On prismatic and bending bifurcations of fiber-reinforced elastic membranes under swelling with application to aortic aneurysms

The influence of swelling on prismatic and bending bifurcation modes of inflated thin-walled cylinders under axial loading is examined. The bifurcation criteria for a membrane cylinder subjected to combined axial loading, internal pressure, and swelling is provided. We consider orthotropic materials with two preferred directions which are mechanically equivalent and symmetrically disposed. The mechanical behavior of the matrix is described by a swellable isotropic model. The isotropic material is augmented with two functions that are equal, each one of them accounting for the existence of a unidirectional reinforcement. Two reinforcing models that depend only on the stretch in the fiber direction are considered: the so-called standard reinforcing model and an exponential one. The analysis of bifurcation modes for these models under the conditions at hand may establish the connection with modeling of the normal and diseased aorta in arterial wall tissue. The effects of the axial stretch, the strength of the fiber reinforcement and the fiber winding angle on the onset of prismatic and bending bifurcations are investigated. It is shown that for membranes without fibers, prismatic bifurcation is not feasible. On the other hand, bending bifurcation is more likely to occur for swollen cylinders. However, for a particular model of fiber-reinforced membranes, the standard model, there exists a domain of deformation values together with material constant values that may trigger prismatic bifurcation. The exponential model does not allow prismatic bifurcations. Both models allow bending bifurcation and may or may not trigger it depending on the deformation together with material parameters.

Durotaxis of passive nanoparticles on elastic membranes

The transport of macromolecules and nanoscopic particles to a target cellular site is a crucial aspect in many physiological processes. This directional motion is generally controlled via active mechanical and chemical processes. Here we show, by means of molecular dynamics simulations and an analytical theory, that completely passive nanoparticles can exhibit directional motion when embedded in non-uniform mechanical environments. Specifically, we study the motion of a passive nanoparticle adhering to a mechanically non-uniform elastic membrane. We observe a non-monotonic affinity of the particle to the membrane as a function of the membrane's rigidity, which results in the particle transport. This transport can be both up or down the rigidity gradient, depending on the absolute values of the rigidities that the gradient spans across. We conclude that rigidity gradients can be used to direct average motion of passive macromolecules and nanoparticles on deformable membranes, resulting in the preferential accumulation of the macromolecules in regions of certain mechanical properties.

Adaptive finite element analysis of free vibration of elastic membranes via element energy projection technique

Purpose A general strategy is developed for adaptive finite element (FE) analysis of free vibration of elastic membranes based on the element energy projection (EEP) technique. Design/methodology/approach By linearizing the free vibration problem of elastic membranes into a series of linear equivalent problems, reliable a posteriori point-wise error estimator is constructed via EEP super-convergent technique. Hierarchical local mesh refinement is incorporated to better deal with tough problems. Findings Several classical examples were analyzed, confirming the effectiveness of the EEP-based error estimation and overall adaptive procedure equipped with a local mesh refinement scheme. The computational results show that the adaptively-generated meshes reasonably catch the difficulties inherent in the problems and the procedure yields both eigenvalues with required accuracy and mode functions satisfying user-preset error tolerance in maximum norm. Originality/value By reasonable linearization, the linear-problem-based EEP technique is successfully transferred to two-dimensional eigenproblems with local mesh refinement incorporated to effectively and flexibly deal with singularity problems. The corresponding adaptive strategy can produce both eigenvalues with required accuracy and mode functions satisfying user-preset error tolerance in maximum norm and thus can be expected to apply to other types of eigenproblems.

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Cryogel Membranes Loaded with Resveratrol as Potential Active Wound Dressings

Hydrogel wound dressings are highly effective in the therapy of wounds. Yet, most of them do not contain any active ingredient that could accelerate healing. The aim of this study was to prepare hydrophilic active dressings loaded with an anti-inflammatory compound - trans-resveratrol (RSV) of hydrophobic properties. A special attention was paid to select such a technological strategy that could both reduce the risk of irritation at the application site and ensure the homogeneity of the final hydrogel. RSV dissolved in Labrasol was combined with an aqueous sol of poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA), containing propylene glycol (PG) as a plasticizer. This sol was transformed into a gel under six consecutive cycles of freezing (-80 °C) and thawing (RT). White, uniform and elastic membranes were successfully produced. Their critical features, namely microstructure, mechanical properties, water uptake and RSV release were studied using SEM, DSC, MRI, texture analyser and Franz-diffusion cells. The cryogels made of 8 % of PVA showed optimal tensile strength (0.22 MPa) and elasticity (0.082 MPa). The application of MRI enabled to elucidate mass transport related phenomena in this complex system at the molecular (detection of PG, confinement effects related to pore size) as well as at the macro level (swelling). The controlled release of RSV from membranes was observed for 48 h with mean dissolution time of 18 h and dissolution efficiency of 35 %. All in all, these cryogels could be considered as a promising new active wound dressings.

CORRECTNESS OF THE MIXED PROBLEM FOR ONE CLASS OF DEGENERATE MULTIDIMENSIONAL HYPERBOLO-PARABOLIC EQUATIONS

It is known that in mathematical modeling of electromagnetic fields in space, the nature of the electromagnetic process is determined by the properties of the medium. If the medium is non-conductive, we get degenerate multi-dimensional hyperbolic equations. If the medium has a high conductivity, then we go to degenerate multidimensional parabolic equations. Consequently, the analysis of electromagnetic fields in complex media (for example, if the conductivity of the medium changes) reduces to degenerate multidimensional hyperbolic-parabolic equations. Also, it is known that the oscillations of elastic membranes in space according to the Hamilton principle can be modeled by degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations. Studying the process of heat propagation in a medium filled with mass leads to degenerate multidimensional parabolic equations. Consequently, by studying the mathematical modeling of the process of heat propagation in oscillating elastic membranes, we also come to degenerate multidimensional hyperbolic-parabolic equations. When studying these applications, it is necessary to obtain an explicit representation of the solutions of the studied problems. The mixed problem for degenerate multidimensional hyperbolic equations was previously considered. As far as is known, these questions for degenerate multidimensional hyperbolic-parabolic equations have not been studied. In this paper, unique solvability is shown and an explicit form of the classical solution of the mixed problem for one class of degenerate multidimensional hyperbolic-parabolic equations is obtained.

IXED PROBLEM FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL HYPERBOLIC EQUATIONS WITH DEGENERATION OF TYPE AND ORDER

It is known that in space during mathematical modeling of electromagnetic fields in space, the nature of the electromagnetic process is determined by the properties of the medium. If the medium is non-conductive, then we get degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations. Therefore, the analysis of electromagnetic fields in complex environments (for example, if the conductivity of the medium changes) is reduced to degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations. It is also known that oscillations of elastic membranes in space according to the Hamilton principle can be modeled by degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations. Therefore, by studying mathematical modeling of the process of heat propagation in oscillating elastic membranes, we also come to degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations. When studying these applications, it becomes necessary to obtain a clear representation of the solutions to the investigated problems. The mixed problem for degenerating multidimensional hyperbolic equations in generalized spaces is well researched. This task is also studied in the works of S. A. Aldashev, where it is shown that its correctness significantly depends on the height of the cylindrical region under consideration. A.V. Bitsadze drew attention to the importance of studies of multidimensional hyperbolic equations with degeneration of type and order. Mixed problems for these equations have not previously been studied. In this work, the solvability of a mixed problem is shown and a clear form of a classical solution for three-dimensional hyperbolic equations with degeneration of type and order is obtained.