Linear-Time Recognition of Helly Circular-Arc Models and Graphs

A circular-arc model ℳ is a circle C together with a collection A\mathcal{A} of arcs of C. If A\mathcal{A} satisfies the Helly Property then ℳ is a Helly circular-arc model. A (Helly) circular-arc graph is the intersection graph of a (Helly) circular-arc model. Circular-arc graphs and their subclasses have been the object of a great deal of attention in the literature. Linear-time recognition algorithms have been described both for the general class and for some of its subclasses. However, for Helly circular-arc graphs, the best recognition algorithm is that by Gavril, whose complexity is O(n ³). In this article, we describe different characterizations for Helly circular-arc graphs, including a characterization by forbidden induced subgraphs for the class. The characterizations lead to a linear-time recognition algorithm for recognizing graphs of this class. The algorithm also produces certificates for a negative answer, by exhibiting a forbidden subgraph of it, within this same bound.     

Improving SEM Inspection Performance in Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) station is one of the major quality control tasks in wafer manufacturing process. During the process of examining defects on a screen for a certain period of time, SEM inspectors frequently complain about visual fatigue problems. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of wafer‐coating condition (noncoating treatment and gold‐coating treatment) and liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor size (14‐inch and 19‐inch monitor) from the aspects of objective visual fatigue measures (NPA and CFF), subjective eye fatigue rating, and inspection performance. Twelve SEM inspectors participated in this experiment. The results indicated that the treatment of gold‐coating wafer showed significant difference on reducing objective visual fatigue in NPA and CFF change. Using a 19‐inch LCD monitor also demonstrated the effect on reducing eye fatigue as well as improving inspection performance. The improvement of using a gold‐coating treatment wafer and a 19‐inch LCD monitor to reduce SEM inspectors' visual fatigue and to increase inspection performance is thus recommended. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Annular ring slot antenna design with reconfigurable polarization

A microstrip‐fed conventional annular ring slot (ARS) antenna with linear polarization (LP) is initially studied. To generate two orthogonal degenerate modes for circular polarization (CP) radiations, two identical meandering perturbation slots (MPS) are symmetrically loaded into the ARS. By further incorporating a PIN diode switch across each MPS, the proposed antenna can switch between left‐hand CP (LHCP), right‐hand CP (RHCP), and LP. All three polarizations have shown good impedance bandwidth and broad CP bandwidth that can satisfy the wireless local area network (WLAN) 2.4‐GHz operating band (2400–2480 MHz). Furthermore, desirable gains of 1.8–2.0 dBi and 2.40–2.84 dBic are also exhibited at LP and LHCP/RHCP, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 26:110–120, 2016.     

Optimal Performance of an Endoreversible Four-Heat-Reservoir Absorption Heat-Transformer

Based on an endoreversible absorption heat-transformer cycle model operating between four temperature levels with linear (Newtonian) heat transfer law, the fundamental optimal relation between the specific heating load and the coefficient of performance, the optimal temperatures of the working substance, and the optimal heat transfer surface areas of the four heat exchangers are derived by using finite-time thermodynamics. Moreover, the effects of the cycle parameters on the cycle characteristic are studied by numerical examples. The results obtained herein can provide some guidance for the optimal design of absorption heat-transformers.     

Retracted: A study of a B2C supporting interface design system for the elderly

People are now living longer because of advances in medical science, resulting in the percentage of the elderly in the population increasing year by year. These older individuals cannot move about like youngsters do. Internet shopping could become one of the most important shopping channels for them. According to related domestic and foreign survey results, this is confirmed by the increased percentage of elderly Internet shoppers. A lot of consumers, however, are still not satisfied with their Internet shopping experiences. Many have had the experience of giving up before completing the purchasing procedure. The key factors included in such procedures are rather complex, and user interfaces are not necessarily well‐designed. Nowadays, most websites are still designed for the convenience of the seller instead of the consumers. Often consumers find that their interfaces are complex and hard to use and that they require a high mental workload. Based on the behavioral model of older Internet consumers and difficulties they have encountered, and after exploring the information provided by shopping websites and evaluating the status of their current interface design, this study proposes an example of a supporting interface design system (SIDS) for the elderly. The effects of the SIDS are verified experimentally. A total of 12 subjects participated in the experiment. The results showed that the SIDS could successfully reduce the time spent by the elderly subjects on inputting data during the shopping process and the number of repetitions and the time spent on searching for, examining, and comparing products. Furthermore, it was also helpful to reduce the mental workload caused by Internet shopping. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Medical displays by using plasma‐beam‐alignment technology

Abstract— Novel anode layer plasma within minimum chamber space was developed for non‐contact alignment process. The plasma‐treated polyimide (PI) surface showed no particle contamination and no micro‐scratches. Surface morphology was investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM), and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. The different oxygen‐to‐carbon ratio ([O]/[C] ratio) for XPS spectra indicated a composition change after plasma treatment. Surface pretilt angles were varied from 0 to 2.1° under different plasma exposure times. Finally, a prototype 20.8‐in. QXGA IPS‐mode gray‐scale medical liquid‐crystal display was successfully demonstrated with high contrast ratio, excellent uniformity, and wide viewing angle using this new plasma‐beam‐alignment technique.     

Specific interactions in miscible polymer blends of poly(2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate) with polyvinylpyrrolidone

The miscibility behaviour and hydrogen‐bonding interaction in blends of poly(2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (PHPMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier‐transform infrared spectra. This polymer blend was miscible over the whole composition range and an unusually large positive deviation of T_g from the linearity rule was observed, indicating strong hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group of PHPMA and the carbonyl group of PVP. Infrared spectroscopic analysis provided positive evidence for the intra‐molecular hydrogen bonding of PHPMA and inter‐molecular hydrogen bonding between PHPMA and PVP at various compositions and temperatures. Furthermore, equilibrium constants and enthalpies of self‐association and inter‐association between functional groups in the blend of PHPMA and PVP were calculated to explain the results. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

A study on the integration of micro‐reformer and high‐ temperature PEM fuel cell

This study presented an integration platform for a methanol reformer and high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The methanol micro‐reformer was combined with the catalytic reaction section and reforming section, whereas the catalytic reaction section with Pt catalysis maintained the constant temperature environment for a reforming process. SRM reforming results showed that 74 to 74.9% hydrogen and 23.5 to 25.7% of carbon dioxide in the mixture product, and less than 2% of carbon monoxide, was produced. Using the reforming product of low carbon monoxide concentration and the highest methanol conversion rate, a micro reformer link with a fuel cell integration experiment was performed. Results showed a high temperature PEMFC with 3 to 4 W power output under methanol flow rates of 15 ml/hr. Due to the lower hydrogen pressure supplied from the micro reformer, the fuel cell power output may become unstable. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20322     

Composite electrodes consisting of platinum particles and polyaniline nanowires as electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation

Polyaniline (PANI) with nanowire (PANI‐(NW)) network structure (mean diameter 10–20 nm) was successfully deposited on a stainless steel (SS) electrode by a galvanostatic process. Platinum particles were deposited into the PANI nanowire network structure to result the PANI(NW)‐Pt composite electrode. The PANI(NW)‐Pt electrode was used as electrocatalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of methanol. The PANI nanowires and PANI(NW)‐Pt nanocomposite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Nanowire morphology with an average diameter of 10–20 nm could be seen from scanning electron micrograph. Small amount (70 mμm) of spherical Pt particles could be deposited into the PANI(NW). Catalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol was studied by using cyclic voltammetry (CV). For comparative purposes, bulk Pt (deposited Pt on SS) and PANI nanowires based electrodes were tested. The PANI(NW)‐Pt nanocomposite electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the electrooxidation of methanol in comparison to bulk Pt electrodes, which reveals that the PANI(NW)‐Pt nanocomposite electrodeis more promising for application in electrocatalyst as a support material. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:650–656, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Rational Design of Charge‐Neutral,Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Osmium(II) Complexes and OLED Fabrication

A new series of charge neutral Os(II) isoquinolyl triazolate complexes ( 1 – 4 ) with both trans and cis arrangement of phosphine donors are synthesized, and their structural, electrochemical and photophysical properties are established. In sharp contrast to the cis‐arranged complexes 2 – 4 , the trans derivative 1 , which shows a planar arrangement of chromophoric N‐substituted chelates, offers the most effective extended π‐delocalization and hence the lowest excited state energy gap. These complexes exhibit phosphorescence with peak wavelengths ranging from 692–805 nm in degassed CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature. Near‐infrared (NIR)‐emitting electroluminescent devices employing 6 wt % of 1 (or 4 ) doped in Alq₃ host material are successfully fabricated. The devices incorporating 1 as NIR phosphor exhibit fairly intense emission with a peak wavelength at 814 nm. Forward radiant emittance reaches as high as 65.02 µW cm^?2, and a peak EQE of ～1.5% with devices employing Alq₃, TPBi and/or TAZ as electron‐transporting/exciton‐blocking layers. Upon switching to phosphor 4 , the electroluminescence blue shifts to 718 nm, while the maximum EQE and radiance increase to 2.7% and 93.26 (μW cm^?2) respectively. Their performances are optimized upon using TAZ as the electron transporting and exciton‐blocking material. The OLEDs characterized represent the only NIR‐emitting devices fabricated using charge‐neutral and volatile Os(II) phosphors via thermal vacuum deposition.