The Diffuse Source at the Center of LMC SNR 0509-67.5 is a Background Galaxy at z = 0.031

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are well-known for their use in the measurement of cosmological distances, but our continuing lack of concrete knowledge about their progenitor stars is both a matter of debate and a source of systematic error. In our attempts to answer this question, we presented unambiguous evidence that LMC SNR 0509-67.5, the remnant of an SN Ia that exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud 400 +/- 50 years ago, did not have any point sources (stars) near the site of the original supernova explosion, from which we concluded that this particular supernova must have had a progenitor system consisting of two white dwarfs (Schaefer & Pagnotta 2012). There is, however, evidence of nebulosity near the center of the remnant, which could have been left over detritus from the less massive WD, or could have been a background galaxy unrelated to the supernova explosion. We obtained long-slit spectra of the central nebulous region using GMOS on Gemini South to determine which of these two possibilities is correct. The spectra show H-alpha emission at a redshift of z = 0.031, which implies that the nebulosity in the center of LMC SNR 0509-67.5 is a background galaxy, unrelated to the supernova.Comment: 2 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

More than one dynamic crossover in protein hydration water

Studies of liquid water in its supercooled region have led to many insights into the structure and behavior of water. While bulk water freezes at its homogeneous nucleation temperature of approximately 235 K, for protein hydration water, the binding of water molecules to the protein avoids crystallization. Here we study the dynamics of the hydrogen bond (HB) network of a percolating layer of water molecules, comparing measurements of a hydrated globular protein with the results of a coarse-grained model that has been shown to successfully reproduce the properties of hydration water. With dielectric spectroscopy we measure the temperature dependence of the relaxation time of protons charge fluctuations. These fluctuations are associated to the dynamics of the HB network of water molecules adsorbed on the protein surface. With Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and mean--field (MF) calculations we study the dynamics and thermodynamics of the model. In both experimental and model analyses we find two dynamic crossovers: (i) one at about 252 K, and (ii) one at about 181 K. The agreement of the experiments with the model allows us to relate the two crossovers to the presence of two specific heat maxima at ambient pressure. The first is due to fluctuations in the HB formation, and the second, at lower temperature, is due to the cooperative reordering of the HB network

A Review of Current Research on the Use of Geopolymer Recycled Aggregate Concrete for Structural Members

Geopolymer cement (GPC) is a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) that considerably cuts the emission of carbon dioxide linked to the building of concrete structures. Over the last few decades, while a large number of papers have been written concerning the use of GPC with natural aggregates and OPC with recycled aggregates, few papers have been devoted to investigating the use of Geopolymer Recycled Aggregate Concrete (GRAC) in structural members. Most of them show more interest in the mechanical strength of the material, rather than the structural behavior of RC members. This review critically compiles the present and past research on the behavior of structural members cast with different types and compositions of GRAC. The focus is on the few research studies investigating the structural behavior of GRAC elements, with an analysis of the load-bearing capacity, the load-deflection mechanism, shear behavior, tensile and flexural strength, and ductility of GRAC structural members. This review aims to indicate the research and experimental tests needed in the future for characterizing the behavior of structural members made up of GRAC

Experimental characterization of friction properties of materials for innovative beam-to-column dissipative connection for low-damage RC structures

Low-damage design of structures in seismic-prone areas is becoming an efficient strategy to obtain "earthquake-proof" buildings, i.e. buildings that, even in the case of severe seismic actions, experience a low or negligible amount of damage. Besides the safeguard of human lives, this design strategy aims also to limit the downtime of buildings, which represents a significant source of economic loss, and to ensure an immediate occupancy in the aftermath of an earthquake. In this context, focusing on moment-resisting frames (MRFs), several solutions have been developed for the beam-to-column connections (BCCs) of steel and precast/prestressed concrete structures, but very few for cast-in-situ reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This paper focuses on a recently-proposed friction-based BCC for MRFs made with hybrid steel-trussed concrete beams (HSTCBs). The latter are made by a spatial lattice built using V-shaped rebars and a steel bottom plate, which eases the introduction of a friction dissipative device. HSTCBs are usually characterized by a small effective depth, which leads to a large amount of longitudinal rebars. The latter, together with a small-sized beam-column joint, make it potentially subjected to severe damage, which reduces its dissipative capacity. The shear force acting on the joint can be reduced by endowing the BCC with a friction device, with the aim of increasing the lever arm of the bending moment transferred between beam and joint, preventing the latter from damage. To evaluate the mechanical performance of the above connection, two experimental programs have been carried out at the Structures Laboratory of the University of Palermo. The first one focused on the characterization of the friction properties of two different materials (thermal sprayed aluminum and brass), by means of a linear dissipative device subjected to cyclic load. The second one tested a beam-to-column subassembly endowed with the recently-proposed connection in which the dissipative device was made with the best performing friction material tested before. The results of the cyclic tests are presented and commented, showing the promising performance of such connection in providing a low-damage behavior and a satisfactory dissipative capacity

Shock waves in laser-induced plasmas

The production of a plasma by a pulsed laser beam in solids, liquids or gas is often associated with the generation of a strong shock wave, which can be studied and interpreted in the framework of the theory of strong explosion. In this review, we will briefly present a theoretical interpretation of the physical mechanisms of laser-generated shock waves. After that, we will discuss how the study of the dynamics of the laser-induced shock wave can be used for obtaining useful information about the laser-target interaction (for example, the energy delivered by the laser on the target material) or on the physical properties of the target itself (hardness). Finally, we will focus the discussion on how the laser-induced shock wave can be exploited in analytical applications of Laser-Induced Plasmas as, for example, in Double-Pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy experiments

Innovative connections for steel-concrete-trussed beams: a patented solution

The most recent design strategies welcome the adoption of innovative techniques for seismic energy input mitigation, aiming to achieve high dissipation capacity, prevent the structure from collapse and ensure the serviceability of the construction. Friction damper devices have been widely adopted in framed steel structures for decades, while their introduction in different structural types is still under investigation. This paper presents the outcomes of innovative research supported by the industry and conducted on beam-to-column connections of RC structures in which the beams are Hybrid Steel-Trussed Concrete Beams (HSTCBs) and the columns are classical RC pillars. An innovative solution, recently patented, has been found for the mitigation of the effects of seismic cyclic actions on small-sized beam-column joints, typically characterised by a large amount of longitudinal reinforcement due to the small effective depth of the beam. This paper collects the main featuring steps of the innovative research, which has led to the patented solution. The calculation procedure for designing the proposed connection is shown, and the validation through 3D finite element modelling is described. For the structural analysis of the joint, several monotonic and cyclic simulations have been carried out with the scope of investigating different design moment values. The finite element results proved that the patented solution is effective in preventing beam, column and joint from damage and it is suitable for exhibiting adequate dissipative capacity ensured by a flexural behaviour dominated by wide and stable hysteresis loops

Low-Damage Friction Connections in Hybrid Joints of Frames of Reinforced-Concrete Buildings

Seismic-resilient buildings are increasingly designed following low-damage and free-from-damage design strategies that aim to protect the structure’s primary load-bearing systems under ultimate-level seismic loads. With this scope, damping devices are located in accessible and easy-to-inspect sites within the main structural frames where the damage concentrates, allowing the primary structure to remain mostly undamaged or easily repairable after a severe earthquake. This paper analyses the effects of friction-damping devices in structural joints of RC buildings endowed with hybrid steel-trussed concrete beams (HSTCBs) and standard RC columns. The study proposes innovative solutions to be adopted into RC moment-resisting frames (MRFs) at beam-to-column connections (BCCs) and column-base connections (CBCs). The cyclic behaviour of the joint is analysed through 3D finite element models, while pushover and non-linear time history analyses are performed on simple two-storey and two-span MRFs endowed with the proposed devices. The main results show that the BCC endowed with curved slotted holes and Perfobond connectors is the most effective in preventing the damage that might occur in beam, column, and joint, and it is adequate to guarantee good dissipative properties. For CBCs, the results showed that the re-centering system with friction pads is the most effective in containing the peak and residual drifts, preventing the plasticization of the column base

Improvement of the performances of a commercial hand-held laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument for steel analysis using multiple artificial neural networks.

In this article, we present a study on the optimization of the analytical performance of a commercial hand-held laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument for steel analysis. We show how the performances of the instrument can be substantially improved using a non-linear calibration approach based on a set of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), one optimized for the determination of the major elements of the alloy, and the others specialized for the analysis of minor components. Tests of the instrument on steel samples used for instrument internal calibration demonstrate a comparable accuracy with the results of the ANNs, while the latter are considerably more accurate when unknown samples, not used for calibration/training, are tested