Stopping power of swift neon ions in dependence on the charge state in the non-equilibrium regime

We report on measurements of charge changing cross-sections and energy losses in dependence on the initial and final charge state of Ne ions at an incident energy of 2 MeV/u penetrating thin carbon foils. Different initial charge states could be separated in energy by applying a high voltage in front of the carbon foils; the final charges and their energy loss were measured with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer. We derived a consistent evolution of the charge state distribution solving the corresponding rate equations for the measured cross-sections. Including the charge state dependent energy losses, ΔE(q_i,q_f), stopping power values for frozen charge states, S(q), could be extracted. The experimental data are compared with different theoretical predictions.     

Contraction Twinning Dominated Tensile Deformation and Subsequent Fracture in Extruded Mg-1Mn (Wt Pct) at Ambient Temperature

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, Mg alloys are attractive for applications where weight savings are critical. However, the limited cold...     

Concentration and distribution of platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Rh) in airborne particulate matter in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The concentrations and distribution of platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Rh) in airborne particulate matter were studied in a period of one year from August 2001 to July 2002 in urban and in nonurban areas. Airborne dust samples were collected as a total amount (particles with an aerodynamic diameter <22 microm) and classified using an eight-stage Andersen impactor (<10 microm) at three locations with different traffic density roads in the Frankfurt am Main and nonurban areas. Sampling at the three locations was performed simultaneously for total airborne dust and fractionated airborne dust. Pd was determined by total reflection X-ray fluorescence after Hg coprecipitation. Pt and Rh were analyzed by adsorptive striping voltammetry after HPA digestion. The results show that the PGE concentrations in airborne samples depend on the traffic density. The highest PGE concentrations in air were found in the vicinity of major roads with heavy traffic, and the lowest ones were found in the nonurban area. The presence of PGE at the sampling station relatively free of traffic in a nonurban area hints to a transport of some of the emitted PGE from the city to this station by wind. At all three sampling locations, a heterogeneous distribution of the Pd, Pt, and Rh concentrations during the sampling year can be observed. The sum of PGE concentrations in total airborne dust is comparable with the sum of impactor samples. However, the concentration of Pt and Rh in total airborne dust (<22 microm) is on average higher than in impactor samples (<10 microm). On the contrary, Pd concentration is higher in impactor samples in most cases. The airborne PGE distribution is dominated by Pt, followed by Pd and Rh. The impactor samples are dominated by Pd, followed by Pt and Rh. This fact indicates that palladium occurs mainly in relatively fine airborne particles. The main fraction of PGE is found on average in particle sizes between 1.1 and 4.7 microm. Knowledge of the size distribution of particles containing PGE is important with respect to risk assessment of human inhalation.     

Improving the sheared edge in the blanking of commercial AZ31 sheet through texture modification

Commercial rolled magnesium sheets of alloys AZ31 (Mg–3 mass%Al–1 mass%Zn) and ZE10 (Mg–1 mass% Zn–<1 mass% Rare Earths) in O-temper condition were used for blanking experiments near room temperature. A serrated fracture surface can be observed in case of AZ31 but not in case of ZE10. During the shearing process of the AZ31 sheet, many micro cracks parallel to the sheet plane are generated in the shearing zone. These micro cracks lead to the formation of loose particles during the shearing operation, which interfere with further processing of the part and incur additional costs by increasing the scrap rate.It is found that the strong basal texture of this alloy is an important reason for the generation of such serrated cracks. In this paper a new method of selective texture modification is described to locally change the mechanical properties of the AZ31 sheet. Subsequent shearing experiments show a significant change in the material behavior, especially regarding the direction of crack propagation, which leads to a better shearing performance. The commonly observed serrated crack does not occur any more after this local treatment and the sheared edge is clearly improved.     

Concentration and distribution of heavy metals in urban airborne particulate matter in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Heavy metal concentrations were measured in airborne dust collected at three sites with different traffic densities from August 2001 to July 2002 in the Frankfurt am Main area. Bulk samples of particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of <22 microm were collected on cellulose nitrate filters using air filtration devices. Fractionated samples of PM with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of <10 microm were collected using an eight-stage Andersen impactor. Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, V, As, Sb, Cu, Cr, Co, and Ce were determined by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry, Pt and Rh were determined by adsorptive voltammetry, and Pd was determined by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis. The results show that the highest airborne heavy metal concentrations occurred at the main street with a large volume of traffic. With the exception of Co, V, Ce, and Mn, the heavy metals had an elevated enrichment factor compared to their concentrations in the continental crust. The main street site was especially contaminated with Sb, Zn, Cu, V, and Ni. Motor vehicles are the likely source of emissions. With the exception of Cr, Cu, and Zn, most of the airborne heavy metal concentrations determined for impactor samples deviate slightly from the results for total airborne dust. Heavy metal particle size distributions can be divided into three groups. For metals such as As, Cd, Pb, and V, the main fraction can be found in fine particles with a diameter of <2.1 microm, whereas Ce, Cr, Co, and Ni occur mainly in coarse particles with a diameter of >2.1 microm. Cu, Mn, Sb, Zn, Pt, Pd, and Rh occur in high concentrations in the medium range of the impactor stages (particle diameters of 1.1-4.7 microm). Metal concentrations in fine dust particles are needed to assess the human health risks of their inhalation.     

Mapping of angiotensin AT1 receptors in the rat limbic system

The AT1 receptor is one of the two receptor subtypes able to bind angiotensin II. In the present study, immunohistochemical examination of the distribution of the AT1 receptor in several limbic structures of female rats has been done, revealing new aspects of the distribution of AT1-positive cells. The presence of AT1 receptor expressing cells in the hippocampus and the amygdala is described, but their distribution in these regions has not been examined in a detailed way. We found some notable differences in the distribution of these cells: in female rats, we detected high amounts of labeled cells in the hippocampus, the entorhinal cortex and piriform cortex. In somewhat lower amounts, stained cells could be found in several nuclei of the amygdala (in the basomedial, basolateral, lateral, central and medial nucleus of the amygdala, in the amygdalopiriform transition area and in the amygdalohippocampal transition area as well as in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis).     

A Comparison of U.S. and European Project Manager Decision-Making Styles

ABSTRACT

This research effort was an exploratory assessment of the decision-making leadership styles of U.S. and European project managers. Data were obtained via the Jerrell/Slevin 20-question survey from 65 U.S. and 63 European project managers during 1993 and 1994. The data reflect a high degree of similarity between U.S. and European managers in both the overall Decision Authority score and the overall Group's Information Input To Decision score. Statistical differences of the variables within the Decision Authority component are evident in the U.S. project managers more-frequent tendency to let groups decide the vacation and work schedules. However, U.S. managers employ less participation in their attempts to obtain quicker results. Within the Group's Information Input To Decision component, statistical differences indicate that the Europeans feel it is easier to make decisions in groups, but the data suggest that U.S. managers are more inclined to use information from subordinates. Although experience level based on number of years as a project manager appears to show little difference, the overall Decision Authority component is influenced by the number of projects managed.     

Texture Weakening Effects in Ce-Containing Mg Alloys

The purpose of the present study is to elucidate the cause of a texture transition observed in hot-rolled Mg-Ce alloys, with increasing Ce content. More dilute compositions show a predominance of basal 〈a〉 dislocations, while the more concentrated alloys are shown to contain significant populations of 〈c+a〉 and non-basal 〈a〉 dislocations in the as-rolled and the recovery-annealed conditions. Like Mg-Nd, the grain size in Mg-Ce decreases with increasing Ce. Unlike Mg-Nd, the second-phase particles observed are of the equilibrium phase, and the equilibrium solid solubility at the hot working temperature corresponds to the composition above which weak textures form. The significances of both non-basal slip and Zener pinning as contributors to texture randomization are discussed.     

单火花分析法测定钢和铝中夹杂物的改进

单火花分析法（Spark-DAT）有时用于替代或完善传统的夹杂物分析技术,有时用于评价元素可溶（或不可溶）部分的含量,或者用于替代抗疲劳性能试验。近来,Spark-DAT的一些发展不但引起了钢铁工业,也引起了铝工业的关注。本文介绍了使用Spark-DAT分析夹杂物的基本原理,并讨论了其相应算法的改进,及进行铁基体和铝基体样品中夹杂物分析的改进。