General Mode Research Articles

Three-dimensional high-resolution crystallographic observation of the entire volume of microstructurally small fatigue cracks in Ni-Co based superalloy

The crystallographic features of microstructurally small fatigue cracks (MSFCs) in a Ni-Co-based superalloy were analyzed by using a Xe plasma focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (PFIB-SEM) system in conjunction with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The crystallographic orientation of the three-dimensional (3D) fatigue crack growth path was successfully observed using a large-volume, high-resolution 3D image. The major parts of the crack surface were close to the {111} slip plane. Our results indicated that the Mode II fatigue crack growth mechanism is locally more predominant than the general blunting-resharpening Mode I fatigue crack growth mechanism, not only in the Stage I region but also in the larger part of the Stage II region of MSFC growth process.

HMM-Based Fuzzy Control for Nonlinear Markov Jump Singularly Perturbed Systems With General Transition and Mode Detection Information.

In this article, the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based fuzzy control problem is addressed for slow sampling model nonlinear Markov jump singularly perturbed systems (SPSs), in which the general transition and mode detection information issue is considered. The general information issue is formulated as the one with not only the transition probabilities (TPs) and the mode detection probabilities (MDPs) being partly known but also with the certain estimation errors existing in the known elements of them. This formulation covers the cases with both the TPs and the MDPs being fully known, or one of them being fully known but another being partly known, or both them being partly known but without the certain estimation errors, which were considered in some previous literature. By utilizing the HMM with general information, some strictly stochastic dissipativity analysis criteria are derived for the slow sampling model nonlinear Markov jump SPSs. In addition, a unified HMM-based fuzzy controller design methodology is established for slow sampling model nonlinear Markov jump SPSs such that a fuzzy controller can be designed depending on whether the fast dynamics of the systems are available or not. A numerical example and a tunnel diode circuit are finally used to illustrate the validity of the obtained results.

Cationic, Steroid-Based Imidazolium Amphiphiles Show Tunable Backbone-Dependent Membrane Selectivity in Fungi.

Cationic amphiphiles have been reported to show broad antimicrobial activity. The potential for antimicrobial resistance to these molecules is low owing to their general cell membrane permeabilizing mode of action. However, their applications are often limited by toxicity resulting from their low selectivity for microbial cell membranes. Herein, we report a library of cationic, steroid-based imidazolium amphiphiles that show tunable antifungal activity in a variety of fungal pathogens of the genus Candida. We show that adoption of an ergosterol-derived backbone increases antifungal activity while modestly affecting hemolytic activity, thereby increasing overall selectivity by more than 8-fold in comparison to cholesterol-derived imidazolium salts. We hypothesize that this effect is caused by a privileged integration of the ergosterol-derived salts into fungal membranes leading to increased membrane disorder. We propose that these findings offer a useful platform for the development of improved amphiphilic fungicides.

Spatio-temporal analysis of aerosol optical depth using rotated empirical orthogonal function over the Maritime Continent from 2001 to 2020

The deterioration in the annual air quality of the Maritime Continent (MC) is mainly caused by biomass burning haze (BBH) and the surrounding atmospheric conditions. This study aims to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and its relationship with biomass burning and climate anomaly factors in the MC from 2001 to 2020. Using aerosol model reanalysis products from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), values of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the MC were collected and processed to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the aerosol loading over the MC. Using the varimax rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF) approach, we assess the spatio-temporal distributions of the AOD over the MC from 2001 to 2020. The REOF maximized the variances explained for the primary modes and has shown clearer relationship between the spatiotemporal patterns of identified modes. The first three REOF modes of the AOD accounted for a total variance of 73.7%. The first mode (REOF1) explaining 35.8% is the main mode that represent fire burning that concentrated over the 0° latitude. REOF1 represents the emission from burning activities which primarily occurred in the Kalimantan and Sumatra based on their correlation with the total hotspots, which reach 0.73, which a certain extent of correlation with the climate anomalies, including El Niño, positive DM, and their coincidence. The second (REOF2) also explaining 35.8% represents the AOD distribution influenced by the biomass burning emission transported from the Indochina in the area to the north of 5°N which has an opposite mode with the general mode in MC except for Java area. Meanwhile, PC3 AOD has reduced to 2.2% in the rotation process and represent the influence of monsoon movement on the AOD level. In short, the study highlights spatial and temporal AOD distribution and the phenomena of burning mass and climate indices in the long-term MERRA reanalysis dataset to allow more understanding of the causal links of AOD in MC to the climate features.

Site‐Selective C−H Arylation of Diverse Arenes Ortho to Small Alkyl Groups

Catalytic systems for direct C–H activation of arenes commonly show preference for electronically activated and sterically exposed C−H sites. Here we show that a range of functionally rich and pharmaceutically relevant arene classes can undergo site-selective C–H arylation ortho to small alkyl substituents, preferably endocyclic methylene groups. The C−H activation is experimentally supported as being the selectivity-determining step, while computational studies of the transition state models indicate the relevance of non-covalent interactions between the catalyst and the methylene group of the substrate. Our results suggest that preference for C(sp 2 )−H activation next to alkyl groups could be a general selectivity mode, distinct from common steric and electronic factors.

Site-Selective C-H Arylation of Diverse Arenes Ortho to Small Alkyl Groups.

Catalytic systems for direct C-H activation of arenes commonly show preference for electronically activated and sterically exposed C-H sites. Here we show that a range of functionally rich and pharmaceutically relevant arene classes can undergo site-selective C-H arylation ortho to small alkyl substituents, preferably endocyclic methylene groups. The C-H activation is experimentally supported as being the selectivity-determining step, while computational studies of the transition state models indicate the relevance of non-covalent interactions between the catalyst and the methylene group of the substrate. Our results suggest that preference for C(sp2 )-H activation next to alkyl groups could be a general selectivity mode, distinct from common steric and electronic factors.

Innovation of Digital Piano Collective Class Teaching Mode under the Theory of Constructivism

Constructivist learning theory and instructional design theory serve as the foundation for the design of the teaching process. According to constructivists, learning occurs when students are in a particular situation, such as a social or cultural setting, with the assistance of others, using the appropriate learning resources, and creating their own meaning. A scientific theoretical foundation and a philosophical methodology are provided for the classroom instruction of fundamental music by modern constructivism theory, which adapts to the advancement of the times and the demands of the new educational environment. This paper, guided by constructivism theory, conducts extensive research on constructivism theory from two perspectives, theory and practice, proposes a general teaching mode for music under the auspices of constructivism theory, and attempts to apply it to music education. Through the comparison experiment, it was determined that the experimental class’s final grade was 69.87 and its piano level index was 0.0824, while the control class’s grade was 64.69 and its piano level index was 0.0741. In terms of piano proficiency and test results, the experimental class outperforms the control class. Contrary to the traditional teaching approach, constructivist music education has been shown to be more effective at raising the musical proficiency of regular students, as well as improving students’ motivation for learning music, their methods of instruction, their initiative, and the environment in which they learn.

Last glacial loess dynamics in the Southern Caucasus (NE-Armenia) and the phenomenon of missing loess deposition during MIS-2

The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 is considered the coldest, driest and stormiest period during the last Glacial-Interglacial cycle in large parts of Eurasia. This resulted from strongly decreased northern hemisphere temperature and related maximum extension of northern ice sheets that strongly reinforced large-scale circulation modes such as westerlies and East Asian Winter Monsoon driven by the Siberian High. Normally, this intensified circulation is reflected by maximum loess deposition in numerous loess regions spanning Europe and Asia. However, here we present a new loess record from the Caucasus region in NE-Armenia providing evidence in support of heavily reduced or even lacking loess formation during the MIS-2. Owing to implementations of comprehensible luminescence dating work and a provenance survey using rock magnetic and geochemical data, we are able to define distinct loess formation phases and to retrace sediment transport pathways. By comparing our results to other Eurasian palaeo-records, we unveil general atmospheric circulation modes that are most likely responsible for loess formation in the Southern Caucasus. Moreover, we try to test different scenarios to explain lacking loess formation during MIS-2. In line with other archive information, we suggest that loess formation was hampered by higher regional moisture conditions caused by a southward-shift of westerlies and renewed moisture absorption over the Black Sea. Our results show that modifications of MIS-2 circulation modes induced a very heterogeneous moisture distribution, particularly in the lower mid-latitudes of Eurasia producing a juxtaposition of very dry (morphodynamically active) and moderately dry (morphodynamically stable) areas.

북한의 주택배정제도와 비공식 주택시장 발전의 제한성*

The housing policy under Kim Jong-un’s regime is characterized as a political project to stabilize and strengthen the personal dictatorship, due to the following three reasons. First, the housing allocation system composed of three special allocation modes (SAMs) and one general allocation mode (GAM) is arranged hierarchically according to the relative degree of political allegiance and functional necessity for the regime. SAMs serve to enhance the security of the regime. GAMs play roles as a social security apparatus. Second, public housing construction projects in themselves are utilized as ‘political works’ to strengthen the social cohesion of the cadres-masses relations and enhance the cadres’ allegiance to the regime. Third, the regime uses the double strategy to control the unofficial housing market (IHM), The regime connives at the illegality of the private housing construction (PHC) in order to increase the housing provision while intervening IHM to suppress the potential threat to the regime with several means, such as denial of property rights associated with a house traded through an unofficial housing market, control of PHC, supply of the public housing by the government and severe punishments of private housing developers. In view of these characteristics, it is said that Kim’s regime controls the housing provision system to induce the people

Aslak Rostad. Human Transgression—Divine Retribution: A Study of Religious Transgressions and Punishments in Greek Cultic Regulation and Lydian-Phrygian Propitiatory Inscriptions (“Confession Inscriptions”)

Aslak Rostad. <i>Human Transgression—Divine Retribution: A Study of Religious Transgressions and Punishments in Greek Cultic Regulation and Lydian-Phrygian Propitiatory Inscriptions (“Confession Inscriptions”)</i>

ONLINE EDUCATION IN INDIA, AN INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE: FROM THE STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE DURING THE LOCKDOWN FOR COVID-19

The lockdown to restrict COVID-19 has brought online education into prominence. It has given us an insight into the future of education in India. The system that was a part of some elite institutions has become the general mode of imparting education for the last two years. Due to the erratic nature of the Corona virus and positive aspects of online education there is possibility of this system continuing in the future. Therefore it is important to know how the student community perceives it and what are their ideas on some important aspects of this mode of education. The present study is cross-sectional, based on online survey method of data collection. Information was collected from students of schools, colleges and universities. Our survey indicated that majority of students are not comfortable with the online education system. The online system is producing “digital divide” amongst students coming from different socio economic strata. The system is causing financial burdens to families. The awareness about government programs to promote online courses or study materials is not encouraging. Awareness about utility and convenience of these courses has to be promoted amongst faculty and students. The subjects requiring hands on training in laboratory are adversely affected. Therefore a blended mode or fully offline education system is better for the education of the general populace of India.

Designing transit-oriented multi-modal transportation systems considering travelers’ choices

One goal of future transit-oriented transportation systems is to promote door-to-door mobility for travelers by integrating different public transportation modes into a whole. We propose a mathematical design framework for such a transit-oriented multi-modal transportation system from a societal aspect considering three categories of public transportation modes, i.e., general on-demand modes, local on-demand modes, and fixed-schedule modes. A system-state equilibrium is brought up to describe travelers’ rational travel choices and their reverse effects on agency service levels using the continuous approximation method, and a centralized system designer then manages to achieve a system-beneficial outcome with the minimum cost. To solve the design problem, we prove that the transportation system reaches a unique equilibrium when decision variables are given. By this discovery, we construct a global search framework based on the DIRECT algorithm to solve the optimal design. In analyzing the problem property, we rigorously prove that in the designed systems, the bus service as a fixed-schedule mode is absent from the design scheme under the cases with sufficiently low demands, and the design problem thus reduces to a one-dimensional line search. The ride-hailing service as a general on-demand mode is similarly proved to be excluded when the demand is sufficiently high. In this context, the approximate design parameters of the bus service and the total system cost are developed analytically. The local on-demand mode, bike-sharing service, as an option of bus feeders, is proved to be efficient under a realistic setting. Extensive numerical examples provide evidence verifying the preceding analyses and indicating the behavior of travelers and agencies. Further sensitivity tests show that the subway is favorable for intensive demands and autonomous vehicles may promote the ride-hailing industry. For completeness, an immediate application of the proposed framework in generalized cases validates the model reliability.

Classification of 3-Degree-of-Freedom 3-UPU Translational Parallel Mechanisms Based on Constraint Singularity Loci Using Gröbner Cover

Abstract A 3-degree-of-freedom (DOF) 3-UPU translational parallel mechanism (TPM) is one of the typical TPMs. Despite comprehensive studies on 3-UPU TPMs in which the joint axes on the base and the moving platform are coplanar, only a few 3-UPU TPMs with skewed base and moving platform have been proposed, and the impact of link parameters on constraint singularity loci of such TPMs has not been systematically investigated. The advances in computing comprehensive Gröbner system (CGS) or Gröbner cover of parametric polynomial systems provide an efficient tool for solving this problem. This paper presents a systematic classification of 3-UPU TPMs with skewed base and moving platform based on constraint singularity loci. First, the constraint singularity equation of a 3-UPU TPM is derived. Using Gröbner cover, the 3-UPU TPMs are classified into 12 types. Finally, a novel 3-UPU TPM is proposed. Reconfiguration analysis shows that unlike most existing 3-UPU TPMs which can transit from a 3-DOF translational mode to two or more 3-DOF operation modes, the proposed 3-UPU TPM can only transit from a 3-DOF translational mode to one general 3-DOF operation mode. The singularity locus divides the workspace of this 3-UPU TPM into two constraint singularity-free regions. As a by-product, a 3-UPU parallel mechanism that the moving platform can undergo 3-DOF translation and 1-DOF infinitesimal rotation is revealed. This work provides a solid foundation for the design of 3-UPU TPMs and a starting point for the classification of 3-UPU parallel mechanisms.

Trajectory Tracking for a Dual-Arm Free-Floating Space Robot With a Class of General Nonsingular Predefined-Time Terminal Sliding Mode

This paper addresses trajectory planning and control for a dual-arm free-floating space robot (FFSR) based on predefinedtime stability. Firstly, a class of general nonsingular terminal sliding mode control strategy is proposed to achieve global predefined-time stability by switching a control parameter in a form of function. Then, a high-precision trajectory planning method is proposed for a FFSR using the proposed predefined-time stability theorem, which can make the end-effector and the base reach the desired pose within a prespecified time, and reduce the adverse effect on planning accuracy resulted from the singularity avoidance algorithm and the obstacle avoidance one. Subsequently, a trajectory tracking control strategy is proposed for a FFSR employing the proposed general nonsingular predefined-time terminal sliding mode, and the tracking errors can converge within a predefined time to an arbitrarily small neighborhood of zero in the presence of persistent disturbances. The proposed trajectory planning method has the advantage of pose feedback, so can be combined with the trajectory tracking controller in the control process to further enhance the control performance for the FFSR. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies.

A Non-Anthropocentric Understanding of the Trinitarian Creatorship and Redeemership in an Age of Science

Summary There has been an anthropocentric tendency in the doctrines of creation and redemption, especially, within the Western tradition of Christianity. In my view, contemporary theories of evolutionary and developmental biology help theology to understand how God’s creation unfolds. Meanwhile, a Trinitarian framework of creation provides meaning and purpose to the victims in evolutionary history. Furthermore, it contributes to overcoming the anthropocentric tendency in understanding the doctrine of redemption through the lens of the cosmic dimensions of Jesus’ cross and resurrection. Therefore, in this article, I argue that a Trinitarian framework of creatio ex nihilo can provide meaning and purpose to evolutionary history ridden by death, pain, and suffering, while evolutionary and developmental biology provides theology with a detailed explanation of biological evolution as God’s purposeful creation of the diversity of life in different levels of complexity. In the suggested Trinitarian vision of creatio ex nihilo, God creatively, compassionately, and redemptively works through biological evolution in general and particular modes.

Sediment phosphate release flux under hydraulic disturbances in the shallow lake of Chaohu, China.

Quantifying the effect of hydraulic disturbances on sediment phosphate release is a key issue in the water quality assessment of lakes, especially for the shallow lakes which are susceptible to winds and waves. Here, we sampled the original sediment columns from 12 positions in the eastern, central, and western areas of the Chaohu Lake, a representative shallow lake in China, and observed phosphate release under three levels of hydraulic disturbances in the laboratory. When the disturbance was weak and sediment on the surface of bottom mud moved individually (the Individual Motion Mode), sediment phosphate release rate was insignificant (0.24mg/m2/day). When the disturbance was medium and only a small percentage (< 16%) of surface sediment started to move (the Small Motion Mode), the phosphate release rate sharply increased to 4.81mg/m2/day. When the disturbance was further strengthened and most (≥ 16%) of the surface sediment moved (the General Motion Mode), the phosphate release rate was more than doubled (10.23mg/m2/day). With the increase in hydraulic disturbance intensity, the variation range of phosphate release also became wider. Spatial distribution showed that the release rate varies the most in the western area, followed by the eastern and the central areas. By extrapolating the experimental results to the real scale, it was found that the phosphate release fluxes would probably fall within a wide range between 203.43 to 7311.01kg/day under different levels of hydrodynamic disturbances which considerably affects phosphate release from shallow lakes. This study also has implications for the pollutant management in other shallow lakes.

Consecutive level spacings in the chiral Gaussian unitary ensemble: from the hard and soft edge to the bulk

The local spectral statistics of random matrices forms distinct universality classes, strongly depending on the position in the spectrum. Surprisingly, the spacing between consecutive eigenvalues at the spectral edges has received little attention, where the density diverges or vanishes, respectively. This different behaviour is called hard or soft edge. We show that the spacings at the edges are almost indistinguishable from the spacing in the bulk of the spectrum. We present analytical results for consecutive spacings between the kth and (k + 1)st smallest eigenvalues in the chiral Gaussian unitary ensemble, both for finite- and large-n. The result depends on the number of the generic zero modes ν and the number of flavours N f, which are given in terms of characteristic polynomials, as motivated by quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We find that the convergence in n is very rapid. The same can be said separately about the limit k → ∞ (limit to the bulk) and ν → ∞ (limit to the soft edge). Interestingly, the Wigner surmise is a very good approximation for all these cases and, apart from k = 1, shows a deviation below one percent. These findings are corroborated with Monte-Carlo simulations. We finally compare for k = 1 with data from QCD on the lattice, being in this symmetry class.

Discussion on Gas Construction Schedule Management Based on General Contracting Mode

Discussion on Gas Construction Schedule Management Based on General Contracting Mode

Caring for robots: How care comes to matter in human-machine interfacing.

Care robots promise to assist older people in an ageing society. This article investigates the socio-material conditions of care with robots by focusing on the usually invisible practices of human-machine interfacing. I define human-machine interfacing as the activities by roboticists and others to render interaction between robots and people possible in the first place. This includes, efforts to render prototypical arrangements of care 'robot-friendly'. In my video-assisted ethnography of human-robot interaction (HRI) experiments. I identify four types of interfacing practices, where care comes to matter: integrating the ephemeral entity that is 'a robot', helping it by way of mundane courtesies, making users 'fit' for interacting with it, and establishing corridors of interaction between the robot and people's bodies. I show that robots do not so much care for (older) people but rather, the other way around - people need to care for robots. Hence, care robots are not simply agents of care but also objects of care, rendering necessary a symmetrical analysis of human-machine interfacing. Furthermore, these practices do not merely reflect the prototypical state of the art in robotics. Rather, they indicate a more general mode of how robots and people interface. I argue that care with robots requires us to re-consider the exclusive focus on the human and at least complement it with care for the non-human and, incidentally, the robotic, too.

Highly efficient resonant length integrated optic photodetector

A novel integrated optic photodetector with resonant length is theoretically proposed for detection at 1.55 μm. The structure consists of substrate/waveguide/phase matching layer (low index)/absorbing semiconductor layer/air. A general mode expansion and propagation technique based on supermode analysis is used to study the propagation of modes in the device structure. Periodic coupling between the guided mode and the mode supported by the absorbing layer takes place and varies with the length of the detector. We show that resonant coupling between the two super modes takes place for the optimized thickness of the phase matching layer and the absorbing layer at a particular length of the detector which is considered the detector length. An attenuation exceeding 170 dB could be obtained for a detector length of 13 μm for TM polarization. The proposed photodetector exhibits a 3dB bandwidth exceeding 300 GHz and has capacitance of only 0.01 pF. Similar results have been obtained for TE polarization with different thickness of the absorbing layer.