1,173 research outputs found
A Technique for Tensile Fatigue and Creep Testing of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramics
An experimental technique for the elevated temperature tensile fatigue and creep testing of fiber-reinforced ceramics is discussed. The experimental approach utilizes edge-loaded specimens with rectangular gage-sections. Novel furnace and grip designs which allow testing in air to 1500°C are provided. The specimen, furnace and grip designs discussed in the paper have been successfully used to test unidirectional and cross-ply SiCf/Si3N 4, SiCf/SiC, Cf/SiC and SiCf/calcium-aluminosilicate composites.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66679/2/10.1177_002199839202600608.pd
Improving wrist imaging through a multicentre educational intervention: The challenge of orthogonal projections
YesIn relation to wrist imaging, the accepted requirement is two orthogonal projections obtained at 90°, each with the wrist in neutral position. However, the literature and anecdotal experience suggests that this principle is not universally applied. Method: This multiphase study was undertaken across eight different hospitals sites. Compliance with standard UK technique was confirmed if there was a change in ulna orientation between the dorsi-palmar (DP) and lateral wrist projections. A baseline evaluation for three days was randomly identified from the preceding three months. An educational intervention was implemented using a poster to demonstrate standard positioning. To measure the impact of the intervention, further evaluation took place at two weeks (early) and three months (late). Results: Across the study phases, only a minority of radiographs demonstrated compliance with the standard technique, with an identical anatomical appearance of the distal ulna across the projections. Initial compliance was 16.8% (n = 40/238), and this improved to 47.8% (n = 77/161) post-intervention, but declined to 32.8% (n = 41/125) within three months. The presence of pathology appeared to influence practice, with a greater proportion of those with an abnormal radiographic examination demonstrating a change in ulna appearances in the baseline cohort (
Lattice Dynamics and the High Pressure Equation of State of Au
Elastic constants and zone-boundary phonon frequencies of gold are calculated
by total energy electronic structure methods to twofold compression. A
generalized force constant model is used to interpolate throughout the
Brillouin zone and evaluate moments of the phonon distribution. The moments are
used to calculate the volume dependence of the Gruneisen parameter in the fcc
solid. Using these results with ultrasonic and shock data, we formulate the
complete free energy for solid Au. This free energy is given as a set of closed
form expressions, which are valid to compressions of at least V/V_0 = 0.65 and
temperatures up to melting. Beyond this density, the Hugoniot enters the
solid-liquid mixed phase region. Effects of shock melting on the Hugoniot are
discussed within an approximate model. We compare with proposed standards for
the equation of state to pressures of ~200 GPa. Our result for the room
temperature isotherm is in very good agreement with an earlier standard of
Heinz and Jeanloz.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. Accepted by Phys. Rev.
Systematics of Leading Particle Production
Using a QCD inspired model developed by our group for particle production,
the Interacting Gluon Model (IGM), we have made a systematic analysis of all
available data on leading particle spectra. These data include diffractive
collisions and photoproduction at HERA. With a small number of parameters
(essentially only the non-perturbative gluon-gluon cross section and the
fraction of diffractive events) good agreement with data is found. We show that
the difference between pion and proton leading spectra is due to their
different gluon distributions. We predict a universality in the diffractive
leading particle spectra in the large momentum region, which turns out to be
independent of the incident energy and of the projectile type.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, 4 ps figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Poisson-Nernst-Planck Systems for Narrow Tubular-like Membrane Channels
We study global dynamics of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) system for flows
of two types of ions through a narrow tubular-like membrane channel. As the
radius of the cross-section of the three-dimensional tubular-like membrane
channel approaches zero, a one-dimensional limiting PNP system is derived. This
one-dimensional limiting system differs from previous studied one-dimensional
PNP systems in that it encodes the defining geometry of the three-dimensional
membrane channel. To justify this limiting process, we show that the global
attractors of the three-dimensional PNP systems are upper semi-continuous to
that of the limiting PNP system. We then examine the dynamics of the
one-dimensional limiting PNP system. For large Debye number, the steady-state
of the one-dimensional limiting PNP system is completed analyzed using the
geometric singular perturbation theory. For a special case, an entropy-type
Lyapunov functional is constructed to show the global, asymptotic stability of
the steady-state
Palaeontology, the biogeohistory of Victoria
The broad-scale distribution of fossils within Victoria is controlled by general global patterns in the biological evolution of life on Earth, the local development and environmental evolution of habitats, and the occurrence of geological processes conducive to the preservation of fossil floras and faunas. Early Palaeozoic fossils are mostly marine in origin because of the predominance of marine sedimentary rocks in Victoria and because life on land was not significant during most of this time interval. Middle Palaeozoic sequences have both terrestrial and marine fossil records. Within Victoria, marine rocks are only very minor components of strata deposited during the late Palaeozoic, so that few marine fossils are known from this time period. A similar situation existed during most of the Mesozoic except towards the end of this era when marine conditions began to prevail in the Bass Strait region. During long intervals in the Cainozoic, large areas of Victoria were flooded by shallow-marine seas, particularly in the southern basins of Bass Strait, as well as in the northwest of the State (Murray Basin). Cainozoic sediments contain an extraordinary range of animal and plant fossils. During the Quaternary, the landscape of Victoria became, and continues to be, dominated by continental environments including, at times, extensive freshwater lake systems. Fossil floras and faunas from sediments deposited in these lake systems and from other continental sediments, as well as from Quaternary sediments deposited in marginal marine environments, collectively record a history of rapid fluctuations in climate and sea level.<br /
Spatiotemporal mapping of interictal epileptiform discharges in human absence epilepsy: A MEG study
Exploring the nature of resilience in paramedic practice: A psycho-social study
Previous research has identified that paramedics experience high levels of stress and sickness rates which have escalated in recent years due to changes to workforce restructuring. While a number of studies have investigated resilience among healthcare professionals, there is little research exploring how paramedics address work challenges and how they become resilient. Using psychosocial methodology, seven paramedics participated in Free Association Narrative interviewing; all were based at one regional centre. In line with the study design, data analysis adopted a psycho-social approach that generated four themes and 10 sub-themes which, characterised participants’ experiences. Coping and resilience was impacted upon via formal methods of support including management, debriefing and referral to outside agencies. Alongside this, more informal methods aided resilience. Informal methods included peer support, support from family and friends and the use of humour. Uniquely, this study uncovered how detachment is used to manage emotions. The study has implications for the services need to support the emotional needs of paramedics
Nuclear Level Density and the Determination of Thermonuclear Rates for Astrophysics
The prediction of cross sections for nuclei far off stability is crucial in
the field of nuclear astrophysics. We discuss the model mostly employed for
such calculations: the statistical model (Hauser-Feshbach). Special emphasis is
put on the uncertainties arising from nuclear level density descriptions and an
improved global description is presented. Furthermore, criteria for the
applicability of the statistical model are investigated and a "map" for the
applicability of the model to reactions of stable and unstable nuclei with
neutral and charged particles is given.Comment: REVTeX paper + 7 B/W figures + 2 color figures; PRC, in press. Also
available at http://quasar.physik.unibas.ch/preps.htm
- …