• ALGAE
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.17-21
• /
• 2007

Sargassum filicinum Harvey, a brown alga (Phaeophyceae) native to Northeastern Asia, has been recently reported from the coast of Southern California (USA). Here we report the occurrence and range extension of this introduced species, as we found the alga at La Jolla and Rancho Packard in Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico. The first collections of S. filicinum correspond to several immature plants, found on September 8, 2005, drifting in the intertidal zone at La Jolla. Later on November 9, 2006, we found a well-established population in Rancho Packard in the middle intertidal zone to 2 m depth. Since S. filicinum is an annual monoecious species with air bladders, the risk there is a high risk of spreading rapidly along the Pacific, as in the case for S. muticum. The population in Rancho Packard extends 500 m along the coast, consisting mainly of young plants with an average length of 30 cm and a density of 5 thallus/m2. This is the first record of this invasive species for the Mexican Pacific coast, and it represents the southern limit along the Pacific coast of North America. This finding suggests that this invasive species has successfully colonized the Pacific coast of North America and its distributional range is still expanding.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2018

The present study deals with the determination of optimal values of operating parameters such as the temperature of heating, the mass of the plant material and the volume of water leading to the best yield of electromagnetic induction (EMI) heating extraction of Algerian Thymus fontanesii essential oil. After an appropriate choice of the three critical variables, eight experiments leaded to a mathematical model as a first-degree polynomial presenting the response function (yield) in the relation to the operating parameters. From the retained model, we were able to calculate the average response, the different effects and their interactions. The maximum of essential oil recovery percentage relative to the initial mass of plant material was 1.69%, and was obtained at ($140^{\circ}C$, 250 g and 4.5 L). The chemical composition of the Algerian T. fontanesii essential oil under the obtained optimal conditions ($140^{\circ}C$, 250 g and 4.5 L), determined by GC/MS and GC/FID, reveled of the presence of major components such as: carvacrol ($70.6{\pm}0.1%$), followed by p-cymene ($8.2{\pm}0.2%$).

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.233-254
• /
• 2018

In order to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, a policy to increase the production capacity of wind turbine is set up. This can be achieved with increasing the dimensions of offshore wind turbine blades. However, this increase in size implies serious problems of stability and durability. Considering the cost of large turbines and financial consequences of their premature failure, it is imperative to carry out numerical simulations over long periods. Here, an energy-conserving time-stepping scheme is proposed in order to ensure the satisfying computation of long-term response. The proposed scheme is implemented for three-dimensional solid based on Biot strain measures, which is used for modeling flexible blades. The simulations are performed at full spatial scale. For reliable design process, the wind loads should be represented as realistically as possible, including the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) dynamic effects on wind turbine blades. However, full-scale 3D FSI simulations for long-term wind loading remain of prohibitive computation cost. Thus, the model to quantify the wind loads proposed here is a simple, but not too simple to be representative for preliminary design studies.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.125-145
• /
• 2020

In this paper, we present a 3D thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled discrete beam lattice model of structure built of the nonisothermal saturated poro-plastic medium subjected to mechanical loads and nonstationary heat transfer conditions. The proposed model is based on Voronoi cell representation of the domain with cohesive links represented as inelastic Timoshenko beam finite elements enhanced with additional kinematics in terms of embedded strong discontinuities in axial and both transverse directions. The enhanced Timoshenko beam finite element is capable of modeling crack formation in mode I, mode II and mode III. Mode I relates to crack opening, mode II relates to in-plane crack sliding, and mode III relates to the out-of-plane shear sliding. The pore fluid flow and heat flow in the proposed model are governed by Darcy's law and Fourier's law for heat conduction, respectively. The pore pressure field and temperature field are approximated with linear tetrahedral finite elements. By exploiting nodal point quadrature rule for numerical integration on tetrahedral finite elements and duality property between Voronoi diagram and Delaunay tetrahedralization, the numerical implementation of the coupling results with additional pore pressure and temperature degrees of freedom placed at each node of a Timoshenko beam finite element. The results of several numerical simulations are presented and discussed.

• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.349-355
• /
• 2013

This paper presents the multi-objective optimisation of an Inductive Coupled Power Transfer (ICPT) device. A setup as complicated as the one at hand in this paper is extremely hard to model analytically. To acquire some knowledge about the influence of the geometric factors, a sensitivity analysis is first performed using design of experiment (DoE) and finite-element modelling (FEM). It allows validating that the choice of the free factors is relevant. This being done, the optimisation itself is performed using a genetic algorithm (GA), with two objectives and a strict functioning constraint.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2015

The study is to find regional characteristics of the old town of Jeju city, "Mu-gun-sung," through researches of the status of the spatial structure in the cul de sac roads of the area. In particular, the status and characteristics of the area are clearly defined with the typology of the cul de sac roads based on the urban renewal regulations. The results are listed as follows: First, there are buildings from various periods in the area. Second, it is comparatively analyzed that there are the similarities and differences in Collaborative Development based on a neighborhood plan in Japan and Korea which pursue conservative renewals of the cule de sac roads. Third, the status and characteristics of the area are clarified through the analysis of the types of the cul de sac roads.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2023

This paper presents an investigation of variables that cause spurious cracking in numerical modeling of concrete fracture. Spurious cracks appear due to the approximate nature of numerical modeling. They overestimate the dissipated energy, leading to divergent results with mesh refinement. This paper is limited to quasi-static loading regime, homogeneous models, cracking as the only nonlinear mode of deformation and cracking only due to tensile loading. Under these conditions, some variables that can be related to spurious cracking are: mesh alignment, ductility, crack band width, structure size, mesh refinement and load increment size. Case studies illustrate the effect of each variable and convergence analyses demonstrate that, after all, load-increment size is the most important variable. Theoretically, a sufficiently small load increment is able to eliminate or at least alleviate the detrimental influence of the other variables. Such load-increment size might be prohibitively small, rendering the simulation unfeasible. Hence, this paper proposes two alternatives. First, it is proposed an algorithm that automatically find such small load increment size automatically, which not necessarily avoid large computations. Then, it is proposed a double simulation technique, in which the crack is forced to propagate through the localization zone.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.109-122
• /
• 2024

Standard triaxial cells are commonly used to measure the mechanical behavior of saturated soils. However, this type of standard system is difficult to use for unsaturated soil specimens since it cannot measure the changes in the pore-air volume and pressure. This paper proposes to extend the measurement possibilities of the standard triaxial testing device in a simple way and to adapt it to partially saturated soils. The system is supplied by two hygrometers installed at each end of the cylindrical unsaturated specimen to measure local relative humidity, which allows the derivation of suction. The volumetric strain of the specimen is calculated by analyzing digital photos captured from the outside of the transparent cell wall. Specimens made of kaolin clay, having different hydraulic properties, were tested to verify the reliability of the measurements, and thus, the relevance of the proposed techniques to study the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.797-803
• /
• 2017

Objective: Effects of nitrogen supplementation associated with different levels of starch on voluntary intake, digestibility, and rumen and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed low-quality tropical forage (Brachiaria decumbens hay, 7.4% crude protein, CP) were evaluated using ruminal and abomasal cannulated steers. Methods: Five European${\times}$Zebu young bulls (186 kg body weight, BW) were distributed according to a $5{\times}5$ Latin square. The following treatments were evaluated: control, supplementation with 300 g CP/d (0:1), supplementation with 300 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (1:1), supplementation with 600 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (2:1), and supplementation with 900 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (3:1). A mixture of nitrogenous compounds provided 1/3 from true protein (casein) and 2/3 from non-protein nitrogen (mixture of urea and ammonium sulphate, 9:1) was used as the nitrogen supplement. In order to supply energy a unique source of corn starch was used. Results: Supplements increased (p<0.05) dry matter intake, but did not affect (p>0.05) forage intake. There was a cubic effect (p<0.05) of starch on voluntary intake. This was attributed to the highest forage intake (g/kg BW) when using the 2:1 starch:CP ratio. Supplements increased (p<0.05) organic matter (OM) digestibility, but did not affect (p>0.05) neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) digestibility. There was a positive linear effect (p<0.05) of the amount of starch supplemented on OM digestibility. Total NDFap digestibility was not affected (p>0.05) by the amount of supplemental starch. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in supplemented animals, however, a negative linear effect (p<0.05) of amount of starch was observed. Supplements increased (p<0.05) the nitrogen balance (NB) and efficiency of nitrogen utilization. These effects were attributed to increased body anabolism, supported by higher (p<0.05) serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1. Increasing the amount of starch tended (p<0.06) to linearly increase the NB. In spite of this, there was a highest NB value for the 2:1 starch:CP ratio amongst the treatments with supplementation. Conclusion: Nitrogen supplementation in cattle fed low-quality tropical forage increases nitrogen retention in the animal's body. An additional supply of starch increases nitrogen retention by increasing energy availability for both rumen and animal metabolism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1751-1759
• /
• 2015

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of inclusion level of soybean oil (SO) and palm oil (PO) on their digestible and metabolism energy (DE and ME) contents when fed to growing pigs by difference and regression method. Sixty-six crossbred growing barrows (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire and weighing $38.1{\pm}2.4kg$) were randomly allotted to a $2{\times}5$ factorial arrangement involving 2 lipid sources (SO and PO), and 5 levels of lipid (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) as well as a basal diet composed of corn and soybean meal. The barrows were housed in individual metabolism crates to facilitate separate collection of feces and urine, and were fed the assigned test diets at 4% of initial body weight per day. A 5-d total collection of feces and urine followed a 7-d diet adaptation period. The results showed that the DE and ME contents of SO and PO determined by the difference method were not affected by inclusion level. The DE and ME determined by the regression method for SO were greater compared with the corresponding respective values for PO (DE: 37.07, ME: 36.79 MJ/kg for SO; DE: 34.11, ME: 33.84 MJ/kg for PO, respectively). These values were close to the DE and ME values determined by the difference method at the 10% inclusion level (DE: 37.31, ME: 36.83 MJ/kg for SO; DE: 34.62, ME: 33.47 MJ/kg for PO, respectively). A similar response for the apparent total tract digestibility of acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) in lipids was observed. The true total tract digestibility of AEE in SO was significantly (p<0.05) greater than that for PO (97.5% and 91.1%, respectively). In conclusion, the DE and ME contents of lipid was not affected by its inclusion level. The difference method can substitute the regression method to determine the DE and ME contents in lipids when the inclusion level is 10%.