Channel Mode Research Articles

Implications of Channel Structure and Operational Mode Upon a Manufacturer's Durability Choice

We explore the interactions between channel structure and mode of operations (leasing versus selling) and their implications for a manufacturer's willingness to invest in making her product more durable. Using a centralized manufacturer who leases her product as a point of reference, we find that an isolated change in either the channel structure (centralized to decentralized), or the operational mode (leasing to selling) can decrease the manufacturer's willingness to provide durability. However, if combined, these two changes together may strengthen the manufacturer's willingness to invest in durability. Consequently, a manufacturer who sells through an intermediary may invest more in durability than one who leases directly to end consumers. This result challenges the conventional wisdom in two different paradigms. First, from the perspective that durability is a dimension of quality, it challenges the conventional view that decentralization will decrease a manufacturer's incentive to provide a high quality product. Second, from the perspective of the externality that is created when a firm sells a durable product to strategic consumers who anticipate declining prices, it challenges the conventional view that a manufacturer who leases will provide more durability than one who sells.

Innovating Collection Modes for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in China

The huge amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has aroused global concern with its importance of environmental performance for resources reutilization being recognized. The incomplete collection management system is required to be improved for a more environmental and orderly recycling way. Based on the public survey, field research and information search on the Internet, we present the existing framework and problems of WEEE collection in China, according to which four innovative WEEE collection modes are put forward: (i) Unified collection channels mode; (ii) Manufacturer alliance mode; (iii) Innovative enterprise self-built network platform mode; and (iv) Third-party integrated network platform mode. The characteristics, merits and deficiencies of the four modes are compared and analyzed, combined with which, we match the four modes with regions of different economic levels and Internet application. Third-party integrated network platform integrating online and offline resources is expected to be generalized under rapid development of information technology and e-commerce in China. The purpose of our research is to explore appropriate innovative WEEE collection modes and give suggestions for countries or economies whose WEEE collection situation or system are similar with China. Besides, government support and laws implementation are emphasized in mode promotion.

Microphone array speech enhancement based on tensor filtering methods

This paper proposes a novel microphone array speech denoising scheme based on tensor filtering methods including truncated HOSVD (High-Order Singular Value Decomposition), low rank tensor approximation and multi-mode Wiener filtering. Microphone array speech signal is represented in three-order tensor space with channel, time, and spectrum modes and then tensor filtering model can be designed to process the multiway array data. As to the first method, noise can be reduced through the truncated HOSVD which is a simple scheme in tensor processing. It is more accurate to find the lower-rank approximation of the three-order tensor with Tucker model. Then MDL (Minimum Description Length) criterion is used to estimate the optimal tensor rank in the second method. Further, multimode Wiener filtering approach upon tensor analysis can be considered as the spanning of one-mode wiener filtering. How to take advantages of tensor model to obtain a set of filters is the heart of the novel scheme. The performances of the proposed three approaches are evaluated with objective indexes and listening quality test. The experimental results indicate that the proposed tenor filtering methods have potential ability of retrieving the target signal from noisy microphone array signal and the multi-mode Wiener filtering method provides the best denoising results among the three ones.

Metallic 3D Random Nanocomposite Islands For Near‐Field Spatial Light Switching

AbstractRandom nanocomposite islands have drawn significant interest for diverse applications due to extreme simplicity of fabricating nanoscale structures. In this paper, the near‐field characteristics of random nanoislands produced by spatial light switching are investigated, with light incidence switching among 14 incident channel modes. The results show that localized light fields are displaced from nanoislands almost linearly with the incident angle of channels. Also, light fields rotate in a manner aligned to the direction of light incidence. Ten‐channel spatial switching is found to provide coverage of near‐fields on the surface close to 90%. The numerical data are experimentally validated using fluorescent imaging and near‐field scanning optical microscopy. The results suggest the possibility of using random nanoislands for high performance imaging such as superresolution microscopy and molecular detection techniques.

Recycling mechanisms and policy suggestions for spent electric vehicles' power battery -A case of Beijing

Abstract In recent years, electric vehicles have developed rapidly in China, and recycling a large number of their spent power batteries will become a substantial challenge in the near future. However, the specific mechanisms and policies for recycling spent power batteries have still not been established in China. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose reward-penalty mechanisms and policies, and test their impacts on power battery recycling by using a Staklberg game theory based model. In the model, three single recycling channel modes and three competitive dual recycling channel modes were considered respectively. Furthermore, the total social welfare is used as the indicator to select the optimal recycling modes, which includes participants' profit, consumer surplus, government's supervision cost, energy-saving and carbon emission reduction effect. The obtained analysis results show that: (i) the intensive reward-penalty mechanism is more suitable for higher recycling rate modes, otherwise it may cause benefit losses, and thus, setting a reasonable minimum recycling rate as benchmark for reward-penalty mechanism is critically important; (ii) Environmental awareness has significant impacts on social benefits of power battery recycling; (iii) M&R (mode with competition between manufacturer and retailer in the recycling channels) has obvious advantages among these six recycling modes.

Computer Simulations Reveal a Novel Blocking Mode of the hERG Ion Channel by the Antiarrhythmic Agent Clofilium.

The binding modes of many hERG ion channel blockers are well understood, but a notable exception is clofilium, a potent antiarrhythmic agent whose action relies on blocking the current mediated by hERG. From the previously hypothesized binding modes of clofilium to hERG, only two can explain most of the experimental results. In this study, computer simulations are performed in order to analyze the hypothesized binding modes and to identify the consensus one. This is accomplished by employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and interaction energy calculations. The results show an unexpected binding mode, in which the quaternary nitrogen is placed in the upper part of the inner cavity, interacting strongly with Ser624, while the chlorophenyl group is located in the lower part, in better agreement with previous experimental results. This novel binding position also explains the higher affinity of clofilium for the related hEag1 channel and was correlated with the possibility that potent hERG blockers interact in specific ways with the residues near the intracellular activation gate, offering a new explanation that could help predict the potency of other hERG-blocking compounds.

Conflict in the Mechanism and Kinetics of the Barrierless Reaction between SH and NO2 Radicals.

There are some unsettled issues regarding the mechanism and kinetics of an important atmospheric reaction of NO2 radical with the SH radical. The existing mechanism is based on the formation of HSO and NO radicals, both of which can result only along one barrierless channel. However, the detection of NO radical has never been reported though the formation of HSO radical has been followed in some studies to determine the rate constants. The latter are mainly obtained by monitoring the SH decay, but rate constants are reported to be highly conflicting among the existing studies reporting its value ranging from 10-10 to 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 sec-1. The present work attempts to resolve these issues by exploring various reaction pathways through the global reaction route mapping of the potential energy surface at the level of spin-unrestricted and spin-restricted coupled-cluster and density functional theories. The initial association of two radicals was found to proceed via two barrierless modes: (1) S-N association leading to HSNO2 and, (2) S-O association resulting in HSONO, in particular the cis-isomer. The kinetics of the barrierless pathways was investigated through rate constants computed using canonical variational transition state theory (CVTST) along with their temperature and pressure dependence investigated using the master equation. The rate constants calculated using spin-unrestricted methods are found to be in agreement with experimentally observed range of rate constant, and the formation of cis-HSONO (via mode 2) is observed to be the main contributing channel. Contrary to the results of spin-restricted calculations, the barrierless channel (mode 1) leading to the formation of HSNO2 is predicted to involve two bottlenecks when results using spin-unrestricted calculations were analyzed. Notably, the spin-unrestricted calculations predict a prereaction complex for the formation of S-N bond (via mode 1) which has been treated using Miller's unified transition state theory with a two transition state model. The fate of all the species involved in the reaction is critically evaluated in the present work, and the predictions made can be a subject of further experimental and theoretical studies involving radical-radical reactions.

Social-aware energy efficiency optimization for device-to-device communications in 5G networks

Mobile social networks and device-to-device (D2D) communications have emerged as promising techniques to support better local advanced services in 5G networks. Nevertheless, the integration of mobile social networks and D2D communications into 5G networks poses pivotal challenges such as how to exploit the social relationships of mobile users (MUs) and manage the interference and resources (i.e., spectrum and energy) in order to improve the performance of D2D communications. To this end, we propose a social-aware energy efficiency optimization solution for D2D communications in 5G networks. In particular, we first analyze and evaluate the influence of social relationships on the performance of D2D communications, which enable us to formulate the energy efficiency optimization (EEO) problem while carefully considering both the social relationships and physical interference between all the MUs. The EEO problem is then solved for optimal channel mode selection and optimal transmission powers allocated to each MU to maximize the energy efficiency, by utilizing adaptive genetic algorithm. Numerical results show that compared with social-unaware methods, our proposed solution can achieve significant improvement in terms of energy efficiency and system throughput while preserving the quality of service (QoS) for all users by taking into account the spectrum efficiency and transmission power constraints.

An ICT-based chemodosimeter for selective dual channel sensing of cyanide in an aqueous solution

The chemodosimeter senses cyanide in an aqueous solution via dual channel mode through nucleophilic addition, which blocks π-conjugation and ICT transition.

Tachyonic instability of the scalar mode prior to the QCD critical point based on the functional renormalization-group method in the two-flavor case

We establish and elucidate the physical meaning of the appearance of an acausal mode in the sigma mesonic channel, found in the previous work by the present authors, when the system approaches the $\mathrm{Z}_{2}$ critical point. The functional renormalization group method is applied to the two--flavor quark--meson model with varying current quark mass $m_q$ even away from the physical value at which the pion mass is reproduced. We first determine the whole phase structure in the three-dimensional space $(T, \mu, m_q)$ consisting of temperature $T$, quark chemical potential $\mu$ and $m_q$, with the tricritical point, $\mathrm{O}(4)$ and $\mathrm{Z}_{2}$ critical lines being located; they altogether make a wing-like shape quite reminiscent of those known in the condensed matters with a tricritical point. We then calculate the spectral functions $\rho_{\sigma, \pi}(\omega, p)$ in the scalar and pseudoscalar channel around the critical points. We find that the sigma mesonic mode becomes tachyonic with a superluminal velocity at finite momenta before the system reaches the $\mathrm{Z}_{2}$ point from the lower density, even for $m_q$ smaller than the physical value. One of the possible implications of the appearance of such a tachyonic mode at finite momenta is that the assumed equilibrium state with a uniform chiral condensate is unstable toward a state with an inhomogeneous $\sigma$ condensate. No such an anomalous behavior is found in the pseudoscalar channel. We find that the $\sigma$-to-$2\sigma$ coupling due to finite $m_q$ play an essential role for the drastic modification of the spectral function.

Gate Antiphase of Potassium Channel

Potassium channels are integral membrane proteins that selectively transport K+ ions across cell membranes. They function through a pair of gates, which work in tandem to allow the passage of the ions through the channel pore in a coupled system, to which I refer to here as the “gate linker”. The functional mutation effects, as described in the literature, suggest that the gate linker functions analogously to a triad of coiled springs arranged in series. Accordingly, I constructed a physical model of harmonic oscillators and analyzed it mechanically and mathematically. The operation of this model indeed corresponds to the phenomena observed in the mutations study. The harmonic oscillator model shows that the strength of the gate linker is crucial for gate coupling and may account for the velocity, direction, and efficiency of ion transfer through the channel. Such a physical perspective of the gating process suggests new lines of investigation regarding the coupling mode of potassium channels and may help to explain the importance of the gate linker to channel function.

Neuronal P2X7 Receptors Revisited: Do They Really Exist?

P2X7 receptors (Rs) constitute a subclass of ATP-sensitive ionotropic receptors (P2X1-P2X7). P2X7Rs have many distinguishing features, mostly based on their long intracellular C terminus regulating trafficking to the cell membrane, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modification. Their C-terminal tail is especially important in enabling the transition from the nonselective ion channel mode to a membrane pore allowing the passage of large molecules. There is an ongoing dispute on the existence of neuronal P2X7Rs with consequences for our knowledge on their involvement in neuroinflammation, aggravating stroke, temporal lobe epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and various neurodegenerative diseases. Whereas early results appeared to support the operation of P2X7Rs at neurons, more recently glial P2X7Rs are increasingly considered as indirect causes of neuronal effects. Specific tools for P2X7Rs are of limited value because of the poor selectivity of agonists, and the inherent failure of antibodies to differentiate between the large number of active and inactive splice variants, or gain-of-function and loss-of-function small nucleotide polymorphisms of the receptor. Unfortunately, the available P2RX7 knock-out mice generated by pharmaceutical companies possess certain splice variants, which evade inactivation. In view of the recently discovered bidirectional dialogue between astrocytes and neurons (and even microglia and neurons), we offer an alternative explanation for previous data, which assumedly support the existence of P2X7Rs at neurons. We think that the unbiased reader will follow our argumentation on astrocytic or microglial P2X7Rs being the primary targets of pathologically high extracellular ATP concentrations, although a neuronal localization of these receptors cannot be fully excluded either.

Position sensorless technology of switched reluctance motor drives including mutual inductance

To reduce the effect of estimation position angle error caused by mutual inductance on sensorless control of switched reluctance motor (SRM) in clear command channel mode, a SRM rotor position estimation method is presented. Using this method, the effect of mutual inductance can be eliminated without measuring mutual inductance. First, different working states are analysed. When working at single-phase excitation, mutual inductance can be ignored, inductance model method is used to estimate the position angle. When working at two-phase excitation situation, mutual inductance is non-zero, based on flux linkage-difference a new method is used to eliminate mutual inductance influence. Finally, the proposed method is verified by experiments. Experiment results show that compared with the mutual inductance ignored methods, the proposed method has higher estimation accuracy. This method can realise stable and reliable running of SRM sensorless control in wider speed range.

Parameter intervality of remote control systems generated with error detection mode in communication channel

Parameter intervality of remote control systems generated with error detection mode in communication channel

Resonance capture of electrons and positrons in the axial channeling mode at a crystal surface

The motion of channeled particles in a single crystal is determined by the continuous potential of the crystallographic axes. The transverse motion of particles in the axial channeling mode is characterized by a discrete energy spectrum. In this paper, the criteria for selection of the continuous potential and the conditions for quantization of the transverse energy for axially channeled particles are discussed, and the criterion for the resonance capture of particles in the axial channeling mode during particle entrance into a single crystal is formulated; it requires that the particle’s angular momentum with respect to the channel axis coincides with a quantity that is a multiple of Planck’s constant. The effect of resonance capture can be observed, for example, via an increase in the intensity of electromagnetic radiation of the beam of channeled particles in the optical range at frequencies corresponding to transitions between the allowed levels of transverse motion.

The effects on γ-LiAlO2 induced by nuclear energy losses during Ga ions implantation

To explore the evolution of γ-LiAlO2 under ion irradiation at low energy, we implanted Ga ions of 30, 80 and 150keV at fluences of 1×1014 and 1×1015ions/cm2 in z-cut γ-LiAlO2 samples, respectively. The implantation resulted in damage regions dominated by nuclear energy losses at depth of 232Å, 514Å, and 911Å beneath the surface, respectively, which was simulated by the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter program. The irradiated γ-LiAlO2 were characterized with atomic force microscope, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering in a channeling mode for morphology evolution, structure information and damage profiles. The interesting and partly abnormal results showed the various behaviors in modification of surface by Ga ions implantation.

Development of joint models for channel, store, and travel mode choice: Grocery shopping in London

The nature of shopping activity is changing in response to innovation in retailing and the growth in online channels. There is a growing interest from transport researchers, policy makers, marketing and retail businesses in understanding the implications of this change. However, existing tools and techniques developed for analysing behaviour in traditional retail environments do not adequately represent emerging complexities resulting from digital innovation. In this paper, we advance existing destination and mode choice models by incorporating online channels in a unified framework. This is a critical extension to existing transport literature on destination choice which largely ignores online activity. Specifically, we develop discrete choice models using elemental store (including both online and in-store) alternatives for joint choice of channel, store, and travel mode. We demonstrate the use of a widely-accepted consumer panel dataset with minor modifications, for the first time in transport research, together with API based data mining tools that offer great potential for enrichment.The analysis focuses on grocery shopping and uses consumer data collected from two selected boroughs in London; results from multinomial logit and nested logit estimations are reported. The extension presented here provides the tools to quantify the effects of increased online shopping on traditional store formats and travel patterns. Our results showed virtual alternatives currently offer an attractive substitute among early adopters for large basket shopping mostly for high income groups. This might suggest a significant reduction in shopping trips to hypermarkets often associated with large basket shopping potentially leading to store closures. Online deliveries mostly draw from driving trips and less so from walking and public transport trips. The present study also confirmed previous findings related to smaller stores and longer travel distances being associated with declining utilities, agglomeration and competition significantly influencing store choice.

Migration behaviour of Europium implanted into single crystalline 6H-SiC

Migration behaviour of Europium (Eu) implanted into 6H-SiC was investigated using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), RBS in a channelling mode (RBS-C) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eu ions of 360 keV were implanted into 6H-SiC at 600 °C to a fluence of 1 × 1016 cm−2. The implanted samples were sequentially annealed at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1400 °C, in steps of 100 °C for 5 h. RBS-C showed that implantation of Eu into 6H-SiC at 600 °C retained crystallinity with some radiation damage. Annealing of radiation damage retained after implantation already took place after annealing at 1000 °C. This annealing of radiation damage progressed with increasing annealing temperature up to 1400 °C. A shift of Eu towards the surface took place after annealing at 1000 °C. This shift became more pronounced and was accompanied by loss of Eu from the surface at annealing temperatures >1000 °C. This shift was accompanied by broadening of Eu peak/Fickian diffusion after annealing at temperatures >1100 °C. The migration of Eu occurring concurrently with the annealing of radiation damage was explained by trapping and de-trapping of Eu by radiation damage.

Holographic equilibration in confining gauge theories under external magnetic fields

We investigate the effect of external magnetic fields on equilibration in the improved holographic QCD theory in the deconfined phase using the AdS/CFT correspondence. In particular we calculate the quasinormal mode spectra in the corresponding black brane solutions and study their dependence on temperature, momentum and magnetic field, both in the scalar and the shear channels. We find complex patterns in the motion of quasinormal modes on the complex plane, including certain cross overs between the lowest lying modes under varying magnetic field, momentum and temperature. We also discover a critical value of the magnetic field Bc above which the hydrodynamic approximation breaks down, as the imaginary part of the first excited quasi-normal mode in the shear channel becomes smaller than that of the hydro mode.

Laboratory based X-ray photoemission core-level spectromicroscopy of resistive oxide memories

HfO2-based resistive oxide memories are studied by core-level spectromicroscopy using a laboratory-based X-ray photoelectron emission microscope (XPEEM). After forming, the top electrode is thinned to about 1 nm for the XPEEM analysis, making the buried electrode/HfO2 interface accessible whilst preserving it from contamination. The results are obtained in the true photoemission channel mode from individual memory cells (5 × 5 µm) excited by low-flux laboratory X-rays, in contrast to most studies employing the X-ray absorption channel using potentially harmful bright synchrotron X-rays. Analysis of the local Hf 4f, O 1s and Ti 2p core level spectra yields valuable information on the chemistry of the forming process in a single device, and in particular the central role of oxygen vacancies thanks to the spectromicroscopic approach.