Schwarz lemma for driving point impedance functions and its circuit applications

In this paper, a boundary version of the Schwarz lemma is investigated for driving point impedance functions and its circuit applications. It is known that driving point impedance function, Z(s) = 1 + c_p(s − 1)^p + c_{p + 1}(s − 1)^{p + 1} + ..., p > 1, is an analytic function defined on the right half of the s-plane. Two theorems are presented using the modulus of the derivative of driving point impedance function, |Z′(0)|, by assuming the Z(s) function is also analytic at the boundary point s = 0 on the imaginary axis with . In the obtained inequalities, the value of the function at s = 1 and the derivatives with different orders have been used. Finally, the sharpness of the inequalities obtained in the presented theorems is proved. Simple LC circuits are obtained using the obtained driving point impedance functions.     

The analysis of the current–voltage characteristics of the high barrier Au/Anthracene/n-Si MIS devices at low temperatures

The Au/Anthracene/n-Si/Al MIS device was fabricated on the basis of anthracene film covalently bonded to a Si substrate. The MIS device showed Schottky behavior with barrier heights of 0.85 eV and ideality factors of 1.88 at 300 K. The barrier height of the Au/n-Si has increased after deposition of the anthracene layer onto Si. Temperature dependent current–voltage (I–V) measurements were performed on the Au/Anthracene/n-Si/Al MIS diodes in the range 140–300 K. From the temperature dependence of forward bias I–V, the barrier height was observed to increase with temperature. However, the ideality factor decreased with increasing temperature. The values of activation energy (E_a) and Richardson constant (A*) were determined as 0.24 eV and 7.57 × 10⁻⁶ A cm⁻² K⁻² from the slope and the intercept at ordinate of the linear region of Richardson plot, respectively. The increase of the series resistance R_s with the fall of temperature was attributed to lack of free carrier concentration at low temperatures.     

Human Islet Microtissues as an In Vitro and an In Vivo Model System for Diabetes

Loss of pancreatic β-cell function is a critical event in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. However, studies of its underlying mechanisms as well as the discovery of novel targets and therapies have been hindered due to limitations in available experimental models. In this study we exploited the stable viability and function of standardized human islet microtissues to develop a disease-relevant, scalable, and reproducible model of β-cell dysfunction by exposing them to long-term glucotoxicity and glucolipotoxicity. Moreover, by establishing a method for highly-efficient and homogeneous viral transduction, we were able to monitor the loss of functional β-cell mass in vivo by transplanting reporter human islet microtissues into the anterior chamber of the eye of immune-deficient mice exposed to a diabetogenic diet for 12 weeks. This newly developed in vitro model as well as the described in vivo methodology represent a new set of tools that will facilitate the study of β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes and would accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic agents.     

Molybdenum- and vanadium-containing perovskite electrocatalysts for dissociation of H2S

Catalytic operations, achieving considerable energy savings, continue getting wider application especially in clean energy systems. Perovskite materials, owing to their chemical and thermal stability, can be conveniently used as catalysts and electrode materials at wide temperature ranges. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) offers a new and abundant source of hydrogen, the ultimate energy carrier. In the present work, change in electrical conductivity of catalysts obtained by adding molybdenum (Mo) and vanadium (V) as B to the perovskite structure with lanthanum (La) and strontium (Sr) as A and A′, respectively, has been studied within a temperature range of up to 1100 K. Samples La_0.75Sr_0.25MoO₃ and LaSr_0.5V_0.5O₃ demonstrated the highest values of conductivity at 1100 K. At lower temperatures, Cr-added Mo and V catalysts La_0.9Sr_0.1Cr_0.5Mo_0.5O₃ and La_0.9Sr_0.1Cr_0.5V_0.5O₃ had higher conductivity, closely followed by LaSr_0.5V_0.5O₃.     

Reduced configuration set for the multi-step method applied to machine and probe error separation on a CMM

This paper presents a refinement and further analysis of an application of the multi-step method for the separation of machine and probe errors on a CMM using multiple redundancy probing of the machine’s own master ball. The objective is to reduce the amount of data required and so minimize the test time in order to reduce the industrial cost of such periodic verifications.     

Identification of mechanical properties of CuSil-steel brazed structures joints: a numerical approach

In this paper, the inverse method is used to identify the mechanical characteristics of a brazed joint. This technique is based upon tensile tests and/or shearing test combined with the results of a calculation using finite elements method. This paper shows that calculation of a brazed assembly under an elastic behavior assumption is flawed. A correct study of a brazed assembly must be done under an elastoplastic assumption. The presented method will be used for calculation of molds manufactured by stratoconception (sheet metal assembling).     

Risk-opportunity analyses and production peak forecasting on world conventional oil and gas perspectives

To investigate the situation of conventional oil and gas,this paper examines the global oil and gas discoveries,proved reserves,production,consumption and price. All the inuencing factors can be subjected to risk and opportunity analyses,so in the paper,we build upon a risk-opportunity analysis framework,which is a new train of thought. To forecast the peak time of oil and gas production,we used the methods of multi-Hubbert model forecasting and data forecasting. Our results showed that the world oil produc...     

Frequency band characteristics of tree-structured filter banks

A sub-band decomposition filter bank can be recursively used in a tree structure to divide the frequency domain into various subfrequency bands. The frequency bands of the sub-band signals have a counter intuitive order in such a decomposition. The authors show that the relationship between the frequency content and the index of a sub-band signal can be expressed by an extension of the Gray code     

Impact of enhanced geothermal systems on US energy supply in the twenty-first century

Recent national focus on the value of increasing US supplies of indigenous renewable energy underscores the need for re-evaluating all alternatives, particularly those that are large and well distributed nationally. A panel was assembled in September 2005 to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of geothermal becoming a major supplier of primary energy for US base-load generation capacity by 2050. Primary energy produced from both conventional hydrothermal and enhanced (or engineered) geothermal systems (EGS) was considered on a national scale. This paper summarizes the work of the panel which appears in complete form in a 2006 MIT report, 'The future of geothermal energy' parts 1 and 2. In the analysis, a comprehensive national assessment of US geothermal resources, evaluation of drilling and reservoir technologies and economic modelling was carried out. The methodologies employed to estimate geologic heat flow for a range of geothermal resources were utilized to provide detailed quantitative projections of the EGS resource base for the USA. Thirty years of field testing worldwide was evaluated to identify the remaining technology needs with respect to drilling and completing wells, stimulating EGS reservoirs and converting geothermal heat to electricity in surface power and energy recovery systems. Economic modelling was used to develop long-term projections of EGS in the USA for supplying electricity and thermal energy. Sensitivities to capital costs for drilling, stimulation and power plant construction, and financial factors, learning curve estimates, and uncertainties and risks were considered.