Signal-to-noise ratio improvement by stochastic resonance in moments in non-dynamical systems with multiple states

Conventional stochastic resonance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio refers to the amplification of a weak signal in the average of the output. In this framework, only the first moment of the output is used for extracting the information about the input signal. However, higher order moments are also modulated by the input signal. We report the occurrence of stochastic resonance in higher moments. Furthermore, by the linear combination of moments, the signal-to-noise ratio improves compared with the conventional method, which uses the lowest moment only.     

High pressure Raman study on the local structure of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate

We have investigated the pressure-induced Raman spectral changes of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF₄]). We found that [emim][BF₄] did not crystallize up to 1.2 GPa. The Raman CH stretching spectra arising from the CH₃ groups of the ethyl-chain and the CH₃ group adjacent to the imidazolium-ring in [emim]⁺ cation largely changed against pressure. Moreover, the Raman intensity of the CH₂ (N) bending band arising from the alkyl-chain drastically changes with increasing pressure, but that of the imidazolium-ring in-plane bending band arising from the imidazolium-ring is independent of pressure. Our results show that the environment around the alkyl-chain of [emim][BF₄] is largely perturbed rather than that around the imidazolium-ring upon compression.     

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-rich Ni region through heavy-ion deep-inelastic collisions

Nuclei in the neutron-rich Ni region have been studied by γ-ray spectroscopy. Gamma-rays emitted from isomers, with T _1/2 > 1 ns, produced in heavy-ion deep-inelastic collisions were measured with an isomer-scope. The nuclear structure of the doubly magic ⁶⁸Ni and its neighbor ^69,71Cu is discussed on the basis of the shell model. Future experiments for more neutron-rich Ni nuclei are also viewed. Received: 1 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 December 2001     

Single Machine Batch Scheduling Problem with Resource Dependent Setup and Processing Time in the Presence of Fuzzy Due Date

We consider a batch scheduling problem on a single machine which processes jobs with resource dependent setup and processing time in the presence of fuzzy due-dates given as follows:1. There are n independent non-preemptive and simultaneously available jobs processed on a single machine in batches. Each job j has a processing time and a due-date.2. All jobs in a batch are completed together upon the completion of the last job in the batch. The batch processing time is equal to the sum of the processing times of its jobs. A common machine setup time is required before the processing of each batch.3. Both the job processing times and the setup time can be compressed through allocation of a continuously divisible resource. Each job uses the same amount of the resource. Each setup also uses the same amount of the resource.4. The due-date of each job is flexible. That is, a membership function describing non-decreasing satisfaction degree about completion time of each job is defined.5. Under above setting, we find an optimal batch sequence and resource values such that the total weighted resource consumption is minimized subject to meeting the job due-dates, and minimal satisfaction degree about each due-date of each job is maximized. But usually we cannot optimize two objectives at a time. So we seek non-dominated pairs i.e. the batch sequence and resource value, after defining dominance between solutions.A polynomial algorithm is constructed based on linear programming formulations of the corresponding problems.     

A Crop Planning Problem with Fuzzy Random Profit Coefficients

The main purpose of this paper is to present a crop planning problem for agricultural management under uncertainty. It is significant that agricultural managers assign their limited farmlands to cultivation of which crops in a season. This planning is called the crop planning problem and influences their incomes for the season. Usually, the crop planning problem is formulated as a linear programming problem. But there are many uncertain factors in agricultural problems, so future profits for crops are not certain values. A linear programming model with constant profit coefficients may not reflect the environment of decision making properly. Therefore, we propose a model of crop planning with fuzzy profit coefficients, and an effective solution procedure for the model. Furthermore, we extend this fuzzy model, setting the profit coefficients as discrete randomized fuzzy numbers. We show concrete optimal solutions for each models.     

Numerical computation of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher order group velocity dispersion and frequency-dependent gain using the differential method

Optical Review - The response of light in a nonlinear dispersive medium is governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). In general, for higher order group velocity dispersion (GVD)...     

Effect of temporal resolution on the estimation of left ventricular function by cardiac MR imaging

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temporal resolution on the estimation of left ventricular (LV) function by cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using a steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence. Left ventricular function was assessed by cine MR imaging using a segmented SSFP sequence in 10 healthy volunteers. Views per segment (VPS) were set at 8 and 20, resulting in high and low true temporal resolution, respectively. Irrespective of VPS, images were reconstructed at 40 cardiac phases, providing high apparent temporal resolution. Data were analyzed using 40, 20 and 10 phases to simulate different apparent temporal resolutions. Increasing the cardiac phases used for analysis slightly decreased mean end-systolic volume (ESV) and slightly increased mean ejection fraction (EF). No substantial difference in estimates of end-diastolic volume (EDV) was found between VPSs of 8 and 20. Imaging with a VPS of 20 yielded a larger ESV and smaller EF than imaging with a VPS of 8 when 40 phases were used. In conclusion, low true temporal resolution causes overestimation of ESV and underestimation of EF. Improvement of apparent temporal resolution mildly reduces but does not eliminate the errors caused by low true temporal resolution.     

Correction of quadratic phase error in two-wavelength digital holographic interferometry using laser diodes

We present the correction of a quadratic phase error in two-wavelength digital holographic interferometry using laser diodes. This phase error arises from numerical reconstructions of wavefronts from digital holograms based on the Fresnel diffraction integral. To correct the quadratic phase error, it is numerically produced by computer on the basis of the theoretical prediction and is subtracted from the phase difference map in two-wavelength digital holographic interferometry. Experimental results show that the method of correction in this paper is useful for two-wavelength digital holographic interferometry using laser diodes.     

Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols leading to beta-alkylated dimer alcohols catalyzed by iridium complexes

[IrCl(cod)]2 and [Cp*IrCl2]2 complexes catalyzed efficiently the Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols to beta-alkylated dimer alcohols in good yields. For instance, the reaction of 1-butanol in the presence of [Cp*IrCl2]2 (1 mol %), t-BuOK (40 mol %), and 1,7-octadiene (10 mol %) produced 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in 93% yield. Various primary alcohols undergo the Guerbet reaction under the influence of Ir complexes to give the corresponding dimer alcohols in good yields. This method provides an alternative direct route to beta-alkylated primary alcohols which are prepared by aldol condensation of aldehydes followed by hydrogenation.     

Spectrophotometric and analogue derivative spectrophotometric determination of ultramicro amounts of cadmium with cationic porphyrins

alpha,beta,gamma,delta-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-3-yl)porphine [T(3-MPy)P] and alpha,beta,gamma,delta-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphine [T(4-MPy)P] have been found to react rapidly with cadmium to give coloured complexes in weakly alkaline media at room temperature. Simple and practical methods for the determination of cadmium at ng/ml levels by conventional and analogue derivative spectrophotometry have been proposed. The analogue method gives higher sensitivity. T(3-MPy)P gives higher sensitivity than T(4-MPy)P. The interference of various foreign cations and anions has also been examined and in many cases eliminated or reduced. Adsorption of the porphyrins and their cadmium complexes onto the glassware, which is usually observed under the conditions of reaction and causes significant errors in the determination, can be suppressed almost completely by addition of fairly large amounts of a salt such as sodium chloride.