Theoretical Solutions to The Problem of Seepage and Consolidation in Saturated Clay Based on The Spatial Axisymmetric Model

The series solutions to the problem of spatial axisymmetric consolidation are deduced under non-homogeneous boundary conditions. Firstly, differentiable step function is introduced to construct the homogeneous operation function. Secondly, the operation function is used to superimpose the non-homogeneous boundaries to obtain homogeneous boundaries, non-homogeneous fundamental equation and new initial condition. Finally, the method of variables separation is used to construct the eigenfunction, and due to the mathematical justification of complete orthogonality of the eigenfunction, the series expansions of the fundamental equation and initial condition are carried out to obtain solutions for the seepage and consolidation in saturated clay with a borehole boundary. The correctness of the theoretical solutions are verified by the strict mathematical and mechanics derivation and the law of space-time variation in seepage flow.

Forecasting in the Presence of Instabilities: How We Know Whether Models Predict Well and How to Improve Them

This article provides guidance on how to evaluate and improve the forecasting ability of models in the presence of instabilities, which are widespread in economic time series. Empirically relevant examples include predicting the financial crisis of 2007–08, as well as, more broadly, fluctuations in asset prices, exchange rates, output growth, and inflation. In the context of unstable environments, I discuss how to assess models’ forecasting ability; how to robustify models’ estimation; and how to correctly report measures of forecast uncertainty. Importantly, and perhaps surprisingly, breaks in models’ parameters are neither necessary nor sufficient to generate time variation in models’ forecasting performance: thus, one should not test for breaks in models’ parameters, but rather evaluate their forecasting ability in a robust way. In addition, local measures of models’ forecasting performance are more appropriate than traditional, average measures. (JEL C51, C53, E31, E32, E37, F37)

A free-geometry geodynamic modelling of surface gravity changes using Growth-dg software

Globally there is abundant terrestrial surface gravity data used to study the time variation of gravity related to subsurface mass and density changes in different geological, geodynamical and geotechnical environments. We present here a tool for analysing existing and newly acquired, 4D gravity data, which creates new findings from its reuse. Our method calculates in an almost automatic way the possible sources of density change responsible for the observed gravity variations. The specifics of the new methodology are: use of a low number of observation points, relatively small source structures, low signal/noise ratio in the data, and a free 3D source geometry without initial hypothesis. The process is based on the non-linear adjustment of structures defined by aggregation of small cells corresponding to a 3D section of the sub-floor volume. This methodology is implemented in a software tool, named GROWTH-dg, which can be freely downloaded for immediate use, together with a user manual and application examples.

FRET Measurement of Polymer Response under Shear

Polymer solutions under shear flow are often observed in manufacturing processes. Classically, polymer behavior is represented by Kuhn’s bead-spring model, in which only the elongation of polymer chains is assumed. In recent years, the compression of polymer chains under shear flow has been reported. In this study, we investigated the behavior of polymer chains dissolved in various concentrations under shear flow. We measured the time variation of the fluorescence intensity emitted from a FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) polymer, which enabled us to study the change in the distance between both ends of a polymer chain. The polymer chains appeared to stretch and compress depending on the concentration of the polymer solution. The results showed that the deformation of polymer chains was different from the classical theory. The FRET measurement is a promising diagnostic method for understanding the dynamics of polymer chains.

From Asymmetrical to the Nonreciprocal Isolator Using Time-varying Metasurfaces

We present an emulation design method for converting asymmetric isolators to nonreciprocal ones using time-varying metasurfaces. To illustrate the model, we design a structure using a combination of the photonic crystal (PhC) and time-varying metasurface. Moreover, we propose a general approach for numerical analysis of the time-modulated proposed structure using the extension of the transfer matrix method (TMM) which consists of working through the device one layer at a time and calculating an overall transfer matrix including the time-variation of the permittivity and permeability in each layer. Also, we use an optimization algorithm that is less used in the field of electromagnetism but is suitable for fast and accurate parameter optimization. The results show that the proposed method, using pure time-varying metasurfaces which cannot prepare full nonreciprocity alone, is a promising procedure for breaking the Lorentz reciprocity in the general isolator system as well as maintaining the previously asymmetric designed structure.

Probing the Time Variation of a Fine Structure Constant Using Galaxy Clusters and the Quintessence Model

We explore a possible time variation of the fine structure constant (α ≡ e 2/ℏ c) using the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect measurements of galaxy clusters along with their X-ray observations. Specifically, the ratio of the integrated Comptonization parameter Y SZ D A 2 and its X-ray counterpart Y X is used as an observable to constrain the bounds on the variation of α. Considering the violation of the cosmic distance duality relation, this ratio depends on the fine structure constant of ∼ α 3. We use the quintessence model to provide the origin of α time variation. In order to give a robust test on α variation, two galaxy cluster samples, the 61 clusters provided by the Planck collaboration and the 58 clusters detected by the South Pole Telescope (SPT), are collected for analysis. Their X-ray observations are given by the XMM-Newton survey. Our results give ζ = − 0.203 − 0.099 + 0.101 for the Planck sample and ζ = − 0.043 − 0.148 + 0.165 for the SPT sample, indicating that α is constant with redshift within 3σ and 1σ for the two samples, respectively.