A review on the rotary ultrasonic machining of advanced ceramics

Advanced ceramics are likely candidates for many industrial applications due to their superior properties. However, their high machining costs lead to limited applications. Rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) is one of the cost-effective machining processes available for drilling holes in advanced ceramics. This paper reports on investigations in the last few years on RUM process of advanced ceramics. Emphasis is given on the effect of RUM process parameters (such as applied static load, rotational speed, ultrasonic power and vibration amplitude, abrasive grit size and coolant) on machinability parameters (such as material removal rate, tool wear and surface roughness). Results on tool wear and edge chipping are also reported

Liquid crystal hyperbolic metamaterial for wide-angle negative-positive refraction and reflection

We show that nanosphere dispersed liquid crystal (NDLC) metamaterial can be characterized in near IR spectral region as an indefinite medium whose real parts of effective ordinary and extraordinary permittivities are opposite in signs. Based on this fact we design a novel electrooptic effect: external electric field driven switch between normal refraction, negative refraction and reflection of TM incident electromagnetic wave from the boundary vacuum/NDLC. A detailed analysis of its functionality is given based on effective medium theory combined with a study of negative refraction in anisotropic metamaterials, and Finite Elements simulations

Vapor condensation on a turbulent liquid interface

An experimental investigation which seeks the fundamental relationship between the interfacial condensation rate and the parameters which control it when the liquid side is turbulent is discussed. The scaling laws for free-surface condensation are discussed for this case. It is argued that the condensation of cryogenic liquids can, in principle, be simulated in experiments using steam and water. Data are presented for the condensation rate in terms of the dimensionless scaling parameters which involve the fluid properties and the liquid-side turbulence velocity and length scales

An Alternative Q Chart Incorporating A Robust Estimator Of Scale

In overcoming the shortcomings of the classical control charts in a short runs production, Quesenberry (1991 & 1995a – d) proposed Q charts for attributes and variables data. An approach to enhance the performance of a variable Q chart based on individual measurements using a robust estimator of scale is proposed. Monte carlo simulations are conducted to show that the proposed robust Q chart is superior to the present Q chart

Nuclear Localization Marker of FOXO3a: Can it be Used to Predict Doxorubicin Response?

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Adsorption Characteristics of Zinc (Zn2+) from Aqueous Solution by Natural Bentonite and Kaolin Clay Minerals: A Comparative Study

Clay minerals are one of the potential good adsorbent alternatives to activated carbon because of their large surface area and high cation exchange capacity. In this work the adsorptive properties of natural bentonite and kaolin clay minerals in the removal of zinc (Zn2+) from aqueous solution have been studied by laboratory batch adsorption kinetic and equilibrium experiments. The result shows that the amount of adsorption of zinc metal ion increases with initial metal ion concentration, contact time, but decreases with the amount of adsorbent and temperature of the system for both the adsorbents. Kinetic experiments clearly indicate that adsorption of zinc metal ion (Zn2+) on bentonite and kaolin is a two-step process: a very rapid adsorption of zinc metal ion to the external surface is followed by possible slow decreasing intraparticle diffusion in the interior of the adsorbent. This has also been confirmed by an intraparticle diffusion model. The equilibrium adsorption results are fitted better with the Langmuir isotherm compared to the Freundlich model. The value of separation factor, RL from Langmuir equation give an indication of favourable adsorption. Finally from thermodynamic studies, it has been found that the adsorption process is exothermic due to negative deltaG0 accompanied by decrease in entropy change and Gibbs free energy change (deltaG0). Overall bentonite is a better adsorbent than kaolin in the removal of Zn2+ from its aqueous solution

A Modified \u3cem\u3eX̄\u3c/em\u3e Control Chart for Samples Drawn from Finite Populations

The X̄ chart works well under the assumption of random sampling from infinite populations. However, many process monitoring scenarios may consist of random sampling from finite populations. A modified X̄ chart is proposed in this article to solve the problems encountered by the standard X̄ chart when samples are drawn from finite populations

Optical supercavitation in soft-matter

We investigate theoretically, numerically and experimentally nonlinear optical waves in an absorbing out-of-equilibrium colloidal material at the gelification transition. At sufficiently high optical intensity, absorption is frustrated and light propagates into the medium. The process is mediated by the formation of a matter-shock wave due to optically induced thermodiffusion, and largely resembles the mechanism of hydrodynamical supercavitation, as it is accompanied by a dynamic phase-transition region between the beam and the absorbing material.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, revised version: corrected typos and reference

Validation of the English and Chinese versions of the Quick-FLIC quality of life questionnaire.

A useful measure of quality of life should be easy and quick to complete. Recently, we reported the development and validation of a shortened Chinese version of the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which we called the Quick-FLIC. In the present study of 327 English-speaking and 221 Chinese-speaking cancer patients, we validated the English version of the Quick-FLIC and further assessed the Chinese version. The 11 Quick-FLIC items were administered alongside the 11 remaining items of the full FLIC, but there appeared to be little context effect. Validity of the English version of the Quick-FLIC was attested by its strong correlation with two other measures of quality of life, and its ability to detect differences between patients with different performance status and treatment status (each P<0.001). Its internal consistency (alpha=0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation=0.76) were also satisfactory. The measure was responsive to changes in performance status (P<0.001). The Chinese version showed similar characteristics. The Quick-FLIC behaved in ways that are highly comparable with the FLIC, even though the Quick-FLIC comprised only 11 items whereas the FLIC comprised 22. Further research is required to see whether the use of shorter instruments can improve data quality and response rates, but the fact that shorter instruments place less burden on the patients is itself inherently important