A distributed multi-agent meeting scheduler

Electronic calendars are important tools that are used by consumers on a daily basis. However, scheduling a meeting that involves persons with different commitments and preferences remains a difficult task. Meeting scheduling is difficult because current calendaring applications cannot handle the responsibility of automatically and autonomously managing time slots. This paper presents a distributed multi-agent system architecture in which each person is represented by an agent. These agents automatically and autonomously work together to assist different users to book meetings on their behalf. Each agent has the capability to manage, negotiate and schedule tasks, meetings, events, appointments for its assigned user. In this multi-agent system, the agents coordinate their activities and negotiate on behalf of their associated users to find a solution that satisfies the users' meeting requirements and preferences. A prototype of this system is implemented to demonstrate how the agents can automatically book meetings.     

Ambient‐light sensor system with wide dynamic range enhanced by adaptive sensitivity control

Abstract— A new digital ambient‐light sensor system is presented which employs two linear light sensors with different sensitivities and automatically adjusts the sensitivity based on the illumination condition. The adaptation mechanism allows a very wide range of light intensity to be detected, and the input dynamic range of the system is substantially improved from 22.5 to 45.1 dB. The proposed method does not require any additional precision bits for output data. Due to the small number of the output bits and the simple conversion process, the system can be easily integrated on the display panel.     

Heavy Electron Superconductors in Terms of Block Spin Phenomenology

We investigate the relationship between superconductivity and spin glasses, which were observed to be coexistent in heavy fermion superconductors (HFSs). We begin by explaining the phase of spin glass using concepts of finite-sized block spin. We then introduce the phase of superconductivity in HFSs as collective Cooper pairing, that is, the pairing of block spins with net spin = 1/2, each of which is comprised of a large number of random spins that together produce a majority spin direction. The superconducting Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS)-type phonon-mediated electron-electron interaction is substituted for the BCS-type electron-electron interaction mediated by phonon-enhanced spin flips previously suggested by us. An effective charge of any value stemming from an electron attached to the flux of an electric field can be referred to as a composite charge. The distinguished difference between ours and the original BCS model is the following: (i) another BCS-type interaction, (ii) bare electrons that are substituted for block spins with net spin = 1/2 and net charge = e in the presence of electric fields, and (iii) Fermi-Dirac distributions that are replaced by a new distribution called as Brillouin distribution.     

Rational Design and Synthesis of Extremely Efficient Macroporous CoSe2–CNT Composite Microspheres for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Uniquely structured CoSe₂–carbon nanotube (CNT) composite microspheres with optimized morphology for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) are prepared by spray pyrolysis and subsequent selenization. The ultrafine CoSe₂ nanocrystals uniformly decorate the entire macroporous CNT backbone in CoSe₂–CNT composite microspheres. The macroporous CNT backbone strongly improves the electrocatalytic activity of CoSe₂ by improving the electrical conductivity and minimizing the growth of CoSe₂ nanocrystals during the synthesis process. In addition, the macroporous structure resulting from the CNT backbone improves the electrocatalytic activity of the CoSe₂–CNT microspheres by increasing the removal rate of generated H₂ and minimizing the polarization of the electrode during HER. The CoSe₂–CNT composite microspheres demonstrate excellent catalytic activity for HER in an acidic medium (10 mA cm^?2 at an overpotential of ≈174 mV). The bare CoSe₂ powders exhibit moderate HER activity, with an overpotential of 226 mV at 10 mA cm^?2. The Tafel slopes for the CoSe₂–CNT composite and bare CoSe₂ powders are 37.8 and 58.9 mV dec^?1, respectively. The CoSe₂–CNT composite microspheres have a slightly larger Tafel slope than that of commercial carbon‐supported platinum nanoparticles, which is 30.2 mV dec^–1.     

Metal microparticle – Polymer composites as printable,bio/ecoresorbable conductive inks

Biologically and environmentally resorbable electronic devices support application possibilities that cannot be addressed with conventional technologies. This paper presents highly conductive, water-soluble composites that can be printed to form contacts, interconnects, antennas, and other important features that are essential to nearly all systems of this type. An optimized material formulation involves in situ polymerization to yield a polyanhydride containing a dispersion of molybdenum microparticles at appropriate concentrations. Comparisons of essential physical and electrical properties of these materials to those of composites formed with other polymers and other metal microparticles reveal the relevant considerations. Various functional demonstrations of screen-printed test structures and devices illustrate the suitability of these conductive inks for use in water-soluble electronic devices. A key advantage of the material introduced here compared to alternatives is its ability to maintain conductance over significant periods of time while immersed in relevant aqueous solutions. Studies involving live animal models establish the biocompatibility.     

Amplification‐Free Multi‐RNA‐Type Profiling for Cancer Risk Stratification via Alternating Current Electrohydrodynamic Nanomixing

Simultaneous analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)—multi‐RNA‐type profiling—is increasingly crucial in cancer diagnostics. Yet, rapid multi‐RNA‐type profiling is challenging due to enzymatic amplification reliance and RNA‐type‐dependent characteristics. Here, a nanodevice is reported to uniquely use alterable alternating current electrohydrodynamic (ac‐EHD) forces to enhance probe–target hybridization prior to direct native RNA target detection, without target amplification or surface functionalization. To exemplify clinical applicability, noninvasive screening of next‐generation prostate cancer (PCa) RNA biomarkers (of different types) in patient urine samples is performed. A strong correlation between multi‐RNA‐type expression and aggressive PCa is found, and the nanodevice performance is statistically evaluated. It is believed that this miniaturized system exhibits great potential for cancer risk stratification via multi‐RNA‐type profiling.