F. Wang^1,2, D.M. Zhang^1,2,3, H.H. Zhu⁴, H.W. Huang^1,2, J.H. Yin⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 63-81, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.063

Abstract This paper studies the impact of overhead excavation on an existing tunnel through both field monitoring and a full 3D numerical model. It is found that the excavation induced longitudinal heave of the tunnel is uneven with maximum heave occurring below the excavation center. Even at the same cross section, the excavation induced heave is not uniform with the most significant heave occurring at the tunnel crown. The bending moments of the tunnel lining is decreased due to the overhead excavation. The axial forces of the tunnel lining generally decrease except at the tunnel invert. More >

Chih-Ping Wu^1,2, Hao-Yuan Li¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 27-62, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.027

Abstract A Reissner's mixed variational theorem (RMVT)-based finite rectangular prism method (FRPM) is developed for the three-dimensional (3D) analysis of sandwich functionally graded material (FGM) plates subjected to mechanical loads, in which the edge conditions of the plates are such that one pair of opposite edges is simply supported and the other pair may be combinations of free, clamped or simply supported edges. The sandwich FGM plate considered consists of two thin and stiff homogeneous material face sheets combined with an embedded thick and soft FGM core, the material properties of which are assumed to obey… More >

K. Vijayakumar¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 1-25, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.034.001

Abstract A layer-wise theory with the analysis of face ply independent of lamination is used in the bending of symmetric laminates with anisotropic plies. More realistic and practical edge conditions as in Kirchhoff's theory are considered. An iterative procedure based on point-wise equilibrium equations is adapted. The necessity of a solution of an auxiliary problem in the interior plies is explained and used in the generation of proper sequence of two dimensional problems. Displacements are expanded in terms of polynomials in thickness coordinate such that continuity of transverse stresses across interfaces is assured. Solution of a… More >

Balamati Choudhury¹, R. M. Jha¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 275-308, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.033.275

Abstract The exciting features of metamaterial in conjunction with transformation optics leads to various applications in the microwave regime with such examples as invisible cloak, frequency selective surfaces (FSS), radomes, etc. The concept of electromagnetic invisibility is very much important in aerospace platform. Hence to study the feasibility of implementation of this concept for stealth, an extensive literature survey of metamaterial cloaks has been carried out and reported in this paper along with the basic concept of cloaking. To make the review more effective, the technical papers are classified into three broad sections viz. mathematical modeling, More >

Jan Heczko¹, Radek Kottner², Tomáš Kroupa²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 257-273, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.033.257

Abstract This work deals with mechanical properties of a rubber material that is used in modern tram wheels as a damping element. Nonlinear static response as well as strain softening and hysteresis are captured in the material model that is selected. Method of identification of the model's parameters is developed. The identification method relies on successive minimizations with respect to different sets of parameters. Tests in tension, compression and simple shear are performed. Parameters of the material model are identified based on the tension and compression data, while the shear data are used for validation only. More >

L.H. Kuo¹, M.H. Gu², D.L. Young³, C.Y. Lin³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 213-228, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.033.213

Abstract Coupled with the Houbolt method, a third order finite difference time marching scheme, the method of approximate particular solutions (MAPS) has been applied to solve wave equations. Radial basis function has played an important role in the solution process of the MAPS. To show the effectiveness of the MAPS, we compare the results with the well known Kansa's method, timemarching method of fundamental solutions (TMMFS), and traditional finite element methods. To validate the effectiveness and easiness of the MAPS, four numerical examples which including regular, smooth irregular, and non-smooth domains are given. More >

Xue-Qian Fang^1,2, Ming-Juan Huang¹, Jun-Ying Wu³, Guo-Quan Nie¹, Jin-Xi Liu¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 199-211, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.033.199

Abstract In nanocomposites, coated nano-fibers are often used to obtain good performance, and the high interface-to-volume ratio shows great effect on the macroscopic effective properties of nanocomposites. In this study, the effect of interface energy around the unidirectional coated nanofibers on the effective dynamic effective properties is explicitly addressed by effective medium method and wave function expansion method. The multiple scattering resulting from the series coating nano-fibers is reduced to the problem of one typical nano-fiber in the effective medium. The dynamic effective shear modulus is obtained on the basis of the derived imperfect interface conditions. More >

Hüseyin Engin¹, Yücel Üstündağ², ˙Ishak Özel Tekin³, Ayla Gökmen⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 21-24, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0301

Abstract Background/Aim: Ang-1 and Ang-2 have both been identified as ligands for Tie-2, a receptor expressed on endothelial cells (EC). They play critical roles in angiogenesis, in concert with VEGF. Ang-1-binding to Tie-2 maintains and stabilizes mature vessels by promoting interactions between EC and the surrounding extra-cellular matrix. However, Ang-2 shows context-dependent, proangiogenic and antiangiogenic activities. Despite the rapidly accumulating histopathological data reporting differences in the expression of members of the Ang family on the surface of various normal and tumour cells, data for these growth factors in plasma from cancer patients, including gastric cancer, remain… More >

Eva Pfeifer, Johannes Polz, Sybille Grieβl, Sven Mostböck, Thomas Hehlgans, Daniela N. Männel

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 15-20, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0299

Abstract In an experimental model of immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, mice excreted increased levels of urinary protein starting three days after the induction. Mice lacking the TNF receptor type 2 (TNFR2) were protected from early proteinuria and enhanced mortality. Analysis of the molecular basis of the mechanisms of glomerulonephritis revealed that naïve mice continuously excrete soluble TNF-neutralizing TNFR2 in urine. Mice kept in a specific pathogen-free environment did not go on to develop early proteinuria or enhanced mortality, following induction of glomerulonephritis. TNFR2-deficient mice were protected from early proteinuria and enhanced mortality only when housed conventionally. Mice producing More >

Eva Pfeifer, Johannes Polz, Daniela N. Männel, Sven Mostböck

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 12-14, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0300

Abstract Proteinuria represents a parameter for a damaged filtration capacity of the kidney. We investigated how inflammation influences the development of experimental, immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis by monitoring proteinuria.Mice pre-treated with LPS or TNF, one day before induction of glomerulonephritis, excreted high levels of protein in the urine immediately after the induction of glomerulonephritis, in contrast to non-treated mice where proteinuria increased steadily after day 3. Protein levels in the urine of pre-treated mice remained elevated over the 15-day observation time. The severity of proteinuria at later times correlated with the degree of tissue pathology and mortality More >