Einfluß der Korngröße auf mechanische Eigenschaften und den ungeschmierten reversierenden Gleitverschleiß von Al2O3-Keramik

Influence of grain size on mechanical properties and dry oscillating sliding wear of Al₂O₃-ceramics Specimens with average grain sizes varying between about 0.8 μm and 12 μm were produced by cold isostatic pressing of high purity Al₂O₃-powder followed by sintering between 1300°C and 1700°C. Hardness, Young's modulus, bending strength and fracture toughness were measured as a function of average grain sizes. Tribological tests were carried out on the different microstructures at normal laboratory air and room temperature by using a ring-on-block tribometer. Experimental results showed the dependence of mechanical properties on grain size, hardness and bending strength obeying a Hall-Petch type relation, approximately. Coefficient of friction was relatively independent of grain size under the test conditions used. However, wear intensity increased substantially if a critical grain size was surpassed. This was due to a change in mechanisms of material removal which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopical studies of the worn surfaces.     

Optoelectronics in satellite designs

Design of artificial satellites for communication, remote sensing and scientific investigations follows, at present, a fixed pattern based on existing and proven technologies and the requirements of payload or experiment within the constraints of weight, volume and power available. The advances in optoelectronic components and systems have opened up a new dimension in designing satellites of the future, incorporating new technologies. This paper deals with general satellite design concepts based on optoelectronic systems wherever applicable.     

A mathematical model for the prediction of temperature in a dry snow layer

A mathematical model for predicting the temperature in a homogeneous layer of dry snow is presented. The model, which is physically based, is capable of predicting diurnal temperature behaviour at the snow surface and at any depth within a snow layer given the variation in a limited set of meteorological parameters over that period. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the important parameters in the prediction of snow surface temperatures. These are found to be consistent with simple physical reasoning.     

Air Filtration and Radon Decay Product Mitigation

Air cleaning as a means of mitigating the risks arising from exposure to indoor radon progeny has been evaluated in a single-family house in the north eastem US. using an automated, semi-continuous activity-weighted size distribution measurement system. The measurements included radon concentration, condensation nuclei count, and activity-weighted size distribution of radon decay products. Measurements were made in the house with and without an operating air filtration system and with various particle sources common to normal indoor activities operating. Aerosols were generated by running water in a shower, candle burning, cigarette smoking, vacuuming, opening doors, and cooking. Using a room model, the changes in attachment rates, average attachment diameters, and deposition rates of the unattached fraction with and without the air cleaning system were calculated. In the presence of active aerosol sources, the air filtration unit typically reduced the concentration of particles within the hour following the end of particle generation. After candle burning, cigarette smoking, and vacuuming in the bedroom, the reductions of PAEC by air filtration are about 60% with the air filtration system operating in the bedroom. During cooking in the kitchen, the reductions of PAEC in the bedroom with the air filtration system were about 40%. However, for all cases the dose reductions were smaller than the particle and PAEC reductions. For those particles that were generated within the bedroom, there was a 20% to 50% reduction in dose. In the case of cooking where the door was open and particles infiltrated from the rest of the house, the dose reduction was only 5% on average and appears to be insignificant. Thus, the dose reductions were h e r than the reductions in activity concentration, but there were no cases where the estimated dose actually increased.     

Structures and functions of xenobiotic efflux pump P-glycoprotein and MRP--important molecular targets for cancer chemotherapy

This paper deals with the basic features of the xenobiotic efflux pump (P-glycoprotein and MRP) and the clinical significance of the search for specific modulators of these proteins. P-glycoprotein and MRP function as ATP-dependent efflux pumps that extrude cytotoxic drugs from the cells before the drugs reach their intracellular targets, thus conferring resistance to many structurally dissimilar anti-cancer drugs. These proteins are responsible for multidrug resistance of tumor cells, a major obstacle to cancer chemotherapy. To develop well-designed modulators, structural information regarding the specific drug binding sites is important. We recently found that mutations in the putative transmembrane domain (TM) 1 of human P-glycoprotein alter the drug resistance pattern. Some amino acid residues in TM1 together with TM5-6 and TM11-12 may help to govern substrate specificity. The features common to substrates for P-glycoprotein and MRP are also discussed.