Waveband selection for determination of nitrate in soil using mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy

This paper investigates the possibility of determining nitrate concentration in soil pastes using spectral absorbance at several fixed wavebands. A three-step procedure for determining the most appropriate wavebands, as well as their width, is described. This procedure is applied to a dataset that includes eleven soils with various nitrate concentrations ranging from 0 to approximately 150 mg [N]/kg [dry soil]. The results show that nitrate concentration can be determined quite acceptably using only four 12 cm(-1) wide wavebands, centered at 1280, 1330, 1379, and 1430 cm(-1). The prediction errors range from approximately 1.5 to 14.0 mg [N]/kg [dry soil], depending on soil composition and moisture content, with the lighter and more vulnerable (pollution-wise) soils having errors inferior to 10 mg [N]/kg [dry soil]. These results are similar to results obtained by applying partial least square to the 'continuous' spectrum, and indicate that the development of a soil nitrate attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sensor based on a few fixed mid-infrared (MIR) wavebands could be considered.     

Bridging science and values: A unifying view of mind and brain.

The traditional dichotomy that has separated science and value judgment and set corresponding limitations to the domain and role of science is challenged in the context of recent developments in the concept of consciousness and mind-brain relations. A conceptual explanatory model for psychophysical interaction has emerged during the past decade that changes the scientific status of subjective experience and negates many mechanistic, deterministic, and reductionistic features of prior materialist-behaviorist doctrine. Subjective values, conceived in the present terms, transcend their neural components in brain function to become causal determinants per se with objective consequences. The strategic control power of human values functioning as universal cerebral determinants in all social decision making is emphasized, along with logical indications for a more active involvement therein on the part of science. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How does Bennett Woods Elementary School produce such high reading and writing achievement?

The authors developed a grounded theory about how a school serving relatively advantaged children produces high reading and writing achievement compared with schools serving similar populations of students. The school's faculty is reading and writing focused, and students experience many books as they receive explicit, demanding instruction (i.e., about how to read words, comprehend, write) connected to content learning. The school offers a positive, motivating environment. In sum, many elements that potentially supported achievement were identified, including explicit teaching of skills in the context of much reading, writing, and content learning, which is consistent with balanced perspectives on reading and writing development. A major hypothesis in the grounded theory is that even with relatively advantaged populations, great efforts may be required to produce high reading and writing achievement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constraint based approach for the steady-state simulation of complex systems: Application to ship control

When the steady states are largely predominant with respect to transitional phases, steady-state simulation seems sufficient to predict the behavior of a complex system. Over the past 20 years, different modeling languages and dedicated tools have been developed to improve steady state simulation.In this paper, focus is made on steady-state simulation for system control and design. A model combining an emission sub-model with a ship propulsion sub-model was implemented in a constraint programming (CP) approach. It will help to determine the efficiency (i.e. the ability to model and solve the problem) and complexity of implementation (i.e. difficulties encountered during the implementation) of this approach.First, requirements for the steady-state simulation of complex systems are defined. Then, CP approach is shown to be able to answer these issues through experiments. This approach is then compared to one of the main simulation languages: Modelica.Although the two approaches (i.e Modelica and CP) are able to reverse models, the study shows that the use of Modelica principles for steady-state simulation involves some crippling limitations, such as the non-management of under/over-constrained systems, or inequalities.This study also shows that the constraint programming approach permits to meet some needs for steady-state simulation not yet covered by current approaches.     

Targeted,Needle‐Free Vaccinations in Skin using Multilayered,Densely‐Packed Dissolving Microprojection Arrays

Targeting of vaccines to abundant immune cell populations within our outer thin skin layers using miniaturized devices—much thinner than a needle and syringe, could improve the efficacy of vaccines (and other immunotherapies). To meet this goal, a densely packed dissolving microprojection array (dissolving Nanopatch) is designed, achieving functional miniaturization by 1) formulating small microneedles (two orders of magnitude smaller than a standard needle and syringe) and 2) multiple layering of the payload within microprojections with tight tolerances (of the order of a micrometer). The formulation method is suitable to many vaccines because it is without harsh or complex chemical processes, and it is performed at low temperatures and at a neutral pH. When the formulated dNPs are applied to skin, consistent and robust penetration is achieved, rapidly targeting the skin strata of interest (<5 min; significantly faster than larger dissolving microneedles that have been previously reported). Resultant diffusion is significantly enhanced within the dermis compared with the epidermis. Using two different antigens (ovalbumin and a commercial trivalent influenza vaccine [Fluvax2008]), the administration of these dissolving patches generate robust systemic immune responses in a mouse model. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful vaccination with any form of dissolving microneedles. The patches made by this method therefore have the potential for pain‐free, needle‐free, and effective vaccination in humans.     

Active Control of Daylighting Features in Buildings

Abstract: Due to increasing awareness of the importance of energy efficiency, daylighting features such as light shelves are becoming more and more popular. A light shelf is a horizontal or inclined projection with a high reflectivity meant to increase the depth of daylight penetration into a room. Currently, a light shelf is treated as a passive design element. It is designed to maximize the average distribution of daylight during the operating hours of a building and its geometry is not adapted to the changing conditions during the day. This article discusses a methodology for the active control of light shelves. A light shelf system whose geometry can be adapted is presented. The control of this system is treated as a global optimization problem. Geometrical parameters of light shelves are computed in real time to minimize the energy required for artificial lighting. An example of an office building is taken to illustrate the hourly energy savings possible through active control. It is demonstrated that building automation and control have considerable potential for energy savings.     

Fast exact linear and non‐linear structural reanalysis and the Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury formulas

Several exact fast static structural reanalysis techniques, introduced by researchers mostly for truss structures and some for frames and plate structures, are reviewed. Most utilize the property that the solution of a system of linear equations can be updated inexpensively when the matrix is changed by a low‐rank increment. This paper shows that these methods are variants of the well‐known Sherman–Morrison and Woodbury (SMW) formulas for the update of the inverse of a matrix. In addition, the paper extends the low‐cost linear reanalysis in the spirit of the SMW formulas to some non‐linear reanalysis problems. For a linear reanalysis, the extension reduces to the SMW formulas. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity of buckling loads of anisotropic shells of revolution to geometric imperfections and design changes

Buckling load sensitivity calculations in the shell-of-revolution program FASOR are discussed. This development is based on Koiter's initial postbuckling theory, which has been generalized to include the effect of stiffness changes, as well as geometric imperfections. The implementation in FASOR is valid for anisotropic, as well as orthotropic, shells. Examples are presented for cylindrical panels under axial compression, complete cylindrical shells in torsion, and antisymmetric angle-ply cylindrical panels under edge shear.     

Two-point constraint approximation in structural optimization

The use of constraint approximations is recognized as a primary means of achieving computational efficiency in structural optimization. Existing approximation methods are based upon the value of the constraint function and its derivatives at a single point. The present paper explores the use of approximations based upon the value of the constraint and its derivative at two points. Several candidate approximations are suggested and tested for randomly generated rational constraint functions. Several of the approximations prove to be superior to the single-point approximations.