Enlargements of positive sets

In this paper we introduce the notion of enlargement of a positive set in SSD spaces. To a maximally positive set A we associate a family of enlargements E(A) and characterize the smallest and biggest element in this family with respect to the inclusion relation. We also emphasize the existence of a bijection between the subfamily of closed enlargements of E(A) and the family of so-called representative functions of A. We show that the extremal elements of the latter family are two functions recently introduced and studied by Stephen Simons. In this way we extend to SSD spaces some former results given for monotone and maximally monotone sets in Banach spaces.     

On the calculation of time correlation functions by potential scaling

We present and analyze a general method to calculate time correlation functions from molecular dynamics on scaled potentials for complex systems for which simulation is affected by broken ergodicity. Depending on the value of the scaling factor, correlations can be calculated for times that can be orders of magnitude longer than those accessible to direct simulations. We show that the exact value of the time correlation functions of the original system (i.e., with unscaled potential) can be obtained, in principle, using an action-reweighting scheme based on a stochastic path-integral formalism. Two tests (involving a bistable potential model and a dipeptide bond-vector orientational relaxation) are exemplified to showcase the strengths, as well as the limitations of the approach, and a procedure for the estimation of the time-dependent standard deviation error is outlined.     

Mixed Convection Boundary-Layer Flow Along a Vertical Cylinder Embedded in a Porous Medium Filled by a Nanofluid

The steady mixed convection boundary-layer flow on a vertical circular cylinder embedded in a porous medium filled by a nanofluid is studied for both cases of a heated and a cooled cylinder. The governing system of partial differential equations is reduced to ordinary differential equations by assuming that the surface temperature of the cylinder and the velocity of the external (inviscid) flow vary linearly with the axial distance x measured from the leading edge. Solutions of the resulting ordinary differential equations for the flow and heat transfer characteristics are evaluated numerically for various values of the governing parameters, namely the nanoparticle volume fraction ${\phi}$ , the mixed convection or buoyancy parameter ?? and the curvature parameter ??. Results are presented for the specific case of copper nanoparticles. A critical value ?? _c of ?? with ?? _c <?0 is found, with the values of | ?? _c| increasing as the curvature parameter ?? or nanoparticle volume fraction ${\phi}$ is increased. Dual solutions are seen for all values of ?? >??? _c for both aiding, ?? >?0 and opposing, ?? <?0, flows. Asymptotic solutions are also determined for both the free convection limit ${(\lambda \gg 1)}$ and for large curvature parameter ${(\gamma \gg 1)}$ .     

Oblique stagnation slip flow of a micropolar fluid towards a stretching/shrinking surface: A stability analysis

A numerical solution is obtained for the steady oblique stagnation-point flow of a micropolar fluid over a stretching or shrinking surface with velocity slip condition. Results are obtained for representative values of slip parameter, micropolar parameter and stretching/shrinking parameter for strong particle interaction micropolar fluid. Dual solutions are found for the case of shrinking surface. An analysis of stability of these dual solutions shows that the solution branch that proceeds to large stretching case is stable. The streamlines are not symmetric for the oblique stagnation-point flow and reversed flow are observed near to the shrinking surface. The streamlines plots show that increase of slip parameter will reduce/eliminate the existing of rotating flow near the surface that caused by the shrinking effect.     

Scientific investigations of the Imperial Gates from the Petrindu wooden church,Salaj County,Romania

In order to preserve and restore the Imperial Gates from the Petrindu wooden church, Salaj County, Romania, (map location—latitude, longitude: 46.97, 23.19), the scientific investigation of the wooden support and painting materials (ground and pigments) was performed, employing Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and 3D scanning. FTIR spectroscopy offered information about the wooden degradation stage, whereas X‐ray fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopic methods were employed for structural painting materials characterization. The structural data can be correlated with the artistic, theological, and historical analysis of this religious patrimony object. After obtaining information about the wooden support and painting materials, the Imperial Gates were 3D digitized using state of the art laser scanning technology. The digital 3D model obtained was restored in a virtual environment and converted into an interactive 3D model that can be used for Romanian cultural heritage digital dissemination.     

Novel nanocomposite membranes from cellulose acetate and clay‐silica nanowires

In this study, a new class of heterogeneous membranes based on cellulose acetate (CA) polymer and a complex filler clay‐silica nanowires (SiO₂NWs) was investigated for potential biomedical applications. SiO₂NWs were synthesized using natural clay through a facile sol–gel method and were dispersed in the polymer solution by sonication in the 1.25, 2.5, and 5% weight ratio to the CA acetate polymer. Membranes were subsequently prepared via phase inversion by precipitation of the CA polymer in water. The pristine CA membrane and SiO₂NWs based nanocomposites membranes were characterized using different characterization techniques. The presence of the SiO₂NWs in the CA membrane was found to significantly enhance the protein retention, water wettability and thermal as well as mechanical properties in comparison to the pristine CA membrane. Water flows studies at different temperatures and the retention of bovine serum albumin have been studied and the nanocomposite membranes were found to exhibit superior performances compared with the pristine CA membranes. SiO₂NWs‐CA membranes showed a much higher stability to the water temperature change during separation than CA membranes. Morphological changes clearly revealed that the composite membrane were much more compact than the pristine CA membranes. The rabbit dermal fibroblasts cell viability in cultures after 72 hr of incubation was found to be greater than 80%. These newly synthesized composite membranes exhibit a high potential to be used for various medical applications because of their non‐cytotoxic characteristics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetorheological suspension electromagnetic brake

The magnetorheological suspension (MRS) brake is of the monoblock type. The main part of the electromagnetic brake is an electromagnet, between whose poles two MRS disks are placed. For distances between disks of 0.65×10⁻³ m±10%, revolutions of the electric motor, coupled to the electromagnetic brake, ranging between 200 and 1600 rev/min and braking powers of up to 85 W, there are no differences in revolutions between the disks of the electromagnetic brake. For fixed revolutions of the electric motor, the revolution of the parallel disk can be modified continuously by means of the intensity of the magnetic field. In all cases, the quantity of MRS is of 0.35×10⁻³ kg.     

Error bound results for convex inequality systems via conjugate duality

The aim of this paper is to implement some new techniques, based on conjugate duality in convex optimization, for proving the existence of global error bounds for convex inequality systems. First of all, we deal with systems described via one convex inequality and extend the achieved results, by making use of a celebrated scalarization function, to convex inequality systems expressed by means of a general vector function. We also propose a second approach for guaranteeing the existence of global error bounds of the latter, which meanwhile sharpens the classical result of Robinson.     

Dynamic crystal plasticity: An Eulerian approach

In this paper an Eulerian rate-dependent single crystal model that accounts for high-strain rates, large strains and rotations is developed. The viscoplastic law as well as the evolution equations for the lattice are written in terms of vectorial and tensorial quantities associated with the current configuration. The viscoplastic law is obtained from Schmid law using an overstress approach. Such an expression for the viscoplastic law is motivated by the microdynamics of crystal defects. A general analysis of the plane-strain response of the proposed rigid-viscoplastic single crystal model is presented. It is shown that only one differential equation, involving the orientation of one composite in-plane slip system, is necessary to describe the lattice evolution. Several two-dimensional boundary value problems, such as equal-channel die extrusion and channel die compression are selected to illustrate the predictive capabilities of the model. The results show that even at relatively low strain rates the viscosity plays an important role in the development of localized deformation modes. At high crosshead velocity, the plastic properties and crystal anisotropy are less important while inertia effects are dominant. Finally, the grains interaction is investigated by analyzing the compression of a grains multicrystal.     

Fuzzy supervised neurocontrol of electrohydraulic servos

The work presents theoretical and experimental investigations concerning the neuro-fuzzy control of electrohydraulic servos. The control algorithm is built around a neurocontroller designed to optimize a performance index. Whenever the neurocontrol saturates or a system performance parameter decreases, the control scheme switches to a feasible and reliable fuzzy logic control. In accordance with simulation studies developed in previous works of the authors, the neuro-fuzzy controlled system proves often to be better than the corresponding classical PI or LQG systems. We emphasize that the entire control synthesis is thought as a model free approach, thus ensuring reduced design complexity and focusing on increased system robustness. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)