Strain induced strengthening of soft thermoplastic polyurethanes under cyclic deformation

We investigate the cyclic mechanical behavior in uniaxial tension of three different commercial thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) often considered as a sustainable replacement for common filled elastomers. All TPU have similar hard segment contents and linear moduli but sensibly different large strain properties as shown by X-ray analysis. Despite these differences, we found a stiffening effect after conditioning in step cyclic loading which greatly differs from the common softening (also referred as Mullins effect) observed in chemically crosslinked filled rubbers. We propose that this self-reinforcement is related to the fragmentation of hard domains, naturally present in TPU, in smaller but more numerous sub-units that may act as new physical crosslinking points. The proposed stiffening mechanism is not dissimilar to the strain-induced crystallization observed in stretched natural rubber, but it presents a persistent nature. In particular, it may cause a local reinforcement where an inhomogeneous strain field is present, as is the case of a crack propagating in cyclic fatigue, providing a potential explanation for the well-known toughness and wear resistance of TPU.     

Analytic hierarchy process for multi-sensor data fusion based on belief function theory

Multi-sensor data fusion is an evolving technology whereby data from multiple sensor inputs are processed and combined. The data derived from multiple sensors can, however, be uncertain, imperfect, and conflicting. The present study is undertaken to help contribute to the continuous search for viable approaches to overcome the problems associated with data conflict and imperfection. Sensor readings, represented by belief functions, have to be fused according to their corresponding weights. Previous studies have often estimated the weights of sensor readings based on a single criterion. Mono-criteria approaches for the assessment of sensor reading weights are, however, often unreliable and inadequate for the reflection of reality. Accordingly, this work opts for the use of a multi-criteria decision aid. A modified Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) that incorporates several criteria is proposed to determine the weights of a sensor reading set. The approach relies on the automation of pairwise comparisons to eliminate subjectivity and reduce inconsistency. It assesses the weight of each sensor reading, and fuses the weighed readings obtained using a modified average combination rule. The efficiency of this approach is evaluated in a target recognition context. Several tests, sensitivity analysis, and comparisons with other approaches available in the literature are described.     

Corners of self-conjugate (s,s + 1)-cores and (s‾,s+1‾)-cores

In this paper, we describe a result on self-conjugate $(s,s+1)$-core partitions with the fixed number of corners. We also define shifted corners of a distinct partition and find formulas for the number of $(\stackrel{￣}{s},\stackrel{￣}{s+1})$-core partitions and the number of $(s,s+1)$-core shifted Young diagrams with the fixed number of shifted corners.     

On one generalization of a DiPerna and Majda theorem

The weak limits of sequences {f(u^ν)}_ν∈? where u^ν's are vector‐valued µ‐measurable functions defined on a compact set Ω and f is (possibly) discontinuous are investigated. As shown by the author (J. Conv. Anal. (to appear)), they are described in terms of integral formulae involving parametrized measures independent of f, similarly as in the classical theorem by Young and its generalization due to DiPerna and Majda. In the present paper we describe the supports of the involved parametrized measures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Projection of Markov Measures May Be Gibbsian

We study the induced measure obtained from a 1-step Markov measure, supported by a topological Markov chain, after the mapping of the original alphabet onto another one. We give sufficient conditions for the induced measure to be a Gibbs measure (in the sense of Bowen) when the factor system is again a topological Markov chain. This amounts to constructing, when it does exist, the induced potential and proving its Hölder continuity. This is achieved through a matrix method. We provide examples and counterexamples to illustrate our results.     

From a Nonlinear, Nonconvex Variational Problem to a Linear, Convex Formulation

   Abstract. We propose a general approach to deal with nonlinear, nonconvex variational problems based on a reformulation of the problem resulting in an optimization problem with linear cost functional and convex constraints. As a first step we explicitly explore these ideas to some one-dimensional variational problems and obtain specific conclusions of an analytical and numerical nature.     

Lacunary Measures and Self-similar Probability Measures in Function Spaces

The paper deals with multifractal quantities for some types of Radon measures,especiallyself-similar probability measures,and their relations to Besov spaces.     

晶体微观结构的数值计算

晶体微观结构是晶体材料在特定物理条件下其多个能量极小平衔态在空间形成的某种微尺度的规则分布．几何非线性的连续介质力学理论可以用能量极小化原理来解释晶体微观结构的形成，并用Young测度来刻画平衡态各变体在空间的概率分布．定性的理解与定量地分析和计算晶体材料的微观结构对于发展和改进高级晶体功能材料，如形状记忆合金、铁电体、磁至伸缩材料等，有重要的意义．本文回顾了近年来晶体微观结构数值计算方面的最新进展．介绍了计算晶体微观结构的几种数值方法及有关的数值分析结果。     

A Pilot Survey of Vocal Health in Young Singers

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of vocal problems in young choir singers and to correlate vocal problems with demographic and behavioral information. A questionnaire addressing vocal habits and hygiene was offered to 571 young choir singers, up to 25 years of age, who sing at least weekly; 129 (22.6%) responded. More than one-half of the respondents had experienced vocal difficulty, particularly older adolescents. Detrimental behaviors and circumstances surveyed were not reflective of the incidence of vocal difficulty, except for morning hoarseness, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and female gender after puberty. Voice care professionals should be aware that self-reported voice difficulties are common among young choral singers, especially postpubescent girls, and children with symptoms consistent with reflux (morning hoarseness) and emotional stress (insomnia). Laryngologists should communicate with choral conductors and singing teachers to enhance early identification and treatment of children with voice complaints, and to develop choral educational strategies that help decrease their incidence.     

Hessian Measures III

In this paper, we continue previous investigations into the theory of Hessian measures. We extend our weak continuity result to the case of mixed k-Hessian measures associated with k-tuples of k-convex functions, on domains in Euclidean n-space, k=1,2,…,n. Applications are given to capacity, quasicontinuity, and the Dirichlet problem, with inhomogeneous terms, continuous with respect to capacity or combinations of Dirac measures.