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Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are contributing factors to neurodegeneration. Alterations in miRNA signatures have been reported in several neurodegenerative dementias, but data in prion diseases are restricted to ex vivo and animal models. The present study identified significant miRNA expression pattern alterations in the frontal cortex and cerebellum of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) patients. These changes display a highly regional and disease subtype-dependent regulation that correlates with brain pathology. We demonstrate that selected miRNAs are enriched in sCJD isolated Argonaute(Ago)-binding complexes in disease, indicating their incorporation into RNA-induced silencing complexes, and further suggesting their contribution to disease-associated gene expression changes. Alterations in the miRNA-mRNA regulatory machinery and perturbed levels of miRNA biogenesis key components in sCJD brain samples reported here further implicate miRNAs in sCJD gene expression (de)regulation. We also show that a subset of sCJD-altered miRNAs are commonly changed in Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and fatal familial insomnia, suggesting potential common mechanisms underlying these neurodegenerative processes. Additionally, we report no correlation between brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) miRNA-profiles in sCJD, indicating that CSF-miRNA profiles do not faithfully mirror miRNA alterations detected in brain tissue of human prion diseases. Finally, utilizing a sCJD MM1 mouse model, we analyzed the miRNA deregulation patterns observed in sCJD in a temporal manner. While fourteen sCJD-related miRNAs were validated at clinical stages, only two of those were changed at early symptomatic phase, suggesting that the miRNAs altered in sCJD may contribute to later pathogenic processes. Altogether, the present work identifies alterations in the miRNA network, biogenesis and miRNA-mRNA silencing machinery in sCJD, whereby contributions to di

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is the most prevalent form of human prion disease and it is characterized by the presence of neuronal loss, spongiform degeneration, chronic inflammation and the accumulation of misfolded and pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc). The molecular mechanisms underlying these alterations are largely unknown, but the presence of intracellular neuronal calcium (Ca2+) overload, a general feature in models of prion diseases, is suggested to play a key role in prion pathogenesis. Here we describe the presence of massive regulation of Ca2+ responsive genes in sCJD brain tissue, accompanied by two Ca2+-dependent processes endoplasmic reticulum stress and the activation of the cysteine proteases Calpains 1/2. Pathogenic Calpain proteins activation in sCJD is linked to the cleavage of their cellular substrates, impaired autophagy and lysosomal damage, which is partially reversed by Calpain inhibition in a cellular prion model. Additionally, Calpain 1 treatment enhances seeding activity of PrPSc in a prion conversion assay. Neuronal lysosomal impairment caused by Calpain over activation leads to the release of the lysosomal protease Cathepsin S that in sCJD mainly localises in axons, although massive Cathepsin S overexpression is detected in microglial cells. Alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis and activation of Calpain-Cathepsin axis already occur at pre-clinical stages of the disease as detected in a humanized sCJD mouse model. Altogether our work indicates that unbalanced Calpain-Cathepsin activation is a relevant contributor to the pathogenesis of sCJD at multiple molecular levels and a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections are major risk factors affecting long-term morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. Hepatitis prevalence is subject to geographical variations. OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the geographical prevalence, risk factors and impact of HBV and HCV infection in multinational cohorts of renal transplant recipients. METHODS: From 1989 - 2002, data on 12,856 kidney transplant recipients in 37 countries were collected within the prospective MOST (Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation). Subgroup analyses of hepatitis-related prevalence, risk factors and impact were conducted on patients whose HBV and HCV status was available at time of transplantation. Countries were substratified according to population prevalence of > or = 5% HBV or > or = 10% HCV. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBV was 2.9%, of HCV 8.7% and of HBV together with HCV 0.4%. Risk factors for hepatitis infection in renal transplant recipients were long dialysis time, retransplantation and blood transfusions. At each study endpoint up to 5 years after transplantation, no significant differences in graft function were observed, although the 1-year acute rejection rate tended to be lower in HCV+ patients. At 5 years post-transplant, there were no differences between the subgroups and regions regarding infections, post-transplant diabetes mellitus or malignancies including PTLD. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HCV infections are more prevalent than HBV. Despite large geographical differences in prevalence, HBV and HCV status did not appear to have a significant impact on renal graft function, infections, malignancies and post-transplant diabetes mellitus up to 5 years after renal transplantation throughout the MOST countries.

The Wadi Zerka Ma'in catchment area is located in the North East of the Dead Sea. It contains a confined river of about 23 km length. The region is characterized by a recent sharp base level drop and a strong orographic control on climatic parameters such as temperature and precipitation. It is controlled by three regional structural systems as follow: 1) the anticline - syncline system (late Cretaceous - end of Miocene) which is a part of Syrian fold arc system; 2) NW - SE faults system which were generated simultaneously and parallel to the Red Sea spreading; 3) NWW - SSE faults system which are perpendicular to the Dead Sea and younger than the Red Sea fault system; 4) NNW - SSE faults system (middle Miocene - until now) which were generated simultaneously and parallel to the active Dead Sea transform fault. The structural setting of the study area was evaluated by means of a three-dimensional (3D) geological model, a digital elevation model (DEM) with resolutions 15 meters and stream profile analysis. DEM generation was performed using ASTER data. We found that the Wadi is located at the junction of two main fault systems. The major feature is a trans-tensional fault displacement which changes from 0 to 200 m. We showed that the catchment area is a result of a rotational fault while the river changes its flow direction according to the different fault system directions. The lower portion of the basin is affected by the major base level drops and display contributing rivers in exceptional non-equilibrium. Thus this catchment allows observing the rapid adaptation of the drainage system to both climatic and tectonic forcing.

Bereits seit einiger Zeit ist bekannt, dass man durch gezieltes Rühren einer erstarrenden, metallischen Schmelze mit mechanischem Antrieb oder mit Hilfe zeitabhängiger Magnetfelder in aktiver Weise Einfluss auf die Gefügeausbildung nehmen kann. Diese sogenannte, erzwungene Konvektion begünstigt beispielsweise globulitisches gegenüber dendritischem Wachstum und bewirkt eine Kornfeinung. Allerdings können Strömungen im Schmelzbad während der Erstarrung auch unerwünschte Makroseigerungen hervorrufen. Der Einsatz elektromagnetischer Felder zum Rühren des Schmelzbades ist vor allen Dingen aus zweierlei Gründen attraktiv: (a) diese Methode bietet die Möglichkeit einer völlig kontaktlosen Einflussnahme und (b) eine unmittelbare und einfache Kontrolle der Intensität der Strömung kann über die elektrischen Regelparameter Strom und Frequenz vorgenommen werden. Zusätzlich sind verschiedene Arten von Magnetfeldern (Wanderfelder, pulsierende Felder, statische Felder) im Prinzip beliebig kombinierbar. Damit ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, grundsätzlich verschiedene Strömungsmuster je nach Bedarf zu erzeugen. Das Ziel unserer Forschung besteht in der Anwendung maßgeschneiderter Magnetfelder während der Erstarrung zur effizienten Herstellung homogener, feinkörniger, globulitischer Gefüge. Zunächst soll mit Hilfe von Modellexperimenten, die die Komplexität des Problems überschaubar halten, mehr Informationen über die physikalischen Zusammenhänge zwischen der Erstarrung metallischer Legierungen und einer erzwungenen Konvektion in der Restschmelze gesammelt werden. Dazu wurden Pb-Sn-Legierungen in einer einfachen zylindrischen Geometrie unter Einwirkung eines rotierenden Magnetfeldes (RMF) gerichtet erstarrt.

Many references from the cast metal literature consider the application of sonic vibrations, mechanical or electromagnetic stirring as a tool to promote the formation of fine, equiaxed grains during solidification. In this paper experimental and numerical investigations will be presented concerning the influence of a flow driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the momentum, heat and mass transfer within binary Sn-Pb alloys solidified directionally. Our results show that the forced convection influences significantly the concentration as well the temperature profile ahead of the solidification front. The convective transport of solute reduces the thickness of the solutal boundary layer and increases the constitutional supercooling. The RMF-application provokes a distinct grain refinement for all considered alloy compositions and equiaxed growth has shown to be encouraged. A flow effect can be supposed both on the presence of nuclei in the melt and suitable conditions allowing them to grow in competition with the columnar front.

Many references from the cast metal literature are known discussing the effect of melt convection during the early stages of solidification on the grain structure. The application of mechanical or electromagnetic stirring, ultrasonic or sonic vibrations promotes the formation of fine, equiaxed grains. In this paper experimental and numerical investigations will be presented concerning the influence of a flow driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the momentum, heat and mass transfer within binary Sn-Pb alloys solidified directionally. The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow during solidification. The continuum formulation based model has been adopted for numerical simulations. The mushy region is modeled using a mixture viscosity formulation. The Lorentz force in the Navier-Stokes equation has been calculated by means of an analytical solution given by for a finite cylinder. Our results show that the velocity field undergoes distinct modifications during solidification indicating the occurrence of more sophisticated flow patterns as known from the isothermal case. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front and a shift of the mixture concentration towards the eutectic concentration on the axis of the ingots. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted downwards by increasing the field strength.

The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organize a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and solidification parameters. Main goal of our activities is to elucidate a strategy to control the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. The development of fine, globular grains is preferred. Structures containing textured columnar grains and zones of macrosegregation should be avoided. Solidification experiments as well as numerical simulations were carried out dealing with Pb Sn alloys solidified directionally from a water cooled copper chill. A rotating magnetic field (RMF) was chosen for melt agitation, because the essential features of an RMF-driven flow have already been intensively investigated for the isothermal case. The magnitude of the bulk flow in the melt generated by the RMF varies with the magnetic Taylor number Ta. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted towards the bottom of the casting by increasing the Ta number. The CET was found to occur for a cooling rate of about 0.4 K/s and temperature gradients in the range between 0.6 and 1.0 K/mm The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow during solidification. Our results show that the velocity profiles undergo distinct modifications during solidification indicating the occurrence of more sophisticated flow patterns as known from the isothermal case. Furthermore, the UDV data allow an assessment of th

An experimental study with respect to the influence of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the unidirectional solidification of Pb-Sn alloys is reported. The magnitude of the bulk flow in the melt generated by the RMF varies with the magnetic Taylor number Ta. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted towards the bottom of the casting by increasing the Ta number. The CET was found to occur for a cooling rate of about 0.4 K/s and temperature gradients in the range between 0.6 and 1.0 K/mm

Many references from the cast metal literature are known discussing the effect of melt convection during the early stages of solidification on the grain structure. The application of mechanical or electromagnetic stirring, ultrasonic or sonic vibrations promotes the formation of fine, equiaxed grains. In this paper experimental and numerical investigations will be presented concerning the influence of a flow driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the momentum, heat and mass transfer within binary Sn-Pb alloys solidified directionally. The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow during solidification. The continuum formulation based model has been adopted for numerical simulations. The mushy region is modeled using a mixture viscosity formulation. The Lorentz force in the Navier-Stokes equation has been calculated by means of an analytical solution given by for a finite cylinder. Our results show that the velocity field undergoes distinct modifications during solidification indicating the occurrence of more sophisticated flow patterns as known from the isothermal case. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front and a shift of the mixture concentration towards the eutectic concentration on the axis of the ingots. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted downwards by increasing the field strength.

The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organize a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and solidification parameters. Main goal of our activities is to elucidate a strategy to control the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. The development of fine, globular grains is preferred. Structures containing textured columnar grains and zones of macrosegregation should be avoided. Solidification experiments as well as numerical simulations were carried out dealing with Pb Sn alloys solidified directionally from a water cooled copper chill. A rotating magnetic field (RMF) was chosen for melt agitation, because the essential features of an RMF-driven flow have already been intensively investigated for the isothermal case. The magnitude of the bulk flow in the melt generated by the RMF varies with the magnetic Taylor number Ta. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted towards the bottom of the casting by increasing the Ta number. The CET was found to occur for a cooling rate of about 0.4 K/s and temperature gradients in the range between 0.6 and 1.0 K/mm The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow during solidification. Our results show that the velocity profiles undergo distinct modifications during solidification indicating the occurrence of more sophisticated flow patterns as known from the isothermal case. Furthermore, the UDV data allow an assessment of th

Many references from the cast metal literature consider the application of sonic vibrations, mechanical or electromagnetic stirring as a tool to promote the formation of fine, equiaxed grains during solidification. In this paper experimental and numerical investigations will be presented concerning the influence of a flow driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the momentum, heat and mass transfer within binary Sn-Pb alloys solidified directionally. Our results show that the forced convection influences significantly the concentration as well the temperature profile ahead of the solidification front. The convective transport of solute reduces the thickness of the solutal boundary layer and increases the constitutional supercooling. The RMF-application provokes a distinct grain refinement for all considered alloy compositions and equiaxed growth has shown to be encouraged. A flow effect can be supposed both on the presence of nuclei in the melt and suitable conditions allowing them to grow in competition with the columnar front.

Many references from the cast metal literature are known discussing the effect of melt convection during the early stages of solidification on the grain structure. The application of mechanical or electromagnetic stirring, ultrasonic or sonic vibrations promotes the formation of fine, equiaxed grains. In this paper experimental and numerical investigations will be presented concerning the influence of a flow driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the momentum, heat and mass transfer within binary Sn-Pb alloys solidified directionally. The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) was applied to measure the bulk flow during solidification. The continuum formulation based model has been adopted for numerical simulations. The mushy region is modeled using a mixture viscosity formulation. The Lorentz force in the Navier-Stokes equation has been calculated by means of an analytical solution given by for a finite cylinder. Our results show that the velocity field undergoes distinct modifications during solidification indicating the occurrence of more sophisticated flow patterns as known from the isothermal case. The forced convection causes distinct modifications of the temperature and concentration field such as a reduction of the temperature gradient ahead of the solidification front and a shift of the mixture concentration towards the eutectic concentration on the axis of the ingots. Without electromagnetic stirring the alloy solidifies solely in form of dendrites aligned parallel to the heat flow direction. In contrast, a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed growth (CET) is observed if the solidifying ingot is exposed to an RMF. The position of the CET is shifted downwards by increasing the field strength.

It is already known that the microstructure of a metallic alloy can be affected in a significant way due to the convection in the liquid phase during solidification. A time varying magnetic field can be applied to produce a flow field in the melt which influences the nucleation and growth processes. The aim of our research program is to find an strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms controlling the solodification by magnetic fields are investigated.

An experimental and numerical study with respect to the influence of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the directional solidification of a Pb-Sn alloys is reported. A cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm was positioned on a water cooled copper chill thus inducing an axial heat transfer from the mold. The electromagnetically driven convection shows a distinct effect on the solidification parameters such as the cooling rate, the temperature gradient or the growth velocity of the liquidus isotherm resulting in significant modifications of the observed macro- and microstructures. The fluid flow promotes the heat transfer rate and decreases the temperature gradients in the melt. Analyzing the columnar-equiaxed transition (CET) a dependence of the CET position and shape on the applied Taylor number was demonstrated. The experiments also revealed that the permanent modification of the fluid volume due to the movement of the solidification front prevents the development of stationary flow pattern as known for the isothermal case.

It is already known that the microstructure of a metallic alloy can be affected in a significant way due to the convection in the liquid phase during solidification. A time varying magnetic field can be applied to produce a flow field in the melt which influences the nucleation and growth processes. The aim of our research program is to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms controlling the solidification by magnetic fields are investigated. A cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm was used to contain the Pb85wt%Sn alloy. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increases.

It is already known that the microstructure of a metallic alloy can be affected in a significant way due to the convection in the liquid phase during solidification. A time varying magnetic field can be applied to produce a flow field in the melt which influences the nucleation and growth processes. The aim of our research program is to find an strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms controlling the solodification by magnetic fields are investigated.

An experimental and numerical study with respect to the influence of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the directional solidification of a Pb-Sn alloys is reported. A cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm was positioned on a water cooled copper chill thus inducing an axial heat transfer from the mold. The electromagnetically driven convection shows a distinct effect on the solidification parameters such as the cooling rate, the temperature gradient or the growth velocity of the liquidus isotherm resulting in significant modifications of the observed macro- and microstructures. The fluid flow promotes the heat transfer rate and decreases the temperature gradients in the melt. Analyzing the columnar-equiaxed transition (CET) a dependence of the CET position and shape on the applied Taylor number was demonstrated. The experiments also revealed that the permanent modification of the fluid volume due to the movement of the solidification front prevents the development of stationary flow pattern as known for the isothermal case.

It is already known that the microstructure of a metallic alloy can be affected in a significant way due to the convection in the liquid phase during solidification. A time varying magnetic field can be applied to produce a flow field in the melt which influences the nucleation and growth processes. The aim of our research program is to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms controlling the solidification by magnetic fields are investigated. A cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm was used to contain the Pb85wt%Sn alloy. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increases.

An important factor to influence the microstructure of a metallic alloy is the convection in the melt during the solidification process. The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organise a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and growth process. The aim of our work is to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms allowing us to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Directional solidification experiments were carried out with a Pb85wt%Sn alloy contained inside a cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. A maximum field amplitude up to 25 mT can be applied. The frequency of the field can be varied between 10 and 400 Hz. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increase

An important factor to influence the microstructure of a metallic alloy is the convection in the melt during the solidification process. The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organise a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and growth process. The aim of our work is to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms allowing us to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Directional solidification experiments were carried out with a Pb85wt%Sn alloy contained inside a cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. A maximum field amplitude up to 25 mT can be applied. The frequency of the field can be varied between 10 and 400 Hz. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increase

An important factor to influence the microstructure of a metallic alloy is the convection in the melt during the solidification process. The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organise a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and growth process. The aim of our work is to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms allowing us to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Directional solidification experiments were carried out with a Pb85wt%Sn alloy contained inside a cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. A maximum field amplitude up to 25 mT can be applied. The frequency of the field can be varied between 10 and 400 Hz. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increase

An important factor to influence the microstructure of a metallic alloy is the convection in the melt during the solidification process. The application of time varying magnetic fields can be considered as an effective tool to organise a well-defined flow structure in the liquid phase affecting the nucleation and growth process. The aim of our work is to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms allowing us to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Directional solidification experiments were carried out with a Pb85wt%Sn alloy contained inside a cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. A maximum field amplitude up to 25 mT can be applied. The frequency of the field can be varied between 10 and 400 Hz. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increase

It is already known that the microstructure of a metallic alloy can be affected in a significant way due to the convection in the liquid phase during solidification. A time varying magnetic field can be applied to produce a flow field in the melt which influences the nucleation and growth processes. The aim of our research program is to find a strategy to refine the microstructure of castings by an optimal combination of magnetic field intensity, field frequency and cooling rate. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms controlling the solidification by magnetic fields are investigated. A cylindrical crucible with a diameter of 50 mm was used to contain the Pb85wt%Sn alloy. A melt height of 60 mm was chosen. The container bottom is positioned on a water cooled copper chill allowing a directed solidification by a vertical heat flux. A rotating magnetic field was generated by an inductor system with 6 coils. Local temperatures were determined during the solidification process using a set of thermocouples. Cooling curves measured at different locations inside the sample reveal the significant influence of the electromagnetic convection on the local heat transfer. Profiles of the melt velocity were obtained applying the ultrasonic Doppler method.. The Pb-85wt%Sn alloy shows a microstructure with primary tin-crystallites and eutectic. Specimens solidified without a rotating magnetic field showed a columnar dendritic microstructure which is orientated in heat flux direction. The tin crystallites and the eutectic are homogeneously distributed over the whole sample. If the alloy solidifies in a rotating magnetic field the microstructure changes. The shape of the dendrites changes from columnar to equiaxed in direction from the bottom to the top of the specimen and in the same direction the volume content of the eutectic increases.

Flyover noise measurements are evaluated for four different military jet aircraft types flying at low altitudes. Flight Mach numbers ranged from 0.5 to 0.9. The analysis shows that noise immission is caused by jet mixing and broadband shock associated noise. Based on the experimental results existing noise prediction schemes are extended toward higher subsonic flight Mach numbers. The novel prediction schemes describe the observed acoustic signatures quite accurately. This holds for the overall sound pressure level in dependence of the emission angle, for sound-pressure level time histories and for one-third-octave spectra., This article is from 'Combat Aircraft Noise held in Bonn, Germany on 23-25 October 1991 (Le Bruit Genere par les Avions de Combat),' AD-A253 108, p8-1 thru p8-12.