Mixed-Mode Fracture of Hot-Pressed Si3N4

The mixed-mode fracture of hot-pressed Si₃N₄ was investigated using inclined indentation surface flaws in bending and large crack geometries in combined tension/torsion. Non-coplanar fracture was observed in all cases. Values of K_Ic, K_IIc, and K_IIIc stress intensity factors were obtained, with ratios K_IIc/K_Ic= 0.79 and K_IIIc/K_Ic= 1.55 observed. For large cracks, mode II conditions had more of an effect on mode I fracture than mode III conditions. The mixed-mode I-II fracture of surface flaws was significantly different from that for large cracks, suggesting surface flaw shear resistance effects. A model describing these effects was derived, based on the ratio of the crack-opening displacement to the crack surface asperity height.     

Cavity Development During Creep Deformation in Alumina with a Bimodal Grain Size Distribution

An alumina sample, codoped with equimolar proportions of magnesia and zirconia, exhibited a bimodal grain size distribution after hot-pressing. Flexural creep experiments were performed on this material at temperatures of 1673 and 1773 K in air. Inspection of the deformed specimens revealed extensive creep cavitation, with cavities developing preferentially in the coarse-grained regions. The nucleation, growth, and interlinkage of the cavities led to the formation of cracks. Crack growth occurred in the coarse-grained regions by the linkage of cavities with the crack tip. However, several cracks were observed to terminate after extending up to a fine-grained region of a specimen. A model has been developed to rationalize the observation that preferential cavitation occurs in the coarse-grained regions of a specimen undergoing creep deformation.     

化学镀Ni-P-Cr2O3和Ni-P-SiO2复合镀层的研究

本文对化学镀镍及化学镀镍磷基质中SiO2与Cr2O3的共沉积进行了研究.微粒在不断生长的膜层中共沉积引起了新的化学复合镀层的出现,这些复合镀层许多都具有优异的耐磨及耐蚀性能.通过选取镀层合金/复合微粒/金属基体的组分可改进镀层,获得所需的性能,以满足特别的需求.在对这些复合镀层的应用需求正在迫近与增长的同时,其市场正在迅速扩张.本文开发出了一种合适的复合化学镀镍液,并通过维氏硬度法对化学复合镀镍层进行了表征.采用动电位极化及交流阻抗法测定了镀层的Taber耐磨性能及耐蚀性能.采用SEM及XRD对复合镀层的表面形貌进行了分析.     

Effect of Indenter Geometry on Controlled-Surface-Flaw Fracture Toughness

Fracture toughness values obtained using both Knoop and Vickers-indentation-produced controlled surface flaws were compared as a function of indentation load for a well-characterized glass-ceramic material. At the same indentation load, Knoop cracks were larger than Vickers. As-indented K_c values calculated from fracture mechanics expressions for surface flaws were higher for Knoop flaws than Vickers, but both types gave low K_c values due to indentation residual stress effects. Analysis suggested that theoretical formalisms for indentation residual stress effects based on fracture mechanics solutions for a center-loaded penny crack in an infinite medium should apply to both indentation types. K_c values calculated using the residual stress approach were identical for Knoop and Vickers controlled surface flaws when a "calibration" value for a constant term in the expression for K_c was used for both indentation types.     

Probabilistic Bit Stream Neural Chip: Theory

A design for a neural network chip is proposed using probabilistic bit streams to represent real values. This paper analyzes the performance of the proposed neurons in this design and demonstrates that very simple operations can be used to obtain the desired functionality. It is also shown that a suitable ‘activation function’ for neurons of this type can be obtained using the interaction of two probability distributions. Finally, the paper introduces a variant of the back-propagation learning algorithm which involves computing the derivatives of the output with respect to individual weights in a network of such units.     

Beta 2-adrenergic receptor and angiotensin II receptor modulation of sympathetic neurotransmission in human atria

BACKGROUND: Cultures of epidermal cells are commonly used to study skin biology and differentiation. Recently a method to culture nail matrix cells has been established. OBJECTIVE: We report the biologic characteristics of nail matrix cells in vitro compared with those of epidermal keratinocytes. METHODS: Human nail matrix cells were isolated and cultured in defined medium. Electron-microscopic examination, growth rate, integrin expression and keratin synthesis pattern were evaluated. In addition, the cells were cultured in serum-containing medium. RESULTS: Nail matrix cells appear to be larger than human epidermal keratinocytes and, at the ultrastructural level, they contain a higher euchromatin/heterochromatin ratio and a lower nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and have a higher growth rate. The synthesis of "hard" keratins was detected at all calcium concentrations. Immunofluorescence analyses showed the expression of alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 6 integrin subunits. When cultured in serum-containing medium, nail matrix cells produced an outgrowth of epithelium and a spontaneous migration phenomenon associated with a tendency to stratify in a semilunar area that resembles the architecture of the nail matrix. The pluristratified epithelium showed characteristic markers of nail differentiation. CONCLUSION: Culture of nail matrix cells may represent a useful model to study the biologic properties of nail structure, alterations in some nail diseases and the effects of drugs.     

Comparison of the frequency and enjoyability of pleasant events in cocaine abusers vs. non-abusers using a standardized behavioral inventory

AIMS: To examine whether cocaine abusers differ from non-abusers in their frequency and enjoyability of engaging in various "pleasant events", in order to approximate the density of positive reinforcement experienced in their natural environment. DESIGN: Comparisons of cocaine abusers to normative data and matched controls. SETTING: An outpatient substance abuse treatment center in Burlington, Vermont, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects included 100 individuals enrolled in outpatient treatment for cocaine abuse or dependence and 50 community volunteers without histories of drug abuse or other major psychiatric illness and matched to cocaine-dependent patients on age, sex and SES. MEASUREMENTS: Diagnostic assessments were based upon clinical interviews using the DSM-III-R checklist. The primary focus of this study was the Pleasant Events Schedule (PES), a self-rated behavioral inventory of the frequency and enjoyability of engaging in "pleasant" activities. Cocaine use history, treatment outcome and other relevant variables were also assessed. FINDINGS: Cocaine abusers reliably reported lower frequency of non-social, introverted, passive outdoor and mood-related activities than controls. These differences remained after controlling for demographic and life-style differences between groups, with the exception of mood-related activities. Perceived enjoyability of the activities did not differ across groups. Intravenous cocaine use and prior treatment for cocaine abuse predicted particularly low frequency of pleasant activities. Greater frequency of non-social activities predicted better treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse is associated with low density of certain types of non-drug reinforcement. Systematic increases in these activities may improve treatment outcome.     

Phase identification of micro and macro bubbles at the interface of directly bonded GaAs on sapphire

Direct wafer bonding (DWB) of 3 GaAs and R-cut sapphire was performed in a microcleanroom using ultra pure water as cleaning agent. The initial bonding is mediated by Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bridges. The bond energy is released by subsequent heating up to temperatures of 500°C. During heating the formation of macroscopic bubbles at the interface was observed. Details of the interface structure were investigated by cross-sectional as well as plan-view transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs. The chemical composition of the elements at the interface was measured by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). A high density of micro bubbles in bonded areas, a network of micro channels in the transition region and macro bubbles in debonded areas could be distinguished. The macro bubbles are filled with a porous oxide. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed the growth of textured -Ga2O3 and elemental arsenic. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

The whistle and the rattle: the design of sound producing muscles

Vertebrate sound producing muscles often operate at frequencies exceeding 100 Hz, making them the fastest vertebrate muscles. Like other vertebrate muscle, these sonic muscles are "synchronous," necessitating that calcium be released and resequestered by the sarcoplasmic reticulum during each contraction cycle. Thus to operate at such high frequencies, vertebrate sonic muscles require extreme adaptations. We have found that to generate the "boatwhistle" mating call (approximately 200 Hz), the swimbladder muscle fibers of toadfish have evolved (i) a large and very fast calcium transient, (ii) a fast crossbridge detachment rate, and (iii) probably a fast kinetic off-rate of Ca2+ from troponin. The fibers of the shaker muscle of rattlesnakes have independently evolved similar traits, permitting tail rattling at approximately 90 Hz.