EVALUATION OF INTELLIGENT COMPACTION CONTROL IN THE M-189 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT IRON RIVER, MICHIGAN

This research evaluated an Intelligent Compaction (IC) unit on the M-189 highway reconstruction project at Iron River, Michigan. The results from the IC unit were compared to several traditional compaction measurement devices including Nuclear Density Gauge (NDG), Geogauge, Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD), Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP), and Modified Clegg Hammer (MCH). The research collected point measurements data on a test section in which 30 test locations on the final Class II sand base layer and the 22A gravel layer. These point measurements were compared with the IC measurements (ICMVs) on a point-to-point basis through a linear regression analysis. Poor correlations were obtained among different measurements points using simple regression analysis. When comparing the ICMV to the compaction measurements points. Factors attributing to the weak correlation include soil heterogeneity, variation in IC roller operation parameters, in-place moisture content, the narrow range of the compaction devices measurement ranges and support conditions of the support layers. After incorporating some of the affecting factors into a multiple regression analysis, the strength of correlation significantly improved, especially on the stiffer gravel layer. Measurements were also studied from an overall distribution perspective in terms of average, measurement range, standard deviation, and coefficient of variance. Based on data analysis, on-site project observation and literature review, conclusions were made on how IC performed in regards to compaction control on the M-189 reconstruction project

Fuzzy Logic and Its Application in Football Team Ranking

Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic are a highly suitable and applicable basis for developing knowledge-based systems in physical education for tasks such as the selection for athletes, the evaluation for different training approaches, the team ranking, and the real-time monitoring of sports data. In this paper, we use fuzzy set theory and apply fuzzy clustering analysis in football team ranking. Based on some certain rules, we propose four parameters to calculate fuzzy similar matrix, obtain fuzzy equivalence matrix and the ranking result for our numerical example, T7, T3, T1, T9, T10, T8, T11, T12, T2, T6, T5, T4, and investigate four parameters sensitivity analysis. The study shows that our fuzzy logic method is reliable and stable when the parameters change in certain range

Bifurcation and Chaotic Behavior of a Discrete-Time SIS Model

The discrete-time epidemic model is investigated, which is obtained using the Euler method. It is verified that there exist some dynamical behaviors in this model, such as transcritical bifurcation, flip bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation, and chaos. The numerical simulations, including bifurcation diagrams and computation of Lyapunov exponents, not only show the consistence with the theoretical analysis but also exhibit the rich and complex dynamical behaviors

Elastic-plastic interfacial crack problems

Plane strain asymptotic solutions for the stress fields of a stationary crack in a homogeneous isotropic material under mixed-mode loading have been constructed analytically. Without loss of generality the fields are taken to comprise elastic and plastic sectors. Slip line solutions have been developed for the plastic sectors and semi-infinite elastic wedge solutions for the elastic sectors. The fields, which exhibit full continuity of tractions, have been verified by numerical calculations based on modified boundary layer formulations. For mode I, the loss in constraint depends on the second order term in the Williams expansion (T). A compressive T stress results in the formation of an elastic wedge on the crack flanks and a loss of crack tip constraint. The relation between the loss of constraint and the structure of the asymptotic field has been determined analytically. These fields form the basis of a two parameter, constraint-based characterisation of mode I fields. For mixed mode fields in nonhardening and incompressible conditions, the loss of constraint has been correlated to plastic mode mixity. The asymptotic crack tip fields of a stationary crack located on the interface between a rigid body and an elastic-plastic matrix subject to mixed mode loading have been investigated under small scale yielding and incompressible deformation. The analysis does not require the assumption that plasticity fully surrounds the crack tip and satisfies continuity of stress, except for an allowable discontinuity in radial stress across the interface. Under negative mode mixities, the maximum hoop stress is located in the matrix and leads to the possibility that the crack may propagate into the matrix rather than along interface. The crack tip fields and hence the fracture toughness for this failure mode can be correlated with the fields and toughness in unconstrained mode I loading. The plane strain asymptotic stress fields of interface cracks in elastically matched but strength mismatched materials have been examined numerically and analytically under mixed mode loading. Stationary cracks located in the interface, as well as normal to the interface have been studied. A family of interface crack fields which depend on strength mismatch factor and phase angle have been constructed analytically in association with Prof. T-L Sham. These have been verified by a finite element method using boundary layer formations. For cracks normal to the interface, the crack tip stress field has been investigated by using boundary layer formulations under mode I with different levels of T stress and mixed mode loading. For weak and moderate strain hardening, the loss of constraint due to compressive T stress gives rise a family of fields which differ in a largely hydrostatic manner. This feature of mixed mode fields is similar to that of homogeneous materials. Both T and Mode II component cause a loss of constraint at the crack tip. All these fields have the same important feature, that they differ in a largely hydrostatic manner on the plane of the maximum principal stress. For stress controlled failure, these fields can be correlated with the homogeneous mode I small scale yielding field allowing constraint based homogeneous mode I failure criterion to be used for bi-material interface cracks as well cracks in homogenous materials under mixed mode loadings

Prompting Fab Yeast Surface Display Efficiency by ER Retention and Molecular Chaperon Co-expression.

For antibody discovery and engineering, yeast surface display (YSD) of antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) and coupled fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) provide intact paratopic conformations and quantitative analysis at the monoclonal level, and thus holding great promises for numerous applications. Using anti-TNFα mAbs Infliximab, Adalimumab, and its variants as model Fabs, this study systematically characterized complementary approaches for the optimization of Fab YSD. Results suggested that by using divergent promoter GAL1-GAL10 and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signal peptides for co-expression of light chain and heavy chain-Aga2 fusion, assembled Fabs were functionally displayed on yeast cell surface with sigmoidal binding responses toward TNFα. Co-expression of a Hsp70 family molecular chaperone Kar2p and/or protein-disulfide isomerase (Pdi1p) significantly improved efficiency of functional display (defined as the ratio of cells displaying functional Fab over cells displaying assembled Fab). Moreover, fusing ER retention sequences (ERSs) with light chain also enhanced Fab display quality at the expense of display quantity, and the degree of improvements was correlated with the strength of ERSs and was more significant for Infliximab than Adalimumab. The feasibility of affinity maturation was further demonstrated by isolating a high affinity Fab clone from 1:103 or 1:105 spiked libraries

Wetland Degradation and Ecological Restoration

Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on earth and functioned as the “kidneys” of the earth, which play an important role in maintaining ecological service functions. However, with the rapid growth in human populations, wetlands worldwide are suffering from serious degradation or loss as affected by wetland pollution, wetland reclamation, civilization and land use changes, and so forth. Wetland degradation has potential influences on human health, biodiversity, regional climate, and regional ecological security. Therefore, it is an urgent task to recover these degraded wetlands. In recent years, wetland protection, restoration, and its reasonable exploitation have been paid much more attention to by most governments and researchers. Moreover, wetland restoration has become the frontier fields of wetlands science, which has been listed as one of important themes in these recent international wetlands and ecological conferences. Understanding wetland degradation processes can contribute to better effective wetland restoration. Therefore, we organized this special issue on “wetland degradation and ecological restoration.” The objective of this special issue is to emphasize the effects of human activities on wetland ecosystems, the relationships between soil, water, and plant in wetlands, and wetland restoration issues and applications