Interaction of elastic waves by a Griffith crack in an infinite transversely-isotropic medium

The paper deals with the problem of finding the stress distribution near a Griffith crack located in an infinite transversely-isotropic medium. The crack is opened by the interaction of a plane harmonic elastic wave incident normally on the crack. A Fredholm integral equation is derived for the determination of diffracted field. From the integral equation asymptotic solution is obtained which is valid for wavelength long compared to the crack length. For wave lengths comparable with the size of the crack, the integral equation is solved numerically. The stress intensity factor and displacement field in the vicinity of crack are computed for a range of values of the frequency. The approximate solution is compared with exact solution.

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Résumé Le mémoire est relatif au problème de déterminer la distribution de contraintes au voisinage d'une fissure de Griffith localisée dans un milieu infini transversalement isotrope. La fissure est ouverte par l'interaction d'une onde élastique harmonique plane incidente sur une direction normale au plan de la fissure. On dérive une équation intégrale de Fredholm pour la détermination du champ de diffraction. Une solution asymptotique est obtenue à partir de l'équation intégrale, qui se révèle valide dans le cas de longueur d'onde grande par rapport à la longueur de la fissure. Lorsque les longueurs d'onde sont comparables à la taille de la fissure, l'équation intégrale peut être résolue de manière numérique. Le facteur d'intensité de contrainte et le champ des déplacements au voisinage de la fissure sont calculées pour une gamme large de valeur de la fréquence. La solution approximative obtenue est comparée avec la solution exacte.

     

Ortho‐ and meta‐substituted polystyrene polyperoxides: synthesis,characterization and thermal decomposition studies

The alternating copolymers of vinyl monomers with molecular oxygen (polyperoxides) show numerous novel physicochemical properties such as high exothermic degradation. In the work presented, polyperoxides were prepared by oxidative polymerization of ortho‐ and meta‐substituted styrene monomers in toluene in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile free radical initiator at 50 °C and 0.69 MPa oxygen pressure. The polymeric peroxides of styrene monomers with substituents in the ortho‐ and meta‐positions thus obtained were characterized using NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, elemental analysis and electron impact mass spectrometry to confirm the alternating copolymer structure with peroxy bonds in the backbone. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study the exothermic thermal degradation of these polyperoxides. For these polyperoxides, the measured heats of degradation ( ) were found to lie between ?169 and ?180 kJ mol^?1, which are comparable with the values of other vinyl polyperoxides. The exothermic degradation mechanism is supported by thermochemical calculations. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Is the proton radius a player in the redefinition of the International System of Units?

It is now recognized that the International System of Units (SI units) will be redefined in terms of fundamental constants, even if the date when this will occur is still under debate. Actually, the best estimate of fundamental constant values is given by a least-squares adjustment, carried out under the auspices of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) Task Group on Fundamental Constants. This adjustment provides a significant measure of the correctness and overall consistency of the basic theories and experimental methods of physics using the values of the constants obtained from widely differing experiments. The physical theories that underlie this adjustment are assumed to be valid, such as quantum electrodynamics (QED). Testing QED, one of the most precise theories is the aim of many accurate experiments. The calculations and the corresponding experiments can be carried out either on a boundless system, such as the electron magnetic moment anomaly, or on a bound system, such as atomic hydrogen. The value of fundamental constants can be deduced from the comparison of theory and experiment. For example, using QED calculations, the value of the fine structure constant given by the CODATA is mainly inferred from the measurement of the electron magnetic moment anomaly carried out by Gabrielse's group. (Hanneke et al. 2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 120801) The value of the Rydberg constant is known from two-photon spectroscopy of hydrogen combined with accurate theoretical quantities. The Rydberg constant, determined by the comparison of theory and experiment using atomic hydrogen, is known with a relative uncertainty of 6.6×10(-12). It is one of the most accurate fundamental constants to date. A careful analysis shows that knowledge of the electrical size of the proton is nowadays a limitation in this comparison. The aim of muonic hydrogen spectroscopy was to obtain an accurate value of the proton charge radius. However, the value deduced from this experiment contradicts other less accurate determinations. This problem is known as the proton radius puzzle. This new determination of the proton radius may affect the value of the Rydberg constant . This constant is related to many fundamental constants; in particular, links the two possible ways proposed for the redefinition of the kilogram, the Avogadro constant N(A) and the Planck constant h. However, the current relative uncertainty on the experimental determinations of N(A) or h is three orders of magnitude larger than the 'possible' shift of the Rydberg constant, which may be shown by the new value of the size of the proton radius determined from muonic hydrogen. The proton radius puzzle will not interfere in the redefinition of the kilogram. After a short introduction to the properties of the proton, we will describe the muonic hydrogen experiment. There is intense theoretical activity as a result of our observation. A brief summary of possible theoretical explanations at the date of writing of the paper will be given. The contribution of the proton radius puzzle to the redefinition of SI-based units will then be examined.     

Zinc oxide nanoparticle induced genotoxicity in primary human epidermal keratinocytes

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens. Human epidermal keratinocytes may serve as the first portal of entry for these nanoparticles either directly through topically applied cosmetics or indirectly through any breaches in the skin integrity. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles in primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) as they are the most abundant cell type in the human epidermis. Cellular uptake of nanoparticles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy using back scattered electrons imaging as well as transmission electron microscopy. The electron microscopy revealed the internalization of ZnO nanoparticles in primary HEK after 6 h exposure at 14 microg/ml concentration. ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a time (6-24 h) as well as concentration (8-20 microg/ml) dependent inhibition of mitochondrial activity as evident by the MTT assay. A significant (p < 0.05) induction in DNA damage was observed in cells exposed to ZnO nanoparticles for 6 h at 8 and 14 microg/ml concentrations compared to control as evident in the Comet assay. This is the first study providing information on biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles with primary human epidermal keratinocytes. Our findings demonstrate that ZnO nanoparticles are internalized by the human epidermal keratinocytes and elicit a cytotoxic and genotoxic response. Therefore, caution should be taken while using consumer products containing nanoparticles as any perturbation in the skin barrier could expose the underlying cells to nanoparticles.     

Habitat suitability of golden mahseer young ones (Tor putitora,Hamilton 1822) in Himalayan waters,India

Habitat suitability refers to the mechanism that enables organisms to choose suitable habitats to survive. In the present study, we studied the habitat suitability of young golden mahseer (fingerlings and juveniles) in the streams of the Ramganga River, one of the prominent rivers of the western Himalaya. Different habitat types and microhabitat features were documented. Habitat suitability was evaluated by generating habitat suitability criteria curves in response to varying habitat availability and use by young golden mahseer during different seasons. Generalised linear modelling (GLM) was used to analyse environmental characteristics responsible for selecting golden mahseer habitats. We studied mahseer based on body size into two main classes, that is, fingerlings (1.5–10 cm) and juveniles (10–30 cm). Golden mahseer fingerlings preferred mean depth (0.1–0.6 m) and mean stream velocity (0–0.2 m/s) at stream reach dominated by diverse substrate compositions such as sand, gravel, and small cobbles. Similarly, juveniles preferred mean depth (0.1–1.5 m) and mean water velocity (0.1–0.5 m/s), with cobbles, bedrock, and sand dominating their habitats. The GLM results indicated that dissolved oxygen, temperature, and water velocity were the significant factors influencing habitat suitability. High dissolved oxygen positively influenced fingerlings, whereas moderate to high water velocity affected juveniles the most. Therefore, to understand the flow requirement for threatened species like golden mahseer, it is essential to characterise critical habitats and develop criteria based on habitat suitability curves.