A 10 kHz to 6 GHz Low-Cost Vector Network Analyzer

This publication introduces a low-cost vector network analyzer with very large frequency range made of commercial off-the-shelf components. It utilizes two identical receivers and two directional bridges to allow for two fully bidirectional measurement ports. The design surpasses the performance of competing low-cost network analyzers in regards of dynamic range, frequency span and calibration capability.

Comparing different ranking functions for solving fuzzy linear programming problems with fuzzy cost coefficients

In many applications of linear programming, the lack of exact information results in various problems. Nevertheless, these types of problems can be handled using fuzzy linear programming. This study aims to compare different ranking functions for solving fuzzy linear programming problems in which the coefficients of the objective function (the cost vector) are fuzzy numbers. A numerical example is introduced from the field of tourism and then solved using five ranking functions. Computations were carried out using the FuzzyLP package implemented in the statistical software R.

Developing the Questionnaire

This chapter outlines the essential topics for developing and testing a questionnaire for a discrete choice experiment survey. It addresses issues such as the description of the environmental good, pretesting of the survey, incentive compatibility, consequentiality or mitigation of hypothetical bias. For the latter, cheap talk scripts, opt-out reminders or an oath script are discussed. Moreover, the use of instructional choice sets, the identification of protest responses and strategic bidders are considered. Finally, issues related to the payment vehicle and the cost vector design are the subject of this section.

Nicking Endonuclease-Mediated Vector Construction Strategies for Plant Gene Functional Research

Plant genetic engineering vectors, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas9 vectors, are important tools for plant functional genomics. Efficient construction of these functional vectors can facilitate the study of gene function. Although some methods for vector construction have been reported, their operations are still complicated and costly. Here, we describe a simpler and low-cost vector construction method by nicking endonucleases-mediated DNA assembly (NEMDA), which uses nicking endonucleases to generate single-strand overhanging complementary ends for rapid assembly of DNA fragments into plasmids. Using this approach, we rapidly completed the construction of four RNAi vectors and a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout vector with five single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-expression cassettes for multiplex genome editing, and successfully achieved the goal of decreasing the expression of the target genes and knocking out the target genes at the same time in rice. These results indicate the great potential of NEMDA in assembling DNA fragments and constructing plasmids for molecular biology and functional genomics.

A Study of an EOQ Model under Lock Fuzzy Environment

The present article was developed for the economic order quantity (EOQ) inventory model under daytime, non-random, uncertain demand. In any inventory management problem, several parameters are involved that are basically flexible in nature with the progress of time. This model can be split into three different sub-models, assuming the demand rate and the cost vector associated with the model are non-randomly uncertain (i.e., fuzzy), and these may include some of the retained learning experiences of the decision-maker (DM). However, the DM has the option of revising his/her decision through the application of the appropriate key vector of the fuzzy locks in their final state. The basic novelty of the present model is that it includes a computer-based decision‐making process involving flowchart algorithms that are able to identify and update the key vectors automatically. The numerical study indicates that when all parameters are assumed to be fuzzy, the double keys of the fuzzy lock provide a more accurate optimum than other methods. Sensitivity analysis and graphical illustrations are made for better justification of the model.