Integrated force interaction simulation model for milling strategy optimization of thin-walled Blisk blade machining

Complex shaped thin-walled blades that are extensively used in jet engines or stream turbines are very difficult to machine due to low rigidity of the blades, typically limited space between the blades and strict requirements on the surface quality and accuracy. The paper focuses on multi-axis machining of thin-walled and complex shaped Blisk blades made of aluminium alloys. The resulting surface quality and accuracy is mainly affected by the risk of elevated vibration occurrence, both forced and self-excited, and static deflections between the compliant tool and workpiece. An innovative integration of the transformed FE model of the blade into virtual machining simulation has been proposed, allowing to effectively solve the complex optimization task considering both the criterion of stable machining condition and static deflections as well. When choosing a machining strategy and cutting conditions, there are many variables that fundamentally affect the process. These variables are not easy to choose correctly the first time, so it is advisable to choose to use a simulation model in production preparation. The proposed simulation model allowed to effectively optimize the process parameters to keep the machining process stable and the static deformation of tool and workpiece under a defined level. The proposed model and optimization strategy was validated on a thin-walled blade machining. At the top part of the blade, the surface roughness decreased from 1.6 Ra to 0.84 Ra, and the maximum deviations from the reference model were reduced from 0.18 mm to 0.08 mm

The Flower-Like Hierarchical Architectures Assembled from Aniline Oligomers

The flower-like hierarchical architectures assembled from aniline oligomers by a template-free method are reported. They are important because of their close relation to a conducting polymer, polyaniline. Their formation process is ascribed to the self-assembly of oligoanilines under non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic forces, and π–π stacking. The model of directional growth is offered to explain the formation of petal-like objects and, subsequently, flowers. In order to investigate the chemical structure of the oligomers, a series of characterizations have been carried out, such as UV–visible, Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Based on the results of characterization methods, a formation mechanism of the aniline oligomers and their self-assembly are proposed. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3484

The Formation of Oligoaniline Microspheres in Alkaline Media

Aniline oligomers are generally believed to be responsible for the self-assembly that guides the growth of polyaniline nanostructures. The oxidations of aniline with ammonium peroxydisulfate, which are started and finished above pH 2.5, produce aniline oligomers only. Under alkaline conditions, oligoaniline microspheres spheres are formed as the dominating morphology. They will be potentially useful in applications that do not require conductivity, such as in electrorheology, corrosion protection, as ionic conductors or catalyst supports. Aniline oligomers prepared at alkaline conditions as microspheres have been studied by UV–Vis, infrared and Raman spectroscopies in the combination with optical and electron microscopic techniques. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3483

Evaluating an Evidence-Based Intervention for Families and Survivors after Traumatic Brain Injury: The Brain Injury Family Intervention

The long-term detrimental impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on individuals and their family members is well known. However, there have been few standardized family interventions or findings from treatment efficacy studies to guide clinical practice. The Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI) is an evidence-based, five-session, manualized clinical intervention, provided for both family members and the injured person. Guided by cognitive behavioral theory, the program provides education, skill building, and psychological support for both persons with brain injury and their family members. The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of the BIFI as it was designed to improve the emotional well-being and life quality of persons with brain injury and their family members. Evaluation occurred in an outpatient neuropsychology department attached to a major academic medical center, with a sample of 53 family member caregivers of 53 TBI survivors. It was hypothesized that the BIFI would increase the proportion of caregivers' met needs, decrease their psychological distress, increase their perception that survivors' neurological functioning had improved, and reduce perceived obstacles to obtaining services. It also was hypothesized that the BIFI would result in improved neurological functioning for survivors. A secondary analysis of existing data using repeated measures mixed models was used to analyze four self-report measures for family members: (1) the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ); (2) the Service Obstacles Scale (SOS); (3) the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18); and (4) the Neurological Functioning Inventory (NFI). Survivors' neurological functioning was examined based on their own self-report data, also measured by the NFI. Data were collected at pre-treatment, immediate post-treatment and at a three-month follow-up after treatment. Statistical analyses revealed that, after participating in the BIFI program, caregivers reported significantly more met family needs, perceived fewer obstacles to receiving services, and rated the survivor as having reduced depression and somatic symptoms. No significant effects were observed for caregiver psychological distress or survivors' reports of their neurological functioning. Methodological limitations, implications for clinical intervention with families after TBI, and suggestions for future research are discussed

Advancing Scientific Discourse in the Controversy Surrounding the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach: A Rejoinder to Meyer (2000)

A recent commentary by Meyer (2000) in the Journal of Personality Assessment alleged that Rorschach critic Wood and his colleagues had intentionally published information that they knew to be in error. To substantiate this contention, Meyer’s commentary published information that was part of the peer review process at another journal. In this rejoinder, we present factual information that shows we have consistently acted in good faith. This rejoinder suggests that the scientific debate regarding the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach is unlikely to be advanced by speculating about the intentions of Rorschach critics, or by publishing information from the peer review process that is usually kept confidential

Effect of Dilution on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of a Fe-Based Hardfacing Alloy with a High Amount of Carbide-Forming Elements

Hardfacing is a widely diffused technique adopted to increase service life of parts for heavy-duty applications. Even though hardfacing alloys feature optimized chemistry and microstructure for specific service conditions, dilution with substrate modifies the resulting properties along a significant fraction of the deposit thickness. In particular, C and B diffusion to the substrate alters hypereutectic alloys reducing the carbide-forming ability andmodifying the solidification sequence. In the present paper, the effect of dilution on a hypereutectic Fe-C-B based alloy containing Cr and Mo was investigated. The effect of dilution on the reference alloy was studied by producing laboratory castings with an increased amount of Fe, up to 50 mass %. The obtained results were compared with the dilution of the hardfacing alloy cast on steel substrates. The microstructural evolution was analyzed by XRD (X-ray diffraction), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas mechanical behaviour was evaluated by hardness measurements and wear resistance by pin-on-disc tests

The melanoma-associated antigen 1 (MAGEA1) protein stimulates the E3 ubiquitin-ligase activity of TRIM31 within a TRIM31-MAGEA1-NSE4 complex

The MAGE (Melanoma-associated antigen) protein family members are structurally related to each other by a MAGEhomology domain comprised of 2 winged helix motifs WH/A and WH/B. This family specifically evolved in placental mammals although single homologs designated NSE3 (non-SMC element) exist in most eukaryotes. NSE3, together with its partner proteins NSE1 and NSE4 form a tight subcomplex of the structural maintenance of chromosomes SMC5–6 complex. Previously, we showed that interactions of the WH/B motif of the MAGE proteins with their NSE4/EID partners are evolutionarily conserved (including the MAGEA1-NSE4 interaction). In contrast, the interaction of the WH/A motif of NSE3 with NSE1 diverged in the MAGE paralogs. We hypothesized that the MAGE paralogs acquired new RING-finger containing partners through their evolution and form MAGE complexes reminiscent of NSE1-NSE3-NSE4 trimers. In this work, we employed the yeast 2-hybrid system to screen a human RING-finger protein library against several MAGE baits. We identified a number of potential MAGE-RING interactions and confirmed several of them (MDM4, PCGF6, RNF166, TRAF6, TRIM8, TRIM31, TRIM41) in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Among these MAGE-RING pairs, we chose to examine MAGEA1-TRIM31 in detail and showed that both WH/A and WH/B motifs of MAGEA1 bind to the coiled-coil domain of TRIM31 and that MAGEA1 interaction stimulates TRIM31 ubiquitin-ligase activity. In addition, TRIM31 directly binds to NSE4, suggesting the existence of a TRIM31-MAGEA1-NSE4 complex reminiscent of the NSE1-NSE3-NSE4 trimer. These results suggest that MAGEA1 functions as a co-factor of TRIM31 ubiquitin-ligase and that the TRIM31-MAGEA1-NSE4 complex may have evolved from an ancestral NSE1-NSE3-NSE4 complex

Fluorescent non-toxic bait as a new method for black rat (Rattus rattus) monitoring

The detection of synathropic rodents may be difficult since they are animals with nocturnal activity. Methods of their detection and monitoring rely mostly on indirect signs of their activity such as the presence of faeces, urine, consumed foods and damaged materials. Our experimental hypothesis was that the production of fluorescent faeces - following consumption of fluorescent bait - may be used for rodent monitoring. For this purpose we studied the production of fluorescent faeces, temporal dynamics and detectability in wild black rat (Rattus rattus). Wild black rats were individually housed in experimental cages with the wire-mesh grid floor and faeces were collected in short-time intervals. The peak of fluorescent activity in faeces was detected 10-20 hours after bait ingestion. We found that there is only relatively short delay between bait consumption and defecation and fluorescent faeces are easily detectable at distance using an ultraviolet hand lamp. Thus, this method can contribute to effective monitoring of rodent pests.Keywords: Rattus rattus, Fluorescent bait, Monitoring, Rodent contro

Blood Mercury Reporting in NHANES: Identifying Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Multiracial Groups

INTRODUCTION: Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans are a potentially high-risk group for dietary exposure to methylmercury through fish consumption. However, blood mercury levels in this group have not been identified in recent reports of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1999–2002. METHODS: We used NHANES data from 1999–2002 to obtain population estimates of blood mercury levels among women of childbearing age classified as belonging to the “other” racial/ethnic group (Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial; n = 140). Blood mercury levels in this group were compared with those among all other women participants, classified as Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and “other” Hispanic. RESULTS: An estimated 16.59 ± 4.0% (mean ± SE) of adult female participants who self-identified as Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or multiracial (n = 140) had blood mercury levels ≥5.8 μg/L, and 27.26 ± 4.22% had levels ≥3.5 μg/L. Among remaining survey participants (n = 3,497), 5.08 ± 0.90% had blood mercury levels ≥5.8 μg/L, and 10.86 ± 1.45% had levels ≥3.5 μg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Study subjects in NHANES who self-identified as Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or multiracial had a higher prevalence of elevated blood mercury than all other racial/ethnic participants in the survey. Future studies should address reasons for the high mercury levels in this group and explore possible interventions for lowering risk of methylmercury exposure in this population