Symbol Synchronization for SDR Using a Polyphase Filterbank Based on an FPGA

This paper is devoted to the proposal of a highly efficient symbol synchronization subsystem for Software Defined Radio. The proposed feedback phase-locked loop timing synchronizer is suitable for parallel implementation on an FPGA. The polyphase FIR filter simultaneously performs matched-filtering and arbitrary interpolation between acquired samples. Determination of the proper sampling instant is achieved by selecting a suitable polyphase filterbank using a derived index. This index is determined based on the output either the Zero-Crossing or Gardner Timing Error Detector. The paper will extensively focus on simulation of the proposed synchronization system. On the basis of this simulation, a complete, fully pipelined VHDL description model is created. This model is composed of a fully parallel polyphase filterbank based on distributed arithmetic, timing error detector and interpolation control block. Finally, RTL synthesis on an Altera Cyclone IV FPGA is presented and resource utilization in comparison with a conventional model is analyzed

Mechanisms of the formation of gas bubbles in heat treatment of glass-silicate tiles

Theoretical research has been done into the mechanisms of the formation of gas bubbles which takes place during the sintering of the glass granulation product under the conditions of heating its upper layer. It is shown that in the bubble, there is a possibility of an inverse thermal distribution which will lead to a thermal jump on its boundary. At the thermal processing temperatures, the presence of CO2 increases the effect of absorption of the radiation conditioned by the spectral zones. Experimentally, it has been proved that a thermal field inversion takes place in the presence of an inner diffusing layer joined to a clearly transparent one for the thermal radiation of the material

Eine Untersuchung der Sichtbarkeit von Open-Access Abschlussarbeiten auf deutschen institutionellen Repositorien

Sichtbarkeit ist ein zentrales Argument für Open Access. Der einfachste Weg zum Open Access ist die Publikation auf einem Repositorium. Zahlreiche Qualifikationsarbeiten werden hier über institutionelle Repositorien frei zugänglich gemacht. In der Untersuchung über die Nachweissituation schnitten die deutschen institutionellen Repositorien passabel ab, bei einem thematischen Sucheinstieg jedoch stellt sich die Sichtbarkeit dieser Publikationen als schlecht heraus

STROBE LIGHT AND SIREN DEVICES FOR PROTECTING FENCED-PASTURE AND RANGE SHEEP FROM COYOTE PREDATION

The effectiveness of frightening devices for reducing coyote predation on domestic sheep has not been adequately studied. Portable, battery-operated strobe light/siren devices protected pastured sheep from coyotes for a mean of 53 nights (10 trials) and 91 nights (5 trials). Results of ongoing tests of the devices for reducing predation on herded sheep on summer range in western Colorado have so far been encouraging. Future research needs are outlined

Hospital Investment in Urgent Care: Impacts on Emergent, Outpatient, and Ambulatory Surgery Volumes

As the popularity of urgent care centers (UCCs) has grown, hospitals have increasingly chosen to invest in this care model. Hospital interest in UCCs is largely driven by two key factors. First, hospitals aim to use UCCs to generate referrals, which generate additional patient volume for downstream hospital services. Secondly, hospital UCC investment presents an opportunity to ease the demand for non-urgent care in the emergency department (ED) by diverting low-acuity ED patients to the more appropriate UCC setting. No study to date has evaluated the impact of hospital UCC investment on referrals or downstream service volumes. A few studies have examined the association between UCCs and ED visits, but these have produced mixed results and none have specifically focused on hospital-owned UCCs. This study integrates Strategic Management Theory and Contingency Theory to conceptualize the relationship between hospital UCC investment and the volume of low-acuity ED visits, outpatient visits, and ambulatory surgeries. The study utilizes a retrospective, longitudinal panel study design with hospital-level data for years 2010 through 2015 from multiple public and private data sources. Poisson regression methodology and Ordinary Least Squares regression methodology are employed to test study hypotheses. Hospital UCC investment is not associated with a reduction in low-acuity ED visits, even when financial pressure and stressed ED capacity are included as moderators. This is an important consideration for hospital leaders and policy makers as they evaluate options for reducing ED pressure and redirecting low-acuity ED utilization to lower cost settings. However, hospital UCC investment is associated with increased outpatient visits and ambulatory surgeries for HMO owners in later years of UCC ownership. Thus, this study identifies UCC investment as a viable strategy for hospitals to retain/increase revenue and potentially gain competitive advantage by attracting patients to their UCC that would otherwise go to a competitor’s facility

Progress in Coyote Hunting Depredations Research

Coyote depredations control research from the end of World War II to about 1960 was characterized by low levels of funding, a minimum of research facilities, an emphasis on lethal agents, few legislative restrictions, a lack of public interest, and little concern for the environment. Establishment of the Leopold Committee (1964) and Cain Committee (1971) were evidence of a growing public concern and awareness of the coyote-livestock problem