Sequential interpolation functions

In the present paper it is shown how to achieve special interpolation functions that can be applied to the finite element method, least squares methods or other related numerical techniques. We call these functions sequential interpolation functions since one of the main characteristics of this technique refers to the fact that the refinement of the solution does not require the redefinition of the interpolation funtions used in a previous step, as the case for instance in the FEM. The present theory and the FEM using an isoparametric element were compared for a plane stress problem. The results show that both have the same degree of accuracy. The choice of the sequential interpolation functions is easier than those used in the finite element formulation and the computer time was reduced by about 50 per cent.     

Surface chemical heterogeneity of bacteriogenic iron oxides from a subterranean environment

This study quantifies the surface chemical heterogeneity of bacteriogenic iron oxides (BIOS) and its end-members (2-line ferrihydrite and intermixed intact and fragmented bacteria). On a dry weight basis, BIOS consisted of 64.5 +/- 1.8% ferrihydrite and 34.5 +/- 1.8% organic matter. Enrichment of Al, Cu, Cr, Mn, Sr, and Zn was shown in the solid versus the aqueous phase (1.9 < log Kd < 4.2). Within the solid-phase Al (69.5%), Cu (78.7%), and Zn (77.9%) were associated with the bacteria, whereas Cr (59.8%), Mn (99.8%), and Sr (79.4%) preferred ferrihydrite. Acid-base titration data from the BIOS and bacteria were fitted using FOCUS pKa spectroscopy. The bacteria spectrum with pKa's of 4.18 +/- 0.37, 4.80 +/- 0.54, 6.98 +/- 0.45, and 9.75 +/- 0.68 was similar to discrete and continuous spectra for intact and fragmented bacteria. The BIOS spectrum recorded pKa's of 4.27 +/- 0.51, 6.61 +/- 0.51, 7.89 +/- 1.10, and 9.65 +/- 0.66 and was deconvoluted to remove overlapping binding site contributions from the bacteria. The resulting residual iron oxide spectrum coincided with discrete MUSIC spectra for goethite and lepidocrocite with pKa values of 4.10 +/- 0.43, 6.53 +/- 0.45, 7.81 +/- 0.76, and 9.51 +/- 0.68. Surface site density analysis showed that acidic sites (pKa < 6) were contributed by the bacteria (37%), whereas neutral sites (6 < pKa < 8) were characteristic of the iron oxide fraction (35%). Basic sites (8 < pKa) were higher in the bacteria (57%), than in the BIOS (44%) or iron oxide fractions (47%). This analysis suggested a high degree of bacterial group masking and a similarity between the BIOS and goethite surface reactivity. An understanding of the BIOS surface chemical heterogeneity and inherent proton and metal binding capacity was obtained through the use of FOCUS apparent pKa spectroscopy.     

One- vs two-photon processes in the photochemistry of 1,n-dihaloalkanes

1,n-Dihaloalkanes can be photochemical precursors of n-haloalkyl and -allyl radicals and cations, which are generated via one-photon processes. Time-resolved techniques have provided considerable information on the structures and reactivity of these intermediates. Low-temperature matrix isolation, two-laser two-color, laser-drop, and laser-jet photolysis techniques are powerful tools to photolyze haloalkyl radicals and to generate carbenes or biradicals via two-photon processes.     

Mechanisms governing the tensile,fatigue, and wear behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum alloy

This work is concerned with understanding the influence of reinforcement mechanisms of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on mechanical, wear, and fatigue tests on an Aluminium-Silicon (AlSi) alloy. The reinforcement mechanism is presented through the observation of fracture morphology of the different tests. Results of mechanical properties, fatigue life performance, and wear loss is presented and discussed. It is shown that the CNTs reinforcement effect is active simultaneously in all previous properties and the reinforcement physical mechanism seems to be essentially due to a reinforcement effect of the interface that seems to be similar in all mentioned mechanical solicitations.     

Mapping and monitoring riparian vegetation distribution,structure and composition with regression tree models and post-classification change metrics

Riparian systems have become increasingly susceptible to both natural and human disturbances as cumulative pressures from changing land use and climate alter the hydrological regimes. This article introduces a landscape dynamics monitoring protocol that incorporates riparian structural classes into the land-cover classification scheme and examines riparian change within the context of surrounding land-cover change. We tested whether Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery could be used to document a riparian tree die-off through the classification of multi-date Landsat images using classification and regression tree (CART) models trained with physiognomic vegetation data. We developed a post-classification change map and used patch metrics to examine the magnitude and trajectories of riparian class change relative to mapped disturbance parameters. Results show that catchments where riparian change occurred can be identified from land-cover change maps; however, the main change resulting from the die-off disturbance was compositional rather than structural, making accurate post-classification change detection difficult.     

Comparison of data gap-filling methods for Landsat ETM+ SLC-off imagery for monitoring forest degradation in a semi-deciduous tropical forest in Mexico

A number of methods to overcome the 2003 failure of the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) scan-line corrector (SLC) are compared in this article in a forest-monitoring application in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The objective of this comparison is to determine the best approach to accomplish SLC-off image gap-filling for the particular landscape in this region, and thereby provide continuity in the Landsat data sensor archive for forest-monitoring purposes. Four methods were tested: (1) local linear histogram matching (LLHM); (2) neighbourhood similar pixel interpolator (NSPI); (3) geostatistical neighbourhood similar pixel interpolator (GNSPI); and (4) weighted linear regression (WLR). All methods generated reasonable SLC-off gap-filling data that were visually consistent and could be employed in subsequent digital image analysis. Overall accuracy, kappa coefficients (κ), and quantity and allocation disagreement indices were used to evaluate unsupervised Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis (ISODATA) land-cover classification maps. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and root mean squares of the error (RMSEs) were employed for estimates agreement with fractional land cover. The best results visually (overall accuracy > 85%, κ < 9%, quantity disagreement index < 5.5%, and allocation disagreement index < 12.5%) and statistically (r > 0.84 and RMSE < 7%) were obtained from the GNSPI method. These results suggest that the GNSPI method is suitable for routine use in reconstructing the imagery stack of Landsat ETM+ SLC-off gap-filled data for use in forest-monitoring applications in this type of heterogeneous landscape.     

The combined effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and modified atmosphere packaging as protection against warmed over flavour in cooked minced pork meat

Rosemary (dried leaves ofRosmarinus officinalis L.) added to cooked meat balls (minced pork) was found to retard the formation of warmed over flavour (WOF) during chill storage. The spice was added to pork meat (Longissimus dorsi) balls in an amount acceptable for the product, as evaluated by a sensory panel (0.05% of total weight). After cooking (water bath, internal temperature 80°C), the meat balls were packed using five atmosphere packaging conditions: (i) air; (ii) 5% O₂/95% N₂; (iii) 3% O₂/97% N₂; (iv) 1% O₂/99% N₂; and (v) 100% N₂. During chill storage (5°C), the sensory quality of the reheated meat balls was evaluated by a trained sensory panel, and lipid oxidation was followed by measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The combination of decreased O₂ atmosphere in the packages and addition of rosemary resulted in a significantly (p<0.05) lower amount of TBARS and a significantly (p<0.05) better sensory score.

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Gemeinsamer Effekt von Rosmarin (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) und Verpackung in modifizierter Atmosphäre auf den Aufwärmegeschmack (WOF) von wärmebehandeltem, gehacktem Schweinefleisch

Zusammenfassung Rosmarin (getrocknete Blätter vonRosmarinus officinalis L.), erwärmten Fleischklößen (gehacktes Schweinefleisch) zugesetzt, hinderte die Entwicklung des Aufwärmgeschmacks (warmed over flavour) während der Kühllagerung. Das Gewürz wurde den aus Schweinefleisch (Longissimus dorsi) hergestellten Fleischklößen in einer für das Produkt akzeptablen Menge zugegeben, beurteilt von einem sensorischen Panel (0.05% des Totalgewichtes). Nach der Wärmebehandlung (Wasserbad, Zentrum-Temperatur 80°C) wurden die Fleischklöße in fünf unterschiedlichen und kontrollierten Atmosphären wie folgt verpackt: (i) Luft; (ii) 5% O₂/95% N₂; (iii) 3% O₂/97% N₂; (iv) 1% O₂/99% N₂ und (v) 100% N₂. Während der Kühllagerung (5°C) wurde die sensorische Qualität der wiedererwärmten Fleischklöße von einem geschulten Panel beurteilt und die Lipid-Oxidation durch Messung der Thiobarbitursäure-reaktiven Substanzen (TBARS) beobachtet. Die Kombination von ermäßigtem Sauerstoffgehalt in den Verpackungen mit der Zugabe von Rosmarin ergab eine signifikant (p<0.05) niedrigere Menge TBARS wie auch signifikant (p<0.05) bessere Punkte in der sensorischen Beurteilung.

     

Spatial modeling for groundwater arsenic levels in North Carolina

To examine environmental and geologic determinants of arsenic in groundwater, detailed geologic data were integrated with well water arsenic concentration data and well construction data for 471 private wells in Orange County, NC, via a geographic information system. For the statistical analysis, the geologic units were simplified into four generalized categories based on rock type and interpreted mode of deposition/emplacement. The geologic transitions from rocks of a primary pyroclastic origin to rocks of volcaniclastic sedimentary origin were designated as polylines. The data were fitted to a left-censored regression model to identify key determinants of arsenic levels in groundwater. A Bayesian spatial random effects model was then developed to capture any spatial patterns in groundwater arsenic residuals into model estimation. Statistical model results indicate (1) wells close to a transition zone or fault are more likely to contain detectible arsenic; (2) welded tuffs and hydrothermal quartz bodies are associated with relatively higher groundwater arsenic concentrations and even higher for those proximal to a pluton; and (3) wells of greater depth are more likely to contain elevated arsenic. This modeling effort informs policy intervention by creating three-dimensional maps of predicted arsenic levels in groundwater for any location and depth in the area.     

Operations research in the high-level synthesis of integrated circuits

The acceptance of high-level synthesis tools and methodologies by the design engineers depends on their efficiency in producing circuits with small silicon areas and high operating speeds. This paper shows how this efficiency can be achieved through the use of several operations research techniques applied to the many optimization problems that must be solved. These include: shortest path algorithms, integer programming techniques applied to silicon area minimization, force directed scheduling to optimize the number of operators and cost/speed trade-offs of logical gates. This paper presents several examples providing an operations research solution to each of them.