A semi-theoretical and experimental approach for the determination of the stress intensity factors

The stress intensity factors for plexiglass plates containing edge cracks and subjected to either pure bending or tension are determined herein. The method of investigation was based on a semi-theoretical and experimental approach, where the stress intensity factors are expressed in terms of the measured diameter of the caustic, the crack length, and the width of the specimen. First, two basic crack arrangements (single and double edge cracks) were studied and then the method was utilized for the investigation of more complicated crack arrangements which are difficult or maybe impossible to be investigated otherwise. In particular, the stress intensity factor for plates having a sharp V-notch of various angles θ, and semi-infinite plates containing equal parallel edge cracks subjected to pure bending and tension respectively, were investigated in order to verify the validity of this method.     

Soy protein supplementation does not cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women

Background  

The health benefits of soy isoflavones have been widely investigated; however, there are some concerns as to whether soy isoflavones, similar to ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which 12-month supplementation of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones alters lymphocyte counts or other hematological parameters in postmenopausal women who were not on hormone replacement therapy.     

Microstructure evolution and simulation of copolymerization reaction using a percolation kinetic gelation model

A new kinetic gelation model that incorporates the kinetics of non-linear free radical copolymerization is presented. Copolymerization of bi- and tetrafunctional monomer mixtures is simulated to characterize kinetic effects on polymerization statistics and microstructures. An algorithm for random next step selection in a self-avoiding random walk and efficient mechanisms of component's mobility are introduced to improve the universality of the predictions by removing commonly occurring simulation deficiencies due to early trapping of radicals. The model has the capability to predict the onset of the sol-gel transition, and the effect of chemical composition on the transition point. It is shown that a better understanding of microstructure evolution during polymerization and chemical gelation is attained. Lastly, one important benefit of the simulation method is the ability to simulate very highly packed random chains or microgels within a polymer network.     

Fluid shear stress activation of IkappaB kinase is integrin-dependent

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs), forming a boundary between the circulating blood and the vessel wall, are constantly subjected to fluid shear stress due to blood flow. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the recently identified IkappaB kinases (IKKs) in shear stress activation of NF-kappaB and to elucidate the upstream signaling mechanism that mediates IKK activation. Our results demonstrate that IKKs in ECs are activated by shear stress in a rapid and transient manner. This IKK activation is followed by IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus. Transfection of plasmids encoding catalytic inactive mutants of IKKs, i.e. hemagglutinin (HA)-IKKalpha(K44M) and HA-IKKbeta(K44A), inhibits shear stress-induced NF-kappaB translocation. In addition, constructs encoding antisense IKKs, i.e. HA-IKKalpha(AS) and HA-IKKbeta(AS), attenuate shear stress induction of a promoter driven by the kappaB enhancer element. Preincubation of the EC monolayer with a monoclonal anti-alphavbeta3 integrin antibody (clone LM609) attenuates shear stress induction of IKK. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases by genistein causes a similar down-regulating effect. These results suggest that the integrin-mediated signaling pathway regulates NF-kappaB through IKKs in ECs in response to shear stress.     

A two dimensional investigation on plates with oblique equal and unequal parallel edge cracks subjected to tension

This paper reports on an attempt to investigate the stress intensity factors of equal and unequal oblique parallel edge cracks subjected to tension. The effects of the variation of the length of the cracks, angle of inclination, and crack spacings on the stress intensity factors (opening and sliding modes) were studied. Experimental observations show that, for crack spacings equal or larger than the length of the equal oblique parallel edge cracks, the size of the caustics for the cracks in the loaded specimen approach that of a single oblique edge crack with the same angle of inclination.In the case of unequal oblique parallel edge cracks, a crack closure phenomenon and its occurrance with respect to the length of the cracks and crack spacings were investigated. It was observed that the transverse diameter of the caustic for the shorter cracks became small and negligible when the position of the shorter cracks with respect to the longer cracks became smaller than half of the crack spacings.

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Résumé Le mémoire est relatif à une tentative d'étude des facteurs d'intensité de contrainte relatifs à des fissures de bord parallèles et obliques de longuers égales et inégales soumises à tension. On étudie les effets de la variation de longueurs des fissures, de l'angle de leur inclinaison, et de la distance entre les fissures sur les facteurs d'intensité de contrainte dans les modes d'ouverture et de glissement. Les observations expérimentales montrent que lorsque les fissures sont espacées d'une grandeur égale ou supérieure à la longueur des fissures de bord obliques parallèles et égales, la dimension des caustiques relatives aux fissures dans une éprouvette sous charge est proche de celle relative à une fissure de bord simple oblique possédant le même angle d'inclinaison.Dans le cas de fissures de bords parallèles obliques inégales, un phénomène de fermeture de fissure a été étudié, ainsi que son apparition en fonction de la longueur des fissures et de l'espacement entre celles-ci. Il a été observé que le diamètre transversal de la caustique relative aux fissures plus courtes devient faible et négligeable lorsque la position des fissures courtes par rapport aux fissures les plus longues devient plus petite que la moitié de l'espacement entre les fissures.

     

Polypyrrole coatings for corrosion protection of Al alloy2024: influence of electrodeposition methods,solvents, and ZnO nanoparticle concentrations

Since ZnO nanoparticles increase the electrical conductivity of the polypyrrole (PPy) coatings, an investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles loading on the corrosion protection performance of PPy coatings on AA2024 Al alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution. At first, some measurements were carried out to find the best experimental conditions containing the electrodeposition method, electrosynthesis solvent composition, and ZnO nanoparticles’ concentration for preparing the optimum PPy coating on Al alloy2024. Three different methods of electrodeposition, namely: cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic, and potentiostatic techniques were analyzed. The anti-corrosion performance of the PPy coatings was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization methods. The PPy prepared by potentiostatic method exhibited the best performance against corrosion of Al alloy2024 in 3.5% NaCl solution. Then, different mixtures of H₂O/ethanol were tested as electrosynthesis solvents for preparation of PPy coatings on the alloy by optimized electrodeposition mode (i.e., potentiostatic). In evaluation of the prepared coatings, the pure water was introduced as the optimum solvent in electrodeposition of PPy. The investigation of different ZnO nanoparticles’ concentrations proved that the PPy coating containing 0.025% ZnO nanoparticles was the optimum coating against the corrosion of Al alloy in NaCl solution. Finally, the long-term evaluation of the corrosion protection performance of the coatings revealed that the optimum coating provided suitable protection against corrosion up to 14 days after immersion.

     

Determining the occurrence time of different stages of asphaltene aggregation using molecular dynamics simulations

This work presents a framework for future studies to better understand the appropriate time to include chemical inhibitors at different stages of asphaltene aggregation in the oil. For this purpose, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to study the aggregation of asphaltene molecules in heptane, in terms of strength, dynamics, and the occurrence time of each stage of aggregation from single molecules to a large flocculate. Results indicate that the nucleation of nanoaggregates begins prior to 10?ns, clusters start forming at 98?ns, and flocculation happens after 120?ns. It was also observed that the final flocculate had a globular shape.     

Synthesis of undoped and Fe nanoparticles doped SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructure: study of structural,optical and electrocatalytic properties

In this study, undoped and nano Fe doped SnO₂ nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Characterization of the synthesized nanostructures was performed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. For investigation of optical properties, photo luminescence and UV–Vis spectrum were taken. The electrochemical response of the carbon paste electrode modified with synthesized nanostructures toward levodopa (L-Dopa) was studied. Cyclic voltammetry studies using prepared modified electrodes showed outstanding electrocatalytic properties towards electro-oxidation of L-Dopa and a significant reduction was observed in anodic over voltage compared to the bare electrode. Obtained results indicated the effective role of the employed dopant. Best response in terms of the current enhancement, overvoltage reduction, and reversibility improvement of the L-Dopa oxidation reaction under experimental conditions was obtained by modified electrode with Fe doped SnO₂ nanoparticles.     

Economics of vertical farming in the competitive market

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The sustainability issues surrounding conventional agriculture motivate the need for exploring new sustainable methods of farming, critical for global...     

Uncertainty measures for probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets in multiple criteria decision making

This contribution reviews critically the existing entropy measures for probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (PHFSs), and demonstrates that these entropy measures fail to effectively distinguish a variety of different PHFSs in some cases. In the sequel, we develop a new axiomatic framework of entropy measures for probabilistic hesitant fuzzy elements (PHFEs) by considering two facets of uncertainty associated with PHFEs which are known as fuzziness and nonspecificity. Respect to each kind of uncertainty, a number of formulae are derived to permit flexible selection of PHFE entropy measures. Moreover, based on the proposed PHFE entropy measures, we introduce some entropy-based distance measures which are used in the portion of comparative analysis. Eventually, the proposed PHFE entropy measures and PHFE entropy-based distance measures are applied to decision making in the strategy initiatives where their reliability and effectiveness are verified.