Application of a charge-coupled device photon-counting technique to three-dimensional element analysis of a plant seed (alfalfa) using a full-field x-ray fluorescence imaging microscope

A full-field x-ray fluorescence imaging microscope using a Wolter mirror was constructed at Photon Factory BL3C2. White x rays from a bending magnet were used to excite x-ray fluorescence and to enhance the x-ray fluorescence intensity. A photon-counting method using a charge-coupled device was applied to obtain an x-ray fluorescence spectrum at the image plane. The spatial distributions of some specific atoms such as Fe and Zn were obtained from photon-counting calculations. An energy resolution of 220 eV at the Fe Kalpha line was obtained from the x-ray fluorescence spectrum by the photon-counting method. The newly developed three-dimensional element mappings of the specific atoms were accomplished by the photon-counting method and a reconstruction technique using computed tomography.     

烧结钢的应力-弹性及塑性应变曲线的制作与评价

根据拉伸试验(TT)得到的应力-应变曲线和通过声音脉冲方法(APM)得到的声速,计算并比较了烧结钢的弹性模量(E)和泊松比(v).Err和vTT的值分别小于EAPM和vAPM,这是因为在烧结钢的应力-应变中不仅包含了弹性应变,而且也包含了塑性应变.利用由EAPM和vAPM的值计算得到的纵向和横向弹性应变,从纵向和横向应力-应变中分离出纵向和横向的塑性应变.在小应变时烧结钢没有显示线性应力-应变的情况下,可以很简单地由纵向塑性应力表中求出弹性极限或0.2%的屈服强度.对于同样的应力,每个样品的弹性应变和塑性应变的不同,可以由基于孔隙特征(孔隙的大小、形状、相互连接及微观结构的不同)的模型来解释.     

Evaluation of the interfacial properties in the embedded-single-fibre coupon test

The embedded-single-fibre tension test is a very useful technique for the evaluation of interfacial properties in composite materials. There are, however, some problems with this method. A comparison is made between the normal embedded-single-fibre method characterized by critical fibre length and the interfacial transmissibility method proposed by the authors. The effects of resin properties, in particular, are discussed. As the results show, there is some difficulty in evaluating the interfacial properties by the normal embedded-single-fibre method in the case of brittle-matrix systems, whereas interfacial transmissibility provides the possibility of evaluating interfacial properties over a wide range of resin properties.     

Proposal for an engineering definition of a fatigue crack initiation unit for evaluating the fatigue limit on the basis of crystallographic analysis of pearlitic steel

In this study, in order to define a fatigue crack initiation unit, the relationship between the fatigue crack initiation process and the crystal structure in the pearlitic steel used for railroad rails was examined and fatigue tests, focusing on crack initiation, were performed. The fracture surfaces were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The crystal structure of the pearlitic steel is composed of “pearlitic colonies” that have the same lamellar structure direction and “pearlitic blocks” that have the same ferrite crystal direction. The SEM and EBSD results revealed that the crack initiation depends on the pearlitic colonies. Therefore, we defined the characteristic dimension for fatigue crack initiation as the pearlitic colony size. However, for safety purposes, the pearlitic block size should be considered the engineering definition of the fatigue crack initiation unit, since decreasing the pearlitic block size should cause an improvement in the fatigue limit of pearlitic steel.     

An applicability of dynamic response analysis of shear-failure type RC beams with lightweight aggregate concrete under falling-weight impact loading

In order to establish a simple and rational impact response analysis method for lightweight aggregate reinforced concrete (RC) beams, three-dimensional elasto-plastic finite element analysis was conducted for shear-failure type RC beams under falling-weight impact loading. The, tensile strength of concrete was assumed as 1/16th of the compressive one. An applicability of the proposed analysis method was confirmed by comparing with the experimental results of twelve beams. From this study, following results were obtained: (1) three response wave configurations: impact force; reaction force; and mid-span displacement, and crack patterns can be rationally predicted by using proposed analysis method; and (2) maximum response values of impact force, reaction force, and displacement can be estimated considering 20, 20, and 10% safety margin, respectively.     

Preparation of SnO2 nanoparticles less than 10 nm in size by precipitation using hydrophilic carbon black powder

Tin oxide powder has recently been prepared by a modified precipitation method in which the precipitate is mixed with carbon black powder, a method which offers low cost and mass production. In this study, we prepared tin oxide powder by the modified precipitation method using hydrophilic and non-hydrophilic carbon black powders. When using the hydrophilic carbon black powder, the crystallite size of the tin oxide after firing at 600 °C was 7.5 nm. In contrast, when using the non-hydrophilic carbon black powder, the crystallite size was 18 nm. Thus the crystallite size was shown to depend on the hydrophilicity of the carbon black powder. The smaller crystallite size obtained may be a result of the gel precipitate (stannic acid) particles being dispersed more uniformly on the surface of the hydrophilic carbon black powder than those on the surface of the non-hydrophilic carbon black powder.     

An equivalent fracture energy concept for nonlinear dynamic response analysis of prototype RC girders subjected to falling-weight impact loading

In order to establish a rational verification method for each limit state (mainly the serviceability and ultimate limit states) in the case of impact-resistant reinforced concrete structures, an experimentally-based study using not only small-scale but also prototype models should be conducted. However, it is not easy or economical to conduct prototype experiments. If a satisfactory numerical analysis method could be established then it would be easier to perform than experiments, due to the advances in computer technology. However, it is not easy to numerically analyze prototype structures under impact loading by means of 3D elasto-plastic finite element (FE) analysis method because very large matrices must be handled. Here, in order to establish a modified method for the tensile strength of the concrete so as to be able to satisfactorily perform the analysis using a coarse mesh, an equivalent tensile fracture energy concept for the concrete elements is proposed and its applicability is investigated by comparing with the experimental results. From this study, it is shown that even though a coarse mesh is used for the prototype reinforced concrete girder, similar results to those using a fine mesh can be obtained and these results are in good agreement with the experimental ones.     

Hsp40, a possible indicator for thermotolerance of murine tumour in vivo

The relationship between Hsp40/Hsp70 synthesis and the development of thermotolerance was investigated using mouse squamous cell carcinoma in vivo. To examine the thermotolerance, tumours were heated at 44 degrees C for 30 min as conditioning heating. After various intervals they were heated again at 44 degrees C for 90 min as challenge heating. The tumour response to heat was evaluated by the growth delay. Thermotolerance rapidly developed with increasing interval and reached a maximum at 12 h interval. Subsequently, thermotolerance gradually decayed and almost disappeared at 120 h interval. Under this condition, synthesis of Hsp40/Hsp70 increased after conditioning heating, reached a maximum at 12 h interval, then gradually decreased thereafter within 120 h. The kinetics of accumulation and decay of both Hsp40 and Hsp70 were very similar. The extent of thermotolerance was well correlated with the relative amount of Hsp40/Hsp70. These results obtained in vivo were very similar to those in vitro (Kaneko et al. 1995). Our findings suggest that Hsp40 could be a useful indicator of the degree of thermotolerance in addition to Hsp70 in vivo as in vitro.     

Simulation of primary-slag melting behavior in the cohesive zone of a blast furnace, considering the effect of Al2O3, Fe t O, and basicity in the sinter ore

The alumina content in the iron ore imported to Japan is increasing year by year, and some problems in blast furnace operation, due to the use of the high-alumina-containing sinter, have already been reported. In order to clarify the mechanism of the harmful effect of alumina on the blast furnace operation, the behavior of the primary melt, which is formed in the sinter at the cohesive zone of the blast furnace, has been simulated by dripping slag through an iron or oxide funnel. The effects of basicity, Al₂O₃, and Fe _t O contents in the five slag systems on the dripping temperature and weight of slag remaining on the funnel have been discussed. It was found that the eutectic melt formed in the sinter would play an important role in the dripping behavior of the slag in the blast furnace through the fine poreosity of the reduced iron and ore particles. Al₂O₃ increased the weight of the slag remaining on the funnel, and its effect became very significant in the acidic and low-Fe _t O-containing slag. It was estimated that the increase of the weight of the slag remaining on the funnel by Al₂O₃ in the ore could result in a harmful effect on the permeability resistance and an indirect reduction rate of the sinter in the blast furnace.