Utility of Split Spectrum Processing to Improve the Detection of Inclusions in Titanium Alloys

The objective of this research is to enhance target signals in titanium (Ti 6A1-4V and Ti 17β, referred to as Ti64 and Ti17 respectively) super alloys using signal processing for improved detection of hard-alpha and other inclusions. The overall objective is to generate easy to interpret images such as amplitude B-scans & C-scans by minimizing the clutter due to material noise. During this research we will evaluate the performance of several signal and image processing algorithms, based on the following evaluation criteria - number of detections verses number of false calls, algorithm execution time and robustness of the algorithms. The results of the different digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms will be compared to those of the focused C-scan images to show the advantages

Assessment of the Effects of Scanning Variations and Eddy Current Probe Type on Crack Detection

Eddy current procedures are currently the most capable, of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that are being applied in industry. The performance capability of an NDE procedure is that of the probability of detection as a function of flaw size. Prediction of the performance capability of a given procedure has been inexact, due to the lack of supporting theory, and has therefore been either validated experimentally or has been assumed to be applicable to a test problem by its similarity to a “time proven” application. Rigorous experimental validation of an NDE procedure is laborious and must be repeated for each new application and/or change in NDE parameters. Attention has been focused on this problem and much of the work described in this volume is directed toward the determination of critical characteristics of NDE applications and in the generation of supporting theory to facilitate predictive modeling of NDE performance capability. The experimental work described in this paper expands on previous work on the characterization of eddy current probes, as applied to flaw detection [1,2], and is directed to support the expansion of application theory [3]

The phonon theory of liquid thermodynamics

Heat capacity of matter is considered to be its most important property because it holds information about system's degrees of freedom as well as the regime in which the system operates, classical or quantum. Heat capacity is well understood in gases and solids but not in the third state of matter, liquids, and is not discussed in physics textbooks as a result. The perceived difficulty is that interactions in a liquid are both strong and system-specific, implying that the energy strongly depends on the liquid type and that, therefore, liquid energy can not be calculated in general form. Here, we develop a phonon theory of liquids where this problem is avoided. The theory covers both classical and quantum regimes. We demonstrate good agreement of calculated and experimental heat capacity of 21 liquids, including noble, metallic, molecular and hydrogen-bonded network liquids in a wide range of temperature and pressure.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Fast Pattern Recognition Method for Eddy Current Testing

One of the benefits of eddy current (EC) testing is the attainability of high testing speeds while maintaining high sensitivity and requiring little with regard to material preparation. For this reason it is commonly automated and integrated in production lines of semi-finished products such as bars, tubes and wires. Because of the requirements of high throughput on-line digital analysis of EC signals is rarely applied, in contrast to ultrasonic testing. However, the usual methods of analog filtering and phase-selective or phase-insensitive threshold evaluation of EC signals are limited in regard to the suppression of false or pseudo-defect indications, classification of defect types, quantitative assessment of defect features and the suppression of signals originating from manmade structures

Improved Probe-Flaw Interaction Modeling, Inversion Processing, and Surface Roughness Clutter

In Reference 1 a first comparison was made of measured eddy current signals with calculations based on nonuniform probe-field interaction theory. These calculations followed the basic analysis developed in Reference 2. They used interrogating field distributions calculated by Dodd and Deeds theory for the air core coils of Reference 3. (Note that Fig. 6 in Reference 1 and Fig. 7 in Reference 3 should be interchanged). In Reference 1 theoretical and experimental plots of the flaw profile curve (a plot of △Z versus distance along the mouth of a surface breaking flaw) were found to be in good agreement, with regard to shape, for several selected EDM notch samples in aluminum. An iterative procedure was also developed for systematically varying the length, depth, and opening width to obtain a best fit to the experimental data.4 In the present paper a full inversion procedure is developed and illustrated for approximately rectangular-shaped EDM notches. The mathematical structure of the inversion problem is first examined and a solution is proposed. Physical reasoning, based on the form of the flaw profile curves, is then used to simplify the approach and to provide guidance in selection of the most suitable probe geometry. Other topics briefly addressed include, possible improvements in the theory for the region with a/§ close to unity and for more realistic flaw shapes (i.e., semi-elliptical, rather than rectangular), inaccuracies due to errors in the probe scan path, and background clutter due to surface roughness, machining marks, and micro-structure

The cost of promiscuity: sexual transmission of Nosema microsporidian parasites in polyandrous honey bees

Multiple mating (and insemination) by females with different males, polyandry, is widespread across animals, due to material and/or genetic benefits for females. It reaches particularly high levels in some social insects, in which queens can produce significantly fitter colonies by being polyandrous. It is therefore a paradox that two thirds of eusocial hymenopteran insects appear to be exclusively monandrous, in spite of the fitness benefits that polyandry could provide. One possible cost of polyandry could be sexually transmitted parasites, but evidence for these in social insects is extremely limited. Here we show that two different species of Nosema microsporidian parasites can transmit sexually in the honey bee Apis mellifera. Honey bee males that are infected by the parasite have Nosema spores in their semen, and queens artificially inseminated with either Nosema spores or the semen of Nosema-infected males became infected by the parasite. The emergent and more virulent N. ceranae achieved much higher rates of infection following insemination than did N. apis. The results provide the first quantitative evidence of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in social insects, indicating that STDs may represent a potential cost of polyandry in social insects

Widespread impact of horizontal gene transfer on plant colonization of land

In complex multicellular eukaryotes such as animals and plants, horizontal gene transfer is commonly considered rare with very limited evolutionary significance. Here we show that horizontal gene transfer is a dynamic process occurring frequently in the early evolution of land plants. Our genome analyses of the moss Physcomitrella patens identified 57 families of nuclear genes that were acquired from prokaryotes, fungi or viruses. Many of these gene families were transferred to the ancestors of green or land plants. Available experimental evidence shows that these anciently acquired genes are involved in some essential or plant-specific activities such as xylem formation, plant defence, nitrogen recycling as well as the biosynthesis of starch, polyamines, hormones and glutathione. These findings suggest that horizontal gene transfer had a critical role in the transition of plants from aquatic to terrestrial environments. On the basis of these findings, we propose a model of horizontal gene transfer mechanism in nonvascular and seedless vascular plants

Characterisation of the Nematode Community of a Low-Activity Cold Seep in the Recently Ice-Shelf Free Larsen B Area, Eastern Antarctic Peninsula

Background: Recent climate-induced ice-shelf disintegration in the Larsen A (1995) and B (2002) areas along the Eastern Antarctic Peninsula formed a unique opportunity to assess sub-ice-shelf benthic community structure and led to the discovery of unexplored habitats, including a low-activity methane seep beneath the former Larsen B ice shelf. Since both limited particle sedimentation under previously permanent ice coverage and reduced cold-seep activity are likely toinfluence benthic meiofauna communities, we characterised the nematode assemblage of this low-activity cold seep and compared it with other, now seasonally ice-free, Larsen A and B stations and other Antarctic shelf areas (Weddell Sea and Drake Passage), as well as cold-seep ecosystems world-wide.Principal Findings: The nematode community at the Larsen B seep site differed significantly from other Antarctic sites in terms of dominant genera, diversity and abundance. Densities in the seep samples were high (.2000 individuals per 10 cm2) and showed below-surface maxima at a sediment depth of 2–3 cm in three out of four replicates. All samples were dominated by one species of the family Monhysteridae, which was identified as a Halomonhystera species that comprised between 80 and 86% of the total community. The combination of high densities, deeper density maxima and dominance of one species is shared by many cold-seep ecosystems world-wide and suggested a possible dependence upon a chemosynthetic food source. Yet stable 13C isotopic signals (ranging between 221.9760.86% and 224.8561.89%) were indicative of a phytoplankton-derived food source.Conclusion: The recent ice-shelf collapse and enhanced food input from surface phytoplankton blooms were responsible for the shift from oligotrophic pre-collapse conditions to a phytodetritus-based community with high densities and low diversity. The parthenogenetic reproduction of the highly dominant Halomonhystera species is rather unusual for marine nematodes and may be responsible for the successful colonisation by this single species

The self-organizing fractal theory as a universal discovery method: the phenomenon of life

A universal discovery method potentially applicable to all disciplines studying organizational phenomena has been developed. This method takes advantage of a new form of global symmetry, namely, scale-invariance of self-organizational dynamics of energy/matter at all levels of organizational hierarchy, from elementary particles through cells and organisms to the Universe as a whole. The method is based on an alternative conceptualization of physical reality postulating that the energy/matter comprising the Universe is far from equilibrium, that it exists as a flow, and that it develops via self-organization in accordance with the empirical laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. It is postulated that the energy/matter flowing through and comprising the Universe evolves as a multiscale, self-similar structure-process, i.e., as a self-organizing fractal. This means that certain organizational structures and processes are scale-invariant and are reproduced at all levels of the organizational hierarchy. Being a form of symmetry, scale-invariance naturally lends itself to a new discovery method that allows for the deduction of missing information by comparing scale-invariant organizational patterns across different levels of the organizational hierarchy

Man and the Last Great Wilderness: Human Impact on the Deep Sea

The deep sea, the largest ecosystem on Earth and one of the least studied, harbours high biodiversity and provides a wealth of resources. Although humans have used the oceans for millennia, technological developments now allow exploitation of fisheries resources, hydrocarbons and minerals below 2000 m depth. The remoteness of the deep seafloor has promoted the disposal of residues and litter. Ocean acidification and climate change now bring a new dimension of global effects. Thus the challenges facing the deep sea are large and accelerating, providing a new imperative for the science community, industry and national and international organizations to work together to develop successful exploitation management and conservation of the deep-sea ecosystem. This paper provides scientific expert judgement and a semi-quantitative analysis of past, present and future impacts of human-related activities on global deep-sea habitats within three categories: disposal, exploitation and climate change. The analysis is the result of a Census of Marine Life – SYNDEEP workshop (September 2008). A detailed review of known impacts and their effects is provided. The analysis shows how, in recent decades, the most significant anthropogenic activities that affect the deep sea have evolved from mainly disposal (past) to exploitation (present). We predict that from now and into the future, increases in atmospheric CO2 and facets and consequences of climate change will have the most impact on deep-sea habitats and their fauna. Synergies between different anthropogenic pressures and associated effects are discussed, indicating that most synergies are related to increased atmospheric CO2 and climate change effects. We identify deep-sea ecosystems we believe are at higher risk from human impacts in the near future: benthic communities on sedimentary upper slopes, cold-water corals, canyon benthic communities and seamount pelagic and benthic communities. We finalise this review with a short discussion on protection and management methods