Fantasy and Reality

Panel: Fantasy & Realit

Infinite-Dimensional Traits: Estimation of Mean, Covariance, and Selection Gradient of Tribolium Castaneum Growth Curves

In evolutionary biology, traits like growth curves, reaction norms or morphological shapes cannot be described by a finite vector of components alone. Instead, continuous functions represent a more useful structure. Such traits are called function-valued or infinite-dimensional traits. Kirkpatrick and Heckmann outlined the first quantitative genetic model for these traits. Beder and Gomulkiewicz extended the theory on the selection gradient and the evolutionary response from finite- to infinite-dimensional traits. Rigorous methods for the estimation of these quantities were developed throughout the years. In his dissertation, Baur defines estimators for the mean and covariance function, as well as for the selection gradient based on two different assumptions. First, it is assumed that all individuals are independent. The second case considers a sample of independent families of equally related individuals. In this thesis, results of the estimations based on data on Tribolium Castaneum larvae will be stated. Estimations of the pre-selection mean, the evolutionary response to selection, and the phe- notypic covariance function were run for five consecutive generations - once assuming that all larvae are independent and once for independent families of full-siblings. Using the pre-selection mean and the evolutionary response to selection, the mean function among newborns of the successive generation is computed. The selection gradient is not explicitly estimated as it is contained in the computation of the evolutionary response to selection. The differences in results from using Ornstein-Uhlenbeck and Wiener covariance functions are examined. It becomes evident that the choice of the candidate covariance function heavily impacts the results of the estimation. With respect to this observation, alternative ways to find a suitable candidate covariance function, based on the provided data, are discussed

Experimental validation of computer simulations of ceramic core injection processes

In this study, a computer simulation of a three-dimensional transient ceramic injection molding (CIM) process, developed by the Advanced Casting Laboratory at the University of Tennessee for Howmet Research Corporation, was experimentally validated. Experiments were designed and conducted to measure temperature of ceramic core material as a function of time for both filling and packing stages of the injection molding process. In addition to fluid temperature, die wall temperature data were also collected for this analysis. The results were used to validate the CIM model to insure that ProCAST simulation is realistic and accurate. The experiments were conducted under production conditions at Howmet Casting Support manufacturing facility in Morristown, Tennessee. The temperature data were taken at both 30-milliseconds and 60-milliseconds sampling rates. A total of twenty experimental runs for each sampling rate were conducted. An error band was developed from the results of the experiments. The temperature data are presented here in non- dimensionalized form so that they can be used for validation of computer modeling simulations under various initial and ambient conditions. The results indicate that the average heat transfer coefficients (h) in the range of 1,800 W/m² K to 2,200 W/m² K best represent experimentally observed thermal characteristics of the filling and solidifying process. The flow patterns observed from short shot pictures are best approximated by flow simulation patterns using isothermal wall boundary conditionAlso, the computer model accurately predicts the high shear heating observed at specific locations in the cavity during the filling process

Ensuring efficiency and good corporate governance for state economic groups in Vietnam

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Business Administration,2010masterpublishedby Hong Ly Hoang

Effects of different feeds and stocking densities on growth and survival rates of mud crab (<em>Scylla paramamosain</em>) at the stage from megalopa to crablet-1

Mud crabs (Scylla genus) are luxury foods in high demand internationally. The efficient techniques for mud crab hatcheries are vital for providing breeds for their aquaculture, which is rapidly growing in many countries. This study aims to investigate the effects of different feeds and stocking densities on mud crabs' growth and survival rates (Scylla paramamosain) in the stage from megalopa to crablet-1 stage. Two separate experiments were conducted indoors in the 60-liter round plastic tanks (containing 50 liters of water at a 28‰ salinity). Experiment 1 investigated four feeds: frozen Artemia biomass, pureed shrimp meat, Lansy pellet feed (48% protein), and NRD pellet feed (55% protein). Megalopae (mean weight of 5.8 mg) were stocked at a density of 10/L. In experiment 2, the megalopae (mean weight of 5.4 mg) were stocked at densities of 20, 30, and 40/L and were fed the Lansy pellet feed, which was the best one selected from experiment 1. High survival rates were obtained at all four feeds (82.2–87.5%) and three stocking densities (88.4–90.1%). The growth performances in Lansy feed and frozen Artemia biomass were better than those in pureed shrimp meat and NRD pellet feed, which was seen through higher indicators of daily weight gain (DWG) and specific growth rate in weight (SGRw) (p p > 0.05). The investigated feeds and stocking densities suit the nursing mud crab (S. paramamosain) megalopa. In contrast, the Lansy pellet feeds had a stocking density of 20/L, resulting in the highest nursing efficiency

The An Hiep brickyards, Vietnam. Conservation and enhancement

Les briqueteries d’An Hiep formaient, il y a plus de 100 ans, un ensemble éclatant de briques et de tuiles dont il subsiste encore aujourd'hui des fourneaux présentant une architecture particulière. Elles ne sont toutefois plus aussi prospères qu’auparavant. Certaines sont abandonnées, d’autres continuent de fonctionner pour conserver tant bien que mal leurs traditions de manufacture. Cependant, une grande partie de la spécificité locale se dégrade et les communautés qui vivent au sein de ce site se sont appauvries. Ce mémoire a pour sujet la possible création d’un écomusée de la région des briqueteries d’An Hiep au Vietnam. Cet écomusée utiliserait le potentiel des spécificités locales comme outil de développement social et économique, de préservation du patrimoine et d'autonomisation des communautés. Cette étude se propose dans un premier temps, de passer en revue la définition des écomusées et leurs concepts théoriques plus profonds, telle leur inscription dans le paysage, le patrimoine, le lieu et la mémoire, et leur rôle dans l'autonomisation de la communauté. Elle se concentre ensuite sur le développement social et économique qui est l'une des applications pratiques des écomusées. Elle en définit les termes, les inscrit dans les projets patrimoniaux et apporte des preuves d'intégration réussie du patrimoine et du développement du travail de terrain à travers le monde. Dans un second temps, ce travail s’attache à développer un modèle approprié d’écomusée qui tiendrait compte des contextes culturel et politique vietnamiens. Pour se faire, j’ai orienté mes recherches vers ce qui du point de vue historique, culturel et légal, pourrait favoriser le projet dans son développement, son organisation et ses sources de financement. Son inscription dans la zone des briqueteries d’An Hiep, souligne les défis possibles auxquels il pourrait faire face tout en faisant valoir ses potentialités pour un développement social et économique durable de la région et du Vietnam; ABSTRACT: The Anhiep's brickyards are over 100 years old and were a kingdom of bricks and tiles. They still exist today with stoves in brick kilns that have a specific architecture; however the brickyards are not as prosperous as before. Some brickyards are abandoned and others continue to function to keep their own traditions. However, much of the local specificity deteriorates and communities living within this site are impoverished. This thesis deals with the potential of local specificities to create an ecomuseum of the brickyards and to use them as a tool for social and economic development, heritage preservation and community empowerment. In this study, I review in depth the definition of ecomuseology and theoretical concepts more deeply in the landscape, heritage, place and memory, and how it empowers communities. Then I focus on socio-economic development as one of the practical applications of the ecomuseum. I give some definitions of social and economic development in heritage projects and show evidence of the successful integration of heritage and the development of fieldwork in the world. After examining these concepts, I will focus on the brickyards at An Hiep to develop an appropriate model for an ecomuseum in the Vietnamese cultural and political context. Furthermore, in order to formulate the best methods for approaching a future ecomuseum, I also look deeper into the history, structure and legislation of the cultural sector, which will have an impact on the project in its development, organization and its financing. Finally, I visualize a brickyard ecomuseum project at An Hiep Vietnam, and show the challenges it faces while showcasing its potential benefits in the sustainable social and economic development of the region and Vietnam

Thermal effect on magnetoexciton energy spectra in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

It is widely comprehended that temperature may cause phonon-exciton scattering, enhancing the energy level's linewidth and leading to some spectrum shifts. However, in the present paper, we suggest a different mechanism that allows the thermal motion of the exciton's center of mass (c.m.) to affect the magnetoexciton energies in monolayer dichalcogenides (TMDCs). By the nontrivial but precise separation of the c.m. motion from an exciton in a monolayer TMDC with a magnetic field, we obtain an equation for the relative motion containing a motional Stark term proportional to the c.m. pseudomomentum, related to the temperature of the exciton gas but neglected in the previous studies. Solving the Schr\"odinger equation without omitting the motional Stark potential at room temperature shows approximately a few meV thermal-magnetic shifts in the exciton energies, significant enough for experimental detection. Moreover, this thermal effect causes a change in exciton radius and diamagnetic coefficient and enhances the exciton lifetime as a consequence. Surprisingly, the thermoinduced motional Stark potential breaks the system's SO(2) symmetry, conducting new peaks in the exciton absorption spectra at room temperature besides those of the $s$ states. This mechanism could be extended for other magnetoquasiparticles such as trions and biexcitons.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables for main manuscript; 20 pages, 6 figures, 6 tables for supplementary. Published on Physical Review