|Publication number||US7848384 B2|
|Application number||US 11/681,065|
|Publication date||Dec 7, 2010|
|Filing date||Mar 1, 2007|
|Priority date||Mar 3, 2006|
|Also published as||DE602007004367D1, EP1830474A1, EP1830474B1, US20070217482|
|Publication number||11681065, 681065, US 7848384 B2, US 7848384B2, US-B2-7848384, US7848384 B2, US7848384B2|
|Inventors||Michael Pelissier, Dominique Morche|
|Original Assignee||Commissariat A L'energie Atomique|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (40), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (14), Classifications (17), Legal Events (2)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application claims priority to French patent application no. 06/01945 filed Mar. 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a device and a method for ultrawideband reception using a super-regenerative detector. More particularly, the present invention concerns a receiver of radio-frequency waves (the term “radio-frequency” is abbreviated “RF” through the remainder hereof) employing the UWB (ultrawideband) technology, and a corresponding reception method. The invention belongs to the field of pulsed mode UWB communications. The invention may advantageously be used in low-consumption applications.
The technique of UWB communication in pulsed mode consists in transmitting pulses of short duration (of the order of one nanosecond). The pulsed signals concerned have a bandwidth of several gigahertz. Information may be coded via the level or the amplitude of these pulses (for example by pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)) and/or via the position in time of these pulses (pulse position modulation (PPM)).
A signal v(t) of the type considered in the context of the impulse mode UWB communication technique may generally be expressed in the time domain as the product of a sinusoid portion with center frequency fc by a temporal window w(t), that is to say, in analytical form:
v(t)=sin(2πf c ×t)×w(t)
The temporal windowing governs the shape of the spectrum and a rectangular, triangular or Gaussian gate may be used for the window w(t). In the latter case:
where τ characterizes the temporal length of the pulse.
The center frequency fc is typically made equal to 4.1 GHz and the pulse width τ typically has the value 342 ps, which corresponds to a −10 dB spectral occupancy of 2 GHz. The graphs in
To transmit information, as mentioned above, several types of modulation may be used, in particular modulation by level or modulation by position in time. For example, there may be used a form of modulation by level of the all or nothing modulation type (OOK, On-Off Keying; for simplicity, in the remainder of the description, the expression “OOK modulation” is used) or a form of modulation by position in time of the N-pulse position modulation type (N-PPM, N representing the number of nominal positions; in the remainder of the description, for simplicity, the expressions “PPM modulation” and “N-PPM modulation” are used).
The three timing diagrams in
In OOK modulation (see the center timing diagram in the drawing), a pulse is sent when the logic level has the value 1 and nothing is sent when it has the value 0. The pulse repetition interval (PRI in the drawing) here corresponds to the binary timing. This interval may be divided into two impulse position intervals (IPI in the drawing).
In PPM modulation (see the bottom timing diagram in the drawing: the case of 2-PPM modulation is illustrated by way of nonlimiting example), if the information has the value 1, the pulse is sent in the first interval, and if the information has the value 0, the pulse is sent in the second interval.
The UWB telecommunication sector has gained a new relevance in recent years. In particular, solutions have been proposed for providing high bit rate communications, but these architectures cannot address the new expectations in this field in terms of low consumption and low cost.
A solution of the “rake receiver” type is known from published PCT application No. WO-A-01 76086. The receiver described in that document uses an analog mixer to establish a correlation between the received signal and an elementary pulse pattern generated in the receiver. This solution concentrates on a finite number of collected paths. Each finger or path on which the receiver concentrates requires an active mixer, increasing the complexity and the consumption of the device.
Another solution consists in sampling the UWB signal and establishing a correlation with a digital reference pattern, in order to demodulate the signal. This correlation pattern takes into account the complete impulse response of the channel, in contrast to the previous solution. Nevertheless, this solution is relatively complex to implement: because of the high bandwidth and the high center frequency, fast sampling is required in order to comply with the Nyquist criterion, necessitating a high frequency synthesis and producing a voluminous stream of digital data. All these operations, which are costly in energy, are effected to the detriment of the overall consumption of the receiver.
Solutions are emerging for reducing the complexity of the reception architecture, but they still have major drawbacks:
A first of these solutions is based on detecting pulse peaks. There are two techniques for implementing this solution.
The first technique corresponds to a comparator type threshold detector. This solution necessitates high amplification of the received signals because the sensitivity of such detectors is generally relatively low. Consumption is then governed by the stages with gain.
A second technique known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,172 corresponds to the use of a tunnel-effect diode: the diode is biased to the peak voltage in the vicinity of the negative slope zone of instability. If the level of the signal is sufficient, it triggers the tunnel effect in the diode and the operating point switches into the “valley” zone of the characteristic of the diode, thus enabling the presence of a pulse to be detected. A drawback of this solution is the drifting of the bias point of the diode as a function of temperature and power supply fluctuations, which degrades the sensitivity of the receiver. Solutions exist that attempt to remove this drawback, for example by placing signal attenuators for adjusting the bias point, but these compensation solutions are hardly effective in terms of energy consumption.
Another solution consists in working with energy detection architectures. These architectures lump together all of the energy recovered in the propagation channel. This operation necessitates the rectification of the UWB signal before integrating the result over an integration window corresponding to the spreading of the channel. However, the very low levels of the received signals (of the order of magnitude of a few tens of microvolts) generally mean that this operation cannot be effected without proceeding beforehand to significant amplification. This amplification requires a high consumption, which limits the benefit of such a solution. Moreover, the fact of lumping together all of the energy rules out exploiting the excellent temporal resolution offered by UWB.
Thus the prior art cited above does not address the need for an architecture and a process for receiving ultrawideband signals that are simple to implement, enable the development of receivers having a low consumption, and can respond to location and communication requirements.
The RF reception architecture based on super-regenerative devices was described for the first time in 1922 by E. H. ARMSTRONG in a paper entitled “Some recent developments of regenerative circuits”, in Proc. IRE, vol. 10, August 1922, pages 244 to 260. The principle of the super-regenerator is as follows: at the heart of the device there is an oscillator placed at the limit of instability. When the signal arrives, the additional energy it contributes triggers the oscillator, which begins to oscillate. If there is only noise at the input of the device, starting is effected much more slowly, making it possible to distinguish between the situation in which a signal is present and the situation in which there is only noise. The general theory of using this device for the reception of RF signals is described in a specialist work by J. R. WHITEHEAD entitled “Super-Regenerative Receivers” published by Cambridge University Press in 1950.
This architecture has the advantage of providing quasi-infinite amplification at low power consumption. It found applications in the 1950s in the field of pulsed radar, where the level of the reflected signals to be processed was very low. On this subject see U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,952 applied for in 1957 and granted in 1967.
The implementation options of that time render the production of such low-voltage integrated micro-electronic technology devices difficult at present, however.
Moreover, in the applications considered at the time, the signals propagated in free space, whereas the environments currently envisaged in UWB applications are very different and very varied, and necessitate a particular adaptation of the reception architecture and of the corresponding reception process.
The super-regenerator has been used in recent years to demodulate a narrowband signal rather than an ultrawideband signal, with or without spectrum spreading. On this subject see published PCT application No. WO-A-03 009482. An advantage of this solution lies in its low cost of implementation and its low consumption, justifying its use in remote control type applications, for example. In this solution, demodulation is effected by direct conversion of the RF signal into the baseband. The current trend in narrowband applications is to use high-Q resonators of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) type to improve the selectivity of the super-regenerative architecture. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,964.
Despite all this, when applied to narrowband communications the super-regenerator has a major drawback, namely a bandwidth that is too large compared to the band of the modulated signal. This makes communication vulnerable because it is sensitive to nearby sources of interference and to accumulated in-band noise.
It is for this reason that frequency-transposition-based homodyne or heterodyne architectures have been preferred when the major constraint is not consumption.
On the other hand, in the UWB context, the drawback cited above may in contrast prove to be a beneficial advantage, in that, as indicated in the introduction, the band of the signal occupies several GHz. A receiver with a high bandwidth is therefore required to obtain good detection performance.
Furthermore, because of the inherent operation of the super-regenerator, the circuit does not recover all of the energy that is transmitted on a sinusoidal carrier, for example; it is sensitive to only a portion of that energy, corresponding to the phase in which the oscillator is at the limit of instability. Thus the super-regenerator inherently samples the input signal. This property is particularly well adapted to UWB signals in that the energy is concentrated over the time period in which the UWB pulse is transmitted. Finally, in the narrowband field, unlike UWB, a tuning difference between the resonant frequency of the super-regenerator and the carrier frequency of the signal degrades the sensitivity of the device. Production constraints therefore apply to narrowband devices that are not relevant when a spread spectrum is used for excitation.
Accordingly, and contradicting perceived wisdom in the art, despite the frequency selectivity of the oscillatory device of a super-regenerator, the latter is, at constant average power, more efficient in a UWB system than in a narrowband system.
In particular, the present invention aims to associate the super-regenerative architecture with the demodulation of UWB signals and to use that architecture to provide in particular for location between two communication means, for example a receiver and a transmitter.
With this aim, the present invention proposes a device for receiving pulsed UWB (ultrawideband) radio-frequency signals, including amplification means, oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, shaping means, demodulation means, this reception device being noteworthy in that it further includes control means for adaptation to the type of signals to be received.
The UWB receiver according to the invention therefore has a low energy consumption and a low complexity of implementation, at the same time as having a very high bandwidth.
In one particular embodiment, the control means for adapting the reception device to the type of signals to be received include means for optimization of the control of the instability control signal of the oscillation means.
Matching the instability control signal of the receiver to the type of signals to be detected optimizes the bandwidth of the receiver as a function of the signal in order to maximize the ratio between the level of the wanted signal and the noise.
In this particular embodiment, according to one particular feature, the adaptation control means use a predetermined form of damping control signal to supply an analytical expression of the type of signals received.
In one particular embodiment with a multipath environment, i.e. in which the signals are received from multiple paths, the reception device may include means for weighting each of these paths.
In such an embodiment, according to one particular feature, the reception device may further include delay means for applying to each of the paths a predetermined delay.
According to one particular feature, the damping control signal is different for each of the paths.
According to one particular feature, the signals may be modulated in accordance with an all or nothing form of modulation (OOK, On-Off Keying).
Alternatively, the signals may be modulated in accordance with N-pulse position modulation (N-PPM), where N is a predetermined integer.
The reception device conforming to the present invention finds many particularly advantageous uses.
For example, it may be used for communication purposes, as a reception device as such or as part of a transmission/reception device. By way of nonlimiting example, such a device may be included in a radio device, in the context of communication with one or more appropriate transmission or transmission/reception devices, for example contained wholly or in part in one or more radio devices.
Accordingly, the present invention also proposes communication means including oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this communication means being noteworthy in that they further include control means for adapting the above reception device to the type of signals to be received.
The present invention further proposes a transmission/reception device including oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this transmission/reception device being noteworthy in that it further includes control means for adapting the above reception device to the type of signals to be received.
The present invention also proposes a transmission/reception device noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device.
This receiver is moreover capable of achieving a very high temporal resolution, thereby exploiting the nature of the UWB signals, with a view to adding the location function to the receiver.
It may therefore be used with equal advantage for locating one or more radio devices, in particular from one or more other radio devices, the location function being optionally associated with the communication function, according to the requirements of the application concerned.
Accordingly, the present invention also proposes a device for location of communication means by other communication means, these communication means including time measuring means, voltage-time conversion means and oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this location device being noteworthy in that it further includes control means for adapting the above reception device to the type of signals to be received.
The present invention also proposes a device for location of communication means by other communication means, these communication means including time measuring means, voltage-time conversion means and oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this location device being noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device.
In one particular embodiment, the location device includes means for estimation of distance by calculation of the round trip time.
This makes it possible to obtain good temporal resolution and thus to exploit the inherent nature of the signals to be processed.
Moreover, and still in the context of minimizing electrical energy consumption, the reception device conforming to the present invention may also be used with advantage for automatically starting, restarting or activating a radio device in a standby state. In particular this reduces the consumption of the receiver in the standby state.
Accordingly, the present invention proposes a device for activating a radio device, including oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this activating device being noteworthy in that it further includes control means for adapting the above reception device to the type of signals to be received.
The present invention proposes a device for activating a radio device, noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device.
In the same way as it proposes a reception device, the present invention equally proposes a method of reception of pulsed UWB (ultrawideband) radio-frequency signals, including an amplification step, a step of oscillation conditioned by an instability control step, a shaping step, a demodulation step, this method being noteworthy in that the oscillation step is additionally effected as a function of a control step of adapting the reception method to the type of signals to be received.
The particular characteristics and the advantages of this method are similar to those detailed hereinabove with regard to the reception device and are therefore not repeated here.
The invention likewise proposes a method of activating a radio device, including a step of oscillation conditioned by an instability control step, this activating method being noteworthy in that it further includes a control step of adapting the above reception method to the type of signals to be received.
The invention also proposes a method of activating a radio device noteworthy in that it includes steps of the above reception method.
The invention also proposes a method of location of communication means by other communication means, these communication means including time measuring means, voltage-time conversion means and oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this location method being noteworthy in that it further includes a control step of adapting the above reception method to the type of signals to be received.
The invention also proposes a method of location of communication means by other communication means, these communication means including time measuring means, voltage-time conversion means and oscillation means responsive to an instability control signal, this location method being noteworthy in that it includes steps of the above reception method.
The invention also proposes a transmission/reception method including a step of oscillation conditioned by an instability control step, this transmission/reception method being noteworthy in that it further includes a control step of adapting the above reception method to the type of signals to be received.
The invention also proposes a transmission/reception method noteworthy in that it includes steps of the above reception method.
The invention also proposes a method of processing signals noteworthy in that it executes steps of the above reception method.
The invention also proposes a device for processing signals noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device and/or the above location device.
The invention also proposes a roaming device noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device and/or the above location device.
The invention also proposes a mobile telephone noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device and/or the above location device.
The invention also proposes a multimedia device noteworthy in that it includes the above reception device and/or the above location device.
These methods and devices have particular characteristics and advantages similar to those already mentioned for the reception device.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of particular embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting example.
The description refers to the drawings that accompany it, in which:
As indicated above, starting in particular from the observation that current UWB receivers cannot have a very low electrical consumption and that signals sent on a sinusoidal carrier cannot exploit fully the capacities of super-regenerative architectures, the invention utilizes a super-regenerator for the reception and the demodulation of UWB signals.
This super-regenerative reception device comprises an oscillator 34, the instability and damping phases whereof are controlled by means of a periodic control signal: the damping signal. This control signal, which may come from the outside or be generated as a function of the output of the receiver, optimizes the sensitivity of the receiver with respect to the signal to be detected. In conformance with the present invention, it is further attempted to optimize the control signal vis-à-vis the UWB signal to be detected. More particularly, the sensitivity function of the receiver may be adapted to the received UWB pulse, since it has the same Gaussian shape. When the oscillator is placed at the limit of instability and receives the additional energy of a UWB pulse, the oscillations begin and diverge until the damping control signal extinguishes them.
At the output of the oscillator 34 there is a signal shaping stage 36. This stage primarily effects a conversion into the baseband of the oscillatory signal at the center frequency of the oscillator.
Behind the shaping stage 36 is a demodulation unit 38 for extracting information. In fact, when there is no signal (which situation may be associated, for example, with the “0” logic level in the case of OOK modulation), the oscillator starts up less quickly, because it receives less energy. The demodulator makes the decision between the situation in which there is a signal (logic level “1”) and the situation in which there is only noise (logic level “0”).
Finally, on the upstream side of the oscillator 34 there is an antenna 30 which converts radiated electromagnetic energy into electrical energy usable in the reception circuit. An amplifier 32 limits the overall noise level of the reception subsystem and isolates the oscillatory signal from the antenna 30 to prevent any radiation from the receiver. The bandwidth of the amplifier 32 is high but its gain may be limited, in that the amplifier is followed by the super-regenerator, also providing gain.
The oscillator used at the heart of the super-regenerator is an active system operating at only one frequency: its inherent oscillation frequency. Because of this, the oscillator is all the more sensitive to an exciting signal when it is excited by a signal beating at the same frequency. It is this basic principle that has enabled massive use of the super-regenerator in narrowband applications, for which the energy of the exciter signal is concentrated around a carrier frequency corresponding to the inherent oscillation frequency. A particularly advantageous aspect of the invention consists in proposing an optimization of the system so that, despite the inherent frequency selectivity of the oscillator, the super-regenerator detects a pulsed signal occupying a very wide frequency spectrum.
In UWB reception devices, the two most critical units in terms of consumption are the amplification system and the frequency synthesizer.
In fact, UWB signals typically occupy more than 2 GHz of bandwidth. To amplify such signals significantly, it is necessary to use an amplifier with a high value of the product of the gain and the bandwidth, leading to high consumption of energy by the corresponding stage. In the reception architecture conforming to the present invention, the gain is virtually infinite, without this generating any greater consumption, as this gain is provided by an unstable device. Furthermore, the bandwidth of the device is an effective instantaneous bandwidth governed by a control signal. The super-regenerator therefore has a high bandwidth only at decision times, thus enabling consumption to be reduced.
A typical UWB signal considered in the context of the present invention under discussion is centered around about 4 GHz. To reconstitute the shape of the signal, it is necessary, in traditional solutions, to effect a conversion into the baseband using a mixer, an oscillator or a reference signal operating at such frequencies. Another prior art solution consists in direct sampling at a frequency higher than around 10 GHz. These solutions are particularly high consumers of energy at the level of the frequency synthesis. The super-regenerator avoids this danger, as it effects sampling at the information timing rate, namely at a rate of the order of a few tens of kilohertz, thereby clearly relaxing the constraints.
Finally, other prior art solutions cited above (energy detection) sample at the information timing rate to limit the consumption due to the frequency synthesis. However, these solutions, by lumping together the energy contained in the transmission channel, lose one of the major advantages of UWB: excellent intrinsic temporal resolution. Thus these solutions do not have the benefit of the accuracy required to provide the location function. In contrast, the super-regenerator, when the sensitivity function is optimized, effects detection at pulse level, thereby enabling resolutions of the order of magnitude of one nanosecond to be achieved.
In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the reception architecture is optimized to detect a UWB pulse and to demodulate the signal. The oscillator shown in
With no external control input, the damping factor of the cavity of the resonator is linked to the losses of the resonator and has the value
It is found that the sensitivity function s(t) of the receiver is a Gaussian function of time, centered on the sampling time. The sensitivity function is matched to the input signal when the parameter τs of this Gaussian function is matched to the parameter τ of the Gaussian function of the envelope of the UWB signal defined in the introduction (see window w(t)).
To increase the bandwidth of the receiver and achieve a value of τs of 342 ps, a high derivative with respect to is therefore required. A sawtooth or sinusoidal control signal is typically used. The solution therefore consists in increasing the frequency or the amplitude of the control signal. Now, the amplitude of the control signal is directly linked to the consumption of the negative resistance. To envisage a low-consumption receiver, it is preferable to work on the frequency. However, too high a frequency leads to excessively fast sampling of the input signal. Accordingly, the oscillations of the preceding sampling cycle risk not having had the time to be extinguished before a new cycle begins, especially in the case of low-loss passive resonators having a high Q and therefore a low damping factor. The
As shown in
1) the negative slope provides a sensitivity function adapted to the pulse. It is optimized to have τs=τ;
2) the negative area A− is linked to the super-regenerative gain generated by the instability of the oscillator. It is optimized so that the device provides sufficient gain for the shaping stage, behind the oscillator (see
3) the positive slope controls the shape of the output signal. If the slope is identical, in terms of absolute value, to the negative slope, there is found at the output a signal of the same shape as at the input, amplified relative to the input signal;
4) the positive area A+ forces the extinction of the oscillations in the situation where the damping inherent to the resonator is insufficient to extinguish the oscillations. This parameter is important when a relatively fast control signal is used.
The shaping stage may be a threshold detector or an envelope detector. The embodiment using an envelope detector is particularly advantageous since it enables working in both modes of operation of the super-regenerator (linear and logarithmic). The envelope detector converts the high-frequency signal at the oscillator output into a baseband signal at low cost. It may be implemented by half-wave rectification (as shown in
Finally, behind the shaping stage, there is the UWB signal demodulation unit. Two embodiments may be envisaged according to the type of modulation (
In both cases there is an integrator filter 70 that takes the mean value of the rectified signal. In the case of OOK modulation (
This training phase may be costly in energy and another, preferable embodiment uses PPM modulation (
The embodiment described above applies more particularly in direct visibility propagation environments, in which the receiver picks up the dominant direct path from the transmitter. In more complex environments, the receiver receives not only the direct path but also a collection of paths caused by multiple reflections and diffractions. The expressions “multiple paths” and “multipath environment” are used. In this type of environment, the energy picked up is spread out in time.
It is possible to use the solution described above but in this case only a fraction of the total energy is recovered, since a pulse corresponding to a single path is concentrated on. The output signal-to-noise ratio is therefore sub-optimal.
The invention aims to propose an improvement to the single-path super-regenerator to take account of the temporal diversity introduced by the impulse response of the transmission channel. In this other embodiment, N sampling control signals are sent to harvest the energy of the N majority paths. In contrast to solutions of the type described in the patent document WO-A-01 76086 mentioned in the introduction, which necessitate for this a more complex receiver with duplication of the architecture, the implementation proposed by the present invention is simple: the reception of the N paths is effected by controlling the frequency of occurrence of the damping control signal.
To this end there is introduced a battery of delay cells 850 1, 850 2, . . . , 850 N (D1, D2, . . . , DN in
Another solution derived from the preceding one may be envisaged for optimizing demodulation performance. This variant is illustrated by the
The two new demodulation solutions proposed using a super-regenerator, namely the single-path and multipath solutions, necessitate a synchronization phase prior to the demodulation phase. This synchronization phase is indispensable to any form of radio communication and is well known to the person skilled in the art (see for example the document WO-A-01 76086 cited above). It constructs a shape of the sampling and damping control signal that is the optimum for demodulation. In other words, this phase determines, in the first case, the sampling times and, in the second case, also determines the weight to be assigned to each sample. In this synchronization phase, the receiver scrutinizes the channel to determine at which time it receives the pulse. By successively incrementing the time of triggering the sampling control signal as and when the pulse is repeated, the receiver finds the optimum time for the remainder of the communication. In the more sophisticated solution that weights each path, the synchronization phase entails digitization by means of an analog-to-digital converter of the signal at the output of the shaping stage. This digitization enables storage of the received signal and quantization of its level, so as to assign a different weight to each path of the composite response.
To consume minimum energy, radio devices can go to a standby state. In such a state, the elements of the reception subsystem consuming energy are inactive. To restart the active portion in order to perform sophisticated functions such as communication for the purposes of bidirectional exchange of information or location, an auxiliary start-up device is usually necessary. The solution proposed consists in using the super-regenerator coupled to receive a UWB excitation signal to start up the radio receiver. That radio receiver may be a super-regenerator with complex functions, as just described, or, more widely, a narrowband radio device. As in the embodiment with single-path detection described above, a single sample of the composite response of the channel is taken.
If that sample bears witness to the presence of signal in the channel, the complete receiver is started to provide the communication or other functions. To minimize unnecessary starts, an average may be obtained over a plurality of cycles to guarantee the actual presence of signal.
The reception device conforming to the present invention provides excellent temporal resolution since its sensitivity is adjusted to the pulse to be detected. Consequently, using the known method of estimating the round trip time, this device can locate one node from another with great accuracy. This is illustrated by the
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|EP1655853A1||Nov 4, 2004||May 10, 2006||Freelux S.R.L.||Method of shaped-pulses modulation|
|WO2001076086A2||Mar 29, 2001||Oct 11, 2001||Time Domain Corporation||System and method of using multiple correlator receivers in an impulse radio system|
|WO2003009482A1||Jul 14, 2002||Jan 30, 2003||Vadim Leibman||Superregenerative low-power receiver|
|1||Armstrong, Edwin H., "Some Recent Developments of Regenerative Circuits," presented before The Institute of Radio Engineers, New York, NY, Jun. 7, 1922.|
|2||J. R. Whitehead "Super-Regenerative Receivers"-Cambridge At The University Press 1950-pp. 22-63 (24 pages).|
|3||J. R. Whitehead "Super-Regenerative Receivers"—Cambridge At The University Press 1950—pp. 22-63 (24 pages).|
|4||Whitehead, J. R., "Super Regenerative Receivers," Table of Contents, Cambridge at the University Press, 1950.|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US8913648||Nov 13, 2012||Dec 16, 2014||Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.||Receiver and transmitter of coping with interference in super-regenerative communication system, and method of using the receiver and the transmitter|
|US9048943||Mar 14, 2014||Jun 2, 2015||Dockon Ag||Low-power, noise insensitive communication channel using logarithmic detector amplifier (LDA) demodulator|
|US9088333||Dec 6, 2013||Jul 21, 2015||Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E. V.||Receiver|
|US9236892||Mar 14, 2014||Jan 12, 2016||Dockon Ag||Combination of steering antennas, CPL antenna(s), and one or more receive logarithmic detector amplifiers for SISO and MIMO applications|
|US9263787||Mar 14, 2014||Feb 16, 2016||Dockon Ag||Power combiner and fixed/adjustable CPL antennas|
|US9319082||Nov 13, 2014||Apr 19, 2016||Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.||Receiver and transmitter of coping with interference in super-regenerative communication system, and method of using the receiver and the transmitter|
|US9356561||Jun 25, 2015||May 31, 2016||Dockon Ag||Logarithmic amplifier with universal demodulation capabilities|
|US9397382||Mar 14, 2014||Jul 19, 2016||Dockon Ag||Logarithmic amplifier with universal demodulation capabilities|
|US9503133||Dec 3, 2013||Nov 22, 2016||Dockon Ag||Low noise detection system using log detector amplifier|
|US9590572 *||Mar 17, 2014||Mar 7, 2017||Dockon Ag||Logarithmic detector amplifier system for use as high sensitivity selective receiver without frequency conversion|
|US9621203||Dec 3, 2013||Apr 11, 2017||Dockon Ag||Medium communication system using log detector amplifier|
|US9684807||Mar 14, 2014||Jun 20, 2017||Dockon Ag||Frequency selective logarithmic amplifier with intrinsic frequency demodulation capability|
|US20150070058 *||Mar 17, 2014||Mar 12, 2015||Dockon Ag||Logarithmic Detector Amplifier System for Use as High Sensitivity Selective Receiver Without Frequency Conversion|
|US20150070093 *||Mar 14, 2014||Mar 12, 2015||Dockon Ag||Logarithmic Detector Amplifier System for Use as High Sensitivity Selective Receiver Without Frequency Conversion|
|U.S. Classification||375/130, 375/367, 375/260, 701/532|
|International Classification||H04B1/00, H04B1/69|
|Cooperative Classification||H03D11/02, G01S13/0209, H04B1/71637, H03D11/06, G01S7/292, H04B1/719|
|European Classification||G01S13/02B, G01S7/292, H03D11/06, H03D11/02, H04B1/7163E|
|Apr 24, 2007||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, FRANCE
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PELISSIER, MICHAEL;MORCHE, DOMINIQUE;REEL/FRAME:019202/0005
Effective date: 20070404
|May 16, 2014||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4


text:
When deciding to grow orchids, it’s crucial to provide them with conditions that closely resemble their natural habitat. Even if you make every effort to keep your orchids alive, they’re unlikely to thrive if the environment doesn’t match their needs. It’s best to choose orchids that are well-suited to your local climate and environment and consider factors like temperature, light, ventilation, heating, and humidity when caring for them.
Orchids can be purchased from various outlets, including garden centers, nurseries, supermarkets, and specialist orchid nurseries. Each of these places has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to buy the right orchid for your conditions.
If you purchase an orchid from a general retailer, make sure to inspect it closely and ask when it was delivered to the store. Since the retailer may not be a specialist, the orchid might not have been handled properly over its shelf-life. Garden centers are a better option, as they often have orchid specialists on hand to provide expert advice and demonstrations on caring for the plants they specialize in.
Specialist orchid nurseries offer a wide range of orchid plants that have been expertly maintained by staff members with experience in caring for specific species of orchids. They often provide free telephone assistance and offer orchid care demonstrations and classes.
Orchid shows and exhibitions organized by local orchid societies are also great places to purchase orchids and obtain information on orchid care, cultivation, equipment, and resources.
While orchids can also be purchased online, buyers should be cautious and do their research to ensure they receive high-quality plants.
The optimal cultivation of orchids depends on crucial factors such as temperature, light, ventilation, heating, and humidity, which ultimately determine the suitability of an environment for a particular orchid species to thrive.
There are three main types of orchids that can be cultivated based on their preferred climate conditions. The temperature requirements for each group reflect the lowest night-time temperature that the orchid can tolerate for prolonged periods. If the maximum temperature level is exceeded, the orchid will become stressed.
Cool-climate orchids come from chilly mountain areas where the average temperature remains low even in summer. These orchids require a day-time temperature range between 18°C and 27°C (65-80°F) and a night-time temperature range between 8°C and 16°C (52-60°F).
Moderate-climate orchids grow in similar conditions, but at lower altitudes than cool-climate orchids. They require a day-time temperature range between 20°C and 24°C (68-75°F) and a night-time temperature range between 13°C and 16°C (58-60°F).
Warm-climate orchids are found in tropical and subtropical areas and prefer consistent warmth throughout the year with minor temperature fluctuations. These orchids require a day-time temperature range between 24°C and 27°C (75-80°F) and a night-time temperature range between 18°C and 20°C (65-68°F).
Moderate temperature fluctuations are beneficial for all orchids, and monitoring minimum and maximum temperatures is crucial for healthy growth. Extreme conditions for extended periods can inhibit growth. In case of sudden midsummer heat waves or cold spring evenings, orchids should be sheltered in cooler locations with sufficient humidity.
Most orchids require several hours of sunlight, but intense direct sunlight can be harmful. Cool-white fluorescent tubes can be used indoors to create the correct quality and intensity of light. Cattleya orchids, Laelia orchids, and Vandaceous orchids can tolerate direct sunlight, but most prefer dappled or filtered sunlight. Outdoor orchids should be placed in a shady spot with gentle early morning or late afternoon light, shade cloth can be used to provide additional shelter.
Most orchids, including the popular species, grow in environments with intense sunlight at the tree canopy level, but filtered by the thick plant growth lower down the trunk. When selecting orchid plants to cultivate, it’s important to consider their positioning relative to windows in your home if you plan to have an indoor garden, and the seasonal direction and intensity of sunlight. Like most plants, several hours of sunlight are essential for orchids, and the correct quality and intensity of light is crucial for your particular orchid.
Some orchid species, such as Cattleya, Laelia, and Vandaceous orchids, can tolerate prolonged periods of direct sunlight, while most prefer dappled or filtered sunlight. You can achieve this easily in a home garden by using blinds or curtains, or by using cool-white fluorescent tubes hung directly above the plants.
If you plan to grow your orchids outdoors, find a shady spot with gentle early morning or late afternoon light, as full midday sunlight would be too intense. You can also use shade-cloth to protect your orchids.
Most orchid varieties require good air circulation to thrive, but it’s important to avoid placing them directly in the path of a cold draft from a window or air conditioner. An open window providing a gentle breeze is ideal, and you can use a small oscillating fan to keep the indoor atmosphere fresh. Stagnant air should be avoided, as free-flowing and gentle summer breezes are great for orchids. However, be cautious not to subject your orchids to strong gusts of wind.
The majority of orchids require a humid environment to thrive. If you live in an area with cold winters and central heating, you need to be aware that the heating system can quickly dry out the air. To address the issue of low humidity caused by central heating, you can place a small humidifier in the orchid growing area. Bathrooms are ideal locations for growing orchids due to their high humidity levels.
In a hot and dry environment, regular misting of orchids is necessary. If you have a large collection of orchids, you may want to consider investing in a wet-pad evaporative cooler.
During summer, whether your orchids are kept indoors or outdoors, they will require more frequent watering, and misting is also important in both situations.
A recommended care and maintenance routine:
- Morning: – check all orchids and provide them with water if necessary.
- Mid-morning: – spray greenhouse floors.
- Midday: – mist the orchids if necessary (especially on those ultra-hot days.)
- Mid-afternoon: – mist again.
- Late afternoon: – check all orchids to ensure that there is no water left on any of their leaves from earlier watering.
- Weekly: – add orchid fertilizer as required. Check for any pests and diseases and treat accordingly. Stake all emerging flower stems.
Pests and Diseases in orchids
Regardless of where you grow your orchids, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, in pots, or in a controlled greenhouse environment, you will eventually have to deal with pests and diseases.
It can be devastating to discover that the orchid you have carefully tended to for months has been attacked by slugs, had its pollen eaten by a mouse, or been infested with mealybugs on its new growth.
Prevention is better than cure and can go a long way in extending the life of your orchid and its blooming period. One good practice to start with is to buy orchids from a reputable nursery or garden center. These carefully grown plants are typically resistant to bacterial and fungal diseases and are less likely to have pests.
Additionally, if possible, place newly purchased orchids in a quarantine area before integrating them with the rest of your collection or at least keep them separate until you are sure they are disease and pest-free.
The common pests
Ants are an indication of aphids on orchids as they feed on the honeydew that aphids secrete. Ants can also transfer scale and make nests in pots, which break down compost and prevent proper aeration. Use organic insecticide and treat the entire plant to counter the problem.
Aphids can be green, black, brown, or orange and multiply rapidly in warm, dry weather. They also secrete honeydew, which attracts ants and results in sooty mold. For minor infestations, spray aphids with tepid water or wash the infected areas with insecticidal soap. For serious infestations, use a general insecticide. Check regularly as aphids can be persistent.
False spider mites are smaller than red spider mites and cause silvery-colored pitting on the top and underside of leaves. Mist the leaves or clean them with insecticidal soap and water to kill adult mites. Use a miticide and repeat the treatment every ten days to kill any eggs to prevent recurrence.
Leaf hoppers are tiny, white, sap-sucking flies that stay on the underside of leaves, flowers, and new growth. Use sticky fly-traps or appropriate insecticide to counter them.
Leaf miners are little grubs that spread virus-related disease, destroying leaves and stems. Cut away damaged stems and apply a systemic insecticide.
Mealy bugs are oval-shaped, grey-whitish fluffy-looking insects that attack the underside of leaves and new growth, even the flower. They secrete honeydew, causing sooty mold. Use a cotton swab and clean affected areas with a mild liquid detergent or insecticidal soap for minor infestations. Apply drastic measures for bad infestations, such as cutting off an affected orchid flower if necessary.
Snails and slugs eat through root tips, flower buds, and pseudobulbs of orchids. Use organic control, such as luring them to a saucer of beer or collecting them by hand in the morning. Commercial slug and snail pellets can be used, but they are harmful to pets.
Red spider mites attack Cymbidium and Lyscastes orchids, leaving web-like film on the underside of leaves. Mist the leaves regularly and use the same countermeasures as for false spider mites.
Rats and mice can be destructive as they eat orchid flower pollen. Use commercial poison and set traps to counter them.
Scale insects attack orchids and are sap-sucking insects that leave yellow patches on the leaves and secrete honeydew, resulting in sooty mold. Use a soft brush and insecticidal soap and water to remove scale, taking care not to damage leaves. Use a 50:50 solution of water and denatured alcohol. For serious infestations, repeat the treatment and use systemic application of organic insecticide.
Thrips are tiny winged insects that chew up orchids, causing scarring and discoloration. Use appropriate organic insecticide to counter them.
Weevils are hard-bodied beetles that chew into the soft tissue areas of the orchid plant. Spray or dust the orchid with appropriate insecticide to counter them.
The common viruses
Sooty mold is a black fungal growth that develops on orchids due to the honeydew secretions of aphids, mealy bugs, and scale insects. It blocks the light that reaches the leaves and leads to the deterioration of the orchid. To treat it, you can wash the orchid leaves with a soapy solution or a 50:50 mix of water and denatured alcohol. It’s important to eliminate the pests that are causing the honeydew to prevent further growth of sooty mold.
Cymbidium mosaic is a common orchid virus that appears as a dark, sunken patch or streak on the leaves. It can cause a lack of vigor in the plants and may even affect other orchids. The best approach is to prevent the virus from spreading and remove affected plants.
Tobacco mosaic and yellow bean mosaic are viruses that cause mottled patches of yellow and green on orchid leaves, as well as streaky, dark-colored flowers. These viruses pose the most significant risk to Cymbidium and Masdevallia orchids. The solution is to remove the affected orchids.
The Odontoglossum ringspot virus appears as circular blemishes on orchid leaves, which can eventually cause deformities in the flowers. The best course of action is to remove the affected orchid.
Preventing orchid pests and diseases
- Prevention is better than cure: Prevent disease in your orchid.
- Be vigilant. Check on a regular basis for any visible sign of pest and disease infestation.
- Maintain a clean, well-balanced growing environment.
- Buy only healthy, quality plants from a reputable source.
- Quarantine all new plants for a minimum of two weeks before integrating it with an existing collection.
- Use only sterilized cutting tools.
- Only reuse pots that have been disinfected with a bleach solution.
- Do not reuse compost or potting soil.
- Do not water an orchid with the runoff of another.
Tips for using insecticides
- Select the appropriate insecticide or pesticide for the specific affliction the orchid is suffering.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to mix and apply the products precisely according to the instructions.
- Apply insecticide in moderate temperatures to avoid damage to the orchid.
- Keep pets and children away from the area while spraying.
- Make use of gloves and a face mask as well as goggles when applying spray.
- Wash any part of your shin thoroughly if it came into contact with the insecticide solution.
- Safely dispose of all unused mixture.
- Store insecticide out of reach of children and under lock and key.
Providing a controlled environment
If you have a small number of orchids, you may not need to worry much about regulating their environment. However, as your collection expands, it becomes more important. The type of environment control you choose will depend on the types of orchids you grow, whether it’s one genus or many. Options for controlled environments include sun-rooms, conservatories, shade houses, lath houses, or even polythene tunnels.

domain: hobby


text:
Book to shine spotlight on clergy
I am doing research for a new book on the clergy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Early on in our history, and up to the present time, clergy of all denominations have had to overcome many obstacles to tend their flocks.
Many of their stories are in danger of being lost. If you have a family member or know of someone who deserves to be remembered, please contact me at 7262411 or email@example.com.

domain: literature


text:
Tuning in to Crystal’s next luxury river cruise liner
I finally got my first glimpse of Crystal River Cruises first purpose-built river cruise ships a few weeks back, in Cologne, Germany. The line’s newly launched Crystal Bach was tied up behind the one I was travelling aboard, and I went over to the pier to have a closer look.
Crystal Bach is wholly unique on the rivers of Europe; as distinct in shape and style as Viking River Cruises’ Viking Longships were when they first debuted back in 2012. For Crystal, though, it’s all about luxury — something the line takes every opportunity to tout. Indeed, its superlative-laden news releases are a bit over-the-top. But, as I stood next to Crystal Bach and gazed up at it, I think Crystal might be on to something.
First, there’s the ship’s gorgeous Palm Court Lounge, which has glass windows that curve attractively upwards to form part of the ship’s ceiling. Europe’s rivers are full of low-bridges, including more than a few on the sail up the Rhine into Cologne; passing close to one of these behemoths must be especially impressive from Crystal’s Palm Court.
The other thing that’s apparent about Crystal Bach, from the outside at least, is that the ship’s wheelhouse has cleverly been relocated to the very bow of the ship. Not only does this give Crystal Bach something of a powerful, commanding appearance, but it also provided the space for her designers to put something truly unique in its place: a “pop-up” bar.
The ship’s Vista Bar, mounted on the uppermost sun deck, can be retracted into the floor in order for the ship to pass under low bridges. But, when the ship is docked or in areas that permit it, guests can enjoy a cool cocktail (always included in the price on Crystal) up on deck as the Rhine or the Danube pass by.
That’s in addition to all of the other noteworthy features about these ships — from their suites fitted with lavish b and amenities like Etro robes and slippers and in-suite Nespresso machines, to the unique design of Crystal’s new river cruise ships that seeks to bring the best features from the line’s oceangoing ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, to the waterways of Europe.
Now, Crystal has just taken delivery of its second Rhine Class river cruise ship, Crystal Mahler. A direct sister to Crystal Bach, the 106-guest Crystal Mahler will make her home on the Rhine and the Danube, operating a series of seven-, 11- and 16-day voyages throughout Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and the Netherlands.
On hand for the launch of Crystal Mahler was Tom Wolber, the line’s newly appointed CEO, who succe the outgoing Edie Rodriguez as head of Crystal. “Welcoming this stunning new ship to Crystal’s celebrated fleet is incredibly gratifying, as we continue to expand the celebrated Crystal Experience to a broader audience of discerning world travellers,” he said. “Like her sister ships, Crystal Mahler surpasses all previously established standards of luxury in the river cruising industry, with Crystal’s signature service and attention to detail that our guests have long expected from the ‘world’s best.’ ”
Wolber, who comes to Crystal with a decade of experience at Disney Cruise Line, will oversee the rest of Crystal’s expansion plans — which include the design and launch of three new hybrid expedition and luxury cruise ships between 2019 and 2021.
For Crystal, the past few years have been a time of unprecedented expansion and investment, but these plans have been far from problem-free. Crystal reneged on plans to reintroduce the historic S.S. United States to service; cancelled its much-hyped Crystal Air Cruise program just weeks before its debut; and continually monkeyed with its river cruise itineraries and launch dates.
Looking at Crystal Bach at her berth in Cologne, it’s obvious the line did a great job with its inaugural river cruise product: the ship looks amazing. But it is the new kid on the block in one of the most competitive and fast-growing segments of the travel industry, and Crystal will have to back up that great-looking ship with an onboard experience to match.
Visit Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at [email protected]

domain: geography


text:
Chickenpox. Every child goes through them at some point, and every parent has to deal with the fallout – a very fussy child for a few days! As much of a pain as they are, however, it’s important to get them out of the way nice and early. Many parents will even actively try and get their kids infected.
In saying that, when your child is infected, you should never, ever give your child ibuprofen when they have the chickenpox. The consequences could be very, very severe!
What Are Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a viral illness, which means there is no cure, but the treatments available usually focus on managing the symptoms. They will soothe the itchy skin, and reduce pain and fever. Commonly recommended medications include paracetamol and ibuprofen.
HOWEVER. You should never give your child ibuprofen if they are suffering from chickenpox. A recent social media post from a woman called Hayley Lyons, brought this all to light when she followed her doctor’s advice and gave her child ibuprofen. She very quickly realized this was a mistake, and has since shared her experiences with everyone.
Hayley recently experienced something most parents do when their kids are young: her son Lewis came down with a case of chickenpox. Several doctors prescribed children’s ibuprofen, which is an anti-inflammatory medication commonly prescribed to treat chickenpox. So, Hayley gave the meds to Lewis. After all, she thought, who are we to question a doctor’s prescription?
But Hayley was soon about to realize that while children’s ibuprofen is a perfectly normal way to treat other conditions, it’s not something that Lewis should have taken for his chickenpox. Her son’s health began to decline. Not only did Lewis’ temperature continue to rise, but the pox became severely blistered and painful. Despite the fact doctors said it was still a “normal” case of chickenpox, Hayley’s motherly instincts kicked in.
CONTINUE READING ON NEXT PAGE

domain: medical


text:
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Friday that most health insurance
plans must cover contraceptives for women free of charge, and it
rejected a broad exemption sought by the Roman Catholic Church for
insurance provided to employees of Catholic hospitals, colleges and
Federal officials said they would give such church-affiliated organizations one additional year — until Aug. 1, 2013 — to comply with the requirement. Most other employers and insurers must comply by this Aug. 1.
Read the complete story(Some news sites require registration)

domain: news


text:
"Wounds of the Soul" - Black ink drawing on medium grain, 300 gr, 100% cotton Magnani paper.
The drawing recalls the symbolic meaning of the Butterfly (in greek "psyké"), representing human potentiality in its evolution: progression and/or regression. Conscience and existence depending on overlapping experiences (signs, wounds) of the subconscious.
From the series "fossils".
"Italia" - Black ink drawing on medium grain, 300 gr, 100% cotton Magnani paper.
The Italic monster, eaten alive and now reduced to bones, keeps looking back, holding its new born creature tight on its back - immobilized and under control. The golden age is far away, the vital organs hang suffering. The womb is entangled in filamentous laces, which are all our castrations, bans, conformisms and fears.
From the series "Fossils"
"Born to Fly" - Black ink drawing on medium grain, 300 gr, 100% cotton Magnani paper.
The intricate dance of bones in an imaginary momentless eternity, suspended in time.
Black ink drawing on medium grain, 300 gr, 100% cotton Fabriano paper.
Roman landscape, especially in the suburbs, suffers savage land erosion and building speculation. Human dimension is lost in futuristic buildings and old structures, cement blocks and unfinished roads. Black holes and multitudes of levels and planes create an incongruous no-man land, with no direction to take.
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro new headquarters, Stazione Tiburtina, Rome.
"Remember" - black ink drawing on 200 gr 100% cotton watercolor paper.
"Solitude" - black ink on smooth 100% cotton watercolor paper.
Scene of Venetian gondolas.
"Mandrione" - black ink on 100% cotton watercolor paper.
Roman landscape, with its characteristic aqueduct and railway.
"Urban #1" - black ink on 100% cotton watercolor paper.
Roman suburb, around Stazione Tiburtina.

domain: artistic


text:
Around the 2nd International Conference on Land Grabbing this week, we’re running a series of guest blogs by conference speakers. The first is by Dr Matias Margulis, who is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and Assistant Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia.
High-level meetings, policies and negotiations seem a long way from farmers’ fields. But although land grabs occur in very defined geographic localities, there has been an increasing interest by activists, policymakers and researchers in global and transnational forms of land governance. In the last three years, two very high profile global rule-making projects have directly sought to address land grabbing: the recently endorsed Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security and the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture (still under development). Given the history of the international system, these developments are truly novel and significant because they represent the emergence of what one might call global/transnational land governance – something which has never existed before.
Although these governance processes seem very distant from the local, we know from experience in other fields such as human rights, labour, international trade and environmental standards that transnational and global governance can have a major influence on developments on the ground. This matters when thinking about current and future policies and strategies that may facilitate land grabbing, but that may also be a potential means to curb and/or limit its worst excesses. This doesn’t mean that global and transnational governance is more important than local or national levels of governance; but it is an important piece of the puzzle that needs to be better understood.
Scholars of global and transnational governance are interested in explaining why new governance instruments are created: that is, why do actors agree on the need for new and more governance? Who participates, and how, in the design, negotiation and implementation of new governance processes? And do new governance instruments achieve their intended outcomes? Why or why not? Lastly, do new governance instruments lead to unanticipated and unforeseen consequences? These questions are particularly important to ask and answer in the case of land grabbing – an issue that has very real, direct and immediate consequences for the livelihoods of millions of people.
The emergent global/transnational land governance is so new that, at this point, scholarship has more questions than answers. However, several characteristics are becoming clear. There will be no single overarching institution to ‘govern’ land grabs, nor is it likely to take the form of an international binding treaty. This is evident in both the voluntary, soft-law approaches of the Voluntary Guidelines and the Principles. However, these outcomes should not be interpreted as governance failures or that these instruments are devoid of regulatory power. Scholars of global and transnational governance have long pointed out that over the last twenty years, the general pattern has been a shift away from ‘hard’, binding international law towards differentiated forms of governance, including voluntary forms, and hybrid public and private arrangements. Some, but not all, of these governance arrangements can be highly effective, especially those in the environmental field. Therefore, there may be important lessons to draw from what has worked and what hasn’t in other fields of governance: both in terms of the specific rules and implementation processes, but also from transnational advocacy campaigns and norm-generating activities, especially for those interested in mitigating the potentially negative impacts of land grabbing.
A big unknown is the future course of emergent global/transnational land grabbing. For example, research into global governance has found that global and transnational governance outcomes are less a result of a single institution, but instead are mediated through the interaction of several institutions that may or may not be formally linked and coordinated. This is of course evident in the case of the Voluntary Guidelines and Principles that now are likely to operate concurrently in some form. Indeed, the fact that the Principles are now being ‘integrated’ into the implementation work of the Voluntary Guidelines is an important development.
However, it is also important to look beyond the Voluntary Guidelines and Principles, as land tenure and investment in agriculture are very likely to be influenced by developments in other governance fields. For example, there is already substantial evidence of the role of bilateral investment treaties in driving land grabs by privileging the interests of investors and supporting these interests through the power of the law. Less well understood, for example, are the implications of new initiatives in other sectors such as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradations (REDD +) and future agreements in international trade in environmental goods and services.

domain: sociology


text:
Through the work of MassInc, with support from municipal and state officials, Massachusetts is beginning to recognize the vital role that Gateway Cities like Lowell play in the health of the Commonwealth. Perhaps even more importantly, these mid-sized cities have the potential to serve as drivers of economic development for the state in the coming decades. As large segments of the Millennial and Baby Boom generations migrate to urban locations, leading businesses are increasingly focusing their growth in the places where they can find highly talented Millennial workers. The increasing allure of urban places has caused many developers in southern and western states to attempt to recreate traditional downtowns and walkable neighborhoods where none historically existed. Massachusetts however enjoys truly authentic historic urban places throughout the Commonwealth in its Gateway Cities, which provide the state with a significant potential comparative advantage.
However, two major challenges hinder the state’s ability to unlock the true potential of its Gateway Cities as economic engines. First, education policies must be reformed to address the systemic socio-economic conditions which artificially and, in many cases, undeservedly diminish the reputation of public schools in the Gateway Cities. Second, state action is needed to combat market conditions in the Gateway Cities that complicate and in many cases prevent major economic development projects that could radically transform those markets from attaining viability.
MassInc has recently released a report documenting both the opportunities for and challenges to implementing truly transformative real estate development projects in the Gateway Cities. The report also serves as a call to action, identifying specific steps that should be taken to help stimulate the significant economic development potential in the Gateway Cities through carefully targeted investments and technical assistance. MassInc has also launched a Gateway Cities education reform initiative.
Lowell stands to benefit greatly from these efforts and has actively supported and informed this work. City Manager Lynch and Assistant City Manager Adam Baacke, along with Mayors Caulfield, Milinazzo, and Murphy have all been engaged with MassInc’s Gateway Cities initiatives. Lowell’s state delegation has also signed on to cosponsor House Bill 3318, the legislation that has been proposed to begin to implement the Gateway Cities Transformative Investments Program. We look forward to working with them toward passing this important legislation which can help advance the Hamilton Canal District, ongoing Downtown revitalization, neighborhood stabilization, and the reinvention of the Tanner Street corridor.


text:
Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as an MRI Technologist PRN OS? At HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.Benefits
HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
- Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
- Fertility and family building benefits through Progyny
- Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
- Family support, including adoption assistance, child and elder care resources and consumer discounts
- 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Retirement readiness and rollover services and preferred banking partnerships
- Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
- Colleague recognition program
- Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
You contribute to our success. Every role has an impact on our patients' lives and you have the opportunity to make a difference. We are looking for a dedicated MRI Technologist PRN OS like you to be a part of our team.Job Summary and Qualifications
Under the direction of the Radiologist, is able to perform MRI Scans and all related duties on the GE 1.5 and the 0.2 Profile magnets. Is able to obtain images which are used by physicians to diagnose the nature and extent of various pathologies. Participates in the establishment of scan protocols and in the execution of specific applications. Is responsible for contrast administration and maintaining knowledge and practice of MRI safety techniques. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the core values. The employee shall support Osceola Hospital's strategic plan and the goals and direction of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).What qualifications you will need:
- Graduate of an approved School of Diagnostic Technology
- Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
- Florida State Registered Radiologic Technologist
- Registered with ARRT (R) at hire
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) through ARRT at hire or within 12 months of hire
This role requires you to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 based on local, state and /or federal law or regulations (unless a medical or religious exemption is approved).
HCA Florida Osceola Hospital is a 404-bed tertiary care hospital. We are accredited by the Joint Commission and are a Level II Trauma Center. We are a teaching hospital in collaboration with UCF College of Medicine. Our hospital is conveniently and centrally located in the Heart of Kissimmee. We are only minutes from Orlando, St. Cloud, Celebration, and Poinciana. We are committed to enhancing the standard of healthcare by providing services including Emergency Care, Trauma Care, Pediatric ER, Heart & Vascular Institute, and Comprehensive Stroke Center. Other services include The Baby Suites Maternity Care, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Level II, Women's Services, Behavioral Health, Orthopedics & Spine, and a Graduate Medical Education Program. We expand our care to the community with our freestanding Emergency Department at Hunter's Creek ER.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses."Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our MRI Technologist PRN OS opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Apply on company website


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An ideal text for students in sport facility and event management courses as well as an invaluable reference for managers and industry professionals. The updates to this third edition include an expanded discussion of naming rights and privatisation and a comprehensive event manual. This edition also features a new chapter entitled "Booking & Scheduling".
Kundernes boganmeldelser af Sport Facility Management
Anmeld bogen og vær med i konkurrencen om gavekort – læs mere her.


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LEGO is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company with special new LEGO sets that will be available in June.
(Please note this article contains affiliate links. Your purchase will support LaughingPlace by providing us a small commission, but will not affect your pricing or user experience. Thank you.)
- LEGO is introducing special new lego sets celebrating Disney100, from Disney Villains to our favorite duos for all eras of Disney Animation.
- All three sets are being released on June 1st of this year but can be pre-ordered now.
- Showcase your passion for all things related to Disney Villains just in time for the Disney 100th anniversary with this LEGO Disney Villain Icons building set for adults.
- This detailed Disney villain collectible set features 2 brick-built VHS cases referencing Disney’s Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty, a VHS ‘tape’ of The Little Mermaid, a book representing Beauty and the Beast, a Queen of Hearts playing card for Alice in Wonderland, a ‘poison’ apple for Snow White and a pocket watch representing Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
- The set also features several hidden features and functions and makes a nostalgic bookend on a shelf. Disney memorabilia display This premium, collectible LEGO set includes 4 well-known villain characters from iconic Disney movies, including Disney’s Maleficent, the Evil Queen in Disguise from Snow White, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast and Jafar Genie from Aladdin, and can make a unique and distinctive Disney gift for display. Contains 1,540 pieces.
- Appeal to movie fans and kids aged 6 and up with this LEGO Disney: Disney Duos set, which includes 4 pairs of iconic brick-built collectible figures from classic movies just in time for Disney’s 100th anniversary.
- Each character is posable, and every pair comes with a connectable display stand featuring a Disney-100th-anniversary-decorated element.
- As they build, kids can enjoy an easy and intuitive adventure with the LEGO Builder app. They can zoom in and rotate models in 3D, save sets and track their progress. Favorite Disney characters This premium set is packed with beloved companion character pairs, including Lumiere and Cogsworth from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Pua and Hei Hei from Moana, Nemo and Squirt from Finding Nemo and Meeko and Percy from Pocahontas.
- The set is perfect for display and will be something everyone talks about when they see it. Contains 533 pieces.
- Inspire kids ages 7 and up to new heights of imaginative play with this LEGO Disney The Enchanted Treehouse set. It has a 2-level tree house construction toy, waterfall, zip line, 13 LEGO mini-doll figures, plus lots of accessories and features to inspire play, including a cave hidden behind the waterfall and a secret staircase in the tree house.
- As they build, kids can enjoy an easy and intuitive adventure with the LEGO Builder app, zooming in and rotating models, and tracking progress.
- This set sparks creative storytelling and helps grow kids’ confidence as they play with beloved characters. The set works for group play and can be added to other LEGO Disney sets (sold separately) for more fun.
- Created to celebrate the Disney 100th anniversary, this premium set is packed with mini Princess Disney dolls, including Disney’s Mulan, Raya, Elsa, Moana, Tinker Bell, Alice, Wendy, Belle, Tiana, Anna, Pocahontas, Princess Jasmine and Mirabel. Makes a fun birthday, holiday, and any-time gift to impress Disney fans of any age. Contains 1,016 pieces.

domain: entertainment


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Published in Obesity and Diabetes Week, October 10th, 2005
According to a study from Nigeria and the United States, "There are scant data from African populations on the association between beta-cell function and response to treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Fasting plasma C-peptide (FCP) and glucagon-stimulated C-peptide (GSCP) levels were measured in 116 Nigerians with T2DM at a university teaching hospital."
"After nine months of follow-up and treatment, they were categorized into three groups...
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domain: biology


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Academic Support Officer
Job no: 0052092 Location: Parkville Role type: Two positions available - Full-time 1.0 FTE (Continuing) Faculty: Faculty of Science Department/School: School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences & School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences Salary: UOM 5 – $79,961 – $91,844 p.a. plus 17% super
About the Role You will provide high quality administrative support for the faculty's academic programs within the Schools. You will provide policy and procedural advice to School staff and student-related central staff. You will also provide quality administrative support to course conveners and students and implements effective processes for academic programs administration in the School.
Your responsibilities will include:
Who We Are Looking For
You will have a proven track record in administrative support, ideally in student administration in the tertiary education sector, showcasing strong judgment, initiative, and time management abilities while prioritizing tasks efficiently. The ideal candidate should also exhibit a dedication to delivering exceptional customer service, a commitment to continuous improvement, self-motivation, flexibility, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
You will also have:
For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.
This position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check to ensure the University provides a safe environment for everyone.
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.
Your New Team – “School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences“ & “School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences“ The School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences was formally established in 2021, following the merger of the Schools of Geography and Earth Sciences. The new School synergises discipline strengths in geography, atmospheric science and geoscience. The School offers undergraduate and graduate research programs in these core discipline areas, and in the multi- disciplinary fields of Climate Change, Environmental Science and Archaeological Science.
The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences has a vision of science for flourishing environments and communities. The School brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!
About the University of Melbourne We're tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.
Be Yourself The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.
We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact the email address listed at the bottom of the page.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.
For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https: // about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring
Join Us! If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:
^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to https:// about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria
If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Ana Gencic via email at [email protected], ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.
Advertised: 19 Sep 2023 12:05 AM AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 02 Oct 2023 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Academic Support Officer
University of Melbourne
September 19, 2023
October 02, 2023
Agricultural Science,Geosciences,Physics,Social Science
About the employer
When the University of Melbourne was established in 1853, it was a mere cluster of buildings in a large park on the fringe of the city, with four professors and 16 students. The university now sits at the heart of a thriving international city and is consistently ranked among the leading universities in the world and number one in Australia.
Over 8,000 academic and professional staff support a vibrant student body of around 65,000, including 30,000 international students from over 130 countries around the world. Four Australian prime ministers and five governors-general have graduated from the University of Melbourne, located in the city dubbed Australia’s “cultural capital”.
Indeed, Melbourne is a seven times winner of the Economist’s World’s Most Livable City award, and is a UNESCO City of Literature, as well as the birthplace of Australian rules football and a major center for street art, music, and theatre.
Melbourne is known for offering students an experience that’s a lot more than just structured learning. The main Parkville campus is close to transport, cafes, shopping, arts and sports venues and accommodation.
Students will find a blistering array of cultural activities on campus here, be it theatre, comedy, film or public lectures, and it’s easy to find people with matching interests by joining one of over 200 affiliated clubs and societies, ranging from Chess Club to Women in Science and Engineering, to the Chocolate Lovers’ Society. Sports enthusiasts are well catered for too, with a 25-metre six-lane heated indoor pool, an athletics track and sports field, and a large strength and fitness gym.
The university has 10 residential colleges where most students live, which provide a quick way to build an academic and social network. Each college provides sporting and cultural programs to enrich the academic experience, which is at the center of university life.
Degrees at the University of Melbourne stand out for being modelled on those from top institutions overseas. Students spend a year exploring a range of subject areas before choosing a major. They also study subjects outside as well as inside their chosen discipline, giving Melbourne students a breadth of knowledge that sets them apart.