On an inverse thermo-elasticity problem for an infinite medium containing a cavity of unknown shape

The static inverse thermoelastic problem for an infinite elastic isotropic medium containing a cavity of unknown shape, under three-axes tension and given constant values of the pressure and the temperature on the cavity surface, is considered. The shape of a cavity is sought subject to the condition that certain stress components are uniform on the cavity surface. It is shown that ellipsoidal shapes furnish a solution of this inverse thermo-elasticity problem. Nonlinear equations for determining the geometric cavity parameters, which lead to an equal-stress state along the cavity surface, are obtained. Results of other authors for force loading only are obtained as special cases. Numerical investigations have been carried out and correlations between values of the force and temperature loadings and geometrical parameters for an equal-stress cavity surface are studied. The stress values on the equal-stress cavity surface under force and temperature loadings are investigated.     

Lattice-Dynamic Treatment of Vibrational and Elastic Properties of Cotunnite-Type ZrO2 and HfO2: Comparison with Ambient Pressure Polymorphs

The results of the joint lattice-dynamical model treatment of the vibrational and elastic properties of the cotunnite-type zirconia and hafnia are presented. The model is capable of reproducing the frequencies of the Raman-active vibrations, and provides their symmetry assignment. Also it predicts the position of the infrared-active bands. The model successfully describes the elastic properties of the low-pressure polymorphs, but could not reproduce the bulk modulus of OII-ZrO₂ of 332 GPa obtained from a volume-pressure dependence. The current results give an estimate of the bulk modulus of 254 GPa.     

Scaling Properties of Superfluid 3He in Aerogel

We have investigated the superfluid transition of ³ He in different samples of silica aerogel. Several of these samples have been characterized using x-ray imaging, yielding information about the microstructure of the aerogel. In comparing new measurements on a 99.5% sample with previous observations on the behavior of ³ He in 98% porous aerogel we have found evidence for a scaling of the superfluid transition temperature to the correlation length of the aerogel. Furthermore, the superfluid density exhibits a similar universal behaviour over a range of values of reduced temperature. We discuss these new results in the context of superfluid pairing in the presence of a correlated disorder, specifically focussing on the fractal nature of the aerogel.     

Phytochemical Characterization of Veronica officinalis L., V. teucrium L. and V. orchidea Crantz from Romania and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

Aerial parts of Veronica species are used in Romanian traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions like kidney diseases, cough, and catarrh, and are known for their wound-healing properties. In the present study, the phenolic and sterolic content and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of three Veronica species (Plantaginaceae), V. officinalis L., V. teucrium L. and V. orchidea Crantz, were studied. The identification and quantification of several phenolic compounds and phytosterols were performed using LC/MS techniques and the main components were p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteoline, hispidulin and β-sitosterol. More than that, hispidulin, eupatorin and eupatilin were detected for the first time in the Veronica genus. Nevertheless, representatives of the Veronica genus were never investigated in terms of their phytosterol content. The antioxidant potential investigated by Trolox equivelents antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and EPR spectroscopy revealed that V. officinalis and V. orchidea extracts presented similar antioxidant capacities, whilst the values registered for V. teucrium extract are lower. Regarding the antimicrobial activity of the investigated species, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii were the most sensitive strains with MIC values between 3.9 and 15.62 mg/mL. The results obtained by this study may serve to promote better use of representatives from the genus Veronica as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.     

Dynamische Verformungsmessungen an Eisenbahnbrücken mittels Mikrowelleninterferometrie

Dynamic measurements of railway bridge displacements through microwave interferometry – Part 1: measurement method The microwave interferometry is a rather new measuring technique, yet little‐known in civil engineering applications. It allows the non‐contact acquisition of structural displacements with accuracy in the sub‐millimetre range at a sampling rate of up to 4 kHz. The high sampling frequency allows also the caption of dynamic structural responses, which can be used for a straightforward determination of the main modal parameters of the structures (natural frequencies, damping ratios). Furthermore, the synchronous acquisition of the overall motion of the targeted object is possible due to a high range resolution, which facilitates a direct identification of modal shapes. This paper gives a short introduction of the measurement method and outlines its boundary conditions and limitations with respect to applications in railway bridge dynamics. The knowledge has been gained on the basis of comprehensive systematic experimental investigations performed within the frame of a cooperation project with the German Railways (Deutsche Bahn AG). As a result an evaluation matrix was created, which clearly illustrates the applicability of the microwave interferometry for different railway‐specific tasks. The second part will present selected results of microwave interferometry measurements of railway bridges in comparison to parallel conventional measurements and the corresponding numerical investigations, which were used for the validation of the measurement technique.     

Degradation and Mechanical Behavior of Fish Gelatin/Polycaprolactone AC Electrospun Nanofibrous Meshes

With the increasing interest in biopolymer nanofibers for diverse applications, the characterization of these materials in the physiological environment has become of equal interest and importance. This study performs first-time simulated body fluid (SBF) degradation and tensile mechanical analyses of blended fish gelatin (FGEL) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous meshes prepared by a high-throughput free-surface alternating field electrospinning. The thermally crosslinked FGEL/PCL nanofibrous materials with 84–96% porosity and up to 60 wt% PCL fraction demonstrate mass retention up to 88.4% after 14 days in SBF. The trends in the PCL crystallinity and FGEL secondary structure modification during the SBF degradation are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Tensile tests of such porous, 0.1–2.2 mm thick FGEL/PCL nanofibrous meshes in SBF reveal the ultimate tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break within the ranges of 60–105 kPa, 0.3–1.6 MPa, and 20–70%, respectively, depending on the FGEL/PCL mass ratio. The results demonstrate that FGEL/PCL nanofibrous materials prepared from poorly miscible FGEL and PCL can be suitable for selected biomedical applications such as scaffolds for skin, cranial cruciate ligament, articular cartilage, or vascular tissue repair.     

Minimization of free radical damage by metal catalysis of multivitamin/multimineral supplements

Multivitamin/multimineral complexes are the most common dietary supplements. Unlike minerals in foods that are incorporated in bioorganic structures, minerals in dietary supplements are typically in an inorganic form. These minerals can catalyze the generation of free radicals, thereby oxidizing antioxidants during digestion. Here we examine the ability of a matrix consisting of an amino acid and non-digestible oligosaccharide (AAOS) to blunt metal-catalyzed oxidations. Monitoring of ascorbate radical generated by copper shows that ascorbate is oxidized more slowly with the AAOS matrix than with copper sulfate. Measurement of the rate of oxidation of ascorbic acid and Trolox^® by catalytic metals confirmed the ability of AAOS to slow these oxidations. Similar results were observed with iron-catalyzed formation of hydroxyl radicals. When compared to traditional forms of minerals used in supplements, we conclude that the oxidative loss of antioxidants in solution at physiological pH is much slower when AAOS is present.     

A Note on the Garin-Lowry Model

It is the claim of this paper that urbanization, long blamed for the ills of underdevelopment, is in fact an important development tool. The positive characteristics of urbanization and the dynamics by which it creates development are suggested by the communications model of social development. Based upon this model, a general strategy of national development is outlined. Appropriate economic policies, social policies, and political actions are suggested. These are illustrated by past experiences and current conditions in Latin America and other parts of the developing world.