Human interaction with policy flight simulators

Policy flight simulators are designed for the purpose of exploring alternative management policies at levels ranging from individual organizations to national strategy. This article focuses on how such simulators are developed and on the nature of how people interact with these simulators. These interactions almost always involve groups of people rather than individuals, often with different stakeholders in conflict about priorities and courses of action. The ways in which these interactions are framed and conducted are discussed, as well as the nature of typical results.     

ASYMPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF SOME PRELIMINARY ESTIMATORS FOR AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING AVERAGE TIME SERIES MODELS

Abstract. Some simple preliminary estimators for the coefficients of mixed autoregressive moving average time series models are considered. As the first step the estimators require the fitting of a long autoregression to the data. The first two methods of the paper are non-iterative and generally inefficient. The estimators are Yule-Walker type modifications of the least squares estimators of the coefficients in auxiliary linear regression models derived, respectively, for the coefficients of the long autoregression and for the coefficients of the corresponding long moving average approximation of the model. Both of these estimators are shown to be strongly consistent and their asymptotic distributions are derived. The asymptotic distributions are used in studying the loss in efficiency and in constructing the third estimator of the paper which is an asymptotically efficient two-step estimator. A numerical illustration of the third estimator with real data is given.     

Predicting N mineralized in a Georgia Coastal Plain field

The N mineralized from soil organic matter provides an important portion of N available for crop production. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of spatial variability in N mineralization potential in a field and to evaluate three different methods that might be used to estimate this variability. The three methods tested included predicting the N mineralized from surface soil properties as well as from a biological and a chemical procedure. Three soils varying in N mineralization potential were selected for the study from a field in the Georgia Coastal Plain. The N mineralized from these soils was determined by an N balance of unfertilized and cropped plots. The amount of N mineralized could not be reliably predicted from surface soil organic C, although surface soil clay concentration was positively correlated with the N mineralized. The N mineralized that was predicted using mineralization parameters determined by aerobic incubation, adjusted daily for soil water content and temperature, was approximately 50% of the field measurements of N mineralized. The values of NH₄-N extracted with hot 2 M KCl were related significantly to N mineralized in the field (r²= 0.60) and also to the zero order rate constant of mineralization, k₀ (r²= 0.77), determined from the N mineralized in the aerobic laboratory incubation.     

Electrochemical performance of nanocrystalline Li3V2(PO4)3/carbon composite material synthesized by a novel sol–gel method

A novel sol–gel method based on V₂O₅·nH₂O hydro-gel was developed to synthesize nanocrystalline Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon composite material. In this route, V₂O₅·nH₂O hydro-gel, NH₄H₂PO₄, Li₂CO₃ and high-surface-area carbon were used as starting materials to prepare precursor, and the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon was obtained by sintering precursor at 750 °C for 4 h in flowing argon. The sol–gel synthesis ensures homogeneity of the precursors and improved reactivity. The sample was characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. X-ray diffraction results show Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ sample is monoclinic structure with the space group of P2₁/n. The TEM image indicates that the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ particles modified by conductive carbon are about 70 nm in diameter. The Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon system showed that the discharge capacities in the first and 50th cycle are about 155.3 and 143.6 mAh/g, respectively, in the range of 3.0–4.8 V. The sol–gel method is fit for the preparation of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon composite material which may offer some favorable properties for commercial application.     

Assessing the predictive capability of two‐phase models for the mechanical behavior of alumina/epoxy nanocomposites

A review of analytical modeling of particulate reinforcement is made as a prelude to the problem of microstructural inhomogeneity in nanocomposite materials. Noting the inevitability of dispersion nonuniformity, and variations in agglomerate morphology and filler‐matrix interaction, the need to question the application of such models to novel materials arises. Employing the mechanical properties of alumina/epoxy nanocomposites, with known dispersion characteristics, an evaluation of the predictive capability of various models for Young's modulus, strength, and failure strain is made. Comparison between models is accompanied by a discussion of the parameters used in the fitting of macroscopic behavior to microstructural features. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 869–879, 2005     

Decentralized weighted control for a class of large‐scale systems with multi‐modes

In this paper, the control synthesis problem for a class of large‐scale systems with multi‐modes that are called large‐scale switched systems is addressed. By introducing the concept of decentralized switching signal and the relevant decentralized average dwell time, the asymptotic stability and weighted ?₂ gain performance are investigated. It should be noted that the decentralized switching covers general switching cases for large‐scale switched systems, namely, it admits both time‐dependent switching signal and arbitrary switching signal blended in the decentralized switching. Then, on the basis of the analysis results, the decentralized weighted control scheme including state feedback controller gains and switching signals is studied. Several design algorithms are proposed to meet different controller design problems. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate theoretical findings within this paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

球窝型动态混合器结构和机理的研究

介绍研制的题示混合器结构及其混合机理。在分析球窝流场各节点速度分布的基础上,用加权平均总应变和分流混合度作为评定指标,对球窝型混合器的混合行为进行分析。通过对比实验证明球窝型混合器对于高粘流体具有良好的混合功效。     

Studies of structure and cycleability of LiMn2O4 and LiNd0.01Mn1.99O4 as cathode for Li-ion batteries

Lithium manganese oxides LiMn₂O₄ and rare earth elements doped LiNd_0.01Mn_1.99O₄ were synthesized by microwave method. The structure and the electrochemical performances of the samples were characterized. XRD data shows both samples exhibit the same pure spinel phase. But due to the introduction of Nd³⁺ ion into the unit cell, the lattice parameter of the Nd-doped spinel was larger than that of the undoped one. The two samples had a similar morphology including small particle size and homogeneous particle distribution as tested by SEM. The cyclic voltammmetry and constant-current charge-discharge tested that Nd-doped spinel displayed a better reversibility and cycleability.     

层次约束结构的虚拟装配建模技术

为了解决虚拟环境下装配建模在信息完备性和模型复杂性等方面的问题,提出了一种基于层次约束结构的虚拟装配模型.该模型分为产品层、部件层、零件层、特征层、几何面层和面片层来表达,不同层元素之间存在层次映射关系,同一层元素之间存在约束关系.通过CAD系统和虚拟装配系统之间的数据转换,实现了虚拟装配模型的生成算法,并给出了根据虚拟装配模型生成的虚拟装配场景图的结构.基于层次约束结构的虚拟装配模型具有信息表达完备,信息集成度高,满足实时性要求等优点,同时还能与CAD系统和虚拟装配场景图实现集成.实例验证了虚拟装配建模的有效性.