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This paper demonstrates the need for and provides an improved fitting of the line parameters when a wide range of frequencies with emphasis on the dc response is the objective. The improved fitting is based on a low-order fitting of a function error for each of the line parameters, that is, the characteristic admittance and propagation function, in the low-frequency range. The function error represents the difference between the analytical evaluation of the line parameters, that is, obtained from a frequency-dependent distributed parameters line model, and their initial rational approximation, for example, given by an electromagnetic transients software tool. The approximated function error, added to the initial rational approximation of the line parameters, provides the enhanced fitted line model. The enhanced fitting improves the dc response of the line and ensures numerical stability in time-domain simulations. This paper applies the proposed fitting approach to the universal line model for time-domain simulations. The simulation results by the enhanced fitting are validated by comparing the results with those obtained from a frequency-domain line model (FDLM). Two case studies are presented to illustrate the proposed fitting approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the principle of the traditional local binary fitting operation, Gaussian kernel function weighted summation (GKFWS), to develop a novel level set model in this paper. In this model, the traditional GKFWS operation is replaced with the median filter operation in the second procedure of local fitting of the energy domain. Furthermore, we incorporated the edge stopping function of GAC model into it to introduce the edge information for segmentation. Experiments on synthetic and real images demonstrate that this model has promising performance in terms of computational cost, robustness to noises and segmentation of images with intensity inhomogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the structure and length of finite groups such as the derived length and the nilpotency class. Topics include the generalized Fitting series of a group G which is defined by induction and the inverse image of the subgroup F* (G), reducing the Restricted Burnside problem, and automorphisms.

Dry sand can be viewed as a binary material composed of sand grains and pores. The dry sand's high compressibility needs to be considered in projectile penetration depth calculation. Current models for the sand's resistance to projectiles involve experimental data fitting and are valid in only a small range of circumstances. In this paper, the P-alpha equation of state and the Mohr-Coulomb Tresca-limit yield criterion are employed to describe the constitutive relations of the sand. A spherical cavity-expansion model including the compressibility of sand is established. Then a new sand penetration depth calculation method is obtained. Our results are compared with those from other models and experiments. It is found that the spherical cavity-expansion model based on the P-alpha equation of state can describe the dynamic response of sand well and is suitable for calculating the depth of penetration into sand by rigid projectiles with specific nose configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the issue of predicting soil settlement has gradually become an important research area. The theory of predicting soil settlement under static load is comparatively mature, while the method of predicting soil settlement under dynamic loading is still at the exploratory stage. This paper aimed to find a suitable model to satisfy the prediction of long-term settlements of subway tunnel. The settlement monitoring data of Subway Line 1 in Shanghai were taken as the case. In this paper, current nonlinear prediction methods of settlement were summarized. The fitting method was introduced and applied in the settlement data of Shanghai subway tunnel; correlation coefficient r of the fitting results can keep a high level in most cases, illustrating the validity of segmentation simulation. Two kinds of prediction methods and its utilizing methods were introduced in this paper, i.e., Grey Model (1, 1) and Auto-Regressive and Moving Average Model ( n, m). The settlement trend of Subway Line 1 in Shanghai was predicted by GM (1, 1) and ARMA ( n, m) model. The results show that ARMA ( n, m) model is more precise than the GM (1, 1). As a new method in settlement prediction field, ARMA ( n, m) model is prospective in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new hybrid fuzzy-Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (Fuzzy-ABC) for the optimization of electrochemical machining (ECM) process parameters is presented in this paper. The 6061Al/10%wt Al2O3/5%wt SiC composite is taken as a test specimen and its machining characteristics on ECM process are studied. Maximizing the material removal rate (MRR), minimizing the surface roughness (Ra) and minimizing the over-cut (OC) are the main indicators of quality of an ECM process and thus are considered as objectives. The main process parameters governing the ECM process are current, applied voltage, flow rate, tool feed rate, inter-electrode gap and electrolyte concentration. The central composite design of response surface methodology was employed in order to identify the effective machining parameters on the above objectives. Fuzzy Logic (FL) concepts provide a fairly accurate prediction, when sufficient information is not available. The artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is a new evolutionary computational technique provides better results to that of other algorithms. Hence, in this paper, fuzzy logic was integrated with artificial bee colony algorithm, thus making a new hybrid Fuzzy-ABC algorithm. The optimized values for ECM were obtained through the hybrid Fuzzy-ABC algorithm. Confirmatory experiments reveal that the experimental values are fairly close with optimized values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Process planers typically utilize different datum features than designers use when specifying tolerances. Datum features used in process plans are chosen to simplify setups and achieve desired geometric accuracy. Meanwhile, proper machining tolerances are required to be reassigned to satisfy design requirements. However, existing methods to transfer geometric tolerances directly and accurately are still missing due to incompatible mathematical models of tolerances. Also, the affection of material conditions on datum and partial constraint situations have not been deeply considered yet. Since cylindrical features are often used as datum features, this paper describes the use of tolerance maps (T-Maps) (patent no. 6963824) and manufacturing maps (M-maps) to establish analytical relationship among all relevant design and machining tolerances for transfer of cylindrical datum. Firstly, a parametric model of datum transfer is proposed to describe factors involving the process. Next, based on spatial and geometric parameters, as well as tolerances information, variation analysis among features is implemented to formulate transformed T-Maps, sum of which constructs M-Map. Then, distinct bounding boxes of cross-sections in M-Map are extracted through computing vertex coordinates of their boundaries due to complete and partial constraint scenarios. Thereafter, by virtue of bounding boxes, relationship among design and machining tolerances are obtained through fitting M-Maps into T-Maps. Finally, an example is introduced to verify feasibility of the proposed model and method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new local region-based and local gradient-based active contour model in a variational level set formulation for image segmentation. The model consists of three parts: the local region term, the local gradient term and the regularization term. The local region term is insensitive to noise, while the local gradient term has better capability of localization than the local region. The energy minimization is achieved by the level set evolution in an iterative strategy. In each iteration, the local intensity and local gradient are updated and fed into the level set evolution. Comparative experiments show that our model achieves the better performance on the ultrasound images with noise and low signal-to-noise ratio than the local binary fitting (LBF) energy model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the two-machine total completion time flow shop problem. We present a so-called matheuristic post processing procedure that improves the objective function value with respect to the solutions provided by state of the art procedures. The proposed procedure is based on the positional completion times integer programming formulation of the problem with O( n) variables and O( n) constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, machining characteristics of titanium alloy grade-5 (Ti–6Al–4V) have been examined at different cutting speeds, feed rates and approaching angles under dry condition. It has been observed that with the increase in cutting speeds, the magnitude of cutting forces and tool tip temperature increase. If both cutting force and temperature level were considered together, the optimum approaching angle works out to be 45° and 90° for 49.5 and 76.7 m/min, respectively. For 116.9 m/min increase of cutting forces at 60° approaching angle can be attributed to low-shear angle which is function of the average chip thickness. Positive rake angle produces higher shear angle which leads to the reduction of cutting forces, tool tip temperature and thus help obtaining a better surface finish. Surface roughness measurements obtained prior and subsequent to the machining of titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) were used to characterize the change in roughness caused by variation in machining parameters like cutting speed, feed rate and approaching angle. The average surface roughness is observed to be maximum at 0.11 mm/min and minimum at 0.04 mm/min feed rate for all approaching angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] New non-linear least squares circle fitting algorithm with analytic estimators. [•] Novel use of the polarity transformation for circle fitting. [•] The algorithm is at the accuracy level of other well-known algebraic methods. [•] We develop a geometrical link between the orthogonal and the algebraic fittings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total machining time for a part produced on machining centers is influenced, besides the actual machining time, by the auxiliary times which include the automatic changing of the tools. In order to increase the productivity of machining centers, the research presented in this paper has focused on enhancing the movement speed of an automatic tool feeding system. Increasing the movement speed of the mechanism`s components has led to the appearance of unwanted side effects, such as shocks and vibrations. In order to minimize these effects, we have proposed and tested a new solution to adjust the braking regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new modeling method that improved from "template model-based scaling" is introduced, which abandons the traditional modeling method of cutting model, it refreshes the message of every point instead of change the whole position. The research process is divided into three stages: build basic model, read basic model data and draw it, convert the 3D model. The model built in this way will have a good transition between every part and a vivid appearance. It can be used in garment CAD and the fitting system online very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The curing behavior and kinetics of a solid epoxy/DDM/clay nanocomposite system were studied. [•] The effect of clay surface modification on the curing of solid epoxy/DDM was investigated. [•] Curing behavior and kinetics were studied using DSC and evaluated by fitting model and isoconversional models. [•] The superiority of isoconversional models for elaborating of the effect of nanoparticles on the curing mechanism of epoxy/DDM/clay was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper shows a transient mathematical model for an incompressible flow through pipes with leaks. The model is formed by mass and momentum equations. The model was resolved by using the finite differences technique. The effect of the convective term in the momentum equation, over the pressure profile was studied. Experiments on leaks from short pipes also were carried out. The predicted pressure profile was compared against experimental data with a good fitting. It was found that for short pipes (1) pressure increases at the leak location, for leak flow rates bigger than 6% of nominal flow and (2) when convective terms are taken into account in the momentum equation, the predicted pressure profile is improved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Treatment of experimental data often entails fitting frequency functions, in order to draw inferences on the population underlying the sample at hand, and/or identify plausible mechanistic models. Several families of functions are currently resorted to, providing a broad range of forms; an overview is given in the light of historical developments, and some issues in identification and fitting procedure are considered. But for the case of fairly large, well behaved data sets, empirical identification of underlying distribution among a number of plausible candidates may turn out to be somehow arbitrary, entailing a substantial uncertainty component. A pragmatic approach to estimation of an approximate confidence region is proposed, based upon identification of a representative subset of distributions marginally compatible at a given level with the data at hand. A comprehensive confidence region is defined by the envelope of the subset of distributions considered, and indications are given to allow first order estimation of uncertainty component inherent in empirical distribution fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] We apply exploration and exploitation measures into adaptive parameter control. [•] We experiment with the chemical engineering problem of fitting Sovova's model. [•] Our approach is competitive to five other approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Oxidative conditions accelerate chlorogenic acid decomposition. [•] Peak fitting revealed the presence of six decomposition processes. [•] Dynamic High-Res™ TGA experiments confirmed the reliability of the peak fitting approach. [•] Peak fitting is a convenient approach for analysing overlapping TGA profiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By taking the machine stiffness into the classic Hertzian solution rather than assuming a constant machine stiffness, we developed an approach to simultaneously derive the spherical indenter tip radius and machine stiffness in arbitrary ranges of loads and indenter radii. In contrast, the direct Hertzian fitting method tends to underestimate the radius, especially for larger indenter tips. The success is based on indention tests on two materials with known material stiffness, and the displacement difference under the same load is not affected by the machine stiffness. A total of eight spherical indenter tips with the radii ranging from a few microns to hundreds of microns have been indented on fused silica and single crystal sapphire. Our method gives correct indenter radii for all indenters. The machine stiffness is found to indeed vary with the indentation load and indenter radius. This method has many potential applications in the area of nano-indentation with spherical indenters, such as indentation size effect, modulus and hardness measurement, and micropillar testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new program for fitting the spectra of acetone-like molecules is developed. [•] The program allows a joint fit of rotational transitions of several torsional states. [•] An explicit two-dimensional potential function is used in the program. [•] A significantly better fit of existing acetone measurements is achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of heating to 200 − 250°C for 3-10 min in hot fitting of locks in the process of production of drill pipes from aluminum alloys D16T and 1953T1 on their structure and mechanical properties is studied. Practical recommendations are given for operations of hot fitting of locks of drill pipes from aluminum alloys to provide increase in their operating capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensor drift is currently the most challenging problem in gas sensing. We propose a novel ensemble method with dynamic weights based on fitting (DWF) to solve the gas discrimination problem, regardless of the gas concentration, with high accuracy over extended periods of time. The DWF method uses a dynamic weighted combination of support vector machine (SVM) classifiers trained by the datasets that are collected at different time periods. In the testing of future datasets, the classifier weights are predicted by fitting functions, which are obtained by the proper fitting of the optimal weights during training. We compare the performance of the DWF method with that of competing methods in an experiment based on a public dataset that was compiled over a period of three years. The experimental results demonstrate that the DWF method outperforms the other methods considered. Furthermore, the DWF method can be further optimized by applying a fitting function that more closely matches the variation of the optimal weight over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Given 3-D sensor data of points slightly moving in space, we consider the problem of discerning whether or not translation, rotation, and scale change take place and to what extent. For this purpose, we propose a new method for fitting various motion models to 3-D sensor data. Based on the observation that subgroups of 3-D affinity are defined by imposing various internal constraints on the parameters, our method fits 3-D affinity with internal constraints using the scheme of EFNS, which, unlike conventional methods, dispenses with any particular parameterizations for particular motion models. Then, we apply our method to simulated stereo vision data for motion interpretation, using various model selection criteria. We also apply our method to the GPS geodetic data of the land deformation in northeast Japan, where a massive earthquake took place on 11 March 2011. It is expected that our proposed technique will be widely used for 3-D analysis involving hierarchical motion models in various domains including computer vision, robotic navigation, and geodetic science. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Process models discovered from a process log using process mining tend to be complex and have problems balancing between overfitting and underfitting. An overfitting model allows for too little behavior as it just permits the traces in the log and no other trace. An underfitting model allows for too much behavior as it permits traces that are significantly different from the behavior seen in the log. This paper presents a post-processing approach to simplify discovered process models while controlling the balance between overfitting and underfitting. The discovered process model, expressed in terms of a Petri net, is unfolded into a branching process using the event log. Subsequently, the resulting branching process is folded into a simpler process model capturing the desired behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We propose and discuss two models that take into account the decreasing of the bulk density of dyes molecules in contact with a porous electrode. We show that the models based on the standard adsorption phenomenon have to be considered just as fitting models, of limited physical significance. A more physical model has to take into account the diffusion of dye molecules into the channels present in the porous electrode and also the adsorption of dye molecules on the lateral surfaces of these channels. The agreement between the theoretical prediction of such a model and the experimental data is reasonably good. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We studied the effects of a single practice session of a variable task with subject-specific adjustments of task difficulty (instability) on indices of multi-finger coordination in young and elderly persons. The main hypothesis was that practicing such a task would lead to contrasting changes in the amounts of two components of variance estimated across repetitive trials within the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis: V that had no effect on total force and V that affected total force. In addition, we also expected to see strong transfer effects to a different task. A variable task with graded instability was designed to encourage use of variable solutions during the accurate production of total force with two fingers. The subjects practiced with the index and middle fingers pressing on individual force sensors. Overall, the older subjects showed lower indices of performance and higher indices of both V and V. After about 1 h of practice, both groups showed an increase in the index of involuntary force production by non-task fingers (enslaving). Both groups improved the indices of performance. The two variance indices showed opposite effects of practice: V dropped with practice, while V increased leading to an increase in the total amount of variance in the space of commands to fingers and in the index of force-stabilizing synergy. Performance in a simpler, non-practiced task improved, but there was no transfer of the changes in the structure of variance. Specifically, both variance components, V and V, dropped in the non-practiced task. The results show that the neural system responsible for synergies stabilizing important features of performance is highly adaptable to practice of tasks designed to encourage use of variable solutions. We view the results as highly promising for future use in populations with impaired coordination characterized by low synergy indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bolt-flange fitting and detaching processes are numerically investigated by the updated Lagrangian elastoplastic finite element analysis. The elastoplastic behavior of the flange is modeled by the power-law plastic model with the isotropic strain hardening, while assuming the bolt to be rigid by virtue of the big difference in the material stiffness between bolt and flange. Through the parametric numerical analyses of the bolt-flange fitting and detaching processes with respect to the shape of the bolt cross-section, the characteristics of the bolt fitting and fastening forces are investigated. The validity of the simplified 2-D axisymmetric finite element model is examined through the comparison with the numerical results obtained by 3-D full finite element model. As well, the effects of the bolt petal number on these forces are investigated, and the experiment is performed to verify the numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a novel methodology is presented for optimal placement and selections of knots, for approximating or fitting curves to data, using smoothing splines. It is well-known that the placement of the knots in smoothing spline approximation has an important and considerable effect on the behavior of the final approximation [1]. However, as pointed out in [2], although spline for approximation is well understood, the knot placement problem has not been dealt with adequately. In the specialized bibliography, several methodologies have been presented for selection and optimization of parameters within B-spline, using techniques based on selecting knots called dominant points, adaptive knots placement, by data selection process, optimal control over the knots, and recently, by using paradigms from computational intelligent, and Bayesian model for automatically determining knot placement in spline modeling. However, a common two-step knot selection strategy, frequently used in the bibliography, is an homogeneous distribution of the knots or equally spaced approach [3]. In order to optimize the placement and numbers of knots required for approximation using smoothing splines, an Evolutionary Computation Paradigms (ECP) based on a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm has been developed, with the main purpose of avoiding the large number of local minima (in terms of approximation error for different system complexity or number of knots) existing in the problem of knots placement. The accuracy, computationally efficient and robustness of the algorithm presented will be compared by different experimental results, with other approaches presented in the bibliography, showing the main advantages of the proposed methodology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A nonparametric local region-based active contour driven by a local histogram fitting energy is presented. The energy is defined in terms of an evolving curve and two fitting histograms that approximate the distribution of object and background locally through a truncated Gaussian kernel. The kernel width for computing the fitting histograms should be different on different pixels, since the same kernel width applied may cause local minima of the energy. Three inequalities are introduced to determine whether larger kernel width should be considered. We do not assume any distributions in the presented method. The method therefore belongs to a nonparametric local region based active contour, and it can segment the regions whose distribution is hard to be predefined. Experimental results show desirable performances of our method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are photovoltaic materials that replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelopes, such as roofs or facades, i.e. the BIPV system serves dual purposes, as both a building envelope material and a power generator. Hence, it is important to focus on the building envelope properties of a BIPV system in addition to energy generation performance when conducting experimental investigations of BIPVs. The aim of this work was to illustrate challenges linked to the building envelope properties of a BIPV system, and to develop and evaluate relevant methods for testing the building envelope properties of BIPV systems. A sample roof area with two BIPV modules was built and tested in a turnable box for rain and wind tightness testing of sloping building surfaces with the aim of investigating the rain tightness of the BIPV system, and observing how it withstood wind-driven rain at large-scale conditions. The BIPV sample roof went through testing with run-off water and wind-driven rain with incremental pulsating positive differential pressure over the sample at two different inclinations. The BIPV sample roof was during testing constantly visually monitored, and various leakage points were detected. In order to prevent such water penetration, the steel fittings surrounding the BIPV modules should ideally be better adapted to the BIPV modules and constricted to some extent. It is however important to maintain a sufficient ventilation rate simultaneously. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Content-based vehicle retrieval in unconstrained environment plays an important role in surveillance systems. However, due to large variations in viewing angle/position, illumination, occlusion, and background, traditional vehicle retrieval is extremely challenging. We approach this problem in a different way by rectifying vehicles from disparate views into the same reference view and searching the vehicles based on informative parts such as grille, lamp, and wheel. To extract those parts, we fit 3-D vehicle models to a 2-D image using active shape model. In the experiments, we compare different 3-D model fitting approaches and verify that the impact of part rectification on the content-based vehicle retrieval performance is significant. We propose a model fitting approach with weighted Jacobian system which leverages the prior knowledge of part information and shows promising improvements. Then, we use pyramid histogram of orientation feature to describe rectified parts (e.g., grille, wheel, lamp). We compute mean average precision of vehicle retrieval with L1 distance on NetCarShow300 dataset, a new challenging dataset we construct. We conclude that it benefits more from the fusion of informative rectified parts (e.g., grille, lamp, wheel) than a whole vehicle image described by SIFT feature for content-based vehicle retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Traditional carpentry joints with tapered tenons have been used widely in timber structures all over Europe to connect two structural parts under compression loads that concur at a somehow diagonal angle. When a change of use is required or when damages are obvious, then an analytical model is needed to prove the structural safety even for non-engineered connections. Experimental investigations and numerical modelling were carried out for the tapered tenon to back up the basic understanding of failure modes and strength. Three types of failure were considered: rolling shear failure, failure of the front side and failure of the bottom face. The influence of friction was examined systematically. Based on the results of the experimental studies, numerical studies were carried out using a cohesive zone model. Practical suggestions for the engineering design were derived from the research results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to reduce the positioning error bring for non line-of-sight transmission, this paper put forward a mine ultra-wideband positioning method based on non line-of-sight identification weighted fitting. This method, first of all, non line-of-sight be identified, the principle of the method is to compare the degree of close between the PDF (Probability Distribution Function) under the condition of LOS (Line of Sight) and the PDF of distance measurement value, and the close degree of both will be used to determine the non line-of-sight weighted factor, the weighting factor reflects the proportion of the NLOS (Non Line of Sight) and LOS reference nodes in the position estimation process, then put forward a new weighted factor least square method localization method, through the simulation experiment to verify the method in this paper, the experimental results show that this method can achieve high precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kinematic surfaces form a general class of surfaces, including surfaces of revolution, helices, spirals, and more. Standard methods for fitting such surfaces are either specialized to a small subset of these surface types (either focusing exclusively on cylinders or exclusively on surfaces of revolution) or otherwise are basis-dependent (leading to scale-dependent results). Previous work has suggested re-scaling data to a fixed size bounding box to avoid the basis-dependence issues. We show that this method fails on some simple, common cases such as a box or a cone with small noise. We propose instead adapting a well-studied approximate maximum-likelihood method to the kinematic surface fitting problem, which solves the basis-dependence issue. Because this technique is not designed for a specific type of kinematic surface, it also opens the door to the possibility of new variants of kinematic surfaces, such as affinely-scaled surfaces of revolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The compulsory fitting of the brake assist system (BAS) for new vehicles in the European Union has been recently established by Regulation (EC) 78/2009 to enhance the protection of pedestrians. This paper describes the main findings of a coordinated study performed by four Spanish Safety Research Centres aimed at assessing the potential influence of the BAS in vehicle–pedestrian collisions through the reconstruction of real-world accidents that occurred in three different cities of Spain. A total of 139 vehicle–pedestrian collisions were investigated in-depth following a common methodology, including on-the-spot data collection, analysis and reconstruction to estimate the collision speed and the pedestrian kinematics. A specific procedure was defined to emulate, through computer simulations, the performance of the BAS acting together with the antilock braking system (ABS). The benefit was assessed in terms of both collision speed and Injury Severity Probability (ISP) by comparing the reduction of their values from the real conditions to the virtual BAS+ABS simulations. The pedestrian ISP was estimated, depending on the collision speed and the head impact point, using a specific application that calculated its value based on the results of headform impact laboratory tests. The ISP values obtained in both conditions were compared. The findings show that while implementing the BAS+ABS would not have prevented the collision in most of the cases, it would have reduced their consequences in terms of the estimated ISP. It was also found that in few cases, a small reduction in the collision speed would increase the head injury severity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental research work in order to obtain the main hygrothermal properties of different mixes of lightweight concrete (LWC) produced from expanded clay. Nowadays, the current state of art assumes an exponential relationship between the moisture content and the thermal properties for this kind of building material. The prime novelty of this study is the experimental determination of the actual hygrothermal properties for different LWC mixes with material densities ranging from 900 to 1400kg/m3, as well as the least squares best-fitting curves in order to obtain accurate mathematical expressions that permit us to optimize the hygrothermal behavior of new construction products made up of LWC. In this way, the experimental data set is compared with those for the Standard and a new analytical solution is obtained, giving place to a new analytical solution taking into account the relationship among the heat, moisture and density. Finally, the results and conclusions reached in this work are exposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A rapid technique to measure the mechanical properties of pharmaceutical tablets is presented. The Young''s modulus of elasticity and Poisson ratio are determined by fitting the measured transient force, generated by the impact of tablets with a dynamic load cell, by the theoretical force predicted from a Hertzian spring-dashpot model. Results of the method applied to a series of pharmaceutical compacts having different porosities and prepared from different excipient blends, demonstrate good agreement between the calculated force and the measured force. In particular, the Young''s modulus and Poisson ratio calculated for a 22% porous microcrystalline cellulose compact are 3.5GPa and 0.34, respectively. As the total measurement time is less than 100μs, the technique can be used as an in-line process measurement for manufacturing process control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We make use of two-step modeling to simulate inter- and coseismic deformation within one seismic cycle by means of visco-elastic finite element method (FEM). The first step is to perform inversion to find the optimum modeling parameters by fitting the observed interseismic deformation. Then the model continues to produce a major seismic event to simulate the Wenchuan earthquake. The model results show that, in order to fit the observed interseismic deformation, it needs a “soft” lower crust and upper mantle beneath the Eastern Tibet, and a very strong lithosphere of the Sichuan basin. The computed interseismic strain accumulation in the lower crust beneath the Eastern Tibet is much faster than that in the other regions. Especially, the elastic strain energy density rate (ESED) accumulates very rapidly in and around the Longmen Shan fault in the depth above 30km that may explain why the great Wenchuan earthquake occurs in the region of such a slow surface deformation rate. Simulations of coseismic processes reveal relationships among slip acceleration, normal stress and shear stress changes on surface of the seismogenic fault. Coseismic slip appears to initiate in the gently-dipping section of the fault, but primary slips (coseismic rupture) on both gently-dipping and steeply-dipping sections take place simultaneously. Minor fault slip accelerations decrease normal stress on fault surface to reduce frictional strength of fault, and in general increase shear stress on fault surface to enhance tectonic stress on the fault to drive the fault further slips. Both processes facilitate major slip or rupture on the listric reverse fault. Coseismic slip distribution also suggest that an important role of high-angle listric reverse faulting is to transfer overwhelming horizontal deformation of the Eastern Tibet into significant vertical displacement in the Longmen Shan during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of a 3-parameter Master Curve approach where the Weibull modulus is 4 and a minimum toughness value of 20MPam1/2 is now well accepted and standardised. The standard allows the use of a minimum of six specimens, tested at a single temperature, to produce the Master Curve. However, the examination of a small data set can lead to difficulties when trying to fit to this standard formula especially if the toughness is larger than 20MPam1/2. A small data set obtained from lower shelf testing of a ferritic pressure vessel steel is used to explore some of the issues related to the Weibull modulus and minimum toughness and how a user might try to fit such data. Finite element models are used to show that enhanced minimum toughness values larger than 20MPam1/2 are unlikely to have arisen from warm pre-stressing. The implications for the Master Curve of the different fitting options are also briefly explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The universal function of proximity potential model is systematically studied from the double folding model with density-dependent nucleon–nucleon interaction (CDM3Y6) by analyzing several hundreds of fusion reaction systems with mass numbers from light nuclei to heavy nuclei. The analytical formula of universal function is obtained at by fitting all of the calculated values. Using this formula we calculate the Coulomb barrier heights for fusion reactions in comparison with the values of the experimental data and Prox77. It is shown that presently obtained universal function in proximity potential model can reproduce the Coulomb barrier heights. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]