Contingent sensitivity to configuration in a nonlinear evolution system

A trans-scopic sensitivity of macroscopic failure to slight differentiation in the meso-scopic structure of a system with nonlinear evolution is reported. A periodical chain following a non-local load-sharing evolution was applied as a propotype in failure study. The results demonstrate that there is a transition region composed of globally stable (GS) and evolution induced catastrophic (EIC) modes. That is different from a critical threshold as predicted by percolation and renormalization group theories. Moreover, the EIC mode shows a distinctive sample specific behaviour. For instance, some neighbouring initial states may evolve into completely different final states, though different initial states can evolve into the same final states. As an example, a marginal configuration of EIC mode, a quasi-Fibonacci skeleton, is constructed.

Formation Mechanism of Cracks in Saturated Sand

The formation mechanism of “water film” (or crack) in saturated sand is analyzed theoretically and numerically. The theoretical analysis shows that there will be no stable “water film” in the saturated sand if the strength of the skeleton is zero and no positions are choked. It is shown by numerical simulation that stable water films initiate and grow if the choking state keeps unchanged once the fluid velocities decrease to zero in the liquefied sand column. The developments of “water film” based on the model presented in this paper are compared with experimental results.

Natural convection in metal foams with open cells

This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical study on natural convection in open-celled metal foams. The effective thermal conductivities of steel alloy (FeCrAlY) samples with different relative densities and cell sizes are measured with the guarded-hot-plate method. To examine the natural convection effect, the measurements are conducted under both vacuum and ambient conditions for a range of temperatures. The experimental results show that natural convection is very significant, accounting for up to 50% of the effective foam conductivity obtained at ambient pressure. This has been attributed to the high porosity (ε > 0.9) and inter-connected open cells of the metal foams studied. Morphological parameters characterizing open-celled FeCrAlY foams are subsequently identified and their cross-relationships are built. The non-equilibrium two-equation energy transfer model is employed, and selected calculations show that the non-equilibrium effect between the solid foam skeleton and air is significant. The study indicates that the combined parameter, i.e., the porous medium Rayleigh number, is no longer appropriate to correlate natural convection by itself when the Darcy number is sufficiently large as in the case of natural convection in open-celled metal foams. Good agreement between model predictions and experimental measurements is obtained. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cracks in saturated sand

The formation mechanism of water film (or crack) in saturated sand is analyzed numerically It is shown that there will be no stable "water film" in the saturated sand even if the strength of the skeleton is zero and no positions are choked. The stable water films initiate and grow if the choking state keeps unchangeable once the fluid velocities of one position decreases to zero in a liquefied sand column. A simplified method for evaluating the thickness of water film is presented according to a solidification wave theory. The theoretical results obtained by the simplified method are compared with the numerical results and the experimental results of Kokusho.

Study on the Mechanical Properties of the Tetrahydrofuran Hydrate Deposit

Pure tetrahydrofuran hydrate and tetrahydrofuran hydrate deposits with different materials as the skeleton are synthesized in our laboratory. A series of experiments are carried out to study the mechanical properties. The stress-strain curve, strength of pure tetrahydrofuran hydrate and hydrate deposit are obtained. Some phenomenon is explained.

Una nueva aproximación a la síntesis de heterociclos pirrolofusionados basada en la reacción de amidación de alquinos asistida por el reactivo de yodo hipervalente PIFA

458 p.

Structural Integrity of the Contralesional Hemisphere Predicts Cognitive Impairment in Ischemic Stroke at Three Months

After stroke, white matter integrity can be affected both locally and distally to the primary lesion location. It has been shown that tract disruption in mirror's regions of the contralateral hemisphere is associated with degree of functional impairment. Fourteen patients suffering right hemispheric focal stroke (S) and eighteen healthy controls (HC) underwent Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and neuropsychological assessment. The stroke patient group was divided into poor (SP; n = 8) and good (SG; n = 6) cognitive recovery groups according to their cognitive improvement from the acute phase (72 hours after stroke) to the subacute phase (3 months post-stroke). Whole-brain DWI data analysis was performed by computing Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) followed by Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS). Assessment of effects was obtained computing the correlation of the projections on TBSS skeleton of Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Radial Diffusivity (RD) with cognitive test results. Significant decrease of FA was found only in right brain anatomical areas for the S group when compared to the HC group. Analyzed separately, stroke patients with poor cognitive recovery showed additional significant FA decrease in several left hemisphere regions; whereas SG patients showed significant decrease only in the left genu of corpus callosum when compared to the HC. For the SG group, whole brain analysis revealed significant correlation between the performance in the Semantic Fluency test and the FA in the right hemisphere as well as between the performance in the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and theTrail Making Test-part A and the FA in the left hemisphere. For the SP group, correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between the performance in the GPT and the FA in the right hemisphere. Palabras clave

Work and energy equations and the principle of generalized effective stress for unsaturated soils

The effective stress principle has been efficiently applied to saturated soils in the soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering practice; however, its applicability to unsaturated soils is still under debate. The appropriate selection of stress state variables is essential for the construction of constitutive models for unsaturated soils. Owing to the complexity of unsaturated soils, it is difficult to determine the deformation and strength behaviors of unsaturated soils uniquely with the previous single-effective-stress variable theory and two-effective-stress-variable theory in all the situations. In this paper, based on the porous media theory, the specific expression of work is proposed, and the effective stress of unsaturated soils conjugated with the displacement of the soil skeleton is further derived. In the derived work and energy balance equations, the energy dissipation in unsaturated soils is taken into account. According to the derived work and energy balance equations, all of the three generalized stresses and the conjugated strains have effects on the deformation of unsaturated soils. For considering these effects, a principle of generalized effective stress to describe the behaviors of unsaturated soils is proposed. The proposed principle of generalized effective stress may reduce to the previous effective stress theory of single-stress variable or the two-stress variables under certain conditions. This principle provides a helpful reference for the development of constitutive models for unsaturated soils.

Numerical Simulation of Liquefaction Deformation of Sand Layer around Bucket Foundations under Dynamic Loadings

Bucket Foundations under Dynamic Loadings The liquefaction deformation of sand layer around a bucket foundation is simulated under equivalent dynamic ice-induced loadings. A simplified numerical model is presented by taking the bucket-soil interaction into consideration. The development of vertical and horizontal liquefaction deformations are computed under equivalent dynamic ice-induced loadings. Firstly, the numerical model and results are proved to be reliable by comparing them with the centrifuge testing results. Secondly, the factors and the development characteristics of liquefaction deformation are analyzed. Finally, the following numerical simulation results are obtained: the liquefaction deformation of sand layer increases with the increase of loading amplitude and with the decrease of loading frequency and sand skeleton’s strength. The maximum vertical deformation is located on the sand layer surface and 1/4 times of the bucket’s height apart from the bucket’s side wall (loading boundary). The maximum horizontal deformation occurs at the loading boundary. When the dynamic loadings is applied for more than 5 hours, the vertical deformation on the sand layer surface reaches 3 times that at the bottom, and the horizontal deformation at 2.0 times of the bucket height apart from the loading boundary is 3.3% of which on the loading boundary.

Characterization and developmental regulation of a gene expressed specifically in the skeletogenic lineage of the sea urchin embryo

The sea urchin embryonic skeleton, or spicule, is deposited by mesenchymal progeny of four precursor cells, the micromeres, which are determined to the skeletogenic pathway by a process known as cytoplasmic localization. A gene encoding one of the major products of the skeletogenic mesenchyme, a prominent 50 kD protein of the spicule matrix, has been characterized in detail. cDNA clones were first isolated by antibody screening of a phage expression library, followed by isolation of homologous genomic clones. The gene, known as SM50, is single copy in the sea urchin genome, is divided into two exons of 213 and 1682 bp, and is expressed only in skeletogenic cells. Transcripts are first detectable at the 120 cell stage, shortly after the segregation of the skeletogenic precursors from the rest of the embryo. The SM50 open reading frame begins within the first exon, is 450 amino acids in length, and contains a loosely repeated 13 amino acid motif rich in acidic residues which accounts for 45% of the protein and which is possibly involved in interaction with the mineral phase of the spicule.

The important cis-acting regions of the SM50 gene necessary for proper regulation of expression were identified by gene transfer experiments. A 562 bp promoter fragment, containing 438 bp of 5' promoter sequence and 124 bp of the SM50 first exon (including the SM50 initiation codon), was both necessary and sufficient to direct high levels of expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene specifically in the skeletogenic cells. Removal of promoter sequences between positions -2200 and -438, and of transcribed regions downstream of +124 (including the SM50 intron), had no effect on the spatial or transcriptional activity of the transgenes.

Regulatory proteins that interact with the SM50 promoter were identified by the gel retardation assay, using bulk embryo mesenchyme blastula stage nuclear proteins. Five protein binding sites were identified and mapped to various degrees of resolution. Two sites are homologous, may be enhancer elements, and at least one is required for expression. Two additional sites are also present in the promoter of the aboral ectoderm specific cytoskeletal actin gene CyIIIa; one of these is a CCAA T element, the other a putative repressor element. The fifth site overlaps the binding site of the putative repressor and may function as a positive regulator by interfering with binding of the repressor. All of the proteins are detectable in nuclear extracts prepared from 64 cell stage embryos, a stage just before expression of SM50 is initiated, as well as from blastula and gastrula stage; the putative enhancer binding protein may be maternal as well.

Eggs, Larvae and Young of The Striped Bass, Roccus saxatilis

Detailed descriptions of the early development of the striped bass, Roccus saxitilis (Walbaum), with emphasis on variation in size and morphology, sequence of fin formation, changes in body form, and attainment of the full complement of maristic numbers, are presented and illustrated for the first time. The egg is spherical, transparent, non-adhesive and relatively large. It is pelagic and buoyant, although it sinks in quiet fresh water. When unfertilized, it averages 1.3 mm, in diameter, but is 3.4 mm. when fertilized and water-hardened. The granular yolk sac, green when alive and whitish-yellow when preserved, averages 1.2 mm., and the single amber-colored oil globule is about 0.6 mm. in diameter. Newly hatched striped bass prolarvae, which range from 2.9-3.7 mm. in total length, are relatively undeveloped and nearly transparent, with no mouth opening, unpigmented eyes, and a greatly enlarged yolk sac with the large oil globule projecting beyond the head. When 5-6 mm. long the yolk sac and oil globule are assimilated and the postlarvae I show advanced development of the internal anatomy. Although the fish is still transparent, scattered melanophores are found on the head and body and chromatophores in the eyes and the ventro-posterior edge of the body. Postlarvae transform to young between 7 and 10 mm. in length when the finfolds are lost except in the dorsal, anal and caudal regions. The largest fish in this group possess a well-formed skeleton with a full complement of 25 vertebrae. Between 10 and 20 mm. in length all fish are fully transformed, muscular tissue renders most of the internal structure obscure, and the myotomes, which generally correspond in number with the vertebrae, are no longer visible. At fish lengths of 20-30 mm. scales are found on all specimens, and with the exception of the pectoral fin-rays, a full complement of meristic structures is present in all other fins. At this stage the body is pigmented uniformly with small spots. Linear regressions between several dependent variables and the , independent variable of standard length indicate that the rate of development of head, eye. and snout to anus lengths is proportional to the length of the larvae and young. Body depth and standard length are non-linear among newly-hatched larvae. Hatchery-reared striped bass demonstrated a slow rate of growth, and were regarded as "stunted," when compared to growth rates observed in another study and field collections. Observations were also made on abnormal eggs and teratological larvae and young. Blue-sac disease is tentatively identified and described for the first time in larvae and pugnosed larvae and young are also described for the first time in striped bass.

I. The crystal structure of a new dimer of triphenylfluorocyclobutadiene. II. A low temperature refinement of the cyanuric triazide structure

I. THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A NEW DIMER OF TRIPHENYLFLUOROCYCLOBUTADIENE

The crystal structure of thermal isomer of the “head-to-head” dimer of triphenylfluorocyclobutadiene was determined by the direct method. The Σ₂ relationship involving the low angle reflections with the largest E’s were found and solved for the signs by the symbolic method of Zachariasen. The structure was seen in the electron density map and the E-map, and was refined antisotropically by the method of least squares. The residual R was 0.065.

The structure is a gem-difluorohexaphenyldihydropentalene. All of the phenyl groups are planar as it is the cyclopentadiene ring of the dihydropentalene skeleton. Overcrowding at the position of the flourines causes some deviations from the normal bond angles in the cyclopentene ring.

The list of observed and calculated structure factors on pages 32-34 will not be legible on the microfilm. Photographic copies may be obtained from the California Institute of Technology.

II. A LOW TEMPERATURE REFINEMENT OF THE CYANURIC TRIAZIDE STRUCTURE

The structure of cyanuric triazide was refined anisotropically by the method of least squares. Three-dimensional intensity data, which has been collected photographically with MoK_α radiation at -110˚C, were used in the refinement. The residual R was reduced to 0.081.

The structure is completely planar, and there is no significant bond alternation in the cyanuric ring. The packing of the molecules causes the azide groups to deviate from linearity by 8 degrees.

Auto-ensamblaje de unidades porfirínicas para la obtención de dispositivos supramoleculares

40 p. : il.

Large three-photon absorption and intramolecular charge transfer of the bis-donor fluorene-based molecules

Three-photon absorption (3PA) of two fluorene-based molecules with D-pi-D structural motifs (abbreviated as BPAF and BCZF) has been determined by using a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser pumped with 38 ps pulses at 1064 nm in DMF. The measured 3PA cross-sections are 222 and 140 x 10(-78) cm(6) s(2) for BPAF and BCZF, respectively. AM1 calculations show that attaching different donors changes the charge density distribution of the fluorene skeleton, and it is observed that the 3PA cross-section can be enhanced with increasing intramolecular charge transfer character, measured by the parameter Delta p(1)/Delta p(2)/Delta p(1)'. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.

Structural Integrity of the Contralesional Hemisphere Predicts Cognitive Impairment in Ischemic Stroke at Three Months

After stroke, white matter integrity can be affected both locally and distally to the primary lesion location. It has been shown that tract disruption in mirror's regions of the contralateral hemisphere is associated with degree of functional impairment. Fourteen patients suffering right hemispheric focal stroke (S) and eighteen healthy controls (HC) underwent Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and neuropsychological assessment. The stroke patient group was divided into poor (SP; n = 8) and good (SG; n = 6) cognitive recovery groups according to their cognitive improvement from the acute phase (72 hours after stroke) to the subacute phase (3 months post-stroke). Whole-brain DWI data analysis was performed by computing Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) followed by Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS). Assessment of effects was obtained computing the correlation of the projections on TBSS skeleton of Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Radial Diffusivity (RD) with cognitive test results. Significant decrease of FA was found only in right brain anatomical areas for the S group when compared to the HC group. Analyzed separately, stroke patients with poor cognitive recovery showed additional significant FA decrease in several left hemisphere regions; whereas SG patients showed significant decrease only in the left genu of corpus callosum when compared to the HC. For the SG group, whole brain analysis revealed significant correlation between the performance in the Semantic Fluency test and the FA in the right hemisphere as well as between the performance in the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and theTrail Making Test-part A and the FA in the left hemisphere. For the SP group, correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between the performance in the GPT and the FA in the right hemisphere.