A double-network hydrogel for the dynamic compression of the lumbar nerve root

Current animal models of nerve root compression due to lumbar disc herniation only assess the mechanical compression of nerve roots and the inflammatory response. Moreover, the pressure applied in these models is static, meaning that the nerve root cannot be dynamically compressed. This is very different from the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation. In this study, a chitosan/polyacrylamide double-network hydrogel was prepared by a simple two-step method. The swelling ratio of the double-network hydrogel increased with prolonged time, reaching 140. The compressive strength and compressive modulus of the hydrogel reached 53.6 and 0.34 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the hydrogel's crosslinked structure with many interconnecting pores. An MTT assay demonstrated that the number of viable cells in contact with the hydrogel extracts did not significantly change relative to the control surface. Thus, the hydrogel had good biocompatibility. Finally, the double-network hydrogel was used to compress the L4 nerve root of male sand rats to simulate lumbar disc herniation nerve root compression. The hydrogel remained in its original position after compression, and swelled with increasing time. Edema appeared around the nerve root and disappeared 3 weeks after operation. This chitosan/polyacrylamide double-network hydrogel has potential as a new implant material for animal models of lumbar nerve root compression. All animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Neurosurgical Institute of Beijing, Capital Medical University, China(approval No. 201601006) on July 29, 2016.

Dynamic Compression Behavior of Ultra-high Performance Cement-based Composite with Hybrid Steel Fiber Reinforcements

Ultra-high performance cement-based composites (UHPCC) is promising in construction of concrete structures that suffer impact and explosive loads.In this study,a reference UHPCC mixture with no fiber reinforcement and four mixtures with a single type of fiber reinforcement or hybrid fiber reinforcements of straight smooth and end hook type of steel fibers were prepared.Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was performed to investigate the dynamic compression behavior of UHPCC and X-CT test and 3D reconstruction technology were used to indicate the failure process of UHPCC under impact loading.Results show that UHPCC with 1% straight smooth fiber and 2% end hook fiber reinforcements demonstrated the best static and dynamic mechanical properties.When the hybrid steel fiber reinforcements are added in the concrete,it may need more impact energy to break the matrix and to pull out the fiber reinforcements,thus,the mixture with hybrid steel fiber reinforcements demonstrates excellent dynamic compressive performance.

Microstructure and Dynamic Compression Properties of PM Al6061/B_4C Composite

Aluminum 6061 matrix composite reinforced by 35 wt% B4 C particle was fabricated by power metallurgy method. Then, the as-deformed composite was tested by quasi-static（0.001 s-1） and dynamic（760-1150 s-1） compression experiments. The Johnson-Cook plasticity model was employed to model the flow behavior. The damage mechanism of composite was analyzed through the microstructure observations. The results showed that the B4 C particles exhibited uniform distribution and no deleterious reaction product Al4C3 was found in the composite. Al6061/B4 C composite showed high yield strength, moderate strain rate sensitivity and strain hardening under the dynamic loading, and a constitutive model under dynamic compression was established based on Johnson-Cook model, and accorded well with experimental results. The microstructure damage was dominated by particle fracture and interface debonding, and the dislocation was observed in the composite at a higher strain rate.

Dynamic Impact Compressive Behavior Investigation of Sisal Fiber-reinforced Coral Seawater Concrete

Split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)was used to investigate the dynamic compressive properties of sisal fiber reinforced coral aggregate concrete(SFCAC).The results showed that,with the increase of strain rate,the dynamic compressive strength,peak strain and toughness index of SFCAC are all greater than its static properties,indicating that SFCAC is a kind of rate-sensitive material.When the sisal fiber was blended,the failure mode showed obvious ductility.At high strain rates,the SFCAC without sisal fiber specimen was comminuted,and the SFCAC showed a"cracked without breaking"state.The results indicated that the sisal fiber played a significant role in reinforcing and strengthening the properties of concrete.The finite element software LS-DYNA was used to simulate two working conditions with strain rates of 78 and 101 s-1.The stressstrain curves and failure patterns obtained were in good agreement with the experimental results.

Early Treatment Outcome of Humeral Shaft Fracture Non-Union in Adults: Comparative Study of Plating versus Interlocking Nailing

Background: Fractures of humeral shaft in adults are common injuries. Humeral shafts non-union either from late presentation after initial treatment by traditional bone setters or failed non-operative orthodox care is a major problem in this part of the world. This non-union is a major treatment challenge with increased cost of care and morbidity in this part of the world. Humeral shaft non-union can be treated with locked intra-medullary nailing (LIMN) or dynamic compression plating (DCP). Study on comparison of these methods of fixation in this part of the world is scarce in literature search, hence the reason for this study. Objective: The objectives of this study are: (1) to compare early clinical outcome following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN;(2) to compare the time of radiologic fracture union of DCP with LIMN;(3) to compare complications following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized control study done for 2 years in which fifty adult patients with humeral shaft non-union were recruited. The patients were grouped into 2 (P = DCP & N = LIMN). Forty five of the patients completed the follow up periods of the study and then analyzed. The P group had ORIF with DCP while the N group had ORIF with LIMN. Both groups had grafting with cancellous bones. Each patient was followed up for a period of 6 months at the time which radiographic union is expected. Any patient without clinical and/or radiographic evidence of union after six months of surgery was diagnosed as having recurrent non-union. The data generated was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. The results were presented in charts and tables. The paired t-test was used while considering p value Result: Forty five patients completed follow up. There was a male preponderance (4:1), right humerus predominated (3:2). Motor vehicular accidents were the commonest cause of the fractures (62%). Most non-union fractures occurred at the level of the middle 3rd of the humeral shaft (60%). Failed TBS treatment was the commonest indication for the osteosynthesis (71%). More patients had plating (53%) compared to 47% who had LIMN. Most patients (93.4%) had union between 3 to 6 months irrespective of fixation type with no significant statistical difference between the union rate of DCP and LIMN (p value 0.06) with similar functional outcome and complication rates irrespective of the type of fixation. Conclusion: This study showed that the success rates in term of fracture union, outcome functional grades and complication rates were not directly dependent on the types of the fixation: plating or locked intra-medullary nailing.

Dynamic compressive property and failure behavior of extruded Mg-Gd-Y alloy under high temperatures and high strain rates

For the purpose of investigating the dynamic deformational behavior and failure mechanisms of magnesium under high strain rates,the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar(SHPB)was used for investigating dynamic mechanical properties of extruded Mg-Gd-Y Magnesium alloy at ambient temperature(300 K),200℃(473 K)and 300℃(573 K)temperature.The samples after compression were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and metallographic microscope.Dynamic mechanical properties,crack performance and plastic deformation mechanism of extruded Mg-Gd-Y Magnesium alloy along the extrusion direction(ED)were discussed.The results show that,extruded Mg-Gd-Y Magnesium alloy has the largest dynamic compressive strength which is 535 MPa at ambient temperature(300 K)and strain rate of 2826 s^(−1).When temperature increases,dynamic compressive strength decreases,while ductility increases.The dynamic compression fracture mechanism of extruded Mg-Gd-Y Magnesium alloy is multi-crack propagation and intergranular quasi-cleavage fracture at both ambient temperature and high temperature.The dynamic compressive deformation mechanism of extruded Mg-Gd-Y Magnesium alloy is a combination of twinning,slipping and dynamic recrystallization at both ambient temperature and high temperature.

Dynamic fragmentation of microwave irradiated rock

The microwave-assisted rock fragmentation has been proven to be a promising approach in reducing cutting tools wear and improving efficiency in rock crushing and excavation.Thus,understanding the influence of damage induced by microwave irradiation on rock fragmentation is necessary.In this context,cylindrical Fangshan granite(FG)specimens were exposed to microwave irradiation at a power of 6 kW for different durations up to 4.5 min.The damages of the specimens induced by irradiation were quantified by using both X-ray micro-CT scanning and ultrasonic wave measurement.The CT value and Pwave velocity decreased with increase of irradiation duration.The irradiated specimens were then tested using a split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)system to simulate rock fragmentation.A momentum-trap technique was utilized to ensure single-pulse loading on the specimen in SHPB tests,enabling valid fragment size distribution(FSD)analysis.The dependence of dynamic uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)on the irradiation duration and loading rate was revealed.The dynamic UCS increased with increase of loading rate while decreased with increase of irradiation duration.Using the sieve analysis,three fragmentation types were proposed based on FSD,which were dictated by both loading rate and irradiation duration.In addition,an average fragment size was proposed to quantify FSD.The results showed that the average fragment size decreased with increase of loading rate.A loading rate range was identified,where a dramatic reduction of the average fragment size occurred.The dependence of fragmentation on the irradiation duration and loading rate was also discussed.

Effect of Porosity and Cell Size on the Dynamic Compressive Properties of Aluminum Alloy Foams

The dynamic mechanical properties of open-cell aluminum alloy foams with different relative densities and cell sizes have been investigated by compressive tests. The strain rates varied from 700 s-1 to 2600 s-1. The experimental results showed that the dynamic compressive stress-strain curves exhibited a typical three-stage behavior: elastic, plateau and densification. The dynamic compressive strength of foams is affected not only by the relative density but also by the strain rate and cell size. Aluminum alloy foams with higher relative density or smaller cell size are more sensitive to the strain rate than foams with lower relative density or larger cell size.

Quasi-static and Dynamic Compressive Fracture Behavior of SiC_f/SiC Composites

To understand the quasi-static and dynamic compressive mechanical behavior of two- dimensional SiC fiber-reinforced SiC composites （2D-SiC1/SiC）, their compressive behavior at room temperature was investigated at a strain rate from 10-4 to 104/s, and the fracture surfaces and damage morphology were observed. The results show that the dynamic failure strength of 2D-SiC1/SiC obeys the Weibull distribution, and the Weibull modulus is 5,66. Meanwhile, 2D-SiC1/SiC presents a transition from brittle to tough with a decrease of strain rate, and 2D-SiC1/SiC has a more significant strain rate sensitivity compared to the 2D-C/SiC composites. The failure mode of 2D-SiC1/SiC depends upon the strain rate.

An RKDG finite element method for the one-dimensional inviscid compressible gas dynamics equations in a Lagrangian coordinate

In this paper,Runge-Kutta Discontinuous Galerkin（RKDG） finite element method is presented to solve the onedimensional inviscid compressible gas dynamic equations in a Lagrangian coordinate.The equations are discretized by the DG method in space and the temporal discretization is accomplished by the total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta method.A limiter based on the characteristic field decomposition is applied to maintain stability and non-oscillatory property of the RKDG method.For multi-medium fluid simulation,the two cells adjacent to the interface are treated differently from other cells.At first,a linear Riemann solver is applied to calculate the numerical ？ux at the interface.Numerical examples show that there is some oscillation in the vicinity of the interface.Then a nonlinear Riemann solver based on the characteristic formulation of the equation and the discontinuity relations is adopted to calculate the numerical ？ux at the interface,which suppresses the oscillation successfully.Several single-medium and multi-medium fluid examples are given to demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of the algorithm.

Influence of Specimen Size on Compression Behavior of Cement Paste and Mortar under High Strain Rates

Static and dynamic compression tests were carried out on mortar and paste specimens of three sizes（Ф68 mm×32 mm,Ф59 mm×29.5 mm and Ф32 mm×16 mm）to study the influence of specimen size on the compression behavior of cement-based materials under high strain rates.The static tests were applied using a universalservo-hydraulic system,and the dynamic tests were applied by a spilt Hopkinson pressure bar（SHPB）system.The experimentalresults show that for mortar and paste specimens,the dynamic compressive strength is greater than the quasi-static one,and the dynamic compressive strength for specimens of large size is lower than those of smallsize.However,the dynamic increase factors（DIF）has an opposite trend.Obviously,both strain rate and size effect exist in mortar and paste.The test results were then analyzed using Weibull,Carpinteriand Ba？ant＇s size effect laws.A good agreement between these three laws and the test results was reached on the compressive strength.However,for the experimentalresults of paste and cement mortar,the size effect is not evident for the peak strain and elastic modulus of paste and cement mortar.

The Application of Dynamic Shock Mechanics Test in Engineering Blasting

With the continuous advancement of China’s infrastructure construction to the west,according to the geographic situation in the southwest region,such as mountainous areas and complex terrain,the road construction process is inevitably accompanied by earth and rock blasting.To improve the quality and safety of the project,this paper addresses the problems of land and rock blasting faced in the construction of mountain road projects,taking the research of rock dynamic mechanics test as the starting point,and using a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental research methods.The specific research content includes the following parts:dynamic impact compression test(SHPB),dynamic splitting tensile test,and stress-strain curve analysis of the test results,which provides the theoretical basis and numerical parameters for the numerical simulation of future engineering blasting.

Dynamic Uniaxial Compressive Tests on Limestone

The dynamic properties of limestone play a pivotal role while selecting the suitable explosives for any limestone mine.Since the application of explosives creates dynamic loading and is a dynamic event,the determination of dynamic modulus values is technically more appropriate than the static measurement.The rock fragmentation would significantly improve by investigating the dynamic uniaxial compressive strength as specific fracture energy,stress intensity factor,fracture toughness of any detonating blast hole depend heavily on dynamic rock property and not on static rock property.Most of the limestone projects globally are still accustomed with using static compressive strength to understand the rock fragmentation.The present papers deal with determination of dynamic uniaxial compressive property using split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)system.The nano second high speed camera with laser captures the crack surface opening velocity during dynamic loading.It was observed during data analysis that dynamic compressive strength of limestone increases by 1.7-4.9 times of the static strength.It may be concluded by the study that determination of dynamic compressive strength is paramount for understanding the rock fragmentation.

The modified temperature term on Johnson-Cook constitutive model of AZ31 magnesium alloy with {0002} texture

The dynamic compression experiments with Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar(SHPB)were performed on AZ31 magnesium alloy rolled sheet specimens in the normal direction(AZ31-ND)with{0002}texture at the temperature of 293-523 K and the strain rate of 0.001-2200 s^−1.The temperature term in Johnson-Cook(JC)constitutive model had been reasonably modified.This advantage made constitutive model promising for decribing the dynamic deformation behavior of AZ31-ND with{0002}texture more accurately.The obtained true stress-true plastic strain curves agreed well with the measured results in a wide range of strain rates and temperatures.The thermal softeninging,strain and strain rate hardening effect on the AZ31-ND with{0002}texture were discussed.The adiabatic shear band(ASB)of AZ31-ND with{0002}texture hat shaped specimen was successfully predicted by combining modified JC constitutive model and numerical simulation,which was also validated by Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction(EBSD)map under the same boundary condition.

Predicting dynamic compressive strength of frozen-thawed rocks by characteristic impedance and data-driven methods

In cold regions,the dynamic compressive strength(DCS)of rock damaged by freeze-thaw weathering significantly influences the stability of rock engineering.Nevertheless,testing the dynamic strength under freeze-thaw weathering conditions is often both time-consuming and expensive.Therefore,this study considers the effect of characteristic impedance on DCS and aims to quickly determine the DCS of frozen-thawed rocks through the application of machine-learning techniques.Initially,a database of DCS for frozen-thawed rocks,comprising 216 rock specimens,was compiled.Three external load parameters(freeze-thaw cycle number,confining pressure,and impact pressure)and two rock parameters(characteristic impedance and porosity)were selected as input variables,with DCS as the predicted target.This research optimized the kernel scale,penalty factor,and insensitive loss coefficient of the support vector regression(SVR)model using five swarm intelligent optimization algorithms,leading to the development of five hybrid models.In addition,a statistical DCS prediction equation using multiple linear regression techniques was developed.The performance of the prediction models was comprehensively evaluated using two error indexes and two trend indexes.A sensitivity analysis based on the cosine amplitude method has also been conducted.The results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid SVR-based models consistently provided accurate DCS predictions.Among these models,the SVR model optimized with the chameleon swarm algorithm exhibited the best performance,with metrics indicating its effectiveness,including root mean square error(RMSE)﹦3.9675,mean absolute error(MAE)﹦2.9673,coefficient of determination(R^(2))﹦0.98631,and variance accounted for(VAF)﹦98.634.This suggests that the chameleon swarm algorithm yielded the most optimal results for enhancing SVR models.Notably,impact pressure and characteristic impedance emerged as the two most influential parameters in DCS prediction.This research is anticipated to serve as a reliable reference for estimating the DCS of rocks subjected to freeze-thaw weathering.

Investigation on the plastic work-heat conversion coefficient of 7075-T651 aluminum alloy during an impact process based on infrared temperature measurement technology

The plastic work-heat conversion coefficient is one key parameter for studying the work-heat conversion under dynamic deformation of materials. To explore this coefficient of 7075-T651 aluminum alloy under dynamic compression, dynamic compression experiments using the Hopkinson bar under four groups of strain rates were conducted, and the temperature signals were measured by constructing a transient infrared temperature measurement system. According to stress versus strain data as well as the corresponding temperature data obtained through the experiments, the influences of the strain and the strain rate on the coefficient of plastic work converted to heat were analyzed.The experimental results show that the coefficient of plastic work converted to heat of 7075-T651 aluminum alloy is not a constant at the range of 0.85–1 and is closely related to the strain and the strain rate. The change of internal structure of material under high strain rate reduces its energy storage capacity, and makes almost all plastic work convert into heat.

An Arbitrarily High Order and Asymptotic Preserving Kinetic Scheme in Compressible Fluid Dynamic

We present a class of arbitrarily high order fully explicit kinetic numerical methods in compressible fluid dynamics,both in time and space,which include the relaxation schemes by Jin and Xin.These methods can use the CFL number larger or equal to unity on regular Cartesian meshes for the multi-dimensional case.These kinetic models depend on a small parameter that can be seen as a"Knudsen"number.The method is asymptotic preserving in this Knudsen number.Also,the computational costs of the method are of the same order of a fully explicit scheme.This work is the extension of Abgrall et al.(2022)[3]to multidimensional systems.We have assessed our method on several problems for two-dimensional scalar problems and Euler equations and the scheme has proven to be robust and to achieve the theoretically predicted high order of accuracy on smooth solutions.

Strain-rate Sensitivity of Aluminum 2024-T6/TiB_2 Composites and Aluminum 2024-T6

Strain-rate sensitivities of 55vol%-65vol% aluminum 2024-T6/TiB2 composites and the corresponding aluminum 2024-T6 matrix were investigated using split Hopkinson pressure bar method. The experimental results showed that 55vol%-65vol% aluminum 2024-T6/TiB2 composites exhibited significant strain-rate sensitivities, which were three times higher than the strain-rate sensitivity of the aluminum 2024-T6 matrix. The strain-rate sensitivity of the aluminum 2024-T6 matrix composites rose obviously with increasing reinforcement content（up to 60%）, which agreed with that from the previous researches. But it decreased as the ceramic reinforcement content reached 65%. After high strain rates compression, a large number of dislocations and micro-cracks were found inside the matrix and the Ti B2 particles, respectively. These micro-cracks can accelerate the brittle fracture of the composites. The aluminum 2024-T6/Ti B2 composites showed various fracture characteristics and shear instability was the predominant failure mechanism under dynamic loading.

The mechanical performance and a rate-dependent constitutive model for Al3Ti compound

The Al3Ti compound has potential application in the high temperature structure materials due to its low density,high strength and stiffness.The mechanical behaviors of the material under different loading rates were studied using compression tests.The results indicate that Al3Ti is a typical brittle material and its compressive strength is dependent on the strain rate.Therefore,a series of rate-dependent constitutive equations are needed to describe its mechanical behaviors accurately.However,it is still short of professional research on the material model for Al3Ti.In this study,the mate rial model was developed on the basis of JH-2 constitutive equations using the experimental data.The model was then applied in simulating the impact process of Ti/Al3Ti metal-intermetallic laminate composites so as to validate the established model.Good agreement between simulation and experiment results shows the constitutive model predict the material responses under high rate and large deformation accurately.This work provides more support for the theoretical and numerical research on the intermetallic.

Testing of High-Strength Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass with the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

The split Hopkinson pressure bar （SHPB） was used to determine the dynamic compressive strength of the high-strength Zr38Ti17Cu10.5Co12Be22.5 bulk metallic glass at strain rate on the order of 102 s^-1. It is shown that at high strain rates beyond about 1 000 s^-1, uniform deformation within the metallic glass specimen could not be achieved and dispersion in the transmitted pulse can lead to discrepancies in measuring the dynamic failure strength of the present Zr-based bulk metallic glass. Based on these reasons, a copper insert was placed between the strike bar and the input bar to obtain reliable and consistent experimental data for testing of the Zr38Ti17Cu10.5Co12Be22.5 bulk metallic glass using the SHPB. Negative strain rate sensitivity was found in the present Zr-based bulk metallic glass.