Finite element analysis of a polymer composite subjected to a sliding steel asperity Part I Normal fibre orientation

FE micro-models have been developed in order to determine contact, stress and strain conditions produced by a steel asperity sliding on the surface of a normally oriented fibre-reinforced polymer composite. A displacement coupling technique was introduced to model a micro-environment as part of a macro-environment and to get more realistic simulation results about the failure conditions in the composite structure, in comparison to the so far widely applied anisotropic analytical or numerical macro-models. On the basis of the results, conclusions may be drawn for the possible wear mechanisms of the fibre-reinforced polymer composite. Stress results in the vicinity of the fibers in the contact area show high shear loading of the matrix leading to the formation of stretched-out matrix wear debris. In addition, high repeated compression-tension stresses at the fibre/matrix interface near the surface can lead to fibre debonding phenomena. Considering the fibre ends in the contact region, high compression stresses at their rear edges can produce fibre cracking features. To study the wear mechanisms experimentally, a single asperity scratch test was also performed showing shear failure events of the polymer matrix, fibre/matrix debonding and fibre cracking effects, as expected from the modelling studies.     

Symptom perception in childhood asthma: The role of anxiety and asthma severity.

This study tested the relationship of anxiety and asthma severity to symptom perception. Eighty-six children diagnosed with mild or moderate asthma had symptom perception and pulmonary function measured throughout methacholine challenge (to induce bronchoconstriction). Higher trait anxiety was associated with heightened symptom perception (controlling for pulmonary function) at baseline. Greater asthma severity was associated with blunted symptom perception (controlling for pulmonary function) at the end of methacholine challenge and with a slower rate of increase in symptom perception across methacholine challenge. These results suggest that anxiety plays a role when children's symptoms are mild, whereas medical variables such as severity play a role in perception of changes in asthma symptomatology as bronchoconstriction worsens. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Double‐Inverse‐Opal Photonic Crystals: The Route to Photonic Bandgap Switching

Photonic crystals with a complete bandgap can stop the propagation of light of a certain frequency in all directions. We introduce double‐inverse‐opal photonic crystals (DIOPCs) as a new kind of optical switch. In the DIOPC, a movable, weakly scattering sphere is embedded within each pore of the inverse‐opal photonic crystal lattice. Switching between a diffusive reflector and a photonic crystal environment is experimentally demonstrated. Theory shows that a complete bandgap can be realized that can be opened or closed by moving the spheres. This functionality opens up new possibilities for the control of light emission and propagation. The close link and interaction between the chemical synthesis and the computational design and analysis underlines the interdisciplinary focus of this report.     

Neuropsychological outcome following anterior temporal lobectomy in patients with and without the syndrome of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

The nature, pattern, and degree of neuropsychological change following anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) were examined as a function of the presence or absence of the syndrome of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Fifty-four patients exhibited the syndrome of MTLE, while 34 patients were without the syndrome (non-MTLE). The test-retest performance of a group of 40 epilepsy patients who did not undergo surgery was used to derive regression based estimates of test-retest change. Overall, the MTLE group did not show significant cognitive decline following ATL. In contrast, the left non-MTLE group showed significant declines on verbal memory, confrontation naming, and verbal conceptual ability. Further, verbal memory was the most substantial area of decline, and was independent of seizure outcome. Clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermodynamics and phase relations in refractory metal solid solutions containing carbon,nitrogen, and oxygen

The refractory metals Nb, Ta, Mo, and W dissolve C, N, and O by forming interstitial solid solutions. The concentration of these components can be increased or decreased by annealing treatments, depending on the partial pressure of gases such as N₂, O₂, H₂O, CH₄, or CO and on the temperature of the specimen. New results in binary and ternary systems combined with those obtained in the last few years now provide most of the data needed for the thermochemical analysis of the solid solution phases and for the establishment of p-T-c phase diagrams. The mechanisms of the gas-metal reactions and the general feature of the constitution diagrams are similar for all refractory metals. However, marked differences exist between group Va metals niobium and tantalum and group VIa metals molybdenum and tungsten in the absolute values and temperature dependence of the equilibrium pressure of gaseous species and therefore also in the amount of gas absorbed. The data now available for the estimation of the final content of interstitials in solid solution after annealing treatments are compiled and discussed. On leave from the Max-Planck-Institut fur Metallforschung, Institut fur Sondermetalle, Stuttgart, Germany     

Ermittlung der Rißzähigkeit aus den Werkstoffkenngrößen Streckgrenze und Spaltbruchspannung hochfester Stähle für unterschiedliche Beanspruchungsbedingungen

Zur Ermittlung der Rißzähigkeit aus den Werkstoffkenngrößen Streckgrenze und Spaltbruchspannung, die in kostengünstigeren Verfahren bestimmt werden können, wurden durch Verknüpfung zweier Modellvorstellungen die Rißzähigkeitswerte errechnet und mit den experimentell gefundenen Werten verglichen. Die Kenngrößen Streckgrenze und Spaltbruchspannung wurden für die Stähle St 52-3 und 34 NiCrMo 74 im Zug- und Biegeversuch in Abhängigkeit von Temperatur und Dehngeschwindigkeit aufgenommen. Die Untersuchungen ergaben, daß bei Rißausbreitung durch Spaltbruch der Einfluß von Temperatur und Dehngeschwindigkeit auf die Rißzähigkeit mit Hilfe des dargestellten Ansatzes abgeschätzt werden kann, wenn die jeweilige Streckgrenze sowie die Spaltbruchspannung und die werkstoffspezifische Größe Δx_c gegeben sind.     

Konzentrationsabhängigkeit von Lösungswärmen und Lösungsentropien in metallischen Legierungen

Beschreibung der gemessenen Konzentrationsabhängigkeit isothermischer Gaslöslichkeiten durch Potenzreihen. Darstellung der Konzentrationsabhängigkeit des Wirkungskoeffizienten f³₂ sowie der Temperaturabhängigkeit des Wirkungsparameters ?³₂ im Mischlösungsmittel 1—3. Angabe von Gleichungen für die Wasserstofflöslichkeit in binären Nickel-Eisen-, Nickel-Kobalt-, Nickel-Kupfer- und Nickel-Chrom-Legierungen in Abhängigkeit von Druck, Temperatur und Konzentration. Verlauf von Lösungswärmen und Lösungsentropien von Wasserstoff in den angegebenen festen und flüssigen Legierungen.