On the general Kalman filter for discrete time stochastic fractional systems

In this paper the derivation of Kalman filter for discrete time-stochastic fractional system is investigated. Based on a novel cumulative vector form model for fractional systems, a general Kalman filter is introduced. The validity of the proposed method has been compared with a previously presented method via simulation results. It is shown that this method can be better applied for discrete time stochastic fractional systems with slower dynamics.     

Developing Metadiscourse: Building Mathematical Discussions in an Urban Elementary Classroom

Abstract

This study aims to understand an effective model of mathematical meaning-making in classrooms with a majority of Latina/o English learners. This analysis is grounded in the cultural–historical ideas that learning is mediated through organized activity and learners show greater awareness of problem-solving strategies through metadiscourse practices. In particular, we focus on the use of discussion builder stems and OK/Pitfall stories to mediate discussions and develop metacognitive awareness for English learners.     

Mercury mobilization in estuarine sediment porewaters: a diffusive gel time-series study

To assess the lability of porewater and sediment solid-phase mercury (Hg), mercapto-substituted siloxane gels were deployed within the sediments of the Penobscot estuary in Maine. Gel deployments occurred in time series and at discrete sediment depths. A sediment distribution coefficient (K(D)) was estimated by modeling the resultant gel Hg uptake. For deployments > 1 day, depth-averaged gel Hg uptake was significantly greater at depth (Zone B 6-20 cm) than in the vicinity of the sediment-water interface (Zone A 0-5 cm), with uptake ultimately reaching 16.7 +/- 4.9 ng Hg g(-1) gel versus 35.5 +/- 3.8 ng Hg g(-1) gel for Zone A versus Zone B, respectively. For Zone A, a simple diffusive model adequately describes gel mass flux, suggesting that Hg repartitioning from the solid phase does not generate a net Hg source term within the time frame of gel deployment. For Zone B, model-determined values of K(D) (K(D) = 25-75) were considerably smaller than literature values typically based on total sediment Hg concentration. The magnitude of the modeled K(D) suggests that it is a small fraction of total sediment-sequestered Hg that is likely sensitive, via interaction with porewater ligands, to the presence of an external sink. These observations of low general Hg reactivity suggest that the net porewater Hg pool may be properly defined as a function of porewater ligand production. Such a definition highlights the importance of microbially mediated diagenesis in controlling Hg cycling within estuarine sediments.     

Effect of cheese water activity and carbohydrate content on the barotolerance of Listeria monocytogenes scott A

High-pressure processing is an appropriate technique for improving the microbiological safety of packaged ready-to-eat foods. The effect of high-pressure treatment on Listeria monocytogenes Scott A inoculated into fresh Hispánico-type cheese and ripe Mahón cheese was investigated. A 3.8-log reduction in the counts of L. monocytogenes Scott A in fresh cheese was recorded after 3 min at 400 MPa and 12 degrees C, whereas 18 min under the same conditions was required to obtain a 1-log reduction in ripe cheese. Dry matter values were 48.96% for fresh cheese and 58.79% for ripe cheese, and water activity (aw) values were 0.983 and 0.922, respectively. In dehydrated fresh cheese (58.20% dry matter) in which 5% NaCl was added to achieve a 0.904 aw value, L. monocytogenes Scott A counts were lowered by only 0.4 log after treatment for 10 min at 400 MPa. On the other hand, in a 60:40 mixture of ripe cheese:distilled water with a 0.976 aw value, the reduction under the same conditions was 3.9 log. Within the aw range of 0.945 to 0.965, L. monocytogenes Scott A barotolerance was significantly higher in fresh cheese than in ripe cheese for equivalent aw values. Carbohydrate content was higher in fresh cheese than in ripe cheese. The addition of lactose at a concentration of 5 mg/g to an 85:15 mixture of ripe cheese:distilled water did not influence L. monocytogenes Scott A barotolerance during treatment for 10 min at 400 MPa. Galactose at a concentration of 5 mg/g had a protective effect during high-pressure treatment, and glucose at a concentration of 5 mg/g favored L. monocytogenes Scott A survival during refrigerated storage of pressurized samples at 8 degrees C for 5 days.     

Speciation of Al, Fe, and P in recent sediment from three lakes in Maine, USA

Sequential extraction of sediments [Psenner R, Pucsko R. Die Fraktionierung organischer und anorganischer Phosphorverbindungen von Sedimenten. Arch Hydrobiol/Suppl 1988. 70(1): 111-155.] from short, (210)Pb-dated cores from three lakes in Maine USA demonstrates that sediment P is dominantly associated with the NaOH-extractable fraction (P-NaOH(25)) and less with the bicarbonate-dithionite extractable fraction (P-BD). The ratios (Al-NaOH(25))/(Fe-BD) and (Al-NaOH(25))/(P-NH(4)Cl+P-BD) for upper sediment for two oligo-mesotrophic lakes exceeded 3 and 25, the thresholds for preventing substantial release of P from sediments during hypolimnetic anoxia [Kopácek J, Borovec J, Hejzlar J, Ulrich K-U, Norton SA, Amirbahman A. Aluminum control of phosphorus sorption by lake sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2005a;39:8784-8789.]. Hypolimnetic water chemistry verifies this effect. The third lake, currently eutrophic, has values for the ratios that are below the thresholds and this lake has substantial release of P from recent sediment. The sediment characteristics remain relatively constant over the last 150+ years, indicating that the processes responsible for P retention have operated long before atmospheric acidification of watersheds might have influenced the flux of Al and Fe to the lake. In 2002, the pH of inlets and the lakes was generally between 6 and 8. Input to the lakes had high concentrations of acid-soluble particulate and dissolved Al, Fe, and P, and dissolved Al and Fe complexed with dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Lake water column and outlet Al, Fe, and P were typically 90-95% lower than inlet concentrations over a 12 month period. Photo-oxidation of Al-DOC and Fe-DOC in the lake, liberation of inorganic Al and Fe, precipitation of Al(OH)(3) and Fe(OH)(3), adsorption of P by the hydroxides, and sedimentation are responsible for the changes in water quality and long-term sediment characteristics.     

The use of early pregnant mares as embryo recipients

Fourteen normal, cyclic mares, treated to synchronise oestrus and ovulation and inseminated artificially with fresh semen, were assigned to a donor or a recipient group after ovulation, with the aim of obtaining a degree of synchrony of > or =2 days. Ten embryos, collected on Day 6 or 7 after ovulation (Day 0), were transferred nonsurgically to inseminated recipient mares (IRM) that had ovulated up to 5 days after the respective donors, or to pregnant recipient mares (PRM) that had ovulated 2-7 days before the donors. Embryonic size and development, as determined by ultrasound examination, were used to distinguish embryos derived from the recipient (recipient embryo = RE) or from the donor (transferred embryo = TE) mare. In cases of twin pregnancy, the RE was manually squeezed on Days 14-16. Abortion was induced in all mares on Day 30. Three of 6 TE developed in IRM. Two of 6 IRM developed a twin pregnancy (RE+TE), while 4 of 6 IRM developed a singleton pregnancy (1 TE and 3 RE). None of 4 TE developed in Day 9-14 PRM and one of these PRM lost her own embryo following ET. The experiment demonstrated that a mare can carry her own embryo and a transferred embryo simultaneously. However, the status of pregnancy does not improve conception rate in recipient mares that ovulate prior to the donor.