148 research outputs found
Mechanical properties of nanotube sheets: Alterations in joint morphology and achievable moduli in manufacturable materials
Nanotube sheets, or âbucky papers,â have been proposed for use in actuating, structural and electrochemical systems, based in part on their potential mechanical properties. Here, we present results of detailed simulations of networks of nanotubes/ropes, with special emphasis on the effect of joint morphology. We perform detailed simulations of three-dimensional joint deformation, and use the results to inform simulations of two-dimensional (2D) networks with intertube connections represented by torsion springs. Upper bounds are established on moduli of nanotube sheets, using the 2D Euler beam-network simulations. Comparisons of experimental and simulated response for HiPco-nanotube and laser-ablated nanotube sheets, indicate that âŒ2â30-fold increases in moduli may be achievable in these materials. Increasing the numbers of interrope connections appears to be the best target for improving nanotube sheet stiffnesses in materials containing straight segments. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70283/2/JAPIAU-95-8-4335-1.pd
Maxwell Model of Traffic Flows
We investigate traffic flows using the kinetic Boltzmann equations with a
Maxwell collision integral. This approach allows analytical determination of
the transient behavior and the size distributions. The relaxation of the car
and cluster velocity distributions towards steady state is characterized by a
wide range of velocity dependent relaxation scales, , with
the ratio of the passing and the collision rates. Furthermore, these
relaxation time scales decrease with the velocity, with the smallest scale
corresponding to the decay of the overall density. The steady state cluster
size distribution follows an unusual scaling form . This distribution is primarily algebraic, , for , and is exponential otherwise.Comment: revtex, 10 page
To pay or not to pay? Business ownersâ tax morale:testing a neo-institutional framework in a transition environment
In order to understand how the environment influences business owner/managersâ attitudes towards tax morale, we build a theoretical model based on a neo-institutionalist framework. Our model combines three complementary perspectives on institutionsânormative, culturalâcognitive and regulatoryâinstrumental. This enables a broader understanding of factors that influence business ownerâmanagersâ attitudes towards tax evasion. We test the resulting hypotheses using regression analysis on survey data on business owner/managers in Latviaâa transition country, which has undergone massive institutional changes since it was part of the Soviet Union over 25 years ago. We find that legitimacy of the tax authorities and the government (normative dimension), feeling of belonging to the nation (culturalâcognitive dimension) and perceptions of the risk and severity of punishment (regulatoryâinstrumental dimension) are all associated with higher tax morale for business owners and managers
Gas-kinetic derivation of Navier-Stokes-like traffic equations
Macroscopic traffic models have recently been severely criticized to base on
lax analogies only and to have a number of deficiencies. Therefore, this paper
shows how to construct a logically consistent fluid-dynamic traffic model from
basic laws for the acceleration and interaction of vehicles. These
considerations lead to the gas-kinetic traffic equation of Paveri-Fontana. Its
stationary and spatially homogeneous solution implies equilibrium relations for
the `fundamental diagram', the variance-density relation, and other quantities
which are partly difficult to determine empirically.
Paveri-Fontana's traffic equation allows the derivation of macroscopic moment
equations which build a system of non-closed equations. This system can be
closed by the well proved method of Chapman and Enskog which leads to
Euler-like traffic equations in zeroth-order approximation and to
Navier-Stokes-like traffic equations in first-order approximation. The latter
are finally corrected for the finite space requirements of vehicles. It is
shown that the resulting model is able to withstand the above mentioned
criticism.Comment: For related work see
http://www.theo2.physik.uni-stuttgart.de/helbing.htm
Exploring Takfir, Its Origins and Contemporary Use: The Case of Takfiri Approach in Daeshâs Media
Muslims have been the primary targets of Daeshâs attacks since 2014 in different countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. These attacks were based on its takfiri ideology. As Daesh official media and documents indicate, kufr (unbelief, infidelity) in Daeshâs approach is not limited to non-Muslims (original disbelievers), but Muslims are the most significant parts of kuffar (unbelievers) in its view and defined as incidental disbelievers. Through studying Daeshâs official documents and various Arabic, English, and Persian media productions, in an explanatory research, this article attempts to display Daeshâs takfiri approach toward Muslims and explains its historical and ideological roots, difference with Al-Qaedaâs takfiri approach, different approaches to takfir inside Daesh, main targets of Daeshâs takfir, and the reasons behinds its takfiri view. This article displays that for Daesh, the Muslims are limited only to Sunni Muslims who are accepting and following its approach. Other Sunni and non-Sunni Muslims are thus kuffar. This study also shows that the assertion of takfir has become a method for Daesh to discredit its opponents, such as Shiâa Muslims and other Muslim groups
Traffic and Related Self-Driven Many-Particle Systems
Since the subject of traffic dynamics has captured the interest of
physicists, many astonishing effects have been revealed and explained. Some of
the questions now understood are the following: Why are vehicles sometimes
stopped by so-called ``phantom traffic jams'', although they all like to drive
fast? What are the mechanisms behind stop-and-go traffic? Why are there several
different kinds of congestion, and how are they related? Why do most traffic
jams occur considerably before the road capacity is reached? Can a temporary
reduction of the traffic volume cause a lasting traffic jam? Under which
conditions can speed limits speed up traffic? Why do pedestrians moving in
opposite directions normally organize in lanes, while similar systems are
``freezing by heating''? Why do self-organizing systems tend to reach an
optimal state? Why do panicking pedestrians produce dangerous deadlocks? All
these questions have been answered by applying and extending methods from
statistical physics and non-linear dynamics to self-driven many-particle
systems. This review article on traffic introduces (i) empirically data, facts,
and observations, (ii) the main approaches to pedestrian, highway, and city
traffic, (iii) microscopic (particle-based), mesoscopic (gas-kinetic), and
macroscopic (fluid-dynamic) models. Attention is also paid to the formulation
of a micro-macro link, to aspects of universality, and to other unifying
concepts like a general modelling framework for self-driven many-particle
systems, including spin systems. Subjects such as the optimization of traffic
flows and relations to biological or socio-economic systems such as bacterial
colonies, flocks of birds, panics, and stock market dynamics are discussed as
well.Comment: A shortened version of this article will appear in Reviews of Modern
Physics, an extended one as a book. The 63 figures were omitted because of
storage capacity. For related work see http://www.helbing.org
Fractografia de compósito estrutural aeronåutico submetido à caracterização de tenacidade à fratura interlaminar em modo I
Institutional interactions and economic growth: The joint effects of property rights, veto players and democratic capital
We investigate the possible interaction effects that the extent of property rights protection and separation of powers in a political system have on economic growth. Using analysis of panel data from more than countries over the period 1970-2010 we find that the growth effects of property rights increase when political power is divided among more veto players. When distinguishing between institutional veto players (political institutions) and partisan veto players (fractionalization among political parties), we further find that the growth effects of property rights are driven mainly by checks on the chief executive (in bicameral systems) and primarily found in countries with large stocks of democratic capital
Institutional interactions and economic growth: the joint effects of property rights, veto players and democratic capital
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