A constructive fixed point theorem for min-max functions

Min-max functions, F :R n R n , arise in modelling the dynamic behaviour of discrete event systems. They form a dense subset of those functions which are homogeneous, F i (x 1 + h, .. . , x n + h) = Fi(x 1 , . . . , x n ) + h, monotonic , x y F(x) F(y), and nonexpansive in the l infinity norm-so-called topical functions-which have appeared recently in the work of several authors. Our main result characterizes those min-max functions which have a (generalized) fixed point, where Fi(x) = x i + h for some h R. We deduce several earlier fixed point results. The proof is inspired by Howard's policy improvement scheme in optimal control and yields an algorithm for finding a fixed point, which appears efficient in an important special case. An extended introduction sets the context for this paper in recent work on the dynamics of topical functions.     

Modeling the short-circuit current density of polymer solar cells based on P3HT:PCBM blend

We have investigated the short-circuit current density of organic solar cells based on poly (3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT)/6,6-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend. In order to model charge collection efficiencies with respect to short circuit density in such blends, a full optical modeling of the cell is performed. From the distribution of the electromagnetic field, we compute the rate of exciton generation. This exciton generation rate is used as input in the transport equations of holes and electrons. Charge densities at steady state are obtained as solutions are used for computing short-circuit current densities generated in the cell. The dependence of short-circuit current densities versus the thickness of the blend is analyzed and compared with our experimental data and with data extracted from the literature.     

Did the Stern Review underestimate US and global climate damages?

The Stern Review received widespread attention for its innovative approach to the economics of climate change when it appeared in 2006, and generated controversies that have continued to this day. One key controversy concerns the magnitude of the expected impacts of climate change. Stern's estimates, based on results from the PAGE2002 model, sounded substantially greater than those produced by many other models, leading several critics to suggest that Stern had inflated his damage figures.     

A Fitted L-Multi-Point Flux Approximation Method for Pricing Options

Computational Economics - In this paper, we introduce a special kind of finite volume method called Multi-Point Flux Approximation method (MPFA) to price European and American options in two...     

M9住宅一期

建筑师:Sid Lee建筑事务所+Aedifica项目地点:加拿大,魁北克建筑面积:789M.C.摄影:Stephane Brugger Architects:Sid Lee Architecture+Aedifica Location:Montreal,Quebec,Canada Gross Floor Area:789M.C.Photos:Stéphane Brügger     

Diameter-dependent electromechanical properties of GaN nanowires

The diameter-dependent Young's modulus, E, and quality factor, Q, of GaN nanowires were measured using electromechanical resonance analysis in a transmission electron microscope. E is close to the theoretical bulk value ( approximately 300 GPa) for a large diameter nanowire (d=84 nm) but is significantly smaller for smaller diameters. At room temperature, Q is as high as 2,800 for d=84 nm, significantly greater than what is obtained from micromachined Si resonators of comparable surface-to-volume ratio. This implies significant advantages of smooth-surfaced GaN nanowire resonators for nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) applications. Two closely spaced resonances are observed and attributed to the low-symmetry triangular cross section of the nanowires.     

Synthesis, electron tomography and single-particle optical response of twisted gold nano-bipyramids

A great number of works focus their interest on the study of gold nanoparticle plasmonic properties. Among those, sharp nanostructures appear to exhibit the more interesting features for further developments. In this paper, a complete study on bipyramidal-like gold nanostructures is presented. The nano-objects are prepared in high yield using an original method. This chemical process enables a precise control of the shape and the size of the particles. The specific photophysical properties of gold bipyramids in suspension are ripened by recording the plasmonic response of single and isolated objects. Resulting extinction spectra are precisely correlated to their geometrical structure by mean of electron tomography at the single-particle level. The interplay between the geometrical structure and the optical properties of twisted gold bipyramids is further discussed on the basis of numerical calculations. The influence of several parameters is explored such as the structural aspect ratio or the tip truncation. In the case of an incident excitation polarized along the particle long axis, this study shows how the plasmon resonance position can be sensitive to these parameters and how it can then be efficiently tuned on a large wavelength range.     

Fiberboards Based on Sugarcane Bagasse Lignin and Fibers

Summary: Fiberboards were prepared using phenolic type resins (phenol‐formaldehyde) and sugarcane bagasse fibers. Lignin extracted through an organosolv process from sugarcane bagasse was used as substitute of phenol in phenolic resins from 40 (lignin‐phenol‐formaldehyde) to 100 wt.‐% (lignin‐formaldehyde) substitution. Some of the fibers were chemically modified by oxidation with chlorine dioxide and treatment with furfuryl alcohol (FA), leading to fibers coated with polyfurfuryl alcohol. Thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) of the prepolymers allowed setting up an efficient curing to prepare fiberboards. Impact strength and water absorption were measured showing the importance of the curing pressure to obtain good performance. When chemically modified fibers were used to prepare board samples, enhanced durability against white root fungi is observed, and to a less degree against brown root fungi. Sugarcane bagasse fiberboards were prepared from prepolymers where lignin substituted phenol up to 100%. This replaces these materials in advantageous position, relating to those prepared from phenol‐formaldehyde resins, due to their high content of renewable raw materials. The results obtained are promising for the utilization of sugarcane bagasse as raw materials for preparing fiberboards to be used in tropical areas.

Stabilization of sugarcane bagasse fiberboards made with unmodified and modified (ClO₂ + furfuryl alcohol) fibers and phenolic resin after 8 weeks exposure against fungi.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ultra-Fine Tin Oxide Fibers Using Electrospinning

Ultrafine tin oxide (SnO₂) fibers having a rutile structure, with diameter ranging from 100 nm to several micrometers, were synthesized using electrospinning and metallorganic decomposition techniques. In this work, we propose a precursor solution that is a mixture of pure SnO₂ sol made from SnCl₄:H₂O:C₃H₇OH:2-C₃H₇OH at a molar ratio of 1:9:9:6, and a viscous solution made from poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) (molecular weight 900 000) and chloroform (CHCl₃) at a ratio of 200 mg PEO/10 mL CHCl₃. This solution allows to obtain an appropriate viscosity for the electrospinning process. The as-deposited fibers were sintered at 400°, 500°, 600°, 700°, and 800°C in air for 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman microspectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the sintered fibers and elucidate the chemical reaction during sintering. The results showed that up to the sintering temperature of 700°C, the synthesized fibers are composed of SnO₂. XPS was found to reflect the complicate chemical changes caused by the sintering process.