Modelling High Speed Machining with the SPH Method

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the use of the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method within the framework of high speed cutting modelling. First, a 2D SPH based model is carried out using the LS-DYNA® software. SPH is a meshless method, thus large material distortions that occur in the cutting problem are easily managed and SPH contact control allows a “natural” workpiece/chip separation. The developed SPH model proves its ability to account for continuous and shear localized chip formation and also correctly estimates the cutting forces, as illustrated in some orthogonal cutting examples. Then, The SPH model is used in order to improve the general understanding of machining with worn tools. At last, a milling model allowing the calculation of the 3D cutting forces is presented. The interest of the suggested approach is to be freed from classically needed machining tests: Those are replaced by 2D numerical tests using the SPH model. The developed approach proved its ability to model the 3D cutting forces in ball end milling

Local Gaussian operations can enhance continuous-variable entanglement distillation

Entanglement distillation is a fundamental building block in long-distance quantum communication. Though known to be useless on their own for distilling Gaussian entangled states, local Gaussian operations may still help to improve non-Gaussian entanglement distillation schemes. Here we show that by applying local squeezing operations, both the performance and the efficiency of existing distillation protocols can be enhanced. We derive the optimal enhancement through local Gaussian unitaries, which can be obtained even in the most natural scenario when Gaussian mixed entangled states are shared after their distribution through a lossy-fiber communication channel.Comment: 4 figure

Drug therapy of primary biliary diseases: classical and modern strategies

Definition: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are both cholestatic liver diseases. A common feature of these disorders is the accumulation of bile acids in the liver and blood, presumably because of decreased biliary secretion and reduced bile flow. Etiology: Etiology and pathogenesis of PBC and PSC are still unknown. PBC is considered to be an autoimmune disease. Immunological mechanisms may also be involved in PSC since there is an association with ulcerative colitis and autoantibodies can be detected. Furthermore, genetic factors seem to play an important role in both diseases. Therapy: Since the pathogenesis of both diseases is unclear, there is no definite causal treatment. However, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was shown to be highly effective. Other drugs which can be used alone or in combination with UDCA are promising and might further improve the outcome of the diseases

Decay constants, semi-leptonic and non-leptonic decays in a Bethe-Salpeter Model

We evaluate the decay constants for the B and $D$ mesons and the form factors for the semileptonic decays of the B meson to $D$ and $D^*$ mesons in a Bethe-Salpeter model. From data we extract $V_{cb}=0.039 \pm 0.002$ from ${\bar B} \to D^* l {\bar{\nu}}$ and $V_{cb}=0.037 \pm 0.004$ from ${\bar B} \to D l {\bar{\nu}}$ decays. The form factors are then used to obtain non-leptonic decay partial widths for $B\to D \pi (K)$ and $B \to D D (D_s)$ in the factorization approximation.Comment: 15 Pages, 3 Postscript figures (available also from [email protected]

Gender Equality, Drinking Cultures and Second-Hand Harms from Alcohol in the 50 US States.

BackgroundGender inequality and cultures of binge drinking may increase the risk of second-hand harms from alcohol.MethodsUsing the 2014-2015 National Alcohol Survey and 2015 National Alcohol's Harm to Others Survey (N = 7792), we examine associations of state-level gender equality measures (contraceptive access, abortion rights, women's economic equality) and binge drinking cultures (rates of men's and women's binge drinking) with individual-level indicators of second-hand harms by drinking strangers and partners/spouses.ResultsIn main effects models, only male binge drinking was associated with greater odds of harms from drinking strangers. There were significant interactions of gender equality with male binge drinking: High male binge drinking rates were more strongly associated with stranger-perpetrated harms in states low on contraceptive access or abortion rights compared to states high on these measures. Conversely, male binge drinking was more strongly associated with spouse/partner-perpetrated second-hand harms in states with more economic equality, compared to states lower on this measure.ConclusionsDetrimental effects of high male binge drinking rates may be modified by gender equality. Targeted interventions may reduce alcohol-related harms experienced by women in states with high rates of male binge drinking. Restrictions in access to contraception and abortion may exacerbate harms due to men's drinking

Scaffolding students\u27 learning in EME150 introduction to learners and learning theory : on looking back

This is a reflective article on the importance scaffolding in the EME 150 unit taught in collaboration with Deakin University Australia. Being the first unit introduced in the second semester of the first academic year, students were given a lot of support to enhance their understanding and learning since this curriculum was solely developed by Deakin University and introduced for the first time in teachers education curriculum. The scaffolding tools discussed in this article enabled students to a) establish deep learning of the theory. b) engage in collaborative and engaged learning which established good ethical relations between students c) transfer learning by applying theory into practice.<br /

Mathematical modelling plant signalling networks

During the last two decades, molecular genetic studies and the completion of the sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome have increased knowledge of hormonal regulation in plants. These signal transduction pathways act in concert through gene regulatory and signalling networks whose main components have begun to be elucidated. Our understanding of the resulting cellular processes is hindered by the complex, and sometimes counter-intuitive, dynamics of the networks, which may be interconnected through feedback controls and cross-regulation. Mathematical modelling provides a valuable tool to investigate such dynamics and to perform in silico experiments that may not be easily carried out in a laboratory. In this article, we firstly review general methods for modelling gene and signalling networks and their application in plants. We then describe specific models of hormonal perception and cross-talk in plants. This sub-cellular analysis paves the way for more comprehensive mathematical studies of hormonal transport and signalling in a multi-scale setting