• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.491-494
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• 2018

A new species of Graphis is described from Cameroon, Africa. The new taxon is distinguished by a greyish-green, glossy, uneven, and continuous thallus. Further, it possesses stellately branched lirellae, and its entire labia are covered almost completely with thick thalline margin. It also has a completely carbonized proper exciple, which is considerably thick at the base, one-spored asci, and muriform hyaline to yellowish ascospores.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2018

In this paper, the performance of post-installed adhesive bonded anchor embedded in concrete is assessed using numerical simulations. This study aims at studying the influence of parameters on the performance of a chemically bonded anchorage system. Non-linear finite element modelling and simulations are carried out by properly using the material properties and phenomenon. Materials parameters such as characteristic length, fracture energy, damage criteria, tension retention and crack width of concrete and interface characteristics are carefully assigned so as to obtain a most realistic behaviour of the chemical anchor system. The peak strength of two different anchor systems obtained from present numerical studies is validated against experimental results. Furthermore, validated numerical models are used to study the load transferring mechanism and damage progression characteristics of various anchors systems where strength of concrete, strength of epoxy, and geometry and disposition of anchors are the parameters. The process of development of strain in concrete adjacent to the anchor and energy dissipated during the course of damage progression are analysed. Results show that the performance of the considered anchorage system is, though a combined effect of material and geometric parameters, but a clear distinction could be made on the parameters to achieve a desired performance based on strength, slip, strain development or dissipated energy. Inspite the increase in anchor capacity with increase in concrete strength, it brings some undesirable performance as well. Furthermore, the pullout capacity of the chemical anchor system increases with a decrease in disparity among the strength of concrete and epoxy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2013

Canthaxanthin (cx) is a potent antioxidant that is chemically synthesized at the industrial scale and has imperative applications in the cosmetic and feed industries. An orange pigmented mesophilic bacterium, designated as K44, was isolated from soil samples of Kargil, India. Biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and FAME analysis of the bacterium indicated it to belong in the genus Dietzia and is distinct from human isolates. The strain showed 98% 16S rRNA gene sequence homology with Dietzia maris DSM 43102. High-performance liquid chromatography profile of the pigments isolated from K44 showed two major peaks absorbing at 465.3 and 475 nm. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of both these peaks revealed their m/z to be 564. The molecular weights, LC-MS/MS fragmentation patterns, and ${\lambda}_{max}$ of these fractions corresponded to all-trans- (475 nm) and 9-cis-(465.3 nm) cx isomers. The antioxidant activities of cis- and trans-cx isomers isolated from this bacterium were found to differ, where the cis-isomer showed higher free radical, superoxide radical, and reactive oxygen species scavenging activities than the alltrans- isomer, suggesting that 9-cis-cx is more effective as an antioxidant than the all-trans-cx.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.167-184
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• 2016

This paper presents the details of Finite Element (FE) analysis carried out to determine the limiting deformation capacity and failure mode of Laced Steel-Concrete Composite (LSCC) beam, which was proposed and experimentally studied by the authors earlier (Anandavalli et al. 2012). The present study attains significance due to the fact that LSCC beam is found to possess very high deformation capacity at which range, the conventional laboratory experiments are not capable to perform. FE model combining solid, shell and link elements is adopted for modeling the beam geometry and compatible nonlinear material models are employed in the analysis. Besides these, an interface model is also included to appropriately account for the interaction between concrete and steel elements. As the study aims to quantify the limiting deformation capacity and failure mode of the beam, a suitable damage model is made use of in the analysis. The FE model and results of nonlinear static analysis are validated by comparing with the load-deformation response available from experiment. After validation, the analysis is continued to establish the limiting deformation capacity of the beam, which is assumed to synchronise with tensile strain in bottom cover plate reaching the corresponding ultimate value. The results so found indicate about $20^{\circ}$ support rotation for LSCC beam with $45^{\circ}$ lacing. Results of parametric study indicate that the limiting capacity of the LSCC beam is more influenced by the lacing angle and thickness of the cover plate.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.403-421
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• 2008

The design provisions for semi-rigid steel frames have been incorporated in codes of practice for steel structures. In order to do the same, it is necessary to know the experimental moment-relative rotation (M-${\theta}_r$) behaviour of beam-to-column connections. In spite of numerous publications and collection of several connection databases, there is no unified approach for the semi-rigid design of steel frames. Amongst the many connection models available, the Frye-Morris polynomial model, with its limitations reported in the literature, is simple to adopt at least for the linear design space. However this model requires more number of connection tests and regression analyses to make it a realistic prediction model. In this paper, 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of beam-column connection specimens, carried out using ABAQUS software, for evaluating the M-${\theta}_r$ behaviour of semi-rigid top and seat-angle (TSA) bolted connections are described. The finite element model is validated against experimental behaviour of the same connection with regard to their moment-rotation behaviour, stress distribution and mode of failure of the connections. The calibrated FE model is used to evaluate the performance of the Frye-Morris polynomial model. The results of the numerical parametric studies carried out using the validated FE model have been used in proposing modifications to the Frye-Morris model for TSA connection in terms of the powers of the size parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.381-395
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• 2009

This paper presents the details of an advanced Finite Element (FE) analysis of a plane steel portal frame with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections subjected cyclic loading. In spite of several component models on cyclic behaviour of connections presented in the literature, works on numerical investigations on cyclic behaviour of full scale frames are rather scarce. This paper presents the evolution of an FE model which deals comprehensively with the issues related to cyclic behaviour of full scale steel frames using ABAQUS software. In the material modeling, combined kinematic/isotropic hardening model and isotropic hardening model along with Von Mises criteria are used. Connection non-linearity is also considered in the analysis. The bolt slip which happens in friction grip connection is modeled. The bolt load variation during loading, which is a pivotal issue in reality, has been taken care in the present model. This aspect, according to the knowledge of the authors, has been first time reported in the literature. The numerically predicted results using the methodology evolved in the present study, for the cyclic behaviour of a cantilever beam and a rigid frame, are validated with experimental results available in the literature. The moment-rotation and deflection responses of the evolved model, match well with experimental results. This proves that the methodology for evolving the steel frame and connection model presented in this paper is closer to real frame behaviour as evident from the good comparison and hence paves the way for further parametric studies on cyclic behaviour of flexibly connected frames.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.2949-2957
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• 2020

Fatigue crack growth model has been developed for dissimilar metal weld joints of a piping component under cyclic loading, where in the crack is located at the center of the weld in the circumferential direction. The fracture parameter, Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) has been computed by using principle of superposition as K_H + K_M. K_H is evaluated by assuming that, the complete specimen is made of the material containing the notch location. In second stage, the stress field ahead of the crack tip, accounting for the strength mismatch, the applied load and geometry has been characterized to evaluate SIF (K_M). For each incremental crack depth, stress field ahead of the crack tip has been quantified by using J-integral (elastic), mismatch ratio, plastic interaction factor and stress parallel to the crack surface. The associated constants for evaluation of K_M have been computed by using the quantified stress field with respect to the distance from the crack tip. Net SIF (K_H + K_M) computed, has been used for the crack growth analysis and remaining life prediction by Paris crack growth model. To validate the model, SIF and remaining life has been predicted for a pipe made up of (i) SA312 Type 304LN austenitic stainless steel and SA508 Gr. 3 Cl. 1. Low alloy carbon steel (ii) welded SA312 Type 304LN austenitic stainless-steel pipe. From the studies, it is observed that the model could predict the remaining life of DMWJ piping components with a maximum difference of 15% compared to experimental observations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.565-574
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• 2022

The infrastructures such as offshore, bridges, power plant, oil and gas piping and aircraft operate in a harsh environment during their service life. Structural integrity of engineering components used in these industries is paramount for the reliability and economics of operation. Two regression models based on the concept of Gaussian process regression (GPR) and Minimax probability machine regression (MPMR) were developed to predict stress intensity factor range (𝚫K). Both GPR and MPMR are in the frame work of probability distribution. Models were developed by using the fatigue crack growth data in MATLAB by appropriately modifying the tools. Fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out on Eccentrically-loaded Single Edge notch Tension (ESE(T)) specimens made of API 5L X65 Grade steel in inert and corrosive environments (2.0% and 3.5% NaCl). The experiments were carried out under constant amplitude cyclic loading with a stress ratio of 0.1 and 5.0 Hz frequency (inert environment), 0.5 Hz frequency (corrosive environment). Crack growth rate (da/dN) and stress intensity factor range (𝚫K) values were evaluated at incremental values of loading cycle and crack length. About 70 to 75% of the data has been used for training and the remaining for validation of the models. It is observed that the predicted SIF range is in good agreement with the corresponding experimental observations. Further, the performance of the models was assessed with several statistical parameters, namely, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Coefficient of Efficiency (E), Root Mean Square Error to Observation's Standard Deviation Ratio (RSR), Normalized Mean Bias Error (NMBE), Performance Index (ρ) and Variance Account Factor (VAF).

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2013

The bipolar plate is the most important and most costly component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The development of a suitable low density bipolar plate is scientifically and technically challenging due to the need to maintain high electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Here, bipolar plates were developed from different particle sizes of natural and expanded graphite with phenolic resin as a polymeric matrix. It was observed that the particle size of the reinforcement significantly influences the mechanical and electrical properties of a composite bipolar plate. The composite bipolar plate based on expanded graphite gives the desired mechanical and electrical properties as per the US Department of Energy target, with a bulk density of 1.55 $g.cm^{-3}$ as compared to that of ~1.87 $g.cm^{-3}$ for a composite plate based on natural graphite (NG). Although the bulk density of the expanded-graphite-based composite plate is ~20% less than that of the NG-based plate, the I-V performance of the expanded graphite plate is superior to that of the NG plate as a consequence of the higher conductivity. The expanded graphite plate can thus be used as an electromagnetic interference shielding material.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7393-7400
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• 2015

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, a key member of multifunctional family of zinc dependent endopeptidases has been found to be upregulated during inflammation and in some cancers. MMPs cleave extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and play critical roles in cellular apoptosis, angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified that show allele specific effects on MMP9 regulation and are associated with gastric cancer, the fourth most common malignancy in the world. Besides Helicobacter pylori infection, genetic predisposition is another documented risk factor for gastric carcinoma. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position -1562C/T of MMP9 results in the modulation for binding of transcription factors to the MMP9 gene promoter and thereby causes differences in protein expression and enzymatic activity. MMP9 transcriptional regulation during gastric cancer development remains poorly known although several studies have demonstrated associations between MMP9 -1562 C/T polymorphism with different diseases. Knowledge on mechanisms of MMP9 upregulation during gastric cancer may provide new paradigm in diagnostics and therapeutics.