6,231 research outputs found
Diffusive MIMO Molecular Communications: Channel Estimation, Equalization and Detection
In diffusion-based communication, as for molecular systems, the achievable
data rate is low due to the stochastic nature of diffusion which exhibits a
severe inter-symbol-interference (ISI). Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO)
multiplexing improves the data rate at the expense of an inter-link
interference (ILI). This paper investigates training-based channel estimation
schemes for diffusive MIMO (D-MIMO) systems and corresponding equalization
methods. Maximum likelihood and least-squares estimators of mean channel are
derived, and the training sequence is designed to minimize the mean square
error (MSE). Numerical validations in terms of MSE are compared with Cramer-Rao
bound derived herein. Equalization is based on decision feedback equalizer
(DFE) structure as this is effective in mitigating diffusive ISI/ILI.
Zero-forcing, minimum MSE and least-squares criteria have been paired to DFE,
and their performances are evaluated in terms of bit error probability. Since
D-MIMO systems are severely affected by the ILI because of short transmitters
inter-distance, D-MIMO time interleaving is exploited as countermeasure to
mitigate the ILI with remarkable performance improvements. The feasibility of a
block-type communication including training and data equalization is explored
for D-MIMO, and system-level performances are numerically derived.Comment: Accepted paper at IEEE transaction on Communicatio
Field observations about the behaviour of codling-moth in Trentino (North-Eastern Italy)
Codling-moth and applescab are the most important pathogens in both conventional and
organic apple productions. In order to control any phytopathological problem, it is
important to improve the knowledge of the behaviour of each specific pest. Since several
years (starting from 1986) we are improving in Trentino (North-Eastern Italy) the
observations of the population dynamics of codling-moth in order to find the best way to
control and treat this pest insect.
Constant monitoring and the knowledge of the characteristics of the different compounds
and possible methods to control the codling-moth (mating disruption, granulose virus and
specific nematodes) represent the most important basis to organize an effective controlstrategy
Influence of Rough and Smooth Walls on Macroscale Flows in Tumblers
Walls in discrete element method simulations of granular flows are sometimes
modeled as a closely packed monolayer of fixed particles, resulting in a rough
wall rather than a geometrically smooth wall. An implicit assumption is that
the resulting rough wall differs from a smooth wall only locally at the
particle scale. Here we test this assumption by considering the impact of the
wall roughness at the periphery of the flowing layer on the flow of
monodisperse particles in a rotating spherical tumbler. We find that varying
the wall roughness significantly alters average particle trajectories even far
from the wall. Rough walls induce greater poleward axial drift of particles
near the flowing layer surface, but decrease the curvature of the trajectories.
Increasing the volume fill level in the tumbler has little effect on the axial
drift for rough walls, but increases the drift while reducing curvature of the
particle trajectories for smooth walls. The mechanism for these effects is
related to the degree of local slip at the bounding wall, which alters the
flowing layer thickness near the walls, affecting the particle trajectories
even far from the walls near the equator of the tumbler. Thus, the proper
choice of wall conditions is important in the accurate simulation of granular
flows, even far from the bounding wall.Comment: 32 pages, 19 figures, regular article, accepted for publication in
Physical Review E 200
Hypergraph-Based Analysis of Clustered Cooperative Beamforming with Application to Edge Caching
The evaluation of the performance of clustered cooperative beamforming in
cellular networks generally requires the solution of complex non-convex
optimization problems. In this letter, a framework based on a hypergraph
formalism is proposed that enables the derivation of a performance
characterization of clustered cooperative beamforming in terms of per-user
degrees of freedom (DoF) via the efficient solution of a coloring problem. An
emerging scenario in which clusters of cooperative base stations (BSs) arise is
given by cellular networks with edge caching. In fact, clusters of BSs that
share the same requested files can jointly beamform the corresponding encoded
signals. Based on this observation, the proposed framework is applied to obtain
quantitative insights into the optimal use of cache and backhaul resources in
cellular systems with edge caching. Numerical examples are provided to
illustrate the merits of the proposed framework.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Submitte
Intersegmental Coordination in the Kinematics of Prehension Movements of Macaques
The most popular model to explain how prehensile movements are organized assumes that they comprise two "components", the reaching component encoding information regarding the object's spatial location and the grasping component encoding information on the object's intrinsic properties such as size and shape. Comparative kinematic studies on grasping behavior in the humans and in macaques have been carried out to investigate the similarities and differences existing across the two species. Although these studies seem to favor the hypothesis that macaques and humans share a number of kinematic features it remains unclear how the reaching and grasping components are coordinated during prehension movements in free-ranging macaque monkeys. Twelve hours of video footage was filmed of the monkeys as they snatched food items from one another (i.e., snatching) or collect them in the absence of competitors (i.e., unconstrained). The video samples were analyzed frame-by-frame using digitization techniques developed to perform two-dimensional post-hoc kinematic analyses of the two types of actions. The results indicate that only for the snatching condition when the reaching variability increased there was an increase in the amplitude of maximum grip aperture. Besides, the start of a break-point along the deceleration phase of the velocity profile correlated with the time at which maximum grip aperture occurred. These findings suggest that macaques can spatially and temporally couple the reaching and the grasping components when there is pressure to act quickly. They offer a substantial contribution to the debate about the nature of how prehensile actions are programmed
Slow axial drift in three-dimensional granular tumbler flow
Models of monodisperse particle flow in partially filled three-dimensional
tumblers often assume that flow along the axis of rotation is negligible. We
test this assumption, for spherical and double cone tumblers, using experiments
and discrete element method simulations. Cross sections through the particle
bed of a spherical tumbler show that, after a few rotations, a colored band of
particles initially perpendicular to the axis of rotation deforms: particles
near the surface drift toward the pole, while particles deeper in the flowing
layer drift toward the equator. Tracking of mm-sized surface particles in
tumblers with diameters of 8-14 cm shows particle axial displacements of one to
two particle diameters, corresponding to axial drift that is 1-3% of the
tumbler diameter, per pass through the flowing layer. The surface axial drift
in both double cone and spherical tumblers is zero at the equator, increases
moving away from the equator, and then decreases near the poles. Comparing
results for the two tumbler geometries shows that wall slope causes axial
drift, while drift speed increases with equatorial diameter. The dependence of
axial drift on axial position for each tumbler geometry is similar when both
are normalized by their respective maximum values
The inelastic Takahashi hard-rod gas
We study a one-dimensional fluid of hard-rods interacting each other via
binary inelastic collisions and a short ranged square-well potential. Upon
tuning the depth and the sign of the well, we investigate the interplay between
dissipation and cohesive or repulsive forces. Molecular dynamics simulations of
the cooling regime indicate that the presence of this simple interparticle
interaction is sufficient to significantly modify the energy dissipation rates
expected by the Haff's law for the free cooling. The simplicity of the model
makes it amenable to an analytical approach based on the Boltzmann-Enskog
transport equation which allows deriving the behaviour of the granular
temperature. Furthermore, in the elastic limit, the model can be solved exactly
to provide a full thermodynamic description. A meaningful theoretical
approximation explaining the properties of the inelastic system in interaction
with a thermal bath can be directly extrapolated from the properties of the
corresponding elastic system, upon a proper re-definition of the relevant
observables. Simulation results both in the cooling and driven regime can be
fairly interpreted according to our theoretical approach and compare rather
well to our predictions.Comment: 14 pages RevTex, 9 eps figure
Optical properties of refractory metal based thin films
There is a growing interest in refractory metal thin films for a range of emerging nanophotonic applications including high temperature plasmonic structures and infrared superconducting single photon detectors. We present a detailed comparison of optical properties for key representative materials in this class (NbN, NbTiN, TiN and MoSi) with texture varying from crystalline to amorphous. NbN, NbTiN and MoSi have been grown in an ultra-high vacuum sputter deposition system. Two different techniques (sputtering and atomic layer deposition) have been employed to deposit TiN. We have carried out variable angle ellipsometric measurements of optical properties from ultraviolet to mid infrared wavelengths. We compare with high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of microstructure. Sputter deposited TiN and MoSi have shown the highest optical absorption in the infrared wavelengths relative to NbN, NbTiN or ALD deposited TiN. We have also modelled the performance of a semi-infinite metal air interface as a plasmonic structure with the above mentioned refractory metal based thin films as the plasmonic components. This study has implications in the design of next generation superconducting nanowire single photon detector or plasmonic nanostructure based devices
Le piante vascolari del litorale trapanese: da Ronciglio a Capo San Vito
Vascular flora of the Trapani littoral between Ronciglio and Capo San Vito (NW Sicily). – The list of the vascular plants observed and collected in the Trapani littoral between Ronciglio and Capo San Vito (NW Sicily) during the last 20 years is presented here and commented. In total, 541 specific and infraspecific taxa were recorded. This flora has marked Mediterranean characteristics as shown by the absolute prevalence of therophytes as well as Mediterranean chorotypes. Among the most interesting taxa belonging to this flora are some halophytes and rare endemics such as Biscutella maritima, Calendula maritima, Cynomorium coccineum, Erica sicula, Galium litorale, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Limonium bocco- nei, L. ponzoi, Limoniastrum monopetalum e Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia
- …