Inflation and burst of aluminum tubes. Part II: An advanced yield function including deformation-induced anisotropy

In a recent study [Korkolis, Y.P., Kyriakides, S., 2008. Inflation and burst of anisotropic aluminum tubes for hydroforming applications. Int’l. J. Plasticity 24, 509–543], the formability of aluminum tubes was investigated using a combination of experimental and numerical approaches. The tubes were loaded to failure under combined internal pressure and axial load along radial paths in the engineering stress space. The experiments were then simulated using appropriate FE models and two established anisotropic yield functions. It was found that for some loading paths the computed deformations did not agree with the experimental ones, whereas rupture was generally overpredicted. In the current study the problem is tackled using a more advanced yield function [Barlat, F., Brem, J.C., Yoon, J.W., Chung, K., Dick, R.E., Lege, D.J., Pourboghrat, F., Choi, S.-H., Chu, E., 2003. Plane stress function for aluminum alloy sheets – part I: theory. Int’l. J. Plasticity 19, 1297–1319]. Three different calibration schemes of this function are employed, in two of which the experimentally observed deformation-induced anisotropy is taken into account. It is demonstrated that both deformation and failure can ultimately be predicted successfully, albeit arduously, using a hybrid procedure detailed herein.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Vanadium Based on its Catalytic Effect on the Reaction of Diphenylamine and Hydrogen Peroxide

 In this work a kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of vanadium is presented. The method is based on the catalytic effect of the vanadium(V) on the reaction between diphenylamine (DPhA) and hydrogen peroxide in a concentrated solution of formic acid. The formation of the deep-blue oxidation product is followed by a filter spectrophotometer, equipped with an optical fiber assembly, on line with a PC provided with the suitable software. The measurements were taken at 583 nm, with an immersed type cell of 1 cm light path length. The optimization of the operating conditions regarding concentrations of the reagents, temperature and interferences are also investigated. The working curve is linear over the concentration range 0.40–4.0 μg/ml vanadium(V). The relative standard deviation for a standard solution of 0.6 μg/ml of vanadium is 0.5% (n = 5). The proposed method proved highly sensitive, selective and relatively rapid for the assay of vanadium, at low level of 0.40 μg/ml without any pre-concentration step. The method was applied to alloys and cosmetics samples. The results were compared to those received with a reference method. Good agreement was attained, with a mean error of 0.5%. Received February 25, 2000. Revision May 15, 2000.     

A multicriteria accreditation system for information technology skills and qualifications

Employees must acquire new competences and qualifications throughout their lives, in order to be able to deal with the multiple changes in the labour market. The specific knowledge and competences, acquired either formally or non-formally, must be recognized so that they can be transferred and utilized. The existing titles of studies and accreditation mechanisms do not generally cover this need. This paper aims to propose an integrated approach for the evaluation of information technology knowledge and skills, regardless of where and how they have been acquired, so as to apply a continuous education and training policy. The proposed multicriteria methodology for the evaluation of qualifications and skills concerns candidates wishing to be accredited in an information technology specialization or profession. The methodology refers to the evaluation of the professional experience, studies and vocational training of the candidates for accreditation. It contains the analysis and modelling of the qualitative criteria as well as the implementation of multicriteria aggregation–disaggregation techniques attributing value to each criterion. Then, the candidates are classified in categories of professionals using the Electre Tri method, accepting as input data the multicriteria assessments on each criterion. The proposed evaluation approach has been adapted to the Greek educational system and is applied to a specific example of candidate.     

The extrapolated first order method for solving systems with complex eigenvalues

An extrapolated form of the basic first order stationary iterative method for solving linear systems when the associated iteration matrix possesses complex eigenvalues, is investigated. Sufficient (and necessary) conditions are given such that convergence is assured. An analytic determination of good (and sometimes optimum) values of the involved real parameter is presented in terms of certain bounds on the eigenvalues of the iteration matrix. The usefulness of the developed theory is shown through a simple application to the conventional Jacobi method.     

Analysis for the end of block wasted space

The problem examined in this report is the calculation of the average wasted space at the end of the block when variable length records are inserted in the file. Previous efforts are based in approximations. Here, a detailed analysis based on Markov chains gives the exact solution. A framework is presented which shows the relations between the previous approaches. The proposed model includes the previous models as special limiting cases. Simulation results close to the analytic results are also presented.This research was sponsored partially by the National Science Foundation under the grants DCR-86-16833, IRI-8719458 and IRI-8958546 and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under grant AFOSR-89-0303.     

Efficient determination and evaluation of model cyclodextrin complex binding constants by electrospray mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is now routinely used for the detection of cyclodextrin noncovalent complexes, complementing previously established methods. Host-guest complexes formed in solution are also stable for characterization by ESI in the gas phase. This paper reports the first investigations to characterize the stability of three inclusion complexes between beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and three model "guest" molecules, by determining the cyclodextrin compound complex stability constant (K(st)) with the use of mass spectrometric studies. The relative signal intensity of the complexes were monitored in the positive ion mode by mixing each "guest" molecule with an up to 50-fold molar excess of betaCD. A novel linear equation, similar to Benesi-Hildebrand, was derived allowing the determination of K(st) for 1:1 stoichiometry in all complexes. These values were compared with the K(st) obtained by spectrophotometric experiments and they were evaluated to be slightly different, indicating the validity of the described method.     

Investigation of red natural dyes used in historical objects by HPLC-DAD-MS

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis Diode Array Detection (DAD) and electrospray mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) method was utilized for the identification of coloring components of madder, Armenian and Mexican cochineal, lac dye, brazilwood, safflower and dragon blood--probably the most important red natural dyestuffs found in objects of the cultural heritage. UV-Vis detection limits in the range of 0.2-0.6 ng for carminic acid, alizarin and purpurin were achieved using a gradient elution of H2O-0.01% TFA and CH3CN-0.01% TFA. ESI mass spectrometer was also used, as a supportive detection method to the standard DAD, for further analysis of the tested materials, with the ability to analyze dyestuffs as small as one milligram. The presence of madder was revealed in two historical (Hellenistic and Roman period) samples, found in the Mediterranean area, by identifying purpurin in both of them. Munjistin was also identified in one of the samples (Hellenistic period) while alizarin was not detected, raising questions regarding the exact madder type, utilized in the historical samples.