Visual insights into high-resolution earthquake Simulations.

This study focuses on the visualization of a series of large earthquake simulations collectively called TeraShake. The simulation series aims to assess the impact of San Andreas Fault earthquake scenarios in Southern California. We discuss the role of visualization in gaining scientific insight and aiding unexpected discoveries.     

The flame retardant mechanism of polyolefins modified with chalk and silicone elastomer

This paper presents the current understanding of the flame retardant mechanism of Casico?. The study includes the flame retardant effect of each individual component: ethylene–acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer, as well as the formation of an intumescent structure during heating. The flame retardant properties were investigated by cone calorimetry and oxygen index tests. To obtain insight into the flame retardant mechanism, heat treatment under different conditions has also been performed. The results indicate that the flame retardant mechanism of Casico is complex and is related to a number of reactions, e.g. ester pyrolysis of acrylate groups, formation of carbon dioxide by reaction between carboxylic acid and chalk, ionomer formation and formation of an intumescent structure stabilized by a protecting char. Special emphasis is given to the formation of the intumescent structure and its molecular structure as evaluated from ¹³C MAS‐NMR and ²⁹Si MAS‐NMR, ESCA and XRD analysis. After treatment at 500°C the intumescent structure consists mainly of silicon oxides and calcium carbonate and after treatment at 1000°C the intumescent structure consists of calcium silicate, calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE OPTIMUM SPEED OF VISUAL INSPECTION USING A RANDOM SEARCH STRATEGY

Choosing a standard speed for visual inspection is difficult using standard work measurement techniques. This paper uses a different approach, taking a model of human functioning in inspection and deriving an optimum speed of working so as to balance the cost of time against the cost of errors. Random search is used as the model and both self-paced and externally-paced conditions are derived for multiple fault types. Optimization using a Golden Section search is used to provide optimum inspection speed.     

Gelling of alginate fibres

Equipment was developed to measure the time for complete gelling of sodium alginate fibres in calcium chloride solution, taken as the time to achieve maximum tensile strength. The effects of fibre diameter, alginate concentration, alginate composition and calcium chloride concentration on gelling time were investigated. A diffusional model, developed to predict the gelling time, agreed with experimental results except for the effect of calcium ion concentration which was modelled empirically.     

Discriminating age-associated memory impairment from Alzheimer's disease.

The authors attempt to provide a better understanding of the differences between the normal memory decline characteristic of age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) and the pathological decline typical of mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Batteries of traditional memory tests and computer-simulated everyday-memory tests discriminated between the 2 groups, which were matched on age, gender, and education, with reasonable degrees of accuracy (87.5% and 88.4%, respectively). False positives were the most frequent classification errors when using either battery. These results indicate that it is possible to use ecologically valid memory assessment paradigms without sacrificing discriminant validity. The clinical significance of discriminating mild AD from AAMI is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Viscoelasticity of oxidized starch/low methoxy pectin mixtures in the presence of glucose syrup

The structural properties of mixtures of pectin, oxidized starch and glucose syrup were investigated using small deformation dynamic oscillation. In the absence of added calcium, preparations of low methoxy pectin with glucose syrup formed viscous solutions, which remained crystal-free at subzero temperatures. Samples of oxidized starch and glucose syrup, on the other hand, exhibited solid-like behaviour because of the crystalline nature of the amylose-like helices. Mixtures of the two polysaccharides with the co-solute clearly showed phase inversion from liquid to solid-like behaviour with increasing amounts of starch in the formulation. The transformation was reflected in the textural properties of samples, which varied from thick solutions to firm gels. The viscoelasticity of the system was modified further by the introduction of high methoxy pectin. Preparations of high methoxy pectin and glucose syrup formed rubbery gels whose amorphous nature underwent a glass transition during cooling.