Extended VIKOR method in comparison with outranking methods

The VIKOR method was developed to solve MCDM problems with conflicting and noncommensurable (different units) criteria, assuming that compromising is acceptable for conflict resolution, the decision maker wants a solution that is the closest to the ideal, and the alternatives are evaluated according to all established criteria. This method focuses on ranking and selecting from a set of alternatives in the presence of conflicting criteria, and on proposing compromise solution (one or more). The VIKOR method is extended with a stability analysis determining the weight stability intervals and with trade-offs analysis. The extended VIKOR method is compared with three multicriteria decision making methods: TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and ELECTRE. A numerical example illustrates an application of the VIKOR method, and the results by all four considered methods are compared.     

Dimers on a Simple-Quartic Net with a Vacancy

A seminal milestone in lattice statistics is the exact solution of the enumeration of dimers on a simple-quartic net obtained by Fisher, Kasteleyn, and Temperley (FKT) in 1961. An outstanding related and yet unsolved problem is the enumeration of dimers on a net with vacant sites. Here we consider this vacant-site problem with a single vacancy occurring at certain specific sites on the boundary of a simple-quartic net. First, using a bijection between dimer and spanning tree configurations due to Temperley, Kenyon, Propp, and Wilson, we establish that the dimer generating function is independent of the location of the vacancy, and deduce a closed-form expression for the generating function. We next carry out finite-size analyses of this solution as well as that of the FKT solution. Our analyses lead to a logarithmic correction term in the large-size expansion for the vacancy problem with free boundary conditions. A concrete example exhibiting this difference is given. We also find the central charge c=–2 in the language of conformal field theory for the vacancy problem, as versus the value c=1 when there is no vacancy.     

High birefringence and high resistivity isothiocyanate-based nematic liquid crystal mixtures

The molecular structures and physical properties of several single- and double-fluorinated isothiocyanatotolane, isothiocyanatocyclohexyltolane, and isothiocyanatoterphenyl compounds are reported. Two eutectic mixtures comprising these compounds are formulated and their properties evaluated. These mixtures exhibit a high birefringence, relatively low viscosity, high resistivity, and good photo and thermal stabilities. Potential applications of these mixtures for spatial light modulators, optical phased arrays, and high speed photonics are discussed.     

Synthesis of 1-[(3-Halo-1-Hydroxy-2-Propoxy)methyl]uracil and Thymine as Potential Antiviral Agents

3′-Halogen acyclonucleoside analogs have been prepared. The starting material, benzyl glycidyl ether (5) , prepared from eplchlorohydrin and sodium benzyloxidc, underwent ring opening by soft halogen ions to give l-benzyloxy-3-fluoro-2-propanol (6) , l-bcnzyloxy-3-chloro-2-propanol (7) , and l-benzyloxy-3- bromo-2-propanol (8) respectively. The treatment of 5 with lithium iodide in the presence of acetic acid provided 1-benzyloxy-3-iodo-2-propanol (9) . The treatment of 8 with sodium iodide in anhydrous acetone also produced l-benzyloxy-3-iodo-2-propanol (9) . Chloromethylation of these halohydrins 6-9 using paraformaldehyde and hydrogen chloride gas produced the chloromcthyl ethers 10-13 . These chloromethyl ethers without further purification were allowed to react with the silylated bases 16-17 , previously prepared by silylating the bases 14-15 with HMDS in the presence of ammonium sulfate to give 1- [(l-benzyloxy-3-halogen-2-propoxy)methyl]uracils and thymines 19-25 . The target compounds 26-33 were obtained respectively after the debcnzylation of 18-25 . Compounds 26, 27, 30 and 31 had no significant cell toxicity in the range of concentrations 0.001-20 mM. Compounds 26, 27, 28 and 29 have no significant activity against HSV II (for less than 2 mM there is a cytopathic effect). Compounds 30, 31, 32 and 33 show no activity against HSV II virus even at the level 20 mM.     

N,N-Disubstituted-4-aminophenylazostyrylformate derivatives: their synthesis, mesogenic behaviour and photostability

A series of new azo dye liquid crystals was prepared by the reaction of the N,N-disubstituted-4-aminophenylazobenzaldehydes with butyl cyanoacetate in the presence of piperidine in refluxing ethanol. The new azo dye liquid crystals possess a SmA phase, and representative samples were found to be reasonably photostable.     

pH-Dependent spectroscopic and luminescent properties, and metal-ion recognition studies of Re(I) complexes containing 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole and 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolate

A series of Re(I) complexes, [Re(CO)(3)Cl(HPB)] (1), [Re(CO)(3)(PB)H(2)O] (2), [Re(CO)(3)(NO(3))(PB-AuPPh(3))] (3), and [Re(CO)(3)(NO(3))(PB)Au(dppm-H)Au](2) (4) [HPB = 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole; dppm = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphinomethane)], have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1, which exhibits interesting pH-dependent spectroscopic and luminescent properties, was prepared by reacting Re(CO)(5)Cl with an equimolar amount of 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole. The imidazole unit in complex 1 can be deprotonated to form the imidazolate unit to give complex 2. Addition of 1 equiv of AuPPh(3)(NO(3)) to complex 2 led to the formation of a heteronuclear complex 3. Addition of a half an equivalent of dppm(Au(NO(3)))(2) to complex 2 yielded 4. In both 3 and 4, the imidazolate unit acts as a multinuclear bridging ligand. Complex 4 is a rare and remarkable example of a Re(2)Au(4) aggregate in combination with μ(3)-bridging 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolate. Finally, complex 2 has been used to examine the Hg(2+)-recognition event among group 12 metal ions. Its reversibility and selectivity toward Hg(2+) are also examined.     

An automatic optical inspection system for the detection of three parallel lines in solar panel end face

This study inspected and tracked the location state of a test object in the telemetry monitoring of a wafer or solar panel, and the relevant optoelectronic devices. A CCD camera, triggered by the proposed system, captures the test target image in real time, which is transferred to the system for low-pass filtering, image binarization, spatial masking, boundary tracing, and other means of image processing. The new edge point detection algorithm is then applied to identify the edge points of three parallel lines. Three different group edge points are determined using the edge point detection algorithm, and the three groups are computed using a single linear regression equation. Multiple-linear regression is conducted to obtain the sections of straight lines of the groups that can best satisfy the expected requirements. Finally, whether the detection results are consistent with the expected requirements is determined to inspect whether the test object is consistent with the process specifications in order to reduce undesirable losses, as caused by inappropriate placement angle in subsequent manufacturing, thus, enhancing subsequent manufacturing to achieve high yield.     

Induced-Fit Recognition of CCG Trinucleotide Repeats by a Nickel–Chromomycin Complex Resulting in Large-Scale DNA Deformation

Small-molecule compounds targeting trinucleotide repeats in DNA have considerable potential as therapeutic or diagnostic agents against many neurological diseases. Ni^II(Chro)₂ (Chro=chromomycin A3) binds specifically to the minor groove of (CCG)_n repeats in duplex DNA, with unique fluorescence features that may serve as a probe for disease detection. Crystallographic studies revealed that the specificity originates from the large-scale spatial rearrangement of the DNA structure, including extrusion of consecutive bases and backbone distortions, with a sharp bending of the duplex accompanied by conformational changes in the Ni^II chelate itself. The DNA deformation of CCG repeats upon binding forms a GGCC tetranucleotide tract, which is recognized by Ni^II(Chro)₂. The extruded cytosine and last guanine nucleotides form water-mediated hydrogen bonds, which aid in ligand recognition. The recognition can be accounted for by the classic induced-fit paradigm.     

Analysis on DFB laser diode with main and multiple side modes injection-locked

One distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode with main and multiple side modes injection-locked is proposed and demonstrated. DFB laser diode can be successfully injection-locked not only in the main mode but also in the side modes. The side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) value of each injection-locked mode is enhanced, thereby, it can be a promising candidate for the use of multiple optical sources. Our proposed scheme has the potential to be used as optical sources for radio-on-wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transport systems to provide multiple services.     

An additive stochastic model of mortality rates: An application to longevity risk in reserve evaluation

The paper proposes an additive continuous-time stochastic mortality model which revises that (B&H model) of Ballotta and Haberman (2006). The structure of the B&H model implies that the future hazard rate is proportional to the stochastic component, thus inducing two questionable features. First, in the B&H model, the uncertainty of the future hazard rate will be enlarged as the base hazard rate increases. However, an increase in the base hazard rate may not cause a dramatic increase suggested by the exponential component of B&H (2006). Second, in the B&H model, the uncertainty of the future hazard rate will be larger in the group which is older and will be greatly augmented by the interaction of age and time. But the uncertainty of the future hazard rate may not increase with an increase in age. The problems can be resolved by our additive structure which is the sum of a deterministic estimator and a stochastic component. Since using the additive structure will contribute to the fact that the stochastic component is independent of age and the base hazard rate, in our model the uncertainty of the future hazard rate will not be affected by an increase in age or in the base hazard rate. We further demonstrate an application of our model by calculating reserves of longevity risks for pure endowments and various common annuity products in the UK. We also compare our results with those of the B&H model.