2,130 research outputs found
Optimal sequential fingerprinting: Wald vs. Tardos
We study sequential collusion-resistant fingerprinting, where the
fingerprinting code is generated in advance but accusations may be made between
rounds, and show that in this setting both the dynamic Tardos scheme and
schemes building upon Wald's sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) are
asymptotically optimal. We further compare these two approaches to sequential
fingerprinting, highlighting differences between the two schemes. Based on
these differences, we argue that Wald's scheme should in general be preferred
over the dynamic Tardos scheme, even though both schemes have their merits. As
a side result, we derive an optimal sequential group testing method for the
classical model, which can easily be generalized to different group testing
models.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
Fiber-diffraction Interferometer using Coherent Fiber Optic Taper
We present a fiber-diffraction interferometer using a coherent fiber optic
taper for optical testing in an uncontrolled environment. We use a coherent
fiber optic taper and a single-mode fiber having thermally-expanded core. Part
of the measurement wave coming from a test target is condensed through a fiber
optic taper and spatially filtered from a single-mode fiber to be reference
wave. Vibration of the cavity between the target and the interferometer probe
is common to both reference and measurement waves, thus the interference fringe
is stabilized in an optical way. Generation of the reference wave is stable
even with the target movement. Focus shift of the input measurement wave is
desensitized by a coherent fiber optic taper
Random incidence transmission loss of a metamaterial barrier system
It has been shown previously that a panel comprising a cellular array can yield a normal incidence transmission loss in a specified low frequency range that is significantly larger than that of a homogeneous panel having the same mass per unit area. The cellular metamaterial considered consists of a periodic arrangement of unit plates held in a grid-like frame. However, when the incident sound field is diffuse, the relative advantage of the metamaterial barrier is reduced or eliminated. Here it will be shown through a sequence of experimental measurements that the relative advantage of the metamaterial barrier can be restored by creating a hybrid system consisting of a layer applied to the front surface of the material that causes sound to approach the barrier at normal incidence, and a layer on the rear surface of the material that compensates for the transmission loss minimum that normally follows the peak in a metamaterial barrier transmission loss. In the implementation considered here, the front layer consists of a lattice structure, and the rear layer consists of high performance glass fiber. The role of each of these components will be illustrated using measurements of transmission loss of a 1:2 m square panel system
Galaxias maculatus (Galaxiidae, Salmoniformes) infectados com Acanthostomoides apophalliformis (Digenea, Platyhelminthes) no Sul da Argentina: Histopatologia e ausência de mortalidade induzida
Este estudo foi conduzido para analisar ao nível histopatológico, lesões produzidas por Acanthostomoides apophalliformis no peixe nativo Galaxias maculatus, e relacioná-las com os resultados do mortalidade induzida por parasitas na população dessa espécie, no lago Moreno, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Argentina. A ausência de inflamação na maioria das lesões, o fígado sem alterações em uma distância curta do foco das lesões e a aparência viável dos parasitas, sugerem uma boa relação parasita-hospedeiro. Esta hipótese é reforçada pelos dados que mostram a ausência de mortalidade induzida por A. apophalliformis na população dos peixes.This study was conducted to analyze at histopathological level, lesions produced by Acanthostomoides apophalliformis in the native fish Galaxias maculatus, and relate them to quantitative results on parasite- induced fish mortality, in Lake Moreno, Southern, Argentina. Absence in most lesions of inflammatory reaction, unaltered hepatic parenchyma at a short distance from the foci of the lesions and viable appearance of parasites, all suggest a good reciprocal adaptation.. This hypothesis is reinforced by data showing the absence of A. apophalliformis-induced mortality in the fish population
Report of the ultraviolet and visible sensors panel
In order to meet the science objectives of the Astrotech 21 mission set the Ultraviolet (UV) and Visible Sensors Panel made a number of recommendations. In the UV wavelength range of 0.01 to 0.3 micro-m the focus is on the need for large format high quantum efficiency, radiation hard 'solar-blind' detectors. Options recommended for support include Si and non-Si charge coupled devices (CCDs) as well as photocathodes with improved microchannel plate readouts. For the 0.3 to 0.9 micro-m range, it was felt that Si CCDs offer the best option for high quantum efficiencies at these wavelengths. In the 0.9 to 2.5 micro-m the panel recommended support for the investigation of monolithic arrays. Finally, the panel noted that the implementation of very large arrays will require new data transmission, data recording, and data handling technologies
Adaptive Mechanical Properties of Topologically Interlocking Material Systems
Topologically interlocked material systems are two-dimensional granular crystals created as ordered and adhesion-less assemblies of unit elements of the shape of platonic solids. The assembly resists transverse forces due to the interlocking geometric arrangement of the unit elements. Topologically interlocked material systems yet require an external constraint to provide resistance under the action of external load. Past work considered fixed and passive constraints only. The objective of the present study is to consider active and adaptive external constraints with the goal to achieve variable stiffness and energy absorption characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system through an active control of the in-plane constraint conditions. Experiments and corresponding model analysis are used to demonstrate control of system stiffness over a wide range, including negative stiffness, and energy absorption characteristics. The adaptive characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system are shown to solve conflicting requirements of simultaneously providing energy absorption while keeping loads controlled. Potential applications can be envisioned in smart structure enhanced response characteristics as desired in shock absorption, protective packaging and catching mechanisms
Strain Modulations as a Mechanism to Reduce Stress Relaxation in Laryngeal Tissues
Vocal fold tissues in animal and human species undergo deformation processes at several types of loading rates: a slow strain involved in vocal fold posturing (on the order of 1 Hz or so), cyclic and faster posturing often found in speech tasks or vocal embellishment (1–10 Hz), and shear strain associated with vocal fold vibration during phonation (100 Hz and higher). Relevant to these deformation patterns are the viscous properties of laryngeal tissues, which exhibit non-linear stress relaxation and recovery. In the current study, a large strain time-dependent constitutive model of human vocal fold tissue is used to investigate effects of phonatory posturing cyclic strain in the range of 1 Hz to 10 Hz. Tissue data for two subjects are considered and used to contrast the potential effects of age. Results suggest that modulation frequency and extent (amplitude), as well as the amount of vocal fold overall strain, all affect the change in stress relaxation with modulation added. Generally, the vocal fold cover reduces the rate of relaxation while the opposite is true for the vocal ligament. Further, higher modulation frequencies appear to reduce the rate of relaxation, primarily affecting the ligament. The potential benefits of cyclic strain, often found in vibrato (around 5 Hz modulation) and intonational inflection, are discussed in terms of vocal effort and vocal pitch maintenance. Additionally, elderly tissue appears to not exhibit these benefits to modulation. The exacerbating effect such modulations may have on certain voice disorders, such as muscle tension dysphonia, are explored
Interannual variability of the stratospheric wave driving during northern winter
The strength of the stratospheric wave driving during northern winter is often quantified by the January–February mean poleward eddy heat flux at 100 hPa, averaged over 40°–80° N (or a similar area and period). Despite the dynamical and chemical relevance of the wave driving, the causes for its variability are still not well understood. In this study, ERA-40 reanalysis data for the period 1979–2002 are used to examine several factors that significantly affect the interannual variability of the wave driving. The total poleward heat flux at 100 hPa is poorly correlated with that in the troposphere, suggesting a decoupling between 100 hPa and the troposphere. However, the individual zonal wave-1 and wave-2 contributions to the wave driving at 100 hPa do exhibit a significant coupling with the troposphere, predominantly their stationary components. The stationary wave-1 contribution to the total wave driving significantly depends on the latitude of the stationary wave-1 source in the troposphere. The results suggest that this dependence is associated with the varying ability of stationary wave-1 activity to enter the tropospheric waveguide at mid-latitudes. The wave driving anomalies are separated into three parts: one part due to anomalies in the zonal correlation coefficient between the eddy temperature and eddy meridional wind, another part due to anomalies in the zonal eddy temperature amplitude, and a third part due to anomalies in the zonal eddy meridional wind amplitude. It is found that year-to-year variability in the zonal correlation coefficient between the eddy temperature and the eddy meridional wind is the most dominant factor in explaining the year-to-year variability of the poleward eddy heat flux
Alice: The Rosetta Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph
We describe the design, performance and scientific objectives of the
NASA-funded ALICE instrument aboard the ESA Rosetta asteroid flyby/comet
rendezvous mission. ALICE is a lightweight, low-power, and low-cost imaging
spectrograph optimized for cometary far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectroscopy. It will
be the first UV spectrograph to study a comet at close range. It is designed to
obtain spatially-resolved spectra of Rosetta mission targets in the 700-2050 A
spectral band with a spectral resolution between 8 A and 12 A for extended
sources that fill its ~0.05 deg x 6.0 deg field-of-view. ALICE employs an
off-axis telescope feeding a 0.15-m normal incidence Rowland circle
spectrograph with a concave holographic reflection grating. The imaging
microchannel plate detector utilizes dual solar-blind opaque photocathodes (KBr
and CsI) and employs a 2 D delay-line readout array. The instrument is
controlled by an internal microprocessor. During the prime Rosetta mission,
ALICE will characterize comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's coma, its nucleus,
and the nucleus/coma coupling; during cruise to the comet, ALICE will make
observations of the mission's two asteroid flyby targets and of Mars, its
moons, and of Earth's moon. ALICE has already successfully completed the
in-flight commissioning phase and is operating normally in flight. It has been
characterized in flight with stellar flux calibrations, observations of the
Moon during the first Earth fly-by, and observations of comet Linear T7 in 2004
and comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the 2005 Deep Impact comet-collision observing
campaignComment: 11 pages, 7 figure
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