29,041 research outputs found
A novel fast fractal image compression method based on distance clustering in high dimensional sphere surface
Fractal encoding method becomes an effective image compression method because of its high compression ratio and short decompressing time. But one problem of known fractal compression method is its high computational complexity and consequent long compressing time. To address this issue, in this paper, distance clustering in high dimensional sphere surface is applied to speed up the fractal compression method. Firstly, as a preprocessing strategy, an image is divided into blocks, which are mapped on high dimensional sphere surface. Secondly, a novel image matching method is presented based on distance clustering on high dimensional sphere surface. Then, the correctness and effectiveness properties of the mentioned method are analyzed. Finally, experimental results validate the positive performance gain of the method
Photoemission Spectroscopy of Magnetic and Non-magnetic Impurities on the Surface of the BiSe Topological Insulator
Dirac-like surface states on surfaces of topological insulators have a chiral
spin structure that suppresses back-scattering and protects the coherence of
these states in the presence of non-magnetic scatterers. In contrast, magnetic
scatterers should open the back- scattering channel via the spin-flip processes
and degrade the state's coherence. We present angle-resolved photoemission
spectroscopy studies of the electronic structure and the scattering rates upon
adsorption of various magnetic and non-magnetic impurities on the surface of
BiSe, a model topological insulator. We reveal a remarkable
insensitivity of the topological surface state to both non-magnetic and
magnetic impurities in the low impurity concentration regime. Scattering
channels open up with the emergence of hexagonal warping in the high-doping
regime, irrespective of the impurity's magnetic moment.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Delivering sustainable buildings in retail construction
Session: Sustainability: Theory and DesignThe demand for high performance ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ buildings is becoming increasingly important in the retail industry. Large construction companies in this sector have started to show leadership by working with their customers and supply chains towards sustainability in both products and operations. However, it remains unclear how clients’ benefits from achieving sustainability can be maximized and the associated risks be minimized, in order to add value and differentiate the output of retail construction. This paper reviews the practice of sustainable buildings within the context of retail construction, and also explores how the UK mainstream retail sector is currently addressing the challenges of sustainable retail buildings. The arguments are informed by a combination of literature review, a desk study of sustainability strategies of large client organizations and construction companies, and a case study with a leading construction company in the UK. The results demonstrate that businesses can benefit from embracing a sustainable approach while they need to adapt their business models to the rapidly changing environment. A demand-driven sustainability agenda is called for in the UK retail sector. The results also provide the basis for an in-depth, longitudinal case study to develop a framework to optimize process, energy and carbon efficiency in retail construction using sustainable technology. Such a framework should provide a sustainable technology model for retail customers to realize the full benefits of sustainable buildings and also assist construction companies and their professional advisors deliver green buildings more efficiently in the future.link_to_OA_fulltex
A decision making system for selecting sustainable technologies for retail buildings
Papers from the Designated Session TG66 - Energy and the Built EnvironmentCIB Publication 382: Selected papers presented at the CIB World Building Congres Construction and Society, Brisbane 5-9 May 2013The implementation of sustainable technologies can improve the energy and carbon efficiency of existing retail buildings. However, the selection of an appropriate sustainable technology is a complex task due to the large number of technological alternatives and decision criteria that need to be considered. Also, there exist series of uncertainties that are associated with the use of sustainable technologies, but have to be evaluated to achieve realistic and transparent results. The selection of sustainable technology is therefore most challenging.
An earlier study was conducted with UK experienced practitioners including clients/developers, engineers, contractors and suppliers to identify the drivers and barriers for the use of sustainable technologies in UK retail construction. One major barrier identified from the study was the lack of a decision making tool, highlighted by both construction professionals and stakeholders in the retail industry. The large number of alternatives and potential solutions require a decision support method to be implemented. Information data on the economic variables, energy performance and impact on the environment of these systems is presently affected by vagueness and lack of knowledge. To deal with this high level of complexity and uncertainty an evaluation support approach is needed.
This paper aims to develop a decision making framework to assist both retailers and construction professionals to define and evaluate the selection of sustainable technological options for delivering retail buildings. The research was carried out through a combination of a critical literature review and a survey-based study using expert opinions of retailers and contractors. The developed framework of decision criteria should provide a sustainable technology model to assist both construction professionals and stakeholders in the retail industry to systematically and effectively select the most appropriate technology. This approach should make the decision progression more transparent and facilitate sustainable development of retail buildings in achieving the carbon targets set by the UK and other governments.published_or_final_versio
Measurement of an Exceptionally Weak Electron-Phonon Coupling on the Surface of the Topological Insulator BiSe Using Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy
Gapless surface states on topological insulators are protected from elastic
scattering on non-magnetic impurities which makes them promising candidates for
low-power electronic applications. However, for wide-spread applications, these
states should have to remain coherent at ambient temperatures. Here, we studied
temperature dependence of the electronic structure and the scattering rates on
the surface of a model topological insulator, BiSe, by high resolution
angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We found an extremely weak
broadening of the topological surface state with temperature and no anomalies
in the state's dispersion, indicating exceptionally weak electron-phonon
coupling. Our results demonstrate that the topological surface state is
protected not only from elastic scattering on impurities, but also from
scattering on low-energy phonons, suggesting that topological insulators could
serve as a basis for room temperature electronic devices.Comment: published version, 5 pages, 4 figure
Microscopic origin of local moments in a zinc-doped high- superconductor
The formation of a local moment around a zinc impurity in the high-
cuprate superconductors is studied within the framework of the bosonic
resonating-valence-bond (RVB) description of the model. A topological
origin of the local moment has been shown based on the phase string effect in
the bosonic RVB theory. It is found that such an moment distributes
near the zinc in a form of staggered magnetic moments at the copper sites. The
corresponding magnetic properties, including NMR spin relaxation rate, uniform
spin susceptibility, and dynamic spin susceptibility, etc., calculated based on
the theory, are consistent with the experimental measurements. Our work
suggests that the zinc substitution in the cuprates provide an important
experimental evidence for the RVB nature of local physics in the original (zinc
free) state.Comment: The topological reason of local moment formation is given. One figure
is adde
Nodeless superconductivity in IrPtTe with strong spin-orbital coupling
The thermal conductivity of superconductor IrPtTe
( = 0.05) single crystal with strong spin-orbital coupling was measured down
to 50 mK. The residual linear term is negligible in zero magnetic
field. In low magnetic field, shows a slow field dependence. These
results demonstrate that the superconducting gap of IrPtTe is
nodeless, and the pairing symmetry is likely conventional s-wave, despite the
existence of strong spin-orbital coupling and a quantum critical point.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
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