Facile synthesis of CsPbBr3/PbSe composite clusters

In this work, CsPbBr₃ and PbSe nanocomposites were synthesized to protect perovskite material from self-enlargement during reaction. UV absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate that the addition of Se into CsPbBr₃ quantum dots modified the electronic structure of CsPbBr₃, increasing the band gap from 2.38 to 2.48 eV as the Cs:Se ratio increased to 1:3. Thus, the emission color of CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots was modified from green to blue by increasing the Se ratio in composites. According to X-ray diffraction patterns, the structure of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots changed from cubic to orthorhombic due to the introduction of PbSe at the surface. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy confirmed that the atomic distribution in CsPbBr₃/PbSe composite clusters is uniform and the composite materials were well formed. The PL intensity of a CsPbBr₃/PbSe sample with a 1:1 Cs:Se ratio maintained 50% of its initial intensity after keeping the sample for 81 h in air, while the PL intensity of CsPbBr₃ reduced to 20% of its initial intensity. Therefore, it is considered that low amounts of Se could improve the stability of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots.     

Algorithm for the extraction of page-formatted binary digital data

We present an algorithm for fast and reliable extraction of page-formatted binary digital data. The advantages of the algorithm include a low raw bit-error rate, fast extraction speed, the use of a simple and density-efficient coding scheme, and large tolerance to a change of the signal-to-noise ratio. We used this algorithm to analyze shot-noise-limited binary data that had large interpage and intrapage intensity variations and obtained an improvement in the bit-error rate of 3-4 orders of magnitude compared with that in a single-threshold-detection scheme. Implications of our results for the development of high-speed, high-density holographic memories are discussed.     

Chemotherapy with the "8 in 1" protocol for malignant brain tumors in children: a population-based study in Finland

We evaluated the outcome of 68 children with malignant brain tumors treated with the "8 in 1" chemotherapy protocol in Finland from 1986 to 1993, comparing 5-year survival rates with those for a historical control group (from 1975 to 1985). For all malignant brain tumors, overall survival was 43% (vs 28% in the control group; P <0.05), and progression-free survival (PFS) was 43% (vs 23%; P <0.05). For medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor, survival was 63% (vs 35%; P <0.05), and the corresponding PFS was 59% (vs 35%; P = 0.15). For high-grade glioma, both the survival rate and the PFS were 27% (vs 17%; P = NS). Thus the outcome was significantly better for our "8 in 1" -treated patients than for the historical controls, especially among the children with primitive neuroectodermal tumor and medulloblastoma. In contrast, those with high-grade gliomas and brain stem tumors seem to have received little benefit; different, more effective treatments are needed for these patients.     

An efficient microfluidic sorter: implementation of double meandering micro striplines for magnetic particles switching

The ability to trap, manipulate, and separate magnetic beads has become one of the key requirements in realizing an integrated magnetic lab-on-chip biosensing system. In this article, we present the design and fabrication of an integrated magneto-fluidic device for sorting magnetic particles with a sorting efficiency of up to 95%. The actuation and manipulation of magnetic beads are realized using microfabricated square meandering current-carrying micro striplines. The current is alternated between two neighboring micro striplines to switch the magnetic beads to either one of the two outlets. We performed a series of parametric study to investigate the effect of applied current, flow rate, and switching frequency on the sorting efficiency. Experimental results reveal that the sorting efficiency is proportional to the square of current applied to the stripline, and decreases with increasing buffer flow rate and switching frequency. Such phenomena agree well with our theoretical analysis and simulation result. The fastest switching rate, which is limited by the microchannel geometry and bead velocity, is 2 Hz.     

Solving the Matrix Differential Riccati Equation: A Lyapunov Equation Approach

In this technical note, we investigate a solution of the matrix differential Riccati equation that plays an important role in the linear quadratic optimal control problem. Unlike many methods in the literature, the approach that we propose employs the negative definite anti-stabilizing solution of the matrix algebraic Riccati equation and the solution of the matrix differential Lyapunov equation. An illustrative numerical example is provided to show the efficiency of our approach.      

A framework for linguistic logic programming

Lawry's label semantics for modeling and computing with linguistic information in natural language provides a clear interpretation of linguistic expressions and thus a transparent model for real‐world applications. Meanwhile, annotated logic programs (ALPs) and its fuzzy extension AFLPs have been developed as an extension of classical logic programs offering a powerful computational framework for handling uncertain and imprecise data within logic programs. This paper proposes annotated linguistic logic programs (ALLPs) that embed Lawry's label semantics into the ALP/AFLP syntax, providing a linguistic logic programming formalism for development of automated reasoning systems involving soft data as vague and imprecise concepts occurring frequently in natural language. The syntax of ALLPs is introduced, and their declarative semantics is studied. The ALLP SLD‐style proof procedure is then defined and proved to be sound and complete with respect to the declarative semantics of ALLPs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Design and implementation of look-ahead linear jerk filter for a computerized numerical controlled machine

In this study, an open programmable logic controller (PLC) from Fuji electric prescribed in the Structured Text program was applied to develop a look-ahead linear jerk filter (LALJF) for a computerized numerically controlled (CNC) machine. To ensure the smooth and accurate motion of a tool with a linear change in jerk during real-time machining, the proposed filter was formed by combining a look-ahead algorithm with three modified moving average filters (3MMAF). The look-ahead algorithm performed a single look-ahead step-change in the speed of the speed curve. Based on a step-changing speed profile, given maximal acceleration/deceleration and maximum jerk, the speed curve was modified before it was passed through a linear jerk filter to reduce machining time. The speed commands filtered by the proposed filter stabilize machine table at the beginning and end of its motion, and at any point at which its speed exhibits a step-change. The theoretical and computational aspects of the LALJF are presented together with experimental results of its implementation on an X–Y table. The multiple-step-changing speed curve of a CNC machine and the speed curve of a high-speed measurement system were constructed in order to verify the feasibility and precision of the proposed method.     

Development of a sequential robust–tolerance design model for a destructive quality characteristic

Robust design (RD) and tolerance design (TD) have received much attention from researchers and practitioners for more than two decades, and a number of methodologies for modeling and optimizing the RD and TD processes have been studied. However, there is ample room for improvement. Because most existing research considers RD and TD as separate research fields, the primary objective of this paper is to develop a sequential robust–tolerance design method to jointly determine the best factor settings and the closed-form solutions for the optimal specification limits. We then apply the proposed method to a destructive quality characteristic. Finally, a case study and sensitivity analyses are performed for verification purposes, and further studies are discussed.     

A dispatching method for automated lifting vehicles in automated port container terminals

In automated container terminals, containers are transported from the marshalling yard to a ship and vice versa by automated vehicles. The automated vehicle type studied in this paper is an automated lifting vehicle (ALV) that is capable of lifting a container from the ground by itself. This study discusses how to dispatch ALVs by utilizing information about pickup and delivery locations and time in future delivery tasks. A mixed-integer programming model is provided for assigning optimal delivery tasks to ALVs. A procedure for converting buffer constraints into time window constraints and a heuristic algorithm for overcoming the excessive computational time required for solving the mathematical model are suggested. Numerical experiments are reported to compare the objective values and computational times by a heuristic algorithm with those by an optimizing method and to analyze the effects of dual cycle operation, number of ALVs, and buffer capacity on the performance of ALVs.