Multivariate Reversed Hazard Rates and Inactivity Times of Systems

Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability - The family of the multivariate conditional hazard rate functions often reveals to be a convenient tool to describe the joint probability...     

Existence of the Optimum in Shallow Lake Type Models with Hysteresis Effect

Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications - Pollution management models of Shallow Lake type identify a well-known class of infinite horizon optimal control problems, characterized by the...     

A modulus-based formulation for the vertical linear complementarity problem

Numerical Algorithms - We introduce a modulus-based formulation for vertical linear complementarity problems (VLCPs) with an arbitrary number ? of matrices. This formulation can be used to...     

A Large Deviation Perspective on Ratio Observables in Reset Processes: Robustness of Rate Functions

Journal of Statistical Physics - We study large deviations of a ratio observable in discrete-time reset processes. The ratio takes the form of a current divided by the number of reset steps and as...     

Human mobility and COVID-19 initial dynamics

Nonlinear Dynamics - Countries in Europe took different mobility containment measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The European Commission asked mobile network operators to share on a...     

Fracture behavior and mechanical,thermal, and rheological properties of biodegradable films extruded by flat die and calender

The development of biodegradable materials for tailored applications, particularly in the field of polymeric films and sheets, is a challenging technological goal as well as a contribution to help protect the environment. Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is a promising substitute for several oil-based polymers; however, to overcome its thermal and mechanical drawbacks, researchers have developed solutions such as blending PLA with polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), which is capable of increasing the ductility of the final material. In this study, PLA/PBAT binary blends, with minimum possible content of nonrenewable materials, were examined from processing, thermal, morphological, and rheological perspective. An optimized PLA/PBAT ratio was chosen as the polymeric basis to obtain a biodegradable formulation by adding a biobased plasticizer and appropriate fillers to produce a micrometer film with tailored flexibility and tear resistance. The processing technology involved flat-die extrusion, followed by calendering. The tearing resistance of the produced film was investigated, and the results were compared with literature data. A study on the essential work of fracture was implemented to explore the mode III out-of-plane fracture resistance starting from a trouser tear test.     

Mechanical response of fabric sheets to three-dimensional bending,twisting, and stretching

A model for the mechanics of woven fabrics is developed in the framework of two-dimensional elastic surface theory. Thickness effects are modeled indirectly in terms of appropriate constitutive equations. The model accounts for the strain of the fabric and additional effects associated with the normal bending, geodesic bending, and twisting of the constituent fibers.