Multiobjective Railway Alignment Optimization Using Ballastless Track and Reduced Cross-Section in Tunnel

The increasing need for railway planning and design to connect growing cities in inland mountainous areas has pushed engineering efforts toward the research of railway tracks that must comply with more restrictive constraints. In this study, a multiobjective alignment optimization (HAO), commonly used for highway projects, was carried out to identify a better solution for constructing a high-speed railway track considering technical and economic feasibilities. Then, two different and innovative scenarios were investigated: an unconventional ballastless superstructure, which is more environment-friendly than a gravel superstructure, and a reduced cross-section in a tunnel, which enables a slower design speed and then, less restrictive geometric constraints and earthmoving. The results showed that the first solution obtained a better performance with a slight increase in cost. Moreover, both scenarios improved the preliminary alignment optimization, reducing the overall cost by 11% for the first scenario and 20% for the second one.

Nonlinear corrections on the parametrization methods

We present nonlinear corrections (NLCs) to the distribution functions at low values of x and $$Q^{2}$$ Q 2 using the parametrization $$F_{2}(x,Q^{2})$$ F 2 ( x , Q 2 ) and $$F_{L}(x,Q^{2})$$ F L ( x , Q 2 ) . We use a direct method to extract nonlinear corrections to the ratio of structure functions and the reduced cross section in the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) approximation with respect to the parametrization method (PM). Comparisons between the nonlinear results with the bounds in the color dipole model (CDM) and HERA data indicate the consistency of the nonlinear behavior of the gluon distribution function at low x and low $$Q^{2}$$ Q 2 . The nonlinear longitudinal structure functions are comparable with the H1 Collaboration data in a wide range of $$Q^{2}$$ Q 2 values. Consequently, the nonlinear corrections at NNLO approximation to the reduced cross sections at low and moderate $$Q^{2}$$ Q 2 values show good agreement with the HERA combined data. These results at low x and low $$Q^{2}$$ Q 2 can be applied to the LHeC region for analyses of ultra-high-energy processes.

INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF DAMAGE OF THE COMPRESSED CONCRETE ZONE IN BENDING RECTANGULAR REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS WITH INSUFFICIENT REINFORCEMENT

The tendency to use buildings and structures for new purposes is growing every year, which leads to the need to change constructive solutions. In such cases, during inspections, there is a need to analyze the bearing capacity of damaged structures. Damage can occur at various stages of the use of an element in construction: transported, installation, operation, and others. For this period, according to the current standards, the residual bearing capacity is determined by the method of the equivalent element. Thus, the strength of the reduced cross-section is determined (the damaged part is folded back). This calculation excludes from the consideration the zones that perceive the loads, but are located in plane damage. Currently, studies of the effect of damage on the residual strength of elements are constantly increasing, taking into account their expediency. Research is more focused on typical elements such as beams and columns. The compositional properties of reinforced concrete elements significantly increase the number of factors that must be taken into account when performing experimental and theoretical studies in this area. The damage itself, depending on their type and characteristics, has a different effect on the strength of the element. There is also a need to take into account additional variations in external influences on the element in addition to damage, such as: change in the load level, the presence of defects, change in the design scheme of the element due to external factors and others. Thus, the priority is, first of all, the study of idealized injuries, with the subsequent use of this base of developments for the study of this damage with additional factors. This article discusses: research on damaged reinforced concrete elements in Ukraine and abroad; the developed test methodology for bending reinforced concrete elements of rectangular cross-section with damage to concrete in a compressed zone with insufficient reinforcement, with variability in changing the width of damage of 20 and 80 mm with a height of damage of 30 mm is presented; the influence of variability of damage in research specimens with insufficient reinforcement on deformability and bearing capacity is reflected; the influence of damage variability on the change in the real height of the compressed zone from the load level is considered; implementation of conclusions on the result of the study.

Ultra-sensitive nanoLC-MS using second generation micro pillar array LC technology with Orbitrap Exploris 480 and FAIMS PRO to enable single cell proteomics

ABSTRACTIn the light of the ongoing single-cell revolution, scientific disciplines are combining forces to retrieve as much relevant data as possible from trace amounts of biological material. For single cell proteomics, this implies optimizing the entire workflow from initial cell isolation down to sample preparation, liquid chromatography (LC) separation, mass spectrometer (MS) data acquisition and data analysis. To demonstrate the potential for single cell and limited sample proteomics, we report on a series of benchmarking experiments where we combine LC separation on a new generation of micro pillar array columns with state-of-the-art Orbitrap MS/MS detection and High-Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS). This dedicated limited sample column has a reduced cross section and micro pillar dimensions that have been further downscaled (inter pillar distance and pillar diameter by a factor of 2), resulting in improved chromatography at reduced void times. A dilution series of a HeLa tryptic digest (5-0.05 ng/μL) was used to explore the sensitivity that can be achieved. Comparative processing of the MS/MS data with Sequest HT, MS Amanda, Mascot and SpectroMine pointed out the benefits of using Sequest HT together with INFERYS when analyzing samples amounts below 1 ng. 2855 proteins were identified from just 1 ng of HeLa lysate, hereby increasing detection sensitivity as compared to a previous contribution by a factor well above 10. By successfully identifying 1486 proteins from as little as 250 pg of HeLa tryptic digest, we demonstrate outstanding sensitivity with great promise for use in limited sample proteomics workflows.

Impact of LHC Higgs couplings measurements on bosonic decays of the neutral Higgs sector in the scNMSSM

We analyze the Next-to-minimal supersymmetric Standard Model with Grand unification boundary conditions under current theoretical and experimental constraints. We compute the mass spectrum of the model and focus on the three lightest particles in the Higgs sector (two CP-even scalars, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and one CP-odd, [Formula: see text]). The reduced couplings of such particles, singlet-doublet components, their branching ratios to bosons and reduced cross-section to photons and massive gauge bosons via gluon fusion are thoroughly and systematically scrutinized. Our analysis is focused on the parameter space where the singlet-doublet coupling [Formula: see text] is as large as possible (keeping the perturbativity bound intact) and the ratio between the vacuum expectation values of the up-type and down-type Higgses [Formula: see text] is as small as possible, which is the region representing the most natural case of the NMSSM. We show the impact of recent constraints from the LHC on the SM-Higgs couplings to bosons and fermions on the parameter space of the model and the consequent implications on the Higgs sector. The results show that while the model is still able to account for current data, and provide an opportunity for discovery of extended Higgs sectors, recent LHC Higgs couplings constraints rule-out parts of the parameter space where [Formula: see text] (non-SM-like) and [Formula: see text] are non-singlet with masses below 400 GeV.

Approaches to taking into account horizontal movements of foundations in the work of wooden reinforced cables

The behavior of a wooden stress ribbon structures reinforced with steel rope under the action of a load evenly distributed along the entire length of the cable was investigated. The analysis of the results of static tests of the wooden reinforced cable of the VD-3.1 series is given. A criterion is proposed according to which a wooden stress ribbon structures reinforced with steel rope can be considered according to the theory of rigid threads. To ensure the stability and geometric invariance of the structures formed by rigid threads, an important role is played by taking into account the pliability of the supports that perceive the horizontal support reactions (spacing of the cable). Deformation of the supports of rigid cables causes the appearance of significant bending moments in the body of the cable, and also leads to an increase in the deflection of the structure. Therefore, special attention was paid to the study of the pliability of supports during the tests of wooden stress ribbon structures reinforced with steel rope to the action of a load evenly distributed along the length of the cable. The pliability of supports during experimental tests of wooden stress ribbon structures reinforced with steel rope was investigated. The obtained results are compared with the calculated value of the pliability of the supports, calculated based on the deformability of the installation for testing cable structures. The methods of calculating the deflections of the cables, which take into account the pliability of the supports, were tested. The influence of the pliability of the supports on the deflection of the cable is determined. At the level of the pliability of the supports, the deformability of the cable was influenced by the pliability of the nodal joints of the wooden elements of the cable. Based on this, the deformability of the joints of the wooden elements of the cable on the punched metal plate fasteners and its effect on the deflection of the cable were investigated. The coefficient of deformability of joints was suggested, which took into account the nonlinear dependence of the deformation of joints of wooden elements of the cable on the applied load. Due to the need to take into account the joint work of the wooden body of the cable and the steel rope, the calculated characteristics of the reduced cross section of the wooden cable reinforced with steel rope were calculated. A static calculation of a wooden stress ribbon structures reinforced with steel rope according to the theory of rigid threads is performed and the results of calculations are compared with experimental data.

2-Stroke Scavenging in Conventional and Minimally-Modified 4-Stroke Engines for Heavy Duty Applications at Low to Medium Speeds

The transformation of a standard 4-stroke cylinder head into a torque-improved and gradually more efficient 2-stroke design is discussed. The concept with an effective loop scavenging via an extended inlet valve holds promise for engines at low- to medium-rotational speeds for typical designs of conventional 4-stroke cylinder heads. Calculations, flow simulations, and visualizations of experimental flows in relevant geometries and time scales indicate feasibility, followed by a small engine demonstration. Based on presumably long-forgotten and outdated patents, and the central topic of this contribution, an additional jockey rides on the inlet valve’s disk (facing away from the combustion chamber) and reshapes the in-cylinder flow into a reverted tumble. A quick gas exchange with a well-suppressed shortcut into the open exhaust is approached. For overall mechanical efficiency, the required charge pressure for scavenging is of paramount importance due to the short scavenging time and the intake’s reduced cross-section. Herein, still acceptable charging pressures are reported for scavenging periods equivalent to low or medium rotational speeds, as characteristic for heavy-duty applications. Using widely available components (charger, direct injection, variable camshaft angles) an increased engine efficiency is suggested due to the 2-stroke’s downsizing effect (relatively less internal friction as well as the promise of more torque and a decreased size).