Optical Properties of High Pressure Phases in ZnTe 1− x Se x

We report on the optical properties of high pressure semiconducting phases in ZnTe 1 m x Se x . In the Te rich side, the cinnabar phase is observed in the upstroke between typically 9.5 and 12.5 GPa with a pressure interval of existence that decreases with increasing the Se content. In most studied samples, the indirect absorption edge could be determined, with values of the bandgap increasing with the Se content and ranging from 1.2 to 1.7 eV. In the downstroke, the cinnabar phase is observed in the whole composition range but its bandgap can not be unambiguously determined in the Se-rich side, as it coexists with rocksalt or zincblende phases. The indirect semiconducting rocksalt phase is observed in the Se-rich side, with an indirect bandgap of the order of 0.7 eV. Within the experimental errors, the bandgaps of both the cinnabar and NaCl phases are pressure insensitive, in agreement with first-principles pseudopotential band structure calculations, that predict very low pressure coefficients for both indirect transitions.     

Derivation of Orowan's Law from the Peierls–Nabarro Model

In this paper we consider the time dependent Peierls-Nabarro model in dimension one. This model is a semi-linear integro-differential equation associated to the half Laplacian. This model describes the evolution of phase transitions associated to dislocations. At large scale with well separated dislocations, we show that the dislocations move at a velocity proportional to the effective stress. This implies Orowan's law which claims that the plastic strain velocity is proportional to the product of the density of dislocations by the effective stress.     

Multi-objective multi-item solid transportation problem in fuzzy environment

A multi-objective multi-item solid transportation problem with fuzzy coefficients for the objectives and constraints, is modeled and then solved by two different methods. A defuzzification method based on fuzzy linear programming is applied for fuzzy supplies, demands and conveyance capacities, including the condition that both total supply and conveyance capacity must not fall below the total demand. First, expected values of the fuzzy objective functions are considered to derive crisp values. Another method based on the concept of “minimum of fuzzy number” is applied for the objective functions that yields fuzzy values instead of particular crisp values for the fuzzy objectives. Fuzzy programming technique and global criterion method are applied to derive optimal compromise solutions of multi-objectives. A numerical example is solved using above mentioned methods and corresponding results are compared.     

Mean-square analysis of stochastic cycles in nonlinear discrete-time systems with parametric noise

We study a discrete-time nonlinear dynamical system forced by parametric noise. A method of mean-square analysis of the dispersion of random solutions near deterministic cycle is elaborated. A problem of the existence of the stable periodic solution of the closed system for second moments is studied in detail. This problem is reduced to the estimation of the spectral radius of some positive operator. A constructive method of the spectral majorants is suggested. The accuracy of our mathematical technique is demonstrated in the analysis of stochastically forced periodic regimes for the Henon model.     

Model order reduction of finite element models: improved component mode synthesis

The finite element (FE) approach constitutes an essential methodology when modelling the elastic properties of structures in various research disciplines such as structural mechanics, engine dynamics and so on. Because of increased accuracy requirements, the FE method results in discretized models, which are described by higher order ordinary differential equations, or, in FE terms, by a large number of degrees of freedom (DoF). In this regard, the application of an additional methodology, referred to as the model order reduction (MOR) or DoF condensation, is rather compulsory. Herein, a reduced dimension set of ordinary differential equations is generated, i.e. the initially large number of DoF is condensed, while aiming to keep the dynamics of the original model as intact as possible. In the commercially available FE software tools, the static and the component mode syntheses (CMS) are the only available integrated condensation methods. The latter represents the state of the art generating well-correlated reduced order models (ROMs), which can be further utilized for FE or multi-body systems simulations. Taking into consideration the information loss of the CMS, which is introduced by its part-static nature, the improved CMS (ICMS) method is proposed. Here the algorithmic scheme of the standard CMS is adopted, which is qualitatively improved by adequately considering the advantageous characteristics of another MOR approach, the so-called improved reduction system method. The ICMS results in better correlated reduced order models in comparison to all the aforementioned methods, while preserving the required structural properties of the original FE model.     

MoTe2-based low energy consumption artificial synapse for neuromorphic behavior and decimal arithmetic

Two-dimensional material-based memristors have shown attractive research prospects as brain-like devices for neuromorphic computing. Among them, transition metal dichalcogenides–based memristors have proved to be one of the most promising competitors. In this work, a two-dimensional memristor based on MoTe₂ nanosheets was fabricated and demonstrated. The experimental results illustrate that the two-terminal synaptic based on the Ag/MoTe₂/ITO structure exhibits stable bipolar and non-volatile resistive switching characteristics attributed to the controllable formation and rupturing of silver conductive filaments. The device can be successively modulated by a pulse train with a minimum pulse width of 40 ns. More interestingly, the energy consumption of the device to complete one write event is only 74.2 pJ. In addition, biological synaptic behaviors, such as excitatory postsynaptic current gain properties, long-term potentiation (LTP)/long-term depression, spike-timing-dependent- plasticity, short-term plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP), paired-pulse facilitation, post-tetanic potentiation, and learning-experimental behaviors were mimicked faithfully. Finally, the decimal arithmetic application was introduced to the device, and it is confirmed that addition and multiplication functions can be performed. Therefore, the artificial synapse based on MoTe₂ nanosheets not only exhibits the stable non-volatile resistive switching behavior but also facilitates the development of low-energy consumption neuromorphic computing chips based on transition metal dichalcogenides.     

A multiple criteria sorting method where each category is characterized by several reference actions: The Electre Tri-nC method

This paper presents Electre Tri-nC, a new sorting method which takes into account several reference actions for characterizing each category. This new method gives a particular freedom to the decision maker in the co-construction decision aiding process with the analyst to characterize the set of categories, while there is no constraint for introducing only one reference action as typical of each category like in Electre Tri-C (Almeida-Dias et al., 2010). As in such a sorting method, this new sorting method is composed of two joint rules. Electre Tri-nC also fulfills a certain number of natural requirements. Additional results on the behavior of the new method are also provided in this paper, namely the ones with respect to the addition or removal of the reference actions used for characterizing a certain category. A numerical example illustrates the manner in which Electre Tri-nC can be used by a decision maker. A comparison with some related sorting procedures is presented and it allows to conclude that the new method is appropriate to deal with sorting problems.     

A multi-criteria model for auditing a Predictive Maintenance Programme

Auditing tools can play a key role in the continuous improvement of maintenance policies, in particular to enhance predictive maintenance (PM). This paper proposes a multi-criteria model for auditing a Predictive Maintenance Programme (PMP) developed and implemented in the General Hospital of Ciudad Real (GHCR) in Spain. The model has a two-level structure, with top level auditing areas specified by second level auditing criteria on which the performance of the PMP should be appraised. This structure resulted from the analysis and discussion of an internal questionnaire to the management, technical and consulting staff of GHCR. This also guided the association of a performance scale with each criterion, describing several reference levels of accomplishment. Using the MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) approach, a hierarchical additive value model was constructed, with criteria weights and value scales derived from staff judgments of comparison of different reference levels and profiles of performance. This model enables managers to measure the performance of the PMP and its added value for the hospital, not only against each audit criterion individually, but also on each area and in overall terms. Integrated in a management “tableau de bord”, the model outputs permit the identification of PMP deficiencies requiring urgent intervention and corrective measures for its continuous improvement.     

Ab initio Study of Complexation Process between Poly(amido-amine) and Nano-Silicon Dioxide

To understand better the molecular-level details of ≡Si⁺(SC) or ≡SiO^-(SOA) ion group to -NH₂ teminated poly(amido-amine) dendrimers in the gas phase, density functional theory is used to optimize the minimum energy and transition state structures with UB3LYP/6-311G(d) and HF/6-31G levels. The tertiary amine nitrogen and the amide oxygen are found to be the most favorable binding sites. The activation energies of the different active sites and the reaction steps of SC and/or SOA ion group and the amide sites are also analyzed. The stable compounds are formed via the electrostatic interaction and the coordination effect. The orientation of the amide O and the rotation of the branches minimizes the energy of the whole system.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study on Pyrolysis of Isopsoralen

The pyrolysis of isopsoralen was studied by synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry at low pressure. The pyrolysis products were detected at different photon energies, the ratios of products to precursor were measured at various pyrolysis temperatures. The experimental results demonstrate that the main pyrolysis products are primary CO and sequential CO elimination products (C₁₀H₆O₂ and C₉H₆O). The decomposition channels of isopsoralen were also studied by the density functional theory, then rate constants for competing pathways were calculated by the transition state theory. The dominant decom-position channels of isopsoralen and the molecular structures for corresponding products were identified by combined experimental and theoretical studies.