Showing papers by "Tsinghua University published in 2003"

Two-step quantum direct communication protocol using the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen pair block

Abstract: A protocol for quantum secure direct communication using blocks of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pairs is proposed. A set of ordered N EPR pairs is used as a data block for sending secret message directly. The ordered N EPR set is divided into two particle sequences, a checking sequence and a message-coding sequence. After transmitting the checking sequence, the two parties of communication check eavesdropping by measuring a fraction of particles randomly chosen, with random choice of two sets of measuring bases. After insuring the security of the quantum channel, the sender Alice encodes the secret message directly on the message-coding sequence and sends them to Bob. By combining the checking and message-coding sequences together, Bob is able to read out the encoded messages directly. The scheme is secure because an eavesdropper cannot get both sequences simultaneously. We also discuss issues in a noisy channel.

Image reconstruction algorithms for electrical capacitance tomography

Abstract: Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is used to image cross-sections of industrial processes containing dielectric material. This technique has been under development for more than a decade. The task of image reconstruction for ECT is to determine the permittivity distribution and hence material distribution over the cross-section from capacitance measurements. There are three principal difficulties with image reconstruction for ECT: (1) the relationship between the permittivity distribution and capacitance is non-linear and the electric field is distorted by the material present, the so-called 'soft-field' effect; (2) the number of independent measurements is limited, leading to an under-determined problem and (3) the inverse problem is ill posed and ill conditioned, making the solution sensitive to measurement errors and noise. Regularization methods are needed to treat this ill-posedness. This paper reviews existing image reconstruction algorithms for ECT, including linear back-projection, singular value decomposition, Tikhonov regularization, Newton–Raphson, iterative Tikhonov, the steepest descent method, Landweber iteration, the conjugate gradient method, algebraic reconstruction techniques, simultaneous iterative reconstruction techniques and model-based reconstruction. Some of these algorithms are examined by simulation and experiment for typical permittivity distributions. Future developments in image reconstruction for ECT are discussed.

The crystal structures of severe acute respiratory syndrome virus main protease and its complex with an inhibitor

Abstract: A newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is the etiological agent responsible for the outbreak of SARS. The SARS-CoV main protease, which is a 33.8-kDa protease (also called the 3C-like protease), plays a pivotal role in mediating viral replication and transcription functions through extensive proteolytic processing of two replicase polyproteins, pp1a (486 kDa) and pp1ab (790 kDa). Here, we report the crystal structures of the SARS-CoV main protease at different pH values and in complex with a specific inhibitor. The protease structure has a fold that can be described as an augmented serine-protease, but with a Cys-His at the active site. This series of crystal structures, which is the first, to our knowledge, of any protein from the SARS virus, reveal substantial pH-dependent conformational changes, and an unexpected mode of inhibitor binding, providing a structural basis for rational drug design.

Corporate Governance and Market Valuation in China

Abstract: This paper studies the relationship between the governance mechanisms and the market valuation of publicly listed firms in China empirically. We construct measures for corporate governance mechanisms and measures of market valuation for all publicly listed firms on the two stock markets in China by using data from the firm???s annual reports. We then investigate how the market-valuation variables are affected by the corporate governance variables while controlling for a number of factors commonly considered in market valuation analysis. A corporate governance index is also constructed to summarize the information contained in the corporate governance variables. The index is found to have statistically and economically significant effect on market valuation. The analysis indicates that investors pay a significant premium for well-governed firms in China, benefiting firms that improve their governance mechanisms.

A BCI-based environmental controller for the motion-disabled

Abstract: With the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, researchers are now attempting to put current BCI techniques into practical application. This paper presents an environmental controller using a BCI technique based on steady-state visual evoked potential. The system is composed of a stimulator, a digital signal processor, and a trainable infrared remote-controller. The attractive features of this system include noninvasive signal recording, little training requirement, and a high information transfer rate. Our test results have shown that this system can distinguish at least 48 targets and provide a transfer rate up to 68 b/min. The system has been applied to the control of an electric apparatus successfully.

Synthesis and formation mechanism of manganese dioxide nanowires/nanorods.

Abstract: Alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-MnO(2) single-crystal nanowires/nanorods with different aspect ratios have been successfully prepared by a common hydrothermal method based on the redox reactions of MnO(4)(-) and/or Mn(2+). The influences of oxidant, temperature, and inorganic cation (NH(4)(+) and K(+)) template concentrations on the morphology and crystallographic forms of the final products are discussed in this paper. It is interesting to find that all the MnO(2) one-dimensional nanostructures have a similar formation process: delta-MnO(2), which has a layer structure, serves as an important intermediate to other forms of MnO(2), and is believed to be responsible for the initial formation of MnO(2) one-dimensional nanostructures. A rolling mechanism has been proposed based on the results of the series of TEM images and XRD patterns of the intermediate.

Sulfur Composite Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Abstract: Conductive polymer/sulfur composite materials were prepared by heating the mixture of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and sublimed sulfur. During the heating process, PAN was dehydrogenated by sulfur, forming a conductive main chain similar to polyacetylene. At the same time, the high-polarity functional group –CN cyclized at the melt state, forming a thermally stable heterocyclic compound in which sulfur was embedded. The nanodispersed composites showed excellent electrochemical properties. Tested as cathode material in a non-aqueous lithium cell based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) gel electrolyte at room temperature, the composite exhibited a specific capacity up to 850 mA h g–1 in the initial cycle. Its specific capacity remained above 600 mA h g–1 after 50 cycles, about five times that of LiCoO2, and recovered partly after replacement of the anode with a fresh lithium sheet. The utilization of the electrochemically active sulfur was about 90 % assuming a complete reaction to the product, Li2S.

Renewable energy markets in developing countries

Abstract: ▪ Abstract Renewable energy is shifting from the fringe to the mainstream of sustainable development. Past donor efforts achieved modest results but often were not sustained or replicated, which leads now to greater market orientation. Markets for rural household lighting with solar home systems, biogas, and small hydro power have expanded through rural entrepreneurship, government programs, and donor assistance, serving millions of households. Applications in agriculture, small industry, and social services are emerging. Public programs resulted in 220 million improved biomass cook stoves. Three percent of power generation capacity is largely small hydro and biomass power, with rapid growth of wind power. Experience suggests the need for technical know-how transfer, new replicable business models, credit for rural households and entrepreneurs, regulatory frameworks and financing for private power developers, market facilitation organizations, donor assistance aimed at expanding sustainable markets, smart...

Controlled order rearrangement encryption for quantum key distribution

Abstract: A technique is devised to perform orthogonal state quantum key distribution. In this scheme, entangled parts of a quantum information carrier are sent from Alice to Bob through two quantum channels. However, before the transmission, the order of the quantum information carrier in one channel is reordered so that Eve cannot steal useful information. At the receiver's end, the order of the quantum information carrier is restored. The order rearrangement operation in both parties is controlled by a prior shared control key which is used repeatedly in a quantum key distribution session.

DEPSO: hybrid particle swarm with differential evolution operator

Abstract: A hybrid particle swarm with differential evolution operator, termed DEPSO, which provide the bell-shaped mutations with consensus on the population diversity along with the evolution, while keeping the self-organized particle swarm dynamics, is proposed. Then it is applied to a set of benchmark functions, and the experimental results illustrate its efficiency.

Relating atomic-scale electronic phenomena to wave-like quasiparticle states in superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta.

Abstract: The electronic structure of simple crystalline solids can be completely described in terms either of local quantum states in real space (r-space), or of wave-like states defined in momentum-space (k-space). However, in the copper oxide superconductors, neither of these descriptions alone may be sufficient. Indeed, comparisons between r-space and k-space studies of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta (Bi-2212) reveal numerous unexplained phenomena and apparent contradictions. Here, to explore these issues, we report Fourier transform studies of atomic-scale spatial modulations in the Bi-2212 density of states. When analysed as arising from quasiparticle interference, the modulations yield elements of the Fermi-surface and energy gap in agreement with photoemission experiments. The consistency of numerous sets of dispersing modulations with the quasiparticle interference model shows that no additional order parameter is required. We also explore the momentum-space structure of the unoccupied states that are inaccessible to photoemission, and find strong similarities to the structure of the occupied states. The copper oxide quasiparticles therefore apparently exhibit particle-hole mixing similar to that of conventional superconductors. Near the energy gap maximum, the modulations become intense, commensurate with the crystal, and bounded by nanometre-scale domains. Scattering of the antinodal quasiparticles is therefore strongly influenced by nanometre-scale disorder.

On ψ-Learning

Abstract: The concept of large margins have been recognized as an important principle in analyzing learning methodologies, including boosting, neural networks, and support vector machines (SVMs). However, this concept alone is not adequate for learning in nonseparable cases. We propose a learning methodology, called ψ-learning, that is derived from a direct consideration of generalization errors. We provide a theory for ψ-learning and show that it essentially attains the optimal rates of convergence in two learning examples. Finally, results from simulation studies and from breast cancer classification confirm the ability of ψ-learning to outperform SVM in generalization.

Distributed wireless communication system: a new architecture for future public wireless access

Abstract: The distributed wireless communication system (DWCS) is a new architecture for a wireless access system with distributed antennas, distributed processors, and distributed control With distributed antennas, the system capacity can be expanded through dense frequency reuse, and the transmission power can be greatly decreased With distributed processors control, the system works like a software or network radio, so different standards can coexist, and the system capacity can be increased by coprocessing of signals to and from multiple antennas

Dendrite-Assisted Growth of Silicon Nanowires in Electroless Metal Deposition

Abstract: This article concerns the detailed investigations on the silver dendrite-assisted growth of single-crystalline silicon nanowires, and their possible self-assembling nanoelectrochemistry growth mechanism. The growth of silicon nanowires was carried out through an electroless metal deposition process in a conventional autoclave containing aqueous HF and AgNO3 solution near room temperature. In order to explore the mechanism and prove the centrality of silver dendrites in the growth of silicon nanowires, other etching solution systems with different metal species were also investigated in this work. The morphology of etched silicon substrates strongly depends upon the composition of the etching solution, especially the metal species. Our experimental results prove that the simultaneous formation of silver dendrites is a guarantee of the preservation of free-standing nanoscale electrolytic cells on the silicon substrate, and also assists in the final formation of silicon nanowire arrays on the substrate surface.

Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Nano-Fibrils in Mineralized Collagen

Abstract: A designed hierarchical structure was made by self-assembly of nano-fibrils of mineralized collagen resembling extracellular matrix. The collagen fibrils were formed by self-assembly of collagen tr...