Towards a general stability analysis of process network systems

This paper considers process systems whose dynamics are described by conservation laws for extensive variables and second law of thermodynamics and which can also been considered as interconnected (network) systems. In representing the dynamics and the analysis of network systems Tellegen's theorem and the passivity theory are used. Different from the usual application of these two methods on large scale systems, in this work, we only consider a single unit (node). For a single process unit, we apply the Tellegen's theorem and using a suitable storage function, derive the expression for the rate of change of the storage function. This expression is obtained for the cases of single phase and binary phases.</p

Morphological evaluation of the mandibular lingula using cone-beam computed tomography

Background: Lingula is a tongue-like flap of bone that overlaps the mandibular foramen antero-medially and location is clinically significant in oral and maxillofacial surgeries. The aim of this study was to assess the shape and precise location of lingula using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: In this study, 3-dimensional images provided by CBCT of 63 patients (28 females, 35 males, age range 25–70 years) were retrospectively evaluated. All CBCT images were performed due to implant planning. From both sides of 63 mandibles were classified in the following shapes: triangular, truncated, nodular and assimilated. The location was determined by 5 distances from the lingula: the anterior and the posterior borders of the mandibular ramus, man­dibular notch and lover border of mandible. Height of the lingula was measured from the lingular tip to the mandibular foramen. Results: Nodular shape of lingula was the most commonly found (32.5%). The mean distance of lingula from anterior and posterior borders of mandibular ramus was 18.5 ± 2.3 and 16.9 ± 3.5 mm, respectively. The lingula was located at 18.1 ± 3.6 mm from the mandibular notch and 38.3 mm from the lover border of mandible. The mean height of lingula was 7.8 ± 2.4 mm. Conclusions: The present study provides the morphological variation and localization of the lingula. The lingula is an important clinical landmark for mandibular osteotomy, and for determining the distance to mandibular foramen entrance

Expectations and Experiences of Short-Term Study Abroad Leadership Teams

This paper explores the expectations and experiences of faculty, academic advisors, and graduate students leading a study abroad experience for first-year engineering students. In the current age of globalization, engineering students require a global understanding of engineering to be competent in the global workforce. In response, undergraduate engineering programs have created various programs to fill this student need. The research surrounding these initiatives focuses on the student experience but is limited when describing that of program leaders. This qualitative study draws from track leader journals that were completed during and shortly after the international program as well as semi-structured interviews in the following semester. The findings suggest that the majority of leaders expected their role to be that of an educator on the study abroad experience, but upon reflection, realized that their definition of what it means to be an educator expanded to encompass facilitation of learning. Many of the student learning instances leaders pointed to had to do with facilitating a learning environment rather than delivering content or answering technical questions. The roles described by leaders varied from troubleshooter to behavioral manager to informer. Leaders reflected that their roles developed as they met students where they were in their learning within the dynamic international context of the program. Overall, leaders saw their roles evolve over the course of the trip. The findings shed light on emergent power dynamics that leadership teams engage in outside of the formal learning environment and provide a unique insight into the types of learning program leaders can experience through leading study abroad programs. The multiple forms of data collection provide deeper insights into the experiences of the leaders while encouraging them to also reflect in real-time. This study has implications for the development of intentionally designed, condensed study-abroad experiences that draws from understanding the program leaders’ experience