Dynamic Behavior of Precast Concrete Beam-Column Sub-Assemblages with High Performance Connections Subjected to Sudden Column Removal Scenario

Unbonded posttensioned precast concrete (UPPC) structure has shown its excellent aseismic performance in laboratory tests and earthquake investigation. However, the progressive collapse behavior of UPPC subjected to column removal scenario is still unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, two 1/2 scaled UPPC beam-column sub-assemblages were tested under a penultimate column removal scenario. The dynamic test results indicated that UPPC sub-assemblages have desirable load redistribution capacity to mitigate progressive collapse. The failure modes of the sub-assemblages observed in dynamic test were quite similar to that in static counterparts

Asymmetrical domain wall propagation in bifurcated PMA wire structure due to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

Controlling domain wall (DW) motion in complex magnetic network structures is of paramount significance for the development of spin-based devices. Here, we report on the dynamics of a propagating DW in a bifurcated ferromagnetic wire with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) in the wire structure induces a tilt angle to the injected DW, which leads to a quasi-selective propagation through the network branch. The DW tilting causes a field interval between DWs to arrive at Hall bars in the individual branches. Micromagnetic results further show that by tailoring the strength of the DMI, the control of DW dynamics in the PMA complex network structures can be achieved

Applying a Team Performance Framework to better Understand the Handoff Process: Part 1

Handoffs require critical information transfers that are clear, comprehensible, and correct from receiver to sender. There are many factors that influence the reliability of the information in a handoff procedure, and impact the subsequent choices that are made that affect patient care. Using the Input – Mediator – Output – Input model multiple factors that influence the information transfer process have been identified to better handoff communication and in turn, lead to better patient care. The IMOI model is a recently developed theory that claims the productivity and value of interaction among team members can be influenced by cognitive, affective, and external factors (Weaver et al., 2013). This clarifies that the output affects the future performance of a group through a feedback loop, as well as reflects variability in mediational influences. This paper focuses on the first two parts of the IMOI model; input and mediators. Individual characteristics affect the handoff process for both the sender and receiver, including attitudes, expertise, experience, expectations, and fitness for duty. The inputs of a handoff are the individual characteristics of the providers and the patient case, where mediation is the shared process to develop an outcome. The attitudes, expertise, experience, and fitness for duty influence the composition of the team, but are moderated by factors such as interventions, communication, resources, team monitoring, and team orientation. By understanding these factors, providers can create a safer environment and provide safer patient care

Formulation and performance of variational integrators for rotating bodies

Variational integrators are obtained for two mechanical systems whose configuration spaces are, respectively, the rotation group and the unit sphere. In the first case, an integration algorithm is presented for Euler’s equations of the free rigid body, following the ideas of Marsden et al. (Nonlinearity 12:1647–1662, 1999). In the second example, a variational time integrator is formulated for the rigid dumbbell. Both methods are formulated directly on their nonlinear configuration spaces, without using Lagrange multipliers. They are one-step, second order methods which show exact conservation of a discrete angular momentum which is identified in each case. Numerical examples illustrate their properties and compare them with existing integrators of the literature

Model for a Light Z' Boson

A model of a light $Z'$ boson is constructed and phenomenological bounds are derived. This $Z'$ boson arises from a very simple extension to the Standard Model, and it is constrained to be light because the vacuum expectation values which generate its mass also break the electroweak gauge group. It is difficult to detect experimentally because it couples exclusively or primarily (depending on symmetry breaking details) to second and third generation leptons. However, if the $Z'$ boson is sufficiently light, then there exists the possibility of the two-body decay $\tau \rightarrow \mu Z'$ occuring. This will provide a striking signature to test the model.Comment: 20 pages + 5 pages of figures (appended as postscipt files), LaTeX, OITS-53

An Optimal Frequency in Ca²⁺ oscillations for stomatal closure is an emergent property of ion transport in guard cells^1[OPEN]

Oscillations in cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) have been proposed to encode information that controls stomatal closure. [Ca2+]i oscillations with a period near 10 min were previously shown to be optimal for stomatal closure in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), but the studies offered no insight into their origins or mechanisms of encoding to validate a role in signaling. We have used a proven systems modeling platform to investigate these [Ca2+]i oscillations and analyze their origins in guard cell homeostasis and membrane transport. The model faithfully reproduced differences in stomatal closure as a function of oscillation frequency with an optimum period near 10 min under standard conditions. Analysis showed that this optimum was one of a range of frequencies that accelerated closure, each arising from a balance of transport and the prevailing ion gradients across the plasma membrane and tonoplast. These interactions emerge from the experimentally derived kinetics encoded in the model for each of the relevant transporters, without the need of any additional signaling component. The resulting frequencies are of sufficient duration to permit substantial changes in [Ca2+]i and, with the accompanying oscillations in voltage, drive the K+ and anion efflux for stomatal closure. Thus, the frequency optima arise from emergent interactions of transport across the membrane system of the guard cell. Rather than encoding information for ion flux, these oscillations are a by-product of the transport activities that determine stomatal aperture

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic