High Loads (high + load)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A network-centric approach for access and interface selection in heterogeneous wireless environments

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2008
George Koundourakis
Abstract In this paper, we introduce a network-based approach for access and interface selection (AIS) in the context of resource management in heterogeneous wireless environments (UMTS, WLAN and DVB-T). We focus on the optimization of resource utilization, while ensuring acceptable quality of service (QoS) provision to the end users. Our objective is to optimally manage the overall system resources and minimize the possibility of QoS handovers (non-mobility handovers). The adopted architecture applies to typical heterogeneous environments and network entities (Access Routers) are enhanced with extra functionalities. We propose an AIS algorithm that exploits the multihoming concept and globally manages network resources at both radio access and IP backbone networks. The algorithm can estimate near-optimal solutions in real time and we also introduce a novel triggering policy. We present simulation results of typical scenarios that demonstrate the advantages of our approach. System performance metrics, derived from the simulations, show minimum degradations in high load and congestion situations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The intertarsal joint of the ostrich (Struthio camelus): Anatomical examination and function of passive structures in locomotion

JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 6 2009
Nina U. Schaller
Abstract The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest extant biped. Being flightless, it exhibits advanced cursorial abilities primarily evident in its characteristic speed and endurance. In addition to the active musculoskeletal complex, its powerful pelvic limbs incorporate passive structures wherein ligaments interact with joint surfaces, cartilage and other connective tissue in their course of motion. This arrangement may enable energy conservation by providing joint stabilisation, optimised limb segment orientation and automated positioning of ground contact elements independently of direct muscle control. The intertarsal joint is of particular interest considering its position near the mid-point of the extended limb and its exposure to high load during stance with significant inertial forces during swing phase. Functional-anatomical analysis of the dissected isolated joint describes the interaction of ligaments with intertarsal joint contours through the full motion cycle. Manual manipulation identified a passive engage-disengage mechanism (EDM) that establishes joint extension, provides bi-directional resistance prior to a transition point located at 115° and contributes to rapid intertarsal flexion at toe off and full extension prior to touch down. This effect was subsequently quantified by measurement of intertarsal joint moments in prepared anatomical specimens in a neutral horizontal position and axially-loaded vertical position. Correlation with kinematic analyses of walking and running ostriches confirms the contribution of the EDM in vivo. We hypothesise that the passive EDM operates in tandem with a stringently coupled multi-jointed muscle-tendon system to conserve the metabolic cost of locomotion in the ostrich, suggesting that a complete understanding of terrestrial locomotion across extinct and extant taxa must include functional consideration of the ligamentous system. [source]


An ESCA study of the effectiveness of antiwear and extreme-pressure additives based on substituted phosphorodithioate derivatives, and a comparison with ZDDP

LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2001
M. C. Jain
Ashless substituted dithiophosphoric acid derivatives (ADPs) are a new generation of multifunctional additives with promising antiwear (AW) and extreme-pressure (EP) characteristics. Three such additives synthesised in the authors' laboratory have been evaluated for their AW and EP properties by standard four-ball friction and wear tests. The friction-reducing properties of these additives were compared with those of a commercial zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). It was found that the phosphorodithioate compounds studied here possessed excellent AW/EP properties. Their AW characteristics were found to be comparable to those of ZDDP at low loads. However, at higher loads they show inferior AW characteristics in comparison to ZDDP. Nevertheless, ADP derived from cashew nut shell oil had a higher load-carrying capacity than ZDDP. The mechanism of the AW and EP behaviour exhibited by the different additives was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the worn surfaces formed during friction. XPS and AES analyses of the worn surfaces reveal that the tribochemical film formed on the ADP-tested surfaces consisted mainly of metal phosphates and only a small amount of metal sulphides, even though the ADPs contained twice the number of sulphur atoms than phosphorus atoms. The ZDDP-tested surface showed a mixture of metal sulphides and metal phosphates. Alkylamino substitution appeared to have no significant effect on the AW/EP properties of the additive. XPS and AES analyses also revealed that the tribochemical film formed on an ADP-tested surface was thicker than that present on the ZDDP-tested surface at low loads, whereas at higher loads the reverse was true. The higher weld load obtained for the blend containing cashew nut shell oil-derived ADP is attributed to the thicker adsorbed reaction film formed on the surface due to the long alkyl groups present in the original additive structure. Short-chain alkyl groups, however, form only a thin adsorbed layer, which may get rubbed off during the friction at high load. The low sulphide formation on ADP-tested surfaces was attributed to the absence of any metal atom in the additive, which would help in the formation of metal sulphides during tribofragmentation and further tribochemical reactions. [source]


Increased Ig-null B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients with elevated Epstein-Barr viral loads

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2009
Elizabeth Schauer
Abstract:, In this study, the characteristics of Ig-null B cells in high viral load carriers were examined by four-color flow cytometry. The frequency of Ig-null B cells in patients with high, low or undetectable virus loads was found that while patients with a high load had more Ig-null cells, these cells were also present in the low and undetectable load groups. As Ig-null cells from patients with no viral load were EBV-negative, EBV infection was not absolutely required for the generation or survival of Ig-null cells. Ig-null cells were CD19+, sIg - , CD5,, CD10,, CD27,, CD23,, CD38,, and CD69, with variable surface expression of CD20 and CD40. Ig-null cells did not have a proliferating cell phenotype (Ki67 - ) and a high proportion were HLA class I - and class II - . Virus copy number in CD19+ Ig-null cell populations may be much higher than in CD19+ Ig+ cell populations. EBV infected Ig-null cells were common in blood specimens from pediatric solid organ transplant recipients and infected Ig-null cells may pose potential problems for immunotherapies that target infected B cells directly. [source]


Concentrations of dioxins and other organochlorines (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs) in human milk from Seveso, Milan and a Lombardian rural area in Italy: a study performed 25 years after the heavy dioxin exposure in Seveso

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2003
J Weiss
Aim: To investigate whether those who were exposed to high levels of the dioxin TCDD 25 years ago in Seveso, northern Italy still have higher than the expected levels of dioxins in their fat stores, and to investigate the concentrations of dioxins in the breast milk of mothers in Seveso and in two other regions in Italy. The load of vertically transmitted dioxins to the next generation, if being breastfed, was also investigated. Methods: As there may be a synergistic effect of mixtures of organic chlorines, the concentrations of pesticides such as DDTs and PCBs have also been studied in the same human milk samples. Breast milk from 12 mothers from Seveso, Central Milan and a Lombardian village was collected for analysis during the first week and 1 and 3 mo after delivery. Individual samples were used for the analysis of pesticides and PCBs, whereas dioxins were analysed in pooled samples from all 12 mothers on each occasion. Results: In human milk from Seveso, the TCDD concentration in fat calculated on a fresh weight basis was more than twice as high as the level in the other two regions, whereas the concentrations of investigated other toxins were lower in Seveso possible due to induction of the enzyme cytochrome P4501A, which means that the total level of dioxins was the same in all three locations. The congener profile, measured as mean toxic equivalency (TEQ) values, was the same in the Italian samples as previously reported from Stockholm. The calculations are based on the most recent WHO TCDD equivalency factors (TEF). The DDE concentration was higher in the samples from Milan than in the samples from the other two Italian regions, which may be due to the fact that, to a greater extent than in the other regions, Milanese food is imported from countries where DDT is still used as a pesticide. Conclusion: Twenty-five years after the dioxin catastrophe, human milk from mothers in Seveso has concentrations of the highly toxic dioxin congener TCDD that are more than twice as high as those in central Milan and a Lombardian village. This means that breastfed infants in Seveso still store an appreciable amount of TCDD in their body fat. The health consequences of this fact remain to be elucidated. The effect of the high load of DDTs in central Milan also has to be considered [source]


Long-term final void salinity prediction for a post-mining landscape in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 2 2005
Dr G. R. Hancock
Abstract Opencast mining alters surface and subsurface hydrology of a landscape both during and post-mining. At mine closure, following opencast mining in mines with low overburden to coal ratios, a void is left in the final landform. This final void is the location of the active mine pit at closure. Voids are generally not infilled within the mines' lifetime, because of the prohibitive cost of earthwork operations, and they become post-mining water bodies or pit lakes. Water quality is a significant issue for pit lakes. Groundwater within coal seams and associated rocks can be saline, depending on the nature of the strata and groundwater circulation patterns. This groundwater may be preferentially drawn to and collected in the final void. Surface runoff to the void will not only collect salts from rainfall and atmospheric fallout, but also from the ground surface and the weathering of fresh rock. As the void water level rises, its evaporative surface area increases, concentrating salts that are held in solution. This paper presents a study of the long term, water quality trends in a post-mining final void in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. This process is complex and occurs long term, and modelling offers the only method of evaluating water quality. Using available geochemical, climate and hydrogeological data as inputs into a mass-balance model, water quality in the final void was found to increase rapidly in salinity through time (2452 to 8909 mg l,1 over 500 years) as evaporation concentrates the salt in the void and regional groundwater containing high loads of salt continues to flow into the void. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Biological Materials: Mechanical Function of a Complex Three-Dimensional Suture Joining the Bony Elements in the Shell of the Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Adv. Mater.

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009
4/2009)
The shell of a turtle is required to be a shield that is stiff at high loads, but must provide sufficient flexibility for respiration and locomotion at smaller loads. On p. 407, Peter Fratzl and co-workers show that these seemingly contradictory requirements are met by a self-locking material, whereby stiff bony elements are connected by a much softer suture with a complex three-dimensional shape. [source]


Mechanical Function of a Complex Three-Dimensional Suture Joining the Bony Elements in the Shell of the Red-Eared Slider Turtle

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009
Stefanie Krauss
The shell of turtles is a shield which needs to be stiff at high loads but should provide sufficient flexibility for respiration and locomotion at smaller loads. We show that this seemingly contradictory requirement is met by a self-locking material, whereby stiff bony elements are connected by a much softer suture with a complex three-dimensional shape. [source]


Oxidation of biologically produced elemental sulfur under neutrophilic conditions,

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Marc Fortuny
Abstract BACKGROUND: Previous research on a biotrickling filter for the removal of high loads of H2S showed that accumulation of elemental sulfur (S0) when dealing with high H2S concentrations could lead to reactor clogging. Since S0 can also serve as substrate for sulfur-oxidising bacteria, this study investigates the biological oxidation of S0 as a remediation strategy. RESULTS: Results indicated that biological oxidation of S0 inside a clogged biotrickling filter occurred at a comparable rate to those reported for stirred tank reactors. When biologically produced dried and powdered S0 was manually added as a substrate in stirred tank reactor experiments, significantly lower S0 oxidation rates were found compared to those for biological S0 freshly produced in situ. It was speculated that either the powdered S0 particle size or the surface properties hindered S0 bioavailability even in a well-stirred environment. Respirometric experiments with the same powdered S0 and acetone-dissolved S0 confirmed that biological oxidation of S0 was basically limited by the solid S0 bioavailability. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, results showed that S0 oxidation basically depends on S0 bioavailability and that Sulfate volumetric production rates as high as 3.48 mmol SO42, h,1 L,1 can be achieved inside a clogged biotrickling filter probably due to the high biomass retention capacity. Overall, the results indicate that biological oxidation of S0 can be considered a suitable strategy for unclogging bioreactors clogged with S0. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Increased incidence of saprophytic bacteria, coliforms and E. coli following severe flooding requires risk assessment for human health: results of the River Elbe flood in August 2002

JOURNAL OF FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2009
B. Karrasch
Abstract In August 2002, flooding in the Elbe valley caused severe damage of sewage treatment plants and networks. We investigated the impact of flooding on the bacteriological water quality (colony-forming units of saprophytic bacteria, coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli) compared with levels from previous and subsequent years. The flood introduced organic matter and elevated saprophytic bacteria levels, and a general increase of coliform bacteria. Markedly high loads of coliforms and E. coli were detected in the water column in areas where damage to sewage treatment plants was rife, exceeding the European Commission's Bathing Water Directive. The rapid disappearance from the water column may partly be caused by sedimentation creating deposits on pasture, farmland and in built-up areas, which could represent a health hazard. Future flood risk reduction should therefore be focused on the protection of sewage systems and hygienic monitoring of floodwater and flood sediments. [source]


Joint compression alters the kinematics and loading patterns of the intact and capsule-transected AC joint

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003
Ryan S. Costic
High compressive loads are transmitted through the shoulder across the acromioclavicular (AC) joint to the axial skeleton during activities of daily living and can lead to early joint degeneration or instability. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of joint compression on the biomechanics of the intact and capsule-transected AC joint during application of three loading conditions. A robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system was utilized to apply an anterior, posterior or superior load of 70 N in combination with 10 or 70 N of joint compression to fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (n = 12). The application of joint compression to the intact AC joint decreased the posterior translation in response to a posterior load (,6.6 ± 2.5 vs ,3.7 ± 1.0 mm, p<0.05). Joint compression also decreased the in situ force in the superior AC capsule by 10 N while increasing the joint contact force by 20 N for all loading conditions (p<0.05). The application of joint compression to the capsule-transected AC joint significantly decreased the amount of posterior and superior translation during posterior (,12.7 ± 6.1 vs ,5.5 ± 3.2 mm, p < 0.05) and superior (5.3 ± 2.9 vs 4.2 ± 2.3 mm, p < 0.05) loading, respectively, while significantly increasing the coupled translations (anterior,posterior, superior,inferior or proximal,distal) in all loading conditions (p < 0.05). The joint contact force also significantly increased by 20 N for all loading conditions (p < 0.05). This quantitative data suggests: (1) common surgical techniques such as distal clavicle resection, which initially reduce painful joint contact, may cause unusually high loads to be supported by the soft tissue structures at the AC joint; and (2) compressive loads transmitted across a capsule-transected AC joint could be concentrated over a smaller area due to the increased coupled motion and joint contact force. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source]


A new focus on the Walther equation for lubricant viscosity determination

LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006
M. Sánchez-Rubio
Abstract Lubricants are widely used in industrial machinery in order to separate solid tribological surfaces and support high loads under severe conditions. In tribological contacts, viscosity plays an important role in the film-forming abilities of the lubricant, but this property is strongly dependent on temperature. Consequently, small variations in temperature cause appreciable variations in the viscosity of lubricating oils. For this reason it is of practical value to be able to predict viscosity changes with temperature. This paper presents a new focus on the Walther equation to determine the viscosity of commercial lubricants at different temperatures. This new approach provides very good correlation with experimental measurements. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The use of post-mortem Raman spectroscopy in explaining friction and wear behaviour of sintered polyimide at high temperature

LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006
P. Samyn
Abstract Due to their thermal stability and high strength, polyimides are an aromatic type of polymer that is used in sliding equipment functioning under high loads and elevated temperature. However, its tribological behaviour under high temperature and atmospheric conditions is not fully understood. It has been reported that a transition from high towards lower friction occurs ,somewhere' in the temperature region between 100°C and 200°C; however, a correlation with changes in the polyimide molecular structure remains difficult to illustrate and it is not certain whether or not this transition is correlated to lower wear. In the present work sliding experiments under controlled bulk temperatures between 100°C and 260°C are performed. A transition is observed in both friction and wear at 180°C which is further explained by microscopic analysis of the transfer film on the steel counterface and Raman spectroscopy of the worn polymer surfaces. A close examination of the spectra reveals transitions in relative intensity of certain absorption bands, pointing to different orientation effects of the molecular conformation at the polymer sliding surface at 180°C. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Calculation of sliding power loss in spur gear contacts

LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002
Arto Lehtovaara
Abstract An engineering-level calculation model for sliding power loss in spur gear contacts is presented. Teeth contact through the line of action is modelled as a constantly changing roller contact whose radius, speed, and load can be calculated from the gear geometry under the given operating conditions. The gear mesh cycle is approximated by a large number of elastohydrodynamic contacts. A constant film thickness and a Hertzian pressure distribution are assumed in each contact. The model includes non-Newtonian lubricant behaviour together with temperature and mixed lubrication effects in contact. The numerical solver is reasonably fast in evaluating effectively the sliding power loss dependence on the essential gear and lubricant parameters. The features and behaviour trends of the calculated sliding power losses have a close similarity with published results obtained from measurements and experiment-based power loss models with mineral oil. The limiting shear stress of the lubricant is observed to have an essential role in the power loss behaviour especially at high loads. [source]


Indentation as a technique to assess the mechanical properties of fallback foods

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Peter W. Lucas
Abstract A number of living primates feed part-year on seemingly hard food objects as a fallback. We ask here how hardness can be quantified and how this can help understand primate feeding ecology. We report a simple indentation methodology for quantifying hardness, elastic modulus, and toughness in the sense that materials scientists would define them. Suggested categories of fallback foods,nuts, seeds, and root vegetables,were tested, with accuracy checked on standard materials with known properties by the same means. Results were generally consistent, but the moduli of root vegetables were overestimated here. All these properties are important components of what fieldworkers mean by hardness and help understand how food properties influence primate behavior. Hardness sensu stricto determines whether foods leave permanent marks on tooth tissues when they are bitten on. The force at which a food plastically deforms can be estimated from hardness and modulus. When fallback foods are bilayered, consisting of a nutritious core protected by a hard outer coat, it is possible to predict their failure force from the toughness and modulus of the outer coat, and the modulus of the enclosed core. These forces can be high and bite forces may be maximized in fallback food consumption. Expanding the context, the same equation for the failure force for a bilayered solid can be applied to teeth. This analysis predicts that blunt cusps and thick enamel will indeed help to sustain the integrity of teeth against contacts with these foods up to high loads. Am J Phys Anthropol 140:643,652, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Versuche zur Tragfähigkeit von Ankerplatten mit einbetonierten Kopfbolzendübeln in schmalen Stahlbetonstützen

BETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 6 2010
Stephan Fromknecht Dr.-Ing.
Versuche; Befestigung Abstract Müssen große Lasten von Stahl- in Betonbauteile eingebracht werden, sind Ankerplattendetails mit aufgeschweißten Kopfbolzendübeln oft praktikable Lösungen. Dies gilt auch für die Befestigung von Stahlträgern an Stützen aus Stahlbeton. Hier können die Ankerplatten z. B. bauseits an der Schalung befestigt und mit dem Ortbeton einbetoniert werden. Die Dimensionierung dieser Einbauteile kann, wie auch die Berechnung von nachträglich installierten Befestigungsmitteln, derzeit nach Europäischen Technischen Zulassungen (ETA) erfolgen. Im Unterschied zu nachträglich installierten Befestigungen ist für die Ankerplatte mit einbetonierten Kopfbolzendübeln eine rechnerische Nutzung der Tragfähigkeit der Bewehrung möglich. Allerdings führen die diesbezüglichen Regelungen , im Vergleich zu den in den Versuchen ermittelten Tragfähigkeiten , rechnerisch zu stark eingeschränkten Tragfähigkeiten. Dies beruht einerseits auf der Reduktion der Tragfähigkeit wegen geringer Randabstände und andererseits auf der stark eingeschränkten Nutzbarkeit der Bewehrung. Im folgenden Beitrag werden Versuchsergebnisse vorgestellt, welche den Einfluss der Betondruckfestigkeit, der Verankerungslänge, der Lastexzentrizität sowie der Bewehrungsmenge und -position auf das Versagensgeschehen und die Tragfähigkeit zeigen. Results of Experimental Investigations on the Load-Bearing Capacity of Steel Anchor Plates with in Concrete Encased Headed Studs in Reinforced Narrow Concrete Columns Anchor plates with welded shear studs are often used to transfer high loads from steel to reinforced concrete elements. This is for example the case for the fixation of steel beams to reinforced concrete columns. The anchor plates are fixed on site on the formwork and cast in-place in the concrete. The design is calculated according to European Technical Approvals like the design of post-installed anchors. In contrast to post-installed fastenings, the utilisation of the reinforcement of in concrete encased headed studs is theoretically possible. But the regulations of the ETAs lead to great reductions in the analysed load-bearing capacities compared to the capacities, obtained in tests. These tests have been conducted to investigate the load bearing behaviour and failure modes of anchor plates, especially in narrow reinforced concrete columns. In the following article the results of the experimental investigations are presented, which show the influence of concrete compression strength, shear stud length, load eccentricity as well as amount and position of reinforcement. [source]