Tribological approach to optimize traction coefficient during running-in period using surface texture

Risk of wheel-climb derailment increases if the traction coefficient in the wheel/rail contact is too high. This has been observed to happen more just after wheel turning. This novel work investigates how the traction coefficient rises during the running-in period, when textured surfaces are used to simulate a freshly turned wheel. Running-in curve of traction coefficient showed a momentary rise and a peak value of traction coefficient was observed to decrease with the increase in magnitude of the wheel surface texture. The change of the subsurface hardness and the microstructure were also dependent on the initial surface texture coincidentally and the work-hardening layer of the textured surface was thicker than that of smooth surface. A mechanism model of the effects of surface texture on traction characteristics during the running-in was presented. The work will allow recommendations of wheel turning to be made to help reduce the problem of wheel-climb derailment

Transitions in rolling-sliding wheel/rail contact condition during running-in

The risk of wheel-climb derailment increases if the traction coefficient in the wheel/rail contact is too high. This has been observed to happen more frequently just after wheel machining. This work investigates how the traction coefficient rises with evolution of the wheel/rail interface during the running-in. Experiments were performed using a full-scale wheel/rail contact rig and an ultrasonic array transducer mounted in the rail. Results were used to determine the stiffness of the contact interface. Contact stiffness appeared to be positively correlated with the traction coefficient. Owing to the conforming of the interface, contact stiffness increases before the traction coefficient rises. The work will allow recommendation of wheel machining to be made to help reduce the problem of wheel-climb derailment

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The authorized textbook which was introduced music (song) into the schooleducation for the first time is a collection of songs for schoolchildren, "Shogaku Shouka-shu". The fundamental obje-ct ought to have been to make our own National Music after harmonizing or adjusting advantages for both the Oriental music and the Occidental one but the Japanese musical scale and the Occidental one had been bined carelessly, for they were concluded as almost the same. It could not been switched and was the same as \u27Ryo\u27 scale of court music in Japan Gagaku. According to the melodies, newly composed ones were not so many, only the words of foreign songs were rewritten going along the line of then political measures and moral education \u27Tokuiku\u27 was put emphasis on

Effectiveness and adverse effects of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer: Japanese experience and perspective

Recently, novel anti-androgens and inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis have been developed through the elucidation of mechanisms of castration resistance of prostate cancer. We believe that these new developments will improve hormonal therapy. On the other hand, there has been an increase in criticism of hormonal therapy, because hormonal therapy is supposed to induce adverse effects such as cardiovascular disease. In this review, we have introduced the Japanese experience of hormonal therapy, because we believe that there may be ethnic differences between Caucasians and Asian people in the efficacy and adverse effects of hormonal therapy. First, we showed that primary hormonal therapy can achieve long-term control of localized prostate cancer in some cases and that quality of life of patients receiving hormonal therapy is rather better than previously thought. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormonal therapy in cases undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy are very useful for high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer. Further clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy of neoadjuvant or adjuvant hormonal therapy. We showed that the death from cardiovascular diseases in Japanese patients receiving hormonal therapy was not higher than that in the general population. However, efforts should be made to decrease the adverse effects of hormonal therapy, because life-style change may increase the susceptibility to adverse effects by hormonal therapy even in Japan. Managements of endocrine and metabolic dysfunction, such as diabetes mellitus, are essential. New hormonal compounds such as selective androgen receptor modulators capable of specifically targeting prostate cancer are expected to be developed. © 2012 AJA, SIMM & SJTU. All rights reserved