Model concrete beam-column joints subjected to cyclic loading at two rates

Small-scale models of reinforced concrete beam-column joint were subjected to large cyclic displacements at two rates: 2.5×10⁻³ and 1.0 Hz. To assess damage, free-vibration tests were conducted. The reliability of the modelling techniques was established by comparison of the results for the slower rate with those obtained from the full-scale tests on prototype. The higher rate of loading caused a greater damage than that at the lower rate. This was evidenced by the measurements of the energy absorbed in the hysteresis loops, equivalent damping, and the stiffness and damping obtained from the free-vibration test. The relatively greater extent of damage appears to result from the different bond behaviour at different rates of loading.     

A reliability model for a k-out-of-N:G redundant system with multiple failure modes and common cause failures

The paper presents a reliability model of a k-out-of-N:G redundant system with M mutually exclusive failure modes and common cause failures. Failed system repair times are arbitrarily distributed. The system is in a failed state when (N−k+1) units failed or a common cause failure occurred. Laplace transforms of the state probabilities and the availability of the system are derived. Finally, the system steady-state availability is also reported.     

Factor structure of the SOCRATES in a clinical sample of adolescents.

This study investigated the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES: W. R. Miller & J. S. Tonigan, 1996) in adolescents presenting for treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The participants were 80 males and 43 females (mean age=16.8 years) who presented for AUD treatment (95.1% outpatient, 4.9% inpatient). Participants completed assessments at baseline and 1 year and provided information on alcohol use and related variables monthly between these 2 assessments. Principal-components and confirmatory factor analyses of the baseline SOCRATES identified 2 factors, Taking Steps and Recognition, which showed good internal consistency and concurrent and predictive evidence of validity. The results were interpreted as supporting the use of the SOCRATES with clinical samples of adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A systematic design method to obtain broadband characteristics for singly-fed electromagnetically coupled patch antennas for circular polarization

We present a systematic, empirical design technique to obtain optimum broadband impedance, axial-ratio (AR) and gain bandwidths for a singly-fed electromagnetically coupled patch antenna for circular polarization. Our investigation has also revealed tradeoffs amongst obtainable AR, impedance bandwidth and AR bandwidth. Using two design examples at different frequency bands and for different senses of circular polarization, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed knowledge-based tuning method. We have obtained at C-band measured values of impedance bandwidth (VSWR/spl les/2) equal to 43%, 3-dB AR bandwidth of 8%, AR of less than 0.3 dB and a mean gain level of 7 dB. For the Ku-band element, a 40% impedance bandwidth and a 17.3% of 3-dB AR bandwidth have been obtained with a peak gain of 7.2 dBic.     

Proton-exchanged LiNbO/sub 3/ optical waveguides using stearic acid

Proton-exchanged optical waveguides have been fabricated in z-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ using a new proton source: stearic acid. These waveguides were characterized optically and were found to exhibit a step index profile with Delta n=0.118 measured at 0.633 mu m. The propagation losses were typically around 1.5 dB/cm, and the diffusion constant and the activation energy for the proton-exchange process were measured to be 5*10/sup 6/ mu m/sup 2//h and 69 kJ/mol, respectively.<>     

Spectral characteristics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with external optical feedback

The measurement of the effects of external optical feedback on the spectra of VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers) is reported. It is surprising that VCSELs have a sensitivity to optical feedback comparable to that of conventional edge-emitting lasers such as DFBs despite their significantly different structures. This is because the extremely short cavity length of VCSELs negates the effects of their highly reflective output mirrors. As in edge-emitting lasers, VCSELs exhibit well-defined regimes of feedback effects in their spectra. Since optical isolators cannot be easily applied to VCSELs due to their array structure, these lasers may be most useful in applications which are not sensitive to the spectral qualities of the light source.<>     

Effects of benfluorex metabolites on membrane fluidity and insulin-related processes

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for the maturation of hepatocytes in vitro which plays a role in liver regeneration in vivo. In addition, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is also a potent regulator of liver regeneration. In attempting to clarify the mechanisms related to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, we investigated the expression of HGF and TGF-beta 1 in rats with liver cirrhosis (LC). A rat model of LC was prepared using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The expression of HGF mRNA in both the LC and control groups showed a similar time-course with the highest expression seen at 18h after a 70% hepatectomy. The expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA peaked at 18h after partial hepatectomy in the LC group and at 48h in the control group. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index for the LC group at 24, 48, and 72 h after partial hepatectomy was 9.2%, 5.9%, and 1.8%, while for the control group it was 7.0%, 11.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. The BrdU labeling index in the LC group was thus suppressed earlier than that in the control group. We therefore postulate that regeneration of the remnant liver in the presence of LC accelerates immediately after partial hepatectomy, but the extent of regeneration is insufficient because of an early cessation due to an early expression of TGF-beta 1.