Transmission electron microscopy characterization of the bake-hardening behavior of transformation-induced plasticity and dual-phase steels

The effect of prestraining (PS) and bake hardening (BH) on the microstructures and mechanical properties has been studied in transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) and dual-phase (DP) steels after intercritical annealing. The DP steel showed an increase in the yield strength and the appearance of the upper and lower yield points after a single BH treatment as compared with the as-received condition, whereas the mechanical properties of the TRIP steel remained unchanged. This difference appears to be because of the formation of plastic deformation zones with high dislocation density around the “as-quenched” martensite in the DP steel, which allowed carbon to pin these dislocations, which, in turn, increased the yield strength. It was found for both steels that the BH behavior depends on the dislocation rearrangement in ferrite with the formation of cell, microbands, and shear band structures after PS. The strain-induced transformation of retained austenite to martensite in the TRIP steel contributes to the formation of a complex dislocation structure.

Dielectric characterization of conducting textiles using free space transmission measurements: accuracy and methods for improvement

The dielectric behaviour of in-situ polymerized thin polypyrrole (PPy) films on synthetic textile substrates were obtained in the 1–18 GHz region using free space transmission and reflection methods. The PPy/para-toluene-2-sulphonic acid (pTSA) coated fabrics exhibited an absorption dominated total shielding effectiveness (SE) of up to −7.34 dB, which corresponds to more than 80% of incident radiation. The permittivity response is significantly influenced by the changes in ambient conditions, sample size and diffraction around the sample. Mathematical diffraction removal, time-gating tools and high gain horns were utilized to improve the permittivity response. A narrow time-gate of 0.15 ns produced accurate response for frequencies above 6.7 GHz and the high gain horns further improved the response in the 7.5–18 GHz range. Errors between calculated and measured values of reflection were most commonly within 2%, indicating good accuracy of the method.

Integrity and shame

In a recent study, Damian Cox, Marguerite La Caze and Michael P. Levine argue for a complex conception of integrity. But they leave two questions unanswered. The first is whether integrity is of greater importance to the agent's own sense of themselves or whether it is a virtue that is of social significance. The bulk of the literature on this virtue stresses its existential import. However, considerable weight should be given to its social significance. It should be linked to the essentially social reaction of shame, as opposed to the existential and personal reaction of guilt. The second question is whether the virtue of integrity has been analysed in such general terms that no specific meaning can be given to the virtue. Being a person of integrity might just collapse into being a virtuous person. This essay offers a distinctive account of integrity by asking what it is to act from the virtue in particular contexts that require public trust.

Conceptions of teaching with integrity online in higher education: a case in the field of engineering

The viewpoints of academic teaching staff take centre stage in the analysis of the changing conceptions of what it means to act with integrity when teaching online. To teach with integrity in contemporary online-supported environments in higher education is not necessarily to teach the same as if one would in teaching regularly face-to-face in the classroom. The paper argues that to teach with integrity online is to teach differently. With integrity both enhanced and in some respects diminished in teaching online, the apparent contradiction can only be resolved through developing conceptions of what teaching with integrity means in the contemporary world of higher education. Implications are drawn in the context of teaching extended and wholly online units in the field of engineering.

The subcellular fractionation properties and function of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) are independent of cytoskeletal integrity

Efficient insulin action requires spatial and temporal coordination of signaling cascades. The prototypical insulin receptor substrate, IRS-1 plays a central role in insulin signaling. By subcellular fractionation IRS-1 is enriched in a particulate fraction, termed the high speed pellet (HSP), and its redistribution from this fraction is associated with signal attenuation and insulin resistance. Anecdotal evidence suggests the cytoskeleton may underpin the localization of IRS-1 to the HSP. In the present study we have taken a systematic approach to examine whether the cytoskeleton contributes to the subcellular fractionation properties and function of IRS-1. By standard microscopy or immunoprecipitation we were unable to detect evidence to support a specific interaction between IRS-1 and the major cytoskeletal components actin (microfilaments), vimentin (intermediate filaments), and tubulin (microtubules) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes or in CHO.IR.IRS-1 cells. Pharmacological disruption of microfilaments and microtubules, individually or in combination, was without effect on the subcellular distribution of IRS-1 or insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation in either cell type. Phosphorylation of Akt was modestly reduced (20–35%) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes but not in CHO.IR.IRS-1 cells. In cells lacking intermediate filaments (Vim^−/−) IRS-1 expression, distribution and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation appeared normal. Even after depolymerisation of microfilaments and microtubules, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt were maintained in Vim^−/− cells. Taken together these data indicate that the characteristic subcellular fractionation properties and function of IRS-1 are unlikely to be mediated by cytoskeletal networks and that proximal insulin signaling does not require an intact cytoskeleton.

Hepatitis B Virus transmission and hepatocarcinogenesis: a 9 year retropective cohort of 13676 relatives with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Aims
Familial clustering of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is related to perinatal transmission, and is the main cause of familial-type hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The route of HBV transmission differs between the children and siblings of patients with HCC. This study examined the differences in HBV carrier rates and HCC-related mortality between two generations in HCC families.
Methods
From 1992 to 1997, relatives of individuals with HCC were screened prospectively with ultrasonography, alpha-fetoprotein, liver biochemistry tests and viral markers. Total HCC-related deaths during a 9-year period were compared between the generations of index patients and their children.
Results
The study included a total of 13 676 relatives in two generations. More HCC-related deaths occurred in the index patient generation than in the child generation. Furthermore, children of female index patients had higher rates of liver cancer related mortality than children of male index patients. The same was true when the analysis was limited to male HBV carriers. The prevalence of HBsAg in the offspring of HBsAg positive mothers was 66% in the child generation and 72% in the index patient generation. These high prevalences indicated high maternal HBV replication status.
Conclusions
Perinatal transmission and maternal viral load are important risk factors in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Dynamic interdependence and volatility transmission of Asian stock markets: evidence from the Asian crisis

This paper examines dynamic interdependence, volatility transmission, and market integration across selected stock markets during the Asian financial crisis periods 1997 and 1998. Using a vector autoregressive–exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (VAR-EGARCH) model, it is found that reciprocal volatility transmission existed between Hong Kong and Korea, and unidirectional volatility transmission from Korea to Thailand. This suggests that Hong Kong played a significant role in volatility transmission to the other Asian markets. The data also indicate market integration in that each market reacted to both local news and news originating in the other markets, particularly adverse news.

La transmission spirituelle

Vouloir parler de la transmission, revient en somme passer en revue l’histoire de l’homme à travers ses différentes évolutions. Les civilisations, les cultures, les visages, les coutumes sont en effet le résultat de transmissions successives qui se sont effectuées dans et à travers le temps.

Ce livre pose une question essentielle : Comment peut-on transmettre de la conscience à quelqu’un ? Car l’axe essentiel de toute spiritualité non dénaturée est de rendre conscient. A ce niveau, la transmission devrait se passer entre quelqu’un qui est conscient et quelqu’un qui se trouve en déficit de conscience. L’instructeur spirituel partage avec l’autre la clarté de conscience dans laquelle il se trouve afin de créer une ouverture et un supplément d’âme. C’est là ce qui distingue la transmission spirituelle de l’acte simple de transmettre un savoir ou des informations d’ordre culturel, technique ou autre de génération en génération. Dans le cadre de la transmission de conscience, le paradoxe est qu’il faut révéler à l’autre, lui transmettre un état d’être qui se trouve déjà en lui. C’est une thérapie de l’âme.

Sustainability and health : supporting global ecological integrity in public health

Radical changes in the biosphere and human interaction with the environment are increasingly impacting on the health of populations across the world. Diseases are crossing the species barrier, and spreading rapidly through globalized transport systems. From new patterns of cancer to the threat of global pandemics, it is imperative that public health practitioners acknowledge the interdependence between the sustainability of the environment and the sustainability of the human species.* Why are issues of global and local sustainability of increasing importance to the public's health?* Why do issues of sustainability require new practices within the professions of public health?* How can future and current public health practitioners develop those new practices?Drawing on scientific evidence of global and local environmental changes, Sustainability and Health offers a thorough background and practical solutions to the overlapping issues in environment and health. It examines potential and existing responses to global and local environment and health issues, involving individuals, community, industry and government. The authors introduce a range of emerging conceptual frameworks and theoretical perspectives, link IT and epidemiology and explain how scoping can link program design, delivery, data collection and evaluation in projects from their very beginning. Public health practitioners need to be able to manage health issues that cut across environmental, economic and social systems and to develop the capacity for leadership in facilitating change. Incorporating learning activities, readings, international case studies and an open learning approach, this is a valuable resource for students of public and environmental health, as well as medical, environmental and health science professionals.

Transmission electron microscopy investigation of substitution reactions from carbon nanotube template to silicon carbide nanowires

Substitution reactions between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silicon monoxide vapour have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Different reactions occurred inside the multiwalled nanotubes and on the nanotube external surfaces, resulting in the formation of silicon carbide nanowires with a core–shell structure. The substitution reaction process and end products are strongly affected by nanotube structures and a ball milling treatment of the starting materials.