Randomness quality of permuted pseudorandom binary sequences

This paper uses the DIEHARD statistical test suite to test the randomness quality of “permuted” versions of maximum length sequences generated by linear finite state machines (LFSM) such as cellular automata and linear feedback shift registers. Analysis shows that permuted sequences can be equivalently generated by using time-varying transformations derived from the original LFSM. Based on the above, we suggest the permuted transformation sequence scheme. Experimental results show that DIEHARD results are improved with respect to the original non-permuted sequences—up to seven more tests can be passed (total of 19 tests). Furthermore, a permutation vector is used to generate cyclically distinct permuted sequences and each sequence has a desirable maximum length period of 2ⁿ − 1.     

The case for ultrahigh-carbon steels as structural materials

Ultrahigh-carbon steels (UHCSs) are low-alloyed plain carbon steels containing 1–2.1% carbon. These steels have remarkable structural properties when processed to achieve fine ferrite grains with fine spheroidized carbides. They can be made superplastic at intermediate temperatures. Further, they can be made hard with compression toughness and strong with good tensile ductility at ambient temperatures. Contrary to conventional wisdom, UHCSs are ideal replacements for currently used high-carbon (0.5–1 % carbon) steels because they have comparable ductility but higher strength and hardness. In this article, examples of structural components formed from fine-grained spheroidized UHCSs are illustrated, and other potential structural applications are reviewed. These steels can be laminated with other metal-based materials to achieve superplasticity, high impact resistance, exceptionally high tensile ductility, and improved fatigue behavior.     

Investigation of the fracture and fragmentation of explosively driven rings and cylinders

Cylinders and rings fabricated from AerMet^® 100 alloy and AISI 1018 steel have been explosively driven to fragmentation in order to determine the fracture strains for these materials under plane-strain and uniaxial-stress conditions. The phenomena associated with the dynamic expansion and subsequent break up of the cylinders are monitored with high-speed diagnostics. In addition, complementary experiments are performed in which fragments from the explosively driven cylinders are recovered and analyzed to determine the statistical distribution associated with the fragmentation process as well as to determine failure mechanisms. The data are used to determine relevant coefficients for the Hancock–McKenzie (Johnson–Cook) fracture model. Metallurgical analysis of the fragments provides information on damage and failure mechanisms.     

High Sensitivity Fiber Bragg Grating Pressure Sensor Using Thin Metal Diaphragm

A high sensitivity pressure sensor design without a polymer transducer is demonstrated in this paper. The sensor uses a thin metal diaphragm as a pressure transducer instead of a polymer. The sensor is tested to a maximum pressure of 100 psi and has a sensitivity of 0.0115 nm/psi, which matches the calculated sensitivity of 0.0127 nm/psi. The sensor is provides accurate measurement of the pressure and shows good repeatability in its readings. The sensor is also tested at the flow loop of the University of Tulsa, and shows a good match with the pressure readings of the flow loop.     

Haplotype Analysis of BADH1 by Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Association with Salt Tolerance in Rice during Domestication

Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (BADH1), a paralog of the fragrance gene BADH2, is known to be associated with salt stress through the accumulation of synthesized glycine betaine (GB), which is involved in the response to abiotic stresses. Despite the unclear association between BADH1 and salt stress, we observed the responses of eight phenotypic characteristics (germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), germination rate (GR), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), and total dry weight (TDW)) to salt stress during the germination stage of 475 rice accessions to investigate their association with BADH1 haplotypes. We found a total of 116 SNPs and 77 InDels in the whole BADH1 gene region, representing 39 haplotypes. Twenty-nine haplotypes representing 27 mutated alleles (two InDels and 25 SNPs) were highly (p < 0.05) associated with salt stress, including the five SNPs that have been previously reported to be associated with salt tolerance. We observed three predominant haplotypes associated with salt tolerance, Hap_2, Hap_18, and Hap_23, which were Indica specific, indicating a comparatively high number of rice accessions among the associated haplotypes. Eight plant parameters (phenotypes) also showed clear responses to salt stress, and except for MGT (mean germination time), all were positively correlated with each other. Different signatures of domestication for BADH1 were detected in cultivated rice by identifying the highest and lowest Tajima’s D values of two major cultivated ecotypes (Temperate Japonica and Indica). Our findings on these significant associations and BADH1 evolution to plant traits can be useful for future research development related to its gene expression.     

Eco-efficiency assessment of pulp and paper industry in Myanmar

This paper presents the eco-efficiency assessment of the pulp and paper industry in Myanmar by using the key indicators such as raw material consumption, energy consumption, total waste output, water consumption, and CO₂ emissions. The study was carried out by using quantitative methods for data analysis of the production, consumptions and emissions from fiscal year 2001–2005. The results revealed that the level of economic and environmental performance using the eco-efficiency ratio for each fiscal year has decreased since year 2002, and factory tried to increase the level of eco-efficiency again in year 2005. There was the positive aspect that factory could optimize the waste utilization by transferring lime mud to the cement factory in the last two fiscal years. This analysis showed the root causes that led to the losses of material, energy and water consumption and discussed how to conserve those utilities.     

Mechanical stability of retained austenite in tempered 9Ni steel

The behavior of the thermally stable austenite in the ductile fracture surface layer of a grain-refined and tempered 9Ni steel broken at 77 K was studied through use of Möss-bauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Thin foils revealing the mi-crostructural profile of the fracture surface layer were prepared by electroplating a thick pure iron layer on the fresh fracture surface, then thinning a profile sample through a combination of conventional twin-jet electropolishing and ion milling techniques. The re-sults of both Mössbauer spectroscopy and TEM studies showed that the thermally stable austenite transforms to a dislocated martensite in the deformed zone adjacent to the duc-tile fracture surface. This result suggests that transformation of the retained austenite present in tempered 9Ni steel is compatible with low temperature toughness, at least when the transformation product is a ductile martensite.     

Do older programmers perform as well as young ones? Exploring the intermediate effects of stress and programming experience

Cognition, Technology & Work - There is a widespread perception that older adults are underperformers when compared with younger adults in tasks that involve intense use of technology, such as...     

BIM完整循环数据量化的概念性议案

本案以BIM数据生命周期的完整循环为基本方向,在如何衔接BIM建物数据和BIM竣工资料, 来促成功能上和架构关系上的数字化对比,而进一步完善BIM数据完整循环进行了观察与思考。本篇为总结性文章,在云端技术利用层面上如何达到此目标进行了初步调研;以论文资料库搜查方式分析整理,总结出近代BIM数据操作应用上的普及范围和趋势。从案例上得出的现有认知和尖端技术上,提出了方向性架构整理与概念性议案。