Control of friction forces with stationary wave piezoelectric actuator

"In the field of the research on piezoelectric motors, the control of friction forces by ultrasonic waves was studied mainly from an experimental point of view [1]. The principle of friction force reduction by imposed mechanical vibrations in unlubricated contacts was recently studied in order to reduce the friction losses in an internal combustion engine with Langevin type actuators [2]. This article deals with the advantages of flexural stationary wave piezoelectric actuators in the control of the friction forces thanks to their high pressures generated at high frequencies (>10 Khz). The use of specific contact geometry which is defined by the Hertz theory associated with partial slip contact conditions, allows optimizing the lubrication effect. In the case of piezoelectric torque limiter application, the design and the numerical simulation of dedicated piezoelectric actuator are compared. In agreement with the contact modeling, the characterization of the complete actuator on mechanical test bench validates the ""torque limiter"" function and the optimization of lubrication principle with dedicated contact geometry

Control of friction forces with stationary wave piezoelectric actuator

"In the field of the research on piezoelectric motors, the control of friction forces by ultrasonic waves was studied mainly from an experimental point of view [1]. The principle of friction force reduction by imposed mechanical vibrations in unlubricated contacts was recently studied in order to reduce the friction losses in an internal combustion engine with Langevin type actuators [2]. This article deals with the advantages of flexural stationary wave piezoelectric actuators in the control of the friction forces thanks to their high pressures generated at high frequencies (>10 Khz). The use of specific contact geometry which is defined by the Hertz theory associated with partial slip contact conditions, allows optimizing the lubrication effect. In the case of piezoelectric torque limiter application, the design and the numerical simulation of dedicated piezoelectric actuator are compared. In agreement with the contact modeling, the characterization of the complete actuator on mechanical test bench validates the ""torque limiter"" function and the optimization of lubrication principle with dedicated contact geometry

Chains of infinite order, chains with memory of variable length, and maps of the interval

We show how to construct a topological Markov map of the interval whose invariant probability measure is the stationary law of a given stochastic chain of infinite order. In particular we caracterize the maps corresponding to stochastic chains with memory of variable length. The problem treated here is the converse of the classical construction of the Gibbs formalism for Markov expanding maps of the interval

Post-Partum Pituitary Insufficiency and Livedo Reticularis Presenting a Diagnostic Challenge in a Resource Limited Setting in Tanzania: A Case Report, Clinical Discussion and Brief Review of Existing Literature.

Pituitary disorders following pregnancy are an important yet under reported clinical entity in the developing world. Conversely, post partum panhypopituitarism has a more devastating impact on women in such settings due to high fertility rates, poor obstetric care and scarcity of diagnostic and therapeutic resources available. A 37 year old African female presented ten years post partum with features of multiple endocrine deficiencies including hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, lactation failure and secondary amenorrhea. In addition she had clinical features of an underlying autoimmune condition. These included a history of post-partum thyroiditis, alopecia areata, livedo reticularis and deranged coagulation indices. A remarkable clinical response followed appropriate hormone replacement therapy including steroids. This constellation has never been reported before; we therefore present an interesting clinical discussion including a brief review of existing literature. Post partum pituitary insufficiency is an under-reported condition of immense clinical importance especially in the developing world. A high clinical index of suspicion is vital to ensure an early and correct diagnosis which will have a direct bearing on management and patient outcome

Some multivariate risk indicators ; minimization by using a Kiefer-Wolfowitz approach to the mirror stochastic algorithm. submitted

Abstract. We consider some risk indicators of vectorial risk processes. These indicators take into account the dependencies between business lines as well as some temporal dependencies. By using stochastic algorithms, we may estimate the minimum of these risk indicators, under a fixed total capital constraint. This minimization may apply to optimal reserve allocation

Protease-activated receptors are expressed and can be activated in human sensory neurons

International audienc

2-µm high-power multiple-frequency single-mode Q-switched Ho:YLF laser for DIAL application

International audienceWe report on the development and the demonstration of a two-wavelength single-frequency laser oscillator based on Ho:YLF crystal. This laser is especially suitable for application as a transmitter in differential absorption lidar (DIAL)/integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) using the R30 CO2 absorption line at 2,050.967 nm. The oscillator consists in a fiber-coupled and free-space solid-state hybrid system and can be used in high-energy middle-rate or moderate-energy high-rate configurations. The latter produced On and Off sequentially single-frequency laser pulses with 13 mJ of energy at a repetition rate of 2 kHz and pulse duration of 42 ns. The pulse energy and frequency stabilities are specially documented in free-running, single-frequency and two-frequency seeding single-mode operations. Standard deviation is 7.7 % for pulse energy and 2 MHz for frequency stability for the two-wavelength seeding operation. Allan variance plot shows that frequency fluctuations are reduced below 70 kHz for 10 s of averaging which is suitable for accurate CO2 DIAL or IPDA measurements. © 2014 The Author(s)

RISK INDICATORS WITH SEVERAL LINES OF BUSINESS: COMPARISON, ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR AND APPLICATIONS TO OPTIMAL RESERVE ALLOCATION

Abstract. In a multi-dimensional risk model with dependent lines of business, we propose to allocate capital with respect to the minimization of some risk indicators. These indicators are sums of expected penalties due to the insolvency of a branch while the global reserve is either positive or negative. Explicit formulas in the case of two branches are obtained for several models (independent exponential, correlated Pareto). The asymptotic behavior (as the initial capital goes to infinity) is studied. For higher dimension and several periods, no explicit expression is available. Using a stochastic algorithm, we get estimations of the allocation, compare the different allocations and study the impact of dependence

Inhibition of FLT3 and PDGFR tyrosine kinase activity by bis(benzo[b]furan-2-yl)methanones

A series of bis(benzo[b]furan-2-yl)methanones was synthesized and tested for inhibition of FLT3 and PDGFR autophosphorylation. Mostly, C-5 substitution leads to PDGFR selectivity, which was strongest in the case of the 5,5'-dimethoxy deriv. The 5,5'-diamino and the 6,6'-dihydroxy compds. are more active at FLT3. At both kinases, the potency of the best inhibitors approaches IC50 values of .apprx.0.5 mM. Mol. modeling studies suggest that the bisbenzofuranylmethanones are able to fit into the same binding site as their indolyl analogs which have been suggested to form a bidentate hydrogen bridge with the backbone in the hinge regions. The loss of one H bond by the NH-O exchange might be partially compensated by, for example, the weak interaction of one furanyl oxygen with FLT3 Cys-828