Implementation and comparison of algebraic and machine learning based tensor interpolation methods applied to fiber orientation tensor fields obtained from CT images

Fiber orientation tensors (FOT) are used as a compact form of representing the mechanically important quantity of fiber orientation in fiber reinforced composites. While they can be obtained via image processing methods from micro computed tomography scans (CT), the specimen size needs to be sufficiently small for adequate resolution – especially in the case of carbon fibers. In order to avoid massive workload by scans and image evaluation when determining full-field FOT distributions for a plaque or a part, e.g., for comparison with process simulations, the possibilities of a direct interpolation of a few measured FOT at specific support points were opened in this paper. Hence, three different tensor interpolation methods were implemented and compared qualitatively with the help of visualization through tensor glyphs and quantitatively by calculating originally measured tensors at support points and evaluating the deviations. The methods compared in this work include two algebraic approaches, firstly, a Euclidean component averaging and secondly, a decomposition approach based on separate invariant and quaternion weighting, as well as an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method using an artificial neural network (ANN). While the decomposition method showed the best results visually, quantitatively the component averaging method and the neural network behaved better (that is for the type of quantitative error assessment used in this paper) with mean absolute errors of 0.105 and 0.114 when calculating previously measured tensors and comparing the components. With each method providing different advantages, the use for further application as well as necessary improvement is discussed. The authors would like to highlight the novelty of the methods being used with small and CT-based tensor datasets

Rupture différée dans l'acier austénitique 301LN

L'objectif de ce travail est l'étude multi-échelles du phénomène de rupture différée associé à la transformation martensitique dans l'acier austénitique instable 301LN. L'observation et l'étude de la rupture différée sont réalisées sur des emboutis cylindriques à fond plat. L'identification des éléments microstructuraux à l'origine des fissures est réalisée par observation au Microscope Electronique à Balayage (MEB) des zones de rupture. La distribution des contraintes résiduelles dans chaque phase, a été déterminée par Diffraction des Rayons X (DRX), et associée à l'évolution de la fraction volumique de martensite pour différentes conditions d'emboutissage. Nous établissons un lien direct entre l'apparition de la rupture différée, l'état de contrainte dans la martensite, et les fractions de martensite formée dans les godets emboutis

A Coxsackievirus B1-mediated nonlytic Extracellular Vesicle-to-cell mechanism of virus transmission and its possible control through modulation of EV release

Like most non-enveloped viruses, CVB1 mainly uses cell lysis to spread. Details of a nonlytic virus transmission remain unclear. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) transfer biomolecules between cells. We show that CVB1 entry into HeLa cells results in apoptosis and release of CVB1-induced ‘medium-sized’ EVs (CVB1i-mEVs). These mEVs (100–300 nm) harbour CVB1 as shown by immunoblotting with anti-CVB1-antibody; viral capsids were detected by transmission electron microscopy and RT-PCR revealed CVB1 RNA. The percentage of mEVs released from CVB1-infected HeLa cells harbouring virus was estimated from TEM at 34 %. Inhibition of CVB1i-mEV production, with calpeptin or siRNA knockdown of CAPNS1 in HeLa cells limited spread of CVB1 suggesting these vesicles disseminate CVB1 virions to new host cells by a nonlytic EV-to-cell mechanism. This was confirmed by detecting CVB1 virions inside HeLa cells after co-culture with CVB1i-mEVs; EV release may also prevent apoptosis of infected cells whilst spreading apoptosis to secondary sites of infection

A new crystal plasticity framework to simulate the large strain behaviour of aluminum alloys at warm temperatures

The final publication is available at Elsevier via https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2018.04.020 © 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/To improve metal formability, high temperature forming has become a desired manufacturing process. Phenomenological plasticity models are widely used in this application, however lack good predictive capability concerning microstructure evolution during forming. Many crystal plasticity hardening models have been developed to predict deformation phenomena of metals during high temperature forming; however, few have thermodynamic self-hardening formulations based on deformation mechanisms. This work presents a crystal plasticity based analysis with a Taylor polycrystal averaging scheme of warm forming employing a new microstructure and dislocation based strain hardening model to simulate deformation behaviour. The hardening model is derived from energy balance between dislocation storage, dislocation accumulation, and dislocation recovery, based on remobilization of immobile dislocations, due to thermal activation. The constitutive formulation is extended to include alloying effects due to solute strengthening of Mg. The material hardening properties of AA5754 are characterized for a range of temperatures at constant strain-rates. A formulation for the kinematics of dynamic strain aging is presented and employed for room-temperature simulations. The hardening characterization is then used to predict stress-strain behaviour of AA5182 for similar conditions. The model shows excellent predictability of experimental results. An analysis on the microstructural connection between temperature and stress-strain response is presented.Canada (NSERC) [no. APCPJ 441668-12]General Motors of Canad

Analyse expérimentale et modélisation du comportement mécanique d'aciers duplex Fe-Mn-Al-C

Une nouvelle variété d'aciers biphasés austénite-ferrite dit duplex à forte teneur en manganèse et en aluminium a été élaborée par ARCELOR RESEARCH. Ces aciers combinent les meilleurs caractéristiques des aciers austénitiques et ferritiques. Quatre nuances sont étudiées se différenciant par leur teneur en carbone qui conduit à quatre fractions volumiques de l'austénite. L'évolution des contraintes internes dans les deux phases a été déterminée par diffraction des rayons X au cours d'un essai de traction in situ. Les résultats des mesures ont été utilisés pour déterminer le comportement mécanique de l'acier duplex en utilisant une approche micromécanique par transition d'échelles pour les essais de traction. Un bon accord entre les expériences et les simulations est obtenu au niveau macroscopique tandis que les contraintes internes calculées de la phase austénitique ne correspondent pas aux résultats expérimentaux. Ces divergences sont attribuées (i) à une mauvaise estimation de la limite d'élasticité de l'austénite ou (ii) à la présence de l'écrouissage cinématique dans la phase austénitique. On propose alors une nouvelle étape pour vérifier ces deux hypothèses

Interactions of Catalytic Enzymes with n-Type Polymers for High-Performance Metabolite Sensors

The tight regulation of the glucose concentration in the body is crucial for balanced physiological function. We developed an electrochemical transistor comprising an n-type conjugated polymer film in contact with a catalytic enzyme for sensitive and selective glucose detection in bodily fluids. Despite the promise of these sensors, the property of the polymer that led to such high performance has remained unknown, with charge transport being the only characteristic under focus. Here, we studied the impact of the polymer chemical structure on film surface properties and enzyme adsorption behavior using a combination of physiochemical characterization methods and correlated our findings with the resulting sensor performance. We developed five n-type polymers bearing the same backbone with side chains differing in polarity and charge. We found that the nature of the side chains modulated the film surface properties, dictating the extent of interactions between the enzyme and the polymer film. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring studies showed that hydrophobic surfaces retained more enzymes in a densely packed arrangement, while hydrophilic surfaces captured fewer enzymes in a flattened conformation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the surfaces revealed strong interactions of the enzyme with the glycolated side chains of the polymers, which improved for linear side chains compared to those for branched ones. We probed the alterations in the enzyme structure upon adsorption using circular dichroism, which suggested protein denaturation on hydrophobic surfaces. Our study concludes that a negatively charged, smooth, and hydrophilic film surface provides the best environment for enzyme adsorption with desired mass and conformation, maximizing the sensor performance. This knowledge will guide synthetic work aiming to establish close interactions between proteins and electronic materials, which is crucial for developing high-performance enzymatic metabolite biosensors and biocatalytic charge-conversion devices

Grain and phase stress criteria for behaviour and cleavage in duplex and bainitic steels

Stress analyses by X-ray diffraction are performed on a cast duplex (32% ferrite) stainless steel elbow and a bainitic (95% ferrite) pressure vessel steel. During an in situ tensile test, micrographic observations are made (visible glides and microcracks) and related to the stress state determined in the individual ferritic grains (aged duplex) and the ferritic phase (bainite loaded at low temperatures). Several material parameters have been identified at different scales, as for example, the critical resolved shear stress of 245 MPa for the aged ferritic grain (duplex) or 275 MPa for bainite (–60 ◦C), a crystallographic cleavage propagation criterion of 465 MPa (stress normal to {100} planes), and a fracture stress of approximately 700 MPa in the ferritic phase. Even though the two steels are different in many respects, the macroscopic fracture strains and stresses are well predicted by the polycrystalline model developed for bainite, whatever the temperatures tested (considering 7% of the grains reaching the local criterion)

The links between health-related behaviors and life satisfaction in elderly individuals who prefer institutional living

BACKGROUND: Life satisfaction among residents of institutions is becoming an important issue in a rapidly aging population. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the links between life satisfaction and health-related behaviors amongst functionally independent elderly people who prefer institutional living in İstanbul, Turkey. METHODS: The socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, leisure-time activities and fall histories of 133 residents of an institution in Istanbul were assessed by a structured questionnaire during face-to-face interviews. A validated life-satisfaction index questionnaire (LSI-A) was completed. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 73.9 ± 8.0 (range 60–90 years). Within the group, 22.6% had never married and 14.3% had university degrees. The majority (71.4%) were in the low income bracket. The overall mean LSI-A score was 20.3 ± 5.9. Participants who declared moderate/high income levels had a significantly higher mean LSI-A score than those in the low-income bracket (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis of the data suggested that leisure-time activities and participation in regular physical activities are significant predictors of LSI-A scores (R(2): 0.112; p = 0.005 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The findings imply that regular physical activity and leisure-time activities are significantly related to life satisfaction among residents in institutions. Participation in physical activity and leisure-time activity programs may help to improve the life satisfaction of elderly people living in institutions