A phase-field method coupled with CALPHAD for the simulation of ordered κ-carbide precipitates in both disordred γ and α phases in low density steel

In order to simulate multi-component diffusion controlled precipitation of ordered phases in low density steels using the phase-field method, the Gibbs free energy of the γ, α and κ phases in the quaternary Fe-Mn-Al-C system was linked to the CALPHAD method using a three-sublattice model which is based on the accumulation of considerable thermodynamic data in multi-component systems and the assurance of continuous variation of the interface area. This model includes the coherent precipitation of κ phase from a disordered FCC γ phase and semi-coherent precipitation of the same κ phase from a disordered BCC α structure. The microstructure evolution of κ- carbide was simulated with three-dimensional phase-field model. The simulation was first performed for a single particle in both γ and α phases to investigate the evolution of interfacial and elastic strain energy during the precipitation process. The simulation results show that κ has a cuboidal morphology in γ and elongated plate-like morphology in α which is in agreement with the morphologies reported in the literature. The multi-particle simulations were also performed for the precipitation of κ phase from both disordered γ and α. The results also demonstrate that the size of κ precipitates in γ is remarkably smaller than that in α phase

Data compression of discrete sequence: A tree based approach using dynamic programming

A dynamic programming based approach for data compression of a ID sequence is presented. The compression of an input sequence of size N to that of a smaller size k is achieved by dividing the input sequence into k subsequences and replacing the subsequences by their respective average values. The partitioning of the input sequence is carried with the intention of reducing the mean squared error in the reconstructed sequence. The complexity involved in finding the partitions which would result in such an optimal compressed sequence is reduced by using the dynamic programming approach, which is presented

Centrifugal terms in the WKB approximation and semiclassical quantization of hydrogen

A systematic semiclassical expansion of the hydrogen problem about the classical Kepler problem is shown to yield remarkably accurate results. Ad hoc changes of the centrifugal term, such as the standard Langer modification where the factor l(l+1) is replaced by (l+1/2)^2, are avoided. The semiclassical energy levels are shown to be exact to first order in $\hbar$ with all higher order contributions vanishing. The wave functions and dipole matrix elements are also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Arthroscopic Wrist Debridement and Radial Styloidectomy for Advanced Scapholunate Advanced Collapse Wrist: Long-term Follow-up

© The Author(s) 2017. Background: Symptomatic stage 2 or 3 scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist is aggressively treated with salvage procedures, such as proximal row carpectomy or partial wrist fusion with resultant pain relief but limited motion. We hypothesize that arthroscopic synovectomy, radial styloidectomy, and neurectomy will preserve wrist motion, relieve pain, and delay or avoid salvage procedures. Methods: We evaluated outcomes in 13 wrists through questionnaires and 11 of these through additional physical examination at a mean follow-up of 5.0 years. Eight wrists were stage 2 and 5 were stage 3. Data at final follow-up included mobility/strength measurements, subjective outcome scores (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] and visual analog scale [VAS] pain), patient satisfaction, and return to work statistics. Results: Patients had an average flexion-extension arc of 88.0° in the treated wrist and an average grip strength that was 95.0% of the contralateral side. No patients required revision surgery at follow-up. The 13 wrists reported an average DASH score of 16.4 and mean VAS pain score at rest and with activity of 17.9 and 31.6, respectively. All patients working prior to the procedure (n = 8) were able to immediately return to work. In all, 84.6% of patients were satisfied. Conclusions: The procedure studied may have advantages in relieving pain, while preserving wrist motion for SLAC stage 2 or 3 disease. This procedure does not preclude future salvage procedures in those patients with severe disease who prefer to maintain wrist motion for the short term. Patients experience good functional outcomes with the majority experiencing a reduction in pain with the ability to return to work

Inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in leaf blade of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Three leaf blade pigment patterns viz., purple (Strain CP.12), purple wash (Strain CH.17) and faint purple wash (Strain CH.17 mutant) have been described. The mode of inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in the leaf blade has been studied by making inter-crosses between the three pigmented types and between these pigmented and several green leaf blade types. A six factor hypothesis showing the role of each gene and its relationship with others is presented to explain this inheritance. The F 2 segregation of 13:3, 55:9 and 229:27 of green: purple leaf, obtained in crosses between CP.12 × HS.22, CP.12 × T.1029/2 or CP.12 × T.786 and CP.12 × T.136 respectively is due to two, three and four gene differences respectively between the parents crossed; one of these genes is an inhibitory factor which suppresses the expression of purple pigment. The 9:7 and 27:37 ratios of purple wash: green in crosses between CH.17 and green leaf blade varieties are due to the interaction of two and three complementary genes respectively. The F 2 segregation of 39 purple wash:12 purple:13 green obtained from the cross CP.12 × CH.17 (purple × purple wash) is shown to be due to interaction of complementary factors and presence of an inhibitory gene Ilp, the latter being epistatic over gene Lp for purple colour. The four factor segregation of 117PW: 36P: 48FPW: 55G in the cross CP.12 × CH.17mutant, is shown to be due to interaction of four complementary genes one of which is a lower allele Ld' and the other an inhibitory factor Ilp. The monogenic segregation obtained from the cross CH.17 × CH.17 mutant is shown to be due to a single factor difference Ld-Ld'. The occurrence of purple wash leaf blade phenotype along with the faint purple wash and green leaf blade phenotypes in the F 2 of the cross AC.16 × CH.17 mutant (G × FPW) has been explained as being due to the presence of the higher allele Ld in AC.16 as against the lower allele Ld' present in CH.17 mutant. Some of the anomalous ratios like 3 green: 1 purple, 10 green: 1 purple and 8.3 green: 1 purple reported by previous workers have been explained on the basis of the six factor hypothesis

Use of plant extracts and biocontrol agents for the management of brown spot disease in rice

Fifty plant extracts, four oil cakes and eight antagonistic organisms were tested against Bipolaris oryzae (Cochliobolus miyabeanus), the causal agent of brown spot disease of rice. In vitro studies indicated that two leaf extracts, Nerium oleander and Pithecolobium dulce exerted the higher percent inhibition to mycelial growth (77.4, 75.1%) and spore germination (80.3, 80.0%) of B. oryzae. Among the four oil cake extracts tested in vitro against B. oryzae, neem cake extract showed the maximum inhibition percent to mycelial growth (80.18%) and spore germination (81.13%) of the pathogen followed by mahua cake extract, castor and gingelly cake extract. Trichoderma viride (Tv2) was significantly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth (62.92%) and spore germination (77.03%) of the pathogen followed by Trichoderma harzianum (Th5) and Trichoderma reesei (Tr3). The promising leaf extracts, oil cake extracts and antagonistic microorganisms were further evaluated for their efficacies in disease management under glasshouse and field conditions. In glasshouse studies, post-infectional spraying of rice plants with neem cake extract, N. oleander leaf extract and T. viride (Tv2) was significantly effective in reducing the incidence of brown spot of rice by 66, 52 and 45 percent respectively. Two rounds of spraying of rice plants with neem cake extract, N. oleander leaf extract and T. viride (Tv2) in the field at initial appearance of disease and 15 days later reduced the incidence of brown spot (70, 53 and 48% disease reduction respectively) and increased the yield by 23, 18 and 15 percent respectively