The morpho-kinematics of the circumstellar envelope around the AGB star EP Aqr

ALMA observations of CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) emissions of the circumstellar envelope of EP Aqr, an oxygen-rich AGB star, are reported. A thorough analysis of their properties is presented using an original method based on the separation of the data-cube into a low velocity component associated with an equatorial outflow and a faster component associated with a bipolar outflow. A number of important and new results are obtained concerning the distribution in space of the effective emissivity, the temperature, the density and the flux of matter. A mass loss rate of (1.6$\pm$0.4)10$^{-7}$ solar masses per year is measured. The main parameters defining the morphology and kinematics of the envelope are evaluated and uncertainties inherent to de-projection are critically discussed. Detailed properties of the equatorial region of the envelope are presented including a measurement of the line width and a precise description of the observed inhomogeneity of both morphology and kinematics. In particular, in addition to the presence of a previously observed spiral enhancement of the morphology at very small Doppler velocities, a similarly significant but uncorrelated circular enhancement of the expansion velocity is revealed, both close to the limit of sensitivity. The results of the analysis place significant constraints on the parameters of models proposing descriptions of the mass loss mechanism, but cannot choose among them with confidence.Comment: 26 pages, 31 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

A quasi-3D theory for vibration and buckling of functionally graded sandwich beams

This paper presents a finite element model for free vibration and buckling analyses of functionally graded (FG) sandwich beams by using a quasi-3D theory in which both shear deformation and thickness stretching effects are included. Sandwich beams with FG skins-homogeneous core and homogeneous skins-FG core are considered. By using the Hamilton’s principle, governing equations of motion for coupled axial–shear–flexural–stretching response are derived. The resulting coupling is referred to as fourfold coupled vibration and buckling. Numerical examples are carried out to investigate the thickness stretching effect on natural frequencies and critical buckling loads as well as mode shapes of sandwich beams for various power-law indexes, skin–core–skin thickness ratios and boundary conditions

Finite element model for vibration and buckling of functionally graded sandwich beams based on a refined shear deformation theory

Finite element model for vibration and buckling of functionally graded sandwich beams based on a refined shear deformation theory is presented. The core of sandwich beam is fully metal or ceramic and skins are composed of a functionally graded material across the depth. Governing equations of motion and boundary conditions are derived from the Hamilton’s principle. Effects of power-law index, span-to-height ratio, core thickness and boundary conditions on the natural frequencies, critical buckling loads and load–frequency curves of sandwich beams are discussed. Numerical results show that the above-mentioned effects play very important role on the vibration and buckling analysis of functionally graded sandwich beams

A nonlocal sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory with application to bending, buckling, and vibration of nanobeams

This paper presents a nonlocal sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory for the bending, buckling, and vibration of nanobeams. The present model is capable of capturing both small scale effect and transverse shear deformation effects of nanobeams, and does not require shear correction factors. Based on the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen, the equations of motion as well as the boundary conditions of the beam are derived using Hamilton’s principle. Analytical solutions for the deflection, buckling load, and natural frequency are presented for a simply supported beam, and the obtained results are compared with those predicted by the nonlocal Timoshenko beam theory. The comparison firmly establishes that the present beam theory can accurately predict the bending, buckling, and vibration responses of short nanobeams where the small scale and transverse shear deformation effects are significant

The role of the lateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate in stimulus–response association reversals

Many complex tasks require us to flexibly switch between behavioral rules, associations, and strategies. The prefrontal cerebral cortex is thought to be critical to the performance of such behaviors, although the relative contribution of different components of this structure and associated subcortical regions are not fully understood. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity during a simple task which required repeated reversals of a rule linking a colored cue and a left/right motor response. Each trial comprised three discrete events separated by variable delay periods. A colored cue instructed which response was to be executed, followed by a go signal which told the subject to execute the response and a feedback instruction which indicated whether to ‘‘hold’’ or ‘‘f lip’’ the rule linking the colored cue and response. The design allowed us to determine which brain regions were recruited by the specific demands of preparing a rule contingent motor response, executing such a response, evaluating the significance of the feedback, and reconfiguring stimulus–response (SR) associations. The results indicate that an increase in neural activity occurs within the anterior cingulate gyrus under conditions in which SR associations are labile. In contrast, lateral frontal regions are activated by unlikely/unexpected perceptual events regardless of their significance for behavior. A network of subcortical structures, including the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and striatum were the only regions showing activity that was exclusively correlated with the neurocognitive demands of reversing SR associations. We conclude that lateral frontal regions act to evaluate the behavioral significance of perceptual events, whereas medial frontal–thalamic circuits are involved in monitoring and reconfiguring SR associations when necessary

Vibration and buckling of composite beams using refined shear deformation

Vibration and buckling analysis of composite beams with arbitrary lay-ups using refined shear deformation theory is presented. The theory accounts for the parabolical variation of shear strains through the depth of beam. Three governing equations of motion are derived from the Hamilton’s principle. The resulting coupling is referred to as triply coupled vibration and buckling. A two-noded C1 beam element with five degree-of-freedom per node which accounts for shear deformation effects and all coupling coming from the material anisotropy is developed to solve the problem. Numerical results are obtained for composite beams to investigate effects of fiber orientation and modulus ratio on the natural frequencies, critical buckling loads and corresponding mode shapes