Hypoplasticmodeling of soil-structure interfaces in offshore applications

Cyclic and monotonic loaded offshore structures (e.g. piles, pipelines, cables, and suction-buckets) must be designed and calculated considering the effects of the soil-structure interaction. An advanced constitutive soil model must be used, but a simplified Mohr-Coulomb friction law is applied for the soil-structure interface. The Mohr- Coulomb model is a simple bilinear friction model that cannot take into account monotonic and cyclic interface phenomena. These include hardening, softening, and stiffness degradation under loading. However, we propose two advanced hypoplastic interface models for fine- and coarse-grained soils with intergranular strain concept. The intergranular strain concept has been proven to be an efficient way to model the small-strain deformation and un/reloading behavior of soils. The intergranular strain concept is therefore used to enhance the prediction capabilities of the hypoplastic interface models. Differences of the recent model formulation compared with previous versions are presented and discussed based on simulation. This is followed by an application of different models in finite-element simulations. The new models are used to simulate cyclic direct shear interface tests. Furthermore, the advanced interface model is used for simulation of a torodial penetrometer penetration problem. Several aspects, which are particularly important for offshore structures, are compared with the simple Mohr-Coulomb friction model.     

Change in the body temperature of healthy term infant over the first 72 hours of life

INTRODUCTIONMeasuringbodytemperaturehaslongbecomeanindispensablemeansfortheevaluationofapa-tient抯generalhealthstatus.Temperatureasoneofthekeyfactorsinphysiologicalhomeostasisissubjecttominuteregulation,whilebeingareadilyaccessiblediagnosticindicatoraswell.Circadianrhythmswerereportedinnewbornsasearlyasonthe2nddayoflife(Sitkaetal.,1994).Likewise,avarietyofotherbenignfactors,suchasenviron-mentaltemperature,seasonalvariations,stateofarousal,metabolicstate,ethnicityandothers,arealsoknowntoaf…     

Examining the Performance of the Modified ADF Goodness-of-fit Test Statistic in Structural Equation Models

The asymptotically distribution-free (ADF) test statistic depends on very mild distributional assumptions and is theoretically superior to many other so-called robust tests available in structural equation modeling. The ADF test, however, often leads to model overrejection even at modest sample sizes. To overcome its poor small-sample performance, a family of robust test statistics obtained by modifying the ADF statistics was recently proposed. This study investigates by simulation the performance of the new modified test statistics. The results revealed that although a few of the test statistics adequately controlled Type I error rates in each of the examined conditions, most performed quite poorly. This result underscores the importance of choosing a modified test statistic that performs well for specific examined conditions. A parametric bootstrap method is proposed for identifying such a best-performing modified test statistic. Through further simulation it is shown that the proposed bootstrap approach performs well.     

Analysepotenziale des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) für die empirische Bildungsforschung

In Germany, the main datasets available for addressing empirical educational research questions are cross-sectional data, which are often supplemented by state-specific or group-specific longitudinal surveys. The latter are usually focused on specific transitions in the educational system. The challenge of an approach to educational research that takes the perspective of life-course theory, however, lies in analyzing educational and competency development across the entire life span and the dependence of these processes on institutional and individual environment contexts. The present paper shows the opportunities that the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), a household and individual survey now running for over 25 years, offers for empirical educational research aimed at confronting such research challenges. In addition to outlining the available educational information and methodological innovations in the SOEP’s education-related survey program, we also describe the survey’s comparative strengths, particularly for educational analyses stretching ‘from the cradle to the grave’ and dealing with intergenerational and familial contexts.     

On generalized rolling of golf balls considering an offset center of mass and rolling resistance: a study of putting

This paper seeks to address the implications on putting a golf ball with an off-center mass by analyzing the effect of unbalanced mass of ball on its impact and subsequent rolling. We present the general formulation of a rigid golf ball rolling with slip that is able to transition to rolling friction on an arbitrary surface. Particular attention is given to the effects of the offset center of mass on the golf ball’s path. An experimental setup based on a USGA Stimpmeter is used to calibrate the position of contact point as the ball rolls on the green. The trajectories of the ball due to the mass imbalance were studied by numerically solving the equations of motion during putting. Theoretical predictions show that a mass imbalance has little effect on the launch conditions of the ball. However, on a level green a mass offset center of 0.2 % of the ball’s radius can impact the path of the ball with the consequences of missing the hole in a 5.8 m putt. Changing golf ball trajectories with mass offset center has implications on the development of balls and putting.     

Long‐term outcome of oral language and phonological awareness intervention with socially disadvantaged preschoolers: the impact on language and literacy

Early intervention aims to prevent poor literacy outcomes associated with social disadvantage. This study examined whether the short‐term positive effect of a preschool classroom‐based oral language and phonological awareness (PA) programme was maintained and transferred to literacy 2 years later. The vocabulary knowledge, grammatical skill, auditory comprehension and reading comprehension of 54 6–7‐year‐old Australian children who attended school in a low‐socioeconomic area were measured. Children's PA abilities were also assessed and are reported elsewhere. There were no significant differences between children who had received intervention in preschool and those who had not, with the entire cohort performing below the average range of the general population. The findings indicated that while generating short‐term positive effects, intervention in preschool did not enhance socially disadvantaged children's language and literacy achievement in the long term.     

What pharmaceutical libraries really want

The multiplicity of publisher business models and the restrictions of digital rights management systems greatly hamper pharmaceutical companies in the prosecution of their work. We explore the variety of ‘pharma’ needs and the reasons for them. Much progress has been made but more needs to be done. The libraries seek only to satisfy their customer needs while complying with owners' rights.