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We develop a semi-analytical model for transport in structured catalytic microreactors, where both reactant and product are compressible fluids. Using lubrication and Fick–Jacobs approximations, we reduce the three-dimensional governing equations to an effective one-dimensional set of equations. Our model captures the effect of compressibility, corrugations in the shape of the reactor, and an inhomogeneous catalytic coating of the reactor walls. We show that in the weakly compressible limit (e.g., liquid-phase reactors), the distribution of catalyst does not influence the reactor yield, which we verify experimentally. Beyond this limit, we show that introducing inhomogeneities in the catalytic coating and corrugations to the reactor walls can improve the yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental studies of the shock wave properties of two epoxy resins with the same composition but different curing temperatures (160 and 200 °C) at up to 330 GPa pressure have been carried out. Laser interferometry was used to record particle velocity profiles at up to 73 GPa pressure while measuring the shock wave velocity. The release sound velocity was experimentally determined in the 3–73 GPa pressure range. Cumulative explosive shock wave generators were used to study the shock Hugoniot of epoxy resins at pressures above 100 GPa. It was shown that the shock compressibility data of both samples are approximated by a single shock Hugoniot within the experimental error. A kink on Hugoniot recorded close to 25 GPa pressure indicates a chemical decomposition in epoxy resin. Above this kink, a change in the shock wave front structure was recorded. Hugoniots of epoxy resin and unidirectional carbon/epoxy composite were compared at up to 370 GPa pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we performed a numerical investigation of the thermophysical properties of liquid (U, Zr) mixtures, which are particularly relevant in the context of hypothetical nuclear accidents and the formation of in-vessel coriums. To do so, atomistic simulations leveraging classical molecular dynamics and an interatomic potential developed for solid (U, Zr) structures are performed. Our methodology is first validated by comparing the predictions of our model for the melting temperature and the structure factors to experimental, phase diagram, and ab initio data. We then use the approach to evaluate the temperature and composition dependence of four fundamental properties in the context of coriums: density, heat capacity, compressibility, and viscosity. Systematic comparisons to the existing experimental data are performed and discussed. In particular, the viscosity of liquid (U, Zr) mixtures is investigated by comparing diffusion calculations and the Stokes–Einstein formula as well as the results obtained with the Green–Kubo methodology, empirical predictions, and experimental data. Notably, the viscosity of the mixtures is predicted to be significantly higher than that of the single-element liquids, which is unexpected and could have crucial consequences on the early stages of the formation and flow of in-vessel corium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal compressibility (i.e., related to the asymptotic number variance) of equilibrium liquid water as a function of temperature is minimal under near-ambient conditions. This anomalous non-monotonic temperature dependence is due to a balance between thermal fluctuations and the formation of tetrahedral hydrogen-bond networks. Since tetrahedrality is a many-body property, it will also influence the higher-order moments of density fluctuations, including the skewness and kurtosis. To gain a more complete picture, we examine these higher-order moments that encapsulate many-body correlations using a recently developed, advanced platform for local density fluctuations. We study an extensive set of simulated phases of water across a range of temperatures (80–1600 K) with various degrees of tetrahedrality, including ice phases, equilibrium liquid water, supercritical water, and disordered nonequilibrium quenches. We find clear signatures of tetrahedrality in the higher-order moments, including the skewness and excess kurtosis, which scale for all cases with the degree of tetrahedrality. More importantly, this scaling behavior leads to non-monotonic temperature dependencies in the higher-order moments for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium phases. Specifically, under near-ambient conditions, the higher-order moments vanish most rapidly for large length scales, and the distribution quickly converges to a Gaussian in our metric. However, under non-ambient conditions, higher-order moments vanish more slowly and hence become more relevant, especially for improving information-theoretic approximations of hydrophobic solubility. The temperature non-monotonicity that we observe in the full distribution across length scales could shed light on water's nested anomalies, i.e., reveal new links between structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a computational method based on Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) that introduces solvent hydrodynamic interactions to coarse-grained models of solutes, such as ions, molecules, or polymers. DPD-solvent (DPDS) is a fully off-lattice method that allows straightforward incorporation of hydrodynamics at desired solvent viscosity, compressibility, and solute diffusivity with any particle-based solute model. Solutes interact with the solvent only through the DPD thermostat, which ensures that the equilibrium properties of the solute system are not affected by the introduction of the DPD solvent, while the thermostat coupling strength sets the desired solute diffusivity. Thus, DPDS can be used as a replacement for traditional molecular dynamics thermostats such as Nosé–Hoover and Langevin. We demonstrate the applicability of DPDS in the case of polymer dynamics and electroosmotic flow through a nanopore. The method should be broadly useful as a means to introduce hydrodynamic interactions to existing coarse-grained models of solutes and soft materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of local density fluctuations are crucial to characterizing the interfacial properties of equilibrium fluids. A specific case that has been well-explored involves the heightened compressibility of water near hydrophobic entities. Commonly, a spatial profile of local fluctuation strength is constructed from the measurements of the mean and variance of solvent particle number fluctuations in a set of contiguous subvolumes of the system adjacent to the solvo-/hydrophobe. An alternative measure proposed by Evans and Stewart [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 27, 194111 (2015)] defines a local compressibility profile in terms of the chemical potential derivative of the spatial number density profile. Using Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation, we compare and contrast the efficacy of these two approaches for a Lennard-Jones solvent at spherical and planar solvophobic interfaces and SPC/E water at a hydrophobic spherical solute. Our principal findings are as follows: (i) the local compressibility profile χ(r) of Evans and Stewart is considerably more sensitive to variations in the strength of local density fluctuations than the spatial fluctuation profile F (r) and can resolve much more detailed structure; and (ii) while the local compressibility profile is essentially independent of the choice of spatial discretization used to construct the profile, the spatial fluctuation profile exhibits a strong systematic dependence on the size of the subvolumes on which the profile is defined. We clarify the origin and nature of this finite-size effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Tutorial focuses on the physics of layered compounds under high pressure. We have chosen h-BN and III–VI layered materials as representative materials. h-BN layers are strictly two-dimensional. Layers in III–VI compounds are more complex, and subtle details in their structural behavior play an important role in the evolution of high pressure properties. They are also interesting because they contain a different number of layers in their primitive unit cell and/or have a different ionic character. We begin describing the structural evolution. We discuss the experimental challenges encountered as well as the main findings related to intra- and interlayer compressibility, polytype influence, and geometrical modifications induced by pressure inside the layers. We then describe lattice vibrations. The origin of the modes is reviewed, paying attention to the relationships between atom motions in different layers. We discuss the convenience of redefining the Grüneisen parameter and describe the behavior of rigid layer modes, soft modes, and Davidov pairs. The last section is devoted to the electronic properties. We show that the changes observed when passing from a single layer to a three-dimensional BN are qualitatively similar to those induced by high pressure. The pressure behavior of electronic transitions in III–VI layered compounds is very rich, revealing the subtle balance between intra- and inter-layer interactions. Finally, we take advantage of high pressure studies to explain the formation of the Mexican hat type of valence band at ambient conditions in single layers of InSe and GaSe, but not in three-dimensional compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a high-pressure study on fergusonite-type LaNbO4. Powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic experiments support the occurrence of a phase transition between 11 and 14 GPa. The transition takes place from a monoclinic fergusonite-type structure (space group I2/a) to another monoclinic structure (space group P21/c). The phase transition is reversible, and the high-pressure phase is isomorphic to the high-pressure phase of HoNbO4. The high-pressure phase remains stable up to 33.3 GPa, the highest pressure reached in the present measurements. Density-functional theory calculations found that in the pressure range of the studies; the high-pressure phase has a higher enthalpy than the low-pressure fergusonite phase. We propose that the high-pressure phase is metastable and it is observed because of non-hydrostatic conditions in the experiments. The pressure dependence of unit-cell parameters of the low-pressure phase and the room-temperature equation of state are reported. The pressure dependence of various Raman and IR frequencies as obtained from experiment and theory is also reported. For the fergusonite phase, we have also obtained the isothermal compressibility tensor, elastics constants, and elastic moduli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We consider a two‐component asymmetric complex plasma of finite‐size macroions with charges Z$$ Z $$ (Z≫1$$ Z\gg 1 $$) and point oppositely charged microions with unit charges. System pressure is calculated within the framework of the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation by obtaining the Coulomb nonideal parts of interaction energy and Helmholtz free energy. It is shown that both the pressure and plasma isothermal compressibility are positive over the entire range of macroion concentrations. We compared pressure and isothermal compressibility in linearized approximations and in the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation where the nonlinear screening effect is taken into account and showed a significant difference for some macroions concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of a synthetic whitlockite, Ca9Mg(PO3OH) (PO4)6, have been conducted at high pressures or high temperatures. The results show that whitlockite is stable up to ~15 GPa at ambient temperature and undergoes a thermally induced dehydrogenation to merrillite above 973 K at ambient pressure. The obtained pressure-volume data were fitted using a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, yielding an isothermal bulk modulus of K0 = 79(4) GPa with a pressure derivative of K 0 ′ = 4.3(6). When K 0 ′ was fixed at 4, the refined isothermal bulk modulus was 81(1) GPa. The volumetric thermal expansion coefficient (αV) is 4.05(8) × 10-5 K−1, and the axial thermal expansion coefficients (αa and αc) are 1.07(5) × 10−5 K−1 and 1.91(6) × 10−5 K−1. Both compressibility and thermal expansion show an axial anisotropy. The effects of pressure and temperature on the Raman spectra of whitlockite have been quantitatively analyzed. The isothermal and isobaric mode Grüneisen parameters and the intrinsic anharmonic mode parameters of whitlockite were derived. Some amounts of OH−-bearing whitlockite may be preserved in meteorites if whitlockite undergoes a low-temperature process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine clays are soft clays with low shear strength and high compressibility. These soils are prone to seawater intrusion, due to which their engineering properties may be altered. Therefore, the effect of salinity on engineering properties of marine clay has to be investigated prior to any engineering activity in those areas. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the effect of salinity on various geotechnical properties of Cochin marine clay. As sodium chloride is the most abundant mineral salt in seawater, the effect of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% sodium chloride on marine clay for different curing periods were studied. The results of the study show that liquid limit decreases whereas the strength and compressibility characteristics improve as the concentration of salinity increases. Leaching, however, reverses these improvements, amplifying compressibility by 30% and decreasing pre-consolidation pressure by almost 50%. ITherefore, prior to design of any foundation structures on coastal areas prone to salt water intrusion, the behaviour of clay with variation in salinity should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polymeric foam materials can show a strongly non linear compressible elastic response. For certain applications, it is necessary to know the volumetric behavior of the material under hydrostatic compression. Existing devices for hydrostatic compression testing use a multiaxial testing machine or a fluid to transmit pressure to the foam. They are either complex to set up, or do not allow for hydrostatic pressures of several MPa to be applied or for volume variations of several tens of percent to be achieved. Besides, when pressure is applied to the sample via a fluid, it is difficult to prevent penetration of the fluid into the foam, particularly when it is open-cell. Objective: This paper presents a hydrostatic compression test for polymeric foams that does not present these limitations. Methods: A cylinder of a nearly incompressible material (silicone) is molded around a spherical sample of the polymeric foam of interest. The whole set is subjected to confined compression in a rigid chamber. Post-processing is developed, based on finite element analysis, to determine the hydrostatic stress in the foam and its volume ratio from the axial load and displacement data. Results: Finite element simulations show that the foam sample is subjected to a state close to hydrostatic compression. The test was applied to several samples of elastomeric microcellular polyurethane foams of different densities. The results are in line with expectations, with limited scattering. Conclusions: The Sphere Foam In Rubber (SFIR) test allows to reach volume reductions of several tens of percents and hydrostatic stress levels of several MPa, on any kind of polymeric foams, provided that its bulk modulus is at least 100 times lower than that of the surrounding nearly incompressible material used. It can be easily implemented with very standard equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The output force of soft-pneumatic actuators is critical for their applications. However, the hyperelasticity of its material and the high compressibility of the actuation medium, i.e., air, lead to a strong asymmetric hysteresis, which poses a great challenge for its force control. An attention CNN (Convolution Neural Network)–AUPI (Amplitude-dependent Un-parallel Prandtl–Ishlinskii)-based force-position hysteresis modeling method for soft actuators is proposed. Based on the preliminary fitting of the asymmetric hysteresis curve by AUPI, the attention CNN mechanism extracts the global features of the hysteresis information, prevents the model from overfitting, and greatly improves the accuracy and generalization ability of the composite model. Experiments show that the CNN–AUPI model has excellent hysteresis fitting for soft joint actuators, with a maximum relative error of only 6.1% and a goodness-of-fit of more than 0.99. The proposed CNN–AUPI model is also compared with other hysteresis models, and the results show that the CNN–AUPI model not only has a high modeling accuracy but also has a strong prediction capability, which provides a promising method for hysteresis modeling of soft actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have explored the utilization of nanoparticles to improve the properties of soils for various geotechnical construction applications. However, the potential of nanoparticles and their mechanisms of action in enhancing the behavior of industrial byproduct pozzolanic materials has not been properly examined. Hence, in the present study, we aimed to investigate and optimize montmorillonite nanoclay (m-NC) content to improve the engineering properties (unconfined compressive strength, compressibility and permeability) of fly ash with and without lime treatment. In addition, we examined the leaching potential of metal ions through m-NC amended with untreated and lime-treated fly ash by performing leachate column and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) tests. The mechanisms of change in the engineering properties of lime-treated fly ash with m-NC were uncovered through several microlevel investigations. The results revealed that the strength of untreated and lime-treated fly ash was enhanced significantly with the addition of m-NC. Furthermore, the addition of m-NC to fly ash led to increased compressibility but in same time, it reduces for lime-treated fly ash. However, the permeability of untreated and lime-treated fly ash decreased with the addition of m-NC. The leaching potential of metal ions decreased significantly with the addition m-NC to fly ash. Microlevel investigations confirmed the plate-like fine particles having higher specific surface area of m-NC, improvement in gradation with filling of voids and acceleration in pozzolanic reactivity and thereby formation of silicate and aluminate hydrated cementitious compounds are the key factors in controlling the behavior of lime-treated fly ash with m-NC content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the data volume continues to grow exponentially, there is an increasing demand for large storage system capacity. Data compression techniques effectively reduce the volume of written data, enhancing space efficiency. As a result, many modern SSDs have already incorporated data compression capabilities. However, data compression introduces additional processing overhead in critical I/O paths, potentially affecting system performance. Currently, most compression solutions in flash-based storage systems employ fixed compression algorithms for all incoming data without leveraging differences among various data access patterns. This leads to sub-optimal compression efficiency. This article proposes a data-type-aware Flash Translation Layer (DAFTL) scheme to maximize space efficiency without compromising system performance. First, we propose an I/O behavior prediction method to forecast future access on specific data. Then, DAFTL matches data types with distinct I/O behaviors to compression algorithms of varying intensities, achieving an optimal balance between performance and space efficiency. Specifically, it employs higher-intensity compression algorithms for less frequently accessed data to maximize space efficiency. For frequently accessed data, it utilizes lower-intensity but faster compression algorithms to maintain system performance. Finally, an improved compact compression method is proposed to effectively eliminate page fragmentation and further enhance space efficiency. Extensive evaluations using a variety of real-world workloads, as well as the workloads with real data we collected on our platforms, demonstrate that DAFTL achieves more data reductions than other approaches. When compared to the state-of-the-art compression schemes, DAFTL reduces the total number of pages written to the SSD by an average of 8%, 21.3%, and 25.6% for data with high, medium, and low compressibility, respectively. In the case of workloads with real data, DAFTL achieves an average reduction of 10.4% in the total number of pages written to SSD. Furthermore, DAFTL exhibits comparable or even improved read and write performance compared to other solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, SeDeM–ODT parametric tests were performed to determine the use of ludipress as a directly compressible tableting excipient for the development of a flurbiprofen orally disintegrating tablet. The preformulation features of different formulations (F1 –F9) were analyzed by the SeDeM–ODT tool which showed that all the powder blends were appropriate for direct compression since all the blends had index of good compressibility and bucodispersibility (IGCB) values above 5, signifying direct compression is the most appropriate method. The powder blend of the optimized formulation was assessed by the DSC–TGA technique. The optimization of nine different formulations blends of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) was prepared in various ratios by the implementation of design of experiments (DoE), using the central composite design by selecting ludipress (X1) (49–55%) and croscarmellose sodium (X2) (1–5%) while hardness, friability, and disintegration tests were selected as responses. The optimized formulations were evaluated by various tests and the results indicated that all the formulations were found to be in adequate range. Formulations were subjected to stability studies at accelerated states following ICH guidelines. Shelf life was found to be 51.144–56.186 months. Results of multiple-point dissolution studies revealed that formulations followed the Higuchi kinetic model. This study revealed that the SeDeM—ODT tool has been successfully used to determine the compression behavior of active compounds and their powder blends for the direct compression (DC) method in formulating flurbiprofen–ODT tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The responses of MIL-122(Al, Ga, In) to pressure or temperature have been investigated. The findings suggest that the a-axis in the lattice exhibits minimal compressibility, particularly zero linear compressibility (ZLC) behavior observed in MIL-122(In), consistent with experimental reports. Additionally, as the radius of metal atoms increases, the compressibility of the b-axis and c-axis gradually strengthens. There is a notable compositional dependence on volume thermal expansion in MIL-122(Al, Ga, In), where an increase in the metal atom radius leads to gradual weakening of volume thermal expansion. In particular, MIL-122(In) demonstrates pronounced volume negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior, with the a-axis displaying zero thermal expansion (ZTE) behavior and both the b-axis and c-axis exhibiting NTE behavior. The temperature-dependent relative change in the bulk modulus of MIL-122(Al, Ga, In) has also been explored, revealing abnormal thermal hardening specifically within MIL-122(Ga, In). We attribute these unique uniaxial ZTE and ZLC behaviors in MIL-122(In) to its distinctive wine-rack topology, anomalous phonons (negative Grüneisen parameters), and internal structural flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most biosensing techniques require complex processing steps that generate prolonged workflows and introduce potential points of error. Here, we report an acoustic pipette to purify and label biomarkers in 70 minutes. A key aspect of this technology is the use of functional negative acoustic contrast particles (fNACPs), which display biorecognition motifs for the specific capture of biomarkers from whole blood. Because of their large size and compressibility, the fNACPs robustly trap along the pressure antinodes of a standing wave and separate from blood components in under 60 seconds with >99% efficiency. fNACPs are subsequently fluorescently labeled in the pipette and are analyzed by both a custom, portable fluorimeter and flow cytometer. We demonstrate the detection of anti-ovalbumin antibodies from blood at picomolar levels (35 to 60 pM) with integrated controls showing minimal nonspecific adsorption. Overall, this system offers a simple and versatile approach for the rapid, sensitive, and specific capture of biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal and reutilization of the enormous amounts of slurry-like mud (MS) dredged from navigation channel construction, ecological dredging, and other construction activities have been receiving increasing attention. In this paper, a flocculation–solidification–high-pressure filtration combined method (FSHCM) is used to treat MS, and the consolidation characteristics of The SHCM-treated MS are studied by conducting a series of one-dimensional consolidation compression tests. Various parameters, including the dosage of the curing agent, initial water content, and dry weight of the MS, are systematically analyzed to evaluate their influence on the consolidation behavior. The experimental results demonstrate that higher curing agent and initial water contents enhance the structural yield stress and compressive resistance, while increased dry weight decreases the structural yield stress but increases the compressive strain and void ratio. As the curing age increases, the ability of the FSHCM-treated MS to resist compressive deformation is further enhanced. In addition, the compressibility of the mud cake samples changes significantly at the yield point. This study has practical guiding significance for the optimal design and long-term application of FSHCM-treated MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A filtration system comprising a Biot poroelastic solid coupled to an incompressible Stokes free‐flow is considered in 3D. Across the flat 2D interface, the Beavers‐Joseph‐Saffman coupling conditions are taken. In the inertial, linear, and non‐degenerate case, the hyperbolic‐parabolic coupled problem is posed through a dynamics operator on a chosen energy space, adapted from Stokes‐Lamé coupled dynamics. A semigroup approach is utilized to circumvent issues associated to mismatched trace regularities at the interface. The generation of a strongly continuous semigroup for the dynamics operator is obtained via a non‐standard maximality argument. The latter employs a mixed‐variational formulation in order to invoke the Babuška‐Brezzi theorem. The Lumer‐Philips theorem then yields semigroup generation, and thereby, strong and generalized solutions are obtained. For the linear dynamics, density obtains the existence of weak solutions; we extend to the case where the Biot compressibility of constituents degenerates. Thus, for the inertial linear Biot‐Stokes filtration system, we provide a clear elucidation of strong solutions and a construction of weak solutions, as well as their regularity through associated estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the density of CO2 + n-decane is crucial for designing and operating CO2 capture, transport, and storage. The safety and effectiveness of CO2 burial is directly affected by the density of CO2 + n-decane mixtures. The liquid densities of CO2(1) + n-decane(2) mixtures with mole fractions of CO2 x1 = 0, 0.2032, 0.4434, 0.7589, and 0.8947 were measured using a vibrating tube densimeter. The combined expanded uncertainties of density with a level of confidence of 0.95 are estimated to be 0.6 kg·m−3. A total of 221 compressed liquid densities of CO2(1) + n-decane(2) mixtures along the five isotherms between T = (283 and 363) K with pressures up to 100 MPa were presented. The densities of mixtures were correlated by the modified Tait equation, resulting in absolute average deviations between the experimental and calculated values of 0.028%, 0.013%, 0.017%, 0.044%, and 0.042%. In addition, the isothermal compressibility, isobaric thermal expansivity, and excess molar volume were derived from the modified Tait equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To suppress the adverse effect of the gear windage phenomenon in the high-speed aeronautic industry, a shroud as an effective alternative strategy is usually to enclose gears to reduce the windage behaviors of high-speed gears. To deeply understand these no-load power losses, this paper proposes a new simulation methodology based on the Lattice Boltzmann method to study the windage losses of a shrouded spur gear and conducts a series of numerical studies. The models reproduce a shroud spur gear varying radial and axial clearances to evaluate the influence of casing walls on windage losses. The simulation results were then compared with experimental values, showing a satisfactory agreement. Furthermore, a torque containment factor integrating the air compressibility at high Mach numbers is introduced to represent the reduction in torque (windage power losses) for the shrouded gear compared to the free case, and the theoretical formulae for predicting windage power losses are further improved for better applicability as the tight shroud approaches the gear during the preliminary design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) developed from electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers offer flexibility and superior piezoelectric output, making them promising for self‐powered systems and sensors. Nonetheless, the electromechanical conversion efficiency of conventional electrospun PVDF fibers is impeded by their limited pressure‐strain range. Herein, elastic porous PVDF microspheres are introduced in‐situ via electrospinning to craft a piezoelectric membrane with higher compressive strain. The PVDF microspheres are uniformly embedded between the fibers in a sandwich fashion, and their dimension is easily tunable by varying spinning solution's concentration. Moreover, the micropores on the PVDF microspheres created by removing pre‐mixed SiO2 template not only elevates the β crystal content of PVDF to 82.19%, but also improves the compressibility, significantly boosting the piezoelectric output. The microsphere alloyed PVDF PEH delivers a piezoelectric output of 33.0 V and a power density of 8 μW/cm2, over 5.8 times that of conventional electrospun PVDF membrane, and can consistently charge lithium‐ion batteries. Our research unveils a novel strategic path to modify fiber structured PEHs, advancing their applications in self‐powered systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas-solid triboelectric nanogenerators (GS-TENGs) based on porous elastomers provide a promising avenue for the design of self-powered sensors. However, the intrinsic limitation of low electric output in GS-TENGs could affect the accuracy and sensitivity of sensing systems. Here, we develop a porous composite by integrating an adhesive poly(siloxane-diphenylglyoxime-urethane) (PSDU) elastomer with ferroelectric (3,3-difluorocyclobutylammonium) 2 CuCl4 [(DF-CBA) 2CuCl4] fillers. PSDU, an intrinsically triboelectric negative material with alternating hard-soft segments and supramolecular bonds, imparts excellent compressibility, adhesion, and self-healing properties to the composite. Simultaneously, the incorporation of (DF-CBA) 2CuCl4 as functional fillers leverages the formation of a hydrogen bonding network to enhance charge transfer processes. These fillers facilitate charge accumulation through an electric poling process, resulting in a power output improvement that surpasses 1400 times higher than that of a dense PSDU-based GS-TENG. Tapping onto the versatile properties of porous poly(siloxane-diphenylglyoxime-urethane)-perovskite (PSDU-PK) GS-TENGs, applications such as hand gesture/food recognition and dual-mode sensing system have been demonstrated, suggesting their promising potential in wearable electronics and smart agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction zone structure of spontaneous reaction wave at steady subsonic and supersonic speeds is discussed using numerical simulation and theoretical approaches. The main objective of this study is to develop the mathematical model of the spontaneous reaction wave propagating at a steady speed and to clarify the relationship between the reaction zone structure and non-dimensional parameters. A one-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the spontaneous reaction wave propagation is performed, and the modeling assumptions are discussed based on the numerical results. The non-dimensional parameters, the Damköhler number and a parameter related to compressibility defined by the Mach number of the spontaneous reaction wave velocity, are introduced into the modeling. The mathematical model is developed using asymptotic techniques, and the solution of the reaction zone structure is analytically derived using Newton’s method. The relationship between reaction zone structure of spontaneous reaction wave and non-dimensional parameters is discussed based on the analytical solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ceramic precursor fibers were prepared by a simple solution blowing spinning (SBS) method, and compressible, heat-resistant zirconia-doped alumina (ZDA) submicrometer fiber mats with a diameter of 400–800 nm were obtained by subsequent calcination. By doping ZrO2 in alumina fibers via the solution route, it can be confirmed by the analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Raman spectra, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images that the nano-t-ZrO2 formed at 1000 °C could retard the phase transition of Al2O3 from γ-phase to α-phase at high temperatures and effectively inhibit the growth of α-Al2O3 grains, then the consequent deterioration of mechanical properties and thermal stability could be alleviated. As a result, the ZDA submicrometer fiber mats exhibited improved compressibility and flexibility. The ZDA submicrometer fiber mats had thermal stability from −196 °C (liquid nitrogen) to above 1000 °C, making them suitable candidates for thermal insulation in extremely low-temperature environments and high-temperature industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and efficient mixing of high-speed shear flow formed by fuel and oxidizer is of great importance for the improvement of rocket-based combined cycle engine performance. Nevertheless, the existence of compressibility effects of high-speed flow significantly inhibits the growth process of a mixing layer. Moreover, a finite-length combustor of the engine calls for more effective enhanced-mixing strategies to complete mixing in a shorter streamwise distance. To this end, in present paper, the strategy called dual plate cavity (DPC) is proposed to promote mixing. Three cases including the benchmark, front-DPC and back-DPC cases are selected to perform the comparative study. By means of high-order direct numerical simulations, the structure evolution characteristics and turbulence intensity distributions are researched. The index of velocity thickness is utilized to assess the mixing layer growth. The results indicate that with the introduction of DPC, the mixing process is dramatically promoted. The penetration behavior of newly found T-shaped structures into the upper main stream can engulf more fluid into the mixing region. Specifically, in the back-DPC case, the coexistence of both large-scale and small-scale structures in the far flow field can improve the turbulence intensity. The spatial correlation analysis results show that with the influence of DPC, the structure sizes are much larger than that of the benchmark case in the same streamwise position. Meanwhile, the contour line equal to 0.5 possesses property of distortion for the back-DPC case. The drastic pulsation of a mixing layer edge can obviously promote the mixing process. Through exploration of the enhanced-mixing mechanisms, this work indicates that the proposed DPC strategy is a good candidate for efficient mixing, and in the future, more detailed work including three-dimensional simulations concerning the strategy optimization is suggested to be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of high-pressure fluid induces the closure of isolated pores inside the matrix and promotes the generation of new fractures, resulting in a compressive effect on the matrix. To examine the compressibility of coal-measure shale samples, the compression of the coal–shale matrix in the high-pressure stage was analyzed by a low-pressure nitrogen gas adsorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry experiment. The quantitative parameters describing the heterogeneity of the pore-size distribution of coal-measure shale are obtained using multifractal theory. The results indicate that the samples exhibit compressibility values ranging from 0.154 × 10−5 MPa−1 to 4.74 × 10−5 MPa−1 across a pressure range of 12–413 MPa. The presence of pliable clay minerals enhances the matrix compressibility, whereas inflexible brittle minerals exhibit resistance to matrix compression. There is a reduction in local fluctuations of pore volume across different pore sizes, an improvement in the autocorrelation of PSD, and a mitigation of nonuniformity after correction. Singular and dimension spectra have advantages in multifractal characterization. The left and right spectral width parameters of the singular spectrum emphasize the local differences between the high- and low-value pore volume areas, respectively, whereas the dimensional spectrum width is more suitable for reflecting the overall heterogeneity of the PSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal oxide aerogels, inorganic cousins of the highly commercialized metalloid oxide silica aerogels, exhibit distinct properties specific to each type. Nevertheless, they share a common challenge with silica aerogels—brittleness and low mechanical strength due to their particulate necklace‐like structure. In contrast, polymer aerogels often boast significantly enhanced mechanical properties thanks to their nanofibrillated networks. To enhance the mechanical properties of metal oxide aerogels, the metal oxide formation with a polymeric nanostructure is micro‐templated. This method transforms the necklace‐like particulate microstructure of metal oxide aerogels (e.g., Al2O3 Cr2O3, and Fe2O3) into a polymer‐like nanobelt structure. Remarkably, even after removing the polymer template through calcination at 600 °C, the nanobelt structure remains intact. These metal oxide nanobelt (MNB) aerogels exhibit exceptional compressibility while retaining their mesoporous structure. As a demonstration, the resulting Al‐MNB aerogel can withstand compression up to 80% strain without fracturing while preserving its porous nanobelt structure and a high specific surface area of 228 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 0.7 cm3 g−1 after heat treatment at 1300 °C. This work introduces an innovative strategy for creating a distinctive polymer‐like nanobelt microstructure, paving the way for novel applications of metal oxide aerogels with unique structures and enhanced performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical-property-based patterning is an alternative biofabrication approach that relies on the application of a remote field, and the intrinsic properties of the objects or materials of interest, to simply create complex tissues. Both buoyant and gravitational forces can rapidly create tissue gradients without any hardware, highlighting the appeal of in situ density-based patterning. Recent advances now allow for the magnetic patterning of naturally diamagnetic cells using paramagnetic solutions, including crosslinkable hydrogels. New methods have been developed to change the compressibility of a cell, enabling differential cell separation and alignment within an acoustic field. The field of biofabrication is rapidly expanding with the advent of new technologies and material systems to engineer complex tissues. In this opinion article, we introduce an emerging tissue patterning method, physical-property-based patterning, that has strong translational potential given its simplicity and limited dependence on external hardware. Physical-property-based patterning relies solely on the intrinsic density, magnetic susceptibility, or compressibility of an object, its surrounding solution, and the noncontact application of a remote field. We discuss how physical properties can be exploited to pattern objects and design a variety of biologic tissues. Finally, we pose several open questions that, if addressed, could transform the status quo of biofabrication, pushing us one step closer to patterning tissues in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of using Prefabricated Horizontal Drains (PHDs) placed in layers under vacuum preloading can significantly speed up consolidation of staged-filled soil slurry. The PHDs can settle with the soil slurry and maintain their shape/pattern and dewatering capacity largely in comparison with Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs). This study presents a field trial focused on treating dredged sediments using PHDs under vacuum preloading for land reclamation purposes. The staged filling involved in the field trial is analyzed using a finite strain consolidation model based on the piecewise-linear finite-difference method. Then, the effects of horizontal and vertical spacings of PHDs on settlement and vacuum consolidation rate are evaluated, considering various combinations of variables for staged-filled soil. It is found that for soils with low compressibility, the consolidation rate is primarily affected by the vertical spacing of PHD layers. For soils with higher compressibility, the consolidation rate is more significantly affected by the horizontal spacing of PHDs, and the final settlement after vacuum preloading is mainly influenced by the vertical spacing of PHD layers. This study provides practical recommendations for cost-effective design of horizontal and vertical spacings of PHDs in efficiently treating soil slurry with different compressibility and initial conditions. • A consolidation numerical model was developed for staged-filled soil mud with or without prefabricated horizontal drains. • Field trial conducted in Hong Kong involving vacuum consolidation of soil mud with PHDs was presented. • For soil with high compressibility, the vertical spacing of PHD layers has a pronounced impact on the final settlement. • Consolidation rate of soil with low compressibility is largely affected by the vertical spacing of PHD layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several tailings dam failures have highlighted the potential for instability under prevailing drained conditions, which can be represented in the laboratory using constant shear drained (CSD) loading. In this study, the mechanical response of three mine tailings gradations (coarse, intermediate, and fine) from a tin ore tailings storage facility subjected to CSD loading were evaluated. The experimental results were interpreted using the critical state soil mechanics framework and different instability criteria. Salient findings include the following: (1) the onset of instability in initially loose specimens was dictated by a tradeoff of volumetric strain components (i.e., elastic and plastic), which in turn governed the evolution of the dilatancy and plastic modulus, key properties for modern constitutive models that were also investigated in this study; (2) dense-type instabilities may occur for initial states above the critical state line; this response was observed in the fine tailings due to their compressibility and initial state before CSD stress relief; (3) variable rate tests suggested that drained creep in the intermediate tailings made the second-order work instability criterion unattainable; variable rate effects were manifested in the postinstability responses of the intermediate and fine tailings but not in those of the coarse tailings; and (4) existing instability criteria perform similarly when applicable, but they also have limitations. In this context, a new criterion is proposed by modifying an existing criterion. This study advances the understanding of the mechanical response of mine tailings, under nonstandard stress paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The shallow site investigation was done in the second campus of Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE) stadium and its environs with the aim to determine the shallow site level and also to estimate some geotechnical parameters for potential construction sites within the study area with the application of seismic refraction method. The research was done using seismograph (PASI GEA 24 model) using 24 geophones with 4 m spacing and the traverse distance for the area of investigation is 100m. The data acquired was interpreted after the unwanted signal has been removed in order to identify and estimate the thickness layer and velocities of different subsurface interfaces. From the three traverses employed around the investigated area, the results showed that the subsurface of the study area is made up of three layers. The first layer is a top soil with an average thickness of 7m and the P-wave velocity is 284.5 m/s. The second layer, which is a weathered Phyllite composition, has an average thickness and P-wave velocity of 24.5 m and 419.2 m/s respectively and this indicates that the saturated zone in this layer is vertically extensive. The third layer has the pwave velocity of 765.6 m/s, however, all the three layers has the same Poisson's ratio value of 0.35 and density value of 1800 kg/m3. From the values of other geotechnical parameters; which are young modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus and s-wave velocity. It is concluded that the first two layers are poor bearing capacity that have low shear strength and high compressibility due to the low values of the parameters compared to the third layer; however an additional geophysical method is recommended for more revelation of geophysical characteristics or features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firmly, the bearing capacity test of 1:1 equal ratio pillar under different constraint forms and different filling medium conditions was carried out. The results show that the binding pillar-forming effect is relatively good. The constraint ability of unconstrained, metal mesh, polyester mesh, hooked iron flat-hoop bushing, bellows, and spiral iron pipe is enhanced, in turn, and the carrying capacity is improved successfully. The homogeneity of high-water materials is better than concrete, and they have better compressibility, but their carrying capacity is relatively weak. The carrying capacity of concrete pillars is generously higher than that of high-water materials, but the compressibility is poor. Second, the migration characteristics of the surrounding rock structure of the gob-side entry retaining and the rule of side support are analyzed, the requirements of the side support are pointed out, and the side-support technology of the binding pillar is proposed. Taking Hijiata Mine's 50108 working face gob-side entry retaining as an example, the bellows pump-filled concrete pillar is used as the side support body, supplemented by handling steel mesh and air-duct cloth, and toughness material is sprayed between the pillars to seal the goaf, meeting the requirements of side support and road stability. The pillar has the characteristics of high early strength, strong final consolidation carrying capacity, good crimping effect, high mechanism degree, fast construction speed, less concrete consumption, low comprehensive cost, etc., and it has a good application prospect in the gob-side entry retaining or rapid advanced working face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to design, formulate and physiochemically evaluate toothpowder tablets using various herbs such as clove, cinnamon, ginger, amla and stevia by direct compression method as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional toothpaste. These small, bite-sized chewable tablets can be chewed into a paste before brushing, providing a similar effect to conventional oral toothpaste. Herbal toothpaste tablets were prepared in a dosage of 250 mg through direct compression. The powder blend was evaluation for various formulation characteristics, including bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, compressibility index and Hausner's ratio. Post-compression characteristics, such as weight variation, hardness, pH, friability, foamability and disintegration were also assessed. The best formulations were selected based on acceptable pre-compression and post-compression properties and microbial assay results. Among all the formulations, the F3 formulations of 250 mg tablets were chosen as the best due to their favorable physicochemical characteristics. These formulated herbal toothpowder tablets offer a promising alternative to traditional toothpaste in improving oral hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total volume of fluid fine tailings (FFT), reached 1,270 Mm3 in 2019. Extensive research is underway by a number of operators to develop dewatering technologies for oil sand tailings reclamation to comply with Directive 085 issued by the Alberta Energy Regulator. A promising technology for the disposal of FFT is to add flocculents and then use thickeners or centrifuges to decrease the water content. Following this treatment, freezing/thawing processes can then be utilized to further dewater the tailings. The effect of flocculation/flyash addition and thickening coupled with freezing/thawing treatments on FFT was investigated by performing large-strain consolidation and shear strength tests on the treated flocculated TTs. It was found that flocculation and thickening treatment increases the hydraulic conductivity of the treated TT which will result in the TT consolidating much faster than the untreated TT. The most important benefit of the flyash addition is the increase in shear strength and hydraulic conductivity of the flyash-treated TTs. The benefit of the freezing/thawing treatment processes coupled with flyash treatment is the increase in the compressibility and hydraulic conductivity at effective stresses lower than 100 kPa and void ratios greater than 1.2, respectively. This will facilitate earlier progressive reclamation required to support hydraulic sand capping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials that show significant negative linear compressibility (NLC) reported so far suffer from a number of shortcomings that affect their applicability. The cocrystal of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane and fumaric acid, which exhibits exceptional NLC behaviour, overcomes these problems and sets the foundation for the development of environmentally friendly metal-free NLC materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate and characterize the effect of compressibility and rarefaction on vortex structures in the benchmark lid-driven cavity flow. Direct numerical simulations are performed, employing the unified gas kinetic scheme to examine the changes in vortex generation mechanisms and the resulting flow structures at different Mach and Knudsen numbers. At high degrees of rarefaction, where inter-molecular interactions are minimal, the molecules mainly collide with the walls. Consequently, the dominant flow structure is a single vortex in the shape of the cavity. It is shown that increasing compressibility or decreasing rarefaction lead to higher molecular density in the cavity corners, due to more frequent inter-molecular collisions. This results in lower flow velocities, creating conditions conducive to the development of secondary and corner vortices. The physical processes underlying vortex formations at different Knudsen numbers, Mach numbers, and cavity shapes are explicated. A parametric map that classifies different regimes of vortex structures as a function of compressibility, rarefaction, and cavity shape is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize modified starch from Mangifera indica (mango) fruit using acid hydrolysis and pre-gelatinization via computer-assisted techniques as a substituent for pharmaceutical tableting excipients. The hydrolysis and microwave-assisted pre-gelatinization time and temperature were optimized using a three-level factorial design. The modified starches were characterized for flowability, compressibility, and swelling properties. It was found that all parameters fit a quadratic model, which can be used to predict the properties of the modified starch. The optimized hydrolysis reaction was 3.8 h at 56.4 °C, while the pre-gelatinization reaction was 3 min at 150 °C. Structural changes were found, ascertaining that starch modification was successful. The optimized hydrolyzed starch showed superior properties in relative to unmodified M. indica fruit starch and comparable characteristics to conventional excipients. The optimized pre-gelatinized starch presented an excellent enhancement in the flow and compression properties, with %swelling greatly augmented 3.95-fold and 1.24-fold compared to unmodified starch and SSG, respectively. Additionally, the pre-gelatinized starch presented comparable binding effect, while the hydrolyzed powder had reduced binding capacity due to shorter chains. The findings revealed that the use of software-assisted design of experiment facilitated a data-driven approach to optimize the modifications. The optimized modified mango starch demonstrated potential as a multifunctional excipient, capable of functioning as binder, disintegrant, and diluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper provides detailed investigations on void growth and crack-void interaction ahead of a moving crack-tip for a mode I crack in plastically compressible solid. A finite strain elastic-viscoplastic material model with hardening-hardening and hardening-softening-hardening hardness functions is used in the finite element simulation. The plastic compressibility leads to an increased crack opening displacement. The plastic compressibility together with material softening considerably increase stress triaxiality and decrease the void and crack growth. For plastically compressible solids, void growth is more in normal direction to the crack plane and increase in initial void size is accompanied by decrease in the crack and void growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SeDeM-ODT expert system is designed to assess the suitability of the pharmaceutical ingredients for their conversion into an orodispersible formulation by direct compression. The tool can be utilized to select the most appropriate excipients that improve the compressibility and buccodispersibility of the formulation. Objective: This study aimed to utilize the SeDeM-ODT expert system to evaluate the performance of superdisintegrants and select an appropriate superdisntegrant for Doxylamine Succinate orodispersible formulation. Method: The SeDeM-ODT expert system scrutinized the excipients to develop an orodispersible Doxylamine Succinate formulation. Among the 15 parameters of the tool, some of them were determined through experimental work, while the remaining were calculated through the experimental values of other parameters. The central composite design approach was used for formulation development. The prepared powder blends were compressed using the direct compression method and evaluated for different parameters (hardness, thickness, diameter, friability, weight variation, water absorption ratio, wetting time, and disintegration time). Results: The results of the SeDeM-ODT expert system were correlated with the values obtained by the post-compression tests. The Crospovidone formulation (F7) was found to be an optimized formulation as it disintegrated quickly compared with the other formulations containing other superdisintegtrants. The results perfectly endorsed the SeDeM-ODT expert system evaluation, as Crospovidone showed the highest IGCB value of 6.396. Conclusion: The study observed the effectiveness of the expert system in accurately examining the performance of disintegrating agents. The study observed the effectiveness of the expert system in accurately examining the performance of disintegrating agents. The assessment proved Crospovidone to produce quicker disintegration in Doxylamine Succinate orodispersible formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk posed by expansive soils can be lessened by placing foundations at a more deep level below the surface. Structures are able to withstand uplift forces because overburden pressure partially suppresses swelling pressure. In order to transfer the forces to a sufficiently deep depth, this study suggests introducing shafts of a low-expansion overburden material. Soil improved with cement is chosen for this purpose. This study suggests using sand with added excavated natural clay and cement. The expansive clay is added to sand in ratios of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60%. The clay–sand mixture is then enhanced by cement of 1, 2, 4 and 8% by the weight of the mixture under four curing periods of 1, 7, 28, and 90 days. This material is recommended for use under lean concrete to transfer the loads to lower levels below the foundation depth. The thickness of this material depends on the stresses exerted, the type and the properties of the subsurface soils. The cement-enhanced clay–sand shaft's properties are examined in this work with regard to the swelling potential, compressibility, and the unconfined compressive strength for different clay contents and curing conditions. Stiff shafts were formed and found to support stresses from 600 to 3500 kPa at cement additions in the range of 1% to 8%. Clay content above 30% is found to be not suitable for Al-Qatif clay due to the compressibility and low strength of the mixture. When two percent or more of cement is added, the swelling potential is significantly reduced. This is reliant on the pozzolanic interactions of soils and cement as well as the clay mineralogy. Determining how cement affects clay–sand combinations in regions with expansive soils would facilitate the introduction of a novel, inexpensive technology to support loads applied by the superstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence supporting clinical decision-making in the specialty of ostomy care regarding prescriptive product use has been sparse. Many clinical decisions in ostomy care have been based on either clinician experience, or from teachings and beliefs that have evolved over many years but are not based in evidence. There is now a rich and varied tapestry of evidence supporting clinicians regarding the use of convexity earlier in the patient's journey, particularly of the more compressible types (soft) convexity products. This article reviews the recent evidence concerning the use of more compressible barriers in ostomy care, a relatively newer addition to the clinician's armamentarium, for managing patients. It provides an analysis of the data that supports using these products, sooner rather than later, in achieving a more secure skin seal, and improving patient outcomes compared with using flat skin barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bituminous sand is an important geomaterial due to its numerous engineering applications and great economic potential. The occurrence is diverse in nature and therefore, it is crucial to study the engineering behaviour and understand the inherent variability in the engineering parameters needed in exploitation, design, and construction in and/or on them. This study presents laboratory investigations into the engineering behaviour and the inherent variability in bituminous sand considering index, physical, fabric and geochemistry, mineralogy, oedometer, and strength characteristics on the samples in the intact and reconstituted states. The findings can be summarised as follows: (1) The gradings are characterised by different particle sizes and hence, the bituminous sands are well-graded, (2) The fabrics are heterogeneous and isotropic, composed mainly of bituminous materials-coated particles aggregations into clusters with inter- and intra- particle/cluster voids, (3) Silica and quartz dominate the composition and mineralogy with other elements and minerals in lesser proportions, (4) Bituminous sands have convergent behaviour and the compressibility is dependent on fines content, (5) Intact behaviour shows the presence of significant structure, (6) The inherent variability is high in some engineering grading descriptors, clay mineral, yield stress and strength, and low in the fines content, quartz mineral, compressibility and in situ specific volume, and (7) Depending on the properties needed by the practitioners, interpolation and extrapolation from one point/location to another could be made in these geomaterials.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of tests of vertically loaded long bored piles in clayey soils by the immersion jack method are obtained. The peculiarities of soil resistance formation under the lower end and along the lateral surface of piles are shown. The necessity of calculation of such piles on the soil by the second limit state with consideration of the pile shaft compressibility is substantiated. A methodology for calculating the settlement of a single pile and determining the allowable load thereon at a given settlement of the pile head based on the kinematic scheme of including the soil base and the pile shaft in the work upon pile loading is developed. The results of numerical studies on the basis of pile tests on an actual object are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inverted container of water drains with a periodic glugging process where bubbles of air enter through the bottom hole, thus replacing the exiting water. If the container is soft, its walls can flex with each glug. We examine the effect of container elasticity on the drainage process. Experiments are conducted to measure the drainage rate and the glug period as water drains out of a container through a bottom hole. The container compliance is varied by varying the diameter of a soft rubber membrane comprising the lid of the container. Increasing container compliance (i.e., making the container softer) is found to increase the drainage velocity, increase the glugging period, and increase the volume of each glug. Previously, Clanet and Searby (2004) modeled the glugging process as a spring-and-mass oscillator where the compressibility of air in the headspace acts as the spring. We adapt this model so that the membrane elasticity acts in series with the air compressibility. This adapted model qualitatively agrees with the observations but underpredicts the observed effect on the glug period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]