A genetic algorithm for resizing and sampling reduction of non-stationary soil chemical attributes optimizing spatial prediction

Aim of study: To evaluate the influence of the parameters of the geostatistical model and the initial sample configuration used in the optimization process; and to propose and evaluate the resizing of a sample configuration, reducing its sample size, for simulated data and for the study of the spatial variability of soil chemical attributes under a non-stationary with drift process from a commercial soybean cultivation area. Area of study: Cascavel, Brazil Material and methods: For both, the simulated data and the soil chemical attributes, the Genetic Algorithm was used for sample resizing, maximizing the overall accuracy measure. Main results: The results obtained from the simulated data showed that the practical range did not influence in a relevant way the optimization process. Moreover, the local variations, such as variance or sampling errors (nugget effect), had a direct relationship with the reduction of the sample size, mainly for the smaller nugget effect. For the soil chemical attributes, the Genetic Algorithm was efficient in resizing the sampling configuration, since it generated sampling configurations with 30 to 35 points, corresponding to 29.41% to 34.31% of the initial configuration, respectively. In addition, comparing the optimized and initial configurations, similarities were obtained regarding spatial dependence structure and characterization of spatial variability of soil chemical attributes in the study area. Research highlights: The optimization process showed that it is possible to reduce the sample size, allowing for lesser financial investments with data collection and laboratory analysis of soil samples in future experiments.

Up-Conversion Luminescence Processes in NaLaF4 Doped with Tm3+ and Yb3+ and Dependence on Tm3+ Concentration and Temperature

In this work, luminescence processes in polycrystalline NaLaF4:Tm3+ and NaLaF4:Tm3+,Yb3+ materials were studied. Luminescence spectra and decay kinetics measurements were performed for NaLaF4 doped with various Tm3+ concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 mol%) under direct excitation to 3P0, 1D2, 1G4, and 3H4 states. It was found that some of the Tm3+ excited states are more affected by Tm3+ concentration than other states. Under infrared excitation of Yb3+, energy transfer to Tm3+ occurred and intensive ultraviolet and blue up-conversion luminescence was observed. Possible up-conversion mechanisms are discussed. Spectroscopic measurements show that long-duration excitation radiation reduces ultraviolet up-conversion luminescence intensity, and this intensity reduction is related to sample heating due to high excitation radiation density and a poor heat sink from samples. It was found that sample configuration for spectroscopic measurements is crucial to correctly describe measured up-conversion luminescence spectra.

The Social Power of Narcissists in Mass Customization

It has become standard practice for consumers to customize products instead ofchoosing off-the-shelf solutions. A new practice is that consumers can directly share and discuss their customized products with their peers via social product configurators. We examine how the type of communication affects peer decision-making and satisfaction in such configurators. Drawing on research on mass customization, electronic word of mouth, and narcissism, we propose that narcissistic communication is crucial to understanding the effect of a shared configuration. A series of three studies demonstrates that consumers scoring high (vs. low) on narcissism are more likely to share their customized product online as a sample configuration and to use I-centered communication to describe that configuration. Such narcissistic communication makes peers adjust their own customized product to the sample configuration and to evaluate their own product less favorably. These findings suggest that narcissistic communication influences consumers’ decision-making by increasing the likelihood to conform, potentially negatively impacting consumer satisfaction. The social power of narcissists has implications for both marketing research and practice.

Development of friction-induced triboluminescent sensor for load monitoring

Real-time load monitoring of critical civil and mechanical structures especially dynamic structures such as wind turbine blades is imperative for longer service life. This article proposed a novel sensor system based on the proprietary in situ triboluminescent optical fiber (ITOF) sensor for dynamic load monitoring. The new ITOF sensor patch consists of an ITOF sensor network with micro-exciters integrated within a polymer matrix. The sensor patch was subjected to repeated flexural loading and produced triboluminescent emissions due to the friction between micro-exciters and ITOF sensors corresponding to each loading cycle. The friction-induced triboluminescent intensity directly depends on the loading rate, the coefficient of friction, and the applied load on patch. In general, the triboluminescent intensity increases exponentially with an increase in load. Additionally, the sensor patches comprising the coarser micro-exciters exhibited better results. Similarly, better results were achieved at higher loading rates although a threshold loading rate is required to excite the triboluminescent crystals for this sample configuration. The proposed new sensor has the ability to monitor dynamic continuous applied loads.

Advanced X-Ray Inspection Techniques for IC Reverse Engineering

The need for reverse engineering (for IP verification or for reproducibility) has reached unprecedented levels requiring not only the inspection of the circuitry but also the understanding of the packaging and interconnects. Achieving the best X-ray inspection for a particular application depends on an in-depth understanding of the X-ray system configuration, the sample configuration, and the sample preparation techniques available. This paper presents various case examples on the development of advanced X-ray inspection techniques for IC reverse engineering, along with information on the limitations of X-ray imaging, issues with 3D reconstruction, models for resolution configuration improvement, and advantages and disadvantages of advanced sample preparation techniques. It is observed that the novel X-ray inspection techniques, combined with appropriate sample prep techniques, provide the necessary resolution to achieve results necessary for current reverse engineering needs.

Angle calculations for a (2+3)-type diffractometer: focus on area detectors

Angle calculations for a (2+3)-type diffractometer are presented with comprehensive derivations for both cases of either a vertical or horizontal sample configuration. This work focuses on some particular aspects of using area detectors in surface X-ray diffraction, namely the role of the detector rotation and the direct conversion of the angle-resolved diffraction signal recorded by the detector into a two-dimensional slice through reciprocal space.

Using DTSA-II to Simulate and Interpret Energy Dispersive Spectra from Particles

A high quality X-ray spectrum image of a 3.3 μm diameter sphere of K411 glass resting on a copper substrate was collected at 25 keV. The same sample configuration was modeled using the NISTMonte Monte Carlo simulation of electron and X-ray transport as is integrated into the quantitative X-ray microanalysis software package DTSA-II. The distribution of measured and simulated X-ray intensity compare favorably for all the major lines present in the spectra. The simulation is further examined to investigate the influence of angle-of-incidence, sample thickness, and sample diameter on the generated and measured X-ray intensity. The distribution of generated X-rays is seen to deviate significantly from a naive model which assumes that the distribution of generated X-rays is similar to bulk within the volume they share in common. It is demonstrated that the angle at which the electron beam strikes the sample has nonnegligible consequences. It is also demonstrated that within the volume that the bulk and particle share in common that electrons, which have exited and later reentered the particle volume, generate a significant fraction of the X-rays. Any general model of X-ray generation in particles must take into account the lateral spread of the scattered electron beam.