Comparison of Solutions of the Problems of Elasticity Theory for Different Near-Boundary Elements

We consider three types of near-boundary elements: curvilinear quadrangles and families of arcs and points, and their application to a two-dimensional problem of the static theory of elasticity with boundary conditions in displacements. The comparison of the theoretical and numerical aspects of the obtained solutions is performed. It is shown that the accuracy of evaluation of the components of the vector of displacements increases in the following cases: in the case of complete quantization of the near-boundary region (but not in the case of its partial quantization or quantization with overlapping), in the case where the numbers of arcs and points increase, and in the case of simultaneous application of different types of near-boundary elements (specifically, quadrangles and families of arcs).     

The first accurate measurement of systolic and diastolic bloodpressure

Poiseuille, known for his law of fluid flow, which is the analog of Ohm's law, introduced the units (mmHg) by which we measure blood pressure by using the mercury manometer, which he described in his medical school thesis in 1828. For 50 years, mean blood pressure was all that could be measured because of the long response time of the mercury manometer. It is true that the height of the mercury column displayed pulsatile oscillations, but their amplitude was much less than that of pulse pressure. It is interesting to note that the slowly responding mercury manometer was made to display first systolic then diastolic pressure by means of an ingenious device that contained two oppositely directed check valves. It took from 1828 to 1903 for high-fidelity graphic recordings of blood pressure to appear in which systolic and diastolic pressures were believable. However, systolic and diastolic pressures were measurable since 1878 when Golz and Gaule created their ingenious valved device that permitted use of the slowly responding mercury manometer to display these pressures accurately     

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In this paper, the authors present the results of experiments which clearly demonstrate a technical basis confirming that the carrier frequency harmonics data can be used for diagnostics relative to motor stator insulation degradation.     

高级控制系统提高巴西水电站性能

巴西的一个重要电力公司COPEL最近开发了一个水电站高级控制系统，这是在电力部门经受重大变革时期，提高水电竞争力的里程碑。     

MetaModel: a program for modelling and control analysis of metabolic pathways on the IBM PC and compatibles

MetaModel is a user-friendly program for calculating steady-state fluxes and metabolite concentrations of metabolic systems on the IBM PC and compatible computers. For any steady state that is obtained, one can then calculate a matrix of elasticity coefficients at that steady state, or a matrix of control and response coefficients. It thus offers a simple way to calculate the control structure of a pathway: it provides not only an educational tool that allows the student to verify empirically the classic summation relationships of metabolic control analysis but also a research tool for addressing 'what if?' questions about the behaviour of metabolic systems. Results can not only be printed or stored in a file, but can also be written to a special file that can be read by popular spreadsheet programs, thereby giving access to rapid, flexible and powerful methods for subsequent analysis and plotting of these results.     

Future increase in harmful algal blooms in the North Sea due to climate change.

In temperate seas such as the North Sea harmful (toxic) algal blooms will probably increase as a result of climate change. This conclusion was reached after investigating the projected effect of climate change for the year 2100 in Dutch coastal waters (4 degrees C temperature rise and increased water column stratification) on the growth rates of six harmful and two non-harmful phytoplankton species. Micro algae form the basis of the marine food chain. However, toxin-producing species may seriously disrupt the food web and lead to fish kills and human intoxication. Two species with estimated doubled growth rates in 2100, F. japonica and C. antiqua, entered Europe via ship's ballast water or shellfish imports. This stresses the need to legally regulate such invasion routes in order to prevent the import of novel species. Future toxic phytoplankton blooms may further devaluate ecosystem deliverables such as fish production or recreational use. This devaluation can be estimated by monetary value assessments that are needed in cost-benefit analyses for policy guidance. The lack of understanding of future climate, ecosystem functioning and its response to climate change calls for a scientific effort to improve our knowledge on present day coastal ecosystem functioning and its resilience.     

Modeling and assimilation of root zone soil moisture using remote sensing observations in Walnut Gulch Watershed during SMEX04

Soil moisture status in the root zone is an important component of the water cycle at all spatial scales (e.g., point, field, catchment, watershed, and region). In this study, the spatio-temporal evolution of root zone soil moisture of the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in Arizona was investigated during the Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 (SMEX04). Root zone soil moisture was estimated via assimilation of aircraft-based remotely sensed surface soil moisture into a distributed Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant (SWAP) model. An ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) based on a Kalman filtering scheme was used for assimilating the aircraft-based soil moisture observations at a spatial resolution of 800 m × 800 m. The SWAP model inputs were derived from the SSURGO soil database, LAI (Leaf Area Index) data from SMEX04 database, and data from meteorological stations/rain gauges at the WGEW. Model predictions are presented in terms of temporal evolution of soil moisture probability density function at various depths across the WGEW. The assimilation of the remotely sensed surface soil moisture observations had limited influence on the profile soil moisture. More specifically, root zone soil moisture depended mostly on the soil type. Modeled soil moisture profile estimates were compared to field measurements made periodically during the experiment at the ground based soil moisture stations in the watershed. Comparisons showed that the ground-based soil moisture observations at various depths were within ± 1 standard deviation of the modeled profile soil moisture. Density plots of root zone soil moisture at various depths in the WGEW exhibited multi-modal variations due to the uneven distribution of precipitation and the heterogeneity of soil types and soil layers across the watershed.