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This article describes a relevance-zone pattern table (RZT) that can be used to replace a traditional transposition table. An RZT stores exact game values for patterns that are discovered during a relevance zone-based search (RZS), which is the current state-of-the-art in solving life-and-death (L&D) problems in Go. Positions that share the same pattern can reuse the same exact game value in the RZT. The pattern matching scheme for RZTs is implemented using a radix tree, taking into consideration patterns with different shapes. To improve the efficiency of table lookups, we designed a heuristic that prevents redundant lookups. The heuristic can safely skip previously queried patterns for a given position, reducing the overhead to 10% of the original cost. We also analyze the time complexity of the RZT both theoretically and empirically. Experiments show the overhead of traversing the radix tree in practice during lookup remain flat logarithmically in relation to the number of entries stored in the table. Experiments also show that the use of an RZT instead of a traditional transposition table significantly reduces the number of searched nodes on two datasets of $\text{7} \times \text{7}$ and $\text{19} \times \text{19}$ L&D Go problems.

The results of this study indicate that hormone therapy (HT) is not associated with the risk of lung cancer development in postmenopausal women. A higher cumulative dosage and the long-term effects of HT reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

ABSTRACTCold-stored fruits of the loquat (Eriobotrya japonicaLindl.) plant suffer from strong lignification, which leads to a hard texture and a crude mouthfeel of the pulp. However, the signalling mechanisms of loquat fruits under cold storage remain unclear. In this study, the heterotrimeric G protein α subunit (Gα) gene (EjLGA1) from loquat was isolated, and in silicoanalysis was performed. The levels of EjLGA1expression in cold-stored loquat fruits with different pretreatments were also investigated. The largest open-reading frame of EjLGA1is 1173 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 390 amino acids. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Gα subunit are highly conserved among loquat and 48 other seed plants, indicating that the loquat Gα subunit likely has similar functions in other plants. A reliable model of the loquat Gα subunit was constructed, which revealed the structure of the subunit. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results showed that EjLGA1is highly expressed under cold storage, which suggests the significance of EjLGA1function in loquat fruits in response to cold stress. However, ethephon and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) pretreatments did not regulate EjLGA1expression. These results provide new insight into the signalling mechanism in cold-stored loquat fruits.

This paper proposes a new approach to a novel value network architecture for the game Go, called a multilabeled (ML) value network. In the ML value network, different values (win rates) are trained simultaneously for different settings of komi, a compensation given to balance the initiative of playing first. The ML value network has three advantages: 1) it outputs values for different komi; (2) it supports dynamic komi; and (3) it lowers the mean squared error (MSE). This paper also proposes a new dynamic komi method to improve game-playing strength. This paper also performs experiments to demonstrate the merits of the architecture. First, the MSE of the ML value network is generally lower than the value network alone. Second, the program based on the ML value network wins by a rate of 67.6% against the program based on the value network alone. Third, the program with the proposed dynamic komi method significantly improves the playing strength over the baseline that does not use dynamic komi, especially for handicap games. To our knowledge, up to date, no handicap games have been played openly by programs using value networks. This paper provides these programs with a useful approach to playing handicap games.

Here we investigate a new type of highly flame retardant poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite by bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of organic nano carboncapsule (OCNC/NCNC)‐incorporated modified montmorillonites (CL120, CL42). The morphology of the modified clay was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy was used to identify the functional groups in the clay. The nano morphological characterization of the clay in the PMMA matrix was confirmed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal and mechanical properties of the PMMA nanocomposites were investigated by thermogravimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. PMMA containing organo nano carboncapsule‐doped CL42 modified cocoamphodipropionate (K2) (P‐O‐CL42) could achieve very high thermal stability compared to pristine PMMA. The 5% thermal decomposition temperature (T5d) increased by 63.2°C. Storage modulus of PMMA nanocomposites measured by DMA analysis. An enhancement of storage modulus and significant reduction in the peak heat release (PHR) rate were observed in the almost all PMMA nanocomposites as compared to pristine PMMA. Moreover, these results suggest that PMMA nanocomposites can have potential applications in the building industry and the medical field. Schematic illustration for the preparation of PMMA nanocomposites and dispersion morphology with flame‐retardant properties.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) enables functional imaging of deep brain structures, but the bulk and weight of current systems preclude their use during many natural human activities, such as locomotion. The proposed long-term solution is to construct a robotic system that can support an imaging system surrounding the subject’s head, and then move the system to accommodate natural motion. This requires a system to measure the motion of the head with respect to the imaging ring, for use by both the robotic system and the image reconstruction software. We report here the design, calibration, and experimental evaluation of a parallel string encoder mechanism for sensing this motion. Our results indicate that with kinematic calibration, the measurement system can achieve accuracy within 0.5mm, especially for small motions.

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organomodified‐layered double hydroxide (PET/organo‐LDH) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a melt‐extrusion method. In an attempt to improve the compatibility with PET, LiAl, MgAl, and ZnAl LDHsurfaces were modified with sulfanilic acid (SAS) via electrostatic interaction with LDHcationic layers. In PETnanocomposites containing SAS‐modified LDH, the (00l) X‐ray diffraction (XRD) peaks originating from organo‐LDHwere not observed, indicating that the organomodified LDHlayers were fully exfoliated and homogeneously dispersed within the PETmatrix, which was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopyanalysis. However, PETnanocomposites containing SAS‐modified LiAl, MgAl, and ZnAl LDHshowed broad (00l) XRDpeaks, indicating that the organo‐LDHwas partially exfoliated. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability of PET/SAS‐modified LDH was significantly improved, depending on the type and loading content of SAS‐modified LDH compared to that of pristine PET. PETnanocomposites containing well‐dispersed SAS‐modified LDH showed substantial enhancement of the storage modulus. Recycled PETnanocomposites were prepared and characterized.

The current research of wheel force transducer (WFT) mainly focuses on test signal processing and decoupling methods based on signal itself, while the WFT structure optimization research related to decreasing the mass and increase the natural frequency and comprehensive sensitivity is not enough. In order to improve the WFT test accuracy, a structure optimization method based on natural frequency and comprehensive sensitivity indicators is put forward. The WFT with 8-beam elastic body is used for the finite element modeling (FEM), in which the following variations are taken into consideration: the connection type of elastic body with modified rim, the number of connection holes, and the respects of strain beam including the shape, the cross sectional area and the length, etc.. The test results shows that the natural frequency of the connecting block type is increased by 65.5% compared with the connecting seat type of elastic body & modified rim, and the main channel sensitivity is improved as well. The results show that the connecting block type will achieve the best comprehensive performance when the number of connecting holes between the elastic body and the modified rim is 20. And the thinner and longer strain beam with smaller cross section area is preferable within the scope of elastic body mechanical strength. This research proposes a novel structure optimization method for WFT which contributes to improve the measurement performance of WFT.

The side chains of polymeric semiconductor materials not only provide solubility to the conjugated backbones but also affect the stacking state of the polymer segments, thus affecting the carrier mobilities. In this work, three naphthalene diimide (NDI)-based conjugated polymers with novel fluorine-containing branched side chains were synthesized and characterized for their performances in solution-processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). For the side chain, n-heptafluorobutanyl (−C3F7) was introduced as the terminal group and the alkyl chain branching point was located at three carbon atoms away from the conjugated main chains. The GIWAXS analysis revealed that stacking occurred only in the random lamellar direction and not in the π–π direction for the three polymers. All polymers were characterized by typical n-type dominant semiconductor transmission with the highest electron mobility (μe) of up to 1.83 × 10–2cm2V–1s–1with Ion/Ioff= 105and exhibited good thermal stability and environmental stability.

Organic semiconductors (ITTIand IDTI) characterized of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and dithiophene bridged isoindigo derivatives were designed and successfully synthesized. 1H–13C HMBC, 1H–1H nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) spectra, and 1H nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) experiments were employed to determine the configurations of the synthesized molecules, indicating they belong to stable Z,Zconfigurations. Organic field-effect transistors based on ITTIand IDTIthrough a solution processed method have good air stabilities and exhibit hole mobilities of 0.045 and 0.075 cm2V–1s–1after high-temperature annealing in air, respectively.

A new series of full hydrocarbons, namely 4,4′‐(9,9′‐(1,3‐phenylene)bis(9H‐fluorene‐9,9‐diyl))bis(N,N‐diphenylaniline) (DTPAFB), N,N′‐(4,4′‐(9,9′‐(1,3‐phenylene)bis(9H‐fluorene‐9,9‐diyl))bis(4,1‐phenylene))bis(N‐phenylnaphthalen‐1‐amine) (DNPAFB), 1,3‐bis(9‐(4‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)benzene, and 1,3‐bis(9‐(4‐(3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)benzene, featuring a highly twisted tetrahedral conformation, are designed and synthesized. Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) comprising DNPAFB and DTPAFB as hole transporting layers and tris(quinolin‐8‐yloxy)aluminum as an emitter are made either by vacuum deposition or by solution processing, and show much higher maximum efficiencies than the commonly used N,N′‐di(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐N,N′‐diphenylbiphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine device (3.6 cd A−1) of 7.0 cd A−1and 6.9 cd A−1, respectively. In addition, the solution processed blue phosphorescent OLEDs employing the synthesized materials as hosts and iridium (III) bis[(4,6‐di‐fluorophenyl)‐pyridinato‐N, C2] picolinate (FIrpic) phosphor as an emitter present exciting results. For example, the DTPAFB device exhibits a brightness of 47 902 cd m−2, a maximum luminescent efficiency of 24.3 cd A−1, and a power efficiency of 13.0 lm W−1. These results show that the devices are among the best solution processable blue phosphorescent OLEDs based on small molecules. Moreover, a new approach to constructing solution processable small molecules is proposed based on rigid and bulky fluorene and carbazole moieties combined in a highly twisted configuration, resulting in excellent solubility as well as chemical miscibility, without the need to introduce any solubilizing group such as an alkyl or alkoxy chain.

Bismuth-doped ZnO nanowires were synthesized by a vapor transfer process at . Raman spectra revealed that a slight blueshift occurred in ZnO:Bi nanowires in contrast to ZnO nanowires. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum showed that the ZnO:Bi nanowires contained the Bi dopant as and . The turn-on fields of the ZnO:Bi and ZnO nanowires were and , respectively. Because the ZnO:Bi nanowires exhibited a redshift of absorbance spectrum with a high ratio in the UV range, the photocatalytic activities of ZnO:Bi nanowires were considered superior to those of ZnO nanowires.

Asymmetrical heteroacene up to six fused rings, tetraceno[2,3-b]benzo[d]thiophene (TBT), was synthesized facilely and its physicochemical properties and device applications were investigated. Field-effect transistors (FETs) fabricated with TBT as semiconducting layers showed carrier mobility up to 0.13 cm2V−1s−1. The transistors also exhibited a photoeffect and a ratio of photocurrent to dark-current as high as 104was achieved. Density functional theory and FET results demonstrated that, for bent heteroacenes, increasing a benzene ring in conjugation length would not result in higher field-effect mobility, and the FET performance is more influenced by the thin film morphology. All these results suggest that the introduction of heteroatoms provides an efficient route for exploring the chemistry of larger acenes.

Three copolymers containing isobutyl p-styrenesulfonate (IBSS) and carboxyl units, i.e. methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), were synthesized and their chemical structures and thermal behaviors were investigated by using TGA, DSC, FTIR and other methods. Films were prepared by using the synthesized copolymers in combination with a bisvinyl ether compound, i.e. 2,2-bis(4-(2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy)phenyl)propane (BVPP), to applied onto an aluminum plate. Crosslinking and de-crosslinking reactions would readily take place when the polymer films were baking treated at 100 oC and 200 oC for a short period of time, respectively. Along with the chemical structural changes during thermal treatments, an affinity change was achieved from being insoluble to completely soluble in neutral water. A positive-working and neutral water-developable imaging material was proposed and preliminary studies on the imaging properties were conducted.

A mathematical model for the dynamic behavior of a countercurrent rotary dryer has been developed and solved. The model consists of four hyperbolic partial differential equations with split boundary conditions. The equations are solved numerically using an algorithm based on the method of characteristics. The solution is stable and rapid. Sample results of a dryer simulation are presented.

Pan S-L, Wang Y-H, Lin H-L, Chang C-W, Wu T-Y, Hsieh E-T. Intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to autonomic dysreflexia in a young person with incomplete C8 tetraplegia: a case report.