An analysis of the causes of a BWE counterweight boom support fracture

A bucket wheel excavator (BWE) collapsed in a brown coal mine. As a result of a tie rod fracture the counterweight boom, the discharge boom and several other components of the other assemblies underwent plastic deformation. This paper presents the results of computer simulations of the collapse. A finite element method analysis of the counterweight boom tie rod showed stress concentrations exceeding the allowable level. Also material tests of the fracture surface were carried out to identify the causes of the collapse. Macroscopic and microscopic images of areas within the fracture were obtained. Measurements of hardness and microhardness in the vicinity of the weld were performed. The FEM analyses and material tests showed that the causes of the collapse were design and welding faults.     

Characterization of catalysts obtained from rapidly quenched alloy precursors by electrochemical/chemical processes of material degradation—selected examples

Rapidly quenched amorphous alloys—containing metallic or metalloid elements—are precursors for selective catalysts of many technically important reactions. To increase their activity, various methods of material degradation occurring at the surface and in the bulk of the rapidly quenched alloys have been used for promoting the catalytic performance of such materials. The modifications of the structure, composition, and morphology of the substrate proved to be efficient in transforming inactive metal alloy precursors into active and selective catalysts for hydrogenation, and dehydrogenation of organic compounds, as well as for other processes like steam reforming of methanol. This article presents several examples of characterization of such catalysts and discusses their selectivity and activity in a connection with physical and chemical properties of their surfaces. Moreover, it is shown that scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, scanning Auger microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry allowed the local changes occurring during the activation process to be identified and their implications for catalytic function to be considered.     

Ion sensitive field effect transistor modelling for multidomain simulation purposes

The proper design and simulation of modern electronic microsystems oriented towards environment monitoring requires accurate models of various ambient sensors. In particular, this paper presents a comprehensive model of an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). The model can be employed straightforwardly for simulations at device, circuit or system level.First, the model was validated with electrical measurements and simulations of real structures performed for different ion concentration and temperature values. Then, the ISFET sensor model was employed for mixed-signal simulations in VHDL-AMS, when the analysis of a microsystem consisting of the ISFET sensor and a sigma-delta analogue-to-digital converter was carried out. Additionally, the presence of other ions than hydrogen in the measured solution was also taken into account in the simulations.     

Assessment of the Superheater Ash Fouling Using a Numerical Model of the Superheater

ABSTRACT

Superheaters are high-temperature cross-flow heat exchangers. Steam flows inside the tubes, and the flue gas outside in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubes. However, they differ very substantially from the other heat exchangers operating at low temperatures. Superheaters are characterized by complex flow system and high tube walls temperature. Superheaters are among the most exposed to damaging pressure elements of steam boilers. Damage to the superheater causes about 40% of emergency shutdowns of boilers. The paper presents the boiler superheater model with distributed parameters, which is used to determine on-line the degree of superheater fouling by ash.     

Framework influence of erbium doped oxyfluoride glasses on their optical properties

Glasses of different matrix (phosphate, borate, silicate and lead-silicate) were studied for their optical properties. The effect of Er dopant on transmittance and luminescence properties was presented. The significant “red shift” and “blue shift” of UV edge absorption were discussed based on the changes in the framework of the borate and phosphate glasses, respectively. It was showed that the integral intensity of the two main optical absorption transitions monotonically increases with the order: phosphate < borate < silicate < lead-silicate. Ellipsometric measurement was applied to obtain the refractive index of the glasses. The correlation between the shift of edge absorption and the change of refractive index was presented. Effect of glassy matrix on luminescence of Er³⁺ was discussed.     

High and low spin energy states of the Tb 4f5d configuration in BaF2

In this paper we present results of detailed spectroscopic studies of Tb³⁺ luminescence from BaF₂:0.075 mol% Tb performed at Superlumi station of Hasylab, DESY, Hamburg and at Institute of Physics, N. Copernicus University, Torun, Poland (IF UMK Torun).We have measured UV/VUV excitation spectra of the dominant blue Tb³⁺ luminescence and emission spectra under excitation into various bands found from the excitation spectra. The excitation spectra are dominated by the two well known broad bands due to the parity and spin-allowed (SA) 4f⁸ → 4f⁷5d transitions. The higher energy triple t-band and unresolved single e-band at lower energies are widely separated (10 Dq about 16,500 cm⁻¹) reflecting the single d-electron energy in the high symmetry cubic crystal field with a relatively low contribution from the low symmetry component.In addition to these bands we have also detected a number of weaker bands at lower energy sides of both dominant SA bands. While the structured band with components at 252.8, 252.3, 250.4 and 248.4 nm clearly corresponds to the SF (spin-forbidden) band found earlier in LiYF₄:Tb, the bands at 183, 178 and 172 nm have been never, to the best of our knowledge, reported before. We present arguments that these new bands are the SF counterparts of the triple SA t-band at about 158 nm. The d-f exchange energies for d(e) and d(t) electrons are different at 7779 and 8245 cm⁻¹, respectively.Although the energy levels corresponding to the identified high and low spin (HS and LS) states of the 4f⁷5d configuration are, in BaF₂, well separated, there are no SA nor SF transitions generating d-f emission in BaF₂:Tb. This is because the numerous 4f⁸ energy levels intercept the excitation energy from 4f⁷5d levels leading to the well known blue and green Tb³⁺ 4f⁸ emissions.     

Antipsychotic- and Anxiolytic-like Properties of a Multimodal Compound JJGW08 in Rodents

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness, which remains difficult to treat. A high resistance to the available therapies, their insufficient efficacy, and numerous side effects are the reasons why there is an urgent need to develop new antipsychotics. This study aimed to assess the antipsychotic-like effects of JJGW08, a novel arylpiperazine alkyl derivative of salicylamide, in rodents. First, considering the JJGW08 receptor profile, we investigated the compound’s intrinsic activity towards dopamine D₂ and serotonin 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A, and 5-HT₇ receptors using functional assays. Next, we assessed the effect of JJGW08 on MK-801- and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, its risk of inducing catalepsy and impairing motor coordination, as well as the anxiolytic-like effects in the four-plate and marble burying tests in mice. Finally, we investigated the antipsychotic-like properties of JJGW08 in rats using MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion and prepulse inhibition tests. We found that JJGW08 showed antagonistic properties at dopamine D₂ and serotonin 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A, and 5-HT₇ receptors. However, the effect on the 5-HT_2A and 5-HT₇ receptors was very weak. Moreover, the tested compound showed an antipsychotic-like effect in MK-801- and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion but not in a prepulse inhibition test in rats. Notably, JJGW08 demonstrated anxiolytic-like properties in both behavioral tests. Importantly, the compound did not induce catalepsy or motor coordination impairment in mice at antipsychotic-like doses. Our study suggests it is worth searching for new potential antipsychotics among arylpiperazine alkyl derivatives of salicylamide.     

Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Causes Changes in Serotonin-Positive Neurons in the Small Intestine in Pig Model

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter of the central and peripheral nervous systems, predominantly secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the gut. 5-HT is a crucial enteric signaling molecule and is well known for playing a key role in sensory-motor and secretory functions in the gut. Gastroenteropathy is one of the most clinical problems in diabetic patients with frequent episodes of hyperglycemia. Changes in 5-HT expression may mediate gastrointestinal tract disturbances seen in diabetes, such as nausea and diarrhea. Based on the double immunohistochemical staining, this study determined the variability in the population of 5-HT-positive neurons in the porcine small intestinal enteric neurons in the course of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The results show changes in the number of 5-HT-positive neurons in the examined intestinal sections. The greatest changes were observed in the jejunum, particularly within the myenteric plexus. In the ileum, both de novo 5-HT synthesis in the inner submucosal plexus neurons and an increase in the number of neurons in the outer submucosal plexus were noted. The changes observed in the duodenum were also increasing in nature. The results of the current study confirm the previous observations concerning the involvement of 5-HT in inflammatory processes, and an increase in the number of 5-HT -positive neurons may also be a result of increased concentration of the 5-HT in the gastrointestinal tract wall and affects the motor and secretory processes, which are particularly intense in the small intestines.