Percussive tool use holds special interest for scientists concerned with human origins. We summarize the findings from two field sites, Taı̈ and Fazenda Boa Vista, where percussive tool use by chimpanzees and bearded capuchins, respectively, has been extensively investigated. We describe the ecological settings in which nut-cracking occurs and focus on four aspects of nut-cracking that have impo...

Samples of apricot pits at 7.61, 12.45, 18.21 and 25.15% (wet basis) moisture contents in the three directions (along length, width and thickness) were subjected to impact energy ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 J using an impact test apparatus. Data obtained on the quantity of fully cracked and unbroken kernel, fully cracked but broken kernel and uncracked pits were used in the computation of the pits c...

In conventional WLCSP process, after defining the under bump metal (UBM) layer, a solder ball is dropped in the UBM opening. A subsequent thermal reflow cycle melts the solder ball and cools it in a well defined shape on top of the UBM layer. One draw back of this technology is the fracture or cracking of passivation film that may occur during the solder ball reflow process. The cracks in the p...

The paper presents a new analytical model to study the evolution of radial cracking around a corroding steel reinforcement bar embedded in concrete. The concrete cover for the corroding rebar is modelled as a thick-walled cylinder subject to axisymmetrical displacement constraint at the internal boundary generated by expansive corrosion products. A bilinear softening curve reflecting realistic ...

Tensile stress develops in concrete when shrinkage deformations and restraints (internal or external) exist. Utilization of appropriate creep or relaxation functions is crucial for assessing stress and the associated cracking potential in concrete, especially at early ages when chemical and physical properties change rapidly. The existing models, developed either from compressive creep tests or...

We conducted an exploratory investigation in an area where nut-cracking by wild capuchin monkeys is common knowledge among local residents. In addition to observing male and female capuchin monkeys using stones to pound open nuts on stone "anvils," we surveyed the surrounding area and found physical evidence that monkeys cracked nuts on rock outcrops, boulders, and logs (collectively termed anv...

driven erosion could govern tectonic deformation has instigated a decade of geodynamic models and geological studies 5 that explore potential climate–tectonic feedbacks. According to this idea, erosion of mass from Earth’s surface may determine where tectonic deformation is most rapid. Consequently, heavy precipitation, rapid erosion and active faulting are predicted to be spatially correlated ...