Verification of some very simple clear and cloudy sky models to evaluate global solar irradiance

Several very simple clear sky and cloudy sky global irradiance models were tested under the climate and latitudes of Romania (Eastern Europe). The very simple clear sky models do not require meteorological data while the very simple cloudy sky models need only data on the total cloud amount. Three slightly more complex cloudy sky models which use additional meteorological inputs were also tested. The mean absolute error of the very simple clear sky models varies between 7 and 14% in July and between 12 and 19% in January. The best model originates from Western Europe. The performance of the very simple cloudy sky models is comparable to that of the more complicated ones. This is the main conclusion of the paper. Generally, their root mean square error varies between 35 and 45% in close agreement with results from the literature. Twelve classes of daily average cloudiness were defined. The model accuracy is better for the first six classes (with smaller cloud amount) and worse for the other six classes.     

Automated imaging, identification, and counting of similar cells from digital hologram reconstructions

This paper presents our method, which simultaneously combines automatic imaging, identification, and counting with the acquisition of morphological information for at least 1000 blood cells from several three-dimensional images of the same sample. We started with seeking parameters to differentiate between red blood cells that are similar but different with respect to their development stage, i.e., mature or immature. We highlight that these cells have different diffractive patterns with complementary central intensity distribution in a given plane along the propagation axis. We use the Fresnel approximation to simulate propagation through cells modeled as spheroid-shaped phase objects and to find the cell property that has the dominant influence on this behavior. Starting with images obtained in the reconstruction step of the digital holographic microscopy technique, we developed a code for automated simultaneous individual cell image separation, identification, and counting, even when the cells are partially overlapped on a slide, and accurate measuring of their morphological features. To find the centroids of each cell, we propose a method based on analytical functions applied at threshold intervals. Our procedure separates the mature from the immature red blood cells and from the white blood cells through a decision based on gradient and radius values.     

Evaluation of a compact sensor for backscattering and absorption

Seawater inherent optical properties (IOPs) are key parameters in a wide range of applications in environmental studies and oceanographic research. In particular, the absorption coefficient (a) is the typical IOP used to obtain the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the water-a critical parameter in biological oceanography studies and the backscattering coefficient (b(b)) is used as a measure of turbidity. In this study, we test a novel instrument concept designed to obtain both the absorption and backscattering coefficients. The instrument would emit a collimated monochromatic light beam into the water retrieving the backscattered light intensity as a function of distance from the center of illumination. We use Monte Carlo modeling of light propagation to create an inversion algorithm that translates the signal from such an instrument into values of a and b(b). Our results, based on simulations spanning the bulk of natural values of seawater IOP combinations, indicate that a 6.2 cm diameter instrument with a radial resolution of 1 cm would be capable of predicting b(b) within less than 13.4% relative difference and a within less than 57% relative difference (for 90% of the inverted a values, the relative errors fall below 29.7%). Additionally, these errors could be further reduced by constraining the inversion algorithm with information from concurrent measurements of other IOPs. Such a compact and relatively simple device could have multiple applications for in situ optical measurements, including a and b(b) retrievals from instrumentation mounted on autonomous underwater vehicles. Furthermore, the same methodology could possibly be used for an out-of-water sensor.     

Iron Oxide‐Labeled Collagen Scaffolds for Non‐Invasive MR Imaging in Tissue Engineering

Non‐invasive imaging holds significant potential for implementation in tissue engineering. It can be used to monitor the localization and function of tissue‐engineered implants, as well as their resorption and remodelling. Thus far, however, the vast majority of effort in this area of research have focused on the use of ultrasmall super‐paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticle‐labeled cells, colonizing the scaffolds, to indirectly image the implant material. Reasoning that directly labeling scaffold materials might be more beneficial (enabling imaging also in the case of non‐cellularized implants), more informative (enabling the non‐invasive visualization and quantification of scaffold degradation), and easier to translate into the clinic (cell‐free materials are less complex from a regulatory point‐of‐view), three different types of USPIO nanoparticles are prepared and incorporated both passively and actively (via chemical conjugation; during collagen crosslinking) into collagen‐based scaffold materials. The amount of USPIO incorporated into the scaffolds is optimized, and correlated with MR signal intensity, showing that the labeled scaffolds are highly biocompatible, and that scaffold degradation can be visualized using MRI. This provides an initial proof‐of‐principle for the in vivo visualization of the scaffolds. Consequently, USPIO‐labeled scaffold materials seem to be highly suitable for image‐guided tissue engineering applications.     

Agonistic Onset Marks Emotional Changes and Dispersal Propensity in Wild House Mouse Males (Mus domesticus).

The authors investigated implications of agonistic onset for anxiety and dispersive motivation in maturing wild house mouse males (Mus domesticus). Laboratory-kept fraternal pairs either developed agonistic dominance or stayed amicable during their first 2 months of life, when the authors assessed open-field behavior and dispersal propensity. State anxiety was lower in amicable than agonistic males and higher in subordinate than dominant ones. During subsequent dispersal trials, 1 dominant and 1 amicable male from 2 fraternal pairs were concomitantly introduced into seminatural enclosures containing 3 females. One male invariably became territorial. The defeated males, if previously dominant, dispersed at significantly higher rates than if previously amicable. The authors conclude that agonistic onset during development represents an adaptive behavioral switch from a submissive-philopatric to agonistic-dispersive coping strategy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Another version of the relay feedback experiment

Process dynamic behaviour is a key for designing any control scheme. A simple method to determine a point on the frequency characteristics of the plant is the closed loop relay experiment. This paper proposes a new version for this method, presenting its possible advantages, simulation and real time experimental results.     

The compatibility of the polystyrene/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene grafted copolymer system

Summary The study of polystyrene (PS)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) grafted copolymer/cyclohexanone or methylene chloride system compatibility both in concentrated solutions and solid state has been carried out by phase separation, viscosimetrical measurements and thermal behaviour.Having in view the obtained data it has been ascertained that the systems present different degrees of compatibility depending on the mixtures composition. At higher temperatures, the compatibility of the components is changed.     

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN A COATED SUBSTRATE

A surface crack penetrating the interface between a presstressd hard coating and a substrate is analysed in terms of linear fracture mechanics in order to assess the fatigue properties of such a composite. Assuming Paris law, fatigue crack growth rate allows the determination of safe regimes, where a crack always experiences closure.     

Highly Crosslinked Polysilane–Schiff Base

Summary N,N-Bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)ethylendiamine (salen) was attached to a poly[iodopropyl(methyl)-co-diphenylsilane)chain. Due to intermolecular crosslinking reactions, a high molecular weight polymer formation was observed. The resulted material was doped with metal cations through complexation reactions. The chemical structure of the polysilane-Schiff base metal complex was investigated by spectral analysis (IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, UV), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC).     

A Michael-type reaction between acrylato ions and ethylenediamine coordinated to Ni(II). Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of [Ni2(EDDP)2(H2O)2] · 2H2O (H2EDDP = ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid)

The reaction between NiCO₃ · Ni(OH)₂, acrylic acid and ethylenediamine in a 2:4:1 molar ratio affords the binuclear complex, [Ni₂(EDDP)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O 1. The organic ligand, EDDP^2? (the dianion of the ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid ligand), results from the addition of one amine group to the carbon–carbon double bonds of two acrylato ions. The crystal structure of 1 consists of neutral centrosymmetric entities, with the nickel ions connected by two carboxylato groups, each one acting as a monoatomic bridge. The intramolecular Ni?Ni distance is 3.212 Å. The metal ions exhibit an octahedral geometry. The cryomagnetic investigation of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling of the nickel(II) ions (J = ?21.8 cm^?1, H = ?JS_Ni1S_Ni2).