Generalizations and specializations of cohesive crack models

This paper presents an overview of the cohesive crack model, one of the basic models used so far to describe the fracture of concrete and other quasibrittle materials. Recent developments and needs for further research are discussed. The displayed evidence and the discussion are based on considering the cohesive crack model as a constitutive assumption rather than an ad hoc model for the behaviour ahead of a preexisting crack. Topics addressed are fracture of unnotched specimens, mixed mode fracture, diffuse cracking, anomalous stress-strain curves, size effect and asymptotic analysis, and strength of structural elements with notches.     

Electron microscopic observations of inclusion complexes of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins

Inclusion complexes of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins (α-, β-, and γ-CyDs) were prepared with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA), respectively. By observing respective inclusion complexes by transmission electron microscopy, it was found that the crystalline complexes grew as follows: (1) α-CyD-PEO complexes formed a hexagonal crystal, (2) β-CyD-PPO complexes crystallized with hexagonal lateral packing of molecular columns with their axes tilted at the basal plane, and (3) γ-CyD-PEA crystallized in a tetragonal form with a super lattice with cell dimensions a=b=13.40 nm, which consisted of sub-cell with cell dimensions a′=b′=1.657 nm. No diffuse scattering was observed in the electron diffraction pattern of complexes of α-CyD-PEO and β-CyD-PPO, because disordering of guest molecules within host channels gave no diffuse scattering as long as host molecules were arrayed in an ordered way. γ-CyD-PEA complexes gave characteristic streaky diffuse scattering along a^* and b^*. Stacking faults occurred in γ-CyD-PEA complexes.     

An easily built diffuse illumination system effective at both very low and moderate magnifications, for observing in situ stained slides

Effective study of in situ stained sections often requires illumination that is difficult to achieve with commonly used research microscopes. One must be able to switch quickly and conveniently from the very lowest to moderate magnifications. At all magnifications contrast due to light scatter must be minimized, so that the weak staining that signifies low gene expression can be observed reliably. For the lowest power objectives (e.g., 1.25× or 2×) many microscopes require that the condenser be removed to illuminate the full field of view. This is not only very inconvenient when switching magnifications, but without a condenser the low numerical aperture of the illuminating light beam results in unwanted contrast due to light scatter. We have devised a simple system that diffusely illuminates the full field of view of the lowest power objective (1.25×) and has high enough numerical aperture for use with the 25× and 40× objectives. A key feature is the use of a large diameter ring light (internal diameter 5.8 cm), placed on the microscope base, to illuminate a large diameter diffuser placed just below the slide.     

Upgrading system-oriented ecotoxicological research

In the 1990s the Dutch government expressed the need to investigate the impacts of diffuse pollution at (sub)-ecosystem levels. The resulting Netherlands Stimulation Programme on System-oriented Ecotoxicological Research (SSEO programme) ran from 1998 to 2006. Its primary objective was to assess the impacts of low- to medium-level, diffuse, multiple contaminations on ecosystems. The research results were intended as underpinning for policies on environmental, conservation and nature issues. Research was carried out at three sites that were selected because of their importance for nature management and the presence of diffuse contamination. These sites were: a river meadow/floodplain area (Afferdensche en Deestsche Waarden), an estuarine reed-land area (Biesbosch) and an area of lowland peat soils that had been contaminated with urban waste in past centuries (De Ronde Venen).This introductory paper describes the set-up of the programme, the types of diffuse contamination, the interactions between pollutants and other stress factors, the various methodologies used to integrate the effects on (sub)ecosystem level, and the consequences for formulating policies for and the management of these types of locations.The results of the programme are diverse and complicated and show how difficult it is to draw firm, unambiguous, generic conclusions about the effects at the ‘total’ ecosystem level. It is however, possible to draw conclusions about effects on major components of ecosystems:

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The distribution of contaminants, both from a spatial, chemical and ecotoxicological point of view, plays a decisive role in actual effect levels. Even when total contaminant loads are high, such as in estuarine and floodplain areas, bioavailability may be so low that the actual effects are limited. The irregular, heterogeneous, spatial distribution of contaminants in the soil further complicates effect studies, impact assessments and monitoring.

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Various stress factors, other than contaminants, both natural and anthropogenic, also play a role. The negative effect of the repeated inundation of floodplain areas, for instance, greatly interferes with the impact of contaminants in the lower soil layers.

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A major problem is to find a method to extrapolate the observations from individual and population levels to the ecosystem level. In addition to traditional food-chain models and similar approaches, the potential of other, not yet extensively explored, ecosystem interaction mechanisms is discussed.

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Finally, the results have to be interpreted from a policy point of view, both for national soil policies and for implementing the EU Soil Strategy regulations.

     

Large electrostrictive effect and dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-BaZrO3 ceramics

Electrostrictive materials are sought after in high-precision displacement actuators due to their ultra-low hysteresis electrostrain. Here we report a very promising electrostrictive material by doping barium zirconate into a sodium potassium niobate matrix. Also, the dielectric behaviors and electrostrictive properties of (1-x)K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃-xBaZrO₃ (x = 0.10, 0.12, 0.14 and 0.16) ceramics are investigated in details. The doping of barium zirconate allows the diffuse phase transition to occur near room temperature. Diffuse dielectric anomalies at high temperatures are observed in poled ceramics, which are closely related to the activation of defects. High electrostrain (～0.1 %) with ultra-low strain hysteresis (< 12 %) are obtained at x = 0.14. Moreover, electrostrain exhibits excellent stability over a wide temperature range from 30 ℃ to 120 ℃.Further, the electrostrictive coefficient of ～0.066 m⁴/C² for the component was determined at high temperatures and high electric fields, demonstrating the excellent potential of the K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃-BaZrO₃ solid solutions as electrostrictive materials.     

超大容量电容器单元制造生产线研发

介绍了单元制造生产线的研发背景和工艺流程,介绍了生产线的组成,分析了生产线在设计调试过程中的主要技术难点及其设计上有待完善之处。强调各种气动机械手在生产线各环节的衔接作用。该线的交付,填补了国内单元制造自动化生产技术的空白。     

Analysis of experimental data on diffuse solar radiation in Athens,Greece, for building applications

Proper design and performance prediction of solar energy systems requires accurate information on the availability of solar radiation. The diffuse-to-total radiation correlation, originally developed by Liu and Jordan, has been extensively used as the technique and provided excellent results, although it was latitude dependent and not universally applicable. Thus, diffuse fraction correlations of this type have been developed by few other authors and for different location. This paper presents an analysis of hourly diffuse radiation on a horizontal surface. Hourly pyranometer data from Athens, Greece, are used to establish relationships between the diffuse fraction and the clearness index k _T for hourly and daily values. The results of the proposed equations are then compared with earlier equations. For the urban conditions of Athens the developed correlation fit to the empirical data.     

JOINT MODELING OF MEAN AND DISPERSION

Multivariate calibration is frequently used for the quantitative analysis of a wide variety of materials using spectroscopy in the agricultural and food industries, manufacturing industries, medical sciences, and pharmaceutical industries. To date, most of the research activities in the multivariate calibration literature have focused on data analysis for model building and prediction with methods such as principal-components regression or partial least squares regression. As an alternative to focusing on data-analytic activities, we consider the ability of an experimental design to improve the robustness of the resulting calibration model. Through an example involving diffuse reflectance measurements, we illustrate how consideration of environmental and instrumental factors during the experimental design phase can result in a calibration model that is robust (against natural environmental and instrument variations) and easy to maintain. In this example, the analyte of interest produces a spectroscopic signal that is very weak in comparison to the environmental and instrumental factors.     

近红外漫反射光谱法快速鉴别药用辅料

本文建立了采用近红外光谱法对41种常用药用辅料进行快速、准确、无损鉴别的方法,每个品种6批次样品共得246张光谱,215张用于建立模型,41张用于验证模型。在3966~10414cm-1的范围内,使用二阶导数9点平滑光谱预处理方法,结合第一范围标定法建立的“总库1”定性分析模型可准确鉴定30种辅料,其余5大类11种辅料被直接转入“子库2-6”进一步鉴定,直至完全分离。结果表明,对验证集样品鉴别准确度达100%。对比于操作繁琐、费时的传统检测方法,该方法快速、准确,适用于制药企业在原料进厂时逐桶定性鉴别和车间投料的过程控制。     

Enhanced microstructure and electrical properties of Mn-modified Bi0.5(Na0.65K0.35)0.5TiO3 ferroelectric ceramics

Bi_0.5(Na_0.65K_0.35)_0.5TiO₃ (BNKT) and Mn-modified Bi_0.5(Na_0.65K_0.35)_0.5(Mn_xTi_1−x)O₃ (BNKMT-10³x), (x=0.0–0.5%) ferroelectric ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. Optimization of calcination temperature in Mn-doped ceramics was carried out for the removal of secondary phases observed in XRD analysis. BNKMT ceramics sintered at 1090 °C showed enhanced dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties in comparison to pure BNKT. The average grain size was found to increase from 0.35 μm in BNKT to 0.52 μm in Bi_0.5(Na_0.65K_0.35)_0.5(Mn_0.0025Ti_0.9975)O₃ (BNKMT-2.5) ceramics. The dielectric permittivity maximum temperature (T_m) was increased to a maximum of 345 °C with Mn-modification. AC conductivity analysis was performed as a function of temperature and frequency to investigate the conduction behavior and determine activation energies. Significant high value of piezoelectric charge coefficient (d₃₃=176 pC/N) was achieved in BNKMT 2.5 ceramics. Improved temperature stability of ferroelectric behavior was observed in the temperature dependent P–E hysteresis loops as a result of Mn-incorporation. The fatigue free nature along with enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric properties make BNKMT-2.5 ceramic a promising candidate for replacing lead based ceramics in device applications.