Experimental Investigation of the Density of Molten Lead–Bismuth Eutectic

The density of molten Pb–Bi eutectic is measured by the pycnometer method in a temperature range of 410–726 K. The confidence of error of measurement, made up by the systematic and random components, does not exceed 0.1%. The experimental results are compared with the experimental data on the density of a liquid lead–bismuth alloy of eutectic composition available in the literature.     

Interface Management within Construction: In Particular, Building Facade

This paper discusses the need for interface management within construction, with particular reference to building facade interfaces. It categorizes the three different types of interface management—physical, contractual, and organizational. The implication of interface management in construction contracting is discussed; it is explained how the U.K. procurement trends have changed, affecting the interface management within projects. U.K. cladding procurement is very fragmented, and the paper maps the development of a typical cladding system showing the complexities of interface management. Finally, the paper discusses CladdISS, a U.K. government funded research project to develop a standardized strategy for the design and management of window and cladding interfaces. It explains the principles of CladdISS with reference to process maps, action plans, management strategy, bibliography, advice on standards, materials, maintenance, joints, movement, and tolerances. This will enable strategies to be developed to avoid the endemic interface problems occurring on-site. It will also guide the management of the interfaces throughout the project.     

Dynamic Bending Strains in Planar Trusses with Pinned or Rigid Joints

The method of reverberation ray matrix is applied to analyze the dynamic behavior of structural members in trusses with pinned joints subjected to suddenly applied force. The results are compared with those in planar trusses with rigid joints. Detailed calculations are made with two types of trusses, a small laboratory model made of slender aluminum bars, and a hypothetical real size Pratt truss made of structural steel. It is found that the maximum dynamic bending strains in the members of both types of trusses are very large, comparable with the dynamic axial strains in the same member. The magnitudes of bending strains in the pinned truss differs little from those in the truss with rigid joints for both types of trusses. Such a large dynamic bending strain in a structure member, which is contradictory to the static behavior of the same truss, could be caused by the inertial force of the mass in structural members of the truss.     

Synthesis and Study of Magnesium and Calcium Uranogermanates

Previously unknown alkaline-earth metal uranogermanates of the general formula MII[HGeUO₆]₂·nH₂O (MII = Mg, Ca) were prepared in the form of higher and intermediate hydrates and anhydrous compounds. The compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.     

Low cycle fatigue and creep behavior of recrystallized Molybdenum near room termperature

The deformation behavior of pure recrystallized molybdenum under cyclic and static loads was investigated in the temperature range between 30°C and 10O°C, for stress amplitudes between 100 MPa and 250 MPa and for static loads up to 200 MPa. The results show that in spite of the low test temperatures and stress levels the Mo material exhibits considerable plastic strains which depend sensitively on frequenez and small changes in temperature.The activation energy deduced for the static and dynamic deformation is less than 0.98 eV which indicates thermally activated processes, to be explained by a dislocation kink model as described in the literature. The low-temperature fatigue behavior appears strongly influenced by creep-fatigue interaction phenomena.     

Ischemic preconditioning prior to myocardial protection with cold blood cardioplegia in coronary surgery

OBJECTIVE: Encouraging results on myocardial preconditioning in experimental models of infarction, stunning or prolonged ischemia raise the question whether preconditioning techniques may enhance conventional cardioplegic protection used for routine coronary surgery. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of additional ischemic normothermic preconditioning prior to cardioplegic arrest applying cold blood cardioplegia in patients scheduled for routine coronary surgery (3 vessel disease, left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%). Two cross clamp periods of 5 min with the hearts beating in sinus rhythm were applied followed by 10 min of reperfusion, each (n = 7, group I). Inducing moderate hypothermia cold blood cardioplegia was delivered antegradely. In control groups, cold intermittent blood cardioplegia (n = 7, group II) was used alone. Coronary sinus effluents were analyzed for release of creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, lactate, and troponin T at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h. In addition, postoperative catecholamine requirements were monitored. RESULTS: The procedure was tolerated well, and no perioperative myocardial infarction in any of the groups studied occurred. Concentrations of lactate tended to be higher in group I, but this difference was not significant. In addition, no significant differences for concentrations of CK, CK-MB, and troponin T were found. Following ischemic preconditioning an increased dosage of dopamine was required within the first 12 h postoperatively (group I: 2.63 +/- 1.44 microg/kg/min, group II: 0.89 +/- 1.06 microg/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: Combining ischemic preconditioning and cardioplegic protection with cold blood cardioplegia does not appear to ameliorate myocardial protection when compared to cardioplegic protection applying cold blood cardioplegia alone. Inversely, contractile function seemed to be impaired when applying this protocol of ischemic preconditioning.