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A finite element procedure is developed for the computation of the thermoelastic properties of textile composites with complex and compact two- and three-dimensional woven reinforcement architectures. The purpose of the method is to provide estimates of the properties of the composite with minimum geometrical modeling effort. The software TexGen is used to model simplified representations of complex textiles. This results in severe yarn penetrations, which prevent conventional meshing. A non-conformal meshing strategy is adopted, where the mesh is refined at material interfaces. Penetrations are mitigated by using an original local correction of the material properties of the yarns to account for the true fiber content. The method is compared to more sophisticated textile modeling approaches and successfully assessed towards experimental data selected from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic foam models are generated from Voronoi spatial partitioning, using the centers of equi-sized hard spheres in random periodic distributions as seed points. Models with different levels of polydispersity are generated by varying the packing of the spheres. Subsequent relaxation is then performed with the Surface Evolver software which minimizes the surface area for better resemblance with real foam structures. The polydispersity of the Voronoi precursors is conserved when the models are converted into equilibrium models. The relation between the sphere packing fraction and the resulting degree of volumetric polydispersity is examined and the relations between the polydispersity and a number of associated morphology parameters are then investigated for both the Voronoi and the equilibrium models. Comparisons with data from real foams in the literature indicate that the used method is somewhat limited in terms of spread in cell volume but it provides a very controlled way of varying the foam morphology while keeping it periodic and truly stochastic. The study shows several strikingly consistent relations between the spread in cell volume and other geometric parameters, considering the stochastic nature of the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic equilibrium finite element (FE) foam models are used to study the influence of relative density and distribution of solid material between cell walls and edges on the elastic properties of foam materials. It is first established that the models contain a sufficient number of cells to ascertain isotropy and numerically and statistically robust results. It is then found that the elastic moduli are very weakly coupled to cell size variation in the models, when the latter is varied systematically. The influence from relative density and distribution of solid on the elastic parameters is considerably stronger. Analytical estimates from the literature, based on idealized cell models and dimension analysis, are matched by fitting coefficients to the FE results, providing good qualitative but relatively poor quantitative correlation. An expansion of the analytical coupling functions is then suggested in order to reduce their level of idealization. The expanded formulation shows virtually perfect agreement with the numerical results for almost the whole range of relative densities and distributions of solid in the FE parameter study. The presented analytical expression is believed to be general and provide accurate estimates of the elastic properties of a wide range of foam materials, provided that their bulk material properties and micro structure can be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic cellular models of rigid foam based on Voronoi spatial partitioning are generated and investigated for potential use in numerical analysis using finite element methods. Such partitions are deterministic once a distribution of cell nuclei has been defined. A drawback is that the models tend to exhibit a significant share of short edges and small faces. Such small geometrical features are not likely to occur in real foams since they are unfavorable from a surface energy point of view and they also generate problems in numerical analysis due to associated meshing challenges. Through minimization of the surface area, using the computer software Surface Evolver, the Voronoi models are brought to better resemblance with ideal dry foam and the occurrence of small geometrical features is strongly reduced. It is generally seen that different seed point distribution algorithms result in different model topologies. The presented methodology is systematic, parameterized and the results are very promising. Good grounds are provided for modeling of real rigid foam materials, that do not necessarily fully resemble ideal dry foam. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The influence of triggering topologies on the peak load and energy absorption of sandwich panels loaded in in-plane compression is investigated. Sandwich panels with different geometrical triggering features are manufactured and tested experimentally. Damage initiation in panels with grooves is investigated using finite element models. As expected the investigated triggering features reduce the extreme load peaks. A less expected result is that the plateau load following peak load tends to be higher for panels with triggering features. Both results are judged favourable for crash performance of panels in vehicle applications. Analysis suggests that there is a transition in failure mode for the studied panels, where the peak load for panels containing no or few grooves seems to be governed by principles of fracture mechanics while for panels with a high number of grooves it appears to be limited by the average stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The post failure behaviour of sandwich panels loaded in in-plane compression is studied by considering the structural response of such panels with symmetrically located edge debonds. A parametric finite element model is used to determine the influence of different material and geometrical properties on the failure progression, i.e. after initiation of damage. The investigated failure modes are buckling of the debonded face sheets, debond propagation and face sheet failure. The postbuckling failure mode is mainly determined by the fracture toughness of the core and the bending stiffness and strength of the face sheets. The presented approach and results can be used to determine how sandwich panels should be constituted, or not, to promote damage progression favourable for efficient energy absorption during in-plane crushing. The prolonged damage propagation is very complex as it is strongly non-linear and depends on a combination of stiffness, strength and geometry of the constituent materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The vascular endothelium of the coronary arteries has been identified as the important organ that locally regulates coronary perfusion and cardiac function by paracrine secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive peptides. NO is constitutively produced in endothelial cells by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). NO derived from this enzyme exerts important biological functions including vasodilatation, scavenging of superoxide and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Routine cardiac surgery or cardiologic interventions lead to a serious temporary or persistent disturbance in NO homeostasis. The clinical consequences are “endothelial dysfunction”, leading to “myocardial dysfunction”: no- or low-reflow phenomenon and temporary reduction of myocardial pump function. Uncoupling of eNOS (one electron transfer to molecular oxygen, the second substrate of eNOS) during ischemia-reperfusion due to diminished availability of L-arginine and/or tetrahydrobiopterin is even discussed as one major source of superoxide formation. Therefore maintenance of normal NO homeostasis seems to be an important factor protecting from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Both, the clinical situations of cardioplegic arrest as well as hypothermic cardioplegic storage are followed by reperfusion. However, the presently used cardioplegic solutions to arrest and/or store the heart, thereby reducing myocardial oxygen consumption and metabolism, are designed to preserve myocytes mainly and not endothelial cells. This review will focus on possible drug additives to cardioplegia, which may help to maintain normal NO homeostasis after I/R.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 930–940; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707272; published online 8 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curved sandwich beams subjected to opening bending moment are studied. Face-core debonds of varying size are introduced at the compressively loaded face sheet and the structural integrity is investigated. Analytical and finite element models are compared in order to identify the governing failure modes of the beams. A simple expression is presented as a tool for getting a quick estimate of the severity of an interface crack in a curved sandwich beam. Five different configurations of beams are tested experimentally in a custom made bending rig. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of the response of sandwich structures subjected to impact velocities of virtually 0 m/s and approximately 1000 m/s is conducted. The higher velocity exceeds both the longitudinal and the transverse wave propagation velocities of the core material in the sandwich panels. The objective is to investigate the possibility to simulate the damage from ballistic impact of sandwich panels through quasi-static experiments. Panels are impacted using a 40 mm Bofors AA gun and, using a similar projectile, other panels are indented quasi-statically. Energy absorption is measured in both test series. After impact, the panels are tested in in-plane compression together with one undamaged panel for reference. Residual strength of impacted panels is analyzed by finite element analysis. It is shown that the damage from high-velocity impact is limited, and it is possible to regain most of the undamaged strength by repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal inserts are occasionally used to improve bearing load capacity of bolted joints in laminated composite materials. This paper investigates a new reinforcement concept where inserts are built by locally replacing composite plies with metal patches of various diameters, surrounding the holes. The inserts are built during composite manufacturing by alternately placing the metal patches through the thickness of the laminate at locations where holes are to be drilled after consolidation. An extensive experimental study including pin-loaded, open–hole tensile, and single-shear testing of bolted specimens is presented. Considerable improvement of the bearing strength – 50-60% – is attained for pin-loaded specimens with inserts, demonstrating the potential of the reinforcement concept. The open–hole tensile tests show that the by-pass strength can be maintained or even improved with up to 20% if the inserts are properly designed. Finally, the results from the single-shear tests of bolted joints show more than 25% improvement in strength for reinforced single- and double-bolt specimens. It is possible that the inserts would maintain clamping pressure over time, which could then almost double the imrovement (47%) for bolted joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal inserts are sometimes used to improve the load carrying capacity of bolted joints in composite materials. In this paper a new concept is introduced where inserts are built during composite manufacturing by integrating stacked metal patches at locations where holes are to be made after consolidation. Initial tests and a parameter study enable more informed design, and specimens with improved stacked inserts are then produced and tested. The specimens with inserts show up to 60% strength improvement in pin-loaded tests. In addition to the experimental work, finite element analysis is performed to investigate the stress fields and the failure mechanisms. The model indicates that the singular stresses at the multi-material corner points are governing for the strength and give indications of the failure mechanisms. Some basic analytical estimates are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The initial oxidation of iron and the effect of different O2/H2O mixtures have been investigated through ESEM in situ exposure and analysis at 500°C. In dry and wet air a two-layered magnetite forms beneath a thin, fine-grained hematite layer, while only a two-layered magnetite forms in H2O. The two-layered magnetite is separated by a straight interface (in all environments), which is suggested to be the original metal surface. The presence of low levels of water vapour (∼1% H2O) produces a thicker hematite layer (compared to dry air), exhibiting a large number of whiskers. At least four different factors are suggested to influence the local growth rate: the surface of the metal grain, the thickness of the hematite layer, the oxide grain size and the exposure environment. The ESEM in situ exposures have in addition been shown to have high quality and reproducibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neutrophil dysfunction in alcoholic hepatitis is associated with endotoxemia and an increased incidence of infection, but the mechanism is unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like-receptors (TLR)2, 4, and 9 in mediating neutrophil dysfunction in alcoholic hepatitis. Neutrophils from healthy volunteers were incubated with alcoholic hepatitis patients' plasma (n = 12) with and without TLR2, 4, or 9 antagonists and with and without human albumin. TLR2, 4, and 9 expression, neutrophil oxidative burst, phagocytosis, and CXCR1+2 expression were measured by FACS analysis. Patients' plasma increased oxidative burst, decreased CXCR1+2 expression, and decreased phagocytosis of normal neutrophils in association with increased expression of TLR2, 4, and 9 and depletion of ATP. Inhibition of TLR2, 4, and 9 prevented the increase in oxidative burst and the decrease in CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression but did not prevent phagocytic dysfunction. Incubation with albumin completely prevented the patient plasma induced neutrophil dysfunction. Increased expression of TLR2, 4, and 9 is associated with neutrophil dysfunction, endotoxemia, arid energy depletion. TLR2, 4, and 9 inhibition does not improve phagocytosis, indicating that TLR overexpression may be the result and not the cause of neutrophil activation. Albumin, an endotoxin scavenger, prevents the deleterious effect of patients' plasma on neutrophil phagocytosis, resting burst, and TLR expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study evaluates the effects of diltiazem administered during reperfusion on hemodynamic, metabolic, and ultrastructural postischemic outcome. Methods: Hearts of 38 adult White New Zealand rabbits underwent 60 min of global cold ischemia followed by 40 min of reperfusion in an erythrocyte perfused isolated working heart model. Hearts were randomly assigned to four groups and received diltiazem (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μmol/l) during reperfusion only, or served as control. Results: The postischemic time courses of heart rate, aortic flow, and external stroke work clearly reflected the dose-dependent negative chronotropic and inotropic efficacy of diltiazem in the two higher concentrations. High energy phosphates (HEP) determined from myocardial biopsies taken after 40 min of reperfusion were significantly better preserved in all treatment groups compared to control hearts. Similarly ultrastructural grading of mitochondria and myofilaments revealed a significant reduction of reperfusion injury in hearts that received diltiazem compared to control. Conclusions: Diltiazem protects mitochondrial integrity and function, thereby preserving myocardial HEP levels. Only low dose diltiazem (0.1 μmol/l) during reperfusion combines both, optimal mitochondrial preservation with minimal changes in hemodynamics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]