1,856 research outputs found
Design of an instrumented smart cutting tool and its implementation and application perspectives
This paper presents an innovative design of a smart cutting tool, using two surface acoustic wave (SAW) strain sensors mounted onto the top and the side surface of the tool shank respectively, and its implementation and application perspectives. This surface acoustic wave-based smart cutting tool is capable of measuring the cutting force and the feed force in a real machining environment, after a calibration process under known cutting conditions. A hybrid dissimilar workpiece is then machined using the SAW-based smart cutting tool. The hybrid dissimilar material is made of two different materials, NiCu alloy (Monel) and steel, welded together to form a single bar; this can be used to simulate an abrupt change in material properties. The property transition zone is successfully detected by the tool; the sensor feedback can then be used to initiate a change in the machining parameters to compensate for the altered material properties.The UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) for supporting this research (SEEM Project, contract No. BD266E
Antibiotic resistance: estimating the population level distribution of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) in West Yorkshire, UK
Antibiotic resistance is of concern and GPs are encouraged to reduce prescribing levels. An important type of antimicrobial resistance is caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases. This study aims to establish whether obtaining faecal samples is an acceptable form of ‘screening’ and to use GIS methods to analyse diagnoses. There are observable differences in levels of resistance within Bradford and Leeds and inverse distance weighting provides an estimated surface of resistance. A spatial cluster of unusually high antibiotic resistance is found within Bradford. This deserves further study as does the use of data with improved geographic resolution and wider geographical coverage
Gas-Surface Dynamics and Profile Evolution during Etching of Silicon
Scattering of energetic F atoms on a fluorinated Si surface is studied by molecular beam methods. The energy transfer closely follows hard-sphere collision kinematics. Energy and angular distributions of unreacted F atoms suggest significant multiple-bounce scattering in addition to single-bounce scattering and trapping desorption. An empirical model of the atom-surface interaction dynamics is used in a Monte Carlo simulation of topography evolution during neutral beam etching of Si. Model predictions of profile phenomena are validated by experiments
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin <i>Sousa plumbea</i> (G.Cuvier, 1829). A status report for the Arabian region. Scientific Committee document SC/54/SM6, International Whaling Commission, 26 April-10 May 2002, Shimonoseki, Japan
Available data on the genus Sousa are reviewed for the Arabian region. Nominal usage of Sousa plumbea (G. Cuvier 1828) is retained as a pragmatic measure, based on geographic and morphologic affiliation. Distribution is described for the region to include much of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, but notably excludes the Gulf of Oman. This discontinuous distribution suggests the possible presence of discreet populations within the region. Most available information on Sousa plumbea in the region originates from the Sultanate of Oman, where this species is among the most commonly recorded cetacean. However, there is no absolute measure of abundance here or elsewhere in the region and the status of the species is unknown. Beach cast individuals represent nearly two-thirds of all records (n=269) of this species in Oman. Live sightings indicate unusually large group sizes (up to 100 individuals) in the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf. Occasional association with Tursiops sp. and Delphinus sp. is documented. Mating behaviour and the presence of calves are recorded in the months of April and May and calves are additionally reported in October and December. Little is known about the ecology of this species in the region.Threats to Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in the Arabian region include incidental capture in fishing nets, general coastal and offshore development (e.g. land reclamation, dredging, port and harbor construction), pollution, boat traffic, oil and gas exploration (including seismic surveying), military exercises and toxins associated with red tide events. Evidence for historic and current directed catches of Sousa plumbea is presented.Intraspecific variation in cranial measurements is presented for cranially adult skulls originating from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman and initial comparison with limited data from the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast are drawn. Cranial abnormalities in skull specimens from Oman are discussed. Curated specimens from the Arabian region are listed
Thermal Rearrangements of Aromatic Compounds. 2. Isomerization of Azulene-3a-13C to Naphthalene-13C
A 13C-labelling study conclusively rules out a simple valence
bond isomerization as the major pathway by which azulene rear- .
ranges thermally to naphthalene
Thermal Rearrangements of Aromatic Compounds. 2. Isomerization of Azulene-3a-13C to Naphthalene-13C
A 13C-labelling study conclusively rules out a simple valence
bond isomerization as the major pathway by which azulene rear- .
ranges thermally to naphthalene
Puberty and breeding performance of beef heifers developed at different rates of gain
Crossbred heifers (546 lb initial body
weight) were developed in drylot and limit-fed
a corn, corn silage diet to gain .5 (n =
14), 1.0 (n = 15), 1.5 (n = 14), or 2.0 lb/d (n
= 15) from Dec. 7, 1992 until the onset of the
breeding season, May 3, 1993. Actual daily
gains averaged 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.1 lb/d,
respectively. Age at puberty was not affected
by feeding treatment. At the onset of the
breeding season, nutritional treatment had a
linear effect on body condition score, ribeye
fat thickness (both P<.01), and reproductive
tract score (P<.05), all increasing with
increasing rate of gain. Nutritional treatment
had a quadratic effect on pelvic area (P<.05),
which averaged 190.6, 201.6, 206.5, and
205.3 cm2 for heifers fed to gain .5, 1.0, 1.5,
and 2.0 lb/d, respectively. At the conclusion
of the development period, estrus was
synchronized, and heifers were inseminated
artificially at estrus for 45 days and, if open,
mated naturally for another 17 d. Overall
pregnancy rates were similar among heifers
fed to gain .5, 1.0, and 1.5 lb/d (92.9, 93.3,
and 92.9%, respectively), and all tended to be
greater (P<.09) than the rate for heifers fed to
gain 2.0 lb/d (66.7%). In summary, NRC
recommendations underestimated gain of
limit-fed heifers at lower predicted rates of
gain. Thus, even though heifers fed to gain
only .5 lb/d had lower body condition scores
and reproductive tract scores at the onset of
the breeding season, their actual body weight
gains (1.0 lb/d) were sufficient for normal
onset of puberty and subsequent conception.
In addition, heifers fed to achieve relatively
high rates of gain (2.0 lb/d) during development
may have had impaired fertility
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