A simple but realistic model for laser cladding

A model which takes into account the main phenomena occurring during the laser-cladding process is proposed. For a given laser power, beam radius, powder jet geometry, and clad height, this model evaluates two other processing parameters, namely, the laser-beam velocity and the powder feed rate. It considers the interactions between the powder particles, the laser beam, and the molten pool. The laser power reaching the surface of the workpiece is estimated and, assuming this power is used to remelt the substrate with the clad having been predeposited, the melt-pool shape is computed using a three-dimensional (3-D) analytical model, which produces mmediate results, even on personal computers. The predictions obtained with this numerical model are in good agreement with experimental results. Processing engineers may therefore use this model to choose the correct processing parameters and to establish cladding maps. Formerly Postdoctoral Fellow, Physical Metallurgy Laboratory.     

Analysis of the laser-cladding process for stellite on steel

Laser-cladding experiments have been performed with STELLITE 6 powder on mild steel substrates, using a 1.5 kW linearly polarized continuous wave CO₂ laser as a heat source. The clad height, the mass efficiency, the dimensions of the melt pool, as well as the global absorptivity, were measured as functions of the powder feed rate and the scanning speed. A quantitative analytical model of the process is proposed, based on the overall mass and energy balance. It allows the calculation of the mass efficiency and of the global absorptivity, taking into account the incorporation of the powder into the melt pool as well as the energy absorbed by the powder jet and the substrate. It successfully explains the experimental results and demonstrates the role played by the melt pool inclination with respect to the substrate. A processing diagram is given to find rapidly the optimal laser treatment conditions and the desired clad height. It is discussed with respect to the other limiting conditions of the process, the geometrical maximum powder efficiency, the porosity, the dilution, and the maximum power of the laser installation.     

Effects of daily events on mood states in major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by high negative affect (NA) and low positive affect (PA), but little is known about emotional reactivity in daily life. The authors used experience sampling methodology to investigate changes in NA and PA following minor daily events in MDD compared with healthy participants. Contrary to expectation, MDD participants did not report more frequent negative events, although they did report fewer positive events. Multilevel regression showed that both NA and PA responses to negative events were blunted in the MDD group, whereas responses to positive events were enhanced. NA responses to negative events persisted longer in MDD participants. Depressed participants with a positive family history or longer current episodes showed relatively greater NA responses to negative events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The craving to smoke in flight attendants: Relations with smoking deprivation, anticipation of smoking, and actual smoking.

In the study, the authors examined the effects of smoking deprivation, anticipation of smoking, and actual smoking on the craving to smoke. Flight attendants who were light to heavy smokers rated their craving to smoke at predetermined time points during a 2-way short flight (each leg 3–5.5 hr) and a 1-way long flight (8–13 hr). In both short and long flights, craving increased gradually and peaked as landing approached. Craving levels at the end of the 1st leg of the short flights were equal to those at the end of the long flight and were much higher than those at the parallel time point in the long flight. In the short flight, craving levels at the beginning of the 2nd leg dropped relative to the end of the 1st leg, both for participants who smoked during the intermission and for those who did not, though the drop was steeper for the former. The results provide additional evidence for the role of psychological factors in determining the craving to smoke in a naturalistic setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluating Eve: Visceral states influence the evaluation of impulsive behavior.

Impulsive behavior is a common source of stigma. The authors argue that people often stigmatize impulsive behavior because they fail to appreciate the influence visceral impulses have on behavior. Because people tend to underestimate the motivational force of cravings for sex, drugs, food, and so forth, they are prone to stigmatize those who act on these impulses. In line with this reasoning, in 4 studies, the authors found that participants who were in a cold state (e.g., not hungry) made less favorable evaluations of a related impulsive behavior (impulsive eating) than did participants who were in a hot state (e.g., hungry). This empathy gap effect was tested with 3 different visceral states--fatigue, hunger, and sexual arousal--and was found both when participants evaluated others' impulsive behavior (Studies 1 & 2) and when participants evaluated their own impulsive behavior (Study 3). Study 3 also demonstrated that the empathy gap effect is due to different perceptions of the strength of the visceral state itself. Finally, Study 4 revealed that this effect is state specific: Hungry people, for example, evaluated only hunger-driven impulses, and not other forms of impulse, more favorably. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SIMULATION OF COUPLED GROWTH OF γ-Co AND Cr_(7-x)Co_xC_3 FOR Co-Cr-C ALLOYS UNDER LASER REMELTING

计算机模拟技术为凝固组织选择形态的研究提供了强有力的手段。本文对Co—Cr—C 合金系在激光重熔条件下γ—Co 与Cr_(7-x)Co_xC_3共晶生长形态选择过程进行了模拟实验;提出了基本假设并认为在可能存在的各种生长形态中先导相生长前沿界面应具有最高温度或最低过冷度;依此建立相应的数模系统进行研究。对该合金系激光重熔时凝固组织生长形态选择演绎过程的模拟实验研究表明,Co—Cr—C 合金系存在着朝碳化物倾斜的γ—Co 与Cr_(7-x)Co_xC_3共晶生长区。伪二元共晶合金在足够过冷条件时会在激光熔池中出现树枝晶形态的初生γ—Co 组织,并且共晶生长形态区将延伸到相当宽的过共晶合金成分区内。这些计算机模拟结果得到了激光重熔实验的证实。     

Evidence that ferritin is UV inducible in human skin: part of a putative defense mechanism

The low-affinity penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 5 is the main beta-lactam target and is responsible for resistance to this class of antibiotics in Enterococcus faecium. The PBP 5 variants of 15 clinical isolates (including 8 resistant to vancomycin) with different levels of beta-lactam resistance were analyzed. Most of the highly beta-lactam-resistant isolates produced small quantities of PBP 5 of low affinity. This was associated with particular amino acid substitutions: an Ala or Ile for Thr-499, a Glu for Val-629, and a Pro for Ser-667. A change of Met-485 to Thr or Ala (adjacent to the conserved SDN box) was observed in isolates with MICs of ampicillin of 64 or 128 microg/mL, respectively. In the 2 most resistant isolates, with MICs of ampicillin of 256 microg/mL, an additional Ser was present just after Ser-466. Thus, particular point mutations in PBP 5 and combinations thereof may lead to high-level beta-lactam resistance in E. faecium.