Error bounds for finite step approximations for solving infinite horizon controlled Markov set-chains

This note considers finite-step approximations for solving an infinite-horizon controlled Markov set-chain problem with finite state and action spaces. We develop a value-iteration type algorithm based on the optimality equation developed by Kurano et al. and analyze an error bound relative to the optimal value that satisfies the optimality equation from the successive approximation. We further analyze an error bound of the approximate control policy defined from a finite-step approximate value by applying the value-iteration type algorithm.     

A 12-36GHz PHEMT MMIC balanced frequency tripler

A novel configuration of balanced frequency InGaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) tripler is proposed. A resonant LC filter is used to eliminate the fundamental frequency and a phase delay line is employed to suppress the second harmonic. The separation of the independent phase shifters makes the tripler more compact and flexible. The conversion loss of the tripler operating from 12 to 36GHz is less than 9.4dB at 9-dBm input power. As compared to the third-harmonic frequency, the fundamental frequency is suppressed more than 21.4dB while for the second harmonic is more than 22.3dB at 36GHz.     

省煤器管开裂原因分析

对省煤器开裂管进行了化学成分及宏、微观分析。分析结果表明，在高温高压条件下，在其焊缝溶合区出现粗大的魏氏组织，管材中的珠光体组织产生了不同程度的球化，而母材组织又存在严重的带状组织。在过热条件下熔合区极易出现裂纹，并由此快速扩展，造成省煤器管开裂。     

Colloidal silica removal in coagulation processes for wastewater reuse in a high-tech industrial park.

Four experiments of coagulation and flocculation were conducted to investigate the characteristics of colloidal silica removal in a high-tech industrial wastewater treatment plant for reclamation and reuse of the effluent. Experimental results illustrated that poly-aluminium chloride (PACl) showed higher performances on colloidal silica removal than alum. Interestingly, the two coagulants demonstrated the same capacity on silica removal. The specific silica removal capacity was approximately 0.135 mg SiO2/mg Al2O3 when the dosage of coagulants was in the range 30-150 mg/L Al2O3. In addition, the silica was reduced significantly at the condition of pH above 8. Experimental data implied that precipitation of aluminium flocs was the major mechanism for colloid silica removal in PACl and alum coagulation, besides, charge adsorption was also important for improving removal efficiency. Moreover, the addition of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a flocculant could slightly advance silica removal in the PACl coagulation. The combined PACl/PAA/flocs coagulation was effective for the removal of colloidal silica, soluble COD, and turbidity and also suitable as a pretreatment unit in wastewater reclamation and reuse processes.     

QRS feature extraction using linear prediction

This communication proposes a method called linear prediction (a high performant technique in digital speech processing) for analyzing digital ECG signals. There are several significant properties indicating that ECG signals have an important feature in the residual error signal obtained after processing by Durbin's linear prediction algorithm. This communication also indicates that the prediction order need not be more than two for fast arrhythmia detection. The ECG signal classification puts an emphasis on the residual error signal. For each ECG's QRS complex, the feature for recognition is obtained from a nonlinear transformation which transforms every residual error signal to a set of three states pulse-code train relative to the original ECG signal. The pulse-code train has the advantage of easy implementation in digital hardware circuits to achieve automated ECG diagnosis. The algorithm performs very well in feature extraction in arrhythmia detection. Using this method, our studies indicate that the PVC (premature ventricular contraction) detection has at least a 92 percent sensitivity for MIT/BIH arrhythmia database.     

Novel one-step route for synthesizing sub-micrometer PSt hollow spheres via redox interfacial-initiated method in inversed emulsion

Interfacial-initiated polymerization of styrene (St) was carried out in inversed emulsion with cumene hydroperoxide (CHPO) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄)/disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaEDTA)/sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (SFS) as the redox initiation system. The water-soluble Fe²⁺-NaEDTA-SFS acted as the reducing component and the oil-soluble CHPO as the oxidant component of the redox initiation system. Therefore, the primary radicals were produced mainly at the oil/water interface to initiate the polymerization of St. Thus, sub-micrometer hollow polystyrene (PSt) spheres were obtained by one-stage polymerization, which was supported by the techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).     

N-Type Field-Effect Transistors Using Multiple Mg-Doped ZnO Nanorods

Nanorod field-effect transistors (FETs) that use multiple Mg-doped ZnO nanorods and a SiO₂ gate insulator were fabricated and characterized. The use of multiple nanorods provides higher on-currents without significant degradation in threshold voltage shift and subthreshold slopes. It has been observed that the on-currents of the multiple ZnO nanorod FETs increase approximately linearly with the number of nanorods, with on-currents of ~1 muA per nanorod and little change in off-current (~4times10^-12). The subthreshold slopes and on-off ratios typically improve as the number of nanorods within the device channel is increased, reflecting good uniformity of properties from nanorod to nanorod. It is expected that Mg dopants contribute to high n-type semiconductor characteristics during ZnO nanorod growth. For comparison, nonintentionally doped ZnO nanorod FETs are fabricated, and show low conductivity to compare with Mg-doped ZnO nanorods. In addition, temperature-dependent current-voltage characteristics of single ZnO nanorod FETs indicate that the activation energy of the drain current is very low (0.05-0.16 eV) at gate voltages both above and below threshold     

2D Image Construction from Low Resolution Response of a New Non‐invasive Measurement for Medical Application

This paper presents an application of digital signal processing to data acquired by the radio imaging method (RIM) that was adopted to measure moisture distribution inside the human body. RIM was originally developed for the mining industry; we are applying the method to a biomedical measurement because of its simplicity, economy, and safety. When a two‐dimensional image was constructed from the measured data, the method provided insufficient resolution because the wavelength of the measurement medium, a weak electromagnetic wave in a VHF band, was longer than human tissues. We built and measured a phantom, a model simulating the human body, consisting of two water tanks representing large internal organs. A digital equalizer was applied to the measured values as a weight function, and images were reconstructed that corresponded to the original shape of the two water tanks. As a result, a two‐dimensional image containing two individual peaks corresponding to the original two small water tanks was constructed. The result suggests the method was applicable to biomedical measurement by the assistance of digital signal processing. This technique may be applicable to home‐based medical care and other situations in which safety, simplicity, and economy are important.