Fault tolerant authenticated quantum direct communication immune to collective noises

This study proposes two new coding functions for GHZ states and GHZ-like states, respectively. Based on these coding functions, two fault tolerant authenticated quantum direct communication (AQDC) protocols are proposed. Each of which is robust under one kind of collective noises: collective-dephasing noise and collective-rotation noise, respectively. Moreover, the proposed AQDC protocols enable a sender to send a secure as well as authenticated message to a receiver within only one step quantum transmission without using the classical channels.     

Robust fuzzy stabilization of dithered chaotic systems using island-based random optimization algorithm

Applying dither to highly nonlinear systems may suppress chaotic phenomena, but dynamic performance, such as convergence rate and disturbance attenuation, is usually not guaranteed. This paper presents a dithered H_∞ robust fuzzy control scheme to stabilize chaotic systems that ensures disturbance attenuation bounds. In the proposed scheme, Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy linear models are used to describe the relaxed models of the dithered chaotic system, and fuzzy controllers are designed based on an extension to the concept of parallel distributed compensation (PDC). Sufficient condition for the existence of the H_∞ robust fuzzy controllers is presented in terms of a novel linear matrix inequalities (LMI) form which takes full consideration of modeling error and disturbances, but cannot be solved by the standard procedures. In order to solve the LMI problem and to identify the chaotic systems as T-S fuzzy modes, we propose a compound optimization strategy called the island-based random-walk algorithm (IRA). The algorithm is composed of a set of communicating random-walk optimization procedures concatenated with the down-hill simplex method. The design procedure and validity of the proposed scheme is demonstrated via numerical simulation of the dithered fuzzy control of a chaotic system.     

Rainbow Product Ranking for Upgrading E-Commerce

Online product ranking is complicated by conflicting attributes. The authors propose a rainbow ranking system to solve this problem in e-commerce. This approach extends eBay's one-to-one shopping paradigm to a flexible one with many-to-many transactions. The system demonstrates a 50 to 70 percent transaction increase over skyline and eBay ranking methods. Buyers are allowed personalized selections of commodity products, whereas sellers benefit from both wholesale and retailing online. The rainbow scheme thus creates a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers in widened e-commerce marketplaces.     

Synergistic effects of micro-/nano-fillers on conductive and electromagnetic shielding properties of polypropylene nanocomposites

This study presents the synergistic effects of graphene nanosheets (GNSs) and carbon fibers (CFs) additions on the electrical and electromagnetic shielding properties of GNS/CF/polypropylene (PP) composites. These composites were fabricated by the melt blending of different ratios of GNSs and CFs (20:0, 15:5, 10:10, 5:15 and 0:20 wt/wt%) into a PP polymer matrix using a Brabender mixer. Besides, the chemical and crystalline structures and the thermal stability of the resultant GNS/CF/PP composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FT-IR and XRD showed that with the addition of GNSs content, transmittances at 1373.4?cm^?1 and 1454.4?cm^?1 became smaller and the characteristic peak at 26.82° became stronger. TGA showed that the GNS/CF/PP composite can be used at high temperature below 456°C. Blending 10?wt% CFs and 10?wt% GNSs into the PP polymer resulted in excellent conductivity (0.397 S/cm), which indicated the occurrence of the critical percolation threshold phenomenon, and also reached the maximum electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of 20?dB at 1.28–2.00?GHz. Laminated with five layers of composites, its EMSE achieved 25–38?dB at 0.3–3.0?GHz, corresponding to blocking of 94.38–98.74% electromagnetic waves.     

Performance Evaluation of Composite Electrolyte with GQD for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

The use a stabilized lithium structure as cathode material for batteries could be a fundamental alternative in the development of next-generation energy storage devices. However, the lithium structure severely limits battery life causes safety concerns due to the growth of lithium (Li) dendrites during rapid charge/discharge cycles. Solid electrolytes, which are used in high-density energy storage devices and avoid the instability of liquid electrolytes, can be a promising alternative for next-generation batteries. Nevertheless, poor lithium ion conductivity and structural defects at room temperature have been pointed out as limitations. In this study, through the application of a low-dimensional graphene quantum dot (GQD) layer structure, stable operation characteristics were demonstrated based on Li⁺ ion conductivity and excellent electrochemical performance. Moreover, the device based on the modified graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in solid state exhibited retention properties of 95.3% for 100 cycles at 0.5 C and room temperature (RT). Transmission electron microscopy analysis was performed to elucidate the Li⁺ ion action mechanism in the modified GQD/electrolyte heterostructure. The low-dimensional structure of the GQD-based solid electrolyte has provided an important strategy for stably-scalable solid-state lithium battery applications at room temperature. It was demonstrated that lithiated graphene quantum dots (Li-GQDs) inhibit the growth of Li dendrites by regulating the modified Li⁺ ion flux during charge/discharge cycling at current densities of 2.2–5.5 mA cm, acting as a modified Li diffusion heterointerface. A full Li GQD-based device was fabricated to demonstrate the practicality of the modified Li structure using the Li–GQD hetero-interface. This study indicates that the low-dimensional carbon structure in Li–GQDs can be an effective approach for stabilization of solid-state Li matrix architecture.     

Applying Job Shop Scheduling to SMEs Manufacturing Platform to Revitalize B2B Relationship

A small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing platform aims to perform as a significant revenue to SMEs and vendors by providing scheduling and monitoring capabilities. The optimal job shop scheduling is generated by utilizing the scheduling system of the platform, and a minimum production time, i.e., makespan decides whether the scheduling is optimal or not. This scheduling result allows manufacturers to achieve high productivity, energy savings, and customer satisfaction. Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 requires dynamic, uncertain, complex production environments, and customer-centered services. This paper proposes a novel method for solving the difficulties of the SMEs manufacturing by applying and implementing the job shop scheduling system on a SMEs manufacturing platform. The primary purpose of the SMEs manufacturing platform is to improve the B2B relationship between manufacturing companies and vendors. The platform also serves qualified and satisfactory production opportunities for buyers and producers by meeting two key factors: early delivery date and fulfillment of processing as many orders as possible. The genetic algorithm (GA)-based scheduling method results indicated that the proposed platform enables SME manufacturers to obtain optimized schedules by solving the job shop scheduling problem (JSSP) by comparing with the real-world data from a textile weaving factory in South Korea. The proposed platform will provide producers with an optimal production schedule, introduce new producers to buyers, and eventually foster relationships and mutual economic interests.     

Vibration measurement by the time-averaged electronic speckle pattern interferometry methods

Three different image-processing methods based on the time-averaged technique were compared by the electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) technique for vibration measurement. The three methods are the video-signal-addition method, the video-signal-subtraction method, and the amplitude-fluctuation method. Also, errors introduced by using the zero-order Bessel function directly into the analysis of the fringe pattern were investigated. The video-signal-addition method has been the most generally used ESPI technique for vibration measurement. However, without additional image and/or signal-processing procedures, the fringe pattern obtained directly by the video-signal-addition method is rather difficult to observe. The reason for poor visibility of the experimentally obtained fringe pattern with this method is explained. To increase the fringe pattern's visibility without additional image and/or signal processes, we tried two video-signal-subtraction methods. One of the two methods is the video-signal-subtraction method that has normally been used in the static applications. The other method, called the amplitude-fluctuation method, and its associated theory are reported here.     

Study on the solidification cracking behaviour of high strength aluminum alloy welds: Effects of alloying elements and solidification behaviours

The solidification cracking susceptibility of the 7000 series Al-Zn-Mg high strength aluminum alloy has been studied. The cracking behaviour of the specimens were evaluated by a Tig-a-Ma-Jig Varestraint test process under various augmented strain conditions. It has been experimentally observed that the addition of copper decreased the solidification cracking resistivity of the high strength aluminum alloy weld metal by increasing the total crack length (TCL). The effect of the addition of manganese on the solidification cracking behaviour is found to be beneficial by markedly decreasing the solidification cracking susceptibility as the manganese content increases from 0.3 to 0.7%. This enhancement by manganese is understood to be attributed to the reduction of the mushy zone size during the solidification process. The effects of chromium and zirconium additions are also investigated. The weld metal containing zirconium is less sensitive to the solidification cracking than the weld metal containing chromium. In addition, the solidification behaviours of the tested alloys are also investigated and it is found that as the solidification temperature range (T) becomes narrow, the solidified structure becomes more dendritic in its features which is believed to create higher solidification cracking resistance.