Seismic fragility analysis of highway bridges considering multi-dimensional performance limit state

Fragility analysis for highway bridges has become increasingly important in the risk assessment of highway transportation networks exposed to seismic hazards. This study introduces a methodology to calculate fragility that considers multi-dimensional performance limit state parameters and makes a first attempt to develop fragility curves for a multi-span continuous (MSC) concrete girder bridge considering two performance limit state parameters: column ductility and transverse deformation in the abutments. The main purpose of this paper is to show that the performance limit states, which are compared with the seismic response parameters in the calculation of fragility, should be properly modeled as randomly interdependent variables instead of deterministic quantities. The sensitivity of fragility curves is also investigated when the dependency between the limit states is different. The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to describe the vulnerable behavior of bridges which are sensitive to multiple response parameters and that the fragility information generated by this method will be more reliable and likely to be implemented into transportation network loss estimation.

Lagrangian simulation of multi-step and rate-limited chemical reactions in multi-dimensional porous media

Management of groundwater resources and remediation of groundwater pollution require reliable quantification of contaminant dynamics in natural aquifers, which can involve complex chemical dynamics and challenge traditional modeling approaches. The kinetics of chemical reactions in groundwater are well known to be controlled by medium heterogeneity and reactant mixing, motivating the development of particle-based Lagrangian approaches. Previous Lagrangian solvers have been limited to fundamental bimolecular reactions in typically one-dimensional porous media. In contrast to other existing studies, this study developed a fully Lagrangian framework, which was used to simulate diffusion-controlled, multi-step reactions in one-, two-, and three-dimensional porous media. The interaction radius of a reactant molecule, which controls the probability of reaction, was derived by the agent-based approach for both irreversible and reversible reactions. A flexible particle tracking scheme was then developed to build trajectories for particles undergoing mixing-limited, multi-step reactions. The simulated particle dynamics were checked against the kinetics for diffusion-controlled reactions and thermodynamic wellmixed reactions in one-and two-dimensional domains. Applicability of the novel simulator was further tested by(1) simulating precipitation of calcium carbonate minerals in a two-dimensional medium, and(2) quantifying multi-step chemical reactions observed in the laboratory. The flexibility of the Lagrangian simulator allows further refinement to capture complex transport affecting chemical mixing and hence reactions.

Study on Limited Filamentous Sludge Bulking Test in A/O Activated Sludge Process

[Objective] This study aimed to make use of the limited filamentous sludge bulking characteristics to purify water quality and save energy. [Method] The effects of dissolved oxygen （DO） on sludge bulking were explored by changing the DO con- centration in the aerobiotic pool of NO system from the low load （0.25 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）） and the medium to high load （0.55 kgCOD/（kg MLSSod））. [Result] In the NO activated sludge system, when the sludge load was 0.25 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）, DO=1.5 mg/L, the sludge index was at around 250, while when the sludge load- ing was 0.55 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）, DO=1.5 mg/L, the sludge index was close to 300, occurring the limited filamentous bulking. The bulked sludge still showed high removal rates to COD, SS, nitrogen and phosphorus. [Conclusion] It could improve the oxygen transfer rate and reduce the aeration rate at low DO conditions to achieve energy-saving.

LIMIT THEOREMS FOR A GALTON-WATSON PROCESS IN THE I.I.D. RANDOM ENVIRONMENT

In this article, we obtain the central limit theorem and the law of the iterated logarithm for Galton-Watson processes in i.i.d, random environments.

Explosion limits estimation and process optimization of direct propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2

Direct propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2,an attractive process to produce propylene oxide(PO),has a potential explosion danger due to the coexistence of flammable gases(i.e.,C3 H6 and H2)and oxidizer(i.e.,O2).The unknown explosion limits of the multi-component feed gas mixture make it difficult to optimize the reaction process under safe operation conditions.In this work,a distribution method is proposed and verified to be effective by comparing estimated and experimental explosion limits of more than 200 kinds of flammable gas mixture.Then,it is employed to estimate the explosion limits of the feed gas mixture,some results of which are also validated by the classic Le Chatelier’s Rule and flammable resistance method.Based on the estimated explosion limits,process optimization is carried out using commercially high and inherently safe reactant concentrations to enhance reaction performance.The promising results are directly obtained through the interface called gOPT in gPROMS only by using a simple,easy-constructed and mature packed-bed reactor,such as the PO yield of 13.3%,PO selectivity of 85.1%and outlet PO fraction of 1.8%.These results can be rationalized by indepth analyses and discussion about the effects of the decision variables on the operation safety and reaction performance.The insights revealed here could shed new light on the process development of the PO production based on the estimation of the explosion limits of the multi-component feed gas mixture containing flammable gase s,inert gas and O2,followed by process optimization.

CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM AND CONVERGENCE RATES FOR A SUPERCRITICAL BRANCHING PROCESS WITH IMMIGRATION IN A RANDOM ENVIRONMENT

We are interested in the convergence rates of the submartingale Wn=Z_(n)/Π_(n)to its limit W,where(Π_(n))is the usually used norming sequence and(Z_(n))is a supercritical branching process with immigration(Y_(n))in a stationary and ergodic environmentξ.Under suitable conditions,we establish the following central limit theorems and results about the rates of convergence in probability or in law:(i)W-W_(n) with suitable normalization converges to the normal law N(0,1),and similar results also hold for W_(n+k)-W_(n) for each fixed k∈N^(*);(ii)for a branching process with immigration in a finite state random environment,if W_(1) has a finite exponential moment,then so does W,and the decay rate of P(|W-W_(n)|>ε)is supergeometric;(iii)there are normalizing constants an(ξ)(that we calculate explicitly)such that a_(n)(ξ)(W-W_(n))converges in law to a mixture of the Gaussian law.

Moments and limiting distribution of a portfolio of whole life annuity policies

A dual random model of a portfolio of variable amount whole life annuity is set with the mth moment of the present value of benefits, and the respective expressions of the moments under the assumption that the force of interest accumulation function is Wiener process or Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Furthermore, the limiting distribution of average cost of this portfolio is discussed with the expression of the limiting distribution under the assumption that the force of interest accumulation is an independent increment process.

FRACTURE LIMIT LOAD OF CONE SHAPE PART IN DRAWING PROCESS

The deformation characters and load status of the blank＇s potential fracture zone are analyzed at the moment when blank is approaching to punch comer in drawing process of cone shape part. Based on tension instability theory, the formula for calculating fracture limit load of cone shape part in drawing process is derived. Also, the formula is analyzed and verified by experiment.

THE NEAR-CRITICAL AND SUPER-CRITICAL ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR IN THE THERMODYNAMIC LIMIT OF REVERSIBLE RANDOM POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES

In this paper, the near-critical and super-critical asymptotic behavior of a reversible Markov process as a chemical model for polymerization was studied. The results of the present paper, together with an analysis of the sub-critical stage, establish the existence of three distinct stages (sub-critical, near-critical and super-critical stages) of polymerization (in the thermodynamic limit as N --> +infinity,),depending on the value of strength of the fragmentation reaction. These three stages correspond to the size of the largest length of polymers of size N to be itself of order log N, Nm/m+1 (m greater than or equal to 2, m not equal 4n, n greater than or equal to 1) and N, respectively.

Limit Theorems for a Storage Process with a Random Release Rule

We consider a discrete time Storage Process Xn with a simple random walk input Sn and a random release rule given by a family {Ux, x ≥ 0} of random variables whose probability laws {Ux, x ≥ 0} form a convolution semigroup of measures, that is, μx × μy = μx + y The process Xn obeys the equation: X0 = 0, U0 = 0, Xn = Sn - USn, n ≥ 1. Under mild assumptions, we prove that the processes and are simple random walks and derive a SLLN and a CLT for each of them.

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MARKOV CHAIN–BASED ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT PROBABILITY FOR SPECTRUM RESOURCE SHARING

In this paper, we consider the optimal problem of channels sharing with het-erogeneous traffic （real-time service and non-real-time service） to reduce the data conflict probability of users. Moreover, a multi-dimensional Markov chain model is developed to analyze the performance of the proposed scheme. Meanwhile, performance metrics are derived. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the forced termination probability, blocking probability and spectrum utilization.

Central limit theolrem for linear processes generated byⅡD random variables under the sub-linear expectation

In this paper,we investigate the central limit theorem and the invariance principle for linear processes generated by a new notion of independently and identically distributed(IID)random variables for sub-linear expectations initiated by Peng[19].It turns out that these theorems are natural and fairly neat extensions of the classical Kolmogorov's central limit theorem and invariance principle to the case where probability measures are no longer additive.

THE EXTREMES OF DEPENDENT CHI-PROCESSES ATTRACTED BY THE BROWN-RESNICK PROCESS

Motivated by some recent works on the topic of the Brown-Resnick process, we study the functional limit theorem for normalized pointwise maxima of dependent chi-processes. It is proven that the properly normalized pointwise maxima of those processes are attracted by the Brown-Resnick process.

An Example of Machine Vision Applied in Printing Quality Checking——Research on the Checking of Printing Quality by Image Processing

The traditional printing checking method always uses printing control strips,but the results are not very well in repeatability and stability. In this paper,the checking methods for printing quality basing on image are taken as research objects. On the base of the traditional checking methods of printing quality,combining the method and theory of digital image processing with printing theory in the new domain of image quality checking,it constitute the checking system of printing quality by image processing,and expound the theory design and the model of this system. This is an application of machine vision. It uses the high resolution industrial CCD(Charge Coupled Device) colorful camera. It can display the real-time photographs on the monitor,and input the video signal to the image gathering card,and then the image data transmits through the computer PCI bus to the memory. At the same time,the system carries on processing and data analysis. This method is proved by experiments. The experiments are mainly about the data conversion of image and ink limit show of printing.

Prediction of fracture limits of Ni-Cr based alloy under warm forming condition using ductile damage models and numerical method

The stretch forming and the deep-drawing processes were carried out at 300 and 673 K to determine the safe forming and fracture limits of IN625 alloy.The experimentally obtained strain-based fracture forming limit diagram(FFLD)was transformed into a stress-based(σ-FFLD)and effective plastic strain(EPS)vs triaxiality(η)plot to remove the excess dependency of fracture limits over the strains.For the prediction of fracture limits,seven different damage models were calibrated.The Oh model displayed the best ability to predict the fracture locus with the least absolute error.Though the experimentally obtained fracture limits have only been used for the numerical analysis,none of the considered damage models predicted the fracture strains over the entire considered range of stress triaxiality(0.33<η<0.66).The deep drawing process window helped to determine wrinkling,safe and fracture zones while drawing the cylindrical cups under different temperature and lubricating conditions.Further,the highest drawing ratio of 2 was achieved at 673 K under the lubricating condition.All the numerically predicted results of both stretch forming and deep drawing processes using the Hill 1948 anisotropic yielding function were found to be good within the acceptable range of error.

Enhanced stability and rate performance of zinc-doped cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoZnHCF) by the limited crystal growth and reduced distortion

Cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) is a potential cathode for aqueous Na-ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (170 m Ah g^(-1));however,its lower rate capability and cyclability limit its applications.Structural distortion at a weak N-coordinated crystal field during cycling disintegrates Co,yielding an irreversible reaction.Different Zn amounts ranging 0–1 were added to the Co site to suppress the structural irreversibility of CoHCF,yielding Co_(1-x)Zn_(x)HCF powder;this Zn (x≤0.09) addition reduced the powder’s dimension because the lower four coordination of Zn–N,not the six coordination of Co–N,limits the powder growth.Simultaneously,a small lattice parameter and interaxial angle (~90°) are obtained,implying that a narrower Co_(1-x)Zn_(x)HCF inner structure is formed to accommodate Na ions.Moreover,the electronic conductivity of Co_(1-x)Zn_(x)HCF gradually increased within 0–0.09 range.A smaller particle size with a high surface area leads to a near-surface-limited redox process,similar to a capacitive reaction.Both the surface-limited reaction and electronic conductivity enhances the reversibility due to the smaller charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface caused by Zn addition.Replacing redox-active Co with non-active Zn amount of 0.07 (Co_(1-x)Zn_(x)HCF) slightly reduces the specific capacity from 127 to 119 mAh g^(-1)at 0.1 A g^(-1)due to the shrunken Co charging sites.Rate performance is enhanced by compromising the capacity and reduced distortion,resulting in 81%retention at a 20-times-faster charging rate.Notably,the Co_(1-x)Zn_(x)HCF sample exhibited the good stability while preserving 74%of the initial capacity at 0.5 A g^(-1)after 200 cycles.

Novel evidence from Taxus fuana forests for niche-neutral process assembling community

Background:Understanding the mechanisms underlying community assembly is helpful for conservation and restoration of communities, particularly those that contain rare and endangered species like Taxus fuana, which are endemic to the Western Himalayas. The niche (limiting similarity) vs. neutral (randomness) assembly of the T.fuana forest community in Gyirong County, Tibet, China, was investigated. The net relatedness index (NRI) was calculated using a phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic characteristics of the community and its relationships with environment were analyzed.Results:The value of the mean NRI at the community level was less than-1.96, indicating that the phylogenetic structure was overdispersed;whereas majority of the NRIs at the tree, shrub, and herb layers were within-1.96 to1.96, indicating random dispersion. Environmental factors accounted for 44.38%, 46.52%, 24.04%, and 14.07%of the variation at the community level, tree, shrub, and herb layer, respectively. The phylogenetic structure at the community level and tree layer were significantly influenced by both topographic and soil factors, while shrub and herb layers tended to be affected by a single environmental factor.Conclusions:Community assembly of the T. fuana forest was simultaneously affected by niche and neutral processes, and their variations were closely related to the environment. Neutral process dominated community assembly in the shrub and herb layers. However, the interaction of limiting similarity and randomness played a dominant role at the community level and tree layer;and contributed to maintenance of biodiversity stability. The synergy of multiple environmental factors had a more obvious influence on community assembly than individual environmental factors, especially at the community level. These findings would help to understand the conservation of rare and endangered tree species, such as T. fuana, in the native community;and highlight the importance of random and non-random processes in assembly and biodiversity maintenance of alpine plant communities.

First exit distribution and path continuity of Hunt processes

This paper gives a characterization of a Hunt process path by the first exit left limit distribution. It is also showed that if the first exit left limit distribution leaving any ball from the center is a uniform distribution on the sphere, then the Levy Processes are a scaled Brownian motion.

Methods of Data Processing for Trace Elements Analysis Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

With the development of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy （LIBS）, increasing numbers of researchers have begun to focus on problems of the application. We are not just satisfied with analyzing what kinds of elements are in the samples but are also eager to accomplish quantitative detection with LIBS. There are several means to improve the limit of detection and stability, which are important to quantitative detection, especially of trace elements, increasing the laser energy and the resolution of spectrometer, using dual pulse setup, vacuuming the ablation environment etc. All of these methods are about to update the hardware system, which is effective but expensive. So we establish the following spectrum data processing methods to improve the trace elements analysis in this paper： spectrum sifting, noise filtering, and peak fitting. There are small algorithms in these three method groups, which we will introduce in detail. Finally, we discuss how these methods affect the results of trace elements detection in an experiment to analyze the lead content in Chinese cabbage.

SUBCRITICAL ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR IN THE MODIFIED LUSHNIKOV PROCESS OF POLYMERIZATION

We consider a modified Lnshnikov process as a model of a chemical polymer ization anf study the asymptotic behavior (in the thermodynamic limit;as N →∞)of a particular probability distribution on the set of N-dimensional vectors,tile kth component of which is the number of k-mers.The study study establisles the existence of three stages (subcritical,near-critical and supercritical stages)of polymerization,dependenting upon the ratio of association and dissociation rates of f polymers.The present paper concentrates on the analysis of tile subcritical stage.In the sibcritical.stages we show that tile size of the largest length of polymers of stize N is of the order.log N as N →+∞.