Ordering tendencies in Pd-Pt, Rh-Pt, and Ag-Au alloys

First-principles quantum-mechanical calculations indicate that the mixing enthalpies for Pd-Pt and Rh-Pt solid solutions are negative, in agreement with experiment. Calculations of the diffuse-scattering intensity due to short-range order also exhibits ordering tendencies. Further, the directly calculated enthalpies of formation of ordered intermetallic compounds are negative. These ordering tendencies are in direct conflict with a 1959 prediction of Raub that Pd-Pt and Rh-Pt will phase-separate below ~760 °C (hence their mixing energy will be positive), a position that has been adopted by all binary alloy phase diagram compilations. The present authors predict that Pd_1-xPt_x will order in the L1₂, L1₀, and L1₂ structures ([001] superstructures) at compositionsx = 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4, respectively, while the ordered structures of Rh_1-xPt_x are predicted to be superlattices stacked along the [012] directions. While the calculated ordering temperatures for these intermetallic compounds are too low to enable direct growth into the ordered phase, diffuse-scattering experiments at higher temperatures should reveal ordering rather than phase-separation characteristics (i.e., off-F peaks). The situation is very similar to the case of Ag-Au, where an ordering tendency is manifested both by a diffuse scattering intensity and by a negative enthalpy of mixing. An experimental reexamination of PdPt and Rh-Pt is needed.     

Context Aware Terrain Visualization for Wayfinding and Navigation

To assist wayfinding and navigation, the display of maps and driving directions on mobile devices is nowadays commonplace. While existing system can naturally exploit GPS information to facilitate orientation, the inherently limited screen space is often perceived as a drawback compared to traditional street maps as it constrains the perception of contextual information. Moreover, occlusion issues add to this problem if the environment is shown from the popular egocentric perspective. In this paper we describe an interactive visualization system that addresses these problems by reallocating the available screen space. At the heart of our system are three novel visualization techniques: First, we propose a non‐standard perspective that allows to blend between the familiar pedestrian perspective and a standard map depiction with reduced occlusion. Second, we derive an efficient deformation technique that allows an interactive allocation of screen space to areas of interest like e.g. nearby touristic attractions. Finally, a path adaptive isometric perspective is proposed that reveals otherwise hidden facades in top‐down views. We describe efficient implementations of all techniques and exemplify our interactive system on real world urban models.     

Morphology and composition of nanograde calcium phosphate needle-like crystals formed by simple hydrothermal treatment

Nanograde calcium phosphate needle-like crystals are prepared from wet synthesized Ca–P precipitates by simple hydrothermal treatment at 140°C and 0.3 MPa for 2 h. The morphology of these crystals is observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase composition is tested through X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). It is found that the morphology of these crystals is related to the activity or fresh degree of the starting Ca–P precipitates and the added fluorine ions, but is not greatly influenced by the Ca/P ratio of the precipitates. These crystals with a Ca/P ratio between 1.67 and 1.5 show a poorly crystallized apatite structure at room temperature and a biphasic (HA+–TCP) structure at 1100°C, corresponding to their Ca/P ratio. It is demonstrated that these nonstoichiometric apatite crystals contain lattice-bound water which could play an important role in the formation of bone apatite. The similarity in morphology and composition between these needle-like crystals and the apatite crystals in bone provides a possibility to make a bone-like implant consisting of these needle-like crystals and collagen, etc.     

New features of the Mott-Hubbard insulator gap of parent HTS compounds found by resonance Raman scattering and UV-excited ordinary Raman scattering

Optical absorption at the insulating gap in the parent phase of cuprate superconductors shows a broad exciton-like peak near 1.7 eV, followed by a gradual decrease in absorption persisting 1 eV above the gap. By using ultraviolet laser lines to excite Raman spectra, we have found a Raman peak 0.2 eV below the first absorption peak in insulating cuprates. The Raman peak is much narrower than the absorption peak and hasA _2g symmetry. We assign it to an exciton consisting of a hole transition from Cu to a linear combination of Cud _xy and nearest neighbor Op orbitals. We have also studied the resonance Raman profile for two-magnon Raman scattering in the same samples. We find a sharp resonance feature at about 2.7 eV, and little Raman intensity for photon energies at the 1.7 eV absorption peak. The state created at the peak must therefore be an inappropriate intermediate state for the double spin-flip Raman process.     

Natural ligands of the B cell adhesion molecule CD22 beta can be masked by 9-O-acetylation of sialic acids

CD22 beta is a B cell-restricted phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of mature resting B cells. It mediates interactions with other cells partly or exclusively via recognition of alpha 2-6-linked sialic acids on glycoconjugates. The sialylated N-linked oligosaccharides recognized best by CD22 beta are common to many glycoproteins, suggesting that additional regulatory mechanisms may exist. Since the exocyclic side chain of sialic acid is required for recognition, we explored the effects of a naturally occurring modification of the side chain, 9-O-acetylation. Semisynthetic N-linked oligosaccharides terminating with 9-O-acetylated, alpha 2-6-linked sialic acids showed markedly reduced binding to CD22 beta relative to their non-O-acetylated counterparts. Murine lymphoid cells were probed for natural CD22 beta ligands that might be O-acetylated using recombinant soluble forms of CD22 beta (CD22 beta Rg) and influenza C esterase (CHE-Fc, which specifically removes 9-O-acetyl esters from sialic acids). By flow cytometry analysis, CD22 beta Rg binding to splenic B cells and a subset of T cells was increased by pretreatment with CHE-Fc, indicating that some potential CD22 beta ligands are naturally "masked" by 9-O-acetylation. Unmasking of these CD22 beta ligands by removal of 9-O-acetyl esters from intact splenocytes substantially increases their CD22 beta-dependent adhesion in an in vitro adhesion assay. Probing of murine lymphoid tissue sections by CD22 beta Rg and CHE-Fc treatment demonstrates regionally restricted and differentially expressed patterns of distribution between masked and unmasked ligands. For example, lymph node-associated follicular B cells express high levels of CD22 beta ligands, none of which are masked by 9-O-acetylation. In contrast, the ligands on lymph node-associated dendritic cells are almost completely masked by 9-O-acetylation, suggesting that masking may regulate interactions between CD22 beta-positive B cells and dendritic cells. In the thymus, only medullary cells express CD22 beta ligands, and a significant portion of these are masked by 9-O-acetylation, particularly at the cortical-medullary junction. Thus, 9-O-acetylation of sialic acids on immune cells is in a position to negatively regulate CD22 beta adhesion events in a manner depending on both cell type and tissue localization.     

Refractive-index-profile determinations by using Lloyd's mirage

A method is presented for the experimental determination of refractive-index profiles for planar media of monotonically decreasing refractive index, such as those used for optical waveguides. The technique is based on a generalization of the classical experiment of Lloyd's mirror, involving the interference pattern formed by a point source and its mirage, i.e., its reflection in such a graded planar medium.     

Ultraschallbasierte in situ Vorspannkraftermittlung an Schrauben ohne Referenzmessung im nicht verspannten Zustand durch Kombination von Longitudinal- und Transversalwellen

Ultrasonic based bolt preload evaluation is commonly performed using the mono-wave method. This method works by measuring the time of flight of longitudinal waves. Here, a reference measurement in the unloaded condition is necessary for each bolt. In this publication the longitudinal wave is complemented by another type of ultrasonic wave - the transverse wave. This method does not require a reference measurement in the unloaded condition for each bolt. Moreover, an analytic method for determining the bolt-specific K-value is introduced, which is needed for the ultrasonic bolt preload determination. The analytically calculated K-values are compared with experimental K-values from tensile tests. The influence of material, bolt property class and surface protection system were determined with cylindrical specimens. In component tests, the bolt preload was evaluated using the bi-wave method, a possible influence of the bolt assembly method was investigated and the results were interpreted regarding their accuracy.     

The response to domestic violence in a model court: some initial findings and implications

This study utilized a non-experimental design to obtain information on a full range of domestic violence incidents brought before the Quincy, Massachusetts District Court, a model court. One limitation of previous research on spouse assaults using more sophisticated designs is that the target population has been restricted to specific subgroups of cases thereby limiting subsequent discussions of policy/practice implications of the findings vis-a-vis all spouse assault cases. To address this research "shortfall", we obtained permission from the Quincy District Court to examine all the spouse assault cases brought before the court during a 7-month period (June, 1995, through February, 1996). The findings show that in a full enforcement environment, victims took out restraining orders only against the most violent, criminally abusive men. Most men who were arrested for domestic violence had prior criminal histories for a variety of offenses. Domestic violence offenders appeared to be of two types: those with extensive and diverse criminal histories and those with little or no such involvement. However, active criminal justice intervention against domestic violence offenders appears to be primarily directed toward offenders already active in the criminal justice system.