Dynamics of the North American continent

The forces that cause deformation of western North America have been debated for decades. Recent studies, primarily based on analysis of crustal stresses in the western United States, have suggested that the deformation of the region is mainly controlled by gravitational potential energy (GPE) variations and boundary loads, with basal tractions due to mantle flow playing a relatively minor role. We address these issues by modelling the deviatoric stress field over western North America from a 3-D finite element mantle circulation model with lateral viscosity variations. Our approach takes into account the contribution from both topography and shallow lithosphere structure (GPE) as well as that from deeper mantle flow in one single model, as opposed to separate lithosphere and circulation models, as has been done so far. In addition to predicting the deviatoric stresses we also jointly fit the constraints of geoid, dynamic topography and plate motion both globally and over North America, in order to ensure that the forces that arise in our models are dynamically consistent. We examine the sensitivity of the dynamic models to different lateral viscosity variations. We find that circulation models that include upper mantle slabs yield a better fit to observed plate velocities. Our results indicate that a model of GPE variations coupled with mantle convection gives the best fit to the observational constraints. We argue that although GPE variations control a large part of the deformation of the western United States, deeper mantle tractions also play a significant role. The average deviatoric stress magnitudes in the western United States range 30-40 MPa. The cratonic region exhibits higher coupling to mantle flow than the rest of the continent. We find that a relatively strong San Andreas fault gives a better fit to the observational constraints, especially that of plate velocity in western North America.

Joint modeling of lithosphere and mantle dynamics: Evaluation of constraints from global tomography models

With the advances in technology, seismological theory, and data acquisition, a number of high-resolution seismic tomography models have been published. However, discrepancies between tomography models often arise from different theoretical treatments of seismic wave propagation, different inversion strategies, and different data sets. Using a fixed velocity-to-density scaling and a fixed radial viscosity profile, we compute global mantle flow models associated with the different tomography models and test the impact of these for explaining surface geophysical observations (geoid, dynamic topography, stress, and strain rates). We use the joint modeling of lithosphere and mantle dynamics approach of Ghosh and Holt (2012) to compute the full lithosphere stresses, except that we use HC for the mantle circulation model, which accounts for the primary flow-coupling features associated with density-driven mantle flow. Our results show that the seismic tomography models of S40RTS and SAW642AN provide a better match with surface observables on a global scale than other models tested. Both of these tomography models have important similarities, including upwellings located in Pacific, Eastern Africa, Iceland, and mid-ocean ridges in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean and downwelling flows mainly located beneath the Andes, the Middle East, and central and Southeast Asia.

Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analysis Reveals a Dynamic Interplay between Luteotropic and Luteolytic Factors in the Regulation of Corpus Luteum Function in the Bonnet Monkey (Macaca radiata)

Although LH is essential for survival and function of the corpus luteum (CL) in higher primates, luteolysis occurs during nonfertile cycles without a discernible decrease in circulating LH levels. Using genome-wide expression analysis, several experiments were performed to examine the processes of luteolysis and rescue of luteal function in monkeys. Induced luteolysis with GnRH receptor antagonist (Cetrorelix) resulted in differential regulation of 3949 genes, whereas replacement with exogenous LH (Cetrorelix plus LH) led to regulation of 4434 genes (1563 down-regulation and 2871 up-regulation). A model system for prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha-induced luteolysis in the monkey was standardized and demonstrated that PGF(2 alpha) regulated expression of 2290 genes in the CL. Analysis of the LH-regulated luteal transcriptome revealed that 120 genes were regulated in an antagonistic fashion by PGF(2 alpha). Based on the microarray data, 25 genes were selected for validation by real-time RT-PCR analysis, and expression of these genes was also examined in the CL throughout the luteal phase and from monkeys treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to mimic early pregnancy. The results indicated changes in expression of genes favorable to PGF(2 alpha) action during the late to very late luteal phase, and expressions of many of these genes were regulated in an opposite manner by exogenous hCG treatment. Collectively, the findings suggest that curtailment of expression of downstream LH-target genes possibly through PGF(2 alpha) action on the CL is among the mechanisms underlying cross talk between the luteotropic and luteolytic signaling pathways that result in the cessation of luteal function, but hCG is likely to abrogate the PGF(2 alpha)-responsive gene expression changes resulting in luteal rescue crucial for the maintenance of early pregnancy. (Endocrinology 150: 1473-1484, 2009)

Correlating The Features Of Topography To Friction By Sliding Experiments

Friction can influence the quality of the finished product to a large extent in certain manufacturing processes. Sheet metal forming is a particular case, where the friction between the hard-die and the relatively soft work-piece can be extremely important. Under such conditions, topography of the harder surface can influence the resistance to traction at the interface. This paper discusses about the correlation between certain features of the surface; topography and coefficient of friction based on experiments involving sliding of a few soft metal pins against a harder material. A brief description of the experimental procedure and the analysis are presented. A hybrid parameter which encapsulates both the amplitude features as well as the relative packing of peaks is shown to correlate well with the coefficient of friction.

Dynamic initiation toughness measu~ment using double Grooved discs

Among the multitude of test specimen geometries used for dynamic fiacture toughness evaluation, the most widely uscd specimen is lhc Chavpy specimen due its simple geomclry and availability of testing machines. The standard Chatpy specimen dimensions may llOl always give plane st~ain condilions and hence, it may be necessary Io coilduct lcs/s using specimens of dillEvcnt thicknesses to establish the plane strain K~a. An axisymmct/ic specimen, on the otlaev hand would always give flow constraints l~n a nominal specimen thickness i~rcspcctive of the test matctial. The notched disk specimen pVOl)oscd by Bcrn:ud ctal. [1] for static and dynamic initiation toughness measurement although p~ovicles plain-strain conditions, the crack plopagatcs at an angle to the direction of applied load. This makes inteq~retation of the test results difficult us it ~Ccluivcs ~actial slices to be cut fiom the fractured specimen to ascertain the angle o1 crack growth and a linite element model l~)r tl);t{ pa~ticulat ctack o~icntalion.

Dynamic strain ageing in Ni-base superalloy 720Li

An experimental investigation into the dynamic strain ageing (DSA) of a wrought Ni-base superalloy 720Li was conducted. Characteristics of jerky, flow have been studied at intermediate temperatures of 350, 400 and 450 degrees C at strain-rates between 10(-3) and 10(-5) s(-1). Serrations of Type C are predominant within the temperature/strain-rate range explored. The major characteristics of the serrations-i.e. (a) critical plastic strain for onset of serrations, epsilon(c); (b) average stress decrement, Delta sigma(avg); and (c) strain increment between serrations. Delta epsilon(BS)-have been examined at selected temperatures and strain-rates. Negative strain-rate sensitivity was observed in the DSA regime. However. temperature did not influence tensile properties such as yield strength, ultimate strength. elongation, reduction in area, and work hardening rate or fracture features in DSA regime. Analysis of the results Suggests that locking of the mobile dislocations by substitutional alloying elements is responsible for the DSA in alloy 720Li.

Dynamic analysis of small signal voltage instability decoupled from angle instability

This paper presents a methodology for dynamic analysis of short term small signal voltage instability in a multi-machine power system. The formulation of the problem is done by decoupling the angle instability from the voltage instability. The method is based on the incremental reactive current flow network (IRCFN), where the incremental reactive current injection at each bus is related to the incremental voltage magnitude at all the buses. Small signal stability using the eigenvalue analysis is illustrated utilizing a single-machine load bus (SMLB) and three-machine system examples. The role of a static var compensator (SVC) at the load bus is also examined.

Quasi-static and dynamic strain sensing using carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite thin films

Thin films are developed by dispersing carbon black nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an epoxy polymer. The films show a large variation in electrical resistance when subjected to quasi-static and dynamic mechanical loading. This phenomenon is attributed to the change in the band-gap of the CNTs due to the applied strain, and also to the change in the volume fraction of the constituent phases in the percolation network. Under quasi-static loading, the films show a nonlinear response. This nonlinearity in the response of the films is primarily attributed to the pre-yield softening of the epoxy polymer. The electrical resistance of the films is found to be strongly dependent on the magnitude and frequency of the applied dynamic strain, induced by a piezoelectric substrate. Interestingly, the resistance variation is found to be a linear function of frequency and dynamic strain. Samples with a small concentration of just 0.57% of CNT show a sensitivity as high as 2.5% MPa-1 for static mechanical loading. A mathematical model based on Bruggeman's effective medium theory is developed to better understand the experimental results. Dynamic mechanical loading experiments reveal a sensitivity as high as 0.007% Hz(-1) at a constant small-amplitude vibration and up to 0.13%/mu-strain at 0-500 Hz vibration. Potential applications of such thin films include highly sensitive strain sensors, accelerometers, artificial neural networks, artificial skin and polymer electronics.

Dynamic analysis and simulation of a VSC based Back-to-Back HVDC link

This paper presents the modeling and analysis of a voltage source converter (VSC) based back-to-back (BTB) HVDC link. The case study considers the response to changes in the active and reactive power and disturbance caused by single line to ground (SLG) fault. The controllers at each terminal are designed to inject a variable (magnitude and phase angle) sinusoidal, balanced set of voltages to regulate/control the active and reactive power. It is also possible to regulate the converter bus (AC) voltage by controlling the injected reactive power. The analysis is carried out using both d-q model (neglecting the harmonics in the output voltages of VSC) and three phase detailed model of VSC. While the eigenvalue analysis and controller design is based on the d-q model, the transient simulation considers both models.

A Proposal for Concurrent Estimation of Static and Dynamic Nonlinearity of ADC

Despite great advances in very large scale integrated-circuit design and manufacturing, performance of even the best available high-speed, high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is known to deteriorate while acquiring fast-rising, high-frequency, and nonrepetitive waveforms. Waveform digitizers (ADCs) used in high-voltage impulse recordings and measurements are invariably subjected to such waveforms. Errors resulting from a lowered ADC performance can be unacceptably high, especially when higher accuracies have to be achieved (e.g., when part of a reference measuring system). Static and dynamic nonlinearities (estimated independently) are vital indices for evaluating performance and suitability of ADCs to be used in such environments. Typically, the estimation of static nonlinearity involves 10-12 h of time or more (for a 12-b ADC) and the acquisition of millions of samples at high input frequencies for dynamic characterization. ADCs with even higher resolution and faster sampling speeds will soon become available. So, there is a need to reduce testing time for evaluating these parameters. This paper proposes a novel and time-efficient method for the simultaneous estimation of static and dynamic nonlinearity from a single test. This is achieved by conceiving a test signal, comprised of a high-frequency sinusoid (which addresses dynamic assessment) modulated by a low-frequency ramp (relevant to the static part). Details of implementation and results on two digitizers are presented and compared with nonlinearities determined by the existing standardized approaches. Good agreement in results and time savings achievable indicates its suitability.

On the shear deformation theory for dynamic analysis of beams

Timoshenko's shear deformation theory is widely used for the dynamical analysis of shear-flexible beams. This paper presents a comparative study of the shear deformation theory with a higher order model, of which Timoshenko's shear deformation model is a special case. Results indicate that while Timoshenko's shear deformation theory gives reasonably accurate information regarding the set of bending natural frequencies, there are considerable discrepancies in the information it gives regarding the mode shapes and dynamic response, and so there is a need to consider higher order models for the dynamical analysis of flexure of beams.

A Proposal for Concurrent Estimation of Static and Dynamic Nonlinearity of ADC

Despite great advances in very large scale integrated-circuit design and manufacturing, performance of even the best available high-speed, high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is known to deteriorate while acquiring fast-rising, high-frequency, and nonrepetitive waveforms. Waveform digitizers (ADCs) used in high-voltage impulse recordings and measurements are invariably subjected to such waveforms. Errors resulting from a lowered ADC performance can be unacceptably high, especially when higher accuracies have to be achieved (e.g., when part of a reference measuring system). Static and dynamic nonlinearities (estimated independently) are vital indices for evaluating performance and suitability of ADCs to be used in such environments. Typically, the estimation of static nonlinearity involves 10-12 h of time or more (for a 12-b ADC) and the acquisition of millions of samples at high input frequencies for dynamic characterization. ADCs with even higher resolution and faster sampling speeds will soon become available. So, there is a need to reduce testing time for evaluating these parameters. This paper proposes a novel and time-efficient method for the simultaneous estimation of static and dynamic nonlinearity from a single test. This is achieved by conceiving a test signal, comprised of a high-frequency sinusoid (which addresses dynamic assessment) modulated by a low-frequency ramp (relevant to the static part). Details of implementation and results on two digitizers are presented and compared with nonlinearities determined by the existing standardized approaches. Good agreement in results and time savings achievable indicates its suitability.

Modeling of dynamic material behavior in hot deformation: Forging of Ti-6242

A new method of modeling material behavior which accounts for the dynamic metallurgical processes occurring during hot deformation is presented. The approach in this method is to consider the workpiece as a dissipator of power in the total processing system and to evaluate the dissipated power co-contentJ = ∫o σ ε ⋅dσ from the constitutive equation relating the strain rate (ε) to the flow stress (σ). The optimum processing conditions of temperature and strain rate are those corresponding to the maximum or peak inJ. It is shown thatJ is related to the strain-rate sensitivity (m) of the material and reaches a maximum value(J max) whenm = 1. The efficiency of the power dissipation(J/J max) through metallurgical processes is shown to be an index of the dynamic behavior of the material and is useful in obtaining a unique combination of temperature and strain rate for processing and also in delineating the regions of internal fracture. In this method of modeling, noa priori knowledge or evaluation of the atomistic mechanisms is required, and the method is effective even when more than one dissipation process occurs, which is particularly advantageous in the hot processing of commercial alloys having complex microstructures. This method has been applied to modeling of the behavior of Ti-6242 during hot forging. The behavior of α+ β andβ preform microstructures has been exam-ined, and the results show that the optimum condition for hot forging of these preforms is obtained at 927 °C (1200 K) and a strain rate of 1CT•3 s•1. Variations in the efficiency of dissipation with temperature and strain rate are correlated with the dynamic microstructural changes occurring in the material.

1H and 13C dynamic NMR studies of NN-diethyl N'-aryl thioureas

The variable temperature 1H and 13C NMR behaviour of two trisubstituted thioureas, namely N,N-diethyl N'-(2-thiazolyl) thiourea and N,N-diethyl N'-(3-pyridyl)thiourea has been investigated. The barrier to rotation of the diethylamino group has been obtained.

A fuzzy logic based dynamic wave model inversion algorithm for canal regulation

A fuzzy logic based centralized control algorithm for irrigation canals is presented. Purpose of the algorithm is to control downstream discharge and water level of pools in the canal, by adjusting discharge release from the upstream end and gates settings. The algorithm is based on the dynamic wave model (Saint-Venant equations) inversion in space, wherein the momentum equation is replaced by a fuzzy rule based model, while retaining the continuity equation in its complete form. The fuzzy rule based model is developed on fuzzification of a new mathematical model for wave velocity, the derivational details of which are given. The advantages of the fuzzy control algorithm, over other conventional control algorithms, are described. It is transparent and intuitive, and no linearizations of the governing equations are involved. Timing of the algorithm and method of computation are explained. It is shown that the tuning is easy and the computations are straightforward. The algorithm provides stable, realistic and robust outputs. The disadvantage of the algorithm is reduced precision in its outputs due to the approximation inherent in the fuzzy logic. Feed back control logic is adopted to eliminate error caused by the system disturbances as well as error caused by the reduced precision in the outputs. The algorithm is tested by applying it to water level control problem in a fictitious canal with a single pool and also in a real canal with a series of pools. It is found that results obtained from the algorithm are comparable to those obtained from conventional control algorithms.