The Influence of Specimen Thickness on the High Temperature Corrosion Behavior of CMSX-4 during Thermal-Cycling Exposure

CMSX-4 is a single-crystalline Ni-base superalloy designed to be used at very high temperatures and high mechanical loadings. Its excellent corrosion resistance is due to external alumina-scale formation, which however can become less protective under thermal-cycling conditions. The metallic substrate in combination with its superficial oxide scale has to be considered as a composite suffering high stresses. Factors like different coefficients of thermal expansion between oxide and substrate during temperature changes or growing stresses affect the integrity of the oxide scale. This must also be strongly influenced by the thickness of the oxide scale and the substrate as well as the ability to relief such stresses, e.g., by creep deformation. In order to quantify these effects, thin-walled specimens of different thickness (t = 100500 lm) were prepared. Discontinuous measurements of their mass changes were carried out under thermal-cycling conditions at a hot dwell temperature of 1100 C up to 300 thermal cycles. Thin-walled specimens revealed a much lower oxide-spallation rate compared to thick-walled specimens, while thinwalled specimens might show a premature depletion of scale-forming elements. In order to determine which of these competetive factor is more detrimental in terms of a component’s lifetime, the degradation by internal precipitation was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Additionally, a recently developed statistical spallation model was applied to experimental data [D. Poquillon and D. Monceau, Oxidation of Metals, 59, 409–431 (2003)]. The model describes the overall mass change by oxide scale spallation during thermal cycling exposure and is a useful simulation tool for oxide scale spallation processes accounting for variations in the specimen geometry. The evolution of the net-mass change vs. the number of thermal cycles seems to be strongly dependent on the sample thickness

The development of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS)

Background: To date, no short scale exists with strong psychometric properties that can assess problematic pornography consumption based on an overarching theoretical background. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to develop a brief scale (Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale; PPCS) on the basis of Griffiths` (2005) six-component addiction model that can distinguish between non-problematic and problematic pornography use. Methods: The PPCS was developed using an online sample of 772 respondents (390 females, 382 males; Mage = 22.56, SD = 4.98 years). Items creation was based on previous problematic pornography use instruments and on the definitions of the factors of Griffiths’ model. Results: A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out—as the scale is based on a well-established theoretical model—leading to an 18-item second-order factor structure. The reliability of the PPCS was excellent and measurement invariance was established. In the current sample, 3.6% of the users belonged to the at-risk group. Based on the sensitivity and specificity analyses we identified an optimal cut-off to distinguish between problematic and non-problematic pornography users. Conclusion: The PPCS is a multidimensional scale of problematic pornography use with strong theoretical basis that also has strong psychometric properties in terms of factor structure and reliability

Revisiting the role of impulsivity and compulsivity in problematic sexual behaviors

Impulsivity and compulsivity are transdiagnostic features associated with clinically relevant aspects of psychiatric disorders, including addictions. However, little research has investigated how impulsivity and compulsivity relate to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate (a) self-reported impulsivity and compulsivity with respect to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use and (b) the similarities and possible differences between hypersexuality and problematic pornography use in these domains. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) in a large community sample (N = 13,778 participants; female = 4,151, 30.1%), results indicated that impulsivity (β = .28, β = .26) and compulsivity (β = .23, β = .14) were weakly related to problematic pornography use among men and women, respectively. Impulsivity had a stronger relationship (β = .41, β = .42) with hypersexuality than did compulsivity (β = .21, β = .16) among men and women, respectively. Consequently, impulsivity and compulsivity may not contribute as substantially to problematic pornography use as some scholars have proposed. On the other hand, impulsivity might have a more prominent role in hypersexuality than in problematic pornography use. Future research should examine further social and situational factors associated with problematic pornography use

Are sexual functioning problems associated with frequent pornography use and/or problematic pornography use? Results from a large community survey including males and females

There is much debate regarding whether pornography use has positive or negative associations with sexuality-related measures such as sexual functioning problems. The present study aimed to examine differential correlates between quantity (frequency of pornography use–FPU) and severity (problematic pornography use–PPU) of pornography use with respect to sexual functioning problems among both males and females. Multi-group structural equation modeling was conducted to investigate hypothesized associations between PPU, FPU, and sexual functioning problems among males and females (N=14,581 participants; females=4,352; 29.8%; Mage=33.6 years, SDage=11.0), controlling for age, sexual orientation, relationship status, and masturbation frequency. The hypothesized model had excellent fit to the data (CFI=.962, TLI=.961, RMSEA=.057 [95% CI=.056-.057]). Similar associations were identified in both genders, with all pathways being statistically significant (

Preliminary Thesis on the First and Second Part of the ALLEGRO CFD Benchmark Exercise

At BME (Budapest University of Technology and Economics) NTI (Institute of Nuclear Technics), a 7 pin rod bundle test section has been built in order to investigate the hydraulic behavior of the coolant in such design and to develop CFD models that could properly simulate the flow conditions in the ALLEGRO core. PIROUETTE (PIv ROd bUndlE Test faciliTy at bmE) is a test facility, which was designed to investigate the emerging flow conditions in various nuclear fuel assembly rod bundles. The measurement method is based on Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) with Matching of Index of Refractory (MIR) method. In the test loop, it was necessary to install a flow straightener that was able to condition the velocity field before the rod bundle. The results of CFD simulations could be used to improve the understanding of the inlet conditions in the rod bundle test section.The second part of the benchmark deals with the 3D CFD modeling of the velocity field within the 7 pin rod bundle placed in the test section. The geometry of the test section will be given to the participants in an easy-to-use 3D format (.obj, .stp or .stl).Comment: 25 pages, 14 Figure, 6 Tables, Ancillary files are online availabl

Hypersexuality, gender, and sexual orientation: a large-scale psychometric survey study

Criteria for Hypersexual Disorder (HD) were proposed for consideration in the DSM-5 but ultimately excluded for a variety of reasons. Regardless, research continues to investigate hypersexual behavior (HB). The Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) is one of the most robust scales assessing HB, but further examination is needed to explore its psychometric properties among different groups. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the generalizability of the HBI in a large, diverse, nonclinical sample (N = 18,034 participants; females = 6132; 34.0%; Mage = 33.6 years, SDage = 11.1) across both gender and sexual orientation. Measurement invariance testing was carried out to ensure gender- and sexual-orintation based comparisons were meaningful. Results demonstrated when both gender and sexual-orientation were considered (i.e., heterosexual males vs. LGBTQ males vs. heterosexual females vs. LGBTQ females), LGBTQ males had significantly higher latent means on the HBI factors. Results also demonstrated LGBTQ males had the highest scores on other possible indicators of hypersexuality (e.g., frequency of masturbation, number of sexual partners, or frequency of pornography viewing). These findings suggest LGBTQ males may be a group most at risk of engaging in hypersexual behavior and LGBTQ females are at a higher risk of engaging in hypersexual activities due to coping problems. Given the largescale nature of the study, the findings significantly contribute to the currently growing body of literature on hypersexuality

The psychometric properties of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory using a large-scale nonclinical sample

The conceptualization of hypersexuality has begun to converge as a result of proposed diagnostic criteria. However, its measurement is still diverse. The Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) is one of the most appropriate scales used to assess hypersexuality, but further examination is needed to test its psychometric properties among different clinical and nonclinical groups, including samples outside of the United States. The aim of the present study was to investigate the reliability and the generalizability of HBI and to determine a cutoff score on a large, diverse, online, nonclinical sample (N = 18,034 participants; females = 6132; 34.0%; Mage = 33.6 years, SDage = 11.1). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability indices provided support for the structure of the HBI and demonstrated excellent reliability. Employing latent profile analysis (LPA), seven classes emerged, but they could not be reliably distinguished by objective sexuality-related characteristics. Moreover, it was not possible to determine an adequate cutoff score, most likely due to the low prevalence rate of hypersexuality in the population. HBI can be reliably used to measure the extent of hypersexual urges, fantasies, and behavior; however, objective indicators and a clinical interview are essential to claim that a given individual may exhibit features of problematic sexual behavior

Precessing microblazars and unidentified gamma-ray sources

The recent discovery by Paredes et al. (2000) of a persistent microquasar that is positionally coincident with an unidentified gamma-ray source has open the possibility that other sources in the Third EGRET Catalog could be interpreted as microquasars as well. In this letter we show that some variable unidentified EGRET sources in the galactic plane could be produced by faint, otherwise undetected microquasars with precessing jets. When the jet points towards the observer, gamma-ray emission resulting from upscattered stellar photons could be detectable yielding a variable source with weak or undetectable counterpart at longer wavelengths. Strategies for detecting these``microblazars'' with forthcoming satellites are briefly discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters in press, typing errors correctio

On the mass of the neutron star in Cyg X-2

We present new high resolution spectroscopy of the low mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2 which enables us to refine the orbital solution and rotational broadening of the donor star. In contrast with Elebert et al (2009) we find a good agreement with results reported in Casares et al. (1998). We measure $P=9.84450\pm0.00019$ day, $K_2=86.5\pm1.2$ km s$^{-1}$ and $V \sin i=33.7\pm0.9$ km s$^{-1}$. These values imply $q=M_{2}/M_{1}=0.34 \pm 0.02$ and $M_{1}=1.71\pm 0.21$ M$_{\odot}$ (for $i=62.5 \pm 4^{\circ}$). Therefore, the neutron star in Cyg X-2 can be more massive than canonical. We also find no evidence for irradiation effects in our radial velocity curve which could explain the discrepancy between Elebert et al's and our $K_2$ values.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA