Optimal routing in multiple I/O data network using neural network with perturbed energy function

An optimal routing problem in multiple I/O data network is one of the most important problems related on the performance of the network basically, and is formulated as a constrained nonlinear optimization problem. When solving the problem considered using neural networks, we may obtain local minima, rather than global minimum, because the problem has multimodals. In this paper, we introduce a perturbed energy function into the neural network based on a penalty method to solve the multimodal nonlinear optimization problem.     

Thermoelectric properties of boron-carbide thin film and thin film based thermoelectric device fabricated by intense-pulsed ion beam evaporation

Crystallized B₁₃C₂ thin films were fabricated by intense pulsed-ion beam evaporation (IBE) method. Electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients of the obtained films were 1×10^—4 l/Ωm and 200 μV/K at 1000 K, respectively. These values were comparable to those of bulks. For the application of the thin films, since reasonable thermoelectric (TE) properties were confirmed for the B₁₃C₂ films fabricated, we attempted to develop ’in-plane’ type TE device using B₁₃C₂ and SrB₆ as p-type and n-type elements, respectively. With applying temperature difference to the fabricated device, thermo-electromotive force and electrical power were generated from the device we made, indicating that the device worked as a TE device. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the TE device composed of only boron-rich solids.     

Practical Synthesis of (Z)‐Civetone Utilizing Ti‐Dieckmann Condensation

An efficient, practical, and stereocontrolled synthesis of (Z)‐civetone ( 1 ), a representative musk perfume, has been performed utilizing a Ti‐Dieckmann (intramolecular Ti‐Claisen) condensation of dimethyl (Z)‐9‐octadecenedioate ( 3 ) as the key step. This cyclization reaction has some advantages compared with the traditional basic Dieckmann condensation such as higher concentration (100–300 mM), lower reaction temperature (0–5 °C), shorter reaction time (1–3 h), use of environmentally benign (low toxicity and safe) reagents (TiCl₄ and Et₃N or Bu₃N), and economical reagents and solvents. 15‐, 17‐, and 19‐membered saturated β‐ketoesters ( 6–8 ) were also prepared by the present method.     

Kinetic studies of thermally induced phase separation in polymer–diluent system

Thermally induced phase separation was studied by the light scattering in polypropylene/methyl salicylate system. Data could be well fitted with the linear Cahn theory for spinodal decomposition (SD) in the early stage of phase separation. Characteristic properties of the early stage of SD, such as an apparent diffusion coefficient and an interphase periodic distance, were obtained. The periodic distance ranged from 3 μm to 4 μm. The growth of the phase‐separated structure obeyed power‐law scaling in the later stage, and the structure factor could be scaled into a universal time‐independent form. Domain sizes obtained from the light‐scattering measurements were consistent with the optical microscope measurements. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1028–1036, 2000     

Comparison of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsion between Ultrasonic Irradiation and Mechanical Stirring

To compare oil‐in‐water emulsification behaviors between ultrasonic irradiation and impeller stirring, experiments and calculation by mathematical models were performed. For ultrasonic irradiation, the peak diameter of dispersed oil droplets decreased with an increase in input power and reductions in ultrasonic frequency, ratio of dispersed volume, and interfacial tension. For mechanical stirring, it declined with higher mechanical rotation speed. The results calculated by the mathematical models approximately agreed with the experiments. Ultrasonic irradiation was better than mechanical stirring by an impeller for producing a fine emulsion at higher supplied energy rate into liquid, whereas the tendency was inverse for a rough emulsion at lower input energy rate.     

Numerical simulation of snow melting using geothermal energy assisted by heat storage during seasons

Numerical simulation programs were developed for estimating temperature field and snow depth on a snow‐melting system using geothermal energy assisted by heat storage during seasons. The system utilized a group of piles underground as a heat exchanger and heat dissipation pipes near the pavement surface, realizing underground solar heat storage from the surface through the seasons. Verification experiments for this system were conducted not only in a relatively mild snowy region, Fukui, but also in a frigid region, Sapporo. Numerical simulation results demonstrated the existence of an optimum space of a group of piles, where snow melting power becomes maximal. The obtained simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental data of both regions, demonstrating the utility and validity of the programs. Also shown was that the proposed system can melt snow well in a frigid region, Sapporo, without the help of a heat pump. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 42(8): 724–744, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20393     

Mode coupling in a narrow spectral bandwidth quantum-dotmicrocavity photodetector

The resonant-cavity photodetector based on a quantum-dot (QD) absorbing region is analyzed and compared with experiment. We show that mode matching due to the low loss cavity in this type of photodetector is important in establishing the detection efficiency. In addition to extending GaAs-based photodetectors into the 1.3-μm wavelength regime, the QD active region can achieve an ultra-narrow spectral response because of its low absorption     

Improvement of performance of disk MHD generator with argon by introduction of swirl

An experimental study of performance of the disk MHD generator with argon was carried out using a shock‐tube driven facility. An inlet swirl was introduced in the MHD channel in order to improve the enthalpy extraction and the isentropic efficiency. The experimental results were compared with those of the disk MHD generator without the inlet swirl. A high enthalpy extraction of 25.7% was obtained and the highest isentropic efficiency for argon was achieved at the same time in the present experiment. The measured static pressure in the MHD channel was kept lower than that without the inlet swirl. This has suggested that the introduction of the inlet swirl reduces the retarding force for the flow and that the increase of the enthalpy extraction is ascribed to the increase of the flow velocity and of the electrical efficiency. Furthermore, the flow without shock wave was observed at low seed fractions and low load resistances. At the same time, it was found for the first time that when there was no shock wave, the isentropic efficiency became higher than that with the shock wave. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 141(1): 18–25, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10045     

Distribution and geochemical behaviour of anionic surfactants determined as ethyl violet active substances in Lake Biwa,Japan

The distribution and geochemical behaviour of anionic surfactants (AS) determined as ethyl violet active substances (EVAS) were studied in Lake Biwa, Japan. We determined the vertical distributions of dissolved EVAS (DEVAS), suspended particulate EVAS (PEVAS), particulate organic carbon (POC) and the PEVAS/POC ratio. Statistical analyses conducted using plots of PEVAS versus POC and PEVAS/ Chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) versus POC/Chl‐a revealed that the distributions of DEVAS and PEVAS were affected by the concentrations of freshly produced POC and aged POC and by the pH of the lake water. Adsorption and desorption of EVAS onto the POC phase were found to be important mechanisms regulating the distribution and environmental/geochemical behaviour of EVAS in the lake. The organic carbon‐normalized particle–water‐partitioning coefficient, K_oc, for EVAS was also estimated and compared with that for nonylphenol.