Simplified Metrics Calculation for Soft Bit Detection in DVB-T2

The constellation rotation and cyclic quadrature component delay (RQD) technique has been adopted in the second generation terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T2) standard. It improves the system performance under severe propagation conditions, but introduces serious complexity problems in the hardware implementation of the detection process. In this paper, we present a simplified scheme that greatly reduces the complexity of the demapper by simplifying the soft bit metrics computation having a negligible overall system performance loss

Experimental test of a trace formula for two-dimensional dielectric resonators

Resonance spectra of two-dimensional dielectric microwave resonators of circular and square shapes have been measured. The deduced length spectra of periodic orbits were analyzed and a trace formula for dielectric resonators recently proposed by Bogomolny et al. [Phys. Rev. E 78, 056202 (2008)] was tested. The observed deviations between the experimental length spectra and the predictions of the trace formula are attributed to a large number of missing resonances in the measured spectra. We show that by taking into account the systematics of observed and missing resonances the experimental length spectra are fully understood. In particular, a connection between the most long-lived resonances and certain periodic orbits is established experimentally.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, 1 tabl

Effectiveness of a temperature control system in home induction hobs to reduce acrylamide formation during pan frying

Three trials were conducted to determine the influence of the use of temperature control systems on physico-chemical characteristics and acrylamide formation in the domestic preparation of potatoes. French fries were pre-treated by soaking in water or acidified water, and then they were cooked using a range of home-cooking procedures. Soaking raw potatoes in acidified water (pH=3.17) before frying at a controlled temperature (180 °C) was the most efficient pretreatment for reducing acrylamide formation (76%). For the same temperature, roasted frozen par-fried potatoes contained less fat and acrylamide than similar pan-fried potatoes. Potatoes butter fried at 140 °C had an acrylamide concentration similar to that of potatoes fried in oil at 180 °C, but this value was reduced by 71% when the frying was carried out using a temperature control system. Controlling the frying temperature reduced acrylamide formation at all the temperatures studied

Experimental Test of a Two-dimensional Approximation for Dielectric Microcavities

Open dielectric resonators of different shapes are widely used for the manufacture of microlasers. A precise determination of their resonance frequencies and widths is crucial for their design. Most microlasers have a flat cylindrical geometry, and a two-dimensional approximation, the so-called method of the effective index of refraction, is commonly employed for numerical calculations. Our aim has been an experimental test of the precision and applicability of a model based on this approximation. We performed very thorough and accurate measurements of the resonance frequencies and widths of two passive circular dielectric microwave resonators and found significant deviations from the model predictions. From this we conclude that the model generally fails in the quantitative description of three-dimensional dielectric resonators.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figure

Aroma composition of commercial truffle flavoured oils: does it really smell like truffle?

The present study analyzes the aromatic and odour volatile profiles of truffle flavoured oils commercialized as “black truffle oil”. The aim of this work is twofold: to define the sensory space associated to these products and to explore the possible fraudulent use of artificial flavouring agents not properly identified on the label. For this purpose, 12 commercial truffle flavoured oils available in the Spanish market were submitted to descriptive sensory analysis by a trained panel. The three oils presenting the most interesting profile (in terms of odour nature and/or complexity) were also analyzed by olfactometric analysis, in order to identify the chemical compounds responsible on their aroma. The correlation of sensory and olfactometric data made it possible to understand some of the sensory differences observed among samples, as well as to identify irregularities with respect to the ingredients labelling of some of the studied samples

Changes in the Physicochemical and Nutritional Parameters of Picual and Arbequina Olive Oils during Frying

Deep fat frying is an important cooking process in Mediterranean countries. Olive oil is a very convenient fat to use for this culinary purpose. The chemical composition of olive oils differs from edible oils in terms of fatty acid and antioxidant compounds that gives olive oil its greater stability. The aim of this work was to describe the stability of Picual and Arbequina olive oil during deep frying of frozen potatoes in comparison with high oleic sunflower oil. Changes in different physicochemical and nutritional parameters were studied during frying. Picual olive oil had a higher stability in comparison with high oleic sunflower oil and Arbequina olive oil. Picual olive oil is very suitable for frying because it is able to undergo the greatest number of frying cycles without exceeding the limits allowed by regulations. This behavior is due to its phenolic content, the lower loss in tocopherol and better stability. Practical Applications: The information gained from this research could be very appropriate for consumers and for the industry to know which variety of olive oil is more suitable for frying longer frying cycles without exceeding the limits allowed by regulation and remain in good quality

Technical Note:First report on an in vivo range probing quality control procedure for scanned proton beam therapy in head and neck cancer patients

PURPOSE: The capability of proton therapy to provide highly conformal dose distributions is impaired by range uncertainties. The aim of this work is to apply range probing (RP), a form of a proton radiography-based quality control (QC) procedure for range accuracy assessment in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in a clinical setting. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study included seven HNC patients. RP acquisition was performed using a multi-layer ionization chamber (MLIC). Per patient, two RP frames were acquired within the first two weeks of treatment, on days when a repeated CT scan was obtained. Per RP frame, integral depth dose (IDD) curves of 81 spots around the treatment isocentre were acquired. Range errors are determined as a discrepancy between calculated IDDs in the treatment planning system and measured residual ranges by the MLIC. Range errors are presented relative to the water equivalent path length of individual proton spots. In addition to reporting results for complete measurement frames, an analysis, excluding range error contributions due to anatomical changes, is presented. RESULTS: Discrepancies between measured and calculated ranges are smaller when performing RP calculations on the day-specific patient anatomy rather than the planning CT. The patient-specific range evaluation shows an agreement between calculated and measured ranges for spots in anatomically consistent areas within 3% (1.5 standard deviation). CONCLUSIONS: The results of a RP-based QC procedure implemented in the clinical practice for HNC patients have been demonstrated. The agreement of measured and simulated proton ranges confirms the 3% uncertainty margin for robust optimization. Anatomical variations show a predominant effect on range accuracy, motivating efforts towards the implementation of adaptive radiotherapy

Nuclear Glycolytic Enzyme Enolase of Toxoplasma Gondii Functions as a Transcriptional Regulator

Apicomplexan parasites including Toxoplasma gondii have complex life cycles within different hosts and their infectivity relies on their capacity to regulate gene expression. However, little is known about the nuclear factors that regulate gene expression in these pathogens. Here, we report that T. gondii enolase TgENO2 is targeted to the nucleus of actively replicating parasites, where it specifically binds to nuclear chromatin in vivo. Using a ChIP-Seq technique, we provide evidence for TgENO2 enrichment at the 5′ untranslated gene regions containing the putative promoters of 241 nuclear genes. Ectopic expression of HA-tagged TgENO1 or TgENO2 led to changes in transcript levels of numerous gene targets. Targeted disruption of TgENO1 gene results in a decrease in brain cyst burden of chronically infected mice and in changes in transcript levels of several nuclear genes. Complementation of this knockout mutant with ectopic TgENO1-HA fully restored normal transcript levels. Our findings reveal that enolase functions extend beyond glycolytic activity and include a direct role in coordinating gene regulation in T. gondii