No influence of echinocytic shape transformation of erythrocytes on phagocytosis by autologous monocytes in vitro

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition with a predilection for the genital area. In the present study, 35 male patients with lichen sclerosus were interviewed and examined. Blood screens were performed and histology was requested if not already performed. The findings indicate that lichen sclerosus in males exists as a spectrum of disease, ranging from a mild form with white plaques and few symptoms to a severe form with inflammation, atrophy and scarring with possible urological consequences. In many areas it differs from the condition in females; the association with autoimmune disease is weaker and there is less perianal and extragenital involvement. The association with malignancy in males is of lesser significance than initially believed.     

In-Situ and Real-Time Investigation of Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Metallic Alloy

In this article, we present a review of observations during Al-3.5 wt pct Ni alloy solidi.cation experiments performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. These experiments provide direct access to dynamical phenomena during columnar growth (initial transient and breakdown of a planar solid-liquid interface), and for the first time to the transition from columnar-to-equiaxed microstructure (nucleation ahead of a columnar front and blocking of a columnar front by an equiaxed microstructure) and fully equiaxed growth (propagation of an effective front). Based on these experimental observations, critical parameters such as columnar growth velocity variation during the transition or equiaxed-grain diameter are measured and discussed. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Solidi.cation Modeling and Microstructure Formation: In Honor of Prof. John Hunt,” which occurred March 13–15, 2006, during the TMS Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the TMS Materials Processing and Manufacturing Division, Solidification Committee.     

Carrier transfer and capture into quantum wire arrays grown on V-groove substrates

The mechanisms of carrier transfer from barrier regions (superlattices, side-wall and vertical quantum wells) into arrays of quantum wires are investigated by time-resolved photoluminescence. The wires are grown by different techniques on V-groove substrates. The transfer times range from 25 to 900 ps, depending on the details of the whole structure. The fast carrier transfer is modeled by a diffusion equation which allows one to estimate the quantum mechanical capture time from a two-dimensional vertical QW into a one-dimensional QWR to be <2 ps.     

Use of highly overcoupled couplers to detect shifts in Braggwavelength [strain sensors]

The authors present a technique for detecting Bragg wavelength shifts using highly overcoupled couplers (HOCC). An HOCC of 60%/nm was fabricated with 626 cycles. With our HOCC, a 5 μW LED and a 95% reflective Bragg grating we were able to detect 10 μstrain (Δλ=0.01 nm)     

Preadhesion Laser Treatment of Aluminum Surfaces

An excimer laser may be used for preadhesion treatment of aluminum alloys. This method presents an alternative to the use of ecologically unfriendly chemicals involved in conventional anodizing pretreatments.

Experimental results indicate that preadhesion laser surface treatment significantly improved the shear strength of modified-epoxy bonded aluminum specimens compared with untreated and anodized substrates. The best results were obtained with laser energy of about 0.2 J/Pulse/cm² where single lap shear strength was improved by 600-700% compared with that of untreated Al alloy, and by 40% compared with chromic acid anodizing pretreatment.

The mode of failure changed from adhesive to cohesive as the number of laser pulses increased during treatment. The latter phenomenon has been correlated with morphology changes as revealed by electron microscopy, and chemical modification as indicated by Auger and infrared spectroscopy.

It can be concluded that the excimer laser has potential as a precise, clean and simple preadhesion treatment of Al alloys.     

Particle launch to 19 km/s for micro-meteoroid simulation using enhanced three-stage light gas gun hypervelocity launcher techniques

Particle launch experiments were performed to study application of the enhanced hypervelocity launcher (EHVL), i.e. the third-stage addition to the two-stage gun, for launching micron to millimeter sized particulates at velocities unobtainable with a standard two-stage light gas gun launch. Three types of particles or fliers were tested along with several barrel designs. For micron scale particles fine-grain polycrystalline ceramics were impacted and fractured, launching particulate clouds at velocities of 15 km/s. Multiple titanium particles 400 μm diameter embedded in plastic were “shotgun” launched to velocities of 10 km/s. Flier plates of 3 mm diameter by 1 mm thick Ti6Al4V were launched to 19 km/s. All experiments used a second-stage projectile with graded density facing impacting a flier in an impact generated acceleration reservoir. This paper describes the modification and adaptation of the Sandia EHVL to provide micrometeoroid simulation capabilities.     

Evaluation of interconnected production sites taking into account multidimensional uncertainties

The production sites of international companies are becoming increasingly interconnected. Due to the uncertainty of multiple factors, determining a location is a strategic choice entailing high financial risk. For this reason, a method for site evaluation was developed allowing multidimensional, i.e., both quantitative and qualitative, uncertainties to be taken into account. The uncertainties are modeled with both probability and fuzzy-set theory and integrated into a modular-structured monetary calculation model. For the analysis and interpretation of evaluation results, methods have been developed which allow risk assessment. The developed method provides a way to handle existing location risks and can thus ensure the success of manufacturing companies in the long term.     

Estimating the Hydraulic Conductivity of Landfilled Municipal Solid Waste Using the Borehole Permeameter Test

This paper reports the in situ field saturated hydraulic conductivity of municipal solid waste at a landfill in Florida. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was estimated at 23 locations using the borehole permeameter test, a method commonly used for determination of the Ks of unsaturated soil. The Ks of the landfilled waste was found to range from 5.4×10?6 to 6.1×10?5?cm/s. The Ks was found to be on the lower end of the range of Ks reported by previous studies. The hydraulic conductivity of the waste decreased with depth, the likely result of greater overburden pressures associated with deep locations of the landfill. Permeability values (kw) of the landfilled waste calculated based on Ks were compared with permeability values estimated using air as the fluid (air permeability, ka). Values of ka were found to be approximately three orders of magnitude greater than those of kw. The lower permeability of the waste to water was primarily attributed to entrapped gas. Other factors such as potential clogging of media and short-circuiting of air along the well may also have contributed to the differences in ka and kw.     

Anorexia nervosa in children: a follow-up study

Thirty children seen between 1954 and 1970 with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were contacted between five and twenty years after initial treatment. Patients outcomes in terms of education, weight in adulthood, medical problems, marriage, psychiatric treatment, and recurrence of anorexia were surveyed. Results corroborate those of earlier studies suggesting that adjustment in adulthood is related to personality type.     

Laser transmission bonding of silicon to silicon with metallic interlayers for wafer-level packaging

For packaging of silicon components with low thermal load and high spatial selectivity laser transmission bonding (LTB) of silicon–silicon compounds with intermediate layers using a cw-thulium fiber laser (wavelength 1,940 nm) is investigated. The intermediate layer combination titanium and gold is examined with respect to the bond characteristics and the achievable mechanical properties of the bonded specimens. The tensile strength is measured by using tensile test. Similar specimens bonded with corresponding standard bond process using the same bond geometry are also analyzed in order to compare the measurements.