Reversible data hiding based on RSBEMD coding and adaptive multi-segment left and right histogram shifting

By leveraging the secret data coding using the remainder storage based exploiting modification direction (RSBEMD), and the pixel change operation recording based on multi-segment left and right histogram shifting, a novel reversible data hiding (RHD) scheme is proposed in this paper. The secret data are first encoded by some specific pixel change operations to the pixels in groups. After that, multi-segment left and right histogram shifting based on threshold manipulation is implemented for recording the pixel change operations. Furthermore, a multiple embedding policy based on chess board prediction (CBP) and threshold manipulation is put forward, and the threshold can be adjusted to achieve adaptive data hiding. Experimental results and analysis show that it is reversible and can achieve good performance in capacity and imperceptibility compared with the existing methods.     

Multimodal sensing and active continuous closed‐loop feedback for achieving reliable manipulation in the outdoor physical world

The use of field robots can greatly decrease the amount of time, effort, and associated risk compared to if human workers were to carryout certain tasks such as disaster response. However, transportability and reliability remain two main issues for most current robot systems. To address the issue of transportability, we have developed a lightweight modularizable platform named AeroArm. To address the issue of reliability, we utilize a multimodal sensing approach, combining the use of multiple sensors and sensor types, and the use of different detection algorithms, as well as active continuous closed‐loop feedback to accurately estimate the state of the robot with respect to the environment. We used Challenge 2 of the 2017 Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Competition as an example outdoor manipulation task, demonstrating the capabilities of our robot system and approach in achieving reliable performance in the fields, and ranked fifth place internationally in the competition.     

Strategic planning optimization for natural gas to liquid transportation fuel (GTL) systems

A strategic planning optimization model is proposed for a network of natural gas to liquids (GTL) systems, and it is solved using a rolling horizon strategy. The model formulation determines the strategic and tactical decisions of the GTL supply chain over a long time horizon. The decisions to build new GTL refineries may be made over the span of 30 years and their operations cover the span of 60 years. Multiple capacities of GTL refineries (i.e., 1, 5, 10, 50, and 200 thousand barrels per day) that produce gasoline, diesel, and kerosene commensurate to the United States demand ratio may exist in the network. The parameter inputs include the locations, availabilities, and prices of natural gas in the United States discretized by county, the delivery locations of fuel products, and the transportation costs of every input and output of the refinery, defined for each time period. Formulated as a large-scale mixed-integer linear optimization (MILP) model, the problem is solved using a rolling horizon strategy for tractability. Case studies on the state of Pennsylvania are presented for different planning schemes and their impact on the economic performance of the GTL network is discussed.     

Distributed ledger technology in supply chains: a transaction cost perspective

With the emergence of distributed ledger technology (DLT), numerous practitioners and researchers have proclaimed its beneficial impact on supply chain transactions in the future. However, the vast majority of DLT initiatives are discontinued after a short period. With the full potential of DLT laying far down the road, especially managers in supply chain management (SCM) seek for short-term cost-saving effects of DLT in order to achieve long-term benefits of DLT in the future. However, the extant research has bypassed grounding long-term as well as short-term effects of DLT on supply chain transaction with empirical data. We address this shortcoming, following an abductive research approach and combining empirical data from a multiple case study design with the corresponding literature. Our study reveals that the effects of DLT on supply chain transactions are two-sided. We found six effects of DLT solutions that have a cost-reducing or cost avoidance impact on supply chain transactions. In addition, we found two effects that change the power distribution between buyers and suppliers in transactions and a single effect that reduces the dependency of supply chain transactions on third parties. While cost-reducing and avoidance as well as dependency-reducing effects are positive effects, the change in power distribution might come with disadvantages. With these findings, the paper provides the first empirical evidence of the impact of DLT on supply chain transactions, which will enable managers to improve their assessment of DLT usage in supply chains.     

亲子乐园空调送风方式的数值模拟研究

大型综合室内亲子乐园属于高大空间,设有游乐设施和游戏的特殊性使得对空间的舒适性要求一致,但是送风气流遇阻严重,室内存在较多气流死角,影响室内空气质量和儿童健康。因此其空调设计不仅需要考虑温度、风速的空间均匀度,还要考虑各点的空气龄和PMV-PPD指标。以天津某亲子乐园为研究对象,利用scSTREAM软件对适用于该房间的辐射供冷加新风、置换通风、混合通风三种空调方式的送风效果进行数值模拟分析,从流场的均匀性、人员的热舒适性等方面对模拟结果进行探讨,研究结果表明辐射供冷加新风方式的空间均匀性和PMV指标最佳,混合通风方式的空气龄最小。     

A next-generation wide color gamut WLED with improved spectral performance in phosphor composite functional solid

As is well known, a way to obtain a high color resolution and saturation of a liquid crystal display and thereby obtain a higher visual accuracy and comfort in the coming 5G era remains an urgent challenge. In the present study, a new type of phosphor composite material doped with Ln³⁺ ions provides a promising alternative to the color filters used in White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs), achieving a better performance regarding the realization of a wider color gamut. The advantages of this composite material are illustrated through an abundant phase and morphology analysis along with a discussion regarding the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the valence bond of Ce ions, which maintain the luminescence properties of the phosphor while providing a stable and solid amorphous environment. An improved spectral performance was obtained through color filtering at 580 nm along with the regulating effects of red, green, and blue emissions according to the doped Ln³⁺ ions. Notably, we fabricated a high-performance WLED based on a Ln³⁺-doped PiG with a correlated color temperature of 5037 K, color rendering index of 72.8, and high color gamut of 91.97%, providing a new choice for the development of luminescence materials with a high color resolution and saturation.     

Micro-structural study of Yaozhou celadons (Tang to Yuan Dynasty): probing crystalline and glassy phases

The Yaozhou kiln complex is a representative production center of ancient northern China, famous for the celadon production. In this work, bubbles, glassy matrix and residual crystals of celadon glazes produced from the Tang to Yuan Dynasty were analyzed by using optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results revealed that the Song, Jin and Yuan productions present bigger bubble and higher area ratios of the Si-O bending over stretching modes than the Tang and Wudai productions. This is consistent with firings at higher temperatures during Song, Jin and Yuan Dynasties. It is also in agreement with the historical studies, which revealed the change from wood-firing to coal-firing during Song Dynasty. The observation of calcium phosphate in Yaozhou productions indicated that the glaze ash had been used. No iron-based particle was identified by Raman spectroscopy in the glazes of all periods. The green color is certainly due to iron ion dispersed in the glassy matrix. Our study also confirmed no significant change in glaze raw materials used for Yaozhou productions from Tang to Yuan Dynasty.     

Fundamental Evaluation of Power Supply and Rectifiers for Wireless Power Transfer Using Magnetic Resonant Coupling

This paper provides a fundamental analysis of a power supply and rectifiers for wireless power transfer using magnetic resonant coupling (MRC). MRC enables efficient wireless power transfer over middle‐range transfer distances. MRC for wireless power transfer should operate at a high frequency in the industry science medical band, such as 13.56 MHz, because the size of the transfer device decreases at higher transfer frequencies. Therefore, the output frequency of the power supply on the transmitting side should be 13.56 MHz. In addition, the rectifier on the receiving side is operated at a high frequency. This paper focuses on the reflected power in the power supply and rectifiers. Thus, the parametric design method is clarified for the power supply, including a low‐pass filter to match the output, the impedance of the power supply with the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. In addition, the effects on the rectifiers of silicon carbide and gallium nitride diodes are confirmed by performing an experiment and a loss analysis.     

Effect of strain rate on the dynamic compressive mechanical behaviors of rock material subjected to high temperatures

Strain rate is not only an important measure to characterize the deformation property, but also an important parameter to analyze the dynamic mechanical properties of rock materials. In this paper, by using the SHPB test system improved with high temperature device, the dynamic compressive tests of sandstone at seven temperatures in the range of room temperature to 1000 °C and five impact velocities in the range of 11.0–15.0 m/s were conducted. Investigations were carried out on the influences of strain rate on dynamic compressive mechanical behaviors of sandstone. The results of the study indicate that the enhancement effects of strain rates on dynamic compressive strength, peak strain, energy absorption ratio of sandstone under high temperatures still exist. However, the increase ratios of dynamic compressive strength, peak strain, and energy absorption ratio of rock under high temperature compared to room temperature have no obvious strain rate effects. The temperatures at which the strain rates affect dynamic compressive strength and peak strain most, are 800, and 1000 °C, respectively. The temperatures at which the strain rates affect dynamic compressive strength and peak strain weakest, are 1000 °C, and room temperature, respectively. At 200 and 800 °C, the strain rate effect on energy absorption ratio are most significant, while at 1000 °C, it is weakest. There are no obvious strain rate effects on elastic modulus and increase ratio of elastic modulus under high temperatures. According to test results, the relationship formula of strain rate with high temperature and impact load was derived by internalizing fitting parameters. Compared with the strain rate effect at room temperature condition, essential differences have occurred in the strain rate effect of rock material under the influence of high temperature.     

Electroactive polymers containing 3-arylcarbazolyl units as hole transporting materials for OLEDs

Monomers and their polymers containing 3-arylcarbazolyl electrophores have been synthesized by the multi-step synthetic route. The materials were characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and electron photoemission technique. The polymers represent materials of high thermal stability having initial thermal degradation temperatures in the range of 331–411 °C. The glass transition temperatures of the amorphous polymeric materials were in the rage of 148–175 °C. The electron photoemission spectra of thin layers of monomers showed ionization potentials in the range of 5.6–5.65 eV. Hole-transporting properties of the polymers were tested in the structures of organic light emitting diodes with Alq₃ as the green emitter. The device containing hole-transporting layers of polyether with 3-naphthylcarbazolyl groups exhibited the best overall performance with a maximum current efficiency of 3.3 cd/A and maximum brightness of about 1000 cd/m².