Modal and numerical analysis of the transverse magnetic-passing property of laminated cladding

An accurate investigation of an integrated optical polariser has been presented. The transverse magnetic (TM)-passing property for an asymmetrical slab with anisotropic cladding that behaves as negative or positive uniaxial crystal has been evaluated. After a modal analysis, the polarisation of the electromagnetic (EM) field is evaluated by means of transmission line matrix-integral equation (TLMIE) method which performs a 3D full-wave modelling of the structure (i) including dielectric losses and (ii) for different slant angle of the laminated cladding. The TLMIE method permits to maximise the TM-passing property for a single-mode channel with anisotropic cladding.     

Determining the repair ranking of existing reinforced concrete bridges using generalized weighted distance method

Abstract

The D. (Degree) E. (Extent) R. (Relevancy) evaluation method is increasingly adopted to assess the repair ranking of existing reinforced concrete(RC) bridges in Taiwan. The present study is the first to distinguish between relevancy (R^a, a = 1.5, 2) and non‐relevancy (R^a, a = 1) for the repair ranking of existing RC bridges to be evaluated. The generalized weighted distance method has been mainly employed to find the optimum repair ranking. Five existing RC bridges, namely Chi‐jou, Lanyang, Dah‐jea, Dah‐duh, and Dah‐an in Taiwan, are chosen as practical examples. The investigation's results show that when all the bridges are judged to be non‐relevant by the system, the repair ranking rated by the D.E.R. evaluation method is correct. However, when there are one or more important bridges, the repair ranking predicted by the D.E.R evaluation method is not accurate. The proposed method may remedy the shortcoming of the D.E.R. evaluation method. The predicted results are compared with the results obtained from the condition index (CI) and priority index (PI) of the D.E.R. evaluation method.     

Thermally Derived Hierarchical Nanoplates for Electromagnetic Protection and Waste Energy Recovery Device

With the advent of intelligent society and the popularity of electronic equipment, the protection and treatment of electromagnetic (EM) radiation have become hot research topics all over the world. Herein, novel 2D carbon-based nanoplates with uniformly embedded Co nanoparticles are prepared, with unique hierarchical structure and integrated magnetic-dielectric components. The obtained hierarchical nanoplates exhibit a wide range of tunable EM properties (ε′ for 3.38 to 34.67 and ε″ for 0.13 to 31.45) by manipulating the dispersed states inside wax system, which can achieve an effective switch from microwave absorption to EM interference shielding performance. The optimal reflection loss reaches −55.6 dB, and the shielding efficiency is 93.5%. Meanwhile, the hierarchical nanoplates also exhibit impressive capacitive performance, with a specific capacitance of 1654 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹. Based on this, a creative device is constructed with the nanoplates, which can convert harmful EM radiation to useful electric energy for recycling. This work offers a new idea for the development of EM materials and functional devices, powerfully promoting the advance of energy and environmental fields.     

Development and characterization of gelatin and ethylcellulose microparticles designed as platforms to delivery fluoride

Purpose: To develop and characterize microparticles containing fluoride sources (FS) from sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) or aminofluoride and evaluate their characteristics as fluoride delivery systems.

Methods: Ethylcellulose microparticles containing fluoride (EM) were prepared by emulsification of ethyl acetate dispersion containing polymer and FS (ethylcellulose:FS ratio of 1:0.25 wt/wt) with aqueous external phase containing polysorbate 80 (0.8% vol/vol) using the volume ratio (organic:aqueous) of 1:5. The organic solvent was evaporated; microparticles were collected by centrifuging, washed with deionized water and freeze-dried. Gelatin microparticles containing FS (GM) was obtained by dispersion of the natural polymer in water, adding FS (6:1 wt/wt) and 20% (wt/wt) of mannitol. The final dispersions were spray-dried. Particle morphology and size were investigated using optical microscopy. The content of fluoride ions in the microparticles was quantified using a potentiometric method. The encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release profile of fluoride was also determined.

Results: Microparticles exhibited polydispersity and mean diameters <145.35 and <124.22 µm for EM and GM, respectively. Considering the entrapment efficiency, the spray-drying technique exhibited greater values than microencapsulation by emulsification and solvent evaporation. The release profile of fluoride ions from microparticles was shown to be modified, fitted first order and guided by Fickian diffusion.

Conclusions: Microparticles prepared with ethylcellulose or gelatin can be used as platform for oral delivery of fluoride, providing a means to increase the local supply of this ion in a controlled manner, providing an increased protection against caries. Moreover, further investigations are needed to demonstrate this property in vivo.     

In vivo absorption study of ritodrine hydrochloride in the buccal administration to rats

Background: Although ritodrine (RD)-hydrochloride (HCl), named RD-HCl, is widely used in the treatment of premature labor by intravenous prolonged infusion or frequent oral dosing of tablets, those administrations often lower patients’ quality of life (QOL) or cause undesirable side effects, such as tachycardia; therefore, in this study, the potential usefulness of buccal administration as a novel administration method was examined in vivo.

Method: First, the HPLC method was assessed for the determination of plasma RD concentration. Then, after RD-HCl solution in saline was administered intravenously (1?mg/kg), intragastrically (10?mg/kg) or buccally (10?mg/kg) in rats, the plasma concentration–time profiles were investigated, and the absorption extent and rate compared.

Results: The present modified determination method by HPLC with fluorescence detection (Ex. 278?nm, Em. 306?nm) was suitable to analyze the plasma level at 8–200?ng/mL. Buccal administration gave the best plasma concentration–time profile for maintenance of an effective plasma level and fewer side effects. Absorption rates calculated by deconvolution also supported better sustained absorption in buccal dosing.

Conclusion: Buccal application of RD-HCl was demonstrated to be a potentially useful dosing method in the treatment of premature labor with RD-HCl.     

A Semiparametric Mixed Model Approach to Phase I Profile Monitoring

Profile monitoring is an approach in quality control best used where the process data follow a profile (or curve). The majority of previous studies in profile monitoring focused on the parametric (P) modeling of either linear or nonlinear profiles, with both fixed and random effects, under the assumption of correct model specification. More recently, in the absence of an obvious P model, nonparametric (NP) methods have been employed in the profile monitoring context. For situations where a P model is adequate over part of the data but inadequate of other parts, we propose a semiparametric procedure that combines both P and NP profile fits. We refer to our semiparametric procedure as mixed model robust profile monitoring (MMRPM). These three methods (P, NP and MMRPM) can account for the autocorrelation within profiles and treat the collection of profiles as a random sample from a common population. For each approach, we propose a version of Hotelling's T² statistic for use in Phase I analysis to determine unusual profiles based on the estimated random effects and obtain the corresponding control limits. Simulation results show that our MMRPM method performs well in making decisions regarding outlying profiles when compared to methods based on a misspecified P model or based on NP regression. In addition, however, the MMRPM method is robust to model misspecification because it also performs well when compared to a correctly specified P model. The proposed chart is able to detect changes in Phase I data and has easily calculated control limits. We apply all three methods to the automobile engine data of Amiri et al.⁵ and find that the NP and the MMRPM methods indicate signals that did not occur in a P approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positive Charge Holes Revealed by Energy Band Theory in Multiphase TixO2x-1 and Exploration of its Microscopic Electromagnetic Loss Mechanism

Although numerous experimental investigations have been carried out on the problem of defect engineering in semiconductor absorbers, the relationship among charge carrier, defects, heterointerfaces, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption has not been established systematically. Herein, the new thermodynamic and kinetic control strategy is proposed to establish multiphase Ti_xO_2x−1 (1 ≤ x ≤ 6) through a hydrogenation calcination. The TiOC-900 composite shows the efficient EM wave absorption capability with a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of −69.6 dB at a thickness of 2.04 mm corresponding to an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.0 GHz due to the holes induced conductance loss and heterointerfaces induced interfacial polarization. Benefiting from the controllable preparation of multiphase Ti_xO_2x−1, a new pathway is proposed for designing high-efficiency EM wave absorbing semiconducting oxides. The validity of the method for adopting energy band theory to explore the underlying relations among charge carriers, defects, heterointerfaces, and EM properties in multiphase Ti_xO_2x−1 is demonstrated for the first time, which is of great importance in optimizing the EM wave absorption performance by electronic structure tailoring.     

Tuning Excitonic Properties of Monolayer MoS2 with Microsphere Cavity by High‐Throughput Chemical Vapor Deposition Method

Tuning the optical properties of 2D direct bandgap semiconductors is crucial for applications in photonic light source, optical communication, and sensing. In this work, the excitonic properties of molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) are successfully tuned by directly depositing it onto silica microsphere resonators using chemical vapor deposition method. Multiple whispering gallery mode (WGM) peaks in the emission wavelength range of ≈650–750 nm are observed under continuous wave excitation at room temperature. Time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy are conducted to study light‐matter interaction dynamics of the MoS₂ microcavities. TRPL study suggests radiative recombination rate of carrier‐phonon scattering and interband transition processes in MoS₂ is enhanced by a factor of ≈1.65 due to Purcell effect in microcavities. TA spectroscopy study shows modulation of the interband transition process mainly occurs at PB‐A band with an estimated F ≈ 1.60. Furthermore, refractive index sensing utilizing WGM peaks of MoS₂ is established with sensitivity up to ≈150 nm per refractive index unit. The present work provides a large‐scale and straightforward method for coupling atomically thin 2D gain media with cavities for high‐performance optoelectronic devices and sensors.     

Linear Dichroism and Nondestructive Crystalline Identification of Anisotropic Semimetal Few‐Layer MoTe2

Semimetal 1T′ MoTe₂ crystals have attracted tremendous attention owing to their anisotropic optical properties, Weyl semimetal, phase transition, and so on. However, the complex refractive indices (n‐ik) of the anisotropic semimetal 1T′ MoTe₂ still are not revealed yet, which is important to applications such as polarized wide spectrum detectors, polarized surface plasmonics, and nonlinear optics. Here, the linear dichroism of as‐grown trilayer 1T′ MoTe₂ single crystals is investigated. Trilayer 1T′ MoTe₂ shows obvious anisotropic optical absorption due to the intraband transition of d_z² orbits for Mo atoms and p_x orbits for Te atoms. The anisotropic complex refractive indices of few‐layer 1T′ MoTe₂ are experimentally obtained for the first time by using the Pinier equation analysis. Based on the linear dichroism of 1T′ MoTe₂, angle‐resolved polarized optical microscopy is developed to visualize the grain boundary and identify the crystal orientation of 1T′ MoTe₂ crystals, which is also an excellent tool toward the investigation of the optical absorption properties in the visible range for anisotropic 2D transition metal chalcogenides. This work provides a universal and nondestructive method to identify the crystal orientation of anisotropic 2D materials, which opens up an opportunity to investigate the optical application of anisotropic semimetal 2D materials.     

A Phase I Cluster‐Based Method for Analyzing Nonparametric Profiles

A cluster‐based method has been used successfully to analyze parametric profiles in Phase I of the profile monitoring process. Performance advantages have been demonstrated when using a cluster‐based method of analyzing parametric profiles over a non‐cluster based method with respect to more accurate estimates of the parameters and improved classification performance criteria. However, it is known that, in many cases, profiles can be better represented using a nonparametric method. In this study, we use the cluster‐based method to analyze profiles that cannot be easily represented by a parametric function. The similarity matrix used during the clustering phase is based on the fits of the individual profiles with p‐spline regression. The clustering phase will determine an initial main cluster set that contains greater than half of the total profiles in the historical data set. The profiles with in‐control T² statistics are sequentially added to the initial main cluster set, and upon completion of the algorithm, the profiles in the main cluster set are classified as the in‐control profiles and the profiles not in the main cluster set are classified as out‐of‐control profiles. A Monte Carlo study demonstrates that the cluster‐based method results in superior performance over a non‐cluster based method with respect to better classification and higher power in detecting out‐of‐control profiles. Also, our Monte Carlo study shows that the cluster‐based method has better performance than a non‐cluster based method whether the model is correctly specified or not. We illustrate the use of our method with data from the automotive industry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

X-ray diffraction study of polyphilic smectic liquid crystals

4-substituted n-5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-tridecafluorodecan-1-yloxybenzene and n-5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11,12,12,12-pentadecafluorododecan-1-yloxybenzene, the former with CO₂CH₃ and the latter with CO₂CH₃ and CO₂H substituents in para position, are polyphilic compounds exhibiting smectic liquid crystalline phases. The structure of these phases was studied by X-ray diffraction and modelling. The method consisted of reconstructing all possible one-dimensional electron density profiles from diffraction intensities and matching them with the profiles calculated from structural models. The method is shown to be useful in both determining molecular arrangement in the smectic phase and in phase identification itself. An S_Ad phase is found in the two esters, having interdigitated perfluorinated alkyl segments. In contrast, a double-layer S_C phase, also known as S_C2, is found in the carboxylic acid. The method used here is particularly applicable to polyphilic liquid crystals such as the present ones, which are characterized by a complex electron density profile and a high translational order parameter.     

3D‐based hp‐adaptive first‐order shell finite element for modelling and analysis of complex structures—Part 1: The model and the approximation

The paper presents a 3D‐based adaptive first‐order shell finite element to be applied to hierarchical modelling and adaptive analysis of complex structures. The main feature of the element is that it is equipped with 3D degrees of freedom, while its mechanical model corresponds to classical first‐order shell theory. Other useful features of the element are its modelling and adaptive capabilities. The element is assigned to hierarchical modelling and hpq‐adaptive analysis of shell parts of complex structures consisting of solid, thick‐ and thin‐shell parts, as well as of transition zones, where h, p and q denote the mesh density parameter and the longitudinal and transverse orders of approximation, respectively. The proposed hp‐adaptive first‐order shell element can be joined with 3D‐based hpq‐adaptive hierarchical shell elements or 3D hpp‐adaptive solid elements by means of the family of 3D‐based hpq/hp‐ or hpp/hp‐adaptive transition elements. The main objective of the first part of our research, presented in this paper, is to provide non‐standard information on the original parts of the element algorithm. In order to do that, we present the definition of shape functions necessary for p‐adaptivity, as well as the procedure for imposing constraints corresponding to the lack of elongation of the straight lines perpendicular to the shell mid‐surface, which is the procedure necessary for q‐adaptivity. The 3D version of constrained approximation presented next is the basis for h‐adaptivity of the element. The second part of our research, devoted to methodology and results of the numerical research on application of the element to various plate and shell problems, are described in the second part of this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A high‐dimensional control chart for profile monitoring

Profile monitoring is an important and rapidly emerging area of statistical process control. In many industries, the quality of processes or products can be characterized by a profile that describes a relationship or a function between a response variable and one or more independent variables. A change in the profile relationship can indicate a change in the quality characteristic of the process or product and, therefore, needs to be monitored for control purposes. We propose a high‐dimensional (HD) control chart approach for profile monitoring that is based on the adaptive Neyman test statistic for the coefficients of discrete Fourier transform of profiles. We investigate both linear and nonlinear profiles, and we study the robustness of the HD control chart for monitoring profiles with stationary noise. We apply our control chart to monitor the process of nonlinear woodboard vertical density profile data of Walker and Wright (J. Qual. Technol. 2002; 34:118–129) and compare the results with those presented in Williams et al. (Qual. Reliab. Eng. Int. 2007; to appear). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison study of control charts for statistical monitoring of functional data

The quality of products and processes is more and more often becoming related to functional data, which refer to information summarised in the form of profiles. The recent literature has pointed out that traditional control charting methods cannot be directly applied in these cases and new approaches for profile monitoring are required. While many different profile monitoring approaches have been proposed in the scientific literature, few comparison studies are available. This paper aims at filling this gap by comparing three representative profile monitoring approaches in different production scenarios. The performance comparison will allow us to select a specific approach in a given situation. The competitor approaches are chosen to represent different levels of complexity, as well as different types of modelling approaches. In particular, at a lower level of complexity, the ‘location control chart’ (where the upper and lower control limits are ±K standard deviations from the sample mean at each profile location) is considered to be representative of industrial practice. At a higher complexity level, approaches based on combining a parametric model of functional data with multivariate and univariate control charting are considered. Within this second class, we analyse two different approaches. The first is based on regression and the second focuses on using principal component analysis for modelling functional data. A manufacturing reference case study is used throughout the paper, namely profiles measured on machined items subject to geometrical specification (roundness).     

Highly‐Anisotropic Dion–Jacobson Hybrid Perovskite by Tailoring Diamine into CsPbBr3 for Polarization‐Sensitive Photodetection

2D materials with inherent attributes of structural anisotropy have been well applied in the field of polarization‐sensitive photodetection. However, to explore new 2D members with strong polarized‐light responses still remains a challenge. Herein, by alloying diamine molecule into the 3D prototype of CsPbBr₃, a new Dion–Jacobson (DJ) type 2D perovskite of (HDA)CsPb₂Br₇ ( 1 , where HDA²⁺ is 1,6‐hexamethylenediammonium), containing both inorganic Cs metal and organic cations is designed. The natural anisotropy characteristics of 1 are solidly elucidated by analyzing crystal structure, electric conductivity, and optical properties. Strikingly, distinct polarization‐sensitive responses are observed in 1 , owing to its strong anisotropy of optical absorption (the ratio of α_c/α_b ≈ 2.2). Consequently, crystal‐based detectors of 1 exhibit fascinating photo‐activities to polarized‐light, including high detectivity (1.5 × 10⁹ Jones), large dichroism ratio (I_ph^c/I_ph^b ≈ 1.6) and fast responding rate (200 µs). All these polarization‐sensitive performances along with intriguing phase stability make 1 a potential candidate for polarized‐light detection. This work paves a pathway toward new functionalities of DJ‐type 2D hybrid perovskites for their future optoelectronic device applications.     

Differential interferometry in heat transfer

In this paper the optical methods in heat transfer applications are described briefly. In particular, interferometric methods are discussed in detail as applied to the study of natural convection heat transfer. Of the most popular interferometers, viz. the Mach Zehnder Interferometer (mzi) and the Differential Interferometer (di), thedi is considered in detail. The theoretical and constructional features of adi are outlined. The procedures of heat transfer measurement and the temperature profile estimation are explained. The advantages and limitations of the two interferometers are compared with the help of a sample calculation. The experimental analyses of three cases, viz. (1) isothermal vertical flat plate, (2) single vertical fin attached to a heated horizontal base, and (3) horizontal fin array, are described. Typical heat transfer and temperature profile results are presented. Using the estimated temperature profiles isotherms are plotted. It is possible to get fairly good heat transfer and temperature profiles using adi. The instrument is specially useful in applications involving short optical path lengths because of its superior resolution as compared tomzi.     

Process capability index for Poisson regression profile based on the Spmk index

In many process control applications, the quality of a process or a product can be characterized by a functional relationship between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables which is typically referred to as a profile. Such profiles can be expressed by a linear or a non-linear model. On the other hand, for an in-control process, capability indices are used for process quality improvement. In this article, we propose a method to measure the process capability when the quality of the process is characterized by a Poisson regression profile. The performance of the proposed index is evaluated through simulations studies. Two real data examples illustrate this method.     

Boolean-based operation on overlapping CL paths for 3D models

A 3D model can be machined in sections by dividing with cutting slices vertical to the z-axis. This paper introduces a Boolean-based algorithm for planar profiles, which is a frequent implementation for overlapping elimination in CL paths generation. In the proposed algorithm, the profiles can be convex or concave, with or without islands. It is available for general planar profiles on contouring and pocketing machining. This algorithm searches for all intervals split by intersections of complicate planar profiles directly and transforms 2D transversal intersection problems into 1D interval identifications. It uses a simple but efficient odd-even determination based on interval-linked sets by tracking the intersections along the governing profile. Depending on the operation of Boolean union, intersection, and difference between two profiles, the solutions can be obtained under the same manipulation procedures. This proposed algorithm can be easily adapted to Boolean operations between regions composed of general closed profiles and be implemented on computerised CAD/CAM systems. Examples with various multiple profiles are demonstrated.