Reducing Cognitive Effort in Scoring Negotiation Space Using the Fuzzy Clustering Model

Negotiation scoring systems are fundamental tools used in negotiation support to facilitate parties searching for negotiation agreement and analyzing its efficiency and fairness. Such a scoring system is obtained in prenegotiation by implementing selected multiple criteria decision-aiding methods to elicit the negotiator’s preferences precisely and ensure that the support is reliable. However, the methods classically used in the preference elicitation require much cognitive effort from the negotiators, and hence, do not prevent them from using heuristics and making simple errors that result in inaccurate scoring systems. This paper aims to develop an alternative tool that allows scoring the negotiation offers by implementing a sorting approach and the reference set of limiting profiles defined individually by the negotiators in the form of complete packages. These limiting profiles are evaluated holistically and verbally by the negotiator. Then the fuzzy decision model is built that uses the notion of increasing the preference granularity by introducing a series of limiting sub-profiles for corresponding sub-categories of offers. This process is performed automatically by the support algorithm and does not require any additional preferential information from the negotiator. A new method of generating reference fuzzy scores to allow a detailed assignment of any negotiation offer from feasible negotiation space to clusters and sub-clusters is proposed. Finally, the efficient frontier and Nash’s fair division are used to identify the recommended packages for negotiation in the bargaining phase. This new approach allows negotiators to obtain economically efficient, fair, balanced, and reciprocated agreements while minimizing information needs and effort.     

Du Bois–Reymond Type Lemma and Its Application to Dirichlet Problem with the p(t)–Laplacian on a Bounded Time Scale

This paper is devoted to study the existence of solutions and their regularity in the p(t)–Laplacian Dirichlet problem on a bounded time scale. First, we prove a lemma of du Bois–Reymond type in time-scale settings. Then, using direct variational methods and the mountain pass methodology, we present several sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions to the Dirichlet problem.     

Nano‐Ruby: A Promising Fluorescent Probe for Background‐Free Cellular Imaging

Bioprobes based on fluorescent ruby nanoparticles, which are suitable for ultrasensitive imaging, are reported. A stable aqueous/buffer colloid, permitting facile conjugation to proteins, is produced by femtosecond laser ablation of ruby and the nanoparticles (mean size 17 nm) are photostable, with long lifetime (1–4 ms) 694 nm emission. With time‐gating complete (>20 dB) suppression of cell autofluorescence and suppression of exogenous fluorophores is observed. Nanoparticles are imaged in as‐grown cells and those immunolabeled with quantum dots. Immunoassay binding to target biomolecules is also demonstrated.     

Critical behaviour of the smectic A*–C* phase transition and electroclinic effect of ferroelectric liquid crystals with terphenyl rigid core

The SmA*–SmC* phase transition was studied by measuring the temperature and electric field dependences of the optical tilt angle, the electric polarisation and the dielectric spectra collected in a wide frequency range. Critical behaviour of the phase transition was analysed by varying the length of the fluorinated part of the alkyl terminal chain and by differing fluorine substitution in the terphenyl core. Both tilt and polarisation show tricritical mean-field behaviour for all homologues with n?>?2. Almost all coefficients that describe the SmA*–SmC* transition in the frame of the Landau theory were derived for homologue series. Double fluorine substitution in the central ring of the core seems to promote the ‘de Vries'-type smectic A*–C* phase transition with a little layer shrinkage. These well correspond with the lower tilt angle and smaller changes of the birefringence at the phase transition compared to the other homologues.     

Influence of sintering temperature and aging on properties of cermet Ni/8YSZ materials obtained by citric method

The anode supported cell for solid oxide fuel cell, as a modification of the traditional Ni-YSZ anode supported on electrolyte, is examined in this work. The materials obtained on the base of citric method are presented and investigated in this work. The materials consisted of 40 wt.% Ni/YSZ, 50 wt.% Ni/YSZ and 60 wt.% Ni/YSZ were obtained. The base Ni/YSZ materials are tested on the two ways: (a) aging tests and (b) sintering tests. All the materials after aging and sintering are tested by the impedance spectroscopy. The results of electrical conductivity for samples before and after aging show that only in the case of 40 wt.% Ni/YSZ, sample loses of metallic conductivity after 500 h of heating. The other samples reveal metallic conductivity even after long period of aging. The tests of sintering temperature show that this process does not affect significantly on electrical conductivity of the materials.     

Ultrafast laser ablative generation of gold nanoparticles: the influence of pulse energy, repetition frequency and spot size

Previous studies investigating the role of the operating parameters on ultrafast laser ablative generation of gold nanoparticles have reported a wide range of nanoparticle size distribution and plasmon resonant properties. In some cases the reported role of fluence and other processing parameters is contradictory. In this systematic investigation, we deconstruct and examine the role of the component parts of fluence, namely pulse energy and ablation spot size, on nanoparticle generation. Other parameters such as exposure time and scan speed are also studied. We show that the nanoparticle average size and distribution is related to different contributions from pulse energy, pulse repetition frequency and spot size. We also correlate the average particle size and distribution with the wavelength and width of the plasmon resonance peak, and apply Mie theory in order to develop clearer physical insights into the mechanisms dominating nanoparticle generation.     

Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity of metal-loaded NaNbO3

Fe-, Ni-, Co- and Ag- loaded NaNbO₃ catalysts were prepared and their activities have been investigated in the reaction of photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Me/NaNbO₃ were synthesized by impregnation of NaNbO₃ in an aqueous solution of metal nitrates and then by calcination at the temperature of 400 °C. The crystallographic phases and optical and vibronic properties were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance (DR) UV-vis and resonance Raman spectroscopic methods, respectively. Morphology and chemical composition of the produced samples were studied using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and an energy dispersive X-Ray spectrometer (EDX) as its mode. The detailed analysis has revealed that all the investigated catalysts exhibit high crystallinity and the presence of Fe₂O₃, NiO, Co₃O₄ and Ag₂O oxides on Me/NaNbO₃ was confirmed. Finally, the influence of different metal loadings (Fe, Ni, Co and Ag) on the photocatalytic activity of NaNbO₃ for photocatalytic hydrogen generation has been investigated. Here we report that among all the Me/NaNbO₃ photocatalysts Ag-loaded NaNbO₃ exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiency for photocatalytic hydrogen generation than NaNbO₃.     

The millimeter-wave spectrum of chlorine nitrate (ClONO2): The ν6 vibrational state

The pure rotational spectrum of chlorine nitrate in its v₆ = 1 excited vibrational state has been studied. A total of 2901 lines, with K_a extending to 33 in the ³⁵Cl isotopologue and 30 in the ³⁷Cl isotopologue, respectively, have been recorded and assigned. This analysis, along with our recently reported study of the ν₅/ν₆ν₉ dyad and the improved energy levels of ν₉ reported in this paper, should make possible accurate simulation of the corresponding ν₆ band and its complex hot band structure near 435 cm⁻¹.     

New approach to solution of photorefractive transport equations

In our work we propose a novel method of analysis of photorefractive transport equations. The method based on a perturbative approach can be used in the case of two wave mixing and four wave mixing geometry, i.e. for the samples illuminated by interference patterns. Presented approach can be employed for a broad range of material and experimental parameters, particularly for arbitrary depth of light modulation pattern. The approximate analytical solution is compared with results of numerical calculations and a good agreement practically in every case was found. Presented at 9-th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics Applications, NOA 2007, May 17–20, 2007, Šwinoujście, Poland     

Physico-chemical properties and possible photocatalytic applications of titanate nanotubes synthesized via hydrothermal method

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared from TiO₂ P25 via hydrothermal method. The reaction temperature was 130 or 140 °C and the reaction time was 24 or 48 h. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and N₂ adsorption as well as Raman, FTIR-DRS and UV-vis/DR spectroscopy. The obtained samples exhibited similar properties, regardless of the preparation temperature and time. The most notable difference between properties of TNTs prepared under different conditions was observed in case of BET surface area, which was increasing from 386 to 478 m²/g along with increasing the reaction time and temperature. Based on TEM, XRD and TG measurements we have suggested that the structure of TNTs was H₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂. The TEM and Raman spectroscopy measurements showed that the obtained products contained also low amount of anatase phase. The TNTs exhibited no photoactivity towards degradation of model azo dye Acid Red 18. However, TNTs were successfully applied for photocatalytic generation of CH₄ and H₂ in a solution of acetic acid. The amount of methane produced with application of TNTs synthesized at 140 °C was about 2.5 times higher than that generated with use of TiO₂ P25. To the best of our knowledge this is a first report on the photocatalytic generation of hydrocarbons using TNTs in the current state of the art.