Structural hierarchies and interactions in the tendon composite

Tendon functions by transmitting tensile loads from muscle to bone. Morphologically, it can be described as a macromolecular multicomposite material, basically consisting of collagen fibrils held together by a soft, hydrated matrix material. Recently, tendon has been deformed beyond the "in vivo" elastic limit and by cyclical loading systematically damaged. Using high-resolution electron microscopy, decomposition of the collagen fibril into subfibrils (15 nm diameter) and microfibrils (3.5 nm diameter) has been noted. The interfacial adhesion between such units is strongly dependent on age, and is probably related with crosslinking phenomena observed by biochemical methods. In addition, tendon collagen contains a considerable amount of water throughout the entire structure which strongly affects its overall mechanical behavior. The various bound states of water have been identified using primarily dynamic mechanical spectroscopy coupled with more conventional methods of structural characterization.Published in Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 693–701, July–August, 1976.     

Finite Element Simulation of Frost Wedging in Ice Shelves

Break-up events in ice shelves have been studied extensively during the last years. One popular assumption links disintegration events to surface melting of the ice shelf in conjunction with growing melt-water ponds, leading to hydro-fracture. As this explanation only holds during warm seasons [1], the possibility of frost wedging as forcing mechanism for autumn and winter break-up events is considered. Frost wedging can only occur if a closed ice lid seals the water inside the crack. Hence, the present study of frost wedging in a single crack uses ice lid thicknesses to evaluate the additional pressure on the crack faces. The investigation of the resulting stress intensity factor as a measure of crack criticality follows consequently. The results show that freezing water inside a crack can result in unstable crack growth of an initially stable water filled crack. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A mathematical model for lifetime prediction of lacquer-paint coatings in sea water

Main features of the mechanism of lacquer-paint coatings destruction in sea water have been revealed. On this basis, a mathematical model has been developed and boundary value problems of mathematical physics have been formulated to calculate the determining processes on characteristic stages of coatings in sea water. The theoretical evaluation of coatings longevity depending on physical characteristics of the system has been made. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

基于多元线性回归模型的东北地区需水量分析

多元线性回归模型在社会、经济、技术以及众多自然科学研究领域中已被广泛使用,某个地区需水量应与该地区多种因素有关,故选取东北地区的GDP、水库蓄水总量、人均可支配收入、城市绿地面积和工业用水量等5个因素,借助MATLAB软件阐明了多元线性回归模型在东北地区需水量分析中的应用.并通过皮尔森相关性检验、拟合优度检验、F检验、t检验和残差分析的方法对模型进行优化,得到了准确可靠的多元线性回归模型,此模型具有拟合程度高、简易、直观等优势,为多元线性回归模型在需水量分析中的应用提供了有力参考.     

Algorithms to control the moving ship during harbour entry

Automation is being accepted for control systems onboard ships in view of the shortage of skilled manpower in marine sector. Control theory has long been applied to maneuvering problems and at present this trend is continuing at an increased rate. This is for speed control, course control and path keeping. Heading control and course keeping are very important for surface ships while they enter shallow water regions. A typical situation is the entry of a large commercial ship into the harbour basin. The ship faces a sudden change of forces and moments around it due to the change in the hydrodynamics. The Master of the ship regulates the speed while entering the basin. Forces and moments, due to the hydrodynamic flow around the moving hull, are balanced by the rudder behind it. The feed back from the heading angle is taken and the gain in the control system prompts the steering gear to turn the rudder. The conventional control algorithm based on PID is attempted in the first part of the paper and case studies are shown for a Mariner class ship whose hydrodynamic derivatives are known. Displacement, velocities and accelerations are determined for short duration from the simulation of a voyage in calm water. The proposed system can be implemented into autopilot systems. The codes developed in MATLAB can accommodate wind and wave forces as well. The simulation is of a general type and can be used for other vessels with a change in the constants of P (Proportional), I (Integral) and D (Derivative) which can be arrived at by trial and error. The design of the control system depends on the choice of the three control constants K_p, K_i and K_d. These will change as per sea state and extra loads. The control of motions in shallow water and deep water cases are discussed in the paper.     

System dynamics of euthrophication processes in lakes

Eutrophication is the phenomenon observed in the bodies of water that receive large influxes of nutrients due to agricultural runoff or urban waste disposal. It is characterized by blooms of either green or blue-green algae (often noxious smelling) and by a drastic reduction in dissolved oxygen and often makes it impossible for many species of fish and zooplankton to live in the water. The objective was to examine the effects of eutrophication on plankton seasonal dynamics. Simulation models have been used primary tool in the study of eutrophication in lakes. Many eutrophication models have been developed both to predict the effect of nutrient additions on lake biota and to examine how effective various nutrient diversions alternatives might be improved water quality. Systems dynamics was studied using the model, which is expressed as a series of four differential equations as its state variables for the rates of change of phytoplankton, zooplankton, nitrogen and phosphorus. Influence of the phosphorus concentration on eutrophication was treated and studied as the one of the most important process in the lake ecosystem.     

The zero surface tension limit two‐dimensional water waves

We consider two‐dimensional water waves of infinite depth, periodic in the horizontal direction. It has been proven by Wu (in the slightly different nonperiodic setting) that solutions to this initial value problem exist in the absence of surface tension. Recently Ambrose has proven that solutions exist when surface tension is taken into account. In this paper, we provide a shorter, more elementary proof of existence of solutions to the water wave initial value problem both with and without surface tension. Our proof requires estimating the growth of geometric quantities using a renormalized arc length parametrization of the free surface and using physical quantities related to the tangential velocity of the free surface. Using this formulation, we find that as surface tension goes to 0, the water wave without surface tension is the limit of the water wave with surface tension. Far from being a simple adaptation of previous works, our method requires a very original choice of variables; these variables turn out to be physical and well adapted to both cases. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hydrogeochemical modeling for groundwater management in arid and semiarid regions using MODFLOW and MT3DMS: A case study of the Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer,South-Eastern Tunisia

The study of water quality and the quantification of reserves and their variations according to natural and anthropogenic forcing is necessary to establish an adequate management plan for groundwater resources. For this purpose, a modeling approach is a useful tool that allows, after calibration phase and verification of simulation, and under different scenarios of forcing and operational changes, to estimate and control the groundwater quantity and quality. The main objective of this study is to collect all available data in a model that simulates the Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer system functioning. To achieve this goal, a conceptual model was constructed based on previous studies and hydrogeological investigations. The regional groundwater numerical flow model for the Jeffara aquifer was developed using MODFLOW working under steady-state and transient conditions. Groundwater elevations measured from the piezometric wells distributed throughout the study area in 1973 were selected as the target water levels for steady state (head) model calibration. A transient simulation was undertaken for the 42 years from 1973 to 2015. The historical transient model calibration was satisfactory, consistent with the continuous piezometric decline in response to the increase in groundwater abstraction. The developed numerical model was used to study the system's behavior over the next 35 years under various constraints. Two scenarios for potential groundwater extraction for the period 2015–2050 are presented. The predictive simulations show the effect of the increase of the exploitation on the piezometric levels. To study the phenomenon of salinization, which is one of the most severe and widespread groundwater contamination problems, especially in coastal regions, a solute transport model has been constructed by using MT3DMS software coupled with the groundwater flow model. The best calibration results are obtained when the connection with the overlying superficial aquifer is considered suggesting that groundwater contamination originates from this aquifer. Recommendations for water resource managers

• The results of this study show that Groundwater resources of Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer in Tunisia are under immense pressure from multiple stresses.
• The water resources manager must consider the impact of economic and demographic development in groundwater management to avoid the intrusion of saline water.
• The results obtained presented some reference information that can serve as a basis for water resources planning.
• The model runs to provide information that managers can use to regulate and adequately control the Jeffara of Medenine water resources.

     

Strength of biodegradable polypropylene tapes filled with a modified starch

The possibility of creating composite materials with high deformation and strength characteristics based on polypropylene (PP) and a natural polysaccharide in the form of a modified starch (MS) has been studied. The modified starch is shown to interact chemically with functional groups of PP, thereby positively affecting the physicomechanical properties, structure, and water absorption properties of films and oriented flat fibers based on starch-filled PP. The strength characteristics of both oriented and unoriented composites are 1.5–2.0 times as high as those of the initial PP. The water absorption ability of the materials varies symbatically with content of MS, which points to the dominant contribution of interactions at the PP-MS interface. The introduction of MS into synthetic polymers offers a possibility of producing new ecologically safe materials with high strength characteristics. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 389–400, May–June, 2006.     

DOES WATER DISINFECTANT PLAY A SUPPORTIVE ROLE IN THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE? A MATHEMATICAL STUDY

The waterborne diseases cause millions of deaths across the globe. It was a preconceived notion since years that ingestion of contaminated water is the only possible way for the spread of waterborne infectious diseases. But some recent studies have shown that waterborne disease can also spread as a result of human to human transmission. The use of disinfectants is a common practice to prevent a waterborne disease. We assume that the inclusion of the disinfectant, although helpful in prevention of disease, caused negative effect on individuals. In this paper, a nonlinear mathematical model has been proposed to analyze the negative effects caused by disinfectant of water on individuals. Our study shows that if the mixing of disinfectant has not been performed in a controlled manner, then it results in an increase in human to human transmission of disease. The equilibrium and stability analysis have been performed to study the nature of the model system. An extensive numerical experiment has been performed to support the analytical findings.     

Romberg integration: the importance of being analytical

The problem of reflection of water waves by a nearly vertical wall is studied. A simplified perturbational analysis followed by Havelock's expansion of water wave potential is employed to tackle the problem. Assuming some particular shapes of the nearly vertical wall, first‐order correction to the reflection coefficient is calculated for deep water as well as for uniform finite depth of water.     

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the water absorption of epoxy polymers

The water absorption of epoxy polymers at hydrostatic pressures up to 1000 kgf/cm² has been studied. It has been shown that pressure very definitely reduces the water absorption value but essentially does not change the diffusion coefficient of water into the polymers under study. An explanation of the data obtained is given.     

Detection of air pollutants with a tunable CO2 laser

Following a method described by Kreuzeret al., we have et up an improved spectroscopic system to detect trace pollutants in ambient air. A CO₂ laser is tuned to various transitions coincident with absorption lines or bands of pollutant gases. The laser beam is amplitude modulated at the resonant frequency of an acoustical cavity which serves as sample chamber. The pressure waves detected by sensitive microphones placed inside the cavity yield a signal proportional to the energy taken up by the absorbing gases. So far sensitivity limits of a few ppb have been achieved for some typical pollutants, together with high rejection ratios against interference among these gases and against water and CO₂.     

Two‐phase flows in karstic geometry

Multiphase flow phenomena are ubiquitous. Common examples include coupled atmosphere and ocean system (air and water), oil reservoir (water, oil, and gas), and cloud and fog (water vapor, water, and air). Multiphase flows also play an important role in many engineering and environmental science applications. In some applications such as flows in unconfined karst aquifers, karst oil reservoir, proton membrane exchange fuel cell, multiphase flows in conduits, and in porous media must be considered together. Geometric configurations that contain both conduit (or vug) and porous media are termed karstic geometry. Despite the importance of the subject, little work has been performed on multiphase flows in karstic geometry. In this paper, we present a family of phase–field (diffusive interface) models for two‐phase flow in karstic geometry. These models together with the associated interface boundary conditions are derived utilizing Onsager's extremum principle. The models derived enjoy physically important energy laws. A uniquely solvable numerical scheme that preserves the associated energy law is presented as well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

特高含水期井震结合注采系统挖潜调整研究

进入特高含水期后,开展注采系统调整挖潜剩余油是油田持续稳产的关键.为了提高特高含水阶段油田采收率,提出井震结合方法精细标定构造层位、认识储层特征,构建地质模型并数值模拟剩余油分布,针对剩余油应用井震结合解释成果设计注采系统调整方案并优化相应注水强度.实验区块研究结果表明:特高含水期,采用井震结合注采系统调整方法最终产油量和采收率分别提高31.21×10~4t和1.54%,能够达到有效挖潜剩余油的目的;而改变注水强度对最终开发效果影响显著,随着注水强度增加,采收率先增大后减小,存在最佳的注水强度为9m~3/d·m.     

A mathematical programming model applied to the study of water markets within the Spanish agricultural sector

Spanish irrigated agriculture uses about 80% of all the nation's available water resources. The need to increase the economic efficiency of current uses of water in the agricultural sector is perceived as the top priority of the country's national water policy. In Spain surface water is centrally allocated among competing users based on allocation criteria dictated by the Water Law. The complete absence of price or market signals is a major obstacle to induce irrigators to use water more efficiently. Water markets within the agricultural sector is a promising, though scarcely analyzed in Spain, solution to increase its economic efficiency. This research is an attempt to evaluate probable water transfers among farmers and irrigation districts as well as water price equilibria resulting from different water market arrangements. Three interconnected mathematical programming models permit the simulation of water use at the farm level and water market arrangements in the Guadalquivir Valley (Spain). Results show that water markets would be highly dependent on the level of transaction costs and on the relative reductions of water allotments due to nonoverlapping drought cycles among water districts.     

The elixir of life: using a maintenance, repair and replacement model based on virtual and operating age in the water industry

Processing equipment in the water industry is subject to decayand requires maintenance, repair and eventual replacement. Thechallenge of competition within the water industry and the accompanyingregulatory regime requires that actions be integrated and costeffective. This is an industry, which has considerable dataon the failure of its equipment, but until recently very fewmodels of the maintenance process have been built. This paper describes the context of this problem for cleanwater processing where the equipment is that required to purifywater. It proposes a model based on the virtual and operatingage of the components. The operating age reflects the true ageof the equipment while the virtual age allows for the cumulativeeffect of maintenance actions performed on the equipment. Themodel also allows for different types of equipment by describingdegradation by Cox's proportional hazards model. Thus the specialfeatures of the equipment and environment in which the equipmentoperates are described by a set of characteristics, which modifythe hazard rate of the failure time of the equipment. This approachusing Cox's model with virtual and operating age can be appliedto other processing industries including the gas industry andthe ‘dirty water’ side of the water industry. The model is formulated as a stochastic dynamic programmingor Markov decision process and the form of the optimal policyis determined. This shows that repair and replacement shouldonly be performed when the equipment has failed and describesgeneral conditions when replacement is appropriate. The optimalpolicy is calculated numerically using the value iteration algorithmfor a specific example based on data on failure.     

Water absorption and its effect on rubber strength

The effect of the swelling of rubbers in water and their recovery on the tear strength of the material has been investigated and a mechanism of water absorption is proposed. It is shown that there is a fundamental difference between the mechanism of water absorption and swelling in solvents. The strength of a rubber dried after being kept in water is anomalously high. This effect is explained in terms of the proposed polymer-nonsolvent interaction mechanism.É. A. Ter-Gazaryan State Scientific-Research and Design Institute of Polymer Adhesives, Kirovakan. Moscow Technological Institute of the Meat and Dairy Industry. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 1, pp. 136–138, January–February, 1970.     

Acoustic estimation of suspended sediment concentration

In this paper, the acoustic estimation of suspended sediment concentration is discussed and two estimation methods of suspended sediment concentration are presented. The first method is curve fitting method, in which, according to the acoustic backscattering theory we assume that the fitting factor K₁ (r) between the concentration M(r) obtained by acoustic observation and the concentration M₀ ( r) obtained by sampling water is a high order power function of distancer. Using least-square algorithm, we can determine the coefficients of the high order power function by minimizing the difference betweenM( r) and M₀ ( r) in the whole water profile. To the absorption coefficient of sound due to the suspension in water we do not give constraint in the first method. The second method is recursive fitting method, in which we take M₀ ( r) as the conditions of initialization and decision and give rational constraints to some parameters. The recursive process is stable. We analyzed the two methods with a lot of experimental data. The analytical results show that the estimate error of the first method is less than that of the second method and the latter can not only estimate the concentration of suspended sediment but also give the absorption coefficient of sound. Good results have been obtained with the two methods.