DSP implementation of real-time MPEG-2 audio decoder using novelsynthesis filter bank

An efficient synthesis filter is presented which can carry out real-time MPEG-2 audio decoding. The proposed algorithm reduces the number of MAC operations by adopting novel IDCT and windowing schemes, exploiting a multichannel structure, and implementing CGD techniques. The DSP implementation is MPEG-2 compliant and achieves real-time processing with 60% reduction in run-time compared with a fast ISO decoder     

Real-time vehicle recognition using local feature extraction

A novel feature extraction method based on local textures of images for real-time vehicle recognition tasks is proposed. In particular, feature vectors are extracted from judicious combinations of partitioning and overlapping image blocks with a view to reducing cardinality while retaining sufficient feature information for effective recognition. Experimental results are presented that show a reduction in computational load of 80% and robustness to illumination and noise can be achieved     

Power absorption characteristics of an inductively coupled plasmadischarge

Power absorption characteristics of an inductively coupled discharge are investigated experimentally and compared with a two-dimensional inductive heating theory in a planar single turn antenna at high frequency (18 MHz) and low pressure (⩽50 mtorr) conditions. We measure the resistance R, which consists of vacuum resistance R_ν and the plasma resistance R_p for a given RF power of P=½I_c²R, where I_c is the coil current. The vacuum resistance is determined to be 0.44 R in our case. The plasma resistance increases as the gas pressure increases in a pressure range of 2 to 50 mtorr. Also, it increases with power. In a high-pressure range near 50 mtorr, however, it has a nearly constant value of about 0.6 Ω     

Gray Forecast Approach for Developing Distance Learning and Diagnostic Systems

In recent years, researchers have attempted to apply network techniques to the development of computer-assisted learning systems. They have also attempted to develop more effective programs to test and improve the learning performance of students. However, the most conventional testing systems present only a score as a test result, which is not capable of providing advice to the students. To cope with this problem, we propose a gray forecast approach for modeling the relationships among the subject concepts and the test items. These relationships are then employed to diagnose the student learning problems. A testing and diagnostic system based on our approach has, therefore, been implemented. Some experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in enhancing the students' learning performance, making it highly promising for further study     

HiCon: a hierarchical context monitoring and composition framework for next-generation context-aware services

This article presents a hierarchical context monitoring and composition framework that effectively supports next-generation context-aware services. The upcoming ubiquitous space will be covered with innumerable sensors and tiny devices, which ceaselessly pump out a huge volume of data. This data gives us an opportunity for numerous proactive and intelligent services. The services require extensive understanding of rich and comprehensive contexts in real time. The framework provides three hierarchical abstractions: PocketMon (personal), HiperMon (regional), and EGI (global). The framework provides effective approaches to combining context from each level, thereby allowing us to create a rich set of applications, not possible otherwise. It deals with an extensively broad spectrum of contexts, from personal to worldwide in terms of scale, and from crude to highly processed in terms of complexity. It also facilitates efficient context monitoring and addresses the performance issues, achieving a high level of scalability. We have prototyped the proposed framework and several applications running on top of it in order to demonstrate its effectiveness.     

Juncenolides H – K,New Briarane Diterpenoids from Junceella juncea

Chemical investigation of the Taiwanese gorgonian coral Junceella juncea resulted in the isolation of four new briarane‐type diterpenoids, juncenolides H, I, J, and K ( 1 – 4 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 1‐ and 2D‐NMR. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1 – 4 on superoxide‐anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils were evaluated.     

Observation of a new rotational band in 104Nb nucleus

The high spin states in neutron-rich 104Nb have been investigated from study of prompt γ-rays in spontaneous fission of 252Cf with the Gammasphere detector array. A new rotational band has been identified for the first time. This band is proposed as a semi-decoupled band based on the configuration π5/2-[303](⊕)v1/2-[541].     

Multilayer Effects on Microstrip Antennas for Their Integration With Mechanical Structures

The effect of multilayer geometry on microstrip antennas is investigated for the design of antenna-integrated mechanical structure. Changes in the gain of antenna due to the geometry have been determined using a transmission line analogy. Design of high-gain antenna in bandwidth is proposed away from structural resonance. Experiments are done on microstrip antennas covered by superstrates in order to verify high-gain conditions theoretically derived herein. The off-resonant conditions that use practical materials of moderate thickness make it possible to design the antenna-integrated mechanical structure with the perfect integration of high mechanical and electrical performances     

Impact of dispersion, PMD, and PDL on the performance of spectrum-sliced incoherent light sources using gain-saturated semiconductor optical amplifiers

The effects of chromatic dispersion (CD), polarization-mode dispersion (PMD), and polarization-dependent loss (PDL) on the intensity noise suppression of spectrum-sliced incoherent light sources achieved by using gain-saturated (GS) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are investigated. Passing the spectrum-sliced incoherent light through SOAs, the excess intensity noise (EIN) originating from beating of spontaneous emission against itself can be greatly reduced. However, since the noise suppression is achieved by an elaborate balancing between numerous frequency/polarization components of light, thus, forming a high correlation between them, it is vulnerable to frequency/polarization-dependent optical phenomena. Through Q-factor and bit error rate (BER) measurements, this paper shows that CD, PMD, or PDL deteriorates the SOA-based noise suppression technique by breaking the correlation. Spectral analysis is also performed to investigate the frequency dependency of these effects. It is shown that CD and PMD negate the noise suppression giving rise to intensity noise from high frequencies, whereas there is no frequency dependence for PDL effects. Therefore, CD-, PMD-, or PDL-induced penalties for incoherent light sources using the SOA-based noise suppression technique are considerably greater than those produced by pulse broadening or distortion alone.     

Use of a High-Work-Function Ni Electrode to Improve the Stress Reliability of Analog SrTiO3 Metal–Insulator–Metal Capacitors

We have studied the stress reliability of low-energy-bandgap high- metal-insulator-metal capacitors under constant voltage stress. By using a high-work-function Ni electrode (5.1 eV), we reduced the degrading effects of stress on the capacitance variation (DeltaC/C), the quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance (VCC-alpha), and the long-term reliability, in contrast with using a TaN. The improved stress reliability for the Ni electrode capacitors is attributed to a reduction of carrier injection and trapping.