Some remarks concerning C-spaces

We comment on the definition of C-spaces in [D.F. Addis, J.H. Gresham, A class of infinite-dimensional spaces. Part I: Dimension theory and Alexandroff's Problem, Fund. Math. 101 (1978) 195-205] and [W.E. Haver, A covering property for metric spaces, in: Topology Conference at Virginia Polytechnic Institute 1973, in: Lecture Notes in Math., vol. 375, 1974, pp. 108-113]. Furthermore we introduce two types of ‘finite’ C-spaces one of which gives an internal characterization of all spaces having a metrizable compactification satisfying property C. We also introduce a transfinite dimension function for those finite C-spaces. Several questions arise that are related to Alexandrov's problem.     

On the behaviour of rubberlike materials in compression and shear

Summary The mechanical behaviour of rubberlike materials is modelled in a phenomenological approach using a strain-energy formulation. Nonhomogeneous shear experiments on solid rubber specimens have been carried out as well as simple elongation tests on the same rubber compound. The elongation tests have been used to determine the model constants. By a comparison between experiment and numerical simulation of the nonhomogeneous shear test the predictive capabilities of the Mooney-Rivlin, the Ogden and the Besseling model have been assessed for compression-shear deformation paths. An analytical study explains the numerically observed behaviour.

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Über das Verhalten von Gummimaterialien unter Druck und Schubverformungen

Übersicht Das mechanische Verhalten von Gummimaterialien wird phänomenologisch modelliert unter Anwendung einer Formänderungsenergiefunktion. Es sind nicht-homogene Schubversuche auf dreidimensionale Versuchsproben aus Gummi so wie auch einfache Verlängerungsversuche auf Gummiproben der gleichen Zusammenstellung durchgeführt worden. Die Verlängerungsversuche sind durchgeführt worden um die Stoffkennwerte feststellen zu können. In einer Vergleichung zwischen dem Experiment und der numerischen Simulation von nicht-homogenen Schubversuchen ist die Genauigkeit des Mooney-Rivlinschen Modells, des Ogdenschen Modells und des Besselingschen Modells für kombinierte Druck-Schubverformungen festgestellt worden. In einem analytischen Studium wird das numerisch betrachtete Verhalten auseinandergesetzt.

     

Numerical homogenization of cracking processes in thin fibre-epoxy layers

Discrete microscale fracture processes in thin fibre-epoxy layers are connected to a mesoscale traction-separation law through a numerical homogenization framework. The microscale fracture processes are studied with the finite element method, where cracking within the epoxy and debonding between fibres and epoxy is simulated by placing interface elements furnished with a mixed-mode interface damage model in between the continuum elements modelling the fibres and epoxy. It is demonstrated how the effective traction-separation response and the corresponding microscale fracture patterns under mesoscale tensile conditions depend on the sample size, the fibre volume fraction and the presence of imperfections.     

Numerical methods for bifurcation analysis in geomechanics

Summary A numerical approach to bifurcation problems in soil plasticity is outlined. While previously published results have been obtained using non-associated plasticity models, results are now presented for strain-softening plasticity. Attention is focused on a biaxial test, for which results have been obtained starting from a perfectly homogeneous sample and for a sample that contains imperfections. It is shown that the mere introduction of an imperfection not always transfers a bifurcation problem into a limit problem. This observation illustrates the need for an option in a finite element program that carries out a bifurcation analysis.

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Numerische Methoden zur Verzweigungsanalyse in der Bodenmechanik

übersicht Skizziert wird eine numerische Behandlung von Verzweigungsproblemen in der PlastizitÄt von Böden. WÄhrend frühere Ergebnisse für nicht-assoziiertes plastisches Verhalten gewonnen wurden, werden hier solche für entfestigendes Verhalten dargestellt. Das Hauptaugenmerk ist auf einen zweiachsigen Versuch gerichtet. Für ihn werden Ergebnisse beschrieben in den FÄllen, da\ von einer vollstÄndig homogenen Probe bzw. einer Probe mit Imperfektionen ausgegangen wird. Es wird gezeigt, da\ die alleinige Einführung von Imperfektionen nicht immer ein Verzweigungsproblem in ein Grenzlastproblem überführt. Diese Beobachtung zeigt die Notwendigkeit, da\ Finite-Element-Programme eine Option zur Durchführung von Verzweigungsanalysen enthalten sollten.

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Presented at the workshop on Limit Analysis and Bifurcation Theory, held at the University of Karlsruhe (FRG), February 22–25, 1988     

Effects of Refractive Index and Viscosity on Fluorescence and Anisotropy Decays of Enhanced Cyan and Yellow Fluorescent Proteins

The fluorescence lifetime strongly depends on the immediate environment of the fluorophore. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements of the enhanced forms of ECFP and EYFP in water–glycerol mixtures were performed to quantify the effects of the refractive index and viscosity on the fluorescence lifetimes of these proteins. The experimental data show for ECFP and EYFP two fluorescence lifetime components: one short lifetime of about 1 ns and a longer lifetime of about 3.7 ns of ECFP and for EYFP 3.4. The fluorescence of ECFP is very heterogeneous, which can be explained by the presence of two populations: a conformation (67% present) where the fluorophore is less quenched than in the other conformation (33% present). The fluorescence decay of EYFP is much more homogeneous and the amplitude of the short fluorescence lifetime is about 5%. The fluorescence anisotropy decays show that the rotational correlation time of both proteins scales with increasing viscosity of the solvent similarly as shown earlier for GFP. The rotational correlation times are identical for ECFP and EYFP, which can be expected since both proteins have the same shape and size. The only difference observed is the slightly lower initial anisotropy for ECFP as compared to the one of EYFP.     

Visual spatial memory is enhanced in female rats (but inhibited in males) by dietary soy phytoestrogens

Background  

In learning and memory tasks, requiring visual spatial memory (VSM), males exhibit superior performance to females (a difference attributed to the hormonal influence of estrogen). This study examined the influence of phytoestrogens (estrogen-like plant compounds) on VSM, utilizing radial arm-maze methods to examine varying aspects of memory. Additionally, brain phytoestrogen, calbindin (CALB), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were determined.     

A Numerical Approach for Arbitrary Cracks in a Fluid-Saturated Medium

A finite element method is proposed that can capture arbitrary discontinuities in a two-phase medium. The discontinuity is described in an exact manner by exploiting the partition-of-unity property of finite element shape functions. The fluid flow away from the discontinuity is modelled in a standard fashion using Darcy’s relation, while at the discontinuity a discrete analogon of Darcy’s relation is proposed. The results of this finite element model are independent of the original discretisation, as is demonstrated by an example of shear banding in a biaxial, plane-strain specimen.