to give 1,2,3-dioxathietane would lead to the ketone, competing oxygen elimination is believed to lead to the sulfine. This partitioning is governed by steric and electronic factors operating on the zwitterionic/diradical intermediate.

An experimental study of oxidation of zinc sulphide pellets

Oxidation of zinc sulphide pellets is carried out in the ranges of 600-826°C temperature, 0.3-0.5 porosity and 15-50 minutes of reaction time. An experimental technique is employed to simultaneously determine the rate of weight loss of the solid and conversions of the solid reactant at various levels in the pellet for different reaction times. A structural model is used to explain the experimental results. It is found that the model predicts both the experimental results obtained under various conditions reasonably well.

Thermoelectric Properties of Co4Sb12 Skutterudite Materials with Partial In Filling and Excess In Additions

The properties of Co4Sb12 with various In additions were studied. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of the pure δ-phase of In0.16Co4Sb12, whereas impurity phases (γ-CoSb2 and InSb) appeared for x = 0.25, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20. The homogeneity and morphology of the samples were observed by Seebeck microprobe and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. All the quenched ingots from which the studied samples were cut were inhomogeneous in the axial direction. The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient (S), electrical conductivity (σ), and thermal conductivity (κ) was measured from room temperature up to 673 K. The Seebeck coefficient of all In-added Co4Sb12 materials was negative. When the filler concentration increases, the Seebeck coefficient decreases. The samples with In additions above the filling limit (x = 0.22) show an even lower Seebeck coefficient due to the formation of secondary phases: InSb and CoSb2. The temperature variation of the electrical conductivity is semiconductor-like. The thermal conductivity of all the samples decreases with temperature. The central region of the In0.4Co4Sb12 ingot shows the lowest thermal conductivity, probably due to the combined effect of (a) rattling due to maximum filling and (b) the presence of a small amount of fine-dispersed secondary phases at the grain boundaries. Thus, regardless of the non-single-phase morphology, a promising ZT (S 2 σT/κ) value of 0.96 at 673 K has been obtained with an In addition above the filling limit.

Kinetics and mechanism of anodic oxidation of chlorate ion to perchlorate ion on lead dioxide electrodes

The kinetics and mechanism of anodic oxidation of chlorate ion to perchlorate ion on titanium-substrate lead dioxide electrodes have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. It has been demonstrated that the ionic strength of the solution has a marked effect on the rate of perchlorate formation, whereas the pH of the solution does not influence the reaction rate. Experimental data have also been obtained on the dependence of the reaction rate on the concentration of chlorate ion in the solution at constant ionic strength. With these data, diagnostic kinetic criteria have been deduced and compared with corresponding quantities predicted for various possible mechanisms including double layer effects on electrode kinetics. It has thus been shown that the most probable mechanisms for anodic chlorate oxidation on lead dioxide anodes involve the discharge of a water molecule in a one-electron transfer step to give an adsorbed hydroxyl radical as the rate-determining step for the overall reaction.

Styrene Oxidation to Benzaldehyde by Polymer Anchored Wilkinson Complex

Wilkinson complex, insolubilized by anchoring to polymeric Amberlite beads, had been used for the liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde and formaldehyde in toluene medium. Styrene conversion was followed by measuring the oxygen volume in contact with the reaction mixture in a specially designed closed batch apparatus. Styrene conversion depended upon catalyst loading and distribution inside the porous beads, while temperature had little effect on it. The internal diffusional effects on the conversion process have been taken into consideration by a mathematical model which allowed calculation of effectiveness factors for various catalyst loadings and corresponding catalyst distributions. The influence of external diffusion was separately determined by plotting initial rate versus catalyst loading. The proposed method can be readily extended to immobilized enzymes in porous matrices.

Styrene Oxidation to Benzaldehyde by Polymer Anchored Wilkinson Complex

Wilkinson complex, insolubilized by anchoring to polymeric Amberlite beads, had been used for the liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde and formaldehyde in toluene medium. Styrene conversion was followed by measuring the oxygen volume in contact with the reaction mixture in a specially designed closed batch apparatus. Styrene conversion depended upon catalyst loading and distribution inside the porous beads, while temperature had little effect on it. The internal diffusional effects on the conversion process have been taken into onsideration by a mathematical model which allowed calculation of effectiveness factors for various catalyst loadings and corresponding catalyst distributions. The influence of external diffusion was separately determined by plotting initial rate versus catalyst loading. The proposed method can be readily extended to immobilized enzymes in porous matrices.

Cuprous oxide catalyzed air oxidation of thiosulfate and tetrathionate

Thiosulfate (S2O32−) and tetrathionate (S4O62−)are oxidized to sulfate by air at atmospheric pressure and 50–70°C in the presence of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) as catalyst. Sulfate is produced from S2O32− by series-parallel reaction paths involving S4O62− as an intermediate. The rate data obtained for air oxidation of S2O32− on Cu2O agree well with a pseudo-homogeneous first order kinetic scheme, yielding values of rate constants for series parallel reaction paths which have been used in modelling the catalyzed air oxidation of S2O32−. Air oxidation of S4O62− on Cu2O proceeds at a higher rate in the presence of S2O32− than in its absence. Cu2O is less active than Cu2S for the air oxidation of S2O32−, as shown by the rate constant values which for Cu2O catalyzed oxidation are an order of magnitude smaller than those for the Cu2S catalyzed oxidation.