Abstract: A receiver receives communications over a communication channel, which may distort an incoming communication signal. In order to counter this distortion, the frequency response of the receiver is manipulated by adjusting several frequency response parameters. Each frequency response parameter controls at least a portion of the frequency response of the receiver. The optimal values for the frequency response parameters are determined by modifying an initial set of values for the frequency response parameters through one or more of stochastic hill climbing operations until a performance metric associated with the receiver reaches a local maximum. The modified values are displaced through one or more mutation operations. The stochastic hill climbing operations may subsequently be performed on the mutated values to generate the final values for the frequency response parameters.

Abstract: A receiver receives communications over a communication channel, which may distort an incoming communication signal. In order to counter this distortion, the frequency response of the receiver is manipulated by adjusting several frequency response parameters. Each frequency response parameter controls at least a portion of the frequency response of the receiver. The optimal values for the frequency response parameters are determined by modifying an initial set of values for the frequency response parameters through one or more of stochastic hill climbing operations until a performance metric associated with the receiver reaches a local maximum. The modified values are displaced through one or more mutation operations. The stochastic hill climbing operations may subsequently be performed on the mutated values to generate the final values for the frequency response parameters.

Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container for food or drink comprises inner and outer vessels defining a reaction cell between their mutually facing walls is provided. The reaction cell is divided into first and second chambers by a rupturable membrane. A liquid chemical reagent is filled into the second chamber which is at ambient pressure, and a solid chemical reagent is placed in the first chamber which is at sub-atmospheric pressure. The sub-atmospheric pressure in the first chamber causes a rapid and thorough mixing of the chemical reagents, and shaking the container after the initial rupture of the membrane assists that rapid mixing. Preferably the second chamber is elastically deformable to increase its internal volume, for example being formed with corrugated walls. Alternatively the reaction cell may be provided with pressure relief valve means.