Platonic crystal with low-frequency locally resonant snail structures. Wave trapping, transmission amplification and shielding

We propose a new type of platonic crystal. The proposed microstructured plate includes snail resonators with low-frequency resonant vibrations. The particular dynamic effect of the resonators are highlighted by a comparative analysis of dispersion properties of homo- geneous and perforated plates. Analytical and numerical estimates of classes of standing waves are given and the analysis on a macrocell shows the possibility to obtain localization, wave trapping and edge waves. Applications include transmission amplification within two plates separated by a small ligament. Finally we proposed a design procedure to suppress low frequency flexural vibration in an elongated plate implementing a by-pass system re- routing waves within the mechanical system.Comment: 11 figures (20 files

A decision support system based on Electre III for safety analysis in a suburban road network

The aim of this paper is to develop a method for supporting decision makers in transport planning. When funds are insufficient to cover the interventions required to ensure safe driving conditions, it is necessary to optimize resources for the most critical sections. In this analysis, the multicriteria ranking method based on the ELECTRE III algorithms is applied to a real case, involving different sections of a motorway. This analysis is based on a comparison of different road sections in regard to safety conditions. The rank of more critical sections identifies intervention priorities

A decision support system for road safety analysis

The aim of this paper is to develop a procedure for supporting public administrations in planning safety interventions on the road network. Road safety conditions depend on several factors, represented by a variety of quantitative and qualitative data, including: number of traffic accidents, traffic flow, lane width, shoulder width, road curvature and grade, access-point density, road markings and road signs (Mooren et al., 2012; OECD, 2002). By analysing a set of given roads or different sections of the same road, each with specific safety conditions, this methodology allows to determine which sections require interventions to improve safe driving conditions. Specifically, the multicriteria analysis technique is used in decision-making processes to support the choice among different alternatives in complex problems (Fadda, 2002). Among the different multicriteria techniques available, the Concordance Analysis will be used here. This paper proposes a unique modelling tool that incorporates the different indicators to calculate safety conditions. The methodology has been applied to a real case study for evaluating road safety on sections of a motorway infrastructur

Elastic wave propagation and stop-band generation in strongly damaged solids

In this work, we study the propagation of elastic waves in elongated solids with an array of equallyspaced deep transverse cracks, focusing in particular on the determination of stop-bands. We consider solids with different types of boundary conditions and different lengths, and we show that the eigenfrequencies associated with non-localized modes lie within the pass-bands of the corresponding infinite periodic system, provided that the solids are long enough. In the stop-bands, instead, eigenfrequencies relative to localized modes may be found. Furthermore, we use an asymptotic reduced model, whereby the cracked solid is approximated by a beam with elastic connections. This model allows to derive the dynamic properties of damaged solids through analytical methods. By comparing the theoretical dispersion curves yielded by the asymptotic reduced model with the numerical outcomes obtained from finite element computations, we observe that the asymptotic reduced model provides a better fit to the numerical data as the slenderness ratio increases. Finally, we illustrate how the limits of the stop-bands vary with the depth of the cracks

Lamb waves in discrete homogeneous and heterogeneous systems: Dispersion properties, asymptotics and non-symmetric wave propagation

In this paper, we study Lamb waves propagating in a discrete strip, whose microstructure is represented by either a monatomic or a diatomic triangular lattice. In considering the in-plane vector problem, we derive an analytical solution for the dispersion relation of Lamb waves. Additionally, we investigate the main features of the eigenmodes of the system, which describe how the lattice strip vibrates at different frequencies. Further, we discuss how the dispersion properties depend on the number of the lattice's rows and on the chosen boundary conditions. For heterogeneous systems, we focus the attention on the internal stop-band and on the flat bands appearing in the dispersion diagram. Different asymptotic models are employed to approximate the low-frequency behaviour of the lattice strip, starting from the classical Euler–Bernoulli beam. The effective behaviour of a lattice strip with dense microstructure is also investigated, and we present a comparative numerical analysis with the analogous continuum for which the classical Lamb wave problem is posed. The theory developed is exploited here to design a structured medium capable of manipulating wavemodes, and, through conversion and selection, generating uni-directional wave phenomena. We envisage that the present work can fill a gap in the research field related to the analytical study of dispersive waves in microstructured media, whose dynamic performance is influenced by the presence of multiple external boundaries

Forcing the silence of the Lamb waves: Uni-directional propagation in structured gyro-elastic strips and networks

In this paper, we propose an innovative design of an elastic network, which is capable of channelling the energy supplied by an external source towards any of its endpoints, that can be chosen arbitrarily and in advance. This system, named Mechanical Switching Network (MSN), consists of an interconnected array of branches, each of which is represented by a lattice strip endowed with gyroscopic spinners. The latter make the system non-reciprocal and, hence, are responsible for the preferential directionality exhibited by the network. We formulate and solve the forced problem for the gyro-elastic strip in the analytical form and compare the derived solutions with the results of independent finite element simulations, showing an excellent agreement. Additionally, we carry out a parametric analysis to evaluate the influence of the main parameters of the system on the uni-directional wave propagation of Lamb waves. We envisage that the proposed model can have important implications in many engineering applications, where control and tunability of guided waves play a key role

A gyro-elastic device for cloaking of elastic waves in micro-structured materials

The design of a structured gyro-elastic system capable of being used as a cloaking device for a discrete medium is discussed. The efficiency of the gyro-elastic cloak, composed of springs connecting periodically placed masses, attached to gyroscopic spinners, is examined in the transient regime. An important effect encountered shows that the speed of the reconstructed field can be altered by tuning the gyroscopes

GABAergic neuroactive steroids: A new frontier in bipolar disorders?

Neurosteroids are synthesized in the brain and modulate brain excitability. There is increasing evidence of their sedative, anesthetic and antiseizure properties, as well as their influence on mood. Currently neurosteroids are classified as pregnane neurosteroids (allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone), androstane neurosteroids (androstanediol and etiocholanone) or sulfated neurosteroids (pregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Both preclinical and clinical findings indicate that progesterone derivative neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone play a role in mood disorders. Clozapine and olanzapine, which were shown to be effective in stabilizing bipolar disorder, elevate pregnenolone levels in rat hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and serum. In lithium-treated mice, the blood levels of allopregnanolone and pregnenolone were elevated compared to control levels. Women diagnosed with bipolar disorder typically show symptomatic exacerbation in relation to the menstrual cycle, and show vulnerability to the onset or recurrence of mood disorders immediately after giving birth, when the levels of neurosteroid derivatives of progesterone drop. Whereas in women who had recovered from bipolar disorder, the plasma concentration of allopregnanolone was elevated compared to either healthy controls or women with major depressive disorder during the premenstrual period. During depressive episodes, blood level of allopregnanolone is low. Treatment with fluoxetine tends to stabilize the levels of neurosteroids in depression. These findings converge to suggest that these steroids have significant mood-stabilizing effect. This hypothesis is consistent with the observation that a number of anticonvulsants are effective therapies for bipolar disorder, a finding also consistent with the antiseizure properties of neurosteroids. Further exploration of action of neuroactive steroids is likely to open new frontiers in the investigation of the etiology and treatment of mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorders

The AdS/CFT correspondence in two dimensions

We review recent progress in understanding the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence in the context of two-dimensional dilaton gravity theory.Comment: Contribution to the Proceedings of the Euroconference on "Brane New World and Noncommutative Geometry", Turin, October 200