The potential for Laplacian maps to solve the inverse problem ofelectrocardiography

Presents a method to solve the inverse problem of electrocardiography using the Laplacian of the body surface potentials. The method presented is studied first using trade-off curves from a concentric spheres model representing a heart-torso system. Then a more conventional study is undertaken where a limited number of current dipoles are placed within the inner sphere and noise is added to the resulting potentials and Laplacians on the surface of the outer sphere. The results indicate that measurements of the outer surface Laplacian can more accurately reconstruct epicardial potentials than measurements of the outer surface potentials. The reconstructions are more accurate in that extrema are placed very close to their correct positions and multiple extrema and high potential gradients are recovered. Identical conclusions are observed in the presence of noise and even when the Laplacians are subject to greater noise than the potentials     

Matrix effects in the determination of butyltin compounds in environmental samples by GC AA after hydride generation

Experiments for the determination of mono-, di and tri-butyltin (MBT, DBT and TBT) by hydride generation/gas chromatography/atomic absorption spectrometry in various matrices (sediment, suspended matter, mussel, algae and water) have revealed that poor butyltin recoveries are obtained in sediments displaying high sulphur and hydrocarbon contents; very poor recoveries were also observed for TBT in sediments with high chlorophyll pigment contents as well as in algal samples. It was however not clear whether the hydride generatin was inhibited by these infering compounds, as was previously assumed in the case of hydrocarbons, or whether interferences affected the atomization rate. Further studies were performed to solve this problem in order to validate this method in the case of analyses of, for example, oil-contaminated sediment and algae. This paper presents the results obtained. It is concluded here that the poor recoveries were due to an inhibition of hydride generation rather than to interference at the atomization stage.     

Accurate and efficient computation of dielectric losses inmulti-level, multi-conductor microstrip for CAD applications

An approach to accurate and efficient computation of dielectric losses in complex microstrip structures is proposed. It can be used in lieu of lossy, full-wave solutions to provide accurate and efficient data for the CAD of multilevel, multiconductor MIC and MMIC structures. Results that are as accurate as lossy full-wave techniques over a wide range of frequencies, including the dispersive region, are obtained. In addition to providing accurate results, the method is up to three times faster, depending on the number and type of substrates or superstrates. Results for various multiconductor, multilevel structures that compare well with the lossy, full-wave approach and require significantly less computer time to compute are shown     

NATA: 50 years experience with accreditation

 Laboratory accreditation is becoming increasingly accepted around the world as a means of identifying technically competent laboratories. It is also being used as a mechanism for the acceptance of test data both nationally and internationally. The concept and mechanisms of accreditation have been developed over the past 50 years. The first national laboratory accreditation system appeared in Australia in 1947. This organisation, known as the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), has since taken a leading role in developing accreditation practices that are now used world-wide in evaluating testing, measurement and calibration laboratories. This paper examines the development of the world's first and largest laboratory accreditation system, and looks at the difficulties and triumphs in gaining acceptance and recognition by government and industry of the benefits of laboratory accreditation. Received: 24 June 1996 Accepted: 25 June 1996     

Prospects for evolution to the target integrated broadbandcommunications network

This paper summarises the consolidated results of the collaborative research carried out within the workpackage `Evolution prospects and framework' (EPF) of the Project RACE 1044: IBC development and implementation strategies. The workpackage has provided pointers to the most suitable paths for evolution towards the target IBC (integrated broadband communications) reference configuration based on detailed analysis of the relevant demand-cost models. The work carried out within the workpackage is described and an overview given of the results achieved and of their exploitation within and outside the RACE community     

CO2 laser light scattering by bare soils for emissivitymeasurements: absolute calibration and correlation with backscatteringand composition

Measurements of the scattering cross section of a number of bare soils have been made with CO₂ laser illumination at 10.59 μm. The primary focus was on absolute calibration of the measurements. First, comparison of emissivity values resulting from the application of Kirchhoff's relation after angular integration of the bidirectional measurements, with emissivity values obtained from the analysis of the emitted radiation show excellent agreement to within less than 0.3%. Second, it was found that a simple formula holds for a relationship between the emissivity and co- and cross-polarized backscattering cross section at an angle of 30°. Third, a clear correlation was observed between emissivity and composition (in this case % Al+Fe oxides; % SiO₂) for a homogeneous series of samples from the same area in Niger. These results emphasize the importance of calibrated experimental data. The implications of the research give evidence of the advantage of obtaining emissivity from remote reflectivity measurements and possibly only backscattering measurements, and remotely estimating mineral composition     

Optimisation of BiCMOS buffers for low voltage applications

The numerical optimisation of existing low voltage BiCMOS buffer designs allows a valid comparison of performance. A new bootstrap BiCMOS buffer design, which combines temporary saturation and a bootstrap capacitor, is shown to be the fastest under all conditions. The new design operates down to a supply voltage of 1.1 V     

Mobility modeling, location tracking, and trajectory prediction inwireless ATM networks

Wireless ATM networks require efficient mobility management to cope with frequent mobile handoff and rerouting of connections. Although much attention has been given in the literature to network architecture design to support wide-area mobility in public ATM networks, little has been done to the important issue of user mobility estimation and prediction to improve the connection reliability and bandwidth efficiency of the underlying system architecture. This paper treats the problem by developing a hierarchical user mobility model that closely represents the movement behavior of a mobile user, and that, when used with appropriate pattern matching and Kalman filtering techniques, yields an accurate location prediction algorithm, HLP, or hierarchical location prediction, which provides necessary information for advance resource reservation and advance optimal route establishment in wireless ATM networks     

Dependence of gate oxide breakdown on initial charge trapping under Fowler-Nordheim injection

This work demonstrates that for constant oxide reliability stresses in the Fowler-Nordheim regime a low initial rate of charge trapping/detrapping results in long times to breakdown. It was found for MOS gate oxides that when the initial trapping has been completed at low fields times to breakdown enhance. Depending on the stress sequence measurement results can vary significantly which is of great relevance for correct oxide lifetime predictions.     

38. Generalversammlung von CENELEC

Ohne Zusammenfassung