A high-temperature oxidation-resistant Fe-Mn-Al-Si alloy

To develop satisfactory alloys without Cr or Ni for high-temperature application up to 1100C, three alloys based on Fe-10%Al-Si with differing fourth (or fifth) element additions were oxidized in air at 1100°Cfor 24 hr. A low carbon, Fe-30Mn-10Al-Si alloy exhibited excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance. The total weight gain for 24 hr oxidation in air at 1100°C was only 1.03 mg/cm ². After air oxidation for 6 days at 1100°C, no nodule formation or breakthrough oxidation occurred. Post-oxidation SEM and EDAX examination showed that a thin, compact, protective alumina scale formed on the alloy.Visiting Scientist (People's Republic of China).     

The high-temperature oxidation of Ni-20%Cr alloys containing various oxide dispersions

The oxidation behavior of Ni-20%Cr alloys containing approximately 3 vol.% Y₂O₃, ThO₂, and A1₂O₃ as dispersed particles has been examined in the temperature range 900 to 1200° C in slowly flowing oxygen at 100 Torr. The results show that the oxidation behavior of the Y₂O₃-, ThO₂-, Al₂O₃-, and Ce0₂-containing alloys is very similar and that some anomalies in the behavior of the ThO₂-containing alloy might be explained by the slower rate of chromium diffusion in this coarse-grained alloy. Two Al₂O₃-containing alloys were studied. One with a relatively coarse dispersoid size behaved in a manner analogous to a dispersion-free Ni-30% Cr alloy at 1100°C. The other alloy contained a dispersion of fine Al₂O₃ particles and behaved exactly like the Y₂O₃-containing alloy at 1000 and 1100°C, but at 1200° C oxidized at a faster rate. It has been shown that the adherent scales on dispersion-containing alloys have a stabilized fine grain size, whereas the nonadherent scales on dispersion-free alloys undergo grain growth.This work has been supported by the Naval Air Systems Command under Contract No. N00019-72-C-0190.     

Evolution-in-materio: solving computational problems using carbon nanotube–polymer composites

Evolution-in-materio uses evolutionary algorithms to exploit properties of materials to solve computational problems without requiring a detailed understanding of such properties. We show that using a purpose-built hardware platform called Mecobo, it is possible to solve computational problems by evolving voltages and signals applied to an electrode array covered with a carbon nanotube–polymer composite. We demonstrate for the first time that this methodology can be applied to function optimization and also to the tone discriminator problem (TDP). For function optimization, we evaluate the approach on a suite of optimization benchmarks and obtain results that in some cases come very close to the global optimum or are comparable with those obtained using well-known software-based evolutionary approach. We also obtain good results in comparison with prior work on the tone discriminator problem. In the case of the TDP we also investigated the relative merits of different mixtures of materials and organizations of electrode array.     

Halting the hallmarks: a cellular automaton model of early cancer growth inhibition

Cancer treatment is a fragmented and varied process, as “cancer” is really hundreds of different diseases. The “hallmarks of cancer” proposed by Hanahan and Weinberg (Cell 100(1):57–70, 2000) are a framework for viewing cancer within a common set of underlying principles—ten properties that are common to almost all cancers, allowing them to grow uncontrollably and ravage the body. We used a cellular automaton model of tumour growth paired with lattice Boltzmann methods modelling oxygen flow to simulate combination drugs targeted at knocking out pairs of hallmarks. We found that knocking out some pairs of cancer-enabling hallmarks did not prevent tumour formation, while other pairs significantly prevent tumour growth (\(p=0.0004\) using Wilcoxon signed-rank adjusted with the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons). This is not what would be expected from models of knocking out the hallmarks individually, as many pairs did not have an additive effect but had either no statistically significant effect or a multiplicative one. We propose that targeting certain pairs of cancer hallmarks, specifically cancers ability to induce blood vessel development paired with another cancer hallmark, could prove an effective cancer treatment option.     

Simple substitution distance and metamorphic detection

To evade signature-based detection, metamorphic viruses transform their code before each new infection. Software similarity measures are a potentially useful means of detecting such malware. We can compare a given file to a known sample of metamorphic malware and compute their similarity—if they are sufficiently similar, we classify the file as malware of the same family. In this paper, we analyze an opcode-based software similarity measure inspired by simple substitution cipher cryptanalysis. We show that the technique provides a useful means of classifying metamorphic malware.     

Automated speech recognition for spreadsheet tasks: Performance effects for experts and novices

The performance of spreadsheet users was compared for two modes of input to the computer, keyboard and automated speech recognition (ASR). Subjects from both an expert group and a novice group were also classified by decision style. Dependent measures were task completion time, accuracy, keystroke count, correction count, and user confidence. Results for a speaker‐dependent, discrete‐word recognizer showed that, for both simple data input and more complex analytical spreadsheet tasks, neither the experts nor the novices performed more effectively using ASR. However, both groups expressed the desirability of having speech input as an option for desktop computing.     

User Preference for a Control-Based Reduced Processing Decision Support Interface

This study examined trainee crime-scene investigators' preference for, and accuracy in using, four different computer-based decision support interface designs, each of which incorporated a different reduced processing information acquisition strategy. The interfaces differed on the basis of the number of options that could be considered simultaneously and the level of control that could be exercised over the number and sequence in which feature values were accessed. Forty trainee investigators completed six decision scenarios in which they were asked to acquire information and formulate a decision by selecting one of three options. The study comprised two phases, the first of which involved familiarizing participants with each of the four interface designs and collecting performance and subjective data. The second phase involved trainees selecting one of the four interfaces to engage in a fifth and sixth decision scenario involving high or low levels of time-pressure. The results indicated that the “all options, full control” interface was the preferred option in the low time-pressure condition. Although the strategy remained the most frequently selected in the high time-pressure condition, this preference was not significant. It was concluded that the perceptions of difficulty and the degree of user control over information acquisition were more important than perceived efficiency in the selection of computer-based interface designs. The outcomes have implications for the design of decision support systems.     

Considerations for linking seatpan and backrest angles

Modern ergonomic chairs typically have several dimensions that can be adjusted independently of one another. Finding a desirable setting for any one dimension can depend on how other dimensions are set, thereby confronting users with a significant control problem. One design strategy for dealing with this problem has been to link changes in seatpan and backrest angles in some ratio, such that a one‐degree change in seatpan angle is associated with a two‐ or three‐degree change in backrest angle. However, there is no evidence to justify the choice of a particular ratio. This article presents data that addresses this issue. Subjects, performing either an entry or verification task, could adjust the chair to any position. Backrest and seatpan angles were plotted over time and analyzed using both graphical and statistical methods. The resulting scatter plots do not support the industry standard, 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, of changes in seatpan to backrest angles. The possibility of a variable linkage is discussed; however, problems associated with such a solution raise the possibility that control issues might be best addressed through training and exploration.     

The impact of watching television on evening melatonin levels

Self‐luminous electronic devices emit optical radiation at short wavelengths, close to the peak sensitivity of melatonin suppression. The present paper investigated if light from a 178‐cm (70 in.) television suppressed melatonin. Results showed that light from televisions does not impact melatonin levels in the evening.