A Hadamard-type inequality for fuzzy integrals based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">r</Emphasis>-convex functions

In this paper, it is shown that the Hadamard integral inequality for r-convex functions is not satisfied in the fuzzy context. Using the classical Hadamard integral inequality, we give an upper bound for the Sugeno integral of r-convex functions. In addition, we generalize the results related to the Hadamard integral inequality for Sugeno integral from 1-convex functions (ordinary convex functions) to r-convex functions. We present a geometric interpretation and some examples in the framework of the Lebesgue measure to illustrate the results.     

Dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic platform to sort micro-particles in continuous flow

Non-invasive separation of particles with different sizes and sensitivities has been a challenge and interest for point-of-care diagnostics and personalized treatment. Dielectrophoresis is widely known as a powerful technique to sort the particles and (most importantly to) distinguish cells and monitor their state without the need for biochemical tags. In this paper, a dielectrophoresis-based microchannel design is proposed which allows for continuous particle sorting and separation under the applied AC field. It is also practical to implement the platform for monitoring cell behavior irregularities caused by certain diseases toward diagnosis and treatment. In this regard, the device employs dielectrophoretic (DEP) force exerted on the particles by only two electrodes with oblique arrangement in the channel. The electrodes are arranged with a bevel angle to the fluid flow direction but they are not parallel and therefore a gradually decreasing electric field is achieved along the channel’s width. As a result, the dielectrophoretic force, acting on the particles of different sizes, would also gradually decrease along channels width which renders the necessary distinguishing lateral displacements of particles for separation. Therefore, the particles with different sizes can be sorted in a continuous-flow regime and be received at multiple outlet reservoirs with no need to turn the electric field on/off. The presented device is fabricated and evaluated in the experiment to prove its feasibility. Afterward, using numerical simulations, we investigate the optimum design parameters in the presented device to enhance device efficiency for separating particles with different size ranges.

     

Ein selbstregelnder Informationsbeschaffungsalgorithmus zur Vermeidung von Auswahlbedauern bei multiperspektivischen Entscheidungsfindungen

In a world filled with an increasing number of choices people must carefully select the information they acquire in order to make sound decisions that they will not regret in the future. This ranges from everyday life decisions to those made by experts in the business world. The authors introduce a novel information acquisition algorithm based on the value that information has when preventing a decision maker from regretting his or her current decision. The main features of the model include the capacity to account for different risk attitudes of the decision maker as well as his or her forward-looking behavior, the ability to assess choice objects (projects or products) defined by multiple characteristics and a self-regulation mechanism for the information acquisition process, even in the absence of information acquisition costs. The main properties of the algorithm are examined numerically.     

Modeling and experimental evaluation of vacuum-UV photoreactors for water treatment

Vacuum-UV (VUV) radiation is a promising and effective technology for the oxidation of organic contaminants. The VUV-induced degradation of a model pollutant, Formic Acid (FA), was modeled and experimentally investigated. Experimental work involved an annular flow-through reactor operated in batch mode with complete recycle of the reactants. Ozone-producing low-pressure Hg lamps were used as the source of VUV radiation. FA concentrations of up to 0.55 mmol L⁻¹ were completely degraded after 40 min of irradiation. FA degradation was accompanied by the formation of H₂O₂ at concentrations of about 0.3 mmol L⁻¹. Kinetic and radiation models were combined with the corresponding mass balances to describe the experimental results. The kinetic model accounted for the most important reactions occurring in the system, including photolysis of water and H₂O₂, side reactions between radicals, and degradation of FA. The radiation model, which was solved using the Monte Carlo method, described the propagation of photons in the reactor volume and took into account the optical properties of the solution and the emission power of the lamps, obtained by actimometry. Modeling simulations fit experimental data of FA degradation using VUV, H₂O₂/VUV, and H₂O₂/UV with a root mean square error of 7.4%. According to modeling and experimental results, the VUV-induced degradation of FA followed an apparent zero order kinetics, a fact that may suggest the reaction was limited by the availability of hydroxyl radicals (HO).