A comparison of plastic collapse and limit loads for single mitred pipe bends under in-plane bending

This paper presents a comparison of the plastic collapse loads from experimental in-plane bending tests on three 90 degree single un-reinforced mitred pipe bends, with the results from various 3D solid finite element models. The bending load applied reduced the bend angle and in turn, the resulting cross-sectional ovalisation led to a recognised weakening mechanism, which is only observable by testing or by including large displacement effects in the plastic finite element solution. A small displacement limit solution with an elastic-perfectly-plastic material model overestimated the collapse load by 40%. The plastic collapse finite element solution produced excellent agreement with experiment

Using limb darkening to measure fundamental parameters of stars

Context. Limb darkening is an important tool for understanding stellar atmospheres, but most observations measuring limb darkening assume various parameterizations that yield no significant information about the structure of stellar atmospheres. Aims. We use a specific limb-darkening relation to study how the best-fit coefficients relate to fundamental stellar parameters from spherically symmetric model stellar atmospheres. Methods. Using a grid of spherically symmetric Atlas model atmospheres, we compute limb-darkening coefficients, and develop a novel method to predict fundamental stellar parameters. Results. We find our proposed method predicts the mass of stellar atmosphere models given only the radius and limb-darkening coefficients, suggesting that microlensing, interferometric, transit and eclipse observations can constrain stellar masses. Conclusions. This novel method demonstrates that limb-darkening parameterizations contain important information about the structure of stellar atmospheres, with the potential to be a valuable tool for measuring stellar masses.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, A&A accepte

A mathematical approach to depuration

Two equations can be written to describe the change in bacterial concentrations in the shellfish and the water in depuration units. Analytical solutions of these equations for special conditions and numerical solutions for general conditions indicate that there will always be an initial, rapid decrease in bacteria in the oysters during depuration. With suitable flow rates and loading rates, the die off will be exponential and several orders of magnitude reduction can be achieved within 72 hours. Both very low flow rates and very low loading rates increase the residence time of water in the tank, and therefore depuration will occur slowly after about 24 hours. In addition, the bacterial levels at 72 hours may be quite high for the case of very low flow rates. Further improvements and verification of the model are desired, but use of the model can aid in the design and operation of depuration plants now

Have computers, will travel: providing on-site library instruction in rural health facilities using a portable computer lab

The Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Partnership (SHIRP)provides library instruction to Saskatchewan's health care practitioners and students on placement in health care facilities as part of its mission to provide province-wide access to evidence-based health library resources. A portable computer lab was assembled in 2007 to provide hands-on training in rural health facilities that do not have computer labs of their own. Aside from some minor inconveniences, the introduction and operation of the portable lab has gone smoothly. The lab has been well received by SHIRP patrons and continues to be an essential part of SHIRP outreach

Another Hoax Stone, Fort Henry, Idaho

"A third carved stone has been unearthed at the supposed site of Henry's Fort, near St. Anthony, Idaho.