Studies of fiber-matrix adhesion on compression strength

A study was initiated on the effect of the matrix polymer and the fiber matrix bond strength of carbon fiber polymer matrix composites. The work includes tests with micro-composites, single ply composites, laminates, and multi-axial loaded cylinders. The results obtained thus far indicate that weak fiber-matrix adhesion dramatically reduces 0 degree compression strength. Evidence is also presented that the flaws in the carbon fiber that govern compression strength differ from those that determine fiber tensile strength. Examination of post-failure damage in the single ply tests indicates kink banding at the crack tip

Loss of solutions in shear banding fluids in shear banding fluids driven by second normal stress differences

Edge fracture occurs frequently in non-Newtonian fluids. A similar instability has often been reported at the free surface of fluids undergoing shear banding, and leads to expulsion of the sample. In this paper the distortion of the free surface of such a shear banding fluid is calculated by balancing the surface tension against the second normal stresses induced in the two shear bands, and simultaneously requiring a continuous and smooth meniscus. We show that wormlike micelles typically retain meniscus integrity when shear banding, but in some cases can lose integrity for a range of average applied shear rates during which one expects shear banding. This meniscus fracture would lead to ejection of the sample as the shear banding region is swept through. We further show that entangled polymer solutions are expected to display a propensity for fracture, because of their much larger second normal stresses. These calculations are consistent with available data in the literature. We also estimate the meniscus distortion of a three band configuration, as has been observed in some wormlike micellar solutions in a cone and plate geometry.Comment: 23 pages, to be published in Journal of Rheolog

Restrictive Breathing Mask Reduces Total Repetitions in Resistance-Trained Males: An Ongoing Study

Recently a popular exercise training device has been developed, which has been promoted by companies as a training aid, known as a restrictive breathing mask (RBM).The RBM is designed to simulate training at higher altitudes and has become commonplace for individuals to utilize during resistance-training sessions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a RBM on muscle performance and perceptual measures in resistance-trained males. METHODS: A cross-over study design was utilized in 9 resistance-trained males with performance trials separated by 7 days. A baseline strength testing session was completed for 12RM for squat, leg press, and leg extension. Participants completed the lower body workout with no mask or RBM. After the initial warm up, participants completed 4 sets of reps to failure of squats, leg press, and leg extension with 2 minutes rest between sets and 3 minutes between exercises. Heart rate was collected immediately post set. Participants completed a 10cm visual stress scale immediately post resistance training session and Session RPE (SRPE) was collected 10 minutes post. Paired T-tests were utilized to analyze total session reps, SRPE, average post set session heart rate, and session stress scale. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in total session reps during the RBM trial compared to the no mask trial (p\u3c 0.001). SRPE was significantly higher during the RBM trial compared to the no mask trial (p= 0.003). There was a significant elevation in perceived stress during the RBM trial (p= 0.01). Finally, there was a statistically significant increase in post set heart rate during the RBM session (p=0.04) CONCLUSION: Based on the performance variables, it appears that a RBM reduces the total repetitions that an individual can complete during an acute bout of resistance training, while also increasing the perceived difficulty and stressfulness of the bout. Subsequently, a reduction in mechanical stimuli could result in a diminished hypertrophic response over time

High Spin-low Spin Crossover and Antiferromagnetic Interactions in Tris(1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioato)iron(III) and the 4-morpholine (FeM) and Dibutyl Analogs, Effect of Recrystallization Solvent, and Crystal Structure of FeM·nitrobenzene

High sensitivity magnetic susceptibility determinations, especially in the range 1.2-4.2 K on pure and dilute tris(pyrrolidinecarbodithioato)iron(III) (FeP) in its high spin form, show that a maximum at about 2 K is caused by antiferromagnetic interactions. The analogous chromium(III) complex does not exhibit significant antiferromagnetism compared to that of the iron complex, and it is likely that the upper e electrons possessed by the iron and not by the chromium are responsible for the bulk of the antiferromagnetism. As the iron atoms are about 9 Å apart in discrete molecules, the antiferromagnetic interactions presumably occur between unpaired spins delocalized on to the ligands of adjacent molecules. This is in keeping with NMR evidence that spin delocalization is greater in the iron(III) than in the chromium(III) complex. When diluted with large amounts of the cobalt(III) analog (CoP), FeP exhibits a spin state equilibrium. Thus, the structure of the FeP molecule is modified slightly (presumably with shortening of the Fe-S bond) to approach that of the CoP host lattice, which has a shorter metal-sulfur bond. The previous history of the samples of ferric dithiocarbamate complexes is shown to be far more important than had previously been suspected: When crystallized from benzene, FeP exhibits a high spin-low spin equilibrium, in constrast with the pure high spin behavior of the complex when not crystallized from benzene. The effect of adding 7% of benzene to the lattice is much greater than that of adding 50% of CoP. The dibutyl analog shows similar effects. The tris(4- morpholinecarbodithioato-S,S\u27)iron(III) complex FeM is shown, by single crystal x-ray data, to contain short Fe-S bond lengths (average 2.353 Å) when recrystallized from nitrobenzene. This indicates that the complex is principally low spin, in keeping with the observed magnetism and with the general strong solvent effect on the spin state. It is now proposed that the difference in Fe-S bond lengths between FeP crystallized from chloroform and FeP from benzene (the reverse of the expected differences) is due to experimental error. Crystal data for FeM-nitrobenzene: space group P21/c, Z = 4, a = 9.713(3) Å, b = 31.419(8) Å, c = 9.718(2) Å, β = 105.04(2)°, V = 2864 Å3, R = 3.3%, 2712 reflections

Resistance to local anesthesia in people with the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes presenting for dental surgery

Background: People with the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), a group of heritable disorders of connective tissue, often report experiencing dental procedure pain despite local anesthetic (LA) use. Clinicians have been uncertain how to interpret this apparent LA resistance, as comparison of EDS and non-EDS patient experience is limited to anecdotal evidence and small case series. The primary goal of this hypothesis-generating study was to investigate the recalled adequacy of pain prevention with LA administered during dental procedures in a large cohort of people with and without EDS. A secondary exploratory aim asked people with EDS to recall comparative LA experiences. Methods: We administered an online survey through various social media platforms to people with EDS and their friends without EDS, asking about past dental procedures, LA exposures, and the adequacy of procedure pain prevention. Among EDS respondents who both received LA and recalled the specific LA used, we compared agent-specific pain prevention for lidocaine, procaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, and articaine. Results: Among the 980 EDS respondents who had undergone a dental procedure LA, 88% (n = 860) recalled inadequate pain prevention. Among 249 non EDS respondents only 33% (n = 83) recalled inadequate pain prevention (P < 0.001 compared to EDS respondents). The agent with the highest EDS-respondent reported success rate was articaine (30%), followed by bupivacaine (25%), and mepivacaine (22%). Conclusions: EDS survey respondents reported nearly three times the rate of LA non-response compared to non-EDS respondents, suggesting that LAs were less effective in preventing their pain associated with routine office dental procedures

Toughening mechanisms in elastomer-modified epoxies

The toughening mechanisms of elastomer-modified epoxies are examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and optical microscopy, DGEBA epoxies toughened by various levels of several types of carboxyl terminated copolymers of butadiene-acrylonitrile (CTBN) liquid rubber are studied. The materials are deformed in uniaxial tension and in three-point bending with an edge notch. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces indicate cavitation of the rubber particles to be a major deformation mechanism. Particle-particle interaction is also found. Optical microscopy of thin sections perpendicular to the fracture surface shows that the cavitated particles generate shear bands. The toughening effect is hypothesized to be due to cavitation, which relieves the triaxial tension at the crack tip, and shear band formation, which creates a large plastic zone.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44686/1/10853_2005_Article_BF01114294.pd

Arterial Elasticity in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a group of heritable disorders of connective tissue (HDCT) characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is highly prevalent in EDS however mechanisms linking OI to EDS remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that impaired blood pressure (BP) and heart rate control is associated with lower arterial stiffness in people with EDS. Orthostatic vital signs and arterial stiffness were assessed in a cohort of 60 people with EDS (49 female, 36 ± 16 years). Arterial elasticity was assessed by central and peripheral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Central PWV was lower in people with EDS compared to reference values in healthy subjects. In participants with EDS, central PWV was correlated to supine systolic BP (r = 0.387, p = 0.002), supine diastolic BP (r = 0.400, p = 0.002), and seated systolic BP (r = 0.399, p = 0.002). There were no significant correlations between PWV and changes in BP or heart rate with standing (p > 0.05). Between EDS types, there were no differences in supine hemodynamics or PWV measures (p > 0.05). These data demonstrate that increased arterial elasticity is associated with lower BP in people with EDS which may contribute to orthostatic symptoms and potentially provides a quantitative clinical measure for future genotype-phenotype investigations