The Influence of Disorder in Multifilament Yarns on the Bond Performance in Textile Reinforced Concrete

In this paper we analyze the performance of a bond layer between the multi-filament yarn and the cementitious matrix. The performance of the bond layer is a central issue in the development of textile-reinforced concrete. The changes in the microstructure during the loading result in distinguished failure mechanisms on the micro, meso and macro scales. The paper provides a brief review of these effects and describes a modeling strategy capable of reflecting the failure process. Using the model of the bond layer we illuminate the correspondence between the disorder in the microstructure of the yarn and the bonding behavior at the meso- and macro level. Particular interest is paid to the influence of irregularities in the micro-structure (relative differences in filament lengths, varying bond quality, bond-free length) for different levels of local bond quality between the filament surface and the matrix.

Altimetry, gravimetry, GPS and viscoelastic modeling data for the joint inversion for glacial isostatic adjustment in Antarctica (ESA STSE Project REGINA)

The poorly known correction for the ongoing deformation of the solid Earth caused by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) is a major uncertainty in determining the mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet from measurements of satellite gravimetry and to a lesser extent satellite altimetry. In the past decade, much progress has been made in consistently modeling ice sheet and solid Earth interactions; however, forward-modeling solutions of GIA in Antarctica remain uncertain due to the sparsity of constraints on the ice sheet evolution, as well as the Earth's rheological properties. An alternative approach towards estimating GIA is the joint inversion of multiple satellite data – namely, satellite gravimetry, satellite altimetry and GPS, which reflect, with different sensitivities, trends in recent glacial changes and GIA. Crucial to the success of this approach is the accuracy of the space-geodetic data sets. Here, we present reprocessed rates of surface-ice elevation change (Envisat/Ice, Cloud,and land Elevation Satellite, ICESat; 2003–2009), gravity field change (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, GRACE; 2003–2009) and bedrock uplift (GPS; 1995–2013). The data analysis is complemented by the forward modeling of viscoelastic response functions to disc load forcing, allowing us to relate GIA-induced surface displacements with gravity changes for different rheological parameters of the solid Earth. The data and modeling results presented here are available in the PANGAEA database (https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.875745). The data sets are the input streams for the joint inversion estimate of present-day ice-mass change and GIA, focusing on Antarctica. However, the methods, code and data provided in this paper can be used to solve other problems, such as volume balances of the Antarctic ice sheet, or can be applied to other geographical regions in the case of the viscoelastic response functions. This paper presents the first of two contributions summarizing the work carried out within a European Space Agency funded study: Regional glacial isostatic adjustment and CryoSat elevation rate corrections in Antarctica (REGINA)

Sea ice - atmosphere interaction: Application of multispectral satellite data in polar surface energy flux estimates

In the past six months, work has continued on energy flux sensitivity studies, ice surface temperature retrievals, corrections to Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) thermal infrared data, modelling of cloud fraction retrievals, and radiation climatologies. We tentatively conclude that the SSM/I may not provide accurate enough estimates of ice concentration and type to improve our shorter term energy flux estimates. SSM/I derived parameters may still be applicable in longer term climatological flux characterizations. We hold promise for a system coupling observation to a ice deformation model. Such a model may provide information on ice distribution which can be used in energy flux calculations. Considerable variation was found in modelled energy flux estimates when bulk transfer coefficients are modulated by lead fetch. It is still unclear what the optimum formulation is and this will be the subject of further work. Data sets for ice surface temperature retrievals were assembled and preliminary data analysis was started. Finally, construction of a conceptual framework for further modelling of the Arctic radiation flux climatology was started

The 89,000-Mr murine cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein activates gene transcription

To study trans-activation of gene expression by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) immediate-early (IE) proteins, the IE coding region 1 (ie1), which encodes the 89,000-Mr IE phosphoprotein (pp89), was stably introduced into L cells. A cell line was selected and characterized that efficiently expressed the authentic viral protein. The pp89 that was constitutively expressed in L cells stimulated the expression of transfected recombinant constructs containing the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of viral promoters. The regulatory function of the ie1 product was confirmed by transient expression assays in which MCMV IE genes were cotransfected into L cells together with recombinant constructs of the CAT gene. For CAT activation by the ie1 product, a promoter region was required, but there was no preferential activation of a herpes simplex virus type 1 delayed-early promoter. All plasmid constructs that contained the intact coding sequences for pp89 induced gene expression in trans. The MCMV enhancer region was not essential for the expression of a functional IE gene product, and testing of the cis-regulatory activity of the MCMV enhancer revealed a low activity in L cells. Another region transcribed at IE times of infection, IE coding region 2, was unable to induce CAT expression and also did not augment the functional activity of ie1 after cotransfection

Rb-Sr and in situ 40Ar/39Ar dating of exhumation-related shearing and fluid-induced recrystallization in the Sesia zone (Western Alps, Italy)

The Sesia zone in the Italian Western Alps is a piece of continental crust that has been subducted to eclogite-facies conditions and records a complex metamorphic history. The exact timing of events and the significance of geochronological information are debated due to the interplay of tectonic, metamorphic, and metasomatic processes. Here we present new geochronological data using Rb-Sr internal mineral isochrons and in situ Ar-40/Ar-39 laser ablation data to provide constraints on the relative importance of fluid-mediated mineral replacement reactions and diffusion for the interpretation of radiogenic isotope signatures, and on the use of these isotopic systems for dating metamorphic and variably deformed rocks. Our study focuses on the shear zone at the contact between two major lithological units of the Sesia zone, the eclogitic micaschists and the gneiss minuti. Metasedimentary rocks of the eclogitic micaschists unit contain phengite with step-like zoning in major element chemistry as evidence for petrologic disequilibrium. Distinct Ar-40/Ar-39 spot ages of relict phengite cores and over-printed rims demonstrate the preservation of individual age domains in the crystals. The eclogitic micaschists also show systematic Sr isotope disequilibria among different phengite populations, so that minimum ages of relict assemblage crystallization can be differentiated from the timing of late increments of deformation. The preservation of these disequilibrium features shows the lack of diffusive re-equilibration and underpins that fluid-assisted dissolution and recrystallization reactions are the main factors controlling the isotope record in these subduction-related metamorphic rocks. Blueschist-facies mylonites record deformation along the major shear zone that separates the eclogitic micaschists from the gneiss minuti. Two Rb-Sr isochrones that comprise several white mica fractions and glaucophane constrain the timing of this deformation and accompanying near-complete blueschist-facies re-equilibration of the Rb-Sr system to 60.1 +/- 0.9 Ma and 60.9 +/- 2.1 Ma, respectively. Overlapping ages in eclogitic micaschists of 60.1 +/- 1.1 (Rb-Sr isochron of sheared matrix assemblage), 58.6 +/- 0.8, and 60.9 +/- 0.4 Ma (white mica Ar-40/Ar-39 inverse isochron ages) support the significance of this age and show that fluid-rock interaction and partial re-equilibration occurred as much as several kilometers away from the shear zone. An earlier equilibration during high-pressure conditions in the eclogitic mica schists is recorded in minimum Rb-Sr ages for relict assemblages (77.2 +/- 0.8 and 72.4 +/- 1.1 Ma) and an Ar-40/Ar-39 inverse isochron age of 75.4 +/- 0.8 Ma for white mica cores, again demonstrating that the two isotope systems provide mutually supporting geochronological information. Local reactivation and recrystallization along the shear zone lasted >15 m.y., as late increments of deformation are recorded in a greenschist-facies mylonite by a Rb-Sr isochron age of 46.5 +/- 0.7 Ma

Effects of fluid-rock interaction on Ar-40/Ar-39 geochronology in high-pressure rocks (Sesia-Lanzo Zone, Western Alps)

In situ UV laser spot 40Ar/39Ar analyses of distinct phengite types in eclogite-facies rocks from the Sesia-Lanzo Zone (Western Alps, Italy) were combined with SIMS boron isotope analyses as well as boron (B) and lithium (Li) concentration data to link geochronological information with constraints on fluid–rock interaction. In weakly deformed samples, apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages of phengite cores span a range of ∼20 Ma, but inverse isochrons define two distinct main high-pressure (HP) phengite core crystallization periods of 88–82 and 77–74 Ma, respectively. The younger cores have on average lower B contents (∼36 μg/g) than the older ones (∼43–48 μg/g), suggesting that loss of B and resetting of the Ar isotopic system were related. Phengite cores have variable δ11B values (−18‰ to −10‰), indicating the lack of km scale B homogenization during HP crystallization. Overprinted phengite rims in the weakly deformed samples generally yield younger apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages than the respective cores. They also show variable effects of heterogeneous excess 40Ar incorporation and Ar loss. One acceptable inverse isochron age of 77.1 ± 1.1 Ma for rims surrounding older cores (82.6 ± 0.6 Ma) overlaps with the second period of core crystallization. Compared to the phengite cores, all rims have lower B and Li abundances but similar δ11B values (−15‰ to −9‰), reflecting internal redistribution of B and Li and internal fluid buffering of the B isotopic composition during rim growth. The combined observation of younger 40Ar/39Ar ages and boron loss, yielding comparable values of both parameters only in cores and rims of different samples, is best explained by a selective metasomatic overprint. In low permeability samples, this overprint caused recrystallization of phengite rims, whereas higher permeability in other samples led to complete recrystallization of phengite grains. Strongly deformed samples from a several km long, blueschist-facies shear zone contain mylonitic phengite that forms a tightly clustered group of relatively young apparent 40Ar/39Ar ages (64.7–68.8 Ma), yielding an inverse isochron age of 65.0 ± 3.0 Ma. Almost complete B and Li removal in mylonitic phengite is due to leaching into a fluid. The B isotopic composition is significantly heavier than in phengites from the weakly deformed samples, indicating an external control by a high-δ11B fluid (δ11B = +7 ± 4‰). We interpret this result as reflecting phengite recrystallization related to deformation and associated fluid flow in the shear zone. This event also caused partial resetting of the Ar isotope system and further B loss in more permeable rocks of the adjacent unit. We conclude that geochemical evidence for pervasive or limited fluid flow is crucial for the interpretation of 40Ar/39Ar data in partially metasomatized rocks

On Estimation of Fully Entangled Fraction

We study the fully entangled fraction (FEF) of arbitrary mixed states. New upper bounds of FEF are derived. These upper bounds make complements on the estimation of the value of FEF. For weakly mixed quantum states, an upper bound is shown to be very tight to the exact value of FEF.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Optimal quantum teleportation with an arbitrary pure state

We derive the maximum fidelity attainable for teleportation using a shared pair of d-level systems in an arbitrary pure state. This derivation provides a complete set of necessary and sufficient conditions for optimal teleportation protocols. We also discuss the information on the teleported particle which is revealed in course of the protocol using a non-maximally entangled state.Comment: 10 pages, REVTe

Effects on coagulation of balanced (130/0.42) and non-balanced (130/0.4) hydroxyethyl starch or gelatin compared with balanced Ringer's solution: an in vitro study using two different viscoelastic coagulation tests ROTEM™ and SONOCLOT™†

Background Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions compromise blood coagulation. Low molecular weight, low-substituted HES products, and electrolyte-balanced solutions might reduce this effect. We compared the effects of in vitro haemodilution on blood coagulation with a balanced 6% HES 130/0.42 solution (HESBAL), a saline-based 6% HES 130/0.4 solution (HESSAL), a balanced lactated Ringer's solution (RL) and a saline-based 4% gelatin solution (GEL). Methods Blood was obtained from 10 healthy male volunteers and diluted with the test solutions by 33% and 66%. Quality of clot formation was measured using two viscoelastic coagulation tests: SONOCLOT™ and activated rotation thromboelastometry ROTEM™. Results Of 16 parameters measured by the viscoelastic devices, we found three statistically significant differences compared with baseline for RL, but 11 for GEL, 10 for HESSAL, and 11 for HESBAL in the 33% haemodilution group (P=0.01). Comparing the different solutions, we observed a significant difference between crystalloids and colloids but none between GEL and HES. In the 66% dilution group, effects on blood coagulation were increased when compared with the 33% dilution group. We found no differences in coagulation impairment between balanced and non-balanced HES products and no differences in the detection of impaired blood coagulation due to haemodilution between the two viscoelastic coagulation tests. Conclusions Both ROTEM™ and SONOCLOT™ are sensitive tests for the detection of impaired blood coagulation due to haemodilution. There are fewer effects on blood coagulation using crystalloids compared with colloids. The effects of GEL and HES are similar. There is no difference between balanced HES 130/0.42 and non-balanced HES 130/0.