Fade depth scaling with channel bandwidth

The dependence of small-scale fading on bandwidth is quantified experimentally in the 3.1–10.6 GHz band for indoor channels. The fade depth converges to 4 dB at 1 GHz bandwidth, with little reduction for further increase in bandwidth. A simple yet accurate empirical fade depth model is developed, enabling convenient evaluation of the link budget for a channel with given bandwidth

Market Structure Conduct Performance (SCP) Hypothesis Revisited using Stochastic Frontier Efficiency Analysis

Use of efficiency measures as a proxy for performance to test the market structure-conduct-performance (SCP) hypothesis is explored. Utilizing Battese and Coelli specification, we estimate stochastic frontier production function and SCP equations with output and efficiency measures as endogenous variables. An empirical application to U.S. trucking carries over the period 1994-2003 with emphasis on the agricultural commodity and refrigerated food products carriers is examined. Results reveal that the variables average haul, average load and market concentration significantly affected the efficiency of firms with 2-8 number of years within each firm.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Molecular mechanisms of cap and poly(A) independent translation of barley yellow dwarf virus RNA

Barley yellow dwarf virus RNA contains a translation element (3 \u27TE) that confers efficient cap-independent initiation at the 5 proximal AUG. Direct end-labeling of RNAs verified the absence of a 5 \u27 modification on virion RNA. Thus BYDV differs from related viruses by having neither a genome-linked protein nor a 5 \u27 cap. To function in the 3\u27 UTR, the 3 \u27TE must recruit ribosomes and associated translation factors, and communicate with the 5\u27 end of the mRNA where translation initiates. The communication function is mediated by direct base pairing between the 3\u27TE and the 5\u27 UTR. We propose that protein factors interact with the 3\u27TE to facilitate initiation and ribosome recruitment. The 3\u27TE binds to initiation factor eIF4F, demonstrated by using the 3\u27TE to purify this complex from wheat germ extract. eIF4F is a complex of two factors, cap binding protein eIF4E and adaptor protein eIF4G. Using purified initiation factors, both eIF4E and eIFiso4E bound directly and specifically to the TE, with a Kd≈2*10-7M. Non-functional TE mutants did not interact with eIF4E/iso4E. The binding of initiation factor 4E follows the genetic evidence that the 3\u27 TE can functionally substitute for a cap both in vitro and in vivo. Because the TE is located in the 3\u27 UTR of BYDV, we speculate that formation of the initiation complex may not be required at the 5 \u27 end, but may be delivered there by additional mechanisms. In plant cells dependent on both a cap and poly(A) tail, additional viral sequence (at most 869 nt) beginning five bases upstream of the 3\u27TE is required for translation. Previously, we found that the function of this additional sequence can be at least partially replaced by a poly(A) tail, suggesting a similar role. This downstream element, bases 5010 to 5677, is dubbed the poly(A) mimic (PAM). The PAM can also function in conjunction with a 5 \u27 cap. Analysis of PAM mutants defines three interacting sequences with differing roles in translation. These data show that independent elements in BYDV have evolved to functionally replace the roles of a cap and poly(A) tail in translation of the viral mRNA

Foreign Policy Rhetoric for the Post-Cold War World: Bill Clinton and America\u27s Foreign Policy Vocabulary

This project examines the foreign policy rhetoric of Bill Clinton in the post-Cold War world. My reading of Clinton’s rhetoric reveals that a change/order binary underwrote his oratory. Clinton defined change as being the underlying guidepost of the post-Cold War international setting. Order was defined through how he could guide, shape, direct, and manage American foreign policy in a sea of change, represented through his use of what I call America’s foreign policy vocabulary. This lexicon is based on three rhetorical components—the definitions of America’s role in the world, identification of the enemies we face, and the grand strategy we use to achieve American interest—have been a resource for presidential foreign policy discourse since America’s founding. Clinton’s use of this vocabulary maintained continuity in its use with his predecessors, but he also modified it in key ways to deal with the changes of the global environment. These modifications positioned Clinton to direct and manage the change to serve American interests which offered a semblance of order for American foreign policy in a sea of international disorder

Tort Claims Under the Present and Proposed Bankruptcy Acts

Congress may soon enact the first complete revision of the United States bankruptcy laws in almost four decades. Among the numerous changes proposed by the legislature is a major alteration of the provability and dischargeability of tort claims asserted against the bankrupt\u27s estate. This article will discuss the treatment of tort claims in the present Act and the changes to be made by the proposed Act, and will evaluate alternative approaches to compensating victims of bankrupt tortfeasors

Market Structure Conduct Performance Hypothesis Revisited Using Stochastic Frontier Efficiency Analysis

Stochastic frontier analysis, which is used to estimate the technical efficiency, is extended to examine the market structure, conduct and performance hypothesis for the U.S. trucking industry. The technical efficiency measure takes into account not only the relationship between inputs used in the production of output but also simultaneously examine the importance of market structure conduct factors on the performance of the firm. An empirical application to U.S. trucking carriers over the period 1994-2003 is examined. Results reveal that the variables average haul, average load, debt-to-equity and market concentration significantly affected technical efficiency. Capital, fixed and variable input variables were significant in the production function equation.Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing,

Normalised Root Mean Square and Amplitude of Sidebands of Vibration Response as Tools for Gearbox Diagnosis

Quick assessment of the condition of gearboxes used in helicopters is a safety requirement. One of the most widely used helicopter on-board-mounted condition monitoring system these days is the Health and Usage Monitoring System. It has been specifically designed to monitor the condition of all safety-critical components operating in the helicopter through calculation of so-called condition indicators (CIs) - signal processing routines designed to output a single number that represents the condition of the monitored component. Among number of available parameters, there is a couple of CIs that over the years of testing have earned a reputation of being the most reliable measures of the gear tooth condition. At the same time, however, it has been observed that in some cases, those techniques do not properly indicate the deteriorating condition with the propagation of a gear tooth fault with the period of operation. Hence, three more robust methods have been suggested, which are discussed in this article

An eighth-century inscribed cross-slab in Dull, Perthshire

The discovery of a cross-inscribed slab with an inscription is described. Because of its importance it was decided to invite specialist comment on this piece of sculpture and to publish it in advance of the full report on the excavations. The form of the monument, its inscription and archaeological context are considered. The text appears to consist of a Gaelic personal name. The script is a form of geometrical lettering which can be dated to the opening quarter of the eighth century. The form of the cross has Columban associations which sit well with place-name and other evidence which points to Dull having been a monastery founded from Iona by c. AD 700