A Conversional Model for Austenite Formation in Hypereutectoid Steels

An on-heating conversional model has been proposed to calculate the volume fraction of austenite in hypereutectoid steels from dilation strain. The transformation strain equation for austenite formation from ferrite and cementite was developed with lattice parameters modified to include alloying element effects. The conversional model was verified by comparing calculations with experimentally measured transformation temperatures and constituent volume fractions in the transformation temperature range for various heating rates. A continuous heating transformation (CHT) diagram was produced from model results.     

Evidence for selective inhibitory impairment in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: The social and communicative challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often compounded by additional difficulties with executive function. It remains unclear, however, to what the extent individuals with ASD experienced impairment in inhibitory control. The objective of the present study was to assess the three main subtypes of executive inhibitory control within a single ASD sample thus providing new insight into the unique ASD-related pattern of sparing and impairment observed across different aspects of inhibitory control. Method: A sample of 28 children with ASD (mean age = 13.1 years) and a comparison group of 49 neurologically uncompromised children (mean age = 13.3 years) participated. A prepotent response inhibition task, a flanker visual filtering task, and a proactive interference memory task were used to evaluate prepotent response inhibition, resistance to distracter interference, and resistance to proactive interference, respectively. Results: After accounting for individual differences in noninhibition abilities (e.g., processing speed) and overall level of functioning, there was no evidence of group-related differences in inhibitory performance on the prepotent response inhibition test or proactive interference test. ASD-related impairments in inhibitory control were evident, however, on the flanker visual filtering task. Conclusions: Taken together, the present findings indicate that ASD is associated with impairments in some, but not all, aspects of inhibitory control. Individuals with ASD appear to have difficulty ignoring distracting visual information, but prepotent response inhibition and resistance to proactive interference are relatively intact. The current findings also provide support for a multitype model of inhibitory control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

如何认识模数转换器的输入噪声

引言 所有模数转换器（ADC）都有一定数量折合到输入端的噪声,通常被看作一种与无噪声ADC的输入端串联的噪声源。不应该把折合到输入端的噪声与量化噪声相混淆,量化噪声仅在ADC处理随时间变化的信号时有意义。在大多数情况下,输入噪声越小越好;但是在有些情况下,输入噪声实际上对提高分辨率是有帮助的。     

Evolution of Texture and Deformation Mechanisms During Repeated Deformation and Heat Treating Cycles of U-6Nb

The evolution of the crystallographic texture and lattice strain of uranium 6-weight percent niobium alloy samples are tracked during multiple deformation and heat treating cycles in an effort to understand and control the mechanical properties of the material following thermo-mechanical processing. The heavily twinned microstructure and low-symmetry crystal structure of U-6Nb result in multiple sequential active deformation mechanisms associated with distinctive deformation textures in strain ranges from 0-0.15 true strain. It is found that heating into the high-temperature γ-phase erases much of the texture formed during deformation at room temperature in the α′′-phase and resets the active deformation mechanisms. Through a small number of deformation/heat treat cycles to moderate strains, i.e., ~ 0.13 per cycle, the flow strength of the material is recovered to its original value. However, on the fourth such cycle, a reduction of strength is observed and the sample failed.

     

Out of the Shadow: Long Term Cost Development of Intelligent Sensor Networks

The paper addresses intelligent sensor networks (ISNs) as a special version of networked wireless robotics. The success of these networks is partly explained by the technical advances, but as well by cutting down costs of these networks. Using a functional breakdown of intelligent ISNs, the trends of the various functions are discussed. The analysis shows how individual sensor network component prices decline at an almost predictable speed. This is mainly a result of generic developments in technology. These developments sustain because an economy of scale is reached at the level of individual components. This makes the integration of these components the most important barrier to acquire large scale implementation of intelligent ISNs, both with respect to cost and needed R&D breakthroughs. Integration includes the need for standardization and interoperability between different standards. The paper illustrates its generic analysis in two use cases: cooperative driving and smart living.     

Phase I/IIa safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy trial of NYVAC-Pf7, a pox-vectored, multiantigen, multistage vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Candidate malaria vaccines have failed to elicit consistently protective immune responses against challenge with Plasmodium falciparum. NYVAC-Pf7, a highly attenuated vaccinia virus with 7 P. falciparum genes inserted into its genome, was tested in a phase I/IIa safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy vaccine trial in human volunteers. Malaria genes inserted into the NYVAC genome encoded proteins from all stages of the parasite's life cycle. Volunteers received three immunizations of two different dosages of NYVAC-Pf7. The vaccine was safe and well tolerated but variably immunogenic. While antibody responses were generally poor, cellular immune responses were detected in >90% of the volunteers. Of the 35 volunteers challenged with the bite of 5 P. falciparum-infected Anopheles mosquitoes, 1 was completely protected, and there was a significant delay in time to parasite patency in the groups of volunteers who received either the low or high dose of vaccine compared with control volunteers.     

Cloning and characterization of two rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase genes from Aspergillus niger

A rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase gene of Aspergillus aculeatus was used as a probe for the cloning of two rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase genes of Aspergillus niger. The corresponding proteins, rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases A and B, are 78 and 72% identical, respectively, with the A. aculeatus enzyme. In A. niger cultures which were shifted from growth on sucrose to growth on apple pectin as a carbon source, the expression of the rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase A gene (rhgA) was transiently induced after 3 h of growth on apple pectin. The rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase B gene was not induced by apple pectin, but the rhgB gene was derepressed after 18 h of growth on either apple pectin or sucrose. Gene fusions of the A. niger rhgA and rhgB coding regions with the strong and inducible Aspergillus awamori exlA promoter were used to obtain high-producing A. awamori transformants which were then used for the purification of the two A. niger rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases. High-performance anion-exchange chromatography of oligomeric degradation products showed that optimal degradation of an isolated highly branched pectin fraction by A. niger rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases A and B occurred at pH 3.6 and 4.1, respectively. The specific activities of rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases A and B were then 0.9 and 0.4 U/mg, respectively, which is significantly lower than the specific activity of A. aculeatus rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase (2.5 U/mg at an optimal pH of 4.5). Compared to the A enzymes, the A. niger B enzyme appears to have a different substrate specificity, since additional oligomers are formed.     

Rates of methane formation from carbon dioxide and hydrogen over a ruthenium catalyst

The Sabatier Reaction, 4H₂ + CO₂ 2H₂O + CH₄ + 43 kcal was examined experimentally at 1 atm using a 0.5% ruthenium on alumina catalyst. Data are given from 62 experimental runs made in a 4.15 cm³ isothermal reactor with from 0 to 85% conversion in the inlet feed gases and feed flow ratios (H₂ to CO₂) of 1.9 to 3.9, and temperatures from 400 to 680 °F. Empirical correlations, based on modified gas phase kinetics, were made to describe the reaction rate over the experimental range.