Approximation algorithms for minimizing segments in radiation therapy

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is one of the most effective modalities for modern cancer treatment. The key to successful IMRT treatment hinges on the delivery of a two-dimensional discrete radiation intensity matrix using a device called a multileaf collimator (MLC). Mathematically, the delivery of an intensity matrix using an MLC can be viewed as the problem of representing a non-negative integral matrix (i.e., the intensity matrix) by a linear combination of certain special non-negative integral matrices called segments, where each such segment corresponds to one of the allowed states of the MLC. The problem of representing the intensity matrix with the minimum number of segments is known to be NP-complete. In this paper, we present two approximation algorithms for this matrix representation problem. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first algorithms to achieve non-trivial performance guarantees for multi-row intensity matrices.     

声表面波脉冲编码调制振荡器

论述了一种直接式声表面波脉冲编码调制振荡器的工作原理及设计方法。实际制作了工作频率为３９４ＭＨｚ、调制频偏大于２００ｋＨｚ、调制信号码速率大于４００ｋｂｉｔ／ｓ、输出功率大于５０ｍＷ、温度稳定性优于±５０×１０－６（－２０°Ｃ～＋６０°Ｃ）的性能优良的声表面波脉冲编码调制振荡器     

铜钛合金调幅分解之特征

通过透射电子显微分析和Ｘ射线衍射分析对Ｃｕ－５２Ｔｉ（％，原子分数，下同）合金的调幅分解过程进行了研究。确认调幅分解是Ｃｕ－Ｔｉ合金相变初期的过程之一。盐水淬冷不能抑制调幅分解，淬火态调幅波长约为５７ｎｍ。研究表明，调幅分解与调幅组织的长大是两个完全不同的过程，分别属于连续相变和非连续相变。这两个过程的波长长大动力学均符合λ３－λ３０＝ｋｔ定律，长大激活能分别为１７６ｋＪ／ｍｏｌ和１３４ｋＪ／ｍｏｌ。电镜下看到的调幅组织不能作为调幅分解发生的判据。     

Reaction kinetics modeling and thermal properties of epoxy–amines as measured by modulated‐temperature DSC. II. Network‐forming DGEBA + MDA

Reaction‐induced vitrification takes place in the network‐forming epoxy–amine system diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) + methylenedianiline (MDA) when the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) rises above the cure temperature (T_cure). This chemorheological transition results in diffusion‐controlled reaction and can be followed simultaneously with the reaction rate in modulated‐temperature DSC (MTDSC). To predict the effect of T_cure and the NH/epoxy molar mixing ratio (r) on the reaction rate in chemically controlled conditions, a mechanistic approach was used based on the nonreversing heat flow and heat capacity MTDSC signals, in which the reaction steps of primary (E_1OH = 44 kJ mol^?1) and secondary amine (E_2OH = 48 kJ mol^?1) with the epoxy–hydroxyl complex predominating. The diffusion factor DF as defined by the Rabinowitch approach expresses whether the chemical reaction rate or the diffusion rate determines the overall reaction rate. A model based on the free volume theory together with an Arrhenius temperature dependency was used to calculate the diffusion rate constant in DF as a function of conversion (x) and T_cure. The relation between x, r, and T_g, needed in this model, can be predicted with the Couchman equation. An experimental approximation for DF is the mobility factor DF* obtained from the heat capacity signal at a modulation frequency of 1/60 Hz, normalized for the effect of the reaction heat capacity in the liquid state and the change in C_p in the glassy region with x and T_cure. In this way, an optimized set of diffusion parameters was obtained that, together with the optimized kinetic parameters set, can predict the reaction rate for different cure schedules and for stoichiometric and off‐stoichiometric mixtures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2814–2833, 2004     

Pattern synthesis of time‐modulated conformal arrays by an improved differential evolution algorithm

In this article, an improved differential evolution algorithm (IDE) based on two different colonies is proposed and applied to time‐modulated conformal arrays syntheses. The whole population of IDE is divided into two parts. The one part searches the solution globally while the other searches the neighborhood of the solution provided by the previous one. Benchmark functions are provided to testify IDE. Furthermore, IDE is applied to synthetize sum‐difference patterns with a 1 × 16 elements time‐modulated circular array and low sidelobe level (SLL) patterns with an 8 × 12 elements time‐modulated cone array. After optimization, the sideband level (SBL) of the circular array at the first sideband frequency is ?1.00 dB. The SLL and SBL at the first sideband frequency of the cone array are lower than ?30.00 and ?20.00 dB, respectively. Experiment results verify the superior performance of IDE. Moreover, to accelerate the computation speed, graphics processing unit parallel computing technique is introduced into pattern synthesis and the acceleration ratios of more than 23 times can be achieved. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 24:697–705, 2014.     

Thermal properties measurements of renatured gelatin using conventional and temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry

The thermal properties of amorphous gelatin films and gelatin films with renatured structural order were measured by using conventional and temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Different amounts of gelatin structural order associated with a melting enthalpic change in the DSC measurement were prepared based on different gelatin drying conditions. Two consecutive heating and cooling DSC measurements on the gelatin films showed that there was no change in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) for the amorphous gelatin but there was a decrease in the T_g for the structural gelatin on the second DSC scan. This decrease was attributed to the plasticizing effect from the release of originally hydrogen‐bonded water associated with the structural gelatin. In addition, a reversing endotherm observed upon melting of the structural gelatin during a temperature modulated DSC measurement indicated that the transition of bound water to free water occurred as the partial triple‐helix gelatin melted. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1795–1801, 2006     

Development of compositionally modulated multilayer Zn-Ni deposits as replacement for cadmium

Compositionally modulated multilayer (CMM) Zn-Ni deposits were electrodeposited from single acidic bath (pH = 4.7) by using a potentiostatic sequence. The Zn and Ni composition in the alloy was tailored as a function of distance from the steel substrate. X-ray diffraction studies of the deposit showed the presence of γ-phase with a composition of Ni₅Zn₂₁. The corrosion properties of modulated multilayer coatings were studied in 5% NaCl solution using electrochemical corrosion techniques. The polarization resistance of the deposits varied as a function of Ni content between 1700 and 3440 Ω. CMM Zn-Ni with 20 wt% Ni exposed in ASTM B117 salt spray test did not show any red rust formation after 400 h.     

热处理对Bi－Pb－Sr－Ca－Cu－O超导材料结构和超导性能的影响

利用原位电阻测量、热重分析、电镜观察和电子探针等多种实验手段研究了Ｂｉ_（１．６）Ｐｂ_（０．４）Ｓｒ_２Ｃａ_２Ｃｕ_３Ｏ_（１０＋δ）（下称ＢＰＳＣＣＯ）超导材料在不同温度（６５０—８００℃）和不同氧分压（氧气、空气和氮气）下热处理过程中结构变化及其对超导电性的影响，实验结果表明，在稍高氧分压下退火，２２２３相中的Ｐｂ￣（＋２）离子将失稳析出体外，生成类Ｃａ_２ＰｂＯ_４杂相，导致电阻率和重量增加，其调制结构由纯Ｐｂ型（ｑ＝βｂ）逐渐变为纯Ｂｉ型（ｑ＝βｂ＋ｃ），在低氧分压下退火，类Ｃａ_２ＰｂＯ_４杂相将分解，整个过程基本可逆．此外还发现，适度析出类Ｃａ_２ＰｂＯ_４杂相，２２２３母相的超导转变温度将增高，材料的电传输特性亦将得到改善．     

基于FMCW雷达的多人心率呼吸检测

针对目前毫米波雷达应用于多人生命体征检测效果不佳, 检测范围小等缺点, 提出了一种多人心率呼吸提取分离方法, 首先采用Capon波束成形技术对非目标区域信号形成零陷, 对目标区域进行提取相位、相位解缠绕操作; 其次利用自适应谐波跟踪算法滤除噪声; 最后使用粒子群算法和样本熵改进的变分模态分解法(PSO-SE-VMD)对信号进行分解得到模态分量, 选取合适的模态分量并通过短时自相关算法提取心率呼吸. 实验结果表明, 该方法在夹角30°和60°时心率的均方误差分别为5.55和3.15, 实现了多人检测并有效提高了检测范围.     

物位计测量技术分析及应用研究

雷达物位技术是物位测量技术中发展较快的技术之一,但我国雷达物位仪表的研发还比较落后。分析了雷达物位计市场所占比重最大的两种测量方式——雷达脉冲测量和连续波线性调频测量的信号处理方式,比较了它们各自的优缺点,并指出了在应用中应注意的问题;同时,探讨了物位计开发过程中的技术难点,并根据我国现有的技术条件提出了相应的解决方案。