Magnetic study of the M-type doped barium ferrite nanocrystalline powders

We have studied the static magnetic properties of three different M‐type doped barium ferrite compounds prepared by the glass crystallization method. The zero‐field‐cooled (ZFC) and field‐cooled (FC) processes have been recorded at low field and they all show the typical features of a small particle system. The ZFC curves display a broad peak at a temperature TM, which depends on the distribution of particle volumes in the sample. Isothermal magnetization curves M(H) at several temperatures and saturation magnetization Ms as a function of temperature have been measured for the Co‐Ti sample (BaFe10.4Co0.8Ti0.8O19). The dependence on temperature of the macroscopic magnetic parameters has been analyzed. The distribution of blocking temperatures is studied from the derivative of the remanent‐to‐saturation magnetization ratio with respect to temperature and it is fitted to a lognormal distribution, leading to a mean blocking temperature 〈TB〉=(81±40) K. The distribution of volumes of the magnetic unit is also obtained from this fitting. The dependence on temperature of the coercive field follows a Tk‐law below 35 K. The value of the k exponent is discussed within the scope of two models: (i) the aligned case (k=0.5) and (ii) the random case (k=0.77)

Is the P300 Component a Manifestation of Context Updating?

To understand the endogenous components of the event-related brain potential (ERP), we must use data about the components\u27 antecedent conditions to form hypotheses about the information-processing function of the underlying brain activity. These hypotheses, in turn, generate testable predictions about the consequences of the component. We review the application of this approach to the analysis of the P300 component. The amplitude of the P300 is controlled multiplicatively by the subjective probability and the task relevance of the eliciting events, whereas its latency depends on the duration of stimulus evaluation. These and other factors suggest that the P300 is a manifestation of activity occurring whenever one\u27s model of the environment must be revised. Tests of three predictions based on this “context updating” model are reviewed. Verleger\u27s critique is based on a misconstrual of the model as well as a partial and misleading reading of the relevant literature

Crack initiation and propagation during high-temperature fatigue of oxide dispersion-strengthened superalloys

The mechanisms of crack initiation and propagation have been investigated in two oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Ni-base superalloys under conditions of symmetric low-cycle fatigue (LCF) and creep-fatigue. The behavior of both ODS alloys is compared with that of conventional alloys of otherwise similar composition. While the improvement in fatigue resistance previously reported for ODS metals and alloys is confirmed by the present study for temperatures below about 0.6T m, the potential advantage of dispersion strengthening is not being exploited by the current generation of ODS superalloys at higher temperatures; crack initiation is found to occur prematurely due to the presence of recrystallization defects in the form of fine grains. The mechanism of crack initiation at fine grains is creep-type cavitation on boundaries transverse to the applied stress. Experimental results indicating the influence of temperature, loading frequency, and waveshape on the crack initiation rate are presented and discussed in detail. A qualitative correlation between waveshape and creep-fatigue life is suggested based on the macroscopic inelastic strain rate which is determined by the waveform and limits in turn the rate at which cavity growth can be accommodated