148 research outputs found
Minimal knotted polygons in cubic lattices
An implementation of BFACF-style algorithms on knotted polygons in the simple
cubic, face centered cubic and body centered cubic lattice is used to estimate
the statistics and writhe of minimal length knotted polygons in each of the
lattices. Data are collected and analysed on minimal length knotted polygons,
their entropy, and their lattice curvature and writhe
Manufacturing challenges for custom made solar vehicles in South Africa
Solar challenges are designed to test the reliability and efficiency of solar powered vehicles in endurance races. In the past these manufactured vehicles were technology drivers and led to advances in electric motors and solar cell efficiency. The speed in relation to power consumption is one of the main design considerations, with the only energy source being solar power. In the design and manufacturing of these vehicles a number of requirements need to be met in order to pass the safety standards. The Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) created an opportunity for South African universities to design and manufacture custom made solar powered vehicles. This paper explores and discusses the challenges for manufacturing solar vehicles in South Africa. Key elements like the communication gap between design and manufacturing, the cost of lightweight solar encapsulation, the shortage of local suppliers and expertise in composite manufacturing are evaluated. These insights can be used as foundation for strategic decisions by future stakeholders
The Compressibility of Minimal Lattice Knots
The (isothermic) compressibility of lattice knots can be examined as a model
of the effects of topology and geometry on the compressibility of ring
polymers. In this paper, the compressibility of minimal length lattice knots in
the simple cubic, face centered cubic and body centered cubic lattices are
determined. Our results show that the compressibility is generally not
monotonic, but in some cases increases with pressure. Differences of the
compressibility for different knot types show that topology is a factor
determining the compressibility of a lattice knot, and differences between the
three lattices show that compressibility is also a function of geometry.Comment: Submitted to J. Stat. Mec
Acute mental health care according to recent mental health legislation Part II. Activity-based costing
Objective: This is the second of three reports on the follow-up review of mental health care at Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH). Objectives for the review were to provide realistic estimates of cost for unit activities and to establish a quality assurance cycle that may facilitate cost centre management. Method: The study described and used activity-based costing (ABC) as an approach to analyse the recurrent cost of acute in-patient care for the financial year 2007-08. Fixed (e.g. goods and services, staff salaries) and variable recurrent costs (including laboratory’, ‘pharmacy’) were calculated. Cost per day, per user and per diagnostic group was calculated. Results: While the unit accounted for 4.6% of the hospital’s total clinical activity (patient days), the cost of R8.12 million incurred represented only 2.4% of the total hospital expenditure (R341.36 million). Fixed costs constituted 90% of the total cost. For the total number of 520 users that stayed on average 15.4 days, the average cost was R1,023.00 per day and R15748.00 per user. Users with schizophrenia accounted for the most (35%) of the cost, while the care of users with dementia was the most expensive (R23,360.68 per user). Costing of the application of World Health Organization norms for acute care staffing for the unit, projected an average increase of 103% in recurrent costs (R5.1 million), with the bulk (a 267% increase) for nursing. Conclusion: In the absence of other guidelines, aligning clinical activity with the proportion of the hospital’s total budget may be an approach to determine what amount should be afforded to acute mental health in-patient care activities in a general regional hospital such as HJH. Despite the potential benefits of ABC, its continued application will require time, infrastructure and staff investment to establish the capacity to maintain routine annual cost analyses for different cost centres.Key words: Cost analysis; Activity-based costing; Acute mental health care; Recurrent cost; Fixed and variable cost; Cost centre management; Hospital expenditur
Avoiding structural failures on mobile bulk materials handling equipment
Bulk materials handling systems are extensively used in the mining and
minerals industry, where a fairly high incidence of structural failure is
experienced, notwithstanding design compliance with appropriate
standards. A number of case studies are explored to demonstrate how
insufficient controls or protection systems have contributed to structural
failures on mobile bulk handling equipment. The importance of design
integration across engineering disciplines is highlighted. The revision of
ISO 5049-1 (1994) is proposed to provide specific rules and guidelines
pertaining to machine protection systems. It is further recommended that
the structural design engineer of the original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) fulfils a more prominent role during the final acceptance and
handover of mobile bulk handling equipment, with specific reference to
protection systems.http://www.saimm.co.za/journal-papersam2016Civil Engineerin
Development of a practical methodology for the analysis of gravity dams using the non-linear finite element method
For many decades the ‘classical’ method has been used to design gravity dams. This method
is based on the Bernoulli shallow beam theory. The finite element method (FEM) has become
a powerful tool for the dam design engineer. The FEM can deal with material properties,
temperatures and dynamic load conditions, which the classical method cannot analyse. The FEM
facilitates the design and optimisation of new dams and the back analysis of existing dams.
However, the linear elastic FEM has a limitation in that computed stresses are sensitive to
mesh density at ‘singularity points’. Various methods have been proposed to deal with this
problem. In this paper the Drucker-Prager non-linear finite element method (DP NL FEM) yield
model is presented as a method to overcome the problem of the stress peaks at singularity
points, and to produce more realistic stresses at the base of the dam wall.
The fundamentals of the DP NL FEM are presented. Benchmark studies of this method
demonstrate the method’s viability to deal with zones in a structure with stresses beyond the
elastic limit where yielding of the material occurs.
A case study of a completed gravity dam is analysed, comparing several analysis techniques.
The service and extreme load cases are investigated. Different material properties for the
concrete and rock, including weathered material along the base of the wall, are considered. The
application and merits of the DP NL FEM are presented. The calculation of the critical factor of
safety against sliding is done with a more realistic determination of the conditions along the
base of the wall.The Department of Water and Sanitation
(DWS)http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_civileng.htmlam2016Civil Engineerin
Immune Dysregulation Is Associated with Neurodevelopment and Neurocognitive Performance in HIV Pediatric Populations—A Scoping Review
HIV-1 is known for its complex interaction with the dysregulated immune system and is responsible for the development of neurocognitive deficits and neurodevelopmental delays in pediatric HIV populations. Considering that HIV-1-induced immune dysregulation and its association with neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive impairments in pediatric populations are not well understood, we conducted a scoping review on this topic. The study aimed to systematically review the association of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immune markers with neurocognitive deficits and neurodevelopmental delays in pediatric HIV populations. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using a search protocol designed specifically for this study. Studies were selected based on a set eligibility criterion. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were assessed by two independent reviewers. Data from the selected studies were extracted and analyzed by two independent reviewers. Seven studies were considered eligible for use in this context, which included four cross-sectional and three longitudinal studies. An average of 130 (±70.61) children living with HIV, 138 (±65.37) children exposed to HIV but uninfected and 90 (±86.66) HIV-negative participants were included across the seven studies. Results indicate that blood and CSF immune markers are associated with neurocognitive development/performance in pediatric HIV populations. Only seven studies met the inclusion criteria, therefore, these limited the number of significant conclusions which could have been made by using such an approach. All considered, the evidence suggests that immune dysregulation, as in the case of adult HIV populations, also has a significant association with neurocognitive performance in pediatric HIV populations
Characterisation of Phomopsis spp. associated with die-back of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) in South Africa
Die-back of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) causes substantial
losses in commercial Aspalathus plantations in South Africa. In the
past, the disease has been attributed to Phomopsis phaseoli
(teleomorph: Diaporthe phaseolorum). Isolates obtained from diseased
plants, however, were highly variable with regard to morphology and
pathogenicity. The aim of the present study was thus to identify the
Phomopsis species associated with die-back of rooibos. Isolates were
subjected to DNA sequence comparisons of the internal transcribed spacer
region (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) and partial sequences of the translation elongation
factor-1 alpha gene. Furthermore, isolates were also compared in glasshouse
inoculation trials on 8-mo-old potted plants to evaluate their pathogenicity.
Five species were identified, of which D. aspalathi (formerly
identified as D. phaseolorum or D. phaseolorum var.
meridionalis) proved to be the most virulent, followed by D.
ambigua, Phomopsis theicola, one species of Libertella
and Phomopsis, respectively, and a newly described species, P.
cuppatea. A description is also provided for D. ambigua based on
a newly designated epitype specimen
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