On the nonlinear deformation geometry of Euler-Bernoulli beams

Nonlinear expressions are developed to relate the orientation of the deformed beam cross section, torsion, local components of bending curvature, angular velocity, and virtual rotation to deformation variables. The deformed beam kinematic quantities are proven to be equivalent to those derived from various rotation sequences by identifying appropriate changes of variable based on fundamental uniqueness properties of the deformed beam geometry. The torsion variable used is shown to be mathematically analogous to an axial deflection variable commonly used in the literature. Rigorous applicability of Hamilton's principle to systems described by a class of quasi-coordinates that includes these variables is formally established

Hingeless helicopter rotor with improved stability

Improved stability was provided in a hingeless helicopter rotor by inclining the principal elastic flexural axes and coupling pitching of the rotor blade with the lead-lag bending of the blade. The primary elastic flex axes were inclined by constructing the blade of materials that display non-uniform stiffness, and the specification described various cross section distributions and the resulting inclined flex axes. Arrangements for varying the pitch of the rotor blade in a predetermined relationship with lead-lag bending of the blade, i.e., bending of the blade in a plane parallel to its plane of rotation were constructed

New design of hingeless helicopter rotor improves stability

Cantilever blades are attached directly to rotor hub, thereby substantially reducing cost and complexity and increasing reliability of helicopter rotor. Combination of structural flap-lag coupling and pitch-lag coupling provides damping of 6 to 10%, depending on magnitude of coupling parameters

Extending Quantum Coherence in Diamond

We experimentally demonstrate over two orders of magnitude increase in the coherence time of nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond by implementing decoupling techniques. We show that equal pulse spacing decoupling performs just as well as non-periodic Uhrig decoupling and has the additional benefit that it allows us to take advantage of "revivals" in the echo (due to the coherent nature of the bath) to explore the longest coherence times. At short times, we can extend the coherence of particular quantum states out from T_2*=2.7 us out to an effective T_2 > 340 us. For preserving arbitrary states we show the experimental importance of using pulse sequences, that through judicious choice of the phase of the pulses, compensate the imperfections of individual pulses for all input states. At longer times we use these compensated sequences to enhance the echo revivals and show a coherence time of over 1.6 ms in ultra-pure natural abundance 13C diamond.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures; minor syntax/typo. changes and updated reference

Structure and clumping in the fast wind of NGC6543

Far-UV spectroscopy from the FUSE satellite is analysed to uniquely probe spatial structure and clumping in the fast wind of the central star of the H-rich planetary nebula NGC6543 (HD164963). Time-series data of the unsaturated PV 1118, 1128 resonance line P Cygni profiles provide a very sensitive diagnostic of variable wind conditions in the outflow. We report on the discovery of episodic and recurrent optical depth enhancements in the PV absorption troughs, with some evidence for a 0.17-day modulation time-scale. SEI line-synthesis modelling is used to derive physical properties, including the optical depth evolution of individual `events'. The characteristics of these features are essentially identical to the `discrete absorption components' (DACs) commonly seen in the UV lines of massive OB stars. We have also employed the unified model atmosphere code CMFGEN to explore spectroscopic signatures of clumping, and report in particular on the clear sensitivity of the PV lines to the clump volume filling factor. The results presented here have implications for the downward revision of mass-loss rates in PN central stars. We conclude that the temporal structures seen in the PV lines of NGC6543 likely have a physical origin that is similar to that operating in massive, luminous stars, and may be related to near-surface perturbations caused by stellar pulsation and/or magnetic fields.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Universal Control of Nuclear Spins Via Anisotropic Hyperfine Interactions

We show that nuclear spin subsystems can be completely controlled via microwave irradiation of resolved anisotropic hyperfine interactions with a nearby electron spin. Such indirect addressing of the nuclear spins via coupling to an electron allows us to create nuclear spin gates whose operational time is significantly faster than conventional direct addressing methods. We experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of this method on a solid-state ensemble system consisting of one electron and one nuclear spin.Comment: RevTeX4, 8 pages, 8 figure

Laboratory measurements and theoretical calculations of O_2 A band electric quadrupole transitions

Frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy was utilized to measure electric quadrupole transitions within the ^(16)O_2 A band, b^1Σ^+_g ← X^3Σ^-_g(0,0). We report quantitative measurements (relative uncertainties in intensity measurements from 4.4% to 11%) of nine ultraweak transitions in the ^NO, ^PO, ^RS, and ^TS branches with line intensities ranging from 3×10^(−30) to 2×10^(−29) cm molec.^(−1). A thorough discussion of relevant noise sources and uncertainties in this experiment and other cw-cavity ring-down spectrometers is given. For short-term averaging (t<100 s), we estimate a noise-equivalent absorption of 2.5×10^(−10) cm^(−1) Hz^(−1/2). The detection limit was reduced further by co-adding up to 100 spectra to yield a minimum detectable absorption coefficient equal to 1.8×10^(−11) cm^(−1), corresponding to a line intensity of ~2.5×10^(−31) cm molec.^(−1). We discuss calculations of electric quadrupole line positions based on a simultaneous fit of the ground and upper electronic state energies which have uncertainties <3 MHz, and we present calculations of electric quadrupole matrix elements and line intensities. The electric quadrupole line intensity calculations and measurements agreed on average to 5%, which is comparable to our average experimental uncertainty. The calculated electric quadrupole band intensity was 1.8(1)×10^(−27) cm molec.−1 which is equal to only ~8×10^(−6) of the magnetic dipole band intensity

Scrotal Reconstruction with a Pedicled Gracilis Muscle Flap after Debridement of Fournier’s Gangrene: A Case Report

As part of surgical management of Fournier’s gangrene, multiple and  extensive debridement of necrotic tissue is done which results in significant loss of scrotal skin and exposure of testes. This necessitates reconstruction of a neoscrotum to cover of the testes. Several scrotal reconstructive options are available including split thickness skin grafts, scrotal  advancement flaps, local fasciocutaneous, muscle or myocutaneous flaps, and free tissue transfer. We report a case of a 34 year old African male who presented as a referral from a district hospital with a scrotal defect and exposed testes following extensive debridement of Fournier’s gangrene. Scrotal reconstruction with a pedicled gracilis muscle flap was done. The pedicled gracilis muscle flap is close to the scrotal area and is ideal for coverage of large scrotal defects with deep pockets. It is well vascularised thereby providing greater resistance to infection, a good bed for skin grafting yet eliminating the risks associated with potentially non reliable skin paddle in the myocutaneous flap