Compressive response of Kevlar-epoxy composites: experimental verification

The initial misalignment of Kevlar fibres in Kevlar-epoxy composites is quantitatively investigated. This misalignment has been found to be one of the most important factors for determining the compressive response of these composites. A theoretical model, which considers initial fibre misalignment and assumes that the compressive response of Kevlar-epoxy composites is dominated by kink band failure, is in good agreement with experimental results. In addition, photomicrographs of the failure surfaces suggest that kink band formation is the predominant failure mode in this composite system.     

Optical configuration and color-representation range of a variable-pitch dot matrix holographic printer

The optical system configuration and design of a dot matrix holographic printer that can create image grating pixels of variable size, arbitrary pitch, and discretionary angle on a photoresist plate are presented. With the capability to vary spot size, grating orientation, and grating pitch on the fly, this newly developed holographic printer can apply a prespecified color at each specific viewing angle. Diffractive images with various visual effects and the wide color range that are possible by use of this system are examined in detail.     

ROBUST NONLINEAR CONTROLLER DESIGN FOR A LONGITUDINAL FLIGHT CONTROL PROBLEM

In this paper, the H_∞ approximate I/O linearization formulation and μ‐synthesis are employed to design a nonlinear controller for an aircraft longitudinal flight control problem. We propose modified nonlinear H_∞ controller formulas to approximately linearize the system and use μ‐synthesis to address tracking, regulation, and robustness issues.     

Laplace-Domain Solutions for Radial Two-Zone Flow Equations under the Conditions of Constant-Head and Partially Penetrating Well

A mathematical model is presented for a constant-head test performed in a partially penetrating well with a finite-thickness skin. The model uses a no-flow boundary condition for the casing and a constant-head boundary condition for the screen to represent the partially penetrating well. The Laplace-domain solutions for the dimensionless flow rate at the wellbore and the hydraulic heads in the skin and formation zones are derived using the Laplace and finite Fourier cosine transforms. The solutions of hydraulic heads have been shown to satisfy the governing equations, related boundary conditions, and continuity requirements for the pressure head and flow rate at the interface of the skin zone and undisturbed formation. In addition, an efficient algorithm for evaluating those solutions is also presented. The dimensionless flow rates obtained from new solutions have been shown to be better than those of Novakowski’s solutions, especially when the penetration ratio is large.     

A Fourier analysis and dynamic optimization of the Petrov–Galerkin finite element method

A Fourier analysis of the linear and quadratic N + 1 and N + 2 Petrov–Galerkin finite element methods applied to the one-dimensional transient convective-diffusion equation is performed. The results show that a priori optimization of the N + 1 method is not possible because dissipative errors are introduced as dispersive errors are reduced (any optimization is subjective). However, a priori optimization of the N + 2 Petrov–Galerkin method is possible because the reduction of dispersion errors can be accomplished without the addition of artificial dissipation. The Spectrally Weighted Average Phase Error Method (SWAPEM) for the optimization of the N + 2 Petrov–Galerkin method is introduced, in which the N + 2 weighting parameter is chosen at each time step to minimize the integral over wave number of the phase error of Fourier modes, weighted by the frequency content of the global solution at the previous time step (obtained via FFT). The method is dynamic, and general in that the dependence of the weighting parameter on the solution waveform is accounted for. Optimal values predicted by the method are in excellent agreement with those suggested by the numerical experimentation of others. Simulations of the pure convective transport of a Gaussian plume and a triangle wave are discussed to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.     

Successful radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia at a site away from the tachycardia exit

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the possibility of ablating verapamil-responsive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia at a site distant from the tachycardia exit and thus to define the tachycardia circuit. BACKGROUND: The nature of the reentry circuit in idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia is unclear. If the circuit is of considerable size, then it should be possible to ablate the tachycardia at a site distant from the exit site. METHODS: Electrophysiologic studies and radiofrequency ablation were performed in 27 consecutive patients with verapamil-responsive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia. In all 27 patients, the tachycardia exit site was defined as the site where the earliest Purkinje potential was recorded > or = 25 ms before the onset of the QRS complex during the tachycardia and where the pace map QRS complex resembled that during the tachycardia. A potential ablation site other than the exit site was then sought around the midseptum, proximal to the exit site. At such sites the tachycardia could be terminated transiently by pressure applied to the catheter tip, without induction of ventricular ectopic beats. RESULTS: The potential ablation site, other than the tachycardia exit site, was identified in seven male patients (mean [+/-SD] age 31 +/- 12 years, range 13 to 52). Application of the radiofrequency current at this site resulted in termination of the tachycardia within 1 to 5 s (mean 2.9 +/- 1.6), and successful ablation of the tachycardia was achieved in all seven patients (success rate 100%, 95% exact confidence interval 0.5898 to 1). The mean distance between the ablation site and the tachycardia exit site was 3.1 +/- 0.7 cm (range 2.0 to 4.0). A presystolic Purkinje spike was recorded 14 +/- 5 ms (range 8 to 20) before the onset of the QRS complex during the tachycardia. During the follow-up period of 24 +/- 11 months (range 12 to 39), there was no recurrence of tachycardia in these seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Successful ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia can be achieved at sites away from the tachycardia exit site in some patients. This finding suggests that the reentry circuit is likely to be of considerable size, encompassing the middle, inferior and lower aspects of the left interventricular septum.     

Upregulation of pleiotrophin gene expression in developing microvasculature, macrophages, and astrocytes after acute ischemic brain injury

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a heparin-binding, 18 kDa secretory protein that functions to induce mitogenesis, angiogenesis, differentiation, and transformation in vitro. PTN gene (Ptn) expression is highly regulated during development and is highest at sites in which mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and differentiation are active. In striking contrast, with the exception of the neuron, the Ptn gene is only minimally expressed in adults. We now demonstrate that Ptn gene expression is strikingly upregulated within 3 d in OX42-positive macrophages, astrocytes, and endothelial cells in areas of developing neovasculature after focal cerebral ischemia in adult rat. Ptn gene expression remains upregulated in these same cells and sites 7 and 14 d after ischemic injury. However, expression of the Ptn gene is significantly decreased in cortical neurons 6 and 24 hr after injury and is undetectable in degenerating neurons at day 3. Neurons in contralateral cortex continue to express Ptn in levels equal to control, uninjured brain. It is suggested that PTN may have a vital role in neovascular formation in postischemic brain and that postischemic brain is an important model in which to analyze sequential gene expression in developing neovasculature. In contrast, Ptn gene expression in injured neurons destined not to recover is strikingly reduced, and potentially its absence may contribute to the failure of the neuron to survive.     

Solution for Flow Rates across the Wellbore in a Two-Zone Confined Aquifer

A closed-form solution for transient flow rates across the wellbore in a confined aquifer is derived from a two-zone radial ground-water flow equation subject to the boundary condition of keeping a constant head at the well radius. An aquifer may be considered as a two-zone system if the formation properties near the wellbore are significantly changed due to the well construction and/or well development. An efficient numerical approach is used to evaluate this newly derived solution. Values of the transient flow rate are provided in a tabular form and compared with those obtained by numerical inversion for the Laplace-domain solution. The results show that the two solutions are in good agreement. This newly derived solution can be used not only for predicting the transient flow rate across the wellbore but also for identifying the effects of a skin with a finite thickness on the estimation of transient flow rates in a ground-water system with two different formation properties.     

Effects of Ru on the high-temperature phase stability of Ni-base single-crystal superalloys

Microstructural instabilities associated with the precipitation of refractory-rich topologically-close-packed (TCP) phases within the microstructure of advanced Ni-base single-crystal superalloys were quantified in two nominally identical alloys with and without additions of Ru. Differences in the microstructural kinetics associated with the formation of TCP precipitates in these experimental single-crystal superalloys enabled the influence of Ru to be assessed. Detailed microstructural investigations were carried out on specimens subjected to prolonged isothermal exposures at elevated temperature. Even after 1000 hours at temperatures in excess of 1100 °C, the microstructure of the Ru-bearing alloy was highly resistant to the formation of TCP phases. Transmission electron micro-analysis (TEM) coupled with X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the characteristic crystal structures of the TCP precipitates in both alloys as being primarily the orthorhombic P and tetragonal σ phase. The sluggish precipitation kinetics of TCP phases in the Ru-bearing single-crystal Ni-base superalloy prevents the breakdown of the parent γ-γ′ microstructure and greatly enhances the high-temperature creep characteristics.     

Enzymatic synthesis of diastereospecific carbacephem intermediates using serine hydroxymethyltransferase

The serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) gene glyA was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme was purified to near homogeneity. Reaction conditions for E. coli and rabbit liver SHMTs were optimized using succinic semialdehyde methyl ester (SSAME) and glycine. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/K(m)) of E. coli SHMT for SSAME was 2.8-fold higher than that of rabbit liver enzyme. E. coli SHMT displayed a pH-dependent product distribution different from that of rabbit liver enzyme. For the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent reaction, E. coli and rabbit liver SHMTs showed a high product diastereospecificity. The stoichiometric ratio of PLP to the dimeric E. coli SHMT was 0.5-0.7, indicating a requirement for external PLP for maximal activity. Using SSAME or its analog at a high temperature, E. coli SHMT mediated efficient condensation via a lactone pathway. In contrast, at a low temperature, the enzyme catalyzed efficient conversion of 4-penten-1-al via a non-lactone mechanism. Efficient conversion of either aldehyde type to a desirable diastereospecific product was observed at a pilot scale. E. coli SHMT exhibited a broad specificity toward aldehyde substrates; thus it can be broadly useful in chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a chiral intermediate in the manufacture of an important carbacephem antibiotic.