Advanced flaw production method for in-service inspection qualification mock-ups

One of the key issues in in-service inspection qualification is the representativeness of the defects used in qualification specimens. The best representativeness is achieved with realistic defects. However, present specimen production techniques have some significant weaknesses, such as unrealistic defects or additional alterations induced in the surrounding material. Specimens manufactured, for example, by weld implantation or with weld solidification defects always result in one or more extra weld interfaces. These interfaces can be detected by NDT. To overcome problems with the current specimens, a new defect manufacturing technique was developed. The new technique produces natural, representative defects without introducing additional weld metal or other unwanted alterations to the specimen.The new method enables artificial production of single, separate fatigue cracks by thermal loading. The method is based on a natural thermal fatigue damage mechanism and enables production of real cracks directly into the samples. Cracks are produced without welding or machining and without any preliminary surface treatment or artificial initiator such as a notch or a precrack. Single crack or a network of cracks can be induced into the base material, welded areas, HAZ, weld claddings, threaded areas, T-joints, etc. The location, orientation and size of produced cracks can be accurately controlled. Produced cracks can be used to simulate different types of service-induced cracks such as thermal fatigue, mechanical fatigue and stress corrosion cracks. It is shown that artificially produced thermal fatigue cracks correspond well with the real, service-induced cracks and overcome the problems of traditional qualification specimen manufacturing techniques.     

Global indoor self-localization based on the ambient magnetic field

There is evidence that animals utilize local anomalities of Earth’s magnetic field not just for orientation detection but also for true navigation, i.e., some animals are not only able to detect the direction of Earth’s magnetic field (compass heading), they are able to derive positional information from local cues arising from the local anomalities of Earth’s magnetic field. Similarly to Earth’s non-constant magnetic field, the magnetic field inside buildings can be highly non-uniform. The magnetic field fluctuations inside buildings arise from both natural and man-made sources, such as steel and reinforced concrete structures, electric power systems, electric and electronic appliances, and industrial devices. Assuming that the anomalities of the magnetic field inside a building are nearly static and they have sufficient local variability, the anomalies provide a unique magnetic fingerprint that can be utilized in global self-localization. Based on the evidence presented in this article it can be argued that this hypothesis is valid. In this article, a Monte Carlo Localization (MCL) technique based on the above hypothesis is proposed. The feasibility of the technique is demonstrated by presenting a series of global self-localization experiments conducted in four arbitrarily selected buildings, including a hospital. The experiment setup consists of a mobile robot instrumented with a 3-axis magnetometer and a computer. In addition to global robot self-localization experiments, successful person self-localization experiments were also conducted by using a wireless, wearable magnetometer. The reported experiments suggest that the ambient magnetic field may remain sufficiently stable for longer periods of time giving support for self-localization techniques utilizing the local deviations of the magnetic field.     

Quantitative risk assessment on the dietary exposure of Finnish children and adults to nitrite

Nitrite intake from the consumption of cured meat and tap water was estimated for Finnish children of 1, 3 and 6 years as well as Finnish adults of 25–74 years. Nitrite content in the foods was measured by capillary electrophoresis, and was then used together with individual food consumption data from the FINDIET 2007 and DIPP studies in a stochastic exposure assessment by a Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) program. Nitrite intake from additive sources and tap water was assessed, and more than every 10th child between the ages 3 and 6 years was estimated to have a nitrite intake exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of nitrite. The high exposure levels were caused by frequent consumption of large portions of sausages, up to 350 g day^–1 or 750 g in 3 days, among the children. Median nitrite intake from cured meat was 0.016, 0.040, 0.033 and 0.005 mg kg^–1 body weight day^–1 for children of 1, 3 and 6 years and adults, respectively. Bayesian estimation was employed to determine safe consumption levels of sausages and cold cuts for children, and these results gave rise to new national food consumption advice.     

Optimization of the metakaolin geopolymer preparation for maximized ammonium adsorption capacity

Geopolymers are functional materials that can be used in various environmental applications such as adsorbents in pollutant removal from wastewaters. Metakaolin geopolymer (MK-GP) has been proven to be especially suitable for ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) removal. In this research, the optimal reagent and raw material ratios in the preparation of MK-GP in terms of NH₄ ⁺ adsorption capacity were investigated. The response surface methodology based on the face-centered central composite design was used to optimize the levels of three factors: the amounts of hydroxide, silicate, and metakaolin. In addition, the effect of Na or K as the charge-balancing cation was studied. Empirical models were fitted to the experimental data using multiple linear regression. The significance of the models was confirmed by means of analysis of variance. Optimal NH₄ ⁺ removal efficiency was achieved when the amounts of hydroxide and silicate were maximized, the amount of metakaolin was minimized, and Na-based reagents were used. These trends are most likely a result of optimized conversion of metakaolin into MK-GP.     

Dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene/maleated polypropylene blends

The dynamic mechanical properties of both homopolypropylene (PPVC)/Maleated Poly-propylene (PP-g-MA) and ethylene-propylene block copolymer (PPSC)/Maleated Poly-propylene (PP-g-MA) blends have been studied by using a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (PL-DMTA MKII) over a wide temperature range, covering a frequency zone from 0.3 to 30 Hz. With increasing content of PP-g-MA, α relaxation of both blends gradually shift to a lower temperature and the apparent activation energy ΔE_α increases. In PPVC/PP-g-MA blends, β relaxation shifts to a higher temperature as the content of PP-g-MA increases from 0 to 20 wt % and then change unobviously for further varying content of PP-g-MA from 20 to 35 wt %. On the contrary, in the PPSC/PP-g-MA blends β₁ relaxation, the apparent activation energy ΔE_β1 and β₂ relaxation are almost unchanged with blend composition, while ΔE_β2 increases with an increase of PP-g-MA content. In the composition range studied, storage modulus É value for PPSC/PP-g-MA blends decreases progressively between β₂ and α relaxation with increasing temperature, but in the region the increment for PPVC/PP-g-MA blends is independent of temperature. The flexural properties of PPVC/PP-g-MA blend show more obvious improvement on PP than one of PPSC/PP-g-MA blends. Scanning electron micrographs of fracture surfaces of the blends clearly demonstrate two-phase morphology, viz. the discrete particles homogeneously disperse in the continous phase, the main difference in the morphology between both blends is that the interaction between the particles and the continuous phase is stronger for for PPVC/PP-g-MA than for PPSC/PP-g-MA blend. By the correlation of the morphology with dynamic and mechanical properties of the blends, the variation of the relaxation behavior and mechanical properties with the componenet structure, blend composition, vibration frequency, and as well as the features observed in these variation are reasonably interpreted. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rock Matrix Studies with [14C]Polymethyl Methacrylate Method

In nuclear waste repository the zone of disturbed rock adjacent to the deposition holes is a potential pathway for the transport of corrosives and radionuclides. Quantitative autoradiography using the [^{1 4}C]polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) method is a versatile tool for studying the rock matrix structures of centimetric and submillimetric scales. Centimetric-scale rock cores are impregnated with ^{1 4}C-labeled methyl methacrylate ([^{1 4}C]MMA), wetting the silicate surfaces, in a vacuum, which is followed by radiationinduced polymerization and analysis using autoradiography and optical densitometry with digital image processing techniques. The method furnishes unique information on the accessible pore space in crystalline rock. By this method was studied the damage caused by blasting in üAspüo diorite rock samples. The program Mankeli, which was implemented using Matlab Image Processing Toolbox, was used for quantitative porosity measurements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) were used for more detailed studies. The thickness of the excavation damage zone was close to 30 mm in the studied rock samples. Electron microscopic studies revealed intra- and intergranural fissures transsecting mafic, quartz, and feldspar minerals in the crushed zone.     

Effects of group discussion and guided patient care experience on nurses'' attitudes towards care of patients with AIDS

An in vivo study was carried out to determine if capacitive coupled electrical stimulation increased the rate of recovery of strength of regenerate bone produced as a result of lengthening by the Ilizarov technique. Thirty-four adult male beagles underwent a right tibial mid-diaphyseal corticotomy, followed by a 5-day delay, and then 21 days of lengthening (1 mm/day). At the start of the post-distraction period (day 27), stimulation (3-6.3 V peak to peak, 5-10 mA root-mean-square at 60 kHz) was applied for 28 days to one group. The nonstimulated group (n = 17) underwent a 28-day period with no stimulation. From each group, four tibiae were prepared for histology; both ends of the remaining bones were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate and tested in torsion (internal rotation at 4.7 degrees/sec) until failure. Statistically significant changes included a 37% lower maximum torque capacity and a 40% decrease in strain energy to failure in the stimulated group compared with the nonstimulated group. The findings are supported by measured trends to a lower modulus of rigidity (37% decrease) and a smaller percentage of active osteoid perimeter (20% decrease) for the stimulated group. The experimental data suggest that when this dose of capacitive coupled electrical stimulation is applied to the regenerating bone created during distraction osteogenesis, it delays the recovery of bone strength compared with an untreated control.     

Processing of rye bran influences both the fermentation of dietary fibre and the bioconversion of lignans by human faecal flora in vitro

Plant lignans are converted to mammalian forms, enterodiol and enterolactone, in the colon. Enhanced plasma or urinary enterolactone levels have been associated with lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. Processed rye bran and its fractions were compared to ascertain the fermentation rates of fermentable carbohydrates and the bioconversion of lignans. Rye bran was extruded and treated with a food‐grade xylanase. Part of the xylanase‐treated rye bran was separated into a soluble rye bran extract and an insoluble residue, and a part of the xylanase‐treated rye bran was freeze‐dried without separation. All the samples were digested by pepsin and pancreatin and subsequently fermented with a human faecal inoculum in vitro. The consumption of carbohydrates, the productions of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), enterodiol and enterolactone were followed as a function of time. The soluble rye bran extract showed the fastest fermentation rate and the highest extent of fermentation determined as the consumption of neutral sugar residues (arabinose, xylose and glucose), the production of SCFA and the formation of enterodiol and enterolactone. Xylanase treatment enhanced the fermentation rate of extruded rye bran. An even a higher fermentation rate was observed for rye bran extract containing soluble carbohydrates. The amount of enterolactone precursors in rye seemed to be too low for enterolactone formation using an amount of substrate suitable for carbohydrate fermentation. However, xylanase treatment enhanced the availability of plant lignans from rye bran, as enterodiol formation was increased by the use of xylanase. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrogen in river basins: sources, retention in the surface waters and peatlands, and fluxes to estuaries in Finland

Nitrogen export from diffuse and point sources and its retention in the major river basins of Finland is quantified and discussed. The estimated total export from river-basins in Finland was 119,000 tonnes N a(-1) for the period 1993 to 1998 based on N export from different land use types defined in a GIS-based assessment model, incorporated with estimates of N inputs from atmospheric deposition and point sources. Agriculture contributes 38% of the total export, varying in the range 35-85% in the south-western basins and 0-25% in the northern basins. This estimate of N export from agriculture was based on regional N balances together with data from small agricultural research catchments. Forestry contributes on average 9%, with increasing dominance towards eastern and northern parts of the country: from 2% to 15% in the southern-mid-western Finland basins to 10-30% in the large northern basins. 'Background' N export from forests on both mineral and organic soils contributes 27% on average; in the northern basins it may contribute from 40% up to 90% of the total load. The estimate was calculated based on practically all data available from 42 small, experimental catchments in Finland. Of the total N input to Finnish river-systems, 0% to 68% was retained in surface waters and/or peatlands, with a mean retention of 22%. The highest retention of N (36-61%) was observed in the basins with the highest lake percentages. The lowest retention (0-10%) of N was in the coastal basins with practically no lakes. In the national N mass balance, 38,000 tonnes N a(-1) (32%) was estimated as lake retention and 4,000 tonnes N a(-1) (3%) as retention in peatlands. On the basis of mass balances and sensitivity analysis, retention was in most cases estimated to be in the range of 7.5-12.5 kg ha(-1)a(-1) in lakes and 0-1.5 kg ha(-1)a(-1) in peatlands. The model results were tested using the split-sample technique and uncertainty estimates for different data sources are provided and discussed.     

Enhancement of secretagogue-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone release from cultured sheep anterior pituitary cells by recombinant ovine interleukin 1

Interaction between protein disulfide isomerase, possessing not only isomerase but also chaperone-like activity, and olygomeric enzyme, GAPDH, has been studied using technique of immobilization on insoluble support. PDI dimers bound to CNBr-activated Sepharose were shown to possess high TPOR activity as well as the ability to reactivate lysozyme. Immobilized PDI was not found to interact neither with soluble tetrameric GAPDH, nor with soluble denatured GAPDH. However, soluble PDI binds effectively to immobilized GAPDH monomers; Kd was found to be 3.7 x 10(-6) M, stoichiometry 0.824 mole PDI monomers per mole GAPDH monomers. Immobilized GAPDH tetramers do not interact with PDI. These observations are also confirmed by the data on electrophoresis of proteins bound to immobilized GAPDH monomers and tetramers. The ability of PDI to interact with denatured protein form, but not with the native one, is considered to be evidence of chaperone-like activity of the enzyme.