A Solution to the Ambiguity Problem in Depth Contouring

Depth contours on a chart are important for safe navigation. The ambiguity problem can appear when points of equal depth are joined in contouring. Unreasonable solutions may mistake a shallow area for a deep one, which could result in a potential danger for navigation. A solution is presented to solve the ambiguity problem using constrained lines formed by two shallow depths. The constrained lines are used to limit the joining of the points with equal depth. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed solution can reduce the dangers of producing non-existent deep areas in bathymetric contouring.Las isobatas en una carta son importantes para la seguridad de la navegaciôn. El problema de ambiguedad puede aparecer cuando puntos de igual profundidad se unen en el trazado de la isobata. Soluciones no razonadas pueden confundir un area somera por una profunda, lo que podria resultar en un peligro potencial a la navegaciôn. Una soluciôn se présenta para resolver el problema de ambigüedad utilizando lineas forzadas formadas por dos profundidades s orneras. Las lineas forzadas se ut Uizan para limitar la union de puntos con igual profundidad. Los resultados expérimentales demuestran que la soluciôn propuesta puede reducir los peligros de producir areas profundas no existentes en los contornos batimétricos.Sur une carte, les isobathes sont importantes en ce qui concerne la sécurité de la navigation. Le problème de l'ambiguïté peut apparaître lorsque des points de profondeur égale se rejoignent sur le tracé de l'isobathe. Certaines solutions non fondées rationnellement peuvent prendre par erreur une zone peu profonde pour une zone profonde, ce qui peut entraîner un danger potentiel pour la navigation. Une solution est présentée pour résoudre le problème de l’ambiguïté en utilisant des lignes contraintes formées par deux faibles profondeurs. Les lignes contraintes sont utilisées pour limiter la réunion de points d’une égale profondeur. Des résultats expérimentaux ont montré que la solution proposée peut réduire les dangers liés à la création de zones profondes non existantes dans le tracé bathymétrique

Study of a micro chamber quadrupole mass spectrometer

Copyright @ 2008 American Vacuum Society / American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology Part A: International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 26(2), Article number 239 and may be found at http://scitation.aip.org/content/avs/journal/jvsta/26/2/10.1116/1.2827512.The design of a micro chamberquadrupolemass spectrometer (MCQMS) having a small total volume of only 20 cm3, including Faraday cup ion detector and ion source, is described. This MCQMS can resist a vacuum baking temperature of 400–500 °C. The quadrupole elements with a hyperbolic surface are made of a ceramic material and coated with a thin metal layer. The quadrupole mass filter has a field radius of 3 mm and a length of 100 mm. Prototypes of this new MCQMS can detect a minimum partial pressure of 10−8 Pa, have a peak width of ΔM=1 at 10% peak height from mass number 1 to 60, and show an excellent long-term stability. The new MCQMS is intended to be used in residual gas analyses of electron devices during a mutual pumping and baking process.National Key Basic Research Program, the Chinese 111 Project Grant and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University

Transdifferentiation of lung adenocarcinoma in mice with Lkb1 deficiency to squamous cell carcinoma

Lineage transition in adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of non-small cell lung cancer, as implicated by clinical observation of mixed ADC and SCC pathologies in adenosquamous cell carcinoma, remains a fundamental yet unsolved question. Here we provide in vivo evidence showing the transdifferentiation of lung cancer from ADC to SCC in mice: Lkb1-deficient lung ADC progressively transdifferentiates into SCC, via a pathologically mixed mAd-SCC intermediate. We find that reduction of lysyl oxidase (Lox) in Lkb1-deficient lung ADC decreases collagen disposition and triggers extracellular matrix remodelling and upregulates p63 expression, a SCC lineage survival oncogene. Pharmacological Lox inhibition promotes the transdifferentiation, whereas ectopic Lox expression significantly inhibits this process. Notably, ADC and SCC show differential responses to Lox inhibition. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the de novo transdifferentiation of lung ADC to SCC in mice and provide mechanistic insight that may have important implications for lung cancer treatment

Experimental and numerical investigation of diesel combustion processes in homogeneously premixed lean methane or hydrogen-air mixtures

Bibliography: p. 299-31

Distributed Dynamic Event-Triggered Formation Control for Multiple Unmanned Surface Vehicles

This paper investigates the problem of distributed dynamic event-triggered formation control for multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) subject to external disturbances. Firstly, a novel event-based distributed formation control scheme is proposed, under an undirected communication graph. Wherein, a dynamic event-triggered data transmission mechanism is designed for communication resource reduction. The time-varying dynamic parameter ensures fewer triggering instants and a larger triggering time interval compared with the traditional static one. The adaptive laws are incorporated into the formation control scheme to address the effects of external disturbances and uncertainties. Subsequent to the theoretical analysis, it can be concluded that the relative tracking errors can converge to the origin, and all closed-loop signals are bounded. Moreover, it is proved that the triggering time sequences do not exhibit Zeno behavior. Finally, a numerical simulation is performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed distributed formation controller

Ultrasonography Comparison of Diaphragm Morphological Structure and Function in Young and Middle-Aged Subjects with and without Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study

Background. It is reported that impaired postural control in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) was associated with “core” trunk muscle incoordination. However, as the diaphragm is an important component of the “core” deep trunk muscle group, we still know little about the potential relationship between diaphragm dysfunction and NCLBP. Objectives. This case-control study is intended to investigate the changes of diaphragm morphological structure and function in young and middle-aged subjects with and without NCLBP by ultrasound evaluation and its possible validity in predicating the occurrence of NCLBP. Methods. 31 subjects with NCLBP (NCLBP group) and 32 matched healthy controls (HC group) were enrolled in this study. The diaphragm thickness at the end of inspiration (Tins) or expiration (Texp) during deep breathing was measured through B-mode ultrasound, and the diaphragm excursion (Texc) was estimated at deep breathing through M-mode ultrasound. The diaphragm thickness change rate (Trate) was calculated by the formula: Trate=Tins−Texp/Texp×100%. Results. Compared with the HC group, the NCLBP group had a significant smaller degree of Tins (t = −3.90, P<0.001), Texp (Z = −2.79, P=0.005), and Trate (t = −2.03, P=0.047). However, there was no statistical difference in Texc between the two groups (t = −1.42, P=0.161). The binary logistic regression analysis indicated that Trate (OR = 16.038, P=0.014) and Texp (OR = 7.714, P=0.004) were potential risk factors for the occurrence of NCLBP. Conclusions. The diaphragm morphological structure and function were changed in young and middle-aged subjects with NCLBP, while the diaphragm thickness change rate (Trate) and diaphragm thickness at the end of expiration (Texp) may be conductive to the occurrence of NCLBP. Furthermore, these findings may suggest that abnormal diaphragm reeducation is necessary for the rehabilitation of patients with NCLBP

Bio-Derived Carbon with Tailored Hierarchical Pore Structures and Ultra-High Specific Surface Area for Superior and Advanced Supercapacitors

We report here on a hollow-fiber hierarchical porous carbon exhibiting an ultra-high specific surface area, synthesized by a facile method of carbonization and activation, using the Metaplexis Japonica (MJ) shell. The Metaplexis Japonica-based activated carbon demonstrated a very high specific surface area of 3635 m2 g−1. Correspondingly, the derived carbonaceous material delivers an ultra-high capacitance and superb cycle life in an alkaline electrolyte. The pore-ion size compatibility is optimized using tailored hierarchical porous carbon and different ion sized organic electrolytes. In ionic liquids nonaqueous based electrolytes we tailored the MJ carbon pore structure to the electrolyte ion size. The corresponding supercapacitor shows a superior rate performance and low impedance, and the device records specific energy and specific power densities as high as 76 Wh kg−1 and 6521 W kg−1, as well as a pronounced cycling durability in the ionic liquid electrolytes. Overall, we suggest a protocol for promising carbonaceous electrode materials enabling superior supercapacitors performance

Effects of Liming on the Morphologies and Nutrients of Different Functional Fine Roots of <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Seedlings

Soil acidification is an important cause of the productivity decline of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook)—one of the most important timber species in China. Although liming is an effective measure for reversing the effects of soil acidification, the effects on the morphologies and nutrients of different functional roots remain ambiguous. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of liming on fine root traits of Chinese fir seedlings between two root function types (absorptive roots (AR) and transport roots (TR)). Chinese fir seedlings with equal performance were planted in each pot with two acidification soils (pH 3.6 and pH 4.3) and three levels of liming (0, 1000, and 4000 kg CaO ha−1). Our data showed that liming had no effect on the root biomass (RB) of AR and TR in mildly acidified soil, but it decreased the RB in severely acidified soil. Specific root length (SRL) of AR and TR were significantly increased by 24% and 27% with a high liming dose in mildly acidified soil, respectively. The specific root areas (SRA) of AR and TR were significantly increased by 10% and 22% with a high liming dose in mildly acidified soil, respectively. Furthermore, root N concentrations were significantly increased by 26% and 30% in AR and TR with a high liming dose in mildly acidified soil, respectively. Root P concentration of AR was significantly increased by 21% with a high liming dose in mildly acidified soil while root Ca concentration was significantly increased with all treatments. A similar trend was also observed in the Ca/Al ratio of roots. Both low and high doses of liming decreased the root Al concentration of AR by 26% and 31% in mildly acidified soil, respectively; however, there was no significant effect on TR in both soils. Our findings indicated that liming could alleviate Al toxicity to fine roots and increase root investment efficiency and absorption capacity. Liming also had coordinate effects on SRL, SRA, Root tissue density (RTD), N, P, Ca and Ca/Al between AR and TR. Our study suggested that to gain a comprehensive understanding of plant growth strategy, researchers in future studies must consider different functional roots rather than just the absorption part. Our results also revealed that the root system became more “acquisitive” due to the remediation of Al toxicity, which may be an important mechanism underlying the increment of the productivity of Chinese fir plantations undergoing liming