Experimental Study and Fragility Analysis of Effective-Length Factors in Column Buckling

The design of columns relies heavily on the basis of Leonhard Euler’s Theory of Elastic Buckling.However,to increase the accuracy in determining the maximum critical load a column can withstand before buckling,a constant was introduced.This dimensionless coefficient is K,also known as the effective-length factor.This constant is often found in building design codes and varies in value depending on the type of column support that is applied.This paper presents experimental and analytical studies on the determination of the effective-length factor in the buckling stability of columns with partially-fixed support conditions.To this end,the accurate K value of the columns tested by the Instron Testing Machine(ITM)at California State University,Northridge’s(CSUN’s)Mechanics Laboratory is determined.The ITM is used in studying the buckling of columns where the supports are neither pinned nor fixed,and the material cross-section rather rests upon the machine while loading is applied axially.Several column specimens were tested and the experimental data were analyzed in order to estimation of the accurate effective-length factor.The calculations from the tested results as well as the conducted probabilistic analysis shed light on how a fragility curve may aid in predicting the effective-length value of future tests.

On the Determination and Characteristics of Effective Roughness Length for Heterogeneous Terrain

A new method is proposed for the effective roughness length (ERL) in heterogeneous terrain based on the principle of equalisation of momentum or heat fluxes calculated by the drag coefficient parameterization scheme used in the ECMWF numerical model. Compared with the area-weighted logarithmically averaged ERL (drag coefficient), the newly calculated ERL (drag coefficient) is about 40% (16%) larger with a roughness step of 2.3. These differences reach their maximum values when the ratio of smooth to rough surface is 60% to 40%. Since the determination by this method is not sensitive to the atmospheric stratification, it is suitable for use in climate models.

Chord length sampling correction analysis for dispersion fuel in Monte Carlo simulation

Dispersion fuels,knowned for their excellent safety performance,are widely used in advanced reactors,such as hightemperature gas-cooled reactors.Compared with deterministic methods,the Monte Carlo method has more advantages in the geometric modeling of stochastic media.The explicit modeling method has high computational accuracy and high computational cost.The chord length sampling(CLS)method can improve computational efficiency by sampling the chord length during neutron transport using the matrix chord length?s probability density function.This study shows that the excluded-volume effect in realistic stochastic media can introduce certain deviations into the CLS.A chord length correction approach is proposed to obtain the chord length correction factor by developing the Particle code based on equivalent transmission probability.Through numerical analysis against reference solutions from explicit modeling in the RMC code,it was demonstrated that CLS with the proposed correction method provides good accuracy for addressing the excludedvolume effect in realistic infinite stochastic media.

Revisiting the Electron Radius in Light of Length Contraction

In previous work, the electron radius was identified as the “actual electron radius.” However, this is more accurately described as the electron radius at rest. This study reexamines the electron with an emphasis on the electron radius under motion, incorporating the effects of length contraction. The findings suggest that the radius is subject to Lorentz contraction, which has interesting implications for relativistic effects at the subatomic level.

Mapping of QTLs Controlling Panicle Length and Effective Panicle Number of Rice

Panicle length and effective panicle number of rice are closely related to yield. In this experiment, indica V20B as female parent was crossed with javanica CPSLO17 as male parent, recombinant inbred line （RIL） populations were obtained by single seed descent method, and with the RIL populations as mapping populations, QTL mapping and analysis were performed to the two panicle traits, panicle length and effective panicle. A high-density genetic map was constructed with SLAF labels, interval mapping was performed by software Map QTL5 under the threshold of 3.9, and 7 QTLs were detected on 3 chromosomes in total. Among the 7 QTLs, 5 QTLs controlling panicle length （qPLI-1, qPL1-2, qPL6-1, qPI_6-2 and qPL6-3） were located on chromosomes 1 and 6, respectively, and showed the contribution rates of 6.41%, 22.22%, 6.15%, 12.24% and 13.01%, respectively, their effect-increasing loci were mainly from CPSLO17, and qPL1-1 is a new QTL; and 2 QTLs controlling effective panicle number （qPN1 and qPN4） were located on chromosomes 1 and 4, respectively, and exhibited the contribution rates of 13.15% and 8.18%, respectively, and the effect-increasing loci were from parent V2OB. The marking of these loci lays a foundation for further cloning of genes controlling panicle length and effective panicle number and molecular marker-assisted selection.

The Effective Buckling Length on Numerical Study of Pipe-Sectioned Pier-Pile Integral Steel Structure

Pier-Pile integral structures provide construction works with many environmental and landscape advantages. For example, the space required to construct these structures is smaller than that of other bridges due to the footing being removed, meaning that it is not necessity to greatly change the surroundings of these bridges. While there are environmental and landscape advantages, there are also a few demerits for the overall land-scape designs, including demerits in the design of this proposed structure which consists of relatively slender parts. This proposed structure has already been constructed in areas where possibility of a severe earthquake is low. However, some problems that have yet to be examined are related to the use of this proposed structure in areas where earthquakes are frequent. Lacking detailed studies of its behavior during severe earthquakes, it is currently difficult to construct these structures in Japan. Consequently, it is necessary to investigate in detail limited performance about compression and bending moment, and earthquake- resistant performance of these structures in order to resolve these problems. In this paper, It was clarified the relationship between the rigidity of the ground and the effective buckling length by buckling analysis and elasto- plastic finite deformation analysis. Moreover, it was proposed a simplified formula using a proposed characteristic value β and several factors for analysis accuracy. A simplified formula would support to determine the effective buckling length to design the pier using the load-bearing capacity curve based on the slenderness ratio parameter.

Open Partial Nephrectomy: One Night Length of Stay Is Safe and Cost Effective

Objective: To review our open partial nephrectomy (OPN) experience and compare to known robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) data to determine whether length of stay (LOS) and morbidity are significant drivers in the surgical approach employed for partial nephrectomy. Methods: We reviewed our OPN experience during the last 3 years examining age, tumor size, LOS, pathology, blood loss, complications, recurences, and deaths. Results: Seventy-five patients underwent OPN during this period. Mean age was 59 years, tumor size 2.8 cm, percent malignant 75%, estimated blood loss 350 cc. With a median follow-up of 18 months, there was one urinoma managed by drain-age, one pseudo aneurysm that required embolization and one pulmonary embolism that required anticoagulation. There were no readmissions, no tumor recurences, and no deaths. Our major complication rate was 4% as compared to other trials that re-ported major complication rates between 1% - 9% for RPN and between 3% - 24% for OPN. In the first half of the experience (n = 37), median LOS was 57 hours. Using a pathway encouraging early ambulation and smaller incisions in the second half of the experience (n = 38), median LOS was 35 hours. This is much shorter than reported RPN LOS of 62 - 67 hours and OPN LOS of 108 - 142 hours. Conclusion: OPN can be performed safely and effectively with one night hospital stay. This provides a more cost-effective approach to partial nephrectomy with similar or better complication rates and calls into question the main value drivers of RPN.

Effective Channel Length Degradation under Hot-Carrier Stressing

This article describes the effective channel length degradation under hot carrier stressing. The extraction is based on the IDs-Vcs characteristics by maximum transconductance （maximum slope of IDs ＆ VGS） in the linear region. The transconductance characteristics are determine for the several devices of difference drawn channel length. The effective channel length of submicron LDD （Lightly Doped Drain） NMOSFETs （Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor） under hot carrier stressing was measured at the stress time varying from zero to 10,000 seconds. It is shown that the effective channel length was increased with time. This is caused by charges trapping in the oxide during stress. The increased of effective channel length （△Leff） is seem to be increased sharply as the gate channel length is decrease.

Effect of apolipoprotein E gene Hha Ⅰ restricting fragment length polymorphism on serum lipids in cholecystolithiasis

AIM To investigate the role of apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism in the lithogenesis of gallstone and the hereditary pathogenesis of the disease.METHODS Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)was used to study apoE phenotypes and allelefrequencies in patients with gallstones and control, and the fasting serum lipids of subjectswere also measured by enzymatic methods.RESULTS The levels of triglyceride (TG) andvery low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC) were much higher in Ez/, patients than that inE,/, control. E,/, patients were accompanied withremarkably low levels of high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDLC) and its subforms. But in E,/#patients there were only slight changes in levelsof VLDLC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL--C).CONCLUSION Different apoE phenotype patientswith gallstones have different cheracteristics ofdyslipidemia and the average level of serum lipids in patients with gallstones are higher thansubjects without gallstones in the same apoEgene phenotype. EZ allele is possibly one of thedangerous factors in the lithogenesis of cholecystolithiasis.

Ion source effect on the bond length of ^4HeH^＋

The bond length of ^4HeH^＋ resulting from collision-induced destruction is measured at 1.4420 MeV using the Coulomb Explosion Technique. The measured bond length of ^4HeH^＋ is 0.094±0.003nm. The bond length of ^4HeH^＋ obtained with our radio frequency （RF） ion source is larger than that obtained with a duoplasmatron ion source at Argonne National Laboratory （ANL）, but the bond lengths of H^＋2 and H^＋3obtained separately by ANL and by us with the two different ion sources are consistent with each other, which implies that there exists an ion source effect on the bond length of ^4HeH^＋. The main reason why the 4^4HeH^＋ bond lengths obtained by the two different ion sources are different is also discussed.

Effect of Weld Parameters on Effective Notch Stress at Weld Root and Toe of Load Carrying Cruciform Joints

Cruciform joints in ships are prone to fatigue damage and the determination of type of weld plays a significant role in thefatigue design of the joint. In this paper, the effect of weld geometry on fatigue failure of load carrying cruciform joints inships is investigated using Effective Notch Stress (ENS) approach. A fictitious notch of 1 mm radius is introduced at theweld root and toe and fatigue stress is evaluated. The effect of weld leg length (l) and weld penetration depth (p) on ENS atweld root and toe are determined. The critical weld leg length (lcr) at which fatigue failure transitions from weld root toweld toe is investigated. An approximation formula for determination of the critical weld leg length considering weldpenetration depth (p) is proposed.

Nonlinear mixed-effects height to crown base and crown length dynamic models using the branch mortality technique for a Korean larch( Larix olgensis ) plantations in northeast China

Korean larch(Larix olgensis)is one of the main tree species for aff orestation and timber production in northeast China.However,its timber quality and growth ability are largely infl uenced by crown size,structure and shape.The majority of crown models are static models based on tree size and stand characteristics from temporary sample plots,but crown dynamic models has seldom been constructed.Therefore,this study aimed to develop height to crown base(HCB)and crown length(CL)dynamic models using the branch mortality technique for a Korean larch plantation.The nonlinear mixed-eff ects model with random eff ects,variance functions and correlation structures,was used to build HCB and CL dynamic models.The data were obtained from 95 sample trees of 19 plots in Meng JiaGang forest farm in Northeast China.The results showed that HCB progressively increases as tree age,tree height growth(HT growth)and diameter at breast height growth(DBH growth).The CL was increased with tree age in 20 years ago,and subsequently stabilized.HT growth,DBH growth stand basal area(BAS)and crown competition factor(CCF)signifi cantly infl uenced HCB and CL.The HCB was positively correlated with BAS,HT growth and DBH growth,but negatively correlated with CCF.The CL was positively correlated with BAS and CCF,but negatively correlated with DBH growth.Model fi tting and validation confi rmed that the mixed-eff ects model considering the stand and tree level random eff ects was accurate and reliable for predicting the HCB and CL dynamics.However,the models involving adding variance functions and time series correlation structure could not completely remove heterogeneity and autocorrelation,and the fi tting precision of the models was reduced.Therefore,from the point of view of application,we should take care to avoid setting up over-complex models.The HCB and CL dynamic models in our study may also be incorporated into stand growth and yield model systems in China.

Surface effects on the persistence length of nanowires and nanotubes

Surface effects on the persistence length of quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterials are investigated by using the theory of surface elasticity and the core-shell model of nanobeams. A simple and unified expression is provided to determine the persistence length of nanowires and nanotubes with any regular polygonal cross-sections. It is demonstrated that surface effects have a distinct in- fluence on the persistence length when the characteristic sizes of materials shrink to nanometers. This work is helpful not only for understanding the size-dependent behavior of nanomaterials but also for the design of devices based on nanotubes or nanowires.

The influence of defects on the effective Young's modulus of a defective solid

It is difficult to establish structure-property relationships in a defective solid because of its inhomogeneous-geometry microstructure caused by defects. In the present research, the effects of pores and cracks on the Young’s modulus of a defective solid are studied. Based on the law of the conservation of energy, mathematical formulations are proposed to indicate how the shape, size, and distribution of defects affect the effective Young’s modulus. In this approach, detailed equations are illustrated to represent the shape and size of defects on the effective Young’s modulus. Different from the results obtained from the traditional empirical analyses, mixture law or statistical method, for the first time, our results from the finite element method （FEM） and strict analytical calculation show that the influence of pore radius and crack length on the effective Young’s modulus can be quantified. It is found that the longest crack in a typical microstructure of ceramic coating dominates the contribution of the effective Young’s modulus in the vertical direction of the crack.

Assessment of Organ Dose and Effective Dose from Head CT Examination in a Large Hospital in South-Southern Nigeria

The magnitude of radiation dose imparted to patients who underwent Head Computed Tomography examination in a large tertiary hospital in South-Southern Nigeria has been estimated. CT-ExPO dosimetry software was used to determine the effective and organ doses to the head region of 40 adult patients. Scanning parameters were retrieved from the CT monitor for both contrast-enhanced and non-contrast head CT examinations. The tube potential ranged from 100 kVp to 120 kVp, while the mAs ranged from 127 mAs to 202 mAs. The mean values of the volume Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol) and Dose Length Product (DLP) for the contrast-enhanced Head CT examination were 166.4 ± 39.6 mGy and 3568.6 ± 756.1 mGy·cm, respectively, while for the non-contrast examination they were 86.6 ± 30.4 mGy and 2102.3 ± 870.3 mGy·cm, respectively. The effective doses were higher for the contrast-enhanced study than for the non-contrast study by a factor of 1.6. Results were compared with the European Union reference doses and other published data and were found to be higher. Doses to the organs which comprise of brain, red bone marrow, thyroid and eye lens were also estimated. The high variation in the doses in this study may be due to differences in imaging protocols such as large range of mAs and scan lengths and also the algorithm of the scanner.

Maximum Momentum,Minimal Length and Quantum Gravity Effects of Compact Star Cores

Based on the generalized uncertainty principle with maximum momentum arid minimal length, we discuss the equation of state of ideal ultra-relativistic Fermi gases at zero temperature. Maximum momentum avoids the problem that the Fermi degenerate pressure blows up since the increase of the Fermi energy is not limited. Applying this equation of state to the Tolman-Oppenheimer Volkoff （TOV） equation, the quantum gravitational effects on the cores of compact stars are discussed. In the center of compact stars, we obtain the singularity-free solution of the metric component, gtt ～-（1 ＋ 0.2185×r^2）. By numerically solving the TOV equation, we find that quantum gravity plays an important role in the region r～10^4α0（△x）min. Current observed masses of neutron stars indicate that the dimensionless parameter α0 cannot exceed 10^19.

Impact of Channel Length and Width for Charge Transportation of Graphene Field Effect Transistor

The effect of channel length and width on the large and small-signal parameters of the graphene field effect transistor have been explored using an analytical approach.In the case of faster saturation as well as extremely high transit frequency,the graphene field effect transistor shows outstanding performance.From the transfer curve,it is observed that there is a positive shift of Dirac point from the voltage of 0.15 V to 0.35 V because of reducing channel length from 440 nm to 20 nm and this curve depicts that graphene shows ambipolar behavior.Besides,it is found that because of widening channel the drain current increases and the maximum current is found approximately 2.4 mA and 6 mA for channel width 2μm and 5μm respectively.Furthermore,an approximate symmetrical capacitance-voltage(C-V)characteristic of the graphene field effect transistor is obtained and the capacitance reduces when the channel length decreases but the capacitance can be increased by raising the channel width.In addition,a high transconductance,that demands high-speed radio frequency(RF)applications,of 6.4 mS at channel length 20 nm and 4.45 mS at channel width 5μm along with a high transit frequency of 3.95 THz have been found that demands high-speed radio frequency applications.

Effect of Overlap Stress as Well as Tie Beam Length and Width on Settlement of Isolated Footings Using Finite Element

Effects of tie beam length, width and overlap stress on settlement of foundations have been investigated. In this investigation square concrete footings have been used with dimensions (B × B × d) where (d) is footing depth and (B) is footing width (1, 1.5,2 m). Width of tie beam (b) has been taken equal to 0.25, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.75 (m). Tie beam length (L) has been taken varying from B till 3B with same footing depth = 0.50 m. Effect of overlap stress on settlement as well as effect of tie beam width and length on settlement has been determined. Also, the efficiency of tie beam length and width has been obtained. An equation is presented to compute the overlap stress zone in case of existing tie beam. It is found that the settlement increases with increasing the length of tie beam which is clear after the effect of the overlap stresses zone. The width of overlap stress zone case of existing tie beam has been found to be equal to (1.6 -1.75) B. The settlement of footings decreases with increasing tie beam width. It is found that the settlement after the effect of the overlap stress zone increases with increasing the length of tie beam.

Mathematical modeling and numerical computation of the effective interfacial conditions for Stokes flow on an arbitrarily rough solid surface

The present work is concerned with a two-dimensional(2D)Stokes flow through a channel bounded by two parallel solid walls.The distance between the walls may be arbitrary,and the surface of one of the walls can be arbitrarily rough.The main objective of this work consists in homogenizing the heterogeneous interface between the rough wall and fluid so as to obtain an equivalent smooth slippery fluid/solid interface characterized by an effective slip length.To solve the corresponding problem,two efficient numerical approaches are elaborated on the basis of the method of fundamental solution(MFS)and the boundary element methods(BEMs).They are applied to different cases where the fluid/solid interface is periodically or randomly rough.The results obtained by the proposed two methods are compared with those given by the finite element method and some relevant ones reported in the literature.This comparison shows that the two proposed methods are particularly efficient and accurate.

Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness of a Respiratory Coordinated Care Program in Patients with Severe or Very Severe COPD

Multidisciplinary community coordinated care programs are widely adopted to optimise care of chronic disease patients, but there is a need for further evaluation in the setting of COPD. This observational study evaluated 147 patients with severe or very severe COPD who were enrolled in a multidisciplinary community respiratory coordinated care program (RCCP) from 2007 to 2012. Comparison was made of hospitalisation rates and length of stay for 12 months prior to joining the program, and the first 12 months after joining the program. This data was used to inform a cost analysis. Enrolment into RCCP halved the annual hospital admission rate from 1.18 to 0.57 admissions per year (relative risk reduction 51.4%, p < 0.001), and annual total length of stay was reduced from 8.06 to 3.59 days per patient per year (p < 0.001). Hospital admissions were reduced from 5.05 days to 2.00 days (p < 0.001). Accounting for the program’s costs, these changes resulted in a $US 906.94 ($AUD 972.80) cost saving per patient per year. A RCCP program can reduce patient hospitalisation and overall costs in the COPD setting.