In situ colonization of marine biofilms on UNS S32760 duplex stainless steel coupons in areas with different water qualities: Implications for corrosion potential behavior

In the presence of biofilms, stainless steels （SS） exhibits an increase in corrosion potential, called ennoblement. In the present study, the corrosion potential （Eco,） behavior of the duplex SS UNS S32760 was recorded simultaneously with the in situ marine biofilm formation in two areas at Arraial do Cabo, Southeastern Brazil. The biofilm at Forno Harbor （an anthropogenically disturbed area） was characterized by higher relative abundances of Bacteria at day 2, followed by diatoms （especially Navicula sp.） on day 10 and dinoflagellates on day 18, whereas no clear trend was recorded at Cabo Frio Island （an undisturbed area）. The ennoblement of Ecor values was site-dependent. In a complementary laboratory assay, biofilms were removed and the Eco values registered in sterile conditions for the subsequent 10 days and corroborated in situ results. Understanding biofilms and SS interactions has important implications for materials science and engineering decisions as well as helping to fill in imnortant gaps in this knowledge.     

An algorithm for finding reasonable paths in transit networks

In this paper, reasonable paths in transit networks are defined as possible paths that satisfy the acceptable time criterion and transfer‐walk criterion. A recursive algorithm for finding all of the reasonable paths in a transit network that does not involve a rapid increase in program run‐time with network size is presented. Realistic transit networks in Hong Kong and Guangzhou were selected as case studies of the different phases of the development of a trip planning system. Transport planning practitioners and potential users were invited to test the system to evaluate its performance. The results of the prototype evaluation were satisfactory, and the viability of the system as a useful tool for supporting decision‐making has been confirmed by the positive feedback that was obtained from survey questionnaires.     

REGULATION OF PRODUCTION OF PARATHYROID HORMONE－RELATED PEPTIDE （PTHrP） AND EXPRESSION OF ITS mRNA IN A HUMANLIVER－DERIVED CE

ＲＥＧＵＬＡＴＩＯＮＯＦＰＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＯＦＰＡＲＡＴＨＹＲＯＩＤＨＯＲＭＯＮＥ－ＲＥＬＡＴＥＤＰＥＰＴＩＤＥ（ＰＴＨｒＰ）ＡＮＤＥＸＰＲＥＳＳＩＯＮＯＦＩＴＳｍＲＮＡＩＮＡＨＵＭＡＮＬＩＶＥＲ－ＤＥＲＩＶＥＤＣＥＬＬＬＩＮＥＬｉＨｕｓｏｎｇ；Ｐ...     

Inventory,Classification, and Analysis of Special Management Areas Associated with U.S. Coastal Programs

Area-based management approaches may be beneficial in integrating sectoral, single-purpose laws and regulations; however, these benefits may not be attained if special area designations are equally sectoral or single-purpose in nature. Over 60 types of special management areas were documented under U.S. coastal programs, and a new classification scheme was developed to allow comparisons and analyses across programs. Results indicate that requirements and incentives for special area designations under the Coastal Zone Management Act did little to standardize or influence area-based management systems associated with state and territory coastal programs. Further, the absence of clear patterns within and between coastal programs with respect to special area policies suggests a limited commitment to this important aspect of coastal management. Continued research is needed to document the effectiveness of the various area-based management approaches presented in this article.     

Model-based analysis of the mechanical subsystem of an air brake system

Most commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks use an air brake system, often equipped with an S-cam drum brake, to reduce their speed and/or to stop. With a drum brake system, the clearance between the brake shoe/pad and the brake drum may increase because of various reasons such as wearing of the brake shoe and/or brake drum and drum expansion caused by high heat generation during the braking process. Hence, to ensure proper functioning of the brake system, it is essential that the clearance between the brake shoe and the brake drum is monitored. In this paper, we present a mathematical model for the mechanical subsystem of the air brake system that can be used to monitor this clearance. This mathematical model correlates the push rod stroke transients and the brake chamber pressure transients. A kinematic analysis and a dynamic analysis of the mechanical subsystem of the air brake system were performed, and the results are corroborated with experimental data.     

Evaluating the energy performance of a SUV hybrid electric vehicle

This paper analyzes the energetic performance of the hybrid Lexus RX 400h, through on-board measurements. Several speed profiles were analyzed, for three driving types, successive stop and go cycles, three speed profiles, crossing an electronic toll collection booth, and a roundabout. In stop and go situations the internal combustion engine did not work (the torque needed to impulse the vehicle in the stop and go situations was only supported by the electric engines), as well as in the situations of constant low speeds (50 or 60 km h^?1). The auxiliary support given by the electric engines in the accelerations, as well as the importance of the energy regeneration system on the batteries’ load recovery is also demonstrated. When compared with similar conventional vehicles, the Lexus RX 400h has lower combined energy consumption between 1.2% and 60%.     

Effect of welding sequence on residual stress and distortion in flat-bar stiffened plates

Numerical simulation based on finite element modelling is used to study the influence of welding sequences on the distribution of residual stress and distortion generated when welding a flat-bar stiffener to a steel plate. The simulation consists of sequentially coupled thermal and structural analyses using an element birth and death technique to model the addition of weld metal to the workpiece. The temperature field during welding and the welding-induced residual stress and distortion fields are predicted and results are compared with experimental measurements and analytical predictions. The effect of four welding sequences on the magnitude of residual stress and distortion in both the plate and the stiffener is investigated and their effects on the ultimate strength of the stiffened plate under uniaxial compression are discussed. Appropriate conclusions and recommendations regarding the welding sequence are presented.