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International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / A significant problem in the processing chain of a low resolution quantization system is the Analog to Digital converter quantization error. The classical model of quantization treats the error generated as a random additive process that is independent of the input and uniformly distributed. This model is valid for complex or random input signals that are large relative to a least significant bit. But the model fails catastrophically for small, simple signals applied to high resolution quantization systems, and in addition, the model fails for simple signals applied to low resolution quantization systems, i.e. one to 6 bits resolution. This paper will discuss a means of correcting this problem by the application of dither. Two methods of dither will be discussed as well as a real-life implementation of the techniques.

The kinetic energy in river streams, tidal currents, or other artificial water channels has been used as a feasible source of renewable power through different conversion systems. Thus, hydrokinetic energy conversion systems are attracting worldwide interest as another form of distributed alternative energy. Because these systems are still in early stages of development, the basic approaches need significant research. The main challenges are not only to have efficient systems, but also to convert energy more economically so that the cost-benefit analysis drives the growth of this alternative energy form. One way to view this analysis is in terms of the energy conversion efficiency per unit cost. This study presents a detailed assessment of a prototype hydrokinetic energy system along with power output costs. This experimental study was performed using commercial low-cost blades of 20 in diameter inside a tank with water flow speed up to 1.3 m/s. The work was divided into two stages: (a) a fixed-pitch blade configuration, using a radial permanent magnet generator (PMG), and (b) the same hydrokinetic turbine, with a variable-pitch blade and an axial-flux PMG. The results indicate that even though the efficiency of a simple blade configuration is not high, the power coefficient is in the range of other, more complicated designs/prototypes. Additionally, the low manufacturing and operation costs of this system offer an option for low-cost distributed power applications.

A murine model was utilized to test the influence of heavy metal protoporphyrins on burn conversion, heme oxygenase – 1 (HO-1) expression, and inflammation. Heavy metal protoporphyrins, such as cobalt protoporphyrin (Co PP) and tin protoporphyrin (Sn PP), were used to influence the heme oxygenase activity. The effects of these heavy metal protoporphyrins on burn wound conversion were examined using a burn comb model in rats. In addition to assessing the extent of conversion, HO-1 expression and parameters of inflammation were also examined in the area of injury (interspace region) subject to conversion. These studies demonstrate proof in principal that pharmacologic agents known to modify HO activity can also modulate burn wound conversion. Improved outcome correlated with HO-1 expression/activity and reduced inflammation. This suggests that one of the mechanisms utilized by HO-1 to improve burn wound outcome involves modulation of one or more components of the inflammatory response.