Stimulation of electro-olfactogram responses in the main olfactory epithelia by airflow depends on the type 3 adenylyl cyclase

Cilia of olfactory sensory neurons are the primary sensory organelles for olfaction. The detection of odorants by the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) depends on coupling of odorant receptors to the type 3 adenylyl cyclase (AC3) in olfactory cilia. We monitored the effect of airflow on electro-olfactogram (EOG) responses and found that the MOE of mice can sense mechanical forces generated by airflow. The airflow-sensitive EOG response in the MOE was attenuated when cAMP was increased by odorants or by forskolin suggesting a common mechanism for airflow and odorant detection. In addition, the sensitivity to airflow was significantly impaired in the MOE from AC3−/− mice. We conclude that AC3 in the MOE is required for detecting the mechanical force of airflow, which in turn may regulate odorant perception during sniffing

The Development and Proliferation of Summer Algal Blooms in the Oligo/Poly-Haline Portion of the Chesapeake Bay - Observational and Numerical Modeling Studies

Algal blooms occur annually in many parts of the Chesapeake Bay. The causes of algal blooms are complex and can be different in different regions. In this study, we will conduct data analysis for the observed data and adopt various methods to investigate algal bloom phenomenon in three separate regions in the oligo/poly-haline portion of the Bay. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction of the algal bloom research in the Chesapeake Bay. In Chapter 2, an observational analysis and a numerical study on the algal blooms in Back River were conducted. A hypothesis was made that high pH can trigger sediment phosphorus release, which in turn can enhance chlorophyll-a and further increase pH to form a positive feedback loop. to test this theory, water quality model ICM coupled onto SCHISM was applied in Back River to study the phenomenon. Moreover, a pH model was developed to describe the aquatic chemistry. The model results with and without pH model were compared with Bay Program observations for verifying our hypothesis. It proves the importance of sediment phosphorus release on the algal blooms in Back River. In Chapter 3, a theoretical study combined with data analysis on cyanobacteria blooms dynamics was conducted in the upper tidal James River. The theory integrates the physical transport and biological effects, which leads to a simple governing equation composed of an advection term and a phytoplankton net growth term, in both linear and nonlinear forms. In this study, we derived a general analytic solution to the equation. Then, we applied the theory in the tidal freshwater portion of the James River. The theoretical predictions of chlorophyll concentrations were compared with observational data and verified the validity of the solution. In addition, the factors related to the local chlorophyll maximum in tidal freshwater rivers were discussed. In Chapter 4, an observational analysis and numerical experiments were performed to investigate the algal bloom in the polyhaline of the Chesapeake Bay. This exploratory study is aimed to explain the broad distribution of C. polykrikoides blooms in the lower Bay and the sudden disappearance of the bloom in 2014. A hypothesis is made regarding the origin of C. polykrikoides cysts. In this hypothesis, the cysts are considered to be originated from coastal ocean and their transport is under the influence of wind patterns and gravitational circulation. In this study, the hydrodynamics in the lower Chesapeake Bay was first analyzed. Then, a series of particle tracking experiments were conducted for investigating the physical transport of C. polykrikoides cysts under different environmental conditions. Finally, water quality model ICM was used to simulate the algal blooms caused by C. polykrikoides in the lower Bay by incorporating the biological features of C. polykrikoides. The model can generate reasonable magnitude of the algal blooms in 2012, 2013 and simulate no algal bloom condition in 2014.The result indicates that C. polykrikoides cysts could be originated from the coastal ocean, while temperature and wind patterns play important roles in further controlling the subsequent development of the blooms

Structure-thermal coupling in viscoelastic material in rubber bushing of vehicle system

The objective of this research is to utilize the frequency-dependent viscoelastic material model and characterize the dynamic response of rubber bushing under external excitation. Furthermore, with appropriate modeling, two heat generation mechanisms of rubber bushing are explored and their thermal fields are investigated. Due to the nonlinear force-deflection relationship of the viscoelastic material, finding satisfactory mechanical properties of rubber components still poses a great challenge. However, industry nowadays is in urgent demand for precise finite element analysis (FEA) modeling of rubber components. For example, a proper constitutive relationship of rubber components is critical to providing a reliable and trustable simulation of vehicle suspension systems. As for current FEA commercial software, the frequency-dependent modulus of viscoelastic material hasn\u27t been presented well and they have failed to provide satisfactory results. Therefore, two approaches, FEA and the multi-body dynamic analysis have been selected together to give a more comprehensive and credible prediction of suspension system\u27s performance in different working conditions. The FEA approach evaluated the stability of rubber bushing in view of the dynamic response and temperature distribution under high frequency excitation. With these results, the life prediction of rubber bushing becomes more feasible. The multi-body dynamic analysis explores the structure instability of rubber bushing when exposed to extremely high frequency and estimates the energy dissipation in the rubber core.^ The key innovations of this paper can be classified into four aspects. The first one is the application of multi-body dynamics in the dynamic analysis of rubber bushing. Based on experimental modal analysis, the sandwich cylindrical rubber bushing is treated as multi-body. With the multi-body model, the transfer function of the rubber bushing is calculated in order to estimate the dynamic response. The second innovation comes from the development of the FORTRAN program to solve the system transfer function of the structure made of viscoelastic material. Since the geometry and boundary conditions are amenable in FEA compared with the experimental modal testing, this approach is not just applicable in rubber bushing dynamic analysis, but also useful in dynamic analysis of different rubber components. The third innovative contribution of this research is connecting the multi-body analysis with continuum mechanics to evaluate the mechanical properties of rubber bushing. The last innovation is the structure-thermal coupling of rubber bushing to predict its temperature distribution based on the heat source calculated from the FEA simulation. The finite volume method (FVM) is applied using MATLAB in the simulation of temperature distribution. In this research, the classical standard linear model is applied in the FEA program to characterize the variation of viscoelastic material in the frequency domain. The three parameters of this model have been identified with the batch data measurement using dynamic mechanical analysis equipment (DMA). Specially, two heat generation mechanisms are explored to emphasize the friction-induced hysteresis damping except for the commonly discussed viscous damping. As complementation of FORTRAN program simulation in the frequency domain, the multi-physics commercial software COMSOL is employed to estimate the dynamic response of rubber bushing and temperature distribution in the time domain. To verify the results of FEA and multi-body dynamic approach in the dynamic and thermal analysis of rubber bushing, dynamic tests have been carried out using torsion and tensile testing machines. The experimental temperature distribution is in good agreement with the simulation results, which indicated the feasibility of the FEA method.^ However, due to the limited experience and complicated constitutive relationship of the viscoelastic material, the standard linear viscoelastic model is chosen to simulate the heat dissipation mechanism of rubber core. The high-frequency or high-temperature dynamic testing are almost impossible because of the experiment equipments\u27 range of service. As the first step of predicting the dissipation energy density and temperature distribution of rubber components, the initial explorations are significant and provide a proper guidance for further predictions about life expectation

Electroolfactogram (EOG) Recording in the Mouse Main Olfactory Epithelium

Olfactory sensory neurons in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) are responsible for detecting odorants and EOG recording is a reliable approach to analyze the peripheral olfactory function. However, recently we revealed that rodent MOE can also detect the air pressure caused by airflow. The sensation of airflow pressure and odorants may function in synergy to facilitate odorant perception during sniffing. We have reported that the pressure-sensitive response in the MOE can also be assayed by EOG recording. Here we describe procedures for pressure-sensitive as well as odorant-stimulated EOG measurement in the mouse MOE. The major difference between the pressure-sensitive EOG response and the odorant-stimulated response was whether to use pure air puff or use an odorized air puff

Identification and prioritisation of variables influencing the cost of learning content development

A dominant factor in cost analyses of e-Learning programs at tertiary education institutions is the measurement of direct and indirect costs associated with digital learning content, or in brief, learning content. In broad terms, over 60% of total e-Learning costs are related to design, development, publication and evaluation of learning content. The inclusion of new and emerging concepts and technologies including Learning Objects (LOs) and Learning Content Management Systems (LCMSs) into e-Learning programs at universities has opened up new opportunities and increased the complexity of learning content cost analyses. This thesis constructs a model that offers a minimized cost for the design, development and publication of learning content in a typical e-Learning program. Steps towards building the target model include the investigation of factors that affect learning content development, identification and prioritization of variables influencing the development cost, discussion of the relationships between identified variables and the process of learning content development, and analyses of two extreme cost structures. Finally, by assigning relevant variables in the available cost structure, a cost-effective model that covers the three main processes for design, development and publication of learning content is constructed. The cost-effective model introduced in this thesis covers not only the main subject notes but also content materials that are widely used in e-Learning programs. The proposed model takes into account subject notes and other materials which include quizzes, tutorial questions, critical thinking tasks and assignments as Learning Objects. In addition, based on this model, an experimental platform is designed and implemented to support the practical aspects of the proposed model noting its limitations and constraints. The experimental platform allows for the implementation of a simple case study for verification of development strategies adopted in the proposed cost-effective model. The reusability of Learning Objects used in the case study, and standards compliance of the resultant learning packages with different e-Learning platforms are also tested and documented. As an efficient and effective method of enhancing and facilitating students’ learning, e-Learning has obtained a wider acceptance among higher education institutions. The concept of Learning Objects and underlying models and technologies, including the proposed cost model, represent a cost-effective approach for accelerating the design, development and publication of learning content that can be highlighted in the development of e-Learning programs worldwide

Investigation on Identification and Control of Quantum Systems

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Quantifying consensus of rankings based on q-support patterns

Rankings, representing preferences over a set of candidates, are widely used in many information systems, e.g., group decision making and information retrieval. It is of great importance to evaluate the consensus of the obtained rankings from multiple agents. An overall measure of the consensus degree provides an insight into the ranking data. Moreover, it could provide a quantitative indicator for consensus comparison between groups and further improvement of a ranking system. Existing studies are insufficient in assessing the overall consensus of a ranking set. They did not provide an evaluation of the consensus degree of preference patterns in most rankings. In this paper, a novel consensus quantifying approach, without the need for any correlation or distance functions as in existing studies of consensus, is proposed based on a concept of q-support patterns of rankings. The q-support patterns represent the commonality embedded in a set of rankings. A method for detecting outliers in a set of rankings is naturally derived from the proposed consensus quantifying approach. Experimental studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach

Light Regulation of Phytoplankton Growth in San Francisco Bay Studied Using a 3D Sediment Transport Model

In San Francisco Bay (SFB), light availability is largely determined by the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. SPM exhibits substantial variation with time, depth, and location. To study how SPM influences light and phytoplankton growth, we coupled a sediment transport model with a hydrodynamic model and a biogeochemical model. The coupled models were used to simulate conditions for the year of 2011 with a focus on northern SFB. For comparison, two simulations were conducted with ecosystem processes driven by SPM concentrations supplied by the sediment transport model and by applying a constant SPM concentration of 20 mg l1. The sediment transport model successfully reproduced the general pattern of SPM variation in northern SFB, which improved the chlorophylla simulation resulting from the biogeochemical model, with vertically integrated primary productivity varying greatly, from 40 g[C] m2 year1 over shoals to 160 g[C] m2 year1 in the deep channel. Primary productivity in northern SFB is influenced by euphotic zone depth (Ze). Our results show that Ze in shallow water regions (\u3c2 \u3em) is mainly determined by water depth, while Ze in deep water regions is controlled by SPM concentration. As a result, Ze has low (high) values in shallow (deep) water regions. Large (small) differences in primary productivity exist between the two simulations in deep (shallow) water regions. Furthermore, we defined a new parameter Flight for “averaged light limitation” in the euphotic zone. The averaged chlorophyll-a concentration in the euphotic zone and Flight share a similar distribution such that both have high (low) values in shallow (deep) water regions. Our study demonstrates that light is a critical factor in regulating the phytoplankton growth in northern SFB, and a sediment transport model improves simulation of light availability in the water column

Numerical Investigations on Wedge Control of Separation of a Missile from an Aircraft

To make the missile safely separate from the internal weapons bay, a wedge flow control device is mounted on the front of the bay to control the variation of flow during the separation. The numerical simulations of missile separation without and with wedge flow control device under different sizes are carried out. The flow fields of different separation processes are obtained and discussed; the aerodynamic parameters and trajectory parameters of missile of different cases are illustrated and compared. Results show that, the wedge flow control device can accelerate the missile separation and has the effect of regulating the angular motion of missile. The influence of the wedge height is stronger than that of its length on the center of gravity motion and angular motion of missile