Analysis of bed joint influence on masonry modulus of elasticity

The means of determining the modulus of elasticity presented in technical literature often underestimate factors such as the influence of mechanical properties of the bed joint mortar and the influence of contact zone of the masonry unit and mortar on the elasticity modulus. Research carried out by the authors show that the modulus of elasticity of the bed joint considering influence of the contact zone (effective modulus of elasticity) is 3 to 25 times less than mortar modulus of elasticity, set by experimenting with samples in accordance with the requirements of the EN 1015-11 standard. The modulus of elasticity depends on the properties of mortar, masonry unit and bed joint thickness. This article discusses deformation properties of mortar in bed joints of calcium silicate block masonry. An analytical model determining mortar joint deformation properties is proposed, which considers a shift in mortar properties and the contact zone between mortar and the masonry unit. The masonry elasticity modulus values have been estimated applying the suggested method and comparing the results to the experimental values

THE OPERATION OF THE GAUGE CHANGING FACILITY OF THE NEW RAILWAY LINE RAIL BALTICA

This article describes the operation mode for the trains gauge changing facilities. These facilities enables the trains specially constructed or adapted for the gauge changing to run on the two gauge systems that will coexist in Lithuania, namely European Standard (UIC) gauge 1435mm and Wide (Russian) gauge 1520mm. Several gauge-changing systems are available in the international market. The description below is based on the Talgo system. This system is state of the art and well proven. It operates on the Spanish -French Border (Irún/Hendaye) as well as on the connections of the Madrid -Seville Highs Speed Line (1435 mm gauge) and Spanish conventional rail network (1668mm) in Cordoba and Seville

Investigation of Partial Discharges at the High Voltage Electric Motor Bars

It is well known the use of on-line partial discharge (PD) measurements as an indicator of stator winding insulation condition. The scheduled PD measurements could be used as a test to evaluate the quality of the equipment. The test results could help to diagnose the insulation problems in motors and generators for corresponding action before failure occurs. Although a number of PD measurement methods exists, but the tests results of on operating rotating machines can be influenced by conditions such as humidity, temperature, terminal voltage, and load. This paper describes the development of PD imitation mathematical model in stator insulation. The experimental investigation with physical model was performed for adequacy assessment. The capacitive sensor was used for PD online monitoring

Localization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dependent rhythm generating modules in the Drosophila larval locomotor network

This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust through an ISSF award (105621/Z/14/Z) to the University of St Andrews. It was also supported by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) project grant (BB/M021793) awarded to SRP, a CASE studentship awarded to J. M. (BB/M010996/1) and a donation from Kaunas Industrial Water Supply (Kauno Pramoninis Vandentiekis, Kaunas, Lithuania) in support of J. J.Mechanisms of rhythm generation h­­ave been extensively studied in motor systems that control locomotion over terrain in limbed animals; however, much less is known about rhythm generation in soft-bodied terrestrial animals. Here we explored how muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) modulated rhythm generating networks are distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) of soft-bodied Drosophila larvae. We measured fictive motor patterns in isolated CNS preparations using a combination of Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology while manipulating mAChR signalling pharmacologically. Bath application of the mAChR agonist oxotremorine potentiated bilaterally asymmetric activity in anterior thoracic regions and promoted bursting in posterior abdominal regions. Application of the mAChR antagonist scopolamine suppressed rhythm generation in these regions and blocked the effects of oxotremorine. Oxotremorine triggered fictive forward crawling in preparations without brain lobes. Oxotremorine also potentiated rhythmic activity in isolated posterior abdominal CNS segments as well as isolated anterior brain and thoracic regions, but it did not induce rhythmic activity in isolated anterior abdominal segments. Bath application of scopolamine to reduced preparations lowered baseline Ca2+ levels and abolished rhythmic activity. Overall, these results suggest that mAChR signalling plays a role in enabling rhythm generation at multiple sites in the larval CNS. This work furthers our understanding of motor control in soft-bodied locomotion and provides a foundation for study of rhythm generating networks in an emerging genetically tractable locomotor system.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe