Compressive plasticity of a La-based glass-crystal composite at cryogenic temperatures

The La55Al25Cu10Ni10–10 vol.% Ti glassy composites have excellent compressive strength and plasticity at room temperature (RT). At cryogenic temperature (77 K), neither the glassy matrix, nor the Ti particles undergo embrittlement, and the composite retains appreciable toughness. Surprisingly, despite significant shear band plasticity at 77 K, failure occurs in a mixed mode manner, with large areas showing quasi-cleavage features that appear to initiate from cracks at the glass-Ti interfaces, which also limit the overall plastic strain. Interface engineering is the key to further alloy development for even better properties.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2016.03.14

Shear-induced chemical segregation in a Fe-based bulk metallic glass at room temperature.

Shear-induced segregation, by particle size, is known in the flow of colloids and granular media, but is unexpected at the atomic level in the deformation of solid materials, especially at room temperature. In nanoscale wear tests of an Fe-based bulk metallic glass at room temperature, without significant surface heating, we find that intense shear localization under a scanned indenter tip can induce strong segregation of a dilute large-atom solute (Y) to planar regions that then crystallize as a Y-rich solid solution. There is stiffening of the material, and the underlying chemical and structural effects are characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The key influence of the soft Fe-Y interatomic interaction is investigated by ab-initio calculation. The driving force for the induced segregation, and its mechanisms, are considered by comparison with effects in other sheared media

Phase separation process preventing thermal embrittlement of a Zr-Cu-Fe-Al bulk metallic glass

The structural changes and mechanical properties of a Zr 63 Cu 22 Fe 5 Al 10 bulk metallic glass (BMG), and a Zr 63 Cu 27 Al 10 one made for comparison, were studied on annealing below the crystallization temperature. The phase composition of the samples was studied by conventional X-ray diffractometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy including the atomic-scale elemental mapping. The samples were mechanically tested in compression. The Zr 63 Cu 22 Fe 5 Al 10 bulk metallic glass shows a high strength and good deformability at room temperature both in the as-cast state and after prolonged structural relaxation below the crystallization temperature. The reasons for such behavior are discussed in the present work

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy investigation of diffusion in metallic glass multilayer films

Lack of plasticity is one of the main disadvantages of metallic glasses. One of the solutions to this problem can be composite materials. Diffusion bonding is promising for composite fabrication. In the present work the diffusion process in glassy multilayer films was investigated. A combination of advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM)methods and precision sputtering techniques allows visualization and study of diffusion in amorphous metallic layers with high resolution. Multilayered films were obtained by radio frequency sputter deposition of Zr-Cu and Zr-Pd. The multilayers were annealed under a high vacuum (10 −5 Pa)for 1 and 5 h at 400 °C, that is, well below the crystallization temperatures but very close to the glass-transition temperatures of both types of the glassy layer. The structural evolution in the deposited films was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that, despite the big differences in the atomic mass and size, Pd and Cu have similar diffusion coefficients. Surprisingly, 1 h of annealing results in formation of metastable copper nanocrystals in the Zr-Cu layers which, however, disappear after 5 h of annealing. This effect may be connected with nanovoid formation under a complex stress state evolving upon annealing, and is related to the exceptionally slow relaxation of the glassy layers sealed with a Ta overlayer.The authors acknowledge the financial support through the European Research Council under the ERC Advanced Grants INTELHYB (grant ERC-2013-ADG-340025) and ExtendGlass (grant ERC-2015-AdG-695487), the German Science Foundation (DFG) under the grant SO 1518/1-1, and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation in the framework of the ‘Increase Competitiveness’ program of NUST ‘MISiS’ (№ К2-2014-013 and К2-2017-089)

Inhibitory effect of green coffee bean extract on fat accumulation and body weight gain in mice

BACKGROUND: An epidemiological study conducted in Italy indicated that coffee has the greatest antioxidant capacity among the commonly consumed beverages. Green coffee bean is rich in chlorogenic acid and its related compounds. The effect of green coffee bean extract (GCBE) on fat accumulation and body weight in mice was assessed with the objective of investigating the effect of GCBE on mild obesity. METHODS: Male ddy mice were fed a standard diet containing GCBE and its principal constituents, namely, caffeine and chlorogenic acid, for 14 days. Further, hepatic triglyceride (TG) level was also investigated after consecutive administration (13 days) of GCBE and its constituents. To examine the effect of GCBE and its constituents on fat absorption, serum TG changes were evaluated in olive oil-loaded mice. In addition, to investigate the effect on hepatic TG metabolism, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity in mice was evaluated after consecutive ingestion (6 days) of GCBE and its constituents (caffeine, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and feruloylquinic acid mixture). RESULTS: It was found that 0.5% and 1% GCBE reduced visceral fat content and body weight. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid showed a tendency to reduce visceral fat and body weight. Oral administration of GCBE (100 and 200 mg/kg· day) for 13 days showed a tendency to reduce hepatic TG in mice. In the same model, chlorogenic acid (60 mg/kg· day) reduced hepatic TG level. In mice loaded with olive oil (5 mL/kg), GCBE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and caffeine (20 and 40 mg/kg) reduced serum TG level. GCBE (1%), neochlorogenic acid (0.028% and 0.055%) and feruloylquinic acid mixture (0.081%) significantly enhanced hepatic CPT activity in mice. However, neither caffeine nor chlorogenic acid alone was found to enhance CPT activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GCBE is possibly effective against weight gain and fat accumulation by inhibition of fat absorption and activation of fat metabolism in the liver. Caffeine was found to be a suppressor of fat absorption, while chlorogenic acid was found to be partially involved in the suppressive effect of GCBE that resulted in the reduction of hepatic TG level. Phenolic compounds such as neochlorogenic acid and feruloylquinic acid mixture, except chlorogenic acid, can enhance hepatic CPT activity

Stimulant Reduction Intervention using Dosed Exercise (STRIDE) - CTN 0037: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a need for novel approaches to the treatment of stimulant abuse and dependence. Clinical data examining the use of exercise as a treatment for the abuse of nicotine, alcohol, and other substances suggest that exercise may be a beneficial treatment for stimulant abuse, with direct effects on decreased use and craving. In addition, exercise has the potential to improve other health domains that may be adversely affected by stimulant use or its treatment, such as sleep disturbance, cognitive function, mood, weight gain, quality of life, and anhedonia, since it has been shown to improve many of these domains in a number of other clinical disorders. Furthermore, neurobiological evidence provides plausible mechanisms by which exercise could positively affect treatment outcomes. The current manuscript presents the rationale, design considerations, and study design of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) CTN-0037 Stimulant Reduction Intervention using Dosed Exercise (STRIDE) study.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>STRIDE is a multisite randomized clinical trial that compares exercise to health education as potential treatments for stimulant abuse or dependence. This study will evaluate individuals diagnosed with stimulant abuse or dependence who are receiving treatment in a residential setting. Three hundred and thirty eligible and interested participants who provide informed consent will be randomized to one of two treatment arms: Vigorous Intensity High Dose Exercise Augmentation (DEI) or Health Education Intervention Augmentation (HEI). Both groups will receive TAU (i.e., usual care). The treatment arms are structured such that the quantity of visits is similar to allow for equivalent contact between groups. In both arms, participants will begin with supervised sessions 3 times per week during the 12-week acute phase of the study. Supervised sessions will be conducted as one-on-one (i.e., individual) sessions, although other participants may be exercising at the same time. Following the 12-week acute phase, participants will begin a 6-month continuation phase during which time they will attend one weekly supervised DEI or HEI session.</p> <p>Clinical Trials Registry</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov, <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01141608">NCT01141608</a></p> <p><url>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01141608?term=Stimulant+Reduction+Intervention+using+Dosed+Exercise&rank=1</url></p

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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