Sequential Mode Research Articles

Design Simulation of Czerny–Turner Configuration-Based Raman Spectrometer Using Physical Optics Propagation Algorithm

We report the design simulation of the Raman spectrometer using Zemax optical system design software. The design is based on the Czerny–Turner configuration, which includes an optical system consisting of an entrance slit, two concave mirrors, reflecting type diffraction grating and an image detector. The system’s modeling approach is suggested by introducing the corresponding relationship between detector pixels and wavelength, linear CCD receiving surface length and image surface dimension. The simulations were carried out using the POP (physical optics propagation) algorithm. Spot diagram, relative illumination, irradiance plot, modulation transfer function (MTF), geometric and encircled energy were simulated for designing the Raman spectrometer. The simulation results of the Raman spectrometer using a 527 nm wavelength laser as an excitation light source are presented. The present optical system was designed in sequential mode and a Raman spectrum was observed from 530 nm to 630 nm. The analysis shows that the system’s image efficiency was quite good, predicting that it could build an efficient and cost-effective Raman spectrometer for optical diagnostics.

Fast Task-Based Adaptive Sampling for 3D Single-Photon Multispectral Lidar Data

3D single-photon LiDAR imaging plays an important role in numerous applications. However, long acquisition times and significant data volumes present a challenge for LiDAR imaging. This paper proposes a task-optimized adaptive sampling framework that enables fast acquisition and processing of high-dimensional single-photon LiDAR data. Given a task of interest, the iterative sampling strategy targets the most informative regions of a scene which are defined as those minimizing parameter uncertainties. The task is performed by considering a Bayesian model that is carefully built to allow fast per-pixel computations while delivering parameter estimates with quantified uncertainties. The framework is demonstrated on multispectral 3D single-photon LiDAR imaging when considering object classification and/or target detection as tasks. It is also analysed for both sequential and parallel scanning modes for different detector array sizes. Results on simulated and real data show the benefit of the proposed optimized sampling strategy when compared to state-of-the-art sampling strategies.

Morphology and physico-mechanical properties of poly (methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene/polypropylene ternary polymer blend and its nanocomposites with organoclay: The effect of nature of organoclay and method of preparation

This work presents the role of organoclay type (hydrophilic C30B vs hydrophobic C15A) and feeding mode (sequential vs. simultaneous) on a model ternary blend system poly (methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene/polypropylene (PMMA/PS/PP, 80/05/15). The rheological and thermal properties of these nanocomposites are linked to their morphology, which is mainly controlled by the preparation method and the nature of the organoclays. Using oscillatory shear rheology and dynamic mechanical analyses, both organoclays were shown to be mainly localized in the PMMA matrix. However, the more polar C30B showed a greater affinity toward the matrix. Studying the morphology using electron microscopy revealed that at 1 wt% of the organoclays, the original core-shell morphology of the blend was retained regardless of the feeding sequence. At 3 wt% of the organoclays, however, the core-shell morphology was only retained in the case of C30B-based nanocomposites prepared using sequential feeding mode. In the other cases, the increased solid-like behavior of the PS phase prevented the formation of a shell. Overall, it was shown that the feeding sequence and the affinity of organoclays towards different blend components determined their localization and therefore the eventual morphology of the nanocomposite.

A Fast-Lock All-Digital Clock Generator for Energy Efficient Chiplet-Based Systems

An all-digital clock frequency multiplier that achieves excellent locking time for an energy-efficient chiplet-based system-on-chip (SoC) design is presented. The proposed architecture is based on an all-digital multiplying delay-locked loop (MDLL) to provide fast locking time and multiplied output clock frequency. The proposed MDLL has two operation modes: TDC tracking and sequential tracking. At the beginning of the operation, the MDLL utilizes a cyclic Vernier time-to-digital converter (TDC) to detect the initial phase error between the reference clock and the output clock. Then the TDC generates a digital code word (DCW) for controlling the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) to achieve a fast lock time. The gains of TDC and DCO are designed to match well with each other, enabling phase and frequency locking in only two searches in the TDC tracking mode. After locking, the TDC is turned off, and the MDLL performs the sequential tracking mode and minimizes jitter by using the delta-sigma modulator (DSM)-based dithering jitter reduction scheme. The prototype all-digital MDLL is fabricated in a 40-nm CMOS process and achieves a fast lock time of less than six reference clock cycles at 1.6 GHz from a 100 MHz reference clock. Even when the 100 MHz reference clock has a relatively high RMS jitter of 2.19 ps (peak-to-peak jitter =15.74 ps), the measured RMS and peak-to-peak jitter values of the 1.6 GHz MDLL output clock are only 2.75 ps and 23.01 ps, respectively. The proposed all-digital MDLL occupies an active area of only 0.024 mm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> and dissipates 3.56 mW at 1.6 GHz.

Recent progress in treatment of dyes wastewater using microbial-electro-Fenton technology.

Globally, textile dyeing and manufacturing are one of the largest industrial units releasing huge amount of wastewater (WW) with refractory compounds such as dyes and pigments. Currently, wastewater treatment has been viewed as an industrial opportunity for rejuvenating fresh water resources and it is highly required in water stressed countries. This comprehensive review highlights an overall concept and in-depth knowledge on integrated, cost-effective cross-disciplinary solutions for domestic and industrial (textile dyes) WW and for harnessing renewable energy. This basic concept entails parallel or sequential modes of treating two chemically different WW i.e., domestic and industrial in the same system. In this case, contemporary advancement in MFC/MEC (METs) based systems towards Microbial-Electro-Fenton Technology (MEFT) revealed a substantial emerging scope and opportunity. Principally the said technology is based upon previously established anaerobic digestion and electro-chemical (photo/UV/Fenton) processes in the disciplines of microbial biotechnology and electro-chemistry. It holds an added advantage to all previously establish technologies in terms of treatment and energy efficiency, minimal toxicity and sludge waste, and environmental sustainable. This review typically described different dyes and their ultimate fate in environment and recently developed hierarchy of MEFS. It revealed detail mechanisms and degradation rate of dyes typically in cathodic Fenton system under batch and continuous modes of different MEF reactors. Moreover, it described cost-effectiveness of the said technology in terms of energy budget (production and consumption), and the limitations related to reactor fabrication cost and design for future upgradation to large scale application.

Multi-frequency power ultrasound green extraction of polyphenols from Pingyin rose: Optimization using the response surface methodology and exploration of the underlying mechanism

The effect of multi-frequency power ultrasound (MFPU) on the extraction of Pingyin rose polyphenols (PRP) and underlying mechanisms were studied. The MFPU included mono-, dual-, and tri-frequency ultrasound. Working modes for the dual- and tri-frequency were in sequential and simultaneous ways. The extraction parameter was firstly optimized by RSM (response surface methodology). It was found that the optimum conditions were 50% for ethanol concentration, 63 °C for extraction temperature, 31 min for extraction time, and 1:46 g/mL for solid-liquid ratio with a PRP extraction yield of 156.81 mg/g. The extraction yields of PRP assisted with ultrasound in different power levels and frequencies were further investigated. Compared to non-ultrasound, the extraction yields of PRP assisted with ultrasound were significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The tri-frequency ultrasound in sequential working mode (20/28/40 kHz) showed the most promising extraction efficiencies for PRP (187.13 mg/g), which was 19.33% higher than that of non-ultrasound. Besides, signal results of the MFPU field collected by a hydrophone and damage degree of aluminum foil paper showed that the ultrasonic fields with stronger noise signals, and more uniform broken holes had higher extraction yield of PRP. Conclusively, the MFPU is demonstrated as a green protocol for the valuable extraction of PRP.

DEFENDER-ATTACKER MODELS FOR RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN INFORMATION SECURITY

Today, information security in defender-attacker game models is getting more attention from the research community. A game-theoretic approach applied in resource allocation study requires security in information for successive defensive strategy against attackers. For the defensive side players, allocating resources effectively and appropriately is essential to maintain the winning position against the attacking side. It can be possible by making the best response to the attack, i.e., by defining the most effective secure defensive strategy. This present work develops one defender – two attackers game model to determine the defensive strategy based on the Nash equilibrium and Stackelberg leadership equilibrium solutions of one defender-one attacker game model. Both game models are designed and studied in two scenarios: simultaneous and sequential modes. Game modes are defined according to the information that is available for attackers. In the first one, the defender is not aware of the attack and makes a simultaneous decision of how many resources should be allocated. Meanwhile, in the second mode, the defender knows about the entrance of attackers into a market and is assumed to commit a better strategy. The budget constraints are studied for both modes, all calculations and proof are presented in the work. According to obtained game mathematical models, it can be highlighted that network value of customers is important through the introduction of new variables in modeling and performing game theory equilibriums. This paper underlines the importance of information availability, budget limitations, and network value of customers in resource allocation through mathematical models and proofs; and focuses on modeling and studying defender-attacker games to define defensive strategy.

The Use of Multimode Data Collection in Random Digit Dialing Cell Phone Surveys for Young Adults: Feasibility Study.

BackgroundYoung adults’ early adoption of new cell phone technologies have created challenges to survey recruitment but offer opportunities to combine random digit dialing (RDD) sampling with web mode data collection. The National Young Adult Health Survey was designed to test the feasibility of this methodology.ObjectiveIn this study, we compared response rates across the telephone mode and web mode, assessed sample representativeness, examined design effects (DEFFs), and compared cigarette smoking prevalence to a gold standard national survey.MethodsWe conducted a survey experiment where the sampling frame was randomized to single-mode telephone interviews, telephone-to-web sequential mixed mode, and single-mode web survey. A total of 831 respondents aged 18 to 34 years were recruited via RDD at baseline. A soft launch was conducted prior to main launch. We compared the web mode to the telephone modes (ie, single-mode and mixed mode) at wave 1 based on the American Association for Public Opinion Research response rate 3 for screening and extended surveys. Base-weighted demographic distributions were compared to the American Community Survey. The sample was calibrated to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey to calculate DEFFs and to compare cigarette smoking prevalence to the National Health Interview Survey. Prevalence estimates are estimated with sampling weights and are presented with unweighted sample sizes. Consistency of estimates was judged by 95% CI.ResultsThe American Association for Public Opinion Research response rate 3 was higher in the telephone mode than in the web mode (24% and 30% vs 6.1% and 12.5%, for soft launch and main launch, respectively), which was reflected in response rate 3 for screening and extended surveys. During the soft launch, the extended survey and eligibility rate were low for respondents pushed to the web mode. To boost productivity and survey completes for the web condition, the main launch used cell phone numbers from the sampling frame where the sample vendor matched the number to auxiliary data, which suggested that the number likely belonged to an adult in the target age range. This increased the eligibility rate, but the screener response rate was lower. Compared to population distribution from the US Census Bureau, the telephone mode overrepresented men (57.1% [unweighted n=412] vs 50.9%) and those enrolled in college (40.3% [unweighted n=269] vs 23.8%); it also underrepresented those with a Bachelor of Arts or Science (34.4% [unweighted n=239] vs 55%). The web mode overrepresented White, non-Latinos (70.7% [unweighted n=90] vs 54.4%) and those with some college education (30.4% [unweighted n=40] vs 7.6%); it also underrepresented Latinos (13.6% [unweighted n=20] vs 20.7%) and those with a high school or General Education Development diploma (15.3% [unweighted n=20] vs 29.3%). The DEFF measure was 1.28 (subpopulation range 0.96-1.93). The National Young Adult Health Survey cigarette smoking prevalence was consistent with the National Health Interview Survey overall (15%, CI 12.4%-18% [unweighted 149/831] vs 13.5%, CI 12.3%-14.7% [unweighted 823/5552]), with notable deviation among 18- to 24-year-olds (15.6%, CI 11.3%-22.2% [unweighted 51/337] vs 8.7%, CI 7.1%-10.6% [unweighted 167/1647]), and those with education levels lower than Bachelor of Arts or Science (24%, CI 19.3%-29.4% [unweighted 123/524] vs 17.1%, CI 15.6%-18.7% [unweighted 690/3493]).ConclusionsRDD sampling for a web survey is not feasible for young adults due to its low response rate. However, combining this methodology with RDD telephone surveys may have a great potential for including media and collecting autophotographic data in population surveys.

Valorisation of drinking water treatment sludge as substrate in subsurface flow constructed wetlands for upgrading treated wastewater

Drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) is the main waste produced in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Its valorisation as substrate for constructed wetlands (CWs) aimed at upgrading treated urban wastewater is presented. Keeping a holistic approach in mind, this study looks for nutrient and organic matter removal but also contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and pathogens. Three pilot subsurface flow CWs (1 m2) were installed under outdoor conditions in real WWTPs. Different operation modes (sequential: S-CW and continuous saturated flow: C-CW, CC-CW), different nutrient influent concentrations (S-CW and C-CW: 0.6 mg TP/l, 12.7 mg TN/l; CC-CW: 6.5 mg TP/l, 48 mg TN/l) and high hydraulic loading rates (HLRs, 0.9–5.1 m3/m2/d) were tested. C-CW presented higher removal efficiencies than S-CW for TP (C-CW: 56–86%; S-CW: 32–66%), total nitrogen (C-CW: 23–38%; S-CW: −3 to 6%) and E. coli (C-CW: 94%; S-CW: 84%), while S-CW performed better for ammonium (C-CW: 29–45%; S-CW: 72–86%) and CECs removal. Among fifteen CECs monitored, most pharmaceuticals, four were significantly reduced in C-CW and nine in S-CW, which had more aerobic conditions. CC-CW reduced nutrients and organic matter by 62% (TP), 8% (TN), 23% and 40% (chemical and biochemical oxygen demands, respectively). The potential release of aluminium was negligible. Novel values for the first-order reaction coefficient of P-k-C* model are provided for the TP removal process using DWTS (0.6–1.0 h−1). The main conclusion is that DWTS is a suitable substrate to significantly upgrade WWTP effluents, even at high HLRs. A hybrid system combining sequential and continuous flow modes could optimize the upgrading treatment. A proposal for the full valorisation of the sludge produced in one DWTP is presented.

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for the Treatment of Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Pilot Trial of Sequencing to Mimic Manual Lymphatic Drainage Versus Traditional Graduated Sequential Compression.

Background:Recent advances in technology have allowed intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices to develop so that their function mimics the process and principles of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD); however, research into the effectiveness of such devices is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a patented IPC technique designed to mimic MLD (the LymphAssist), compared with a typical sequential IPC regimen.Methods and Results:Forty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lower limb ISL (International Society of Lymphology) stage II or III lymphedema were recruited into this three-phased study. A bilateral leg volume assessment and quality-of-life assessment were completed at four clinic visits across the course of the study. The LymphAssist IPC regimen was significantly more effective in reducing distal leg volume than the sequential mode (mean volume reduction: 230 ± 135 mL vs. 140 ± 84 mL, respectively, p = 0.01). Improvements in leg volume were transient as both groups demonstrated a rebound or increase in volume during the washout period (LymphAssist: 238 ± 168 mL, sequential: 276 ± 158 mL, p = 0.3). Overall, IPC was effective in improving quality-of-life scores (mean reduction: 10 ± 11, p < 0.001).Conclusion:IPC is effective in reducing limb volume and improving quality of life for patients with lower limb lymphedema. IPC that mimics the MLD process has been shown to be more effective in reducing leg volume compared with traditional sequential IPC in the distal aspect of the leg. The increase in leg volume observed after discontinuation of IPC suggests that regular treatment is required to maintain its associated effects.Clinical Trial Registration Number: NTC 03856281.

Improve real-time GNSS orbit with epoch-independent undifferenced ambiguity resolution

AR (Ambiguity Resolution) is one of the critical issues in high-accuracy GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) applications. Commonly, the double-difference AR technique is employed in GNSS network data processing. With the demand of high-accuracy, low-latency and high-integrity GNSS orbit, the orbit estimation in sequential mode becomes a candidate of that in batch mode. Unlike orbit estimation with double-difference AR in either batch or sequential mode, researches on real-time orbit estimation with undifferenced AR in sequential mode is still limited. In this study, real-time orbit determination with epoch-independent undifferenced AR in sequential mode is assessed. With one-week observation data from about 100 global distributed IGS (International GNSS Service) network stations, simulated real-time Galileo orbit determination are conducted with GFZ post-processed solution as reference for validation. Numerical results indicate that, first, the 3D error RMS (Root Mean Square) of fixed orbit is about 30% smaller than that of float orbit; second, the Galileo orbit error RMS reach 3.66, 3.60 and 3.09 cm for the radial, tangential and normal directions respectively for the fixed solution; third, small jumps exist in the real-time orbit and may be attributed to the temporal variations of UPD (Uncalibrated Phase Delay) and wrongly fixed ambiguities. In summary, the orbit quality is comparable to that of IGS real-time solutions, and further improvements may be achieved with improved AR constraint strategy and background orbit model.

Spatiotemporal regulation of endogenous MSCs using a functional injectable hydrogel system for cartilage regeneration

Hydrogels have been extensively favored as drug and cell carriers for the repair of knee cartilage defects. Recruiting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in situ to the defect region could reduce the risk of contamination during cell delivery, which is a highly promising strategy to enhance cartilage repair. Here, a cell-free cartilage tissue engineering (TE) system was developed by applying an injectable chitosan/silk fibroin hydrogel. The hydrogel system could release first stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and then kartogenin (KGN) in a unique sequential drug release mode, which could spatiotemporally promote the recruitment and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. This system showed good performance when formulated with SDF-1 (200 ng/mL) and PLGA microspheres loaded with KGN (10 μΜ). The results showed that the hydrogel had good injectability and a reticular porous structure. The microspheres were distributed uniformly in the hydrogel and permitted the sequential release of SDF-1 and KGN. The results of in vitro experiments showed that the hydrogel system had good cytocompatibility and promoted the migration and differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes. In vivo experiments on articular cartilage defects in rabbits showed that the cell-free hydrogel system was beneficial for cartilage regeneration. Therefore, the composite hydrogel system shows potential for application in cell-free cartilage TE.

Third-Generation Dual-Source Computed Tomography for Coronary Angiography With Individually Tailored Scan Protocols Can Achieve a Low Radiation Dose With Good Image Quality in Unselected Patients

To explore the image quality and radiation exposure associated with coronary angiography obtained with a third-generation dual-source computed tomography, using body mass index (BMI)- and heart rate (HR)-adapted protocols in real-world patients. Three scan protocols were implemented with regard to HR: prospective turbo high-pitch spiral, sequential, and retrospective spiral modes. We adapted the reference kilovoltage value according to BMI. Image quality was evaluated using a 4-point scale, and effective dose estimates were calculated using the dose-length product. Among the 896 patients, 417 (46.54%), 433 (48.32%), and 45 (5.02%) were imaged using prospective turbo high-pitch spiral, sequential, and retrospective spiral modes, respectively. The median BMI was 27.3 (25-30.4) kg/m2, and the effective dose was 0.65 mSv (interquartile range, 0.33-1.56 mSv). Only 32 of 896 examinations (3.5%) had poor image quality. Computed tomography angiography with BMI- and HR-tailored protocols offers good image quality with low radiation dose in unselected patients.

Numerical analysis of hemodynamic effect under different enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) frequency for cerebrovascular disease: a simulation study

Based on the changes in phase characteristics of blood flow and pressure, enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) reduces cardiac load and improves cerebral perfusion in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. However, increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) is associated with the rise in blood pressure and its complications. Increased EECP frequency is a valuable solution when combined with the electrical equivalent impedance characteristics of the lumped parameter model (LPM) of the human blood circulation system. Herein, to investigate the effect of different EECP frequencies on CBF perfusion, an LPM was established with cardiopulmonary circulation and eight systemic blood flow units with cerebral autoregulation module of ischemic stroke patients. Then, using differential equations, we analyzed those parameters through hemodynamic simulations in four EECP modes. With related influencing parameters remaining constant, we adjusted the pressure frequency of EECP and found that when compared to the traditional sequential EECP mode, the relative increase rate of CBF was 16.68%, 18.95%, and 21.21% from 1 to 3 Hz, respectively. This study validates the effect of improving blood prefusion with increasing EECP frequency through numerical analysis.

Universality of spiking neural P systems with polarizations working in sequential mode induced by maximum spike number

Universality of spiking neural P systems with polarizations working in sequential mode induced by maximum spike number

Anterior-posterior patterning of segments in Anopheles stephensi offers insights into the transition from sequential to simultaneous segmentation in holometabolous insects.

The gene regulatory network for segmentation in arthropods offers valuable insights into how networks evolve owing to the breadth of species examined and the extremely detailed knowledge gained in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. These studies have shown that Drosophila's network represents a derived state that acquired changes to accelerate segment patterning, whereas most insects specify segments gradually as the embryo elongates. Such heterochronic shifts in segmentation have potentially emerged multiple times within holometabolous insects, resulting in many mechanistic variants and difficulties in isolating underlying commonalities that permit such shifts. Recent studies identified regulatory genes that work as timing factors, coordinating gene expression transitions during segmentation. These studies predict that changes in timing factor deployment explain shifts in segment patterning relative to other developmental events. Here, we test this hypothesis by characterizing the temporal and spatial expression of the pair-rule patterning genes in the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles stephensi. This insect is a Dipteran (fly), like Drosophila, but represents an ancient divergence within this clade, offering a useful counterpart for evo-devo studies. In mosquito embryos, we observe anterior to posterior sequential addition of stripes for many pair-rule genes and a wave of broad timer gene expression across this axis. Segment polarity gene stripes are added sequentially in the wake of the timer gene wave and the full pattern is not complete until the embryo is fully elongated. This "progressive segmentation"mode in Anopheles displays commonalities with both Drosophila's rapid segmentation mechanism and sequential modes used by more distantly related insects.

Mist chemical vapor deposition of crystalline MoS2 atomic layer films using sequential mist supply mode and its application in field-effect transistors

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) mono/bilayer have been systematically investigated using atmospheric-pressure mist chemical vapor deposition (mist CVD) from (NH4)2MoS4 dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a precursor. Film deposition was performed by alternating MoS2 mist storage within a closed chamber and mist exhaust, i.e. sequential mist supply mode at different furnace temperatures, storage times of precursor, and repetition cycles of mist supply on thermally grown SiO2 (th-SiO2) and mist-CVD grown Al1−x Ti x O y (ATO) layers coated on p+-Si substrates. The average size of the MoS2 flake and their number of stack layers could be controlled by tuning the deposition parameters combined with substrate pretreatment. Field-effect transistors with MoS2 atomic mono/bilayer as a channel layer exhibited mobility up to 31–40 (43–55) cm2 V−1 s−1 with a threshold voltage of −1.6 (−0.5) V, subthreshold slope of 0.8 (0.11) V dec.−1, and on/off ratio of 3.2 × 104 (3.6 × 105) on th-SiO2 (ATO) layers as gate dielectric layers without mechanical exfoliation. These findings imply that mist CVD is available for the synthesis of metal transition metal dichalcogenide and metal oxide layers as channel and gate dielectric layers, respectively.

Hierarchical microsphere encapsulated in graphene oxide composite for durable synergetic membrane separation and Fenton-like degradation

As a typical advanced oxidation process, persulfate-based heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction has gained widespread attention in removing persistent harmful organic pollutants via the generation of reactive radicals. Nevertheless, persulfate having an inefficient decomposition of the target contaminants and common powdery counterparts causing secondary pollution. Herein, we first design and fabricate a novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived cobalt-carbon based heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst (Co@NCNT-MS) with hierarchical structure, the systematic characterization demonstrated that powder catalysts were successfully prepared and the catalyst possessed a favorable degradation capacity of tetracycline (TC), which could be contributed by its particular hierarchical urchin-like structure with abundant active sites and that both radical (·SO4−, ·OH, and ·O2−) and nonradical (1O2) species have been involved in the process. Then, this hierarchical heterogeneous catalyst was encapsulated in Graphene oxide (GO) by facile vacuum filtration to form a robust composite membrane. And the obtained membrane shows good application prospects as it exhibits excellent separation and catalytic degradation properties in removal of anionic dye, cationic dye, and persistent refractory tetracycline. It is speculated that these excellent results could be primarily attributed to the domain effect of micro-nano channels in the membrane on low-life active components, pollutions, and PMS. More than that, the as-prepared membrane displayed excellent stability with continuous removal of TC with high efficiency above 90% and a steady flux around 40 L·m−2·h−1 under 24 h sequential filtration mode. It is promising that this membrane could potentially be used for effectually treating complex wastewater systems with persistent organic contaminants in environmental pollution cleaning up.

Sequential community mode estimation

We consider a population, partitioned into a set of communities, and study the problem of identifying the largest community within the population via sequential, random sampling of individuals. There are multiple sampling domains, referred to as boxes, which also partition the population. Each box may consist of individuals of different communities, and each community may in turn be spread across multiple boxes. The learning agent can, at any time, sample (with replacement) a random individual from any chosen box; when this is done, the agent learns the community the sampled individual belongs to, and also whether or not this individual has been sampled before. The goal of the agent is to minimize the probability of mis-identifying the largest community in a fixed budget setting, by optimizing both the sampling strategy as well as the decision rule. We propose and analyse novel algorithms for this problem, and also establish information theoretic lower bounds on the probability of error under any algorithm. In several cases of interest, the exponential decay rates of the probability of error under our algorithms are shown to be optimal up to constant factors. The proposed algorithms are further validated via simulations on real-world datasets.

Texture role in the mechanical property improvement contributed by grain refinement for Mg-2.6Nd-0.55Zn-0.5Zr alloy subjected to extrusion process

This work successfully fabricated the fine-grained Mg-2.6Nd-0.55Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy plates with the average grain sizes of 2.39–3.49 μm via the extrusion process. The microstructure evolution during extrusion process and the associated mechanical properties were investigated. Results showed that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) significantly refined the grain size and improved the microstructure homogeneity. Extrusion fragmentation effect on the coarse Mg12Nd particles contributed to the development of fine-grained uniform microstructure, especially at the lower extrusion temperature. Additionally, extrusion process turned the fiber basal texture into the double peak basal texture owing to the sequential deformation mode activation from basal slip and tension twinning to pyramidal <c+a> slip. Subsequent continuous DRX and particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) recrystallization played a weakening effect on the double peak basal texture. Moreover, decreasing the extrusion temperature increased the activation difficulty of pyramidal <c+a> slip and weakened the effect of PSN on texture modification, leading the basal plane distribution along the extrusion direction to be strengthened. Fine-grained strengthening significantly improved the mechanical properties, but such strengthening capability was severely dependent on the texture. During tension deformation, the weak basal texture easily activated the basal slip whereas the strong basal texture needed to activate the prismatic slip. Hall-Petch analysis indicated that the higher yield stress in the strong basal texture was ascribed to the remarkable deformation mode strengthening (activation of prismatic slip) and the geometrical strengthening (higher Taylor factor). The weak basal texture was beneficial to improve the uniform elongation owing to the higher strain hardening ability, which was more obvious when the tension twinning was activated.