Flow behavior of Plasticine used in physical modeling of metal forming processes

In this study, compression tests were conducted to determine the flow behavior of various types of Plasticine. True stress–true strain relations are presented in the form of a well-known power law equation. It is shown that the strength coefficient and the strain hardening exponent vary significantly among the Plasticine with different colors commercially available. Furthermore, since three dimensional simulations require arranging slabs of alternating colors to form a grid pattern, two different colors, exhibiting similar flow characteristics, are identified. The flow behavior of the composite model is usually not the same as that of the individual colors. The results presented in this paper allow selection of the type of Plasticine which most closely resembles the strain hardening characteristic of the actual metal, thereby satisfying the “similarity condition” of the Physical Modeling Technique.     

Cardioprotective Effects of a Nonsteroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blocker,Esaxerenone, in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats

We investigated the effects of esaxerenone, a novel, nonsteroidal, and selective mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, on cardiac function in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats. We provided 6-week-old DSS rats a high-salt diet (HSD, 8% NaCl). Following six weeks of HSD feeding (establishment of cardiac hypertrophy), we divided the animals into the following two groups: HSD or HSD + esaxerenone (0.001%, w/w). In survival study, all HSD-fed animals died by 24 weeks of age, whereas the esaxerenone-treated HSD-fed animals showed significantly improved survival. We used the same protocol with a separate set of animals to evaluate the cardiac function by echocardiography after four weeks of treatment. The results showed that HSD-fed animals developed cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by reduced stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output. Importantly, esaxerenone treatment decreased the worsening of cardiac dysfunction concomitant with a significantly reduced level of systolic blood pressure. In addition, treatment with esaxerenone in HSD-fed DSS rats caused a reduced level of cardiac remodeling as well as fibrosis. Furthermore, inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly reduced. These data indicate that esaxerenone has the potential to mitigate cardiac dysfunction in salt-induced myocardial injury in rats.     

Measurements of the Thermal Neutron Macroscopic Absorption Cross Section for Neutron Absorbing Layers

Objective of this study is measuring the macroscopic cross section of a neutron absorbing layer for thermal neutrons. For this purpose a neutron source and BF ₃ detector have been applied. For measuring macroscopic cross section of thermal neutrons by the \( I = BI_{0} e^{{ - \sum\nolimits_{tot} t}} \) Formula, it is necessary to provide suitable geometric conditions in order to assume the production and build-up coefficient to be the unit value (=1). To fulfill required conditions for this assumption, surface of the detector is covered with a 2 mm thick layer of cadmium. Radiation window of the detector has a 3 cm diameter, situated directly in front of the source. By placing the cadmium cover over the detector, variation of \( Ln{\frac{{I_{0}^{{}} }}{I}} \) values verses thickness of absorbent layer, renders linear function behavior, making it possible to measure the macroscopic cross section. The next stage is applying the MCNP code by simulating F1 tally and cosine-cards for calculating Total Macroscopic Cross-Section. Validation of this study is achieved through comparison of simulation by the MCNP code and results rendered by experiment measurements.     

Calibration of Radiation Thermometry Fixed Points Using Au/Pt Thermocouples

At NMIA, radiation thermometers are calibrated by comparison with a number of reference radiation thermometers which are themselves calibrated using fixed-point cells on the ITS-90 temperature scale (In, Sn, Zn, Al, Ag, and Au). The suitability of NMIA fixed-point cells used for standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs) is evaluated by the comparison of ensembles of cells at each fixed point, and by participation in the international BIPM Key-Comparisons K3 and K4. However, the NMIA fixed-point cells used for radiation thermometry are typically much smaller (only 110 mm in length) and the thermowell length immersed in the metal much shorter (85 mm) than those used for SPRTs. Further, the insulation at the front of the crucible needs to accommodate the F/10 viewing cone of the radiation thermometers, so significant temperature gradients exist near the top of the crucible. As a consequence, the conduction errors obtained using SPRTs are too large to be of practical use. A convenient methodology based on the use of a Au/Pt thermocouple, together with a protective tube assembly to reduce conduction errors, has been developed. This allows the convenient measurement of the phase transition temperature traceable, at the 30 mK level, to the fixed-point cells used at NMIA to realize and maintain the ITS-90 scale. As the measurements are made in situ, the temperature environment, and hence the geometry and formation of the liquid?Csolid interface during melting and freezing, are similar to that occurring when used with radiation thermometers. Results are presented for ITS-90 fixed points up to Ag, establishing formal traceability of radiation thermometry fixed-point cells to NMIA??s primary ITS-90 cells.     

Characteristics of Dioxane Lignins Isolated at Different Ages of Nalita Wood (Trema orientalis)

Abstract

Nalita (Trema orientalis) is one of the fastest growing trees in the tropical countries. The structural characteristics of lignin isolated at different ages of Nalita wood (Trema orientalis) by acidolytic dioxane method were examined by UV, FTIR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, molecular weight determination, elemental and methoxyl analysis. The data were compared with aspen lignin. The structural analysis revealed that Nalita wood lignin is syringyl‐guaiacyl type. The methoxyl content in Nalita wood lignin was lower than aspen lignin. The C₉ formulas for 30‐months‐old Nalita was C₉H_9.31O_3.13(OCH₃)_1.27, whereas that of aspen was C₉H_8.94O_3.15(OCH₃)_1.47. The weight average molecular weight of Nalita wood lignin was decreased from 36,500 to 25,500 with increasing tree age from 12 to 30 months, whereas weight average molecular weight of aspen was 20,000. Both alcoholic and phenolic hydroxyl group in Nalita wood lignin is lower than aspen lignin.     

Effect of the inflation strategy on the piezoelectric response of cellular poly(vinylidene fluoride) ferroelectret

Cellular poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-montmorillonite (MMT)-calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) based piezoelectret films were produced using uniaxial stretching and various gas diffusion expansion (GDE) treatments followed by corona charging. The cross section micrographs revealed that a cellular structure was developed at the interface between the solid CaCO₃ particles and the polymer matrix. Sample characterization showed that the piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) was a function of the external gas pressure and treatment temperature, as well as the way they were applied. The results also showed that the maximum d₃₃ was obtained when the inflation pressure was increased stepwise from 3 to 5 MPa at a constant treatment temperature of 130°C for a certain period of time. Finally, the overall electromechanical performance of the cellular PVDF piezoelectrets is discussed in terms of the GDE procedure and the developed microstructures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47540.