Resolving the similarities and differences between the effect of structurally different actin-binding proteins on the thermodynamic properties of G-actin

Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to compare the effects of mammalian twinfilin-1 or toxofilin on the thermodynamic properties of actin monomer. Although twinfilin and toxofilin have different structure and actin-binding sites, they similarly increased the thermodynamic stability of monomeric actin. The mammalian twinfilin increased, while the toxofilin did not significantly change the T_1/2 value (the width at half-height of the transition peak) during the complex formation between the actin and the monomer binding proteins. In case of toxofilin, the E_A value (activation energy) significantly increased compared to twinfilin where the activation energy was nearly insensitive to the complex formation. It seems that toxofilin can achieve its main function as an actin monomer sequestering protein by more effectively and consistently modifying the basic thermodynamic properties of the monomeric actin.     

Digital Image Mechanical Identification (DIMI)

A continuous pathway from digital images acquired during a mechanical test to quantitative identification of a constitutive law is presented herein based on displacement field analysis. From images, displacement fields are directly estimated within a finite element framework. From the latter, the application of the equilibrium gap method provides the means for rigidity field evaluation. In the present case, a reconditioned formulation is proposed for a better stability. Last, postulating a specific form of a damage law, a linear system is formed that gives a direct access to the (non-linear) damage growth law in one step. The two last procedures are presented, validated on an artificial case, and applied to the case of a biaxial tension of a composite sample driven up to failure. A quantitative estimate of the quality of the determination is proposed, and in the last application, it is shown that no more than 7% of the displacement field fluctuations are not accounted for by the determined damage law.     

Nachweis und Bestimmung des Chroms

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

On asymptotic properties for some parameter-dependent variational inequalities

This paper is concerned with asymptotic and monotonicity properties of some parameter-dependent variational inequalities. The main part of the study deals with inequalities modelling friction problems with normal compliance or Tresca’s conditions in which the parameter stands for the friction coefficient. The corresponding inequalities are (generalizations) of variational inequalities of the second kind. We then study an inequality of the first kind representing the elastoplastic torsion problem where the parameter represents the plasticity yield.     

Measuring stress intensity factors with a camera: Integrated digital image correlation (I-DIC)Mesure de facteurs d'intensité des contraintes avec une caméra : corrélation d'images numériques intégrée (CINI)

A novel ‘integrated’ approach coupling image correlation and elastic displacement field identification provides a powerful and accurate tool to evaluate mode I and II stress intensity factors. This technique is applied to silicon carbide subjected to a sandwiched three-point bend test, using digital pictures obtained in optical microscopy where the pixel physical scale is about 2 μm. A crack whose maximum opening is 500 nm can be detected and its geometry identified. The toughness is determined well within a 10%uncertainty. To cite this article: F. Hild, S. Roux, C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).     

Analysis of reflectance and modulation spectroscopic lineshapes in optoelectronic device structures

We discuss the spectral lineshapes of reflectance and modulated reflectance (MR) measurements on optoelectronic device structures such as epi-layers, quantum wells (QWs), vertical-cavity surface emitting-lasers (VCSELs) and resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs). We consider the various methods for the extraction of built-in electric fields and band-gap energies from Franz-Keldysh oscillations (FKO), using the example of a tensilely strained InGaAs QW system, whose InGaAsP barriers yield strong FKO. We describe how critical point transition energies can be easily obtained by eye from Kramers-Kronig (KK) transforms of low field or QW modulation spectra, using the example of the modulated transmittance spectra of dilute-nitrogen InGaAsN p-i-n structures. We also discuss how the ordinary reflectivity spectrum, usually acquired at the same time as the MR signal, may also be exploited to extract layer thicknesses and compositions, and information about the active QW absorption spectrum in VCSEL and RCLED structures.     

An example of nonuniqueness for the continuous static unilateral contact model with Coulomb friction

The aim of this Note is to propose an example of nonuniqueness for the continuous static unilateral contact model with Coulomb friction in linear elasticity. To cite this article: P. Hild, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 337 (2003).     

Sufficient conditions of non‐uniqueness for the Coulomb friction problem

We consider the Signorini problem with Coulomb friction in elasticity. Sufficient conditions of non‐uniqueness are obtained for the continuous model. These conditions are linked to the existence of real eigenvalues of an operator in a Hilbert space. We prove that, under appropriate conditions, real eigenvalues exist for a non‐local Coulomb friction model. Finite element approximation of the eigenvalue problem is considered and numerical experiments are performed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.