Defect detection and localization in orthotropic wood slabs by inversion of dynamic surface displacements

The nondestructive evaluation inversion and generalized force-mapping techniques developed and demonstrated for isotropic thin plates by Bucaro et al. [(2004). "Detection and localization of inclusions in plates using inversion of point actuated surface displacements," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 115, 201-206] are extended to the case of orthotropic plates. The extended techniques are applied to a finite-element generated numerical database for point excited wooden slabs with and without an internal defect at 5 and 10 kHz. Operation of the original isotropic algorithms on the wood surface displacements is shown to fail in recovering the uniform elastic parameters or in detecting and locating the defect. The new algorithms based on the wave equation for a thin, orthotropic plate successfully convert the surface displacements on the uniform wooden slab to elastic parameter maps which serve to detect and localize the defect in the flawed plate. The results, particularly at the higher frequency, indicate that the onset of failure in the thin plate approximation impacts both the inversion and the generalized force-mapping accuracy. However, in this case use of the inversion algorithm to obtain modified wave equation coefficients followed by operation of the force-mapping algorithm with these new parameters inserted is shown to successfully mitigate this effect.     

Pole approximation in the quasi-free t + p scattering and the t(p,d)d reaction via the t + d interaction

The t(p,p)t and t(p,d)d channels have been investigated in an indirect way through the ²H(t,tp)n and ²H(t,dd)n three-body reactions performed at E _t = 35.5?MeV in quasi-free kinematics. The agreement with direct data supports the pole approximation at energies above the Coulomb barrier.     

Nonlinear asymptotic stability of the equilibrium state for the MEP model of charge transport in semiconductors

Nonlinear asymptotic Lyapunov stability of the equilibrium state for the balance equations of charge transport in semiconductors based on the maximum entropy principle [A.M. Anile, V. Romano, Non parabolic band transport in semiconductors: closure of the moment equations, Contin. Mech. Thermodyn. 11 (1999) 307–325; V. Romano, Non parabolic band transport in semiconductors: closure of the production terms in the moment equations, Contin. Mech. Thermodyn. 12 (2000) 31–51] is proven for a typical 1-D problem.     

7Li quasi-free scattering off the α-cluster in 9Be nucleus

Spectra of coincident charged particles from the reactions induced by a 52 MeV ⁷Li beam incident on a beryllium target were measured. Strong contributions of the ⁷Li quasi-free scattering off the α-cluster in ⁹Be nucleus were observed. This observation supports the conclusions from the study of complete fusion of weakly bound light nuclei at low energies that the “fragility” of the nuclei makes their fusion less probable. Received: 1 June 1998     

Synthesis of a Corey's lactone analogue from the iridoid Aucubin

Synthesis of a Corey's lactone analogue and a synthon for 11-deoxy-11-methyl prostaglandin and prostacyclin from the iridoid glucoside Aucubin is described.     

The Eu(III) Ion as Luminescent Probe: Investigation of the Metal-Ion Sites in a Dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 Complex

The metal ion sites of the 3:2 complex between europium nitrate and the A -isomer of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, [Eu(NO₃)₂(DC18C6)]₂[Eu(NO₃)₅], have been probed by high-resolution excitation and emission spectra at 296 and 77 K. The [Eu(NO₃)₅]^2? anion gives rise to a luminescent spectrum dominated by the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition. The crystal-field splitting of the ⁷F_j levels is close to that observed for (Phe₄As)₂[Eu(NO₃)₅], pointing to a structurally similar pentakis(nitrato) species. The ⁵D₀←⁷F₀ excitation spectrum of the two crystallographically independent complex cations displays five maxima. A detailed analysis of the corresponding and selectively excited emission spectra leads to the following conclusions. Well differentiated spectra are assigned to different conformations of the complex cation, in which half of the ligand atoms, including O-atoms, Present large thermal motions. The other spectra are very similar and arise from slightly unequivalent [Eu(NO₃)₂(DC18C6)]⁺ moieties differing in the conformation of their ethylene bridges. This dimonstrates the sensitivity of the Eu(III) ion as conformational probe in the solid state.     

Model and computer simulation of nanosecond laser material ablation

A computer model to simulate the evolution of parameters describing laser ablation processes was developed. The absorbed laser energy, the heat diffusion, the phase transformations and the shielding effect of the ablated material were taken into account. The temporal development of the ablated volume, pore depth and extension of the melt zone were calculated for single pulses of 500, 100, 20, 5 and 1 ns. Simulations were performed for pulse energies of 50 J and spot diameters of 10 m. From temporal evolution curves of the ablated volumes, the stoppage of the ablation process was evidenced before the end of the processing pulse. Comments with respect to optimal pulse duration (in the ns regime) are also formulated. PACS 81.40.Wx