The continuous phase modulation (CPM) has a constant envelope and compact output power spectrum that makes it a promising underlying technology for power and spectrum efficient broadband wireless communications. However, high implementation complexity (especially the complexity of the receiver) required to deal with the phase memory and inter-symbol interference has impeded its adoption for broadband wireless communications, and only a few simple CPM modulation schemes have mainly been used, e.g. binary MSK and GMSK. Thus, research on efficient CPM transceivers to reduce the computational and hardware complexity is important. The major contribution of this dissertation is the development of novel frequency domain processing techniques and transceiver strategies to improve power and spectral efficiency, and reduce the complexity of CPM modulation schemes. First, this dissertation presents simplified frequency domain receiver structures and decoding schemes in the frequency domain for binary and M-ary CPM block transmission. The frequency domain receivers utilize parallel and serial structures with frequency domain processing which considerably reduces hardware and computational complexity compared to conventional time-domain processing. In addition, the decoding schemes in the frequency domain eliminate the controlled phase memory through frequency domain phase equalization instead of maximum-likelihood sequential decoders, e.g. Viterbi decoders. Second, frequency domain channel estimation schemes for CPM block transmission are presented, which adopt superimposed training signals to achieve bandwidth and power efficiency while reducing the complexity. In these schemes, the proposed frequency domain channel estimation uses the superimposed training signals as a reference signal to reduce the throughput loss caused by conventionally multiplexed training signals. Superimposed training signal design is presented, and the trade-off between bandwidth efficiency and power efficiency is also analyzed. Third, block transmission schemes and frequency domain equalization methods for CPM are proposed, which consider linear processing instead of conventional decomposition-based processing. The schemes of frequency domain linear processing avoid the complexity overhead (both in computation and hardware) of conventional orthogonal- or Laurent decomposed-based equalizers. Finally, this dissertation extends CPM block transmission and frequency domain equalization to phase-coded (time-varying modulation index) CPM, which shows better error performance and bandwidth efficiency than fixed modulation index CPM's. / text

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ITC/USA 2013 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Ninth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 21-24, 2013 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV / With the characteristics of constant envelope and continuous phase, Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) signal has higher spectrum efficiency and power efficiency than other modulation forms. A noncoherent demodulation with Viterbi decoding for partial response CPM signals is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the demodulation performance of proper partial response CPM is better than the traditional PCM-FM, which is a typical modulation of full response CPM. And higher spectral efficiency is also obtained by partial response CPM.

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Proteins have a wide array of essential functions: from serving as enzymatic catalysts to protecting the immune system as antibodies. Proteins spontaneously self-organize into specific, folded structures determined by their amino acid sequences and the interaction between molecular forces. Since the 3-dimensional structure into which they fold often relates to the specific function of the protein, much effort has been directed towards methods to predict the folded structure from a given sequence, with the hope of being able to understand protein functions from sequence information. The protein folding problem can be summarized as the attempt to understand the relationship between a protein sequence and a protein's geometric shape, or fold. Thus, there are two principal problems: given a sequence, what 3-dimensional form will the protein take (forward problem), and given a particular fold, what sequence or sequences code for that form (the inverse problem). In this work, models that represent folds as continuous structures are explored. Models of the two prevalent motifs in protein folds, α helices and β barrels, are developed using axially deformed tubes and surfaces of revolution. These models are then analyzed and used to develop coordinate models of known and unknown structures.

The study and contemplation of the natural world was a significant impetus for the stylistic development of Maurice Ohana's (1913-1992) music. More than any other source, it was the sounds, textures, and patterns of the natural world that served as his compositional model, inspiring a unique approach to form and sound. Using the metaphor of a coral reef, Ohana sought to imbue his compositions with a process of development that organically generated musical form. His mature musical style is defined by an organic development of traits inherent within the motivic beginning of a work to produce unique musical structures that are intrinsically connected with their musical substance. Ohana's final work for piano solo, the Études d'interprétation (1983/6), demonstrate the process of organic development. Complementing Claude Debussy's (1862-1918) Études, Ohana's interval etudes 'Secondes,' 'Quintes,' 'Septiemes,' and 'Neuvièmes' illustrate the stylistic variety generated by his unique, sound-driven approach to form. The following analyses address the thematic development of each work, connecting melodic, harmonic, and textural material to the opening, and developmentally central, `germ' each composition begins with. By examining the comprehensive process of organic development within Ohana's four interval etudes it may be possible to gain a greater understanding of his unique musical language

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if respiratory and laryngeal function during spontaneous speech production were different for teachers with voice disorders as compared to teachers without voice problems. The basic research questions posed in this study, as assessed during spontaneous speaking were: 1) Do subjects with a voice disorder show differences in lung volume patterns relative to control subjects? 2) Do subjects with a voice disorder show differences in vocal fold approximation as measured by contact quotient and contact index relative to control subjects? 3) Are these between-group differences most pronounced for mock teaching tasks versus a conversational speaking task? 4) Do subjects with a voice disorder rely more on laryngeal versus respiratory-based strategies for increasing loudness level as compared to control subjects?Method: Nine teachers with and nine teachers without voice problems were included in this study. Respiratory function was measured with magnetometry, and laryngeal function was measured with electroglottography. Respiratory and laryngeal function were measured during three spontaneous speaking tasks: a simulated teaching task at a typical and increased loudness level, and a conversational speaking task. Two structured speaking tasks were included for comparison of electroglottography measures: a paragraph reading task and a sustained vowel.Results: Lung volume termination level in spontaneous speaking was significantly lower for the teachers with voice disorders relative to teachers without voice problems. Lung volume initiation level was lower for the teachers with versus without voice problems during teaching-related speaking tasks. Laryngeal function as assessed with electroglottography did not show between-group differences. Across tasks, the measure of contact index was lower (more negative) during the conversational speaking task as compared to the sustained vowel task, indicating greater contact phase asymmetry during vocal fold vibration.Conclusions: These findings suggest that teachers with a voice disorder use different speech breathing strategies than teachers without voice problems. Management of teachers with voice problems may need to incorporate respiratory training that alters lung volume levels during speaking. Future research is needed to determine whether altering such patterns results in improved voice parameters and self-perceived improvement in vocal symptoms.

The main goal with the master thesis has been to do a status evaluation of the chain machinery with its start chain and wire to secure the production on a short basis due to that a reconstruction is not planned at this time. An evaluation of the condition of the start chain and the rollers in the chain depository has been done. An offer has been requested for a new start chain and the evaluation of the start chains may be a basis for the decision taking. The production has been able to go on, although it has arisen some problems which have been difficult to find the causes for. There is no gathered “picture” of the machinery status and a mapping of each machinery has been compiled of comprehensive logs. Observations and measurements have also been done to prove and elucidate the biggest problems. After the compilation a concentration has been done of the two most frequently problems during the last years, that is to say, 2006 to 2008. The work has finally fallen into suggestions for improvements of routines and suggestions for concepts for construction changes to keep a continuous stable production until a bigger reconstruction will be made. The two problems which have been focused on were the “limit-switches” for the wires and the heat-radiation-shields situated under the tilt bridges. The arrangement for the wire problem shown to be quite simple to implement and its cause was due to that the friction was to big in the shackle, which function is to be pressed down by the wire, and thereby didn’t trigger an alarm on the computer screens. To prevent this, lubrication was done for respective shackle to sustain the production for a short period of time. Although there have been done some concepts to sustain the production for a longer period of time. The problems concerning the heat-radiation-shields under the tilt bridges can be solved mainly by changed maintenance routines, which have been attached in the list which has been formed.

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