3-D Dynamic Analysis of High-Speed Railroad Track

High-Speed Rail (HSR) as a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation has received a lot of attention in recent decades. The International Union of Railways reported that there are more than 18600 miles of HSR in operation and about 1.6 billion passengers per year are carried by them. Although there are plans for HSR in many states including Florida, the United States, however, is still hesitant to develop its own HSR network. One of the main barriers to developing high-speed rail is excessive vibration propagation to the media which may cause annoyance to people who live in the track neighborhood. Train induced vibration also contributes to track settlement, developing track flaws, and increasing life cycle cost of track and supporting structures. The aim of this research is to address this problem by conducting a comprehensive investigation into track dynamics. For this purpose, three-dimensional mass-spring-damper models of vehicle, track and supporting structures were developed and matrices of mass, stiffness, and damping of each subsystem were formed. The response of the whole system was, then, determined by coupling the subsystems using Hertz contact theory. The differential equations of the coupled system were solved by the Newmark integration method and the results including vertical and lateral displacements and forces were presented in the time domain. Since the purpose of this dissertation is to quantify the effect of track and vehicle condition on vibration level, rail defects were also taken into account and rail random irregularities for the vertical profile, Gauge, alignment and cross level (super elevation) were incorporated into a numerical solution. The results of the study show the effect of track and vehicle parameters on the response of the vehicle, track, and substructures. Since Florida and some other states in the United States are very prone to hurricanes, an investigation was conducted into the effect of wind speed on vehicle stability. For this purpose, a curved beam was modeled to consider the influence of track curvature, cant deficiency, wind speed and train speed simultaneously. The results from the study show the maximum allowable values of train speed and axle load for different wind speeds. The findings can be used to decide under what circumstances there is a risk of vehicle overturning and how to avoid it

Review Fake Narratives about Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh) in Mathnavi

The story of divine prophets' life in Quran has almost been told briefly and due to emphasizing on issues including edifications and lessons, there are not any details or marginal subjects in it. A brief review of many books written in this topic confirms this claim that many events and happenings related to divine prophets and key characters are being inspired from other sources than the Word of God, and many ornaments have been added to them in the passage of time. Due to the same reason, a great part of Israelites is related to the prophets' story of life. Rumi is among the poets who use the prophets' story of life in different parts of the Mathnavi either in a direct way or in a mysterious form and parable. But, this great book is not also saved from some fictitious stories of the prophet's life. In this research, Israelites about Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) are extracted from six books of Mathnavi and reviewed. The fictitious stories about Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) throughout the book are just three stories. These three stories include the story of Prophet's cleavage of chest, legend of the Gharanigh (satanic verses), and the story of Prophet's decision of committing suicide. The research method is descriptive analytical. Regarding the stories and the way of applications of these legends by Rumi, it can be understood that although the fictitious stories are limitedly found in Mathnavi, this limited number has been also used in order to teaching and expressing mystic thoughts and delicate issues of spiritual journeys. Keywords: Israelites, Mathnavi, Islam Prophet (pbuh), holly Quran, Rumi

Gold nanoparticle and mean inactivation dose of human intestinal colon cancer HT-29 cells

Background: Mean inactivation dose is a useful radiobiological parameter for the comparison of human cell survival curves. Objectives: Given the importance and accuracy of these parameters, in the present study, the radio sensitivity enhancement of colon cancer (HT-29) cells in the presence of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were studied using the mean inactivation dose (MID). Materials and Methods: Naked-GNPs with 50 nm diameters were incubated with HT-29 cells. The cytotoxicity and uptake of these particles on HT-29 cells were assessed. After determining the optimum GNPs concentration, the cells were incubated with gold nanoparticle for 24 hours. The change in the MID value as well as the radio sensitization enhancement under irradiation with 9 MV X-ray beams in the presence of GNPs were evaluated by multiple (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium)MTS assay. Results: Cell survival in the presence of GNPs was more than 90% and the maximum uptake of GNPs was observed at 60 μM of gold nanoparticles. In contrast, in the presence of GNPs combined with radiation, cell survival and MID value significantly decreased, so that the radio sensitization enhancement was 1.4. Conclusions: Due to the significant reduction in the mean inactivation dose of colon cancer cells in the presence of gold nanoparticles, it seems that GNPs are suitable options to achieve a new approach in order to improve radiotherapy efficiency without increasing the prescribed radiation dose

The Effect of Rail Defects on Track Impact Factors

This paper investigates the effect of rail surface flaws on track impact factors for different track and vehicle conditions. For this purpose, a three dimensional vehicle and track as an integrated system modelled. The vehicle, consists car body, bogie frames and wheelsets, is able to model displacements in vertical and lateral directions. Hertz nonlinear springs utilized to connect vehicle to track structure and simulate the interaction between vehicle and track subsystems. Track comprises rail, rail pads, sleepers and ballast materials. For each subsystem, matrices of mass, stiffness and damping were formed and then matrices of total vehicle-track system considering their interaction were solved. Using FRA spectral density functions for rail irregularities, response of track with different qualities to train dynamic forces obtained. Rail random irregularities, rail corrugation and rail joint defects as three common rail defects have been considered in this paper. For each defects the influence of different track and train parameters on impact factor has been studied. The results of study indicate substantial effect of the depth and frequency of the rail flaws on impact factors. This paper has also considered the impact of vehicle speed on dynamic forces and found the critical speed for each case

EEG spectral power alternation & learning disability in rats exposure to lead through prenatal developing age

Introduction: Lead intoxication in children has been associated with neurodevelopment disabilities that may result in motor and cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in long term effects of prenatal exposure to low-level Pb2+ on learning, memory and EEG. Materials & Methods: Rat pregnant were exposed to distilled water or 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 % of Pb-acetate in the drinking water during of pregnancy. Behavioral analysis was carried out in male offspring by using one way active avoidance. The numbers of electric shock was detected as an index of learning and memory of rats. At 60 days of age (active avoidance learning) and at 90 days of age (memory) behavioral assessment was measured. Then the rats were implanted with electrodes in sensorimotor regain. After a recovery period, EEG was also recorded. Findings: Lead acetate was no affected on learning but dose of 0.1% which was affected on memory of rats (No. of shocks 5.185 ± 0.98%) compared to the control (No. of shocks 1.667 ± 0.62%). This finding also showed that lead acetate (p<0.05) only decreases of memory ability. Except an increase in the delta waves, there was no any statistical signifiucant on EEG spectral power between test and control groups. Conclusion: In this research the lead acetate was no affected on EEG. The results showed that using dose of 0.1% lead acetate was affected on behavior and decrease of memory ability of tested rats

Composition of clastic sediments in the Somosaguas area (middle Miocene, Madrid Basin): insights into provenance and palaeoclimate

[EN] The western area of the Cenozoic Madrid Basin has not been adequately studied. This, combined with the high homogeneity of detrital facies makes the stratigraphic correlation with other areas of the basin rather difficult. Consequently, only a detailed characterization of different study zones can allow subsequent correlation over this area. Over the last years there have been discovered several vertebrate fossil sites in this area that allow the dating of the sediments which host the fossil remains and provide data about palaeoclimatic trends. In this paper we present the results of the light minerals petrographic analysis carried out in one of these sites (Somosaguas paleontological site). Previous palaeontological and isotopic studies in this site indicate a climate event of cooling and rising aridity that has been described globally for the period after the Miocene Climatic Optimum. The petrographic data and indices presented here corroborate this trend towards a more arid climate through the Somosaguas sedimentary succession. Besides we study the grades of alteration of plagioclase grains as a proxy in the evaluation of palaeoclimatic variations. The increase towards the top of the succession of less altered plagioclase grains suggests a decrease in precipitations and thus more aridity. Part of the quartz and K-feldspar grains display several features like embayments and alterations pointing to palaeosoils formation and reworking processes. These characteristics and other observations suggest several sedimentary pulses in a geotectonic setting of “basement uplift” and a mixed lithological provenance for the Somosaguas deposits (granites, gneisses and minor quantities of low-grade metamorphic rocks).[ES] La zona occidental de la cuenca de Madrid no ha sido adecuadamente estudiada. Esto, combinado con la alta homogeneidad de facies detríticas dificulta la correlación estratigráfica con otras áreas de la cuenca. En consecuencia, sólo una caracterización detallada de diferentes zonas de estudio puede permitir posteriores trabajos de correlación regional. En los últimos años se han descubierto varios yacimientos de fósiles de vertebrados en esta área que permiten la datación de los sedimentos que albergan estos restos y proporcionan datos paleoclimáticos. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de los análisis composicionales de minerales ligeros realizados en uno de estos yacimientos (yacimiento paleontológico de Somosaguas). Estudios paleontológicos e isotópicos previos en este yacimiento registran un evento climático de enfriamiento y aumento de la aridez que se ha descrito a nivel mundial para el período posterior al Óptimo Climático del Mioceno. Los datos e índices petrográficos presentados en este trabajo corroboran la tendencia hacia un clima más árido a lo largo de la sucesión sedimentaria de Somosaguas. Además, se estudian los grados de alteración de los granos de plagioclasa como proxy en la evaluación de variaciones paleoclimáticas. El aumento hacia la parte superior de la sucesión de plagioclasas poco alteradas sugiere una disminución de las precipitaciones y por tanto mayor aridez. Parte de los granos de cuarzo y de feldespato muestran golfos de corrosión o alteraciones que indican procesos de formación de paleosuelos y de retrabajamiento. Estas características junto a otras observaciones sugieren varios pulsos sedimentarios en un entorno geotectónico de “basamento elevado” y una procedencia litológica mixta (granito, gneis y rocas metamórficas de bajo grado).MINECO/CGL2008-01648MINECO/CGL2011-22709MINECO/CGL2009/09000Peer reviewe

Right to Left Shunt in Agitated Saline Test

An 11-year-old girl was presented to the cardiology clinic with a history of atypical chest pain and nonspecific shortness of breath. The patient underwent echocardiography that revealed interatrial septum redundancy with signs of shunt flow in the color-doppler study (Video 1). The differential diagnosis included atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) associated with patent foramen oval (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD). Agitated saline test was performed via left cubital vein (Video 3) and significant leakage of contrast through interatrial septum was confirmed (Video 2). For further evaluation, the patient underwent the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out the ASD. No left to right shunt was seen in TEE and the color-doppler study showed right to left shunt, hence the diagnosis of ASD was ruled out (Video 4). The final diagnosis was PFO. PFO is a congenital cardiac abnormality as a fetal blood communication tunnel between two atria (right to left) is remained open after one year of age. It has a high prevalence of about 25% in the general population. No intervention and follow up is needed; except for those who have large-sized PFO with significant right to left shunt and a history of neurological event especially in younger ages without other risk factors for atherosclerosis. &nbsp

Análisis paleoambiental y paleoclimático de los yacimientos de Somosaguas y Húmera (Mioceno Medio, Madrid): sedimentología, petrología, mineralogía y aplicación a divulgación e innovación educativa

Los yacimientos de fósiles de vertebrados miocenos de Somosaguas y Húmera, objeto de estudio de esta Tesis Doctoral, están situadas en la cuenca cenozoica de Madrid. Esta cuenca presenta en superficie amplias extensiones de materiales sedimentarios neógenos, principalmente de edad miocena, que en su margen oeste son de una gran homogeneidad, siendo compleja su subdivisión y correlación con otras zonas de la cuenca mejor caracterizadas. Además, a pesar de guardar similitudes con otras áreas de la cuenca, de edades similares, al tener áreas fuente muy diversas (granitoides y gneisses al Oeste y Sur, rocas metamórficas de bajo grado al Norte y sedimentarias al Este) presenta particularidades diferenciales respecto a las demás zonas. Los yacimientos paleontológicos que se han encontrado en el área urbana de Madrid y en sus alrededores proporcionan una información muy valiosa, no solo en cuanto a la datación y la bioestratigrafía sino también en relación con las condiciones paleoambientales y paleoclimáticas. El interés de estos dos yacimientos es múltiple: (1) son los primeros encontrados en este área de Madrid y están entre los más occidentales de esta cuenca sedimentaria; (2) albergan una gran abundancia de restos fósiles; (3) son relativamente escasos los yacimientos formados en abanicos aluviales; (4) coinciden yacimientos con restos de macro y micromamíferos, posibilitando una buena caracterización del conjunto de la comunidad de mamíferos; (5) son de los pocos yacimientos de mamíferos de edad 14 m.a., coincidentes con el restablecimiento de la capa de hielo de la Antártida y un periodo de enfriamiento global; (6) presentan diversas modalidades de conservación de los fósiles en ambientes de sedimentación peculiares, y (7) son de muy fácil acceso y tienen una gran extensión. Además, por sus características el yacimiento de Somosaguas permite la iniciación de estudiantes de Geología y Biología en el estudio del Patrimonio paleontológico y geológico. El proyecto que lo gestiona (Proyecto Somosaguas de Paleontología) lleva aparejado una importante labor de divulgación e innovación educativa que se materializa principalmente en el Equipo de Introducción a la Investigación GeoPaleoBiológico de Somosaguas (EIIGPBS). A pesar de su cercanía estos dos yacimientos presentan algunas diferencias sedimentológicas, petrológicas, mineralógicas y tafonómicas que deben ser estudiadas para un mejor entendimiento de la geología y paleontología de la zona..

Integrated Guided-Wave Structures and Techniques for Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Electronics and Photonics

RÉSUMÉ Pour faire face à la demande croissante en bande passante, les prochaines générations des systèmes sans fil et filaires devront exploiter la large gamme spectrale 100 GHz-1 Térahertz (THz) et au-delà. Cependant, les éléments constitutifs intégrés qui définiront les architectures et les normes des systèmes à très haute fréquence ne sont pas claires et généralement pas du tout disponible. Cette thèse contribue à ce nouveau défi en explorant de nouveaux concepts et techniques de transmission d’onde pour le développement des circuits intégrés et les systèmes électroniques et photoniques en ondes millimétriques (MMW) et THz. Les lignes de transmission sont les éléments constitutifs de tous les circuits électroniques et photoniques intégrés. En dépit d'une expansion substantielle des applications électroniques et photoniques vers les THz, la structure de base des lignes de transmission standard, mis au point dans les années 1950, n'a pas évolué. L'un des problèmes fondamentaux dans le développement de systèmes électroniques et photoniques intégré THz est les limites intrinsèques de ces lignes de transmission classiques. Les dispositifs à ondes progressives électro-optiques et optoélectroniques ont été conçus sur la base de ces lignes de transmission, et sont donc limités en débit en raison de la limitation des performances au spectre RF. Plusieurs tentatives ont été faites pour améliorer ces lignes de transmission. Cependant, la configuration structurelle inhérente du métal est toujours l'obstacle dominant qui impose un mode de fonctionnement particulier qui est sujette à l'atténuation et la dispersion à une fréquence plus élevée. Pour faire face aux problèmes mentionnés et pour répondre à ces défis technologiques contraignants, trois orientations sont traités dans cette thèse: électro-optique, micro-ondes et optique. Pour la première orientation, la ligne SIW est utilisée en tant que structure à onde progressive alternative d'un Modulateur EO sur polymère. Dans ce cas, la fréquence porteuse est déterminée par la fréquence de fonctionnement de la ligne SIW. Dans ce travail, la conception est faite pour un modulateur EO atteignant plus de 22% de la bande passante optique avec la fréquence centrale de 160 GHz.----------ABSTRACT In order to keep up with rising global demand for bandwidth, future generations of both wireless and wireline technology will need to exploit the spectral range over 100 GHz - 1 terahertz (THz) and beyond. However, the integrated building blocks that will well define such an ultra-high frequency system technology architecture and protocol are unclear and mostly unavailable. This dissertation set the stage in responding to this emerging challenge by exploring new guided wave structures, concepts and techniques for the development of millimeter-wave (mmW) and THz electronic and photonic integrated circuits and systems. Radiofrequency integrated circuits are the backbone of all modern computing and communication electronic and photonic networks and systems. Likewise, transmission lines are the most fundamental building blocks of all the electronic and photonics integrated circuits. In spite of a substantial expansion of electronic and photonic applications towards THz, the basic structure of traditional transmission lines, developed in the 1950s, has not been modified or evolved. One of the fundamental bottlenecks in the development of THz integrated electronic and photonic systems has been the inherent limitations of those conventional transmission lines. The traveling-wave electro-optic and opto-electronic devices have been made based on those transmission lines, and are therefore limited in speed because of the RF spectrum performance limitations. Several attempts have been made to improve those transmission lines. However, the inherent structural configuration is still the dominant obstacle that dictates a particular operating mode that is prone to attenuation and dispersion at higher frequencies. To tackle those mentioned problems and to respond to those constraining technological challenges, three research orientations are considered in this PhD thesis: electro-optic, microwave, and optics. For the first orientation, SIW (substrate integrated waveguide) is used as an alternative traveling-wave structure of a polymer EO modulator. In this case, the carrier frequency is determined by the SIW frequency of operation. The design in this work is completed for an EO modulator with the center frequency of 160 GHz achieving more than 22% optical bandwidth

Examining the Role of RFID Technology on SCM Effectiveness, Case: Food industry of Iran

Taking advantage of the new technology, supply chain has already created a chain of cooperation among its own Companies, and, in a larger scale, within a universal environment. Superior to these technologies is RFID which is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID is one of the most advanced technologies in the contemporary world. Perishable products and hose with short time expiry particularly food products bring about many challenges and problems for the supply chain managers. Such challenges are mostly due to variety in the number of products, especial need for keeping track of the products during the supply chain process, their short term expiry; need to control their temperature during the supply chain process, and their high quantity. Using RFID is one of the best possible ways that can help managers deal with logistical problems of perishable products. In food industry, storage level is generally low because of a high possibility of expiry. Today, changes in methods of production, distribution, maintenance and sale of food products have led to some changes in the demand of consumers for higher quality as well as greater longevity of food products. In order for more confidence in desirable packing in supply chain of food products, such innovations as smart packaging or active packaging have achieved popularity