Cutting performance and wear characteristics of PVD coated and uncoated carbide tools in face milling Inconel 718 aerospace alloy

In this paper, cutting performance and failure characteristics of two PVD TiN coated and an uncoated tungsten carbide grades with identical geometry are presented. Face-milling tests of Inconel 718 superalloy were performed to investigate the effect of cutting speed and feed rate on tools performance under wet conditions. Tools were thoroughly examined under SEM at two stages in order to reveal the failure modes and wear mechanisms. These stages were after cutting for 5 s and when the tool failed. It was noted that the coating resulted in a marginal improvement, as it was delaminated by adhering workpiece material at the beginning of the cut, impeding the performance of the tool for the rest of the experiment. A combination of progressive chipping and flank wear was the general mode of tool failure, former being dominant at high speeds and the latter at the low speed region. Results showed that uncoated tool performed better than coated tools at low cutting speeds while coated tools gave slightly better performance as the speed was raised

THE EXPERIENCE OF FLOW IN COMPUTER-MEDIATED AND IN FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS

This paper proposes that optimal flow, based on a cognitive theory of human motivation provides a useful measure of individuals\u27 experiences as they participate in group work. Individuals\u27 experiences of flow, a state of being characterized by involvement in and enjoyment of a task, were determined to be significantly greater in computer-mediated groups than in face-to-face groups. Variables associated with flow included perceived control, task challenge, and required skill during a problem-solving activity performed by fifty-nine undergraduate business students in both settings. The level of skill was found to be positively linked with perceived control in both face-to-face and computer-mediated groups. Perceived control in turn, was positively linked with the flow experience in both groups. Results indicate that while skill is important in explaining flow in the face-to-face task, the perceived challenge is important in explaining flow in the computer-mediated task. Suggestions are offered for future research on flow and computer-supported collaborative work

Compression of the Duodenum by the Root of the Mesentery

Compression of the duodenum by the root of the mesentery is a rare pathological entity that has caused much controversy because it has been mistakenly identified as the superior mesenteric artery syndrome or the vascular compression of the duodenum. We discuss the pathological anatomy and the diagnosis of the disease, and report an illustrative case. Some authors report many cases of the syndrome, while others doubt its existence. Before surgery is considered, the diagnosis should be established beyond doubt and a prolonged period of observation, medical treatment, and nutritional support should be provided. The barium contrast swallowing test combined with aortographic studies can pinpoint the compression site behind the root of the mesentery. Good surgical results have been reported with both dextroposition of the duodenojejunal junction and with duodenojejunostomy

Abrasive wear behavior of CNT-filled unidirectional kenaf-epoxy composites

Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) fibers have received significant attention for replacing the usage of synthetic fibers, especially glass fiber, in the fabrication of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The aim of this research was to study the change in wear behavior of kenaf-epoxy fiber composites by filling them with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In particular, the effect of untreated MWCNT (PMWCNT), acid-treated MWCNT (AMWCNT), and silane-treated MWCNT (SMWCNT) was studied, using three different MWCNT loadings, i.e., 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%. The abrasive wear test was conducted to measure the wear properties of the composites. A thermal infrared camera was also used to measure the punctual contact temperature during the abrasive wear test, while the abraded surfaces were analyzed using the stereomicroscope. Starting from the considerable reduction of wear rate with the introduction of kenaf fibers, it was observed that PMWCNT provided some further, yet modest, reduction of wear rate only at the higher loadings. In contrast, the inclusion of AMWCNT proved to increase the specific wear rate of the epoxy-kenaf composites, an effect worsened at higher loadings. This may be due to the weakened interfacial bonding between the AMWCNT and epoxy. On the other hand, the presence of SMWCNT improved the interfacial bonding between CNT and epoxy, as shown by an increase in contact temperature. However, the increase in bonding strength was stipulated to have caused the rougher worn debris, thus inducing a three-body abrasive wear effect

Post-infarct cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome: a case report

Post Infarct cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome is a rare disorder, characterized by cognitive impairment in the domains of memory, language, visuo-spatial functioning and affect after cerebellar stroke. We report a case of young female who developed mood alteration and cognitive disturbance following isolated cerebellar infarct. We, therefore, advocate a potential role of cerebellum in regulation of cognition and behaviour in humans

Mechanical and thermal properties of sugar palm fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites: effect of silane treatment and fiber loading

The aim of the present study was to develop sugar palm fiber (SPF) reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites and to investigate the effects of fiber surface modification by 2% silane treatment and fiber loading (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt%) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained composites. Surface treatment was employed to improve the fiber-matrix interface, which was expected to boost the mechanical strength of the composites, in terms of tensile, flexural and impact properties. Thermal properties were also investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to assess the thermal stability of the developed composites. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the tensile fracture samples of composites with a view towards evaluating the effects of fiber surface treatments on the fiber/matrix interfacial bonding. The findings of this study reveal that the silane treatment has determined good bonding and linkage of the cellulose fiber to the TPU matrix, hence contributing to enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. The composite formulation with 40 wt% sugar palm fiber loading showed optimum values such as 17.22 MPa for tensile, 13.96 MPa for flexural, and 15.47 kJ/m2 for impact strength. Moreover, the formulations with higher fiber content exhibited satisfactory values of storage modulus and thermal degradation, while their good interfacial adhesion was evidenced by SEM images

Mechanical performance of roselle/sugar palm fiber hybrid reinforced polyurethane composites

The effect of sugar palm fiber (SPF) loading was studied relative to the mechanical properties of roselle (RF)/SPF/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) hybrid composites. RF/SPF/TPU hybrid composites were fabricated at different weight ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) by melt mixing and hot compression. The mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact test) and morphological properties of tensile fractured samples were examined using a universal testing machine, impact machine, and scanning electron microscope. It was found that the hybridization of RF/SPF increased its impact strength corresponding to the increases in the SPF content of the composites. The tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites decreased due to poor interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix. Scanning electron micrographs of the tensile fractured surface of the RF/SPF hybrid composites revealed fiber pullouts and poor adhesion bonding. In conclusion, the hybridization of SPF with RF/TPU composites enhanced its impact strength while decreasing the tensile and flexural strength

Low concentration atropine and myopia: a narrative review of the evidence for United Kingdom based practitioners

The prevalence of myopia is increasing across the world. Controlling myopia progression would be beneficial to reduce adverse outcomes such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy which are associated with increased axial length. Pharmacological control of myopia progression with atropine has been investigated since the 19th century and the benefits of slowing myopia progression are considered against the side-effects of near blur and photophobia. More recently, randomised trials have focused on determining the optimum concentration of atropine leading to low-concentration atropine being used to manage myopia progression by practitioners across the world. Currently, in the United Kingdom, there is no licensed pharmacological intervention for myopia management. The aim of this review is to interpret the available data to inform clinical practice. We conducted a narrative review of the literature and identified peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials using the search terms 'myopia' and 'atropine', limited to the English language. We identified two key studies, which were the Atropine in the Treatment Of Myopia (ATOM) and Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP). Further studies were identified using the above search terms and the references from the identified literature. Atropine 0.01% has a modest effect on controlling axial length progression. Atropine 0.05% appears to be superior to atropine 0.01% in managing myopia progression. There is a dose-dependent rebound effect when treatment is stopped. Atropine is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective intervention. Treatment would be needed for several years and into adolescence, until axial length progression is stable. [Abstract copyright: © 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.