Skew-cyclic codes

We generalize the notion of cyclic codes by using generator polynomials in (non commutative) skew polynomial rings. Since skew polynomial rings are left and right euclidean, the obtained codes share most properties of cyclic codes. Since there are much more skew-cyclic codes, this new class of codes allows to systematically search for codes with good properties. We give many examples of codes which improve the previously best known linear codes.     

The effect of solidification time and heat treatment on the fatigue properties of a cast 319 aluminum alloy

Solidification time and heat treatment are known to have a large effect on the microstructure of cast aluminum alloys. This study was conducted to quantify how the fatigue properties of a 319-type aluminum alloy are affected by solidification time and heat treatment. Both porosity-containing (non-hot isostatically pressed (HIP)) and porosity-free (HIP) samples in the T6 (“peak aged”) or T7 (“overaged”) heattreated conditions were tested. As the solidification time increased, the average initiating pore diameter increased and stress-controlled fatigue life decreased. Heat treatment was observed to have a large effect on fatigue properties of the HIP samples. However, in the non-HIP fatigue samples, heat treatment did not significantly change the fatigue life or fatigue strength of the cast 319-type alloy. The absence of an influence of heat treatment on fatigue response is attributed to the predominance of the microporosity in fatigue crack initiation in cast aluminum.     

Structural Appraisal of the Florentine Gothic Construction System

The nave of Santa Maria Novella, a Dominican church in Florence Italy is representative of a Florentine Gothic system of construction. This system, consisting of domical rib vaults on square nave bays, high side aisles, and crypto-buttressing, differs substantially from the French high Gothic system of even-level-crown rib vaults on rectangular bays, with flying buttresses over relatively low aisles. An investigation into the structural aspects of the Florentine Gothic construction system reveals that the domical vaults increase the longitudinal thrust and reduce the transverse thrust, which may require additional precautions to be taken during construction, but entails a less elaborate buttressing system. The domical vaults are found to perform well structurally, with an absence of tensile stresses, and are more suitable for a square bay. In general, the structural system of the nave of Santa Maria Novella is found to be the product of carefully considered structural design, which may be accepted as an alternative to the French Gothic construction system.     

A direct estimate of JIc from the load versus load-line displacement record

The purpose of this study is to examine the current standard fracture toughness test procedure to determine if there could be an easier method to get a J_Ic value from the test record. The current method for determining J_Ic involves a detailed computational and construction procedure. The objective in this study is to simplify the analysis for the determination of J_Ic. The results of this study show that the load and displacement record for a fracture toughness test can be used to directly estimate a J_Q value, a provisional value for fracture toughness, J_Ic. The J value taken at the maximum load point can be used along with an adjustment factor to estimate a J_Q value. This J_Q estimate is close to the one obtained from the construction procedure of ASTM Standard E 1820. When a unit‐sized specimen is tested, that is, a specimen with a width of 50 mm and a thickness of 25 mm the maximum load point provides a direct estimate of J_Q. Other sizes require a size adjustment factor, which is simply a square root relationship between the width of the test specimen and a unit width. The proposed new method of estimating J_Q is simple in concept and requires a minimum number of calculations. It appears to produce values of J_Q which are comparable to those obtained from the ASTM E1820 construction procedure and may produce less scatter.     

Cascade damage evolution: rate theory versus kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

The thermal evolution of defects produced by ion irradiation is studied by kinetic Monte Carlo and Rate Theory approaches. An isochronal annealing is simulated to evidence the different thermally activated mechanisms that govern defect evolution. KMC simulations show that in the case of ion irradiation, additional recovery peaks should be expected, in comparison to electron irradiation conditions. A comparison between kMC and RT results indicates that some of these peaks are due to spatially – correlated recombinations that occur at low temperature. Therefore kMC and RT approaches differ at low temperature. However, at higher temperature results obtained by both models are in near perfect agreement. In addition, we studied the influence of vacancy cluster mobility on the evolution of damage. KMC simulations show that the mobility of V₂, V₃ and V₄ clusters does not significantly affect the evolution of defects and can be neglected in these conditions.     

A goal-striving life event and the onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms: Perspective from the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) dysregulation theory.

On the basis of the behavioral approach system (BAS) dysregulation theory of bipolar disorder, this study examined the relation between occurrence of a BAS activation-relevant life event--goal striving--and onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms. In particular, the authors examined the relation between preparing for and completing final exams (a goal-striving event) and onset of bipolar spectrum episodes and symptoms in college students with bipolar II disorder or cyclothymia (i.e., "soft" bipolar spectrum conditions). One hundred fifty-nine individuals with either a bipolar spectrum disorder (n=68) or no major affective psychopathology (controls; n=91) were further classified on the basis of whether they were college students (i.e., completed final exams). Consistent with the BAS dysregulation theory, preparing for and completing final exams was associated with an increase in hypomanic but not depressive episodes and symptoms in individuals with a soft bipolar spectrum diagnosis. Furthermore, self-reported BAS sensitivity moderated the presence of certain hypomanic symptoms during final exams. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examining a dimensional representation of depression and anxiety disorders' comorbidity in psychiatric outpatients with item response modeling.

The current study replicated, in a sample of 2,300 outpatients seeking psychiatric treatment, a previous study (R. F. Krueger & M. S. Finger, 2001) that implemented an item response theory approach for modeling the comorbidity of common mood and anxiety disorders as indicators along the continuum of a shared latent factor (internalizing). The 5 disorders examined were major depressive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder/agoraphobia, specific phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. The findings were consistent with the prior research. First, a confirmatory factor analysis yielded sufficient evidence for a nonspecific factor underlying the 5 diagnostic indicators. Second, a 2-parameter logistic item response model showed that the diagnoses were represented in the upper half of the internalizing continuum, and each was a strongly discriminating indicator of the factor. Third, the internalizing factor was significantly associated with 3 indexes of social burden: poorer social functioning, time missed from work, and lifetime hospitalizations. Rather than the categorical system of presumably discrete disorders presented in DSM-IV, these 5 mood and anxiety disorders may be alternatively viewed as higher end indicators of a common factor associated with social cost. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particle Penetration through Inclined and L-Shaped Cracks

This paper presents a particle penetration model predicting particle penetration coefficient (Pp) through a narrow crack of arbitrary incline angles (θ). The objective was to simulate Pp for outdoor-to-indoor particle penetration for residential infiltration conditions. This model assumes laminar infiltration flow and considers particle deposition from both gravitational sedimentation and Brownian diffusion. For micron-sized particles, modeling results indicate that gravitational sedimentation is the major deposition mechanism. Pp increases monotonically with ∣θ∣ because effective particle sedimentation velocity (vs?cos?θ) decreases monotonically with ∣θ∣. For submicron-sized particles (0.1?μm), Brownian diffusion is the major particle deposition mechanism. Because Brownian diffusion is a nondirectional deposition mechanism, crack inclination did not affect Pp. This study applied this model to estimate Pp for L-shaped cracks, and validated modeling results with experiments. Experimental results indicated that inertial impaction and crack entrance cutoff effects were not significant particle deposition mechanisms for the test micron-sized particles. Gravitational sedimentation was the major deposition mechanism. An L-shaped crack can be simulated as the combination of horizontal and vertical sections. This model agreed reasonably with experimental results.     

Efficient Spreadsheet Algorithm for First-Order Reliability Method

A new spreadsheet-cell-object-oriented algorithm for the first-order reliability method is proposed and illustrated for cases with correlated nonnormals and explicit and implicit performance functions. The new approach differs from the writers earlier algorithm by obviating the need for computations of equivalent normal means and equivalent normal standard deviations. It obtains the solution faster and is more efficient, robust, and succinct. Other advantages include ease of initialization prior to constrained optimization, ease of randomization of initial values for checking robustness, and fewer required optimization constraints during spreadsheet-automated search for the design point. Two cases with implicit performance functions, namely an asymmetrically loaded beam on Winkler medium and a strut with complex supports are analyzed using the new approach and discussed. Comparisons are also made between the proposed approach and that based on Rosenblatt transformation.     

Practical Equivalent Continuum Model for Simulation of Jointed Rock Mass Using FLAC3D

A simple practical equivalent continuum numerical model for simulating the behavior of jointed rock mass has been extended to three-dimensional using FLAC3D. This model estimates the properties of jointed rock mass from the properties of intact rock and a joint factor (Jf), which is the integration of the properties of joints to take care of the effects of frequency, orientation, and strength of joint. A new FISH function has been written in FLAC3D specifically for modeling jointed rocks using the Duncan and Chang hyperbolic model. This model has been validated first with simple element tests at different confining pressures for different rocks with different joint configurations. Explicit modeling of the joints has also been done in element tests and results obtained compare well with the results of equivalent continuum model and also with experimental results. Further, this has been applied for a case study of a large underground power house cavern in the Himalayas. The analysis has been done under various stages of excavation, assigning a null model available in FLAC3D for simulating the excavation.