Initiation and early crack growth in VHCF of stainless steels : Experimental and theoretical analysis

Mechanical fatigue is a failure phenomenon that occurs due to repeated application of mechanical loads. Very High Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) is considered as the domain of fatigue life greater than 10 million load cycles. Increasing numbers of structural components have service life in the VHCF regime, for instance in automotive and high speed train transportation, gas turbine disks, and components of paper production machinery. Safe and reliable operation of these components depends on the knowledge of their VHCF properties. In this thesis both experimental tools and theoretical modelling were utilized to develop better understanding of the VHCF phenomena. In the experimental part, ultrasonic fatigue testing at 20 kHz of cold rolled and hot rolled stainless steel grades was conducted and fatigue strengths in the VHCF regime were obtained. The mechanisms for fatigue crack initiation and short crack growth were investigated using electron microscopes. For the cold rolled stainless steels crack initiation and early growth occurred through the formation of the Fine Granular Area (FGA) observed on the fracture surface and in TEM observations of cross-sections. The crack growth in the FGA seems to control more than 90% of the total fatigue life. For the hot rolled duplex stainless steels fatigue crack initiation occurred due to accumulation of plastic fatigue damage at the external surface, and early crack growth proceeded through a crystallographic growth mechanism. Theoretical modelling of complex cracks involving kinks and branches in an elastic half-plane under static loading was carried out by using the Distributed Dislocation Dipole Technique (DDDT). The technique was implemented for 2D crack problems. Both fully open and partially closed crack cases were analyzed. The main aim of the development of the DDDT was to compute the stress intensity factors. Accuracy of 2% in the computations was attainable compared to the solutions obtained by the Finite Element Method.

Simulation of free surface flows in a distributed memory environment

A parallel technique, for a distributed memory machine, based on domain decomposition for solving the Navier-Stokes equations in cartesian and cylindrical coordinates in two dimensions with free surfaces is described. It is based on the code by Tome and McKee (J. Comp. Phys. 110 (1994) 171-186) and Tome (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 1993) which in turn is based on the SMAC method by Amsden and Harlow (Report LA-4370, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, 1971), which solves the Navier-Stokes equations in three steps: the momentum and Poisson equations and particle movement, These equations are discretized by explicit and 5-point finite differences. The parallelization is performed by splitting the computation domain into vertical panels and assigning each of these panels to a processor. All the computation can then be performed using nearest neighbour communication. Test runs comparing the performance of the parallel with the serial code, and a discussion of the load balancing question are presented. PVM is used for communication between processes. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

[Medium-term results after m. vastus medialis obliquus-plasty for lateral patellar dislocation]

Progressive retropatellar arthrosis is often seen in dated rigid distal realignment (i.e. osteotomy of tuberositas) at long-term follow-ups. Therefore, operations for lateral dislocation of the patella are still discussed controversially. Dynamic, proximal realignments seem to have lower rates of arthrosis but higher rates of redislocation. Recently, in anatomic and biomechanic studies, the m. vastus medialis obliquus (vmo) was found to be one of the most important proximal restraints to lateral dislocation of the patella.A total of 28 patients (mean age 21.5 years) were treated between 1994 and 2003 with a plasty of the vmo for lateral patellar dislocation. The technique was performed for most etiologies of femoropatellar instability.For this proximal soft tissue technique, the muscle tendon is detached from its patellar insertion. Subsequently, the tendon is reinserted at the patella 10-15 mm more distally and fixed with Mitek anchors. Full weight bearing in extension is possible immediately after surgery. An active vastus medialis training is started after 6 weeks.Of the patients, 27 were evaluated clinically and radiologically in 2004 (a mean of 5 years postoperatively). A total of 83% of the patients estimated the result to be good or excellent, 10% were satisfied and 7% were discontent. The mean Lysholm-Knee-Score was 83.1 points. Two patients suffered a patella redislocation (7%). A statistically significant improvement of the congruence angle was noted in the radiographs, even in medium-term controls. In 89% of the cases no or only little retropatellar arthrosis was observed. These 5 year results are comparable to those of other techniques for distal or proximal realignments. The rate of redislocation was below average. Compared to the rate of retropatellar arthrosis in long-term results of rigid distal realignment, our patients demonstrated a relative low rate after 5 years. We attribute this to the minimal interference in physiological joint mechanics and to the restored anatomy. In terms of future long-term results, our findings are promising. The idea of a proximal dynamic stabilization and the causal operative approach at the origin of pathology using vmo-plasty was confirmed in recent anatomic and biomechanic studies. Over or under correction of soft tissues could be adapted. More rigid techniques of distal realignment do not allow an adaptation to this extent and can lead to prearthrotic hyperpression in the medial femoropatellar and femorotibial joints.

Minimal invasive surgery for coronoid fracture: technical note.

Operative treatment of coronoid fracture often requires a large dissection of soft tissue, resulting in elbow stiffness and functional limitation. The authors present a minimal invasive, safe technique, useful in the case of isolated coronoid fracture associated with elbow dislocation. This technique does not require soft tissue dissection and allows an early unlimited resumption of sports activities.

Robotic, fluoroscopic or EMG assisted pedicle screw insertion. A CT based comparative study

Introduction: In order to improve safety of pedicle screw placement several techniques have been developed. More recently robotically assisted pedicle insertion has been introduced aiming at increasing accuracy. The aim of this study was to compare this new technique with the two main pedicle insertion techniques in our unit namely fluoroscopically assisted vs EMG aided insertion. Material and methods: A total of 382 screws (78 thoracic,304 lumbar) were introduced in 64 patients (m/f = 1.37, equally distributed between insertion technique groups) by a single experienced spinal surgeon. From those, 64 (10 thoracic, 54 lumbar) were introduced in 11 patients using a miniature robotic device based on pre operative CT images under fluoroscopic control. 142 (4 thoracic, 138 lumbar) screws were introduced using lateral fluoroscopy in 27 patients while 176 (64 thoracic, 112 lumbar) screws in 26 patients were inserted using both fluoroscopy and EMG monitoring. There was no difference in the distribution of scoliotic spines between the 3 groups (n = 13). Screw position was assessed by an independent observer on CTs in axial, sagittal and coronal planes using the Rampersaud A to D classification. Data of lumbar and thoracic screws were processed separately as well as data obtained from axial, sagittal and coronal CT planes. Results: Intra- and interobserver reliability of the Rampersaud classification was moderate, (0.35 and 0.45 respectively) being the least good on axial plane. The total number of misplaced screws (C&D grades) was generally low (12 thoracic and 12 lumbar screws). Misplacement rates were same in straight and scoliotic spines. The only difference in misplacement rates was observed on axial and coronal images in the EMG assisted thoracic screw group with a higher proportion of C or D grades (p <0.05) in that group. Recorded compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) values of the inserted screws were 30.4 mA for the robot and 24.9mA for the freehand technique with a CI of 3.8 of the mean difference of 5.5 mA. Discussion: Robotic placement did improve the placement of thoracic screws but not that of lumbar screws possibly because our misplacement rates in general near that of published navigation series. Robotically assisted spine surgery might therefore enhance the safety of screw placement in particular in training settings were different users at various stages of their learning curve are involved in pedicle instrumentation.

Lightweight monitoring of label switched paths for bandwidth management

The purpose of resource management is the efficient and effective use of network resources, for instance bandwidth. In this article, a connection oriented network scenario is considered, where a certain amount of bandwidth is reserved for each label switch path (LSP), which is a logical path, in a MPLS or GMPLS environment. Assuming there is also some kind of admission control (explicit or implicit), these environments typically provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees. It could happen that some LSPs become busy, thus rejecting connections, while other LSPs may be under-utilised. We propose a distributed lightweight monitoring technique, based on threshold values, the objective of which is to detect congestion when it occurs in an LSP and activate the corresponding alarm which will trigger a dynamic bandwidth reallocation mechanism

Acetabular deepening in the treatment of severe canine hip dysplasia

A technique to restore acetabular anatomy by deepening the acetabular cavity and reconstructing the femoral head ligament and the joint capsule was tested on nine large breed dogs with severe hip dysplasia and acute subdislocation or dislocation. The technique consisted of two phases. First, all dogs were submitted to bilateral pectinotomy. In a second surgical intervention on the same dogs the acetabulum was approached and deepened, and the femoral head ligament and the joint capsule were reconstructed. In general, within 30 days of the surgery dogs could stand on the operated member to walk. Except for two dogs, all the others recovered pelvic member locomotive ability within 60-90 days after surgery. It is concluded that acetabuloplasty is a good alternative for treatment of severe canine hip dysplasia.

Lightweight monitoring of label switched paths for bandwidth management

The purpose of resource management is the efficient and effective use of network resources, for instance bandwidth. In this article, a connection oriented network scenario is considered, where a certain amount of bandwidth is reserved for each label switch path (LSP), which is a logical path, in a MPLS or GMPLS environment. Assuming there is also some kind of admission control (explicit or implicit), these environments typically provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees. It could happen that some LSPs become busy, thus rejecting connections, while other LSPs may be under-utilised. We propose a distributed lightweight monitoring technique, based on threshold values, the objective of which is to detect congestion when it occurs in an LSP and activate the corresponding alarm which will trigger a dynamic bandwidth reallocation mechanism

Electrophysiological correlates of spatial orienting towards angry faces: a source localization study

The goal of this study was to examine behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of involuntary orienting toward rapidly presented angry faces in non-anxious, healthy adults using a dot-probe task in conjunction with high-density event-related potentials and a distributed source localization technique. Consistent with previous studies, participants showed hypervigilance toward angry faces, as indexed by facilitated response time for validly cued probes following angry faces and an enhanced P1 component. An opposite pattern was found for happy faces suggesting that attention was directed toward the relatively more threatening stimuli within the visual field (neutral faces). Source localization of the P1 effect for angry faces indicated increased activity within the anterior cingulate cortex, possibly reflecting conflict experienced during invalidly cued trials. No modulation of the early C1 component was found for affect or spatial attention. Furthermore, the face-sensitive N170 was not modulated by emotional expression. Results suggest that the earliest modulation of spatial attention by face stimuli is manifested in the P1 component, and provide insights about mechanisms underlying attentional orienting toward cues of threat and social disapproval.

Acetabular deepening in the treatment of severe canine hip dysplasia

Uma técnica para restituir a anatomia acetabular com aprofundamento da cavidade acetabular e reconstrução do ligamento da cabeça do fêmur e da cápsula articular, foi testada em nove cães, de raças de grande porte, portadores de displasia coxofemoral grave com subluxação acentuada ou luxação. O procedimento cirúrgico foi constituído de duas fases. Inicialmente, foi realizada a pectineotomia bilateral em todos os cães. A segunda intervenção nos mesmos cães incluiu abordagem e aprofundamento do acetábulo, reconstrução do ligamento da cabeça do fêmur e da cápsula. em geral, 30 dias após a cirurgia, os cães apoiavam o membro operado para se locomover. Com exceção de dois cães, todos os outros recuperaram a função locomotora do membro pélvico dentro de 60-90 dias. É concluído que a técnica de acetabuloplastia é uma boa alternativa para o tratamento da displasia coxofemoral grave.

Equipamento eletromagnético para prospecção geofísica e modelamento reduzido

Nas últimas décadas, a prospecção por métodos eletromagnéticos vem-se constituindo numa técnica eficiente para prospecção mineral. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um equipamento para prospecção eletromagnética quantitativa de corpos condutores, através do método dipolo-dipolo, podendo ainda ser usado em modelos reduzidos. Eletricamente, o sistema mede grandezas relacionadas ao acoplamento indutivo entre duas bobinas: transmissora e receptora. Elas são dispostas na superfície da terra, afastadas entre si, e a terra, desse modo, constitui o núcleo acoplador. Quando existem corpos condutores nas proximidades, estes são denunciados por alterações no comportamento do sinal induzido na bobina receptora. O equipamento compreende dois conjuntos: o transmissor e o receptor, além de acessórios. O transmissor gera um campo eletromagnético nas freqüências de 520 e 3.090 Hz, e um sinal de referência para o receptor, o qual é enviado através de um cabo. O receptor, inicialmente, separa o sinal induzido pelos campos secundários gerados por condutores, do campo normalmente recebido, quando a condutividade da subsuperfície é relativamente uniforme (campo primário). Em seguida, decompõe esse sinal em duas componentes ortogonais, uma em fase, e outra em quadratura com o campo primário. Através de duas escalas de precisão, as amplitudes dessas componentes são mostradas como percentagens do campo primário, com precisão de 1%. A sensibilidade do receptor é de 0,5 μV. O circuito eletrônico foi rigorosamente testado com preciso instrumental de laboratório. Em seguida, testou-se sua aplicação no Laboratório de Modelo Reduzido Eletromagnético do NCGG, refazendo-se experiências clássicas, encontradas na literatura especializada. No campo, foi experimentado próximo da cidade de Araci no Estado da Bahia, em áreas prospectadas pela "Rio Doce Geologia e Mineração S/A-DOCEGEO". Em ambos os casos, verificaram-se bons resultados.

Therapie des femoroazetabulären Impingements über die chirurgische Hüftluxation [Surgical dislocation of the hip for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Technique and results]

Surgical dislocation of the hip is a safe and established technique for treating femoroacetabular impingement. The complication rate is low, and if the correct technique that respects the blood supply is used, femoral head necrosis does not occur. The most frequent complications are minor ectopic bone formation and nonunion of the greater trochanter. Surgical treatment includes the correction of femoral and acetabular pathology. Clinically, in approximately 75-80% of cases a good-to-excellent result can be obtained. However, patients with advanced degenerative changes (exceeding stage 1 osteoarthritis using the Tönnis score) have worse outcomes. It has also been shown that preservation of the labrum has a significant influence on both clinical outcome and progression of osteoarthritis: It seems that preservation of the labrum is mandatory.

Determination of a misfit dislocation complex in SiGe/Si heterostructures by image deconvolution technique in HREM

The core structure of a dislocation complex in SiGe/Si system composed of a perfect 60degrees dislocation and an extended 60 dislocation has been revealed at atomic level. This is attained by applying the image deconvolution technique in combination with dynamical diffraction effect correction to an image taken with a 200 kV field-emission high-resolution electron microscope. The possible configuration of the dislocation complex is analyzed and their Burgers vectors are determined. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.