Film-forming capability in rough surface EHL investigated using contact resistance

Highly loaded machine elements such as gears and cams have a non-smooth surface topography that is created during manufacturing. It is well known that the film-building properties of such surfaces may be different from those that are perfectly smooth. The capability to form a separating film may also be altered in time due to run-in phenomena. In this study, a smooth steel ball was loaded against rough steel discs and run under pure rolling as well as sliding conditions. Several different steel surfaces were tested under nominal EHL conditions, where the contact was monitored by means of its electrical resistance and capacitance. Each surface was first run in for 15 min, followed by a sweep-in speed determining the lift-off curve. Electrical contact measurements were continuously conducted during run in as well as lift-off. Fully formulated gear oil and its base fluid were used as test lubricants. Results show that run in of a surface seems to be a competition between conformation of surface topography and tribofilm formation. At the tested conditions, the formation of a tribofilm is dependent on the initial surface topography and is created rapidly causing less metal–metal contact. This film also seems to effectively prohibit changes in surface topography causing less structural run in than expected.     

Location and co-location in retail: a probabilistic approach using geo-coded data for metropolitan retail markets

In this paper, we employ geo-coded data at a fine spatial resolution for Sweden’s metropolitan areas to assess retail co-location. Retail clusters and their place in urban space are assessed from several angles. The probability of a specific type of retail unit to be established in a 250 by 250 m square is modelled as a function of (i) the presence of other similar retail establishments, (ii) the presence of stores that belong to other retail sectors and (iii) other characteristics of the square area, and its access to demand in the pertinent urban landscape. The analysis clarifies which types of retail clusters one can expect to find in a metropolitan region, as well as their relationship to the urban landscape. We analyse three distinct types of stores: clothing, household appliances, and specialized stores. Stores with high intensities of interaction are co-located, and predominantly located close to the urban cores, consistent with predictions from bid rent theory and central place theory. We further document negative location tendencies between shops that sell frequently purchased products and shops that sell durables. Moreover, our results highlight the importance of demand in the close surroundings, which is particularly strong for small-scale establishments.     

Failure Resistance of the Historic Stone Bridge Structure of Charles Bridge. I: Susceptibility to Nonstress Effects

The monitoring of deformations of the stone structure of Charles Bridge in Prague proved the gravity and relevance of nonstress effects (temperature, moisture content) on cyclic deformations and permanent strain accompanied by a gradual disintegration of its stone masonry, growing tilt of the breast walls, and development of cracks in the masonry of the stone bridge structure. Each deformation cycle is accompanied by a gradual growth in permanent deformations. The “unmanifested” primary deformation due to, e.g., a temperature change causes a mechanical state of tension, and it is mainly the tensile stresses thus arising that contribute to the development of tensile cracks in the stone masonry.     

A survey of the training of computer users in Swedish companies

This study concerns how user training on newly introduced computer application programs is carried out. Questionnaire data from the computer managers of 265 Swedish companies were analysed. The results show that formal training, i.e., teacher-directed group instruction, and self-studies using instruction manuals represented nearly two-thirds of all reported training forms. For the most recently introduced program, classes (group instruction) with simultaneous computer exercises was the form of formal training that was nearly always used. When formal training was given it was compulsory in over half of the cases. However, substitutes for users attending a training course were only provided by the company in very few of these cases. The implications of these findings for effective user training are discussed.     

Multifunctional Gadolinium‐Doped Mesoporous TiO2 Nanobeads: Photoluminescence,Enhanced Spin Relaxation,and Reactive Oxygen Species Photogeneration,Beneficial for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Materials with controllable multifunctional abilities for optical imaging (OI) and magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) that also can be used in photodynamic therapy are very interesting for future applications. Mesoporous TiO₂ sub‐micrometer particles are doped with gadolinium to improve photoluminescence functionality and spin relaxation for MRI, with the added benefit of enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The Gd‐doped TiO₂ exhibits red emission at 637 nm that is beneficial for OI and significantly improves MRI relaxation times, with a beneficial decrease in spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation times. Density functional theory calculations show that Gd³⁺ ions introduce impurity energy levels inside the bandgap of anatase TiO₂, and also create dipoles that are beneficial for charge separation and decreased electron–hole recombination in the doped lattice. The Gd‐doped TiO₂ nanobeads (NBs) show enhanced ability for ROS monitored via ^?OH radical photogeneration, in comparison with undoped TiO₂ nanobeads and TiO₂ P25, for Gd‐doping up to 10%. Cellular internalization and biocompatibility of TiO₂@x Gd NBs are tested in vitro on MG‐63 human osteosarcoma cells, showing full biocompatibility. After photoactivation of the particles, anticancer trace by means of ROS photogeneration is observed just after 3 min irradiation.     

Notes on the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl Acetoacetate in Neoteric Solvents

Asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate to methyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate by [(R)- RuCl(binap)(p-cymen)]Cl has been studied in methanol-ionic liquid and methanol- dense CO₂ solvent systems. The ionic pairs triethylhexylammonium and 1-methylimidazolium with bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide and hexafluorophosphates were used. The role of ionic pairs on the kinetic parameters and (enantio)selectivity has been demonstrated. Although the CO₂ expanded methanol system suffered from a reduction in both reaction rate and product selectivity, this changed in the presence of water. The high selectivity of the optimized methanol-CO₂-water-halide system was designed as a consequence of observed additive effects.     

Einfluss der Feuchtebeladung bei der Druckbeanspruchung von Granulaten

The material behavior of γ‐Al₂O₃‐, zeolite 4A‐ und sodium benzoate granules at compression has been experimentally studied. The material behavior has been found to be dominant elastic, elastic‐plastic and dominant plastic. Additionally, the influence of moisture content on the material behavior has been investigated. The force‐displacement curves have been approximated using suitable mechanical models.     

A Novel Insight into the Cardiotoxicity of Antineoplastic Drug Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a commonly used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of many types of cancer. Little is known about the interactions of doxorubicin with cardiac biomolecules. Serious cardiotoxicity including dilated cardiomyopathy often resulting in a fatal congestive heart failure may occur as a consequence of chemotherapy with doxorubicin. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to doxorubicin on the changes in major amino acids in tissue of cardiac muscle (proline, taurine, glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, leucine, glycine, valine, alanine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine and serine). An in vitro interaction study was performed as a comparison of amino acid profiles in heart tissue before and after application of doxorubicin. We found that doxorubicin directly influences myocardial amino acid representation even at low concentrations. In addition, we performed an interaction study that resulted in the determination of breaking points for each of analyzed amino acids. Lysine, arginine, β-alanine, valine and serine were determined as the most sensitive amino acids. Additionally we compared amino acid profiles of myocardium before and after exposure to doxorubicin. The amount of amino acids after interaction with doxorubicin was significantly reduced (p = 0.05). This fact points at an ability of doxorubicin to induce changes in quantitative composition of amino acids in myocardium. Moreover, this confirms that the interactions between doxorubicin and amino acids may act as another factor most likely responsible for adverse effects of doxorubicin on myocardium.     

Apoferritin Modified Magnetic Particles as Doxorubicin Carriers for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Magnetic particle mediated transport in combination with nanomaterial based drug carrier has a great potential for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, doxorubicin encapsulation into the apoferritin and its conjugation with magnetic particles was investigated by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF). The quantification of encapsulated doxorubicin was performed by fluorescence spectroscopy and compared to CE-LIF. Moreover, the significant enhancement of the doxorubicin signal was observed by addition of methanol into the sample solution.     

Multiple Compression of Moist Spherical Elastic‐Plastic Zeolite 4A Granules

The compression, deformation and material behavior of moist spherical elastic‐plastic zeolite 4A granules under multiple stressing conditions at unique and random contacts were experimentally studied with the help of uniaxial diametrical compression tests. The force‐displacement curves were approximated and the coefficient of restitution was determined using appropriate mechanical models from literature. The phenomenon of cyclic hardening was studied and the critical number of cycles required to reach fracture was determined. Furthermore, the influence of particle size and moisture content on the material behavior at cyclic loading, the coefficient of restitution, and the critical number of cycles required to reach fracture were investigated.