Interconnection of Subsystem Reduced-Order Models in the Electrothermal Analysis of Large Systems

Heat conduction in an electronic device is commonly modeled as a discretized thermal system (e.g., finite element or finite difference models) that typically uses large matrices for solving complex problems. The large size of electronic-system heat transfer models can be reduced using model reduction methods and the resulting reduced-order models can yield accurate results with far less computational costs. Electronic devices are typically composed of components, like chips, printed circuit boards, and heat sinks that are coupled together. There are two ways of creating reduced-order models for devices that have many coupled components. The first way is to create a single reduced-order model of the entire device. The second way is to interconnect reduced-order models of the components that constitute the device. The second choice (which we call the "reduce then interconnect" approach) allows the heat transfer specialist to perform quick simulations of different architectures of the device by using a library of reduced-order models of the different components that make up the device. However, interconnecting reduced-order models in a straightforward manner can result in unstable behavior. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: creating reduced-order models of the components using a Krylov subspace algorithm and interconnecting the reduced-order models in a stable manner using concepts from control theory. In this paper, we explain the logic behind the "reduce then interconnect" approach, formulate a control-theoretic method for it, and finally exhibit the whole process numerically, by applying it to an example heat conduction problem     

Spray cooling effects on milk production, milk, and rectal temperatures of cows during a moderate temperate summer season

During summer 1982, responses of lactating Holstein and Guernsey cows were measured by milk temperature recorded by a Digital Dataloger with thermocouples attached to Boumatic flow meters. Maximum air temperature and temperature-humidity index averaged 30.8 degrees C and 75.6 for July. Breed did not affect milk temperature, but within-breed milk temperature increased with production. In a second study, benefits of spray cooling were evaluated with 24 Holsteins in midlactation assigned randomly to two groups of 12 and maintained under loose-housing conditions. Spray nozzles were installed in the walkways and under the manger shade for the spray treatment group. Maximum temperature and temperature-humidity index during the spray study were 27 degrees C and 73.9. Rectal temperature taken following milking averaged less for treatment than control (38.8 versus 39.1 degrees C). Milk temperature was similar (37.8 versus 38.1 degrees C). Daily milk yield was .70 kg higher than controls. Milk temperature may provide reliable indication of climate stress similar to rectal temperature, and spray cooling improves cow comfort and lessens summer decline of milk production.     

Oxygen consumption by portal-drained viscera of cattle: comparison of analytical methods and relationship to whole body oxygen consumption

Two experiments were conducted to compare methods of determining oxygen consumption by portal-drained viscera and to relate this consumption to total oxygen consumption by lactating dairy cows. Oxygen consumption was the product of portal blood flow (determined by dilution of dye infused into a mesenteric vein) and portal-arterial concentration differences of oxygen. In Experiment 1, portal-arterial concentrations of oxygen were determined in samples from three cows using equations based on blood pH, hemoglobin, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and partial pressure of oxygen (method 1) or by direct oxygen determination with an oximeter (method 2). Overall, there were no differences in oxygen concentrations or oxygen consumption by portal-drained viscera between methods. In Experiment 2, oxygen consumption by portal-drained viscera (method 2) and total oxygen consumption were measured in two lactating cows. Oxygen consumption by portal-drained viscera accounted for 18% of total oxygen consumption.     

On plastic potentials for anisotropic metals and their derivation from the texture function

Summary Plastic yielding of anisotropic metals can be either described by a macroscopic constitutive relation or assessed by means of a model which correlates single and polycrystal behaviors. The mathematical identification of the plastic work rate derived from the two approaches, for all strain rate tensors, leads to a fit of the polycrystal yield surface by an analytical function. When a quadratic from is assumed, the macroscopic anisotropy parameters become explicit functions of the texture coefficients. This identification method is applied to calculate yield surfaces andR-values of rolled and annealed steel sheets: theR-values and in general the flow rule, are more significantly modified by the fitting than the yield surface. Thus, it is worth extending the method to more general constitutive relations which may be given by the form of their work function: alternative forms of the work function for plastic materials are explored, especially in the bearing of convexity and homogeneity where quadratic forms have a distinct advantage. Finally, it is shown that the identification of the work function allows to express the phenomenological coefficients as analytical functions of the texture parameters for many forms of the work function; in the other cases, these coefficients may be obtained by linear or non-linear regression.     

Analysis of the high-frequency spectrum of acoustic emission signals and its relationship to the wear resistance of filled polytetrafluoroethylene

We have performed tribotechnical tests of carbonaceous filled polytetrafluoroethylene in a wide range of loads with the recording of acoustic emission signals. Based on a spectral analysis of the sequence of rms deviations of acoustic emission signals using a discrete Fourier transform, we have constructed a normalized energy spectrum. We show that the mass wear of the material can be determined from the power of the high-frequency component of the spectrum obtained.     

Sensitization of the startle reflex by footshock: Blockade by lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala or its efferent pathway to the brainstem.

Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the central, but not the lateral, nucleus of the amgydala blocked shock sensitization of startle (the increase in startle produced by presentation of ten 0.6-mA footshocks in rapid succession). Lesions of the central nucleus also decreased reactivity to shock (jumping and flinching) during shock presentation. However, this decrease in reactivity cannot account for the blockade of shock sensitization, because when a higher shock intensity (1.0 mA) was used, producing equivalent reactivity to that of controls at 0.6 mA, central nucleus lesions still blocked shock sensitization. Moreover, lesions of the caudal part of the ventral amygdalofugal pathway, which carries central nucleus efferents to the startle reflex pathway, also blocked shock sensitization. It is hypothesized that shock activates the central nucleus of the amygdala, which increases startle through modulation of the startle pathway. Activation of the amygdala by shock may be the unconditioned response relevant for fear conditioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leakage of Anthocyanins from Skin of Thawed, Frozen Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Factors affecting the tendency of thawed blueberries to leak pigmented exudate were investigated. Drip and anthocyanin leakage rates (ALR) were determined spectrophotometrically. Leakage vs time curves were linear or two-phase linear, ALR varying with cultivar, ripeness, and berry condition. Dewaxing increased ALR with most cultivars. ALR did not correlate with berry anthocyanin content, surface area, or cuticle thickness. ALR and amount of drip were poorly correlated. ALR varied from berry-to-berry within samples. Leakage was observed to be nonuniform on berry surfaces, appearing at skin cracks and ruptures, the calyx area, and other point sources. An hypothesis relating leakage to skin condition, fluid accumulation, and anthocyanin content is presented.