Simplified analytical models for compressed concrete columns confined by FRP and FRCM system

In order to consider the response of concrete columns confined by FRP and FRCM system, proper models have to be formulated. In this context the present paper shows a generalized criterion for the determination of the increase in strength, in ductility and in dissipated energy for varying corner radius ratio of the cross section and fiber volumetric ratio. The procedure is based on the best fitting of several experimental data and unlike the usual empirical approaches available in the literature, the proposed technique relates the confinement effectiveness to a single parameter representative of the relative stiffness between the original concrete core and the reinforcement system. Furthermore, the proposed analytical models overcomes the limit of many empirical or semi-empirical models given in the literature that are applicable only to specific cases. A comparison with same available models confirm the reliability of the proposed procedure.     

Optimization of drilling resistance measurement (DRM) user-controlled variables

Drilling resistance measurement (DRM) is recognised as an important on-site micro-invasive procedure for assessment of construction materials. This paper presents a detailed investigation of user-controlled variables and their influence on drilling resistance. The study proves that the ratio of penetration rate/rotational speed is proportional to drilling resistance. Data from Bath stone and an artificial reference stone demonstrates how different materials can be compared using their intrinsic specific energy. It is also shown that adjusting drilling settings does not significantly change drilling measurement variability. However, settings producing high drilling resistance can significantly contribute to drill bit wear. A theoretical framework in which tests can be optimised without compromising the ability to compare data is presented. The framework is of high significance to the conservation industry and will promote a more effective use of DRM. DRM is a minimally invasive procedure particularly appropriate for sensitive heritage structures. Its use can provide the essential mechanical property data required for evaluation of surface consolidation products and specification of repair materials.     

Monitoring the Ratio of Two Normal Variables Using EWMA Type Control Charts

In many fields, there is the need to monitor quality characteristics defined as the ratio of two random variables. The design and implementation of control charts directly monitoring the ratio stability is required for the continuous surveillance of these quality characteristics. In this paper, we propose two one‐sided exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) charts with subgroups having sample size n > 1 to monitor the ratio of two normal random variables. The optimal EWMA smoothing constants, control limits, and ARLs have been computed for different values of the in‐control ratio and correlation between the variables and are shown in several figures and tables to discuss the statistical performance of the proposed one‐sided EWMA charts. Both deterministic and random shift sizes have been considered to test the two one‐sided EWMA charts' sensitivity. The obtained results show that the proposed one‐sided EWMA control charts are more sensitive to process shifts than other charts already proposed in the literature. The practical application of the proposed control schemes is discussed with an illustrative example. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanostructured Materials for Room‐Temperature Gas Sensors

Sensor technology has an important effect on many aspects in our society, and has gained much progress, propelled by the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Current research efforts are directed toward developing high‐performance gas sensors with low operating temperature at low fabrication costs. A gas sensor working at room temperature is very appealing as it provides very low power consumption and does not require a heater for high‐temperature operation, and hence simplifies the fabrication of sensor devices and reduces the operating cost. Nanostructured materials are at the core of the development of any room‐temperature sensing platform. The most important advances with regard to fundamental research, sensing mechanisms, and application of nanostructured materials for room‐temperature conductometric sensor devices are reviewed here. Particular emphasis is given to the relation between the nanostructure and sensor properties in an attempt to address structure–property correlations. Finally, some future research perspectives and new challenges that the field of room‐temperature sensors will have to address are also discussed.     

Evaluation of potential anti‐cancer activity of cationic liposomal nanoformulated Lycopodium clavatum in colon cancer cells

Research dealing with early diagnosis and efficient treatment in colon cancer to improve patient''s survival is still under investigation. Chemotherapeutic agent result in high systemic toxicity due to their non‐specific actions on DNA repair and/or cell replication. Traditional medicine such as Lycopodium clavatum (LC) has been claimed to have therapeutic potentials against cancer. The present study focuses on targeted drug delivery of cationic liposomal nanoformulated LC (CL‐LC) in colon cancer cells (HCT15) and comparing the efficacy with an anti‐colon cancer drug, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxy‐camptothecin (SN38) along with its nanoformulated form (CL‐SN38). The colloidal suspension of LC was made using thin film hydration method. The drugs were characterised using ultraviolet, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, energy, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. In vitro drug release showed kinetics of 49 and 89% of SN38 and LC, whereas CL‐SN38 and CL‐LC showed 73 and 74% of sustained drug release, respectively. Studies on morphological changes, cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cancer‐associated gene expression analysis of Bcl‐2, Bax, p53 by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis of Bad and p53 protein were performed. Nanoformulated LC significantly inhibited growth and increased the apoptosis of colon cancer cells indicating its potential anti‐cancer activity against colon cancer cells.Inspec keywords: cancer, biological organs, cellular biophysics, drug delivery systems, drugs, nanomedicine, genetics, DNA, molecular biophysics, biochemistry, lipid bilayers, toxicology, suspensions, colloids, light scattering, X‐ray chemical analysis, solvation, enzymes, nanostructured materialsOther keywords: energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, in vitro drug release, morphological changes, cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cancer‐associated gene expression analysis, Bcl‐2, Bax, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, Bad protein, p53 protein, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet scattering, thin film hydration method, colloidal suspension, nanoformulated form CL‐SN38, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxy‐camptothecin, anticolon cancer drug, colon cancer cells HCT15, cationic liposomal nanoformulated LC, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic potentials, Lycopodium clavatum, traditional medicines, cell replication, DNA repair, nonspecific actions, high systemic toxicity, chemotherapeutic agents, patient survival, colon cancer treatment, colon cancer diagnosis, CL‐LC, potential anticancer activity     

Hybridized electronic states between CdSe nanoparticles and conjugated organic ligands: A theoretical and ultrafast photo-excited carrier dynamics study

Formation of densely packed thin films of semiconductor nanocrystals is advantageous for the exploitation of their unique optoelectronic properties for real-world applications. Here we investigate the fundamental role of the structure of the bridging ligand on the optoelectronic properties of the resulting hybrid film. In particular, we considered hybrid films formed using the same CdSe nanocrystals and two organic ligands that have the same bidentate dithiocarbamate binding moiety, but differ in their bridging structures, one bridged by ethylene, the other by phenylene that exhibits conjugation. Based on the results of photo-excited carrier dynamics experiments combined with theoretical calculations on the electronic states of bridged CdSe layers, we show that only the phenylene-based ligand presents a strong hybridization of the molecular HOMO state with CdSe layers, that is a marker of formation of an effective bridge. We argue that this hybridization spread favors the hopping of photo-excited carriers between nanocrystals, which may explain the reported larger photo-currents in phenylene-based hybrid films than those observed in ethylene-based ones.

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Dynamics and self-assembly of bio-functionalized gold nanoparticles in solution: Reactive molecular dynamics simulations

The self-assembling properties, stability, and dynamics of hybrid nanocarriers (gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with cysteine-based peptides) in solution are studied through a series of classical molecular dynamics simulations based on a recently parametrized reactive force field. The results reveal, at the atomic level, all the details regarding the peptide adsorption mechanisms, nanoparticle stabilization, aggregation, and sintering. The data confirm and explain the experimental findings and disclose aspects that cannot be scrutinized by experiments. The biomolecules are both chemisorbed and physisorbed; self-interactions of the adsorbates and formation of stable networks of interconnected molecules on the AuNP surfaces limit substrate reconstructions, protect the AuNPs from the action of the solvent, and prevent direct interactions of the gold surfaces. The possibility of agglomeration of the functionalized nanoparticles, compared with the sintering of the bare supports in a water solution, is demonstrated through relatively long simulations and fast steered dynamics. The analysis of the trajectories reveals that the AuNPs were well stabilized by the peptides. This prevented particle sintering and kept the particles far apart; however, part of their chains could form interconnections (crosslinks) between neighboring gold vehicles. The excellent agreement of these results with the literature confirm the reliability of the method and its potential application to the modeling of more complex materials relevant to the biomedical sector.

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