Computational origami environment on the web

We present a computing environment for origami on the web. The environment consists of the computational origami engine Eos for origami construction, visualization, and geometrical reasoning, WebEos for providing web interface to the functionalities of Eos, and web service system Scorum for symbolic computing web services. WebEos is developed using Web2.0 technologies, and provides a graphical interactive web interface for origami construction and proving. In Scorum, we are preparing web services for a wide range of symbolic computing systems, and are using these services in our origami environment. We explain the functionalities of this environment, and discuss its architectural and technological features.     

Spatial and Temporal Variabilities of Sediment Delivery Ratio

Sediment contribution of specific areas of a watershed is an important consideration, but one that is often overlooked, when developing watershed management plans. Understanding sediment delivery to the watershed outlet is one method for identifying high contribution areas. In this study, a new methodology for calculating individual subbasin sediment delivery ratio (SDR) was developed within the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for two Michigan watersheds. Subbasins with the greatest SDR had two defining characteristics: high erosion rates and close proximity to the watershed outlet. The impact of best management practice (BMP) implementation (no-tillage and Conservation Reserve Program) on sediment yield reduction at the watershed outlet was compared for two targeting methods (SDR and erosion rate). Identifying SDR of individual subbasins for implementation of BMPs is more effective method for addressing water quality concerns at the watershed outlet than the widely used targeting high risk erosion areas. Watershed SDR was found to be highly variable on a monthly basis, due to changes in sediment yield, which is in turn affected by factors such as precipitation and surface runoff. Finally, watershed SDR calculated using the physically-based SWAT model was compared to four empirically-based areal relationships with SDR. While some area methods reproduced the SWAT-SDR, the variations between areal methods indicate that more detailed physical characteristics should be considered in watershed SDR calculation.     

Base resistance of drilled shafts in soft rock using in situ load tests: A limit state approach

This paper presents a probabilistic limit state framework for the evaluation of the base resistance of drilled shafts in soft rock. In situ load tests and the Griffith fracture theory are used to evaluate the mode of failure for the rock mass under the drilled shaft base. The base resistance or the limit state in the context of this paper is defined by the contact pressure at which load induced vertical to subvertical cracks form and the contact pressure-displacement relationship passes into a steep and fairly straight tangent. The parameters affecting the base resistance are evaluated using an in situ load test database. A statistical approach using the maximum likelihood method is utilized for the development of the design model for the base resistance. Reliability analysis is used to calibrate the corresponding resistance factors. The in situ load tests and the Griffith fracture theory suggest that the soft rock mass underlying the drilled shaft base primarily fails by the formation of vertical to subvertical cracks. Field observations indicate that the displacements in the underlying rock mass are largely in the vertical direction and that the base displacements required to mobilize the proposed base resistance are generally less than 30 mm. Load test data show that the base resistance is chiefly related to the unconfined compressive strength of soft rock. The calculated resistance factors are found to slightly decrease with increase in the span length of the structure and increase with the increase in the foundation redundancy.     

Onset coarsening-coalescence kinetics of γ-type related Al2O3 nanoparticles: Implications to their assembly in a laser ablation process

An onset coarsening-coalescence event based on the incubation time of cylindrical mesopore formation and a significant decrease of specific surface area by 50% and 70% relative to the dry pressed samples was determined by N₂ adsorption–desorption hysteresis isotherm for two Al₂O₃ powders having 50 and 10 nm in diameter respectively on an average and with γ-type related structures, i.e. γ- and its distortion derivatives δ- and/or θ-types with {1 0 0}/{1 1 1} facets and twinning according to transmission electron microscopy. In the temperature range of 1100–1400 °C, both powders underwent onset coarsening-coalescence before reconstructive transformation to form the stable α-type. The apparent activation energy for such a rapid coarsening-coalescence event was estimated as 241 ± 18 and 119 ± 19 kJ/mol, for 50 and 10 nm-sized particles, respectively indicating easier surface diffusion and particle movement for the latter. The size dependence of surface relaxation and onset coarsening-coalescence of the γ-type related Al₂O₃ nanoparticles agrees with their recrystallization–repacking upon electron irradiation and accounts for their assembly into nano chain aggregates or a close packed manner under the radiant heating effect in a dynamic laser ablation process.     

Comparative study of the recovery of silver(I) from aqueous solutions with different chelating resins derived from glycidyl methacrylate

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was polymerized in the presence of divinylbenzene (DVB). The GMA/DVB resin was immobilized with different chelating moieties containing nitrogen or sulfur donor atoms. The resins obtained [an amino‐bearing resin (RI), an amino/thiocarbamate‐bearing resin (RII), a triazole‐bearing resin (RIII), and an amino/thiol‐bearing resin (RIV)] were tested toward the recovery of Ag(I) from its aqueous solutions. The adsorption behavior of Ag(I) and the resin regeneration were studied. The sulfur‐containing resins showed higher uptake and lower elution efficiency than those containing nitrogen. The maximum uptake values were 1.20, 1.33, 1.40, and 2.86 mmol/g for RI, RII, RIII, and RIV, respectively. The mechanism of interaction between Ag(I) and the resins is also suggested. Regeneration was achieved with a 0.5N thiourea solution, acidified thiourea, or 0.5N H₂SO₄, where the resins were stable over five cycles. Elution efficiencies of 94–96 and 90–93% were achieved for the nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐containing resins, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 806–812, 2005     

Eutectic Combinations as a Pathway to the Formation of Substrate‐Based Au‐Ge Heterodimers and Hollowed Au Nanocrescents with Tunable Optical Properties

Pairs of immiscible elements with deep eutectics are used to synthesize periodic arrays of heterodimers and hollowed metal nanocrescents. In the devised route, substrate‐immobilized Au or Ag nanostructures act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for Ge adatoms. At elevated temperatures the adatoms collect in sufficient quantities to transform each site into a AuGe liquid alloy which, upon cooling, phase separates into elemental components sharing a common interface. The so‐formed Au‐Ge and Ag‐Ge heterodimers exhibit a complex morphology characterized by a noble metal nanocrescent which partially encapsulates one end of the Ge domain. Through the use of a selective etch the Ge component is removed, leaving behind a periodic array of hollow noble metal nanocrescents on the surface of the substrate. Optical characterization of both the heterodimers and nanocrescents indicates that the presence of Ge gives rise to a relative blue‐shift in the localized surface plasmon peak, a result that is in stark contrast to the red‐shifts typically observed when plasmonic nanostructures are in contact with a dielectric medium. Simulations are used to both rationalize the observed shift and show the potential for deriving unexpected behaviors when semishell‐like noble metal structures are in contact with high permittivity dielectric mediums.     

Effect of dietary insulin on the response of suckling mice enterocytes to Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin

OBJECTIVE: There are many different approaches to vaginal reconstruction. Methods include simple dilatation, skin grafts techniques, amnion grafts and the use of bowel segments for vaginal replacement. METHOD: We herein discuss the most common surgical techniques and present our series of 15 patients who underwent intestinal vaginoplasty with either sigmoid colon or cecum. RESULTS: The complication rate was low, with two patients requiring revision for prolapse. Ten patients are sexually active with only one describing any degree of dyspareunia. CONCLUSION: When dealing with vaginal aplasia, intestinal vaginoplasty seems to have clear advantages with an excellent surgical success rate and low incidence of complications.