New Templated Ostwald Ripening Process of Mesostructured FeOOH for Third‐Harmonic Generation Bioimaging

Emerging advances in iron oxide nanoparticles exploit their high magnetization for various applications, such as bioseparation, hyperthermia, and magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast to their excellent magnetic performance, the harmonic generation and luminescence properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have not been thoroughly explored, thus limiting their development as a tool in photomedicine. In this work, a seed/growth‐inspired synthesis is developed combined with primary mineralization and a ligand‐assisted secondary growth strategy to prepare mesostructured α‐FeOOH nanorods (NRs). The sub‐wavelength heterogeneity of the refractive index leads to enhanced third‐harmonic generation (THG) signals under near‐infrared excited wavelengths at 1230 nm. The as‐prepared NRs exhibit an 11‐fold stronger THG intensity compared to bare α‐FeOOH NRs. Using these unique nonlinear optical properties, it is demonstrated that mesostructured α‐FeOOH NRs can serve as biocompatible and nonbleaching contrast agents in THG microscopy for long‐term labeling of cells as well as in angiography in vivo by modifying lectin to enhance the binding efficiency to the glycocalyx layers on the wall of blood vessels. These results provide a new insight into Fe‐based nanoplatforms capable of emitting coherent light as molecular probes in optical microscopy, thus establishing a complementary microscopic imaging method for macroscopic magnetic imaging systems.     

Crumpling and Unfolding of Montmorillonite Hybrid Nanocoatings as Stretchable Flame‐Retardant Skin

Flame‐retardant coatings are widely used in a variety of personnel or product protection, and many applications would benefit from film stretchability if suitable materials are available. It is challenging to develop flame‐retardant coatings that are stretchable, eco‐friendly, and capable of being integrated on mechanically dynamic devices. Here, a concept is reported that uses pretextured montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid nanocoatings that can undergo programed unfolding to mimic the stretchability of elastomeric materials. These textured MMT coatings can be transferred onto an elastomeric substrate to achieve an MMT/elastomer bilayer device with high stretchability (225% areal strain) and effective flame retardancy. The bilayer composite is utilized as flame‐retardant skin for a soft robotic gripper, and it is demonstrated that the actuated response can manipulate and rescue irregularly shaped objects from a fire scene. Furthermore, by depositing the conformal MMT nanocoatings on nitrile gloves, the firefree gloves can endure direct flame contact without ignition.     

Implementation of an on-line dynamic security assessment program for the central China power system

The central China power system is currently implementing an on-line stability program. This is the second largest power system in China to implement such an on-line stability program, and probably one of the earliest practical implementations of a dynamic security assessment program (DSA) reported in the world. This paper presents the features of this program, its computational methods, the design considerations used, and some numerical results.     

Online fuzzy identification for an intelligent controller based on a simple platform

The paper presents the identification issues of the self-tuning nonlinear controller ASPECT (Advanced control algorithmS for ProgrammablE logiC conTrollers). The controller is implemented on a simple PLC platform with an extra mathematical coprocessor, but is intended for the advanced control of complex processes. The model of the controlled plant is obtained by means of experimental modelling. A special batch-wise algorithm that is based on the Takagi–Sugeno model and uses “fuzzy instrumental variables” technique is described in the paper. Many robustness problems of the classical adaptive approaches can be circumvented to some extent by the proposed batch-wise approach combined with a supervisory mechanism. The paper also includes some experimental results on the hydraulic pilot plant and some simulation case studies.     

Digital Curve Length Calculation by Using B-spline

A new method for digital curve length calculation based on the approximation with a B-spline has been introduced where the control points of a B-spline curve are the pixel center points. An approximate length of the digital curve is determined by calculating the length of the continuous B-spline curve. In the paper several examples are presented and the calculated lengths are compared to other methods found in the literature. The advantage of the proposed method is in the approximation of the digital curve with the continuous curve rather than with piecewise linear sections used by most other methods.     

Feedrate planning for machining with industrial six-axis robots

Nowadays, the adaptation of industrial robots to carry out high-speed machining operations is strongly required by the manufacturing industry. This new technology machining process demands the improvement of the overall performances of robots to achieve an accuracy level close to that realized by machine-tools. This paper presents a method of trajectory planning adapted for continuous machining by robot. The methodology used is based on a parametric interpolation of the geometry in the operational space. FIR filters properties are exploited to generate the tool feedrate with limited jerk. This planning method is validated experimentally on an industrial robot.     

A Matrix Partitioning Interface to PaToH in MATLAB

We present the PaToH MATLAB Matrix Partitioning Interface. The interface provides support for hypergraph-based sparse matrix partitioning methods which are used for efficient parallelization of sparse matrix–vector multiplication operations. The interface also offers tools for visualizing and measuring the quality of a given matrix partition. We propose a novel, multilevel, 2D coarsening-based 2D matrix partitioning method and implement it using the interface. We have performed extensive comparison of the proposed method against our implementation of orthogonal recursive bisection and fine-grain methods on a large set of publicly available test matrices. The conclusion of the experiments is that the new method can compete with the fine-grain method while also suggesting new research directions.     

A comparative assessment of satellite-derived Adriatic Sea surface temperature

In this article, five Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and four Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS)-based Adriatic-focused satellite sea surface temperature (SST) products are analysed and compared with two sets of in situ SST measurements: a drifter-based dataset collected in 2003, and a platform-based dataset gathered in 2004; an additional set was used to validate the new SST coefficients. Analysis of satellite minus in situ SST residuals shows similar results for both in situ datasets, with the differences being within 0.2 K. All daytime SST biases exhibited positive values (less than 0.5 K). Night-time biases for short-wave infrared (IR) algorithms exhibited near zero and small negative values with an exceptionally low standard deviation (about 0.3 K) regardless of the sensor used. Analysis of filtered residual time-series allowed direct comparison between different SST products. The seasonal change in the daytime biases was found to covary with similar changes in atmospheric water vapour and the Adriatic specific wind regime.     

Thermal‐deformation characterization on the panel of TFT‐LCD TV. Part I: Mechanism of color distortion

Abstract— In this study we applied both numerical simulation and experimental validation to characterize the thermal deformation of the panel and the direct‐lit backlight unit (BLU) of a thin‐film‐transistor liquid‐crystal‐display television (TFT‐LCD TV). Heat emitted from cold‐cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) causes thermal deformation of the LCD and extrudes the panel from the metal front shield at both upper corners: this finally leads to color distortion. In the numerical simulation based on thermal‐fluidic fields of the TFT‐LCD TV, natural convection of air that surrounded the CCFLs resulted in a high temperature at the upper‐right and upper‐left corners of the LCD panel. Numerical results were verified by temperature measurements with good consistency. Additionally, this study has established a measurement system to characterize the temperature distribution on both the BLU and panel and the thermal deformation of the panel causing the color distortion.     

Mathematical model of IRIS replication mechanism for the simulation of tactical networks

The Multilateral Interoperability Programme (MIP) was established to promote more successful and better harmonized operational functions for international peace-keeping forces. The C2IEDM/JC3IEDM (Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model) ensures the interconnection of Command and Control Information Systems (C2ISs) throughout all levels, from the corps down to the lower ranks. The usability of C2ISs highly correlates with the capacities of data information carriers, and the need is growing for greater capacity and reliability of transmission media and cryptographic message security. Simulation of tactical networks is an important task in planning military missions. Such methodologies assure a higher probability of success during critical tactical operations. This article focuses on a new radio network modeling method for the C2IS, which is verified by the OPNET simulation environment. This modeling method can be used in tactical radio network planning and optimization processes.