Observations on the vibration of axially-tensioned elastomeric pipes conveying fluids

A study of the effect of axial tension on the vibration of a single-span elastomeric pipe clamped at both ends conveying fluid has been carried out both experimentally and theoretically. A new mathematical model using a penalty function technique and the method of kinematic correction and fictitious loads has been developed. The influence of flowing fluid and axial tension on natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system has been described using this model and compared with experimental observations. Linear and non-linear dynamic response of the harmonically excited pipe has also been investigated for varying flow velocities and initial axial tensions

Improving productivity through work measurement : a cooperative approach; Management advisory services practice aids. Technical consulting practice aid, 09

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/1097/thumbnail.jp

Proposed physiologic functions of boron in plants pertinent to animal and human metabolism.

Boron has been recognized since 1923 as an essential micronutrient element for higher plants. Over the years, many roles for boron in plants have been proposed, including functions in sugar transport, cell wall synthesis and lignification, cell wall structure, carbohydrate metabolism, RNA metabolism, respiration, indole acetic acid metabolism, phenol metabolism and membrane transport. However, the mechanism of boron involvement in each case remains unclear. Recent work has focused on two major plant-cell components: cell walls and membranes. In both, boron could play a structural role by bridging hydroxyl groups. In membranes, it could also be involved in ion transport and redox reactions by stimulating enzymes like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and reduced (NADH) oxidase. There is a very narrow window between the levels of boron required by and toxic to plants. The mechanisms of boron toxicity are also unknown. In nitrogen-fixing leguminous plants, foliarly applied boron causes up to a 1000% increase in the concentration of allantoic acid in leaves. In vitro studies show that boron inhibits the manganese-dependent allantoate amidohydrolase, and foliar application of manganese prior to application of boron eliminates allantoic acid accumulation in leaves. Interaction between borate and divalent cations like manganese may alter metabolic pathways, which could explain why higher concentrations of boron can be toxic to plants

Ir \u3csup\u3e4+\u3c/sup\u3e Ions in β-Ga\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e Crystals: An Unintentional Deep Donor

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and infrared absorption are used to detect Ir4+ ions in β-Ga2O3 crystals. Mg and Fe doped crystals are investigated, and concentrations of Ir4+ ions greater than 1 × 1018 cm−3 are observed. The source of the unintentional deep iridium donors is the crucible used to grow the crystal. In the Mg-doped crystals, the Ir4+ ions provide compensation for the singly ionized Mg acceptors and thus contribute to the difficulties in producing p-type behavior. The Ir4+ ions replace Ga3+ ions at the Ga(2) sites, with the six oxygen neighbors forming a distorted octahedron. A large spin-orbit coupling causes these Ir4+ ions to have a low-spin (5d5, S = 1/2) ground state. The EPR spectrum consists of one broad line with a significant angular dependence. Principal values of the g matrix are 2.662, 1.815, and 0.541 (with principal axes near the crystal a, b, and c directions, respectively). Ionizing radiation at 77 K decreases the Ir4+ EPR signal in Mg-doped crystals and increases the signal in Fe-doped crystals. In addition to the EPR spectrum, the Ir4+ ions have an infrared absorption band representing a d-d transition within the t2g orbitals. At room temperature, this band peaks near 5153 cm−1 (1.94 μm) and has a width of 17 cm−1. The band is highly polarized: its intensity is maximum when the electric field E is parallel to the b direction in the crystal and is nearly zero when E is along the c direction

Reliability of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors on low dislocation density bulk GaN substrate: Implications of surface step edges

To enable gaining insight into degradation mechanisms of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors, devices grown on a low-dislocation-density bulk-GaN substrate were studied. Gateleakage current and electroluminescence (EL) monitoring revealed a progressive appearance of EL spots during off-state stress which signify the generation of gate current leakage paths.Atomic force microscopy evidenced the formation of semiconductor surface pits at the failure location, which corresponds to the interaction region of the gate contact edge and the edges ofsurface steps

Failure Analysis of Flow-induced Vibration Problem of in-serviced Duplex Stainless Steel Piping System in Oil and Gas Industry

Failure of the duplex stainless steel piping system in oil and gas industry can have disastrous effects. In this study, a novel method of failure analysis of flow-induced vibration problem of in-serviced duplex stainless steel piping system is proposed. The proposed non-destructive technique is able to determine a suitable operating condition for continuous operation without failure. The technique relies on the combined operation of operational modal analysis, operating deflection shape analysis and linear elastic finite element analysis. The effect of different operating conditions for two distinct valve opening cases (i.e. fully opened and partially opened) on the dynamic stress is examined, and they are utilised for forecasting purpose in failure analysis. The result shows that maximum operating conditions are 360 and 400 mmscfd for fully opened and partially opened flow control valves, respectively. Beyond this limit, the piping system most likely will fail

Adequate Soil Phosphorus Decreases the Grass Tetany Potential of Tall Fescue Pasture

Abstract Grass tetany is a nutritional disease of ruminants caused by low dietary Mg. Previous research has shown that early spring P-fertilization increases the leaf Mg concentration of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) hay. However, little is known about how P-fertilization alters the mineral concentration of tall fescue under grazing. Our objective was to compare, under grazing, the Mg, K, Ca, and P concentration of tall fescue when soil P was considered either adequate or low

Piezoelectric resonators based on self-assembled diphenylalanine microtubes

Piezoelectric actuation has been widely used in microelectromechanical devices including resonance-based biosensors, mass detectors, resonators, etc. These were mainly produced by micromachining of Si and deposited inorganic piezoelectrics based on metal oxides or perovskite-type materials which have to be further functionalized in order to be used in biological applications. In this work, we demonstrate piezoelectrically driven micromechanical resonators based on individual self-assembled diphenylalanine microtubes with strong intrinsic piezoelectric effect. Tubes of different diameters and lengths were grown from the solution and assembled on a rigid support. The conducting tip of the commercial atomic force microscope was then used to both excite vibrations and study resonance behavior. Efficient piezoelectric actuation at the fundamental resonance frequency approximate to 2.7 MHz was achieved with a quality factor of 114 for a microtube of 277 mu m long. A possibility of using piezoelectric dipeptides for biosensor applications is discussed. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4793417

Collaborative research between clinicians and researchers: a multiple case study of implementation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bottom-up, clinician-conceived and directed clinical intervention research, coupled with collaboration from researcher experts, is conceptually endorsed by the participatory research movement. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of a program in the Veterans Health Administration meant to encourage clinician-driven research by providing resources believed to be critical. The evaluation focused on the extent to which funded projects: maintained integrity to their original proposals; were methodologically rigorous; were characterized by collaboration between partners; and resulted in sustained clinical impact.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Researchers used quantitative (survey and archival) and qualitative (focus group) data to evaluate the implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of four clinical demonstration projects at four sites. Fourteen research center mentors and seventeen clinician researchers evaluated the level of collaboration using a six-dimensional model of participatory research.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results yielded mixed findings. Qualitative and quantitative data suggested that although the process was collaborative, clinicians' prior research experience was critical to the quality of the projects. Several challenges were common across sites, including subject recruitment, administrative support and logistics, and subsequent dissemination. Only one intervention achieved lasting clinical effect beyond the active project period. Qualitative analyses identified barriers and facilitators and suggested areas to improve sustainability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Evaluation results suggest that this participatory research venture was successful in achieving clinician-directed collaboration, but did not produce sustainable interventions due to such implementation problems as lack of resources and administrative support.</p