Combined State and Parameter Estimation for a Static Model of the Maypole (Hoop-Column) Antenna Suface

Parameter and state estimation techniques are discussed for an elliptic system arising in a developmental model for the antenna surface of the Maypole Hoop/Column antenna. A computational algorithm based on spline approximations for the state and elastic parameters is given and numerical results obtained using this algorithm are summarized

A coarse-graining approach for molecular simulation that retains the dynamics of the all-atom reference system by implementing hydrodynamic interactions

We report on a new approach for deriving coarse-grained intermolecular forces that retains the frictional contribution that is often discarded by conventional coarse-graining methods. The approach is tested for water and an aqueous glucose solution, and the results from the new implementation for coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation show remarkable agreement with the dynamics obtained from reference all-atom simulations. The agreement between the structural properties observed in the coarse-grained and all-atom simulations is also preserved. We discuss how this approach may be applied broadly to any existing coarse-graining method where the coarse-grained models are rigorously derived from all-atom reference systems

The Importance of Irrigation Scheduling for Marginal Capacity Systems Growing Corn

Citation: Lamm, F. R., & Rogers, D. H. (2015). The Importance of Irrigation Scheduling for Marginal Capacity Systems Growing Corn. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 31(2), 261-265. Retrieved from ://WOS:000353671300011Many irrigators in the Central Great Plains region do not use science-based irrigation scheduling for a variety of reasons, many of which are not strongly related to the technical feasibility. Evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling has been shown to be an acceptable irrigation scheduling method within the region. Many irrigators have expressed the rationale that there is no need to implement irrigation scheduling because their marginal capacity irrigation must be ran continually throughout the season to meet corn irrigation needs. ET-based irrigation schedules were simulated using 43 years (1972-2014) of weather data for Colby, Kansas, to determine irrigation needs as affected by irrigation capacity, center pivot sprinkler system application efficiency and the initial soil water condition at corn emergence. Adoption of ET-based irrigation scheduling with an initial soil water condition of 85% of field capacity and 95% application efficiency potentially could save on average 212 mm of water for a 25.4 mm/4 days irrigation capacity and 71 mm for a severely deficit 25.4 mm/8 day irrigation capacity. As application efficiency was decreased from 95% to 80% these savings for similar initial soil water conditions decreased from 176 to 67 mm for the greater and smaller irrigation capacities, respectively. Potential irrigation savings using an application efficiency of 95% were reduced but still appreciable when the initial soil water condition was 60% of field capacity averaging 154 and 25 mm for the 25.4 mm every 4 or 8 days irrigation capacities, respectively. Irrigators with marginal capacity systems should adopt science-based irrigation scheduling to make best use of their limited irrigation and should not discount their opportunity to save irrigation water even when their system restrictions are severe

The effect of terminal group modification on the solution properties of dendrimers: A molecular dynamics simulation study

We study the static and dynamic properties of amphiphilic dendrimers of generation 3 through 7 in an explicitly modeled solvent with molecular dynamics. All interior monomers are solvophobic while the terminal monomers are varied from all solvophobic to all solvophilic, with a number of nonuniform solvophobic/ solvophilic terminal monomer arrangements investigated. For generations 6 and 7, crowding at the dendrimer surface forces some solvophilic monomers into the interior of the molecule. The nonuniformly surface-modified dendrimers are studied to examine how different arrangements of terminal monomers might affect dendrimer conformation. In all cases with solvophilic terminal monomers we find the solvophilic monomers congregating at the surface; thus, the dendrimer adopts the form of a unimolecular micelle. For generation 5 and smaller, the terminal monomer arrangement has no effect on the static or dynamic properties. For generations 6 and 7, a minimum number of bonds between the two types of terminal monomers is required to observe all solvophilic terminal monomers at the surface of the molecule. Lowering the simulation temperature, which effectively increases the interaction strength between solvophilic monomers and solvent, eliminates the backfolding tendencies of the solvophilic monomers and increases the asphericity of the generation 6 and 7 dendrimers

The Importance of Irrigation Scheduling for Marginal Capacity Systems Growing Corn

Citation: Lamm, F. R., & Rogers, D. H. (2015). The Importance of Irrigation Scheduling for Marginal Capacity Systems Growing Corn. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 31(2), 261-265. Retrieved from ://WOS:000353671300011Many irrigators in the Central Great Plains region do not use science-based irrigation scheduling for a variety of reasons, many of which are not strongly related to the technical feasibility. Evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling has been shown to be an acceptable irrigation scheduling method within the region. Many irrigators have expressed the rationale that there is no need to implement irrigation scheduling because their marginal capacity irrigation must be ran continually throughout the season to meet corn irrigation needs. ET-based irrigation schedules were simulated using 43 years (1972-2014) of weather data for Colby, Kansas, to determine irrigation needs as affected by irrigation capacity, center pivot sprinkler system application efficiency and the initial soil water condition at corn emergence. Adoption of ET-based irrigation scheduling with an initial soil water condition of 85% of field capacity and 95% application efficiency potentially could save on average 212 mm of water for a 25.4 mm/4 days irrigation capacity and 71 mm for a severely deficit 25.4 mm/8 day irrigation capacity. As application efficiency was decreased from 95% to 80% these savings for similar initial soil water conditions decreased from 176 to 67 mm for the greater and smaller irrigation capacities, respectively. Potential irrigation savings using an application efficiency of 95% were reduced but still appreciable when the initial soil water condition was 60% of field capacity averaging 154 and 25 mm for the 25.4 mm every 4 or 8 days irrigation capacities, respectively. Irrigators with marginal capacity systems should adopt science-based irrigation scheduling to make best use of their limited irrigation and should not discount their opportunity to save irrigation water even when their system restrictions are severe

An Appreciative Approach to Assessing Extension Professionals’ Perceptions of Evaluation

Generating timely, honest, and useful feedback is the cornerstone of all extension program evaluation. However, historical evaluation practices, especially in the international agricultural extension context, have relied on models that emphasize external criticism. One model of evaluation that has the potential to shift the focus toward a more collaborative model of evaluation is that of appreciative evaluation. Appreciative evaluation strives towards building on existing strengths rather than criticizing weaknesses with an emphasis on identifying what an organization does well. This research note reviews the results of a recent survey given to a group of extension professionals within a large land-grant institution to examine how extension professionals view the role of evaluation within their programming from an appreciative perspective. Respondents (n = 204) expressed great professional satisfaction in their work delivering programs and a sense of self-worth stemming from the impact they have in their respective communities. Evaluation tools and techniques were enabling forces as they allowed respondents to gather timely data and make adjustments to programs in ways that were reflective of community needs. When asked to identify any structural components of the extension system that improve evaluation practices and procedures, respondents emphasized the importance of both formal and non-formal training opportunities, the development of modular evaluation tools, and collaboration both within extension and their respective community(ies). The results indicated appreciative inquiry methods have the potential to provide valuable feedback about existing programming

Plus-Minus-Interesting Exercises To Encourage Student Reflection

It can be difficult to include time for reflection in a problem-solving course, and even more difficult to ensure that students reflect on their problem-solving strategy in a meaningful way. We have found the “plus-minus-interesting’’ or PMI scheme, to be a quick and effective framework for structuring brief, in-class reflection exercises that are completed by teams of students

Mindset for Software Architecture Students

Software architecture students need to believe that they can change their abilities in order to become proficient with software architecture design. Addressing students’ beliefs about their capabilities introduces the realm of mindset. This paper reports about a survey that we conducted in a large university to study a set of factors associated with the students’ mindset. The study found that the students’ mindsets weakly correlates with their cognitive levels and are associated with their expectations from the course. In addition, it found that the students who prefer practicing software architecture have more open mindset than the ones who prefer quizzes. The findings provide new knowledge about the connections between the mindsets of the students, their perception of software architecture, and their approach to learning software architecture practices. The results could be used to design intervention strategies to improve the ability of the students to learn software architecture