Parametric finite element analyses of geocellsupported embankments

This paper presents the results from parametric finite element analyses of geocell-supported embankments constructed on weak foundation soils. A composite model is used to numerically simulate the improvement in the strength and stiffness of the soil as a result of geocell confinement. The shear strength of the geocell-encased soil is obtained as a function of the additional confining pressure due to the geocell encasement considering it as a thin cylinder subjected to internal pressure. The stiffness of the geocell-encased soil is obtained from the stiffness of the unreinforced soil and the tensile modulus of the geocell material using an empirical equation. The validity of the model is verified by simulating the laboratory experiments on model geocell-supported embankments. Parametric finite element analyses of the geocell-supported embankments are carried out by varying the dimensions of the geocell layer, the tensile strength of the material used for fabricating the geocell layer, the properties of the infill soil, and the depth of the foundation layer. Some important guidelines for selecting the geocell reinforcement to support embankments on weak foundation soils are established through these numerical studies.

Theoretical and Experimental Studies on an Ammonia-Based Loop Heat Pipe With a Flat Evaporator

An ammonia loop heat pipe (LHP) with a flat plate evaporator is developed and tested. The device uses a nickel wick encased in an aluminum-stainless steel casing. The loop is tested for various heat loads and different sink temperatures, and it demonstrated reliable startup characteristics. Results with the analysis of the experimental observation indicate that the conductance between the compensation chamber and the heater plate can significantly influence the operating temperatures of the LHP. A mathematical model is also presented which is validated against the experimental observations.

Parametric instability of stochastic columns

Columns which have stochastically distributed Young's modulus and mass density and are subjected to deterministic periodic axial loadings are considered. The general case of a column supported on a Winkler elastic foundation of random stiffness and also on discrete elastic supports which are also random is considered. Material property fluctuations are modeled as independent one-dimensional univariate homogeneous real random fields in space. In addition to autocorrelation functions or their equivalent power spectral density functions, the input random fields are characterized by scale of fluctuations or variance functions for their second order properties. The foundation stiffness coefficient and the stiffnesses of discrete elastic supports are treated to constitute independent random variables. The system equations of boundary frequencies are obtained using Bolotin's method for deterministic systems. Stochastic FEM is used to obtain the discrete system with random as well as periodic coefficients. Statistical properties of boundary frequencies are derived in terms of input parameter statistics. A complete covariance structure is obtained. The equations developed are illustrated using a numerical example employing a practical correlation structure.

A physics-based flexural phonon-dependent thermal conductivity model for single layer graphene

In this paper, we address a physics-based closed-form analytical model of flexural phonon-dependent diffusive thermal conductivity (kappa) of suspended rectangular single layer graphene sheet. A quadratic dependence of the out-of-plane phonon frequency, generally called flexural phonons, on the phonon wave vector has been taken into account to analyze the behavior of kappa at lower temperatures. Such a dependence has further been used for the determination of second-order three-phonon Umklapp and isotopic scatterings. We find that these behaviors in our model are best explained through the upper limit of Debye cut-off frequency in the second-order three-phonon Umklapp scattering of the long phonon waves that actually remove the thermal conductivity singularity by contributing a constant scattering rate at low frequencies and note that the out-of-plane Gruneisen parameter for these modes need not be too high. Using this, we clearly demonstrate that. follows a T-1.5 and T-2 law at lower and higher temperatures in the absence of isotopes, respectively. However in their presence, the behavior of kappa sharply deviates from the T-2 law at higher temperatures. The present geometry-dependent model of kappa is found to possess an excellent match with various experimental data over a wide range of temperatures which can be put forward for efficient electro-thermal analyses of encased/supported graphene.

Ultrafast photoinduced enhancement of nonlinear optical response in 15-atom gold clusters on indium tin oxide conducting film

We show that the third order optical nonlinearity of 15-atom gold clusters is significantly enhanced when in contact with indium tin oxide (ITO) conducting film. Open and close aperture z-scan experiments together with non-degenerate pump-probe differential transmission experiments were done using 80 fs laser pulses centered at 395 nm and 790 nm on gold clusters encased inside cyclodextrin cavities. We show that two photon absorption coefficient is enhanced by an order of magnitude as compared to that when the clusters are on pristine glass plate. The enhancement for the nonlinear optical refraction coefficient is similar to 3 times. The photo-induced excited state absorption using pump-probe experiments at pump wavelength of 395 nm and probe at 790 nm also show an enhancement by an order of magnitude. These results attributed to the excited state energy transfer in the coupled gold cluster-ITO system are different from the enhancement seen so far in charge donor-acceptor complexes and nanoparticle-conjugate polymer composites.

Large Diameter Triaxial Tests on Geosynthetic-Reinforced Granular Subbases

The estimation of strength and stiffness of reinforced aggregates is very important for the design and construction of reinforced unpaved/paved road sections. This paper presents the experimental results from static and cyclic triaxial tests carried out on granular subbase samples reinforced with multiple layers of geogrid reinforcement. Aggregates of different size ranges were mixed in calculated proportions by weight to obtain the gradation specified for rural roads. Triaxial samples of 300 mm diameter and 600 mm height were prepared using this sampled aggregate. The strength and stiffness characteristics of this aggregate reinforced with geogrids at different elevations were determined from static and cyclic triaxial tests. Triaxial tests were also carried out on geocell encased aggregates, and the results are compared. From the experimental results it is observed that reinforced systems carried more stresses than unreinforced systems at the same strain level. The beneficial effect increased with increase in the quantity of reinforcement, whereas for geocell reinforcement, the advantage was evident only at higher strains. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.

A low-power, low-cost soil-moisture sensor using dual-probe heat-pulse technique

This paper presents the development and testing of an integrated low-power and low-cost dual-probe heat-pulse (DPHP) soil-moisture sensor in view of the electrical power consumed and affordability in developing countries. A DPHP sensor has two probes: a heater and a temperature sensor probe spaced 3 mm apart from the heater probe. Supply voltage of 3.3V is given to the heater-coil having resistance of 33 Omega power consumption of 330 mW, which is among the lowest in this category of sensors. The heater probe is 40 mm long with 2 mm diameter and hence is stiff enough to be inserted into the soil. The parametric finite element simulation study was performed to ensure that the maximum temperature rise is between 1 degrees C and 5 degrees C for wet and dry soils, respectively. The discrepancy between the simulation and experiment is less than 3.2%. The sensor was validated with white clay and tested with red soil samples to detect volumetric water-content ranging from 0% to 30%. The sensor element is integrated with low-power electronics for amplifying the output from thermocouple sensor and TelosB mote for wireless communication. A 3.7V lithium ion battery with capacity of 1150 mAh is used to power the system. The battery is charged by a 6V and 300 mA solar cell array. Readings were taken in 30 min intervals. The life-time of DPHP sensor node is around 3.6 days. The sensor, encased in 30 mm x 20 mm x 10 mm sized box, and integrated with electronics was tested independently in two separate laboratories for validating as well as investigating the dependence of the measurement of soil-moisture on the density of the soil. The difference in the readings while repeating the experiments was found out to be less than 0.01%. Furthermore, the effect of ambient temperature on the measurement of soil-moisture is studied experimentally and computationally. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regulation of Growth, Cell Shape, Cell Division, and Gene Expression by Second Messengers (p)ppGpp and Cyclic Di-GMP in Mycobacterium smegmatis

The alarmone (p)ppGpp regulates transcription, translation, replication, virulence, lipid synthesis, antibiotic sensitivity, biofilm formation, and other functions in bacteria. Signaling nucleotide cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) regulates biofilm formation, motility, virulence, the cell cycle, and other functions. In Mycobacterium smegmatis, both (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP are synthesized and degraded by bifunctional proteins Rel(Msm) and DcpA, encoded by rel(Msm) and dcpA genes, respectively. We have previously shown that the Delta rel(Msm) and Delta dcpA knockout strains are antibiotic resistant and defective in biofilm formation, show altered cell surface properties, and have reduced levels of glycopeptidolipids and polar lipids in their cell wall (K. R. Gupta, S. Kasetty, and D. Chatterji, Appl Environ Microbiol 81:2571-2578, 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.03999-14). In this work, we have explored the phenotypes that are affected by both (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP in mycobacteria. We have shown that both (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP are needed to maintain the proper growth rate under stress conditions such as carbon deprivation and cold shock. Scanning electron microscopy showed that low levels of these second messengers result in elongated cells, while high levels reduce the cell length and embed the cells in a biofilm-like matrix. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that the elongated Delta rel(Msm) and Delta dcpA cells are multinucleate, while transmission electron microscopy showed that the elongated cells are multiseptate. Gene expression analysis also showed that genes belonging to functional categories such as virulence, detoxification, lipid metabolism, and cell-wall-related processes were differentially expressed. Our results suggests that both (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP affect some common phenotypes in M. smegmatis, thus raising a possibility of cross talk between these two second messengers in mycobacteria. IMPORTANCE Our work has expanded the horizon of (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP signaling in Gram-positive bacteria. We have come across a novel observation that M. smegmatis needs (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP for cold tolerance. We had previously shown that the Delta rel(Msm) and Delta dcpA strains are defective in biofilm formation. In this work, the overproduction of (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP encased M. smegmatis in a biofilm-like matrix, which shows that both (p) ppGpp and c-di-GMP are needed for biofilm formation. The regulation of cell length and cell division by (p) ppGpp was known in mycobacteria, but our work shows that c-di-GMP also affects the cell size and cell division in mycobacteria. This is perhaps the first report of c-di-GMP regulating cell division in mycobacteria.

Dynamics and scaling of self-excited passive vortex generators for underwater propulsion

A series of experiments was conducted on the use of a device to passively generate vortex rings, henceforth a passive vortex generator (PVG). The device is intended as a means of propulsion for underwater vehicles, as the use of vortex rings has been shown to decrease the fuel consumption of a vehicle by up to 40% Ruiz (2010).

The PVG was constructed out of a collapsible tube encased in a rigid, airtight box. By adjusting the pressure within the airtight box while fluid was flowing through the tube, it was possible to create a pulsed jet with vortex rings via self-excited oscillations of the collapsible tube.

A study of PVG integration into an existing autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system was conducted. A small AUV was used to retrofit a PVG with limited alterations to the original vehicle. The PVG-integrated AUV was used for self-propelled testing to measure the hydrodynamic (Froude) efficiency of the system. The results show that the PVG-integrated AUV had a 22% increase in the Froude efficiency using a pulsed jet over a steady jet. The maximum increase in the Froude efficiency was realized when the formation time of the pulsed jet, a nondimensional time to characterize vortex ring formation, was coincident with vortex ring pinch-off. This is consistent with previous studies that indicate that the maximization of efficiency for a pulsed jet vehicle is realized when the formation of vortex rings maximizes the vortex ring energy and size.

The other study was a parameter study of the physical dimensions of a PVG. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the tube diameter and length on the oscillation characteristics such as the frequency. By changing the tube diameter and length by factors of 3, the frequency of self-excited oscillations was found to scale as f~D_0^{-1/2} L_0^0, where D_0 is the tube diameter and L_0 the tube length. The mechanism of operation is suggested to rely on traveling waves between the tube throat and the end of the tube. A model based on this mechanism yields oscillation frequencies that are within the range observed by the experiment.

A short thesis on arc-welding

During the past few years the attention of architects, engineers and others encased in or connected with the building industry has been attracted to the possibilities of the application of welding processes to the joining of structural members. As oxy-acetylene welding was developed before electric arc welding became perfected it was only natural that the gas torch should be first considered. It developed however on examination of the two processes that while acetylene welding gave better results in most cases it was only in the hands of experts that it could consistently outscore the arc as a welding medium. Arc-welding has the advantage over the acetylene process, where each individual operator must use his own judgement as to the proper flame, in that a squad of arc-welders can work under the direction of a single expert supervisor who accepts the responsibility of fixing the current value and of determining the proper size of welding rod to be used on any given type of work.

Identidade, exílio e memória: representações da cultura árabe na ficção brasileira contemporânea

Ao trazer registros de como a cultura árabe ou o imigrante árabe foi representado pela literatura brasileira desde os escritos coloniais, pretendemos refletir sobre a ficção brasileira contemporânea, que, diferentemente dos períodos anteriores, lança um olhar profundo sobre a imigração árabe para o Brasil, o que possibilita uma releitura do processo de inserção do imigrante na sociedade brasileira, principalmente para os descendentes de primeira e segunda geração. O corpus escolhido é composto por duas narrativas: o romance Dois irmãos (2000), de Milton Assi Hatoum, escritor manaura, nascido em 1950, filho de imigrantes árabes sírio-libaneses; e a narrativa O enigma de Qaf (2004), de Alberto Mussa, carioca, nascido em 1961, neto de imigrantes árabes. Nossa pesquisa busca demonstrar que as obras ficcionais de escritores descendentes de imigrantes permitem uma reflexão densa sobre os conflitos da condição migrante, porém numa perspectiva diferente da visão estereotipada ou mesmo de uma tematização preconceituosa. Entendemos ser a literatura um espaço privilegiado para trazer à tona outras visões sobre a cultura árabe, deixando de lado, consequentemente, a única história já delineada pelo colonizador europeu, aquela contida nos livros didáticos, divulgada nos grandes meios de comunicação de massa e na história universal, segundo a qual os árabes são terroristas, fundamentalistas, desumanos, opressores da mulher, o turco da prestação, o vendedor ambulante. Trata-se, assim, de adotar um viés pós-colonial, segundo os estudos de Eloína Patri dos Santos (2005), na medida em que, sob tal viés, o colonizado pode relatar a sua experiência, de acordo com a sua própria versão, com a sua voz. A análise é elaborada por meio de três eixos: o ethos identitário, o pathos do exílio e o logos da memória. Com a abordagem desses eixos, buscamos enfatizar a construção, nos dois romances, de um espaço de enriquecimento cultural por meio de personagens despidos de exageros folclóricos, de uma ambientação sem exotismos, da tematização de ritos árabes sem estereótipos, e, principalmente, do maior legado da cultura árabe para a humanidade: a língua árabe. Buscamos, dessa forma, contribuir para uma maior compreensão da ficção brasileira contemporânea, além de colaborar com as pesquisas que tratam das representações e figurações do árabe produzidas no Brasil

Oogenesis and spawn formation in the invasive lionfish, Pterois miles and Pterois volitans

The Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois miles and P. volitans, have recently invaded the U.S. east coast and the Caribbean and pose a significant threat to native reef fish communities. Few studies have documented reproduction in pteroines from the Indo-Pacific. This study provides a description of oogenesis and spawn formation in P. miles and P. volitans collected from offshore waters of North Carolina, U.S.A and the Bahamas. Using histological and laboratory observations, we found no differences in reproductive biology between P. miles and P. volitans. These lionfish spawn buoyant eggs that are encased in a hollow mass of mucus produced by specialized secretory cells of the ovarian wall complex. Oocytes develop on highly vascularized peduncles with all oocyte stages present in the ovary of spawning females and the most mature oocytes placed terminally, near the ovarian lumen. Given these ovarian characteristics, these lionfish are asynchronous, indeterminate batch spawners and are thus capable of sustained reproduction throughout the year when conditions are suitable. This mode of reproduction could have contributed to the recent and rapid establishment of these lionfish in the northwestern Atlantic and Caribbean.

Mechanisms of projectile penetration in Dyneema® encapsulated aluminum structures

Polymer composites comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHWMPE) fibers in a compliant matrix are now widely used in ballistic applications with varying levels of success. This is primarily due to a poor understanding of the mechanics of penetration of these composites in ballistic protection systems. In this study, we report experimental observations of the penetration mechanisms in four model systems impacted by a 12.7 mm diameter spherical steel projectile. The four model targets designed to highlight different penetration mechanisms in Dyneema® UHWMPE composites were: (i) a bare aluminum plate; (ii) the same plate fully encased in a 5.9 mm thick casing of Dyneema®; (iii) the fully encased plate with a portion of the Dyneema® removed from the front face so that the projectile impacts directly the Al plate; and (iv) the fully encased plate with a portion of the Dyneema® removed from the rear face so that the projectile can exit the Al plate without again interacting with the Dyneema®. A combination of synchronized high speed photography with three cameras, together with post-test examination of the targets via X-ray tomography and optical microscopy was used to elucidate the deformation and perforation mechanisms. The measurements show that the ballistic resistance of these targets increases in the order: bare Al plate, rear face cutout target, fully encased target and front face cutout target. These findings are explained based on the following key findings: (a) the ballistic performance of Dyneema® plates supported on a foundation is inferior to Dyneema® plates supported along their edges; (b) the apparent ballistic resistance of Dyneema® plates increases if the plates are given an initial velocity prior to the impact by the projectile, thereby reducing the relative velocity between the Dyneema® plate and projectile; and (c) when the projectile is fragmented prior to impact, the spatially and temporally distributed loading enhances the ballistic resistance of the Dyneema®. The simple model targets designed here have elucidated mechanisms by which Dyneema® functions in multi-material structures. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Photoluminescence from surface-oxidized Ge nanoclusters

Photoluminescence from gas-evaporated Ge nanoclusters consisting of a crystalline core encased in an oxide shell are presented. An as-grown sample shows room temperature luminescence with separate peaks around 357 and 580 nm. Prolonged air exposure of the clusters reduces the Ge core dimensions, and the emission initially at 580 nm shifts to 420 nm; however, the violet luminescence at 357 nm displays no difference. These results indicate that there are two mechanisms involved with light emission from Ge nanoclusters, visible light emission associated with the quantum confinement effect, and violet light emission correlated to luminescent centers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Towards the identification of the common features of bacterial biofilm development

UPNa. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología. Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos