Observations on the vibration of axially-tensioned elastomeric pipes conveying fluids

A study of the effect of axial tension on the vibration of a single-span elastomeric pipe clamped at both ends conveying fluid has been carried out both experimentally and theoretically. A new mathematical model using a penalty function technique and the method of kinematic correction and fictitious loads has been developed. The influence of flowing fluid and axial tension on natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system has been described using this model and compared with experimental observations. Linear and non-linear dynamic response of the harmonically excited pipe has also been investigated for varying flow velocities and initial axial tensions

Cross Border State Sales and Use Taxation After \u3ci\u3eSouth Dakota v. Wayfair\u3c/i\u3e: A New Paradigm for E-Commerce

For over 50 years, U.S. Supreme Court precedents held that state sales taxes could not be constitutionally applied against retailers with no physical presence in the taxing states. As a result, many states implemented use tax laws to supplement sales tax laws, essentially requiring each resident consumer to self-report and pay taxes on purchases made from out of state retailers. However, these use tax laws were largely ignored. Moreover, with the advent of online retail (“e-tail”), many sales on which states previously collected sales tax from local stores essentially converted to “tax-free” sales because many online sellers (“e-tailers”) had no physical nexus to the states in which the products were delivered. As online sales continued to take up a larger percentage of all purchases, states struggled to secure sales and use tax revenue consistent with the physical nexus standard. In recent years, many states implemented laws that required e-tailers to collect sales taxes not based upon physical presence, but upon annual dollar value or number of sales into the states (called, “economic nexus”). However, enforceability of the economic nexus laws was questionable in light of past U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Additionally, with more than 9,600 sales taxing jurisdictions with varying rules and rates, many argued that compliance would create an undue burden on interstate commerce in violation of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. South Dakota was one of the states to implement an economic nexus law, and it was challenged on constitutional grounds. In June 2018, in the matter of South Dakota v. Wayfair, et al., the U.S. Supreme Court held in favor of South Dakota, overturning the physical nexus standard and allowing economic nexus sales taxation of online sales based upon dollar value or number of sales alone. This article summarizes state sales and use tax laws, prior Supreme Court precedent, and the South Dakota v. Wayfair decision. It then examines current economic nexus and similar laws, compliance issues, and possible solutions for the e-tailer client

Interaction of Two Adjacent Structures Coupled by Inerter-based System considering Soil Conditions

The inerter-based systems have proven to be effective for vibration control of adjacent structures. The interaction through the soil medium between adjacent structures in urban areas is generally accepted. However, existing studies concerning the inerter-based adjacent structures are primarily based on the assumption of a fixed base, without considering the inevitable interaction. To address this issue, this study incorporated the soil effects into the theoretical analysis of adjacent structures interconnected by an inerter system, and correspondingly develops an optimal design framework for such system. Employing a classic discrete model for structures and soil, the interaction behavior between inerter-based adjacent structures and soil was extensively studied in a comparative analysis. Based on the revealed interaction phenomena, the need for considering the soil condition in the design of an inerter system for adjacent structures was addressed, and a performance-demand-based optimal design framework was developed. The results indicated that for inerter-based adjacent structures spaced closely, the coupled interaction effect of soil and structure requires careful consideration, especially in soft soil conditions. Owing to the soil effects, the inerter system exhibited a weakened effectiveness for displacement reduction. A larger inner deformation of the inerter system is required to meet the demand for energy dissipation. With consideration of the soil condition, the proposed design method can satisfy the pre-specified target displacement demands for adjacent structures, simultaneously optimizing the control cost as an economical solution

PIWI Homologs Mediate Histone H4 mRNA Localization to Planarian Chromatoid Bodies

The well-known regenerative abilities of planarian flatworms are attributed to a population of adult stem cells called neoblasts that proliferate and differentiate to produce all cell types. A characteristic feature of neoblasts is the presence of large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules named chromatoid bodies, the function of which has remained largely elusive. This study shows that histone mRNAs are a common component of chromatoid bodies. Our experiments also demonstrate that accumulation of histone mRNAs, which is typically restricted to the S phase of eukaryotic cells, is extended during the cell cycle of neoblasts. The planarian PIWI homologs SMEDWI-1 and SMEDWI-3 are required for proper localization of germinal histone H4 (gH4) mRNA to chromatoid bodies. The association between histone mRNA and chromatoid body components extends beyond gH4 mRNA, since transcripts of other core histone genes were also found in these structures. Additionally, piRNAs corresponding to loci of every core histone type have been identified. Altogether, this work provides evidence that links PIWI proteins and chromatoid bodies to histone mRNA regulation in planarian stem cells. The molecular similarities between neoblasts and undifferentiated cells of other organisms raise the possibility that PIWI proteins might also regulate histone mRNAs in stem cells and germ cells of other metazoans

Induction of Colonic Aberrant Crypts in Mice by Feeding Apparent N-Nitroso Compounds Derived From Hot Dogs

Nitrite-preserved meats (e.g., hot dogs) may help cause colon cancer because they contain N-nitroso compounds. We tested whether purified hot-dog-derived total apparent N-nitroso compounds (ANC) could induce colonic aberrant crypts, which are putative precursors of colon cancer. We purified ANC precursors in hot dogs and nitrosated them to produce ANC. In preliminary tests, CF1 mice received 1 or 3 i.p. injections of 5mg azoxymethane (AOM)/kg. In Experiments 1 and 2, female A/J mice received ANC in diet. In Experiment 1, ANC dose initially dropped sharply because the ANC precursors had mostly decomposed but, later in Experiment 1 and throughout Experiment 2, ANC remained at 85 nmol/g diet. Mice were killed after 8 (AOM tests) or 17–34 (ANC tests) wk.Median numbers of aberrant crypts in the distal 2 cm of the colon for 1 and 3 AOMinjections, CF1 controls, ANC (Experiment 1), ANC (Experiment 2),and untreated A/J mice were 31, 74, 12, 20, 12, and 5–6, with P < 0.01 for both ANC tests. Experiment 2 showed somewhat increased numbers of colonic mucin-depleted foci in the ANC-treated group. We conclude that hot-dog-derived ANC induced significant numbers of aberrant crypts in the mouse colon

A Finite Element Computation of the Gravitational Radiation emitted by a Point-like object orbiting a Non-rotating Black Hole

The description of extreme-mass-ratio binary systems in the inspiral phase is a challenging problem in gravitational wave physics with significant relevance for the space interferometer LISA. The main difficulty lies in the evaluation of the effects of the small body's gravitational field on itself. To that end, an accurate computation of the perturbations produced by the small body with respect the background geometry of the large object, a massive black hole, is required. In this paper we present a new computational approach based on Finite Element Methods to solve the master equations describing perturbations of non-rotating black holes due to an orbiting point-like object. The numerical computations are carried out in the time domain by using evolution algorithms for wave-type equations. We show the accuracy of the method by comparing our calculations with previous results in the literature. Finally, we discuss the relevance of this method for achieving accurate descriptions of extreme-mass-ratio binaries.Comment: RevTeX 4. 18 pages, 8 figure

Locking-free two-layer Timoshenko beam element with interlayer slip

A new locking-free strain-based finite element formulation for the numerical treatment of linear static analysis of two-layer planar composite beams with interlayer slip is proposed. In this formulation, the modified principle of virtual work is introduced as a basis for the finite element discretization. The linear kinematic equations are included into the principle by the procedure, similar to that of Lagrangian multipliers. A strain field vector remains the only unknown function to be interpolated in the finite element implementation of the principle. In contrast with some of the displacement-based and mixed finite element formulations of the composite beams with interlayer slip, the present formulation is completely locking-free. Hence, there are no shear and slip locking, poor convergence and stress oscillations in these finite elements. The generalization of the composite beam theory with the consideration of the Timoshenko beam theory for the individual component of a composite beam represents a substantial contribution in the field of analysis of non-slender composite beams with an interlayer slip. An extension of the present formulation to the non-linear material problems is straightforward. As only a few finite elements are needed to describe a composite beam with great precision, the new finite element formulations is perfectly suited for practical calculations. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Fire analysis of timber composite beams with interlayer slip

The purpose of this paper is to model the behaviour of timber composite beams with interlayer slip, when simultaneously exposed to static loading and fire. A transient moisture-thermal state of a timber beam is analysed by the Luikov equations, and mechanical behaviour of timber composite beam is modelled by Reissner's kinematic equations. The model can handle layers of different materials. Material properties are functions of temperature. The thermal model is validated against the experimental data presented in the literature. Generally, the model provides excellent agreement with the experimental data. It is shown that the material properties of timber play an important role in the fire resistance analysis of timber structures when exposed to fire

Design of a thin-plate based tunable high-quality narrow passband filter for elastic transverse waves propagate in metals

For the elastic SV (transverse) waves in metals, a high-quality narrow passband filter that consists of aligned parallel thin plates with small gaps is designed. In order to obtain a good performance, the thin plates should be constituted by materials with a smaller mass density and Young’s modulus, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), compared to the embedded materials in which the elastic SV waves propagate. Both the theoretical model and the full numerical simulation show that the transmission spectrum of the designed filter demonstrates several peaks with flawless transmission within 0 KHz ∼20 KHz frequency range. The peaks can be readily tuned by manipulating the geometrical parameters of the plates. Therefore, the current design works well for both low and high frequencies with a controllable size. Even for low frequencies on the order of kilohertz, the size of this filter can be still limited to the order of centimeters, which significantly benefits the real applications. The investigation also finds that the same filter is valid when using different metals and the reason behind this is explained theoretically. Additionally, the effect of bonding conditions of interfaces between thin plates and the base material is investigated using a spring model