Analysis of spatial arrangement of particles in thin foil of Al-Al4C3 material

TEM images of thin foils with quasi-globular particles are examined by means of two methods of spatial statistics. The spatial arrangement of particle reference points is described by means of quadrat count statistics and by polygonal method (the analysis of the Voronoi mosaic generated by patterns of particle reference points). A good agreement between the both approaches is found, the polygonal method is more sensitive and its results are more conclusive.     

MEAN STRESS EFFECTS ON LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FOR A HIGH STRENGTH STEEL

Abstract— ASTM A723 Q & T steel with a yield strength and ultimate strength of 1170 and 1262 MPa respectively was evaluated for mean stress-strain effects under smooth specimen axial strain controlled low cycle fatigue conditions with strain ratios R of −2, −1, 0, 0.5 and 0.75. Cycles to failure ranged from 15 to 10⁵. Cyclic stress-strain response based upon half-life hysteresis loop peaks were similar for all R ratios. Mean stress relaxation occurred for R ≠−1 only when plastic strain amplitudes were present and this occurred above total strain amplitudes of 0.005. Thus, mean stress relaxation was completely dependent upon cyclic plasticity. Mean strains did not affect low cycle fatigue life unless accompanied by half-life mean stress. Tensile mean stress was detrimental and compressive mean stress was beneficial and these effects only occurred at strain ampltidues below 0.005. Three different mean stress models were used to evaluate the low cycle fatigue data and the SWT log-log linear model best represented the data. These results can be used with the local notch strain fatigue life prediction methodology.     

The relation between arterial oxygen tension and cerebral blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanisms involved in islet xenograft rejection remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine cellular mechanisms responsible for islet xenograft rejection in the liver to facilitate finding a procedure for prevention of immune rejection. METHODS: Hepatic mononuclear cells (MNC) as well as splenocytes, peripheral blood MNC, and thymocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (BALB/c) rejecting the intrahepatic rat (Lewis) islet xenografts were isolated and examined by two-color FACS analysis. RESULTS: The characteristic finding of the hepatic MNC from the mice rejecting islet xenografts compared with mice receiving isografts was a significant increase in the yield as well as in the percentage of the cells expressing CD3+ interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha- beta+, CD3+ CD8alpha+ beta+, and T cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta+ lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1+. The expression of CD3 and TCR alphabeta of these T cells was found to be of intermediate intensity (TCR(int) cells). The expansion of these TCR(int) cells occurred predominantly in the liver. There was no significant difference in the cells expressing CD3+ IL-2R alpha+, CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ TCRgammadelta+, CD3- IL-2Rbeta+ (natural killer cells), and B220+ (B cells). In vivo administration of anti-IL-2Rbeta monoclonal antibody directed to the expanded cells produced a prevention of rejection. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that islet xenograft rejection in the liver from rat to mouse is an event for which the TCR(int) cells are responsible.     

Chronic HCV hepatitis with normal level of alanine transaminase: interferon therapy of active observation?

AIM: This study of trimetasidine effects on plasmic hemostasis and blood biochemistry in patients with chronic heart failure (CCF) of NYHA functional class II-III. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 30 patients (24 males and 6 females) aged 40-72 years with class II-III CCF, postinfarction cardiosclerosis and ejection fraction under 40%. Previously the patients received perindopril (the inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme) in daily dose 2-4 mg, on-demand digoxin and diuretics. Trimetasidine was given in a daily dose 60 mg for 6 months. Before and after the treatment the patients' blood was examined for: levels of factors VII and X of antithrombin III coagulation, soluble fibrinomonomeric complexes (SFMC), fibrinogen, glucose, uric acid, creatinines, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides, AST, ALT, LDH, acid phosphotase, gamma-GT, sodium, potassium, activated partial thrombin time. RESULTS: Initially, the patients had a 23.9% increase in the levels of factors VII and X, a 14.3% decrease of antithrombin III, 29.8 and 227.6% rise in concentrations of fibrinogen and SFMC, respectively, compared to controls. Aftertreatment values of fibrinogen, factors VII and X, SFMC fell by 21.1, 17 and 35.5%, respectively. The thrombin time arose by 17.9% (p > 0.05). Insignificant inhibition was registered in the activity of acid phosphotase and gamma-GT. Glucose, AST, ALT, LDH levels remained unchanged. Plasma creatinine tended to lowering. Total cholesterol insignificantly increased at high levels of HDL cholesterol (p > 0.05) and reduced levels of triglycerides (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Trimetasidine therapy, given after conventional treatment with diuretics, digoxin, inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, aspirin has a beneficial effect in patients with circulatory deficiency through improving hemostatic and biochemical parameters.     

Offset-trimming bit-line sensing scheme for gigabit-scale DRAM's

A new offset-trimming bit-line sensing scheme is described which is suitable for gigabit-scale DRAM's. This sensing scheme can suppress the sensitivity degradation caused by the large electrical parameter variation of deep submicron transistors. The effective offset voltage dependence on trimming time is analyzed and verified with simulation results. As compared with a conventional direct sensing scheme, the proposed scheme shows remarkable improvement on the sensitivity. A test device was fabricated with a 0.25 μm CMOS technology and its measurement results indicate the successful operation of offset-trimming     

Memorization of "unrelated" word strings by young nonpsychotic schizophrenics.

Used multiple word lists with low contextual constraints to examine nonorganizational processes or "strategies" which might be operating in single-trial free recall by schizophrenics. Ss were 20 young nonpsychotic schizophrenics and 20 normal controls. The schizophrenics, as compared to the normals, showed limited storage capacities of the primary and secondary memories, vulnerability to intrusion, slow response time, inefficiency in utilizing stimulus contiguity for organization, and consequential recall deficit. These findings, with those from previous investigations, suggest that both organizational and nonorganizational dysfunctions may underlie the schizophrenics' poor performance. The possibility that nonorganizational processes may be integral parts of mnemonic organization is discussed. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)