Analytic postbuckling solution of a pre-stressed infinite beam bonded to a linear elastic foundation

AbstractThe postbuckling deflection of an infinite beam that is bonded to a linear elastic foundation and is subjected to an internal compressive stress is analyzed. The nonlinear equilibrium equation that governs the problem considers extensional deformation of the beam. An analytic solution of the nonlinear equilibrium equation is presented and is found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations of the problem. The numerical simulations confirm that for a linear elastic foundation the postbuckling deflection is periodic. The analytic solution shows that the postbuckling wavelength is unaffected by the level of internal stress, and is equal to the wavelength at the critical state

Geometrical aspects of dielectric charging

AbstractThe electrostatic field in a dielectric layer, which is in contact with a conducting electrode, is considered. It is shown that the geometrical nature of contact causes a considerable local amplification of the electrostatic field. This provides insight, and explains why dielectric charging occurs even when the nominal electrostatic fields seems to be relatively low in amplitude. The analysis also demonstrates why a constant and uniform electrostatic loading induces dielectric charging with alternating polarity in different locations in the dielectric

Therapeutic Efficacy of Orally Administered Nitrofurantoin against Animal African Trypanosomosis Caused by Trypanosoma congolense Infection

Animal African trypanosomosis (AAT) leads to emaciation and low productivity in infected animals. Only six drugs are commercially available against AAT; they have severe side effects and face parasite resistance. Thus, the development of novel trypanocidal drugs is urgently needed. Nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial, is used for treating bacterial urinary tract infections. Recently, we reported the trypanocidal effects of nitrofurantoin and its analogs in vitro. Furthermore, a nitrofurantoin analog, nifurtimox, is currently used to treat Chagas disease and chronic human African trypanosomiasis. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the in vivo efficacy of nitrofurantoin in treating AAT caused by Trypanosoma congolense. Nitrofurantoin was orally administered for 7 consecutive days from 4 days post-infection in T. congolense-infected mice, and the animals were observed for 28 days. Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed significantly suppressed parasitemia at 6 days post-infection. Furthermore, survival was significantly prolonged in the group treated with at least 10 mg/kg nitrofurantoin. Moreover, 100% survival and cure was achieved with a dose of nitrofurantoin higher than 30 mg/kg. Thus, oral nitrofurantoin administration has potential trypanocidal efficacy against T. congolense-induced AAT. This preliminary data will serve as a benchmark when comparing future nitrofurantoin-related compounds, which can overcome the significant shortcomings of nitrofurantoin that preclude its viable use in livestock