Conjugate gradients for symmetric positive semidefinite least-squares problems

The cgSLS (conjugate gradients for symmetric positive semidefinite least-squares) algorithm is presented. The algorithm exploits the cyclic property of invariant Krylov spaces to reduce the least-squares problem with a symmetric positive semidefinite matrix A to the minimization of the related energy function with the Hessian A on the range of A, so that a simple modification of the conjugate gradient (CG) method is applicable. At the same time, the algorithm generates approximations of the projection of the right-hand side to the range of A. The asymptotic rate of convergence of the new algorithm is proved to be the same as that of the CG method for the related consistent problem. An error bound in terms of the square root of the regular condition number of A is also given. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by numerical experiments.     

You like it,you learn it: affectivity and learning in competitive social role play gaming

Despite the alleged ability of digital game-based learning (DGBL) to foster positive affect and in turn improve learning, the link between affectivity and learning has not been sufficiently investigated in this field. Regarding learning from team-based games with competitive elements, even less is known about the relationship between competitiveness (as a dispositional trait) and induced positive affect. In this media comparison study with between-subject design, participants (N?=?325; high school and college students) learned about the EU’s policy agenda by means of a debate-based method delivered through one of three educational media: a) through a social role-playing game with competitive elements played on computers, b) through a very similar game played without computers and c) through a non-game workshop. Unlike many previous DGBL studies, this study used participant randomization and strived to address the teacher effect and the length of exposure effect, while also using the same learning materials and a very similar educational method for all three treatments. Both games induced comparatively higher generalized positive affect and flow. Participants also learned more with the games. Positive affect, but not flow, mediated the influence of educational media on learning gains. Participants’ competitiveness was partly related to positive affect and experiencing flow but unrelated to learning gains. These outcomes held both when the game was played using computers, as well as without them. The study indicates that the ability of an educational intervention to instigate positive affect is an important feature that should be considered by educational designers.     

Electric field driven addressing of ATPS droplets in microfluidic chips

The possibility of controlled droplet motion (droplet addressing) mediated by DC electric field in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) is here reported for the first time. Three ATPS of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/salt type, namely PEG/phosphate, PEG/sulphate, and PEG/carbonate, were selected for this study. We observed fast motion of salty droplets dispersed in PEG continuous phase induced by electric field of relative low strength. Hence, three fluidic systems with separated electrode chambers for the evaluation of electrophoretic mobilities and for addressing experiments were fabricated. Electrophoretic mobilities of salty droplets always exceeded the value of \(1\times 10^{-7}\, \hbox {m}^2\hbox {V}^{-1}\hbox {s}^{-1}\), which is about by one magnitude higher value than those typically measured in water–oil droplet systems. The electrophoretic mobilities in systems with free surface are the same or even smaller than in closed microfluidic structures, which is accounted mainly to the fact that a significant part of salty droplets is exposed to air and does not contribute to droplet forcing. Series of addressing and merging experiments in a microfluidic chip shows that DC electric field can be used as a powerful tool for smart manipulation of droplets in microfluidic systems with PEG/salt ATPS.     

Calculation of countercurrent separation processes—III. Computation of two interlinked columns.

The relaxation procedure is used for solution of two interlinked distillation columns. Both approaches-sequential iterative method and the block relaxation technique are compared. A new algorithm making use of simultaneous solution of all equations is proposed.     

N2O Decomposition and Formation of NO x Species on Fe–ferrierite. Effect of NO and CO Addition on the Decomposition and the Role of Surface Species

The adsorption of CO and CO₂ on Pt supported on ZrO₂ and Ce/La-promoted ZrO₂ was studied using DRIFTS. The presence of both La and Ce resulted in a decrease in the adsorption of CO at room temperature after reduction at 350 °C. The reduction in the CO adsorption is ascribed to an increase in the support reducibility when La and Ce are both present. Reduction at 350 °C leads to the formation of oxygen defects in the dual promoted support which have been probed using DRIFTS to monitor CO₂ dissociation. Hydrogen assisted dissociation is demonstrated on the ZrO₂, CeZrO₂, and LaZrO₂ supports. In the absence of hydrogen, the presence of oxygen vacancies is shown to be necessary for CO₂ dissociation.     

Multi-scale simulation of needle-shaped particle breakage under uniaxial compaction

The breakage of needle-shaped particles within a random packed bed subjected to uni-directional compaction has been simulated using the discrete element method (DEM). Elongated particles with a chosen aspect ratio have been created by linking individual spherical discrete elements by rigid bonds, characterized by a given ultimate bending strength. A randomly packed bed of these elongated particles has been formed and gradually compressed between two infinite parallel solid planes. The particle size distribution as function of the compaction ratio has been studied in dependence on the individual particle strength, the initial particle length, and their distribution. The simulations have shown that the fragmentation generally follows the sequential halving kinetics and that the formation of fines is most profound in systems with a distribution of particle strengths, both within and between individual particles.     

Geometrical isomerization of polyunsaturated fatty acids in physically refined rapeseed oil during plant‐scale deodorization

The effect of the operating temperature (between 220 and 270 °C) on the formation of trans isomers of linoleic and linolenic acids in physically refined rapeseed oil during deodorization in a plant‐scale semicontinuous tray‐type deodorizer (capacity 10 t/h) was investigated. The industrial procedures of physical refining consisted of a two‐step bleaching and deodorization process. The degree of isomerization of linoleic acid ranged from 0.33 to 4.77% and that of linolenic acid from 4.43 to 45.22% between 220 and 270 °C, respectively. A relation between the logarithm of the degree of isomerization and the deodorization temperature can be approximated by statistically highly significant linear functions for both linoleic and linolenic acids. Oleic acid was resistant to the heat‐induced geometrical isomerization. The values found for the ratio between the degrees of isomerization of linolenic and linoleic acids, slightly decreasing with increasing temperature, were equal to 13.6 and 12.9 at 230 and 240 °C, respectively. Two trans isomers of linoleic acid, exclusively with one double bond isomerized into trans configuration, and four trans isomers of linolenic acid, mostly with one double bond isomerized into trans configuration, were determined in deodorized rapeseed oils. Linolenic acid was observed to be the main source responsible for the formation of nearly all trans fatty acids in physically refined rapeseed oil. At 235 °C, a deodorization temperature considered as a reasonable technological compromise, the content of trans fatty acids in plant‐scale physically refined rapeseed oil was less than 1% of total fatty acids, which would be acceptable for further application.     

β‐Polypropylene/wood flour composites: Effects of specific β‐nucleation and coupling agent on mechanical behavior

Polypropylene/wood flour composites were prepared by melt compounding. To improve their mechanical performance, the matrix polypropylene was modified with a specific nucleation agent based on an amide of dicarboxylic acid, which promotes crystallization predominantly in the β‐phase. The resulting material was used as a matrix for composites containing 10%, 20%, and 30% of wood flour. Uniform dispersion of the filler and improved interfacial adhesion was ensured by compatibilization with a small amount of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene. A beneficial effect of application of the nucleation agent together with a compatibilizer on the resulting mechanical behavior was shown. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 506–511, 2007