Doppler and Pathloss Characterization for Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications at 5.8 GHz

Due to significant increase in vehicular accident and traffic congestions, vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication based on the intelligent transport system (ITS) was introduced. However, to carry out efficient design and implementation of a reliable vehicular communication systems,a deep knowledge of the propagation channel characteristics in different environments is crucial, in particular the Doppler and pathloss parameters. Therefore, this paper presents an empirical V2V channel characterization and measurement performed under realistic urban, suburban and highway driving conditions in Brisbane, Australia. Based on Lin Cheng statistical Doppler Model (LCDM), values for the RMS Doppler spread and coherence time due to time selective nature of V2V channels were presented. Also, based on Log-distance power law model, values for the mean pathloss exponent and the standard deviation of shadowing were reported for urban, suburban and highway environments. The V2V channel parameters can be useful to system designers for the purpose of evaluating, simulating and developing new protocols and systems.

Highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for nitric oxide using the self-assembled monolayer of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalo-cyanatocobalt(II) on glassy carbon electrode

Glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) (4α-CoIITAPc) was used for the selective and highly sensitive determination of nitric oxide (NO). The SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc was formed on GC electrode by spontaneous adsorption from DMF containing 1 mM 4α-CoIITAPc. The SAM showed two pairs of well-defined redox peaks corresponding to CoIII/CoII and CoIIIPc−1/CoIIIPc−2 in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (PB) solution (pH 2.5). The SAM modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) by enhancing its oxidation current with 310 mV less positive potential shift when compared to bare GC electrode. In amperometric measurements, the current response for NO oxidation was linearly increased in the concentration range of 3×10−9 to 30×10−9 M with a detection limit of 1.4×10−10 M (S/N=3). The proposed method showed a better recovery for NO in human blood serum samples.

Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics study for the self-assembly of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) on glassy carbon surface

Spontaneous adsorption of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) (4α-CoIITAPc) on glassy carbon (GC) electrode leads to the formation of a stable self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Since the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc is redox active, its adsorption on GC electrode was followed by cyclic voltammetry. SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC electrode shows two pairs of well-defined redox peaks corresponding to CoIII/CoII and CoIIIPc−1/CoIIIPc−2. The surface coverage (Γ) value, calculated by integrating the charge under CoII oxidation, was used to study the adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC surface. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the adsorption of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC electrode has reached the saturation coverage (Γs) within 3 h. The Γs value for the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC electrode was found to be 2.37 × 10−10 mol cm−2. Gibbs free energy (ΔGads) and adsorption rate constant (kad) for the adsorption of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC surface were found to be −16.76 kJ mol−1 and 7.1 M−1 s−1, respectively. The possible mechanism for the self-assembly of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC surface is through the addition of nucleophilic amines to the olefinic bond on the GC surface in addition to a meager contribution from π stacking. The contribution of π stacking was confirmed from the adsorption of unsubstituted phthalocyanatocobalt(II) (CoPc) on GC electrode. Raman spectra for the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on carbon surface shows strong stretching and breathing bands of Pc macrocycle, pyrrole ring and isoindole ring. Raman and CV studies suggest that 4α-CoIITAPc is adopting nearly a flat orientation or little bit tilted orientation.

Electrochemical and spectral studies of self-assembled monolayer of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) on indium tin oxide surface

Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) (4α-CoIITAPc) was prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by spontaneous adsorption from dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing 4α-CoIITAPc. The SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc formed on ITO electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Raman and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of 4α-CoIITAPc SAM shows two pairs of well-defined redox peaks corresponding to CoIII/CoII and CoIIIPc−1/CoIIIPc−2. The surface coverage (Γ) was calculated by integrating the charge under the anodic wave corresponding to CoII oxidation and it was found to be 2.25 × 10−10 mol cm−2. Raman spectrum obtained for the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on ITO surface shows strong stretching and breathing bands of Pc macrocycle, pyrrole ring and isoindole ring. Further, the –NH2 bending mode of vibration was absent for the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on ITO surface which indirectly confirmed that all the amino groups of 4α-CoIITAPc are involved in bonding with ITO surface. UV–visible spectrum for the SAM of 4α-CoIITAPc on ITO surface shows an intense B-band, Q-band and n–π∗ transition with slight broadening when compared to that of 4α-CoIITAPc in DMF.

Selective electrochemical epinephrine sensor using self-assembled monomolecular film of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatonickel(II) on gold electrode

This article describes the highly sensitive and selective determination of epinephrine (EP) using self-assembled monomolecular film (SAMF) of 1,8,15,22-tetraamino-phthalocyanatonickel(II) (4α-NiIITAPc) on Au electrode. The 4α-NiIITAPc SAMF modified electrode was prepared by spontaneous adsorption of 4α-NiIITAPc from dimethylformamide solution. The modified electrode oxidizes EP at less over potential with enhanced current response in contrast to the bare Au electrode. The standard heterogeneous rate constant (k°) for the oxidation of EP at 4α-NiIITAPc SAMF modified electrode was found to be 1.94×10−2 cm s−1 which was much higher than that at the bare Au electrode. Further, it was found that 4α-NiIITAPc SAMF modified electrode separates the voltammetric signals of ascorbic acid (AA) and EP with a peak separation of 250 mV. Using amperometric method the lowest detection limit of 50 nM of EP was achieved at SAMF modified electrode. Simultaneous amperometric determination of AA and EP was also achieved at the SAMF modified electrode. Common physiological interferents such as uric acid, glucose, urea and NaCl do not interfere within the potential window of EP oxidation. The present 4α-NiIITAPc SAMF modified electrode was also successfully applied to determine the concentration of EP in commercially available injection.

A constitutive model for mechanical response characterization of pumpkin peel and flesh tissues under tensile and compressive loadings

Enhancing quality of food products and reducing volume of waste during mechanical operations of food industry requires a comprehensive knowledge of material response under loadings. While research has focused on mechanical response of food material, the volume of waste after harvesting and during processing stages is still considerably high in both developing and developed countries. This research aims to develop and evaluate a constitutive model of mechanical response of tough skinned vegetables under postharvest and processing operations. The model focuses on both tensile and compressive properties of pumpkin flesh and peel tissues where the behaviours of these tissues vary depending on various factors such as rheological response and cellular structure. Both elastic and plastic response of tissue were considered in the modelling process and finite elasticity combined with pseudo elasticity theory was applied to generate the model. The outcomes were then validated using the published results of experimental work on pumpkin flesh and peel under uniaxial tensile and compression. The constitutive coefficients for peel under tensile test was α = 25.66 and β = −18.48 Mpa and for flesh α = −5.29 and β = 5.27 Mpa. under compression the constitutive coefficients were α = 4.74 and β = −1.71 Mpa for peel and α = 0.76 and β = −1.86 Mpa for flesh samples. Constitutive curves predicted the values of force precisely and close to the experimental values. The curves were fit for whole stress versus strain curve as well as a section of curve up to bio yield point. The modelling outputs had presented good agreement with the empirical values and the constructive curves exhibited a very similar pattern to the experimental curves. The presented constitutive model can be applied next to other agricultural materials under loading in future.

Machine learning for activity recognition : hip versus wrist data

Problem addressed Wrist-worn accelerometers are associated with greater compliance. However, validated algorithms for predicting activity type from wrist-worn accelerometer data are lacking. This study compared the activity recognition rates of an activity classifier trained on acceleration signal collected on the wrist and hip. Methodology 52 children and adolescents (mean age 13.7 +/- 3.1 year) completed 12 activity trials that were categorized into 7 activity classes: lying down, sitting, standing, walking, running, basketball, and dancing. During each trial, participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ tri-axial accelerometer on the right hip and the non-dominant wrist. Features were extracted from 10-s windows and inputted into a regularized logistic regression model using R (Glmnet + L1). Results Classification accuracy for the hip and wrist was 91.0% +/- 3.1% and 88.4% +/- 3.0%, respectively. The hip model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (91.3%), standing (95.8%), walking (95.8%), and running (96.8%); acceptable classification accuracy for lying down (88.3%) and basketball (81.9%); and modest accuracy for dance (64.1%). The wrist model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (93.0%), standing (91.7%), and walking (95.8%); acceptable classification accuracy for basketball (86.0%); and modest accuracy for running (78.8%), lying down (74.6%) and dance (69.4%). Potential Impact Both the hip and wrist algorithms achieved acceptable classification accuracy, allowing researchers to use either placement for activity recognition.

Adapting “8-bit” motion style to 3D computer animation for Wreck-it Ralph

Tangled (2011) demonstrated that Walt Disney Animation has successfully extended the traditional Disney animation aesthetic to the 3D medium. The very next film produced by the studio however, Wreck-it Ralph (2012), required the animators (trained in the traditional Disney style) to develop a limited style of animation inspired by the 8-bit motion of 1980s video games. This paper examines the 8-bit style motion in Wreck-it Ralph to understand if and how the principles of animation were adapted for the film.

SEM, EDX and vibrational spectroscopic study of the mineral tunisite NaCa2Al4(CO3)4Cl(OH)8

The mineral tunisite has been studied by using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and vibrational spectroscopy. Chemical analysis shows the presence of Na, Ca, Al and Cl. SEM shows a pure single phase. An intense Raman band at 1127 cm−1 is assigned to the carbonate ν1 symmetric stretching vibration and the Raman band at 1522 cm−1 is assigned to the ν3 carbonate antisymmetric stretching vibration. Infrared bands are observed in similar positions. Multiple carbonate bending modes are found. Raman bands attributable to AlO stretching and bending vibrations are observed. Two Raman bands at 3419 and 3482 cm−1 are assigned to the OH stretching vibrations of the OH units. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of the carbonate mineral tunisite to be assessed.

Long-term outcomes following Medtronic Open Pivot valved conduit

Aortic root replacement is a complex procedure, though subsequent modifications of the original Bentall procedure have made surgery more reproducible. The study aim was to examine the outcomes of a modified Bentall procedure, using the Medtronic Open PivotTM valved conduit. Whilst short-term data on the conduit and long-term data on the valve itself are available, little is known of the long-term results with the valved conduit. Patients undergoing aortic root replacement between February 1999 and February 2010, using the Medtronic Open Pivot valved conduit were identified from the prospectively collected Cardiothoracic Register at The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. All patients were followed up echocardiographically and clinically. The primary end-point was death, and a Cox proportional model was used to identify factors associated.with survival. Secondary end-points were valve-related morbidity (as defined by STS guidelines) and postoperative morbidity. Predictors of morbidity were identified using logistic regression. A total of 246 patients (mean age 50 years) was included in the study. The overall mortality was 12%, with actuarial 10-year survival 79% and a 10-year estimate of valve-related death of 0.04 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.07). Preoperative myocardial infarction (p = 0.004, HR 4.74), urgency of operation (p = 0.038, HR 2.8) and 10% incremental decreases in ejection fraction (p = 0.046, HR 0.69) were predictive of mortality. Survival was also affected by the valve gradients, with a unit increase in peak gradient reducing mortality (p = 0.021, HR 0.93). Valve-related morbidity occurred in 11 patients. Urgent surgery (p <0.001, OR 4.12), aortic dissection (p = 0.015, OR 3.35), calcific aortic stenosis (p = 0.016, OR 2.35) and Marfan syndrome (p 0.009, OR 3.75) were predictive of postoperative morbidity. The reoperation rate was 1.2%. The Medtronic Open Pivot valved conduit is a safe and durable option for aortic root replacement, and is associated with low morbidity and 10-year survival of 79%. However, further studies are required to determine the effect of valve gradient on survival.

Prevalence of methicillin resistance and virulence determinants of Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers

Background Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is a multifactorial process and is responsible for considerable morbidity and contributes to the increasing cost of health care worldwide. The diagnosis and identification of these ulcers remains a complex problem. Bacterial infection is promoted in the diabetic foot wound by decreased vascular supply and impaired host immune response. As conventional clinical microbiological methods are time-consuming and only identifies about 1% of the wound microbiota, detection of bacteria present in DFUs using molecular methods is highly advantageous and efficient. The aim of this study was to assess the virulence and methicillin resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus detected in DFUs using DNA-based methods. Methods A total of 223 swab samples were collected from 30 patients from March to October 2012. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the swab samples using standard procedures and was used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific oligonucleotide primers. The products were visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results S. aureus was detected in 44.8% of samples. 25% of the S. aureus was methicillin-resistant S. aureus harboring the mecA gene. The alpha-toxin gene was present in 85% of the S. aureus positive samples. 61% of the S. aureus present in DFU samples harbored the exfoliatin factor A gene. Both the fibronectin factor A and fibronectin factor B gene were detected in 71% and 74% of the S. aureus positive samples. Conclusions DNA-based detection and characterization of bacteria in DFUs are rapid and efficient and can assist in accurate, targeted antibiotic therapy of DFU infections. The majority of S. aureus detected in this study were highly virulent and also resistant to methicillin. Further studies are required to understand the role of S. aureus in DFU trajectory.

Antibodies against human herpesvirus 8 in black South African patients with cancer

Background Infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been consistently linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, but its mode of transmission, association with other cancers, and interaction with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are largely unknown. Methods Between January 1992 and December 1997, we interviewed 3591 black patients with cancer in Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa. Blood was tested for antibodies against HIV-1 and HHV-8 in 3344 of the patients. Antibodies against HHV-8 were detected with an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The intensity of the fluorescent signal correlated well with the titers of antibodies (P<0.001). The relations among the presence of anti–HHV-8 antibodies, sociodemographic and behavioral factors, type of cancer, and the presence or absence of coexistent HIV-1 infection were examined with the use of unconditional logistic-regression models. Results Among the 3293 subjects with cancers other than Kaposi's sarcoma, the standardized seroprevalence of antibodies against HHV-8 was 32 percent, which did not differ significantly from the standardized seroprevalence among black blood donors. Among these 3293 patients, the prevalence of antibodies against HHV-8 increased with increasing age (P<0.001) and an increasing number of sexual partners (P=0.05) and decreased with increasing years of education (P=0.007); it was not strongly associated with HIV-1 infection. Anti–HHV-8 antibodies were more frequent among black than white blood donors (P<0.001). Among the 51 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, the standardized seroprevalence of antibodies against HHV-8 was 83 percent, significantly higher than the prevalence among those without Kaposi's sarcoma (P<0.001). For 16 other specific types of cancer, including multiple myeloma (108 cases) and prostate cancer (202 cases), the variation in the standardized seroprevalence of antibodies against HHV-8 was not remarkable. At a given intensity of fluorescence of anti–HHV-8 antibodies, Kaposi's sarcoma was more frequent among HIV-1–positive patients than among those who were HIV-1–negative (P<0.001). Conclusions Among black patients with cancer in South Africa, the seroprevalence of anti–HHV-8 antibodies is high and is specifically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, particularly at high titers.

Out of the Box Festival for 3 to 8 year olds (Artistic Director)

The Out of the Box Festival was founded in 1994 by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and has been held biannually ever since both within and around the centre in what is now known as the Cultural Precinct at Southbank. It is unique in Australia in that it caters entirely to children aged 8 years and under, with a highly curated program of ticketed performance events, workshops and free arts-based events. It is attended by school and kindergarten groups and by families, and besides engaging children in high quality arts experiences, the festival is also a platform for advocating the developmental and educational benefits of the arts for children. Dr Mark Radvan was the artistic director of the 2008 festival, with responsibility for developing the curatorial direction of each festival, for creating and programming its events, and for working with festival partners The Queensland Art Gallery, The Queensland Museum, The State Library of Queensland and The Queensland Theatre Company. Radvan designed selected and commissioned works to demonstrate how the arts create memorable, celebratory and immersive experiences that stimulate children’s imagination, their curiosity and confidence about the material world and the cultures of its people. A core event was an outdoor music and dance performance space featuring entirely Indigenous performers that was not only the beating heart of the festival, but served to underlie the importance of mainstreaming awareness of our first peoples in the increasingly culturally diverse communities of children attending.

Aerothermal-strucutral analysis of a rocket launched Mach 8 scramjet experiment : ascent

This paper reports on the methodology and results of a weak-coupled aerothermalstructural analysis on the ascent phase of the SCRAMSPACE Mach 8 scramjet flight experiment. This vehicle was essentially un-shrouded during the flight trajectory, relying on the thin, 5mm thick aluminium external shell of the payload to maintain structural integrity and protect the flight experiment. As such, understanding the thermal-structural response of the vehicle was imperative to mission success. Using two- and three-dimensional models, an iterative procedure was employed to compute the flowfield, convective heating, wall temperatures and structural coupling at flight times covering both peak heating and peak surface temperature. Accounting for such coupling resulted in a 150K reduction in wall temperature compared to the more conservative cold wall assumption. Despite this, peak temperatures remained of the order of 550 K. Further, thermally induced stresses within these regions were in excess of four times the material failure limits. Irreversible material failure during ascent was therefore concluded likely to occur on the external shell. Two alternate materials, steel 1006 and copper, were therefore assessed with the results indicating that steel sections on the external shell resulted in the best thermal-structural response of the payload.