Crack propagation analysis in composite bonded joints under mixed-mode (I+II) static and fatigue loading: experimental investigation and phenomenological modelling

This paper illustrates the results of an extensive experimental investigation on composite bonded joints under mixed-mode (I+II) static and cyclic loading conditions oriented to understand the influence of the mode mixity condition on the crack propagation resistance at the bondline. The double cantilever beam (DCB), end notch flexure (ENF) and mixed-mode bending (MMB) tests were conducted on pre-cracked samples and both fracture toughness and crack propagation resistance were seen to increase, both for static and fatigue loading, respectively, as the mode II contribution increases. The crack propagation and damage evolution were carefully investigated and documented, and a strong dependence of the propagation mode on the mode mixity was found. Fatigue data under the different loading conditions are then described by a phenomenological model based on the strain energy release rate contributions, which represents a useful engineering tool for preliminary design. After that a damage-based model, developed on the basis of the actual damage mechanisms, is presented in a companion paper.     

Water Disinfection: A Relationship Between Ozone and Aldehyde Production

In the water potabilization plant of Turin city (Italy), the oxidation process is carried out with ozone. Due to its well-known insufficient performance, it is necessary to add alternative oxidants (hypochlorite ion and chlorine dioxide). In this paper, we discuss the formation of linear carbonyl groups during surface water treatment in Turin.

The results obtained in the field confirm the synthesis of some aliphatic carbonyl compounds of low molecular weight. This phenomenon happens preeminently during the ozone disinfection process and, secondarily, during the other disinfection processes.

Experimental results show that, in this last event, chlorine reacts with organic substances, and in a second moment, after organics consumption, if chlorine is still in a sufficient concentration, oxidizing them.     

Noradrenergic receptor sensitivity in obsessive-compulsive disorders: I. Growth hormone response to clonidine stimulation

Dimeric anthracenones obtained from the genus Karwinskia (Rhamnaceae) are characteristic compounds isolated from the plants of this species. Previous toxicity studies demonstrated Diast T-514 to be toxic to animals in experimental settings. Diast T-514 extracted and characterized from Karwinskia parvifolia, was studied in CD1 mice. The LD50 for this compound was determined. Animals were tested with Diast T-514 following enteral and parenteral administration. An LD50 dose by both oral and intraperitoneal administration showed selective damage to target organs.     

PET synthesis in the presence of lanthanide catalysts

Syntheses of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol in the presence of well-known catalysts and various lanthanide compounds were performed. Lanthanide catalysts appeared to be much more efficient in the first stage of the process (transesterification in the presence of an excess of ethylene glycol), and less active in polycondensation. PET produced with lanthanides was found to possess enhanced thermal and hydrolytic stability as compared to PET synthesized with well-known catalysts and commercial PET. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Two‐dimensional stress distributions in tensioned orthotropic plates weakened by blunt V‐shaped notches

In this work, a comprehensive analytical and numerical study on the two‐dimensional stress fields in orthotropic plates with blunt notches is carried out. Initially, a quick review of the available solutions for lateral notches is presented. Later on, using Lekhnitskii's approach, a new analytical solution is derived which explicitly accounts for the local geometry of the notch, such as the notch root radius and the notch opening angle, as well as the elastic properties of the material. Theoretical predictions based on the new solution are compared with the results from a bulk of 2D finite element analyses carried out on tensioned plates weakened by lateral hyperbolic and blunt V‐shaped notches, showing a very satisfactory agreement.     

A rapid and high-throughput real-time PCR assay for species identification: application to stockfish sold in Italy

In some parts of Italy, there is a tradition of eating special, highly prized species of cod, fished and dried in Norway. In order to safeguard the value of this food product, in 2005, the Italian government legislated that the commercial term “stockfish” can only be attributed to Gadus morhua (Gm). In this study, we present an improved real-time PCR assay for efficient identification of Gm with respect to other gadiforms of commercial interest. The method is applied to 437 stockfish samples, collected in various Italian regions, in order to verify whether labelling regulations had been respected and to report instances of fraud in the Italian stockfish market. The PCR method employed here allowed rapid and economical identification of the species, with a very high percentage of correct identifications.     

A Mechanistic Study on Alcohol Oxidations with Oxygen Catalysed by TPAP‐Doped Ormosils in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The heterogeneous oxidation of various alcohols with oxygen catalysed by TPAP‐doped ormosils in scCO₂ at 75 °C and 22.0 MPa has been studied in detail. Sol‐gel segregation of TPAP into the inner porosity of an organically modified silica (ormosil) xerogel along with the use of a reaction medium which does not dissolve the catalyst, prevents aggregation of oxidation‐inactive ruthenium derivatives without the need of chemical tethering. Thus, at least 140 TONs may be obtained in the oxidation of primary alcohols with the formation of aldehydes as sole reaction products. Investigation of the oxidation mechanism shows that the catalytic process exhibits a first‐order dependence on the amount of catalyst, a fractional order on the alcohol concentration and a negative order for oxygen pressures higher than 0.2 bar. Evidence is presented for an associative oxidation mechanism simultaneously involving TPAP, organic substrate and oxygen.     

Treatment of patients with esophageal cancer in Argentina. Surgery or clinical research?

In Accident the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased at a rate exceeding that of all other tumors. In Argentina, the incidence of cancer of the oesophagus is unknown and patients are treated according to the classic medical or institutional experience and usually local and poorly effective treatment modalities are used. Currently, the prognosis of patients with this condition is very poor and there is a need to explore new therapeutics. We think that instead of treating patients with classic modalities with predictable results, the aim should be a search of alternatives based on clinical research.     

Cirrhosis and muscle cramps: evidence of a causal relationship

Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ENK-LI) was found throughout the spinal cord of the long-tailed ray Himantura fai. The densest ENK-LI was in the superficial portion of lamina A of the dorsal horn. Lamina B and the deeper parts of lamina A contained radially oriented, labelled fibres. Laminae C, D, and E contained many longitudinally oriented fascicles which were surrounded by a reticulum of transversely oriented, labelled fibres, some of which projected into the ventral and lateral funiculi. Labelled fibres were found in the dorsal commissure and around the central canal, but the later did not cross the midline. One-third of all enkephalinergic cells were found throughout laminae A and B, while two-thirds were located in the medial half of C, D, and E. Occasionally a labelled cell was located in the lateral funiculus. The ventral horn (laminae F and G) contained many enkephalinergic fibres but no labelled nuclei. A few dorsal column axons contained ENK-LI. In the lateral funiculus there were two groups of labelled axons, a superficial, dorsolateral group, and a deeper group, occupying a crescent-shaped region. The ventral funiculus also contained many labelled axons. The central projection of the dorsal root passed through the substantia gelatinosa and divided into rostrally and caudally projecting fascicles within lamina C. The root, and these fascicles, both lacked ENK-LI. In contrast, the fascicles in laminae D and E did contain enkephalinergic fibres. The origin of the various fibre systems and the role of enkephalin in the regulation of sensory processing and motor output are discussed.