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For the first time, the mineralogical–geochemical compositions of the white paste inlay found on vessels from sites (10th–8th centuries bce) in the northern Pontic region are investigated. Samples of the white paste on vessels from settlements, burials of sedentary groups and graves of early nomads were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM‐EDX) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Between the 10th and eighth centuries bce, various innovations occurred in the working area. Iron processing technology and the manufacture of iron products also appeared. Other innovations were changes in the manufacturing technology of ceramics. A high‐quality, polished/burnished surface and ornaments with white paste inlay are characteristic of this pottery. When collating white paste mixtures of different European sites, similarities in the preparation of white paste recipes for vessels from the Balkan and northern Pontic regions are evident. During the Early Iron Age, further changes in the manufacture of the white paste were discovered in the northern Pontic region, namely the application of high‐temperature firing to obtain more resistant synthesized material such as calcium alumosilicates and silicates (wollastonite). The development of iron metallurgy in this period could provide a basis for the elaboration of new techniques in ceramic manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the influence of HO and KCl on the high-temperature corrosion of the FeCrAl alloy Kanthal AF. Polished samples, with and without applied KCl, were exposed isothermally to O or O + HO at 600 °C. The samples were investigated using TGA, XRD, SEM/EDX, AES and IC. It was found that KCl accelerates corrosion and that a rapidly growing iron, chromium-rich oxide forms in both environments. Chromate formation and alloy chlorination are shown to initiate the formation of non-protective oxide scales. In addition, aluminium nitrides form in the alloy substrate in both environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The oxidation of a Mo(Si,Al)2 composite is investigated at 1500 °C in dry air using exposure times from 1 to 1000 h. Cross sections are examined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the phase composition is analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The material forms a continuous and protective alumina layer, the growth of the alumina layer following parabolic kinetics. Immediately below the scale Mo(Si,Al)2 is replaced by a Mo5(Si,Al)3 layer due to the flux of aluminum to the scale. The Al concentration in the Mo(Si,Al)2 phase in the underlying substrate decreases from 27% before exposure to 16–17% after 1000 h. The continuous alumina layer becomes covered by a top layer consisting of alumina grains embedded in a viscous melt with approximate composition 7 Na2O–15 Al2O3–78 SiO2. With time, sodium is volatilized from the melt and the top scale layer transforms to a mixture of alumina, mullite and silica melt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The FeCrAIRE (where RE is reactive element) alloy Kanthal AF was exposed isothermally at 600 and 800°C for 72 h in dry O2 and in °2 with 10 vol % H2O. The mass gains were 3-5 times higher at the higher temperature. The presence of water vapor increased the oxidation rate at 800°C, while no significant effect was observed at 600°C. A thin two-layered oxide formed at 600°C: an outer (Fe,Cr)2O3 corundum-type oxide, containing some Al, and an inner, probably amorphous, Al-rich oxide. At 800°C a two-layered oxide formed in both environments. The inner layer consisted of inward grown α-A12O3. In dry O2 the originally formed outward grown αy-Al2O3 had transformed to α-A12O3 after 72 h. Water vapor stabilized the outward grown y-A12O3 and hence no transformation occurred after 72 h in humid environment. RE-rich oxide particles with varying composition (Y, Zr, and Ti) were distributed in the base oxide at both temperatures and in both environments. The RE-rich particles were separated from the alloy substrate by a layer of Al-rich oxide. At 800°C the Y-rich RE particles were surrounded by thick oxide patches in both dry and humid O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Nursing home residents constitute a frail, multi-diseased and heterogeneous group. As physical activity is essential for the preservation of function, personalized training and activities are of great importance. The main objective of this study was to describe the influence of an indiVidually tailored intervention program, in a nursing home setting, on physical capacity, degree of dependence in Activities of Daily LiVing (ADL), long-term participation in physical ancVor daily activities, and self-rated wellbeing. The aim of the present work is to describe the overall design of the study. Methods: Nursing homes in Sweden, Norway and Denmark were involved, and 322 residents were randomized to either Intervention or Control groups. The intervention lasted for three months and consisted of physical and daily activities, led by physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and was built on their evaluations and on the goals expressed by each resident. Tests of muscle strength, mobility, balance function and confidence, ADL, level of physical activity, wellbeing and cognitive function were performed at baseline, directly after the intervention period and three months later. Results: They will be presented in articles to follow. Conclusions: Although it isa great challenge to carry out an intervention study directed toward such a frail population, it is of great interest to find out whether individually tailored and enhanced activities can lead to decreased dependence in ADL and increased wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The oxidation of a (Mo, W)Si2-based composite was investigated in the temperature range (350–950°C). The influence of temperature and water vapour on the oxidation was examined. The kinetics was studied using a thermobalance whereas the morphology and composition of the oxides were examined using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Focused ion beam (FIB) milling was performed on some of the oxide scales which allowed us to look at a non-mechanically disturbed scale/oxide in cross-section. Rapid oxidation was found to occur in the 550–750°C temperature range. The mass gains were significantly larger in O2 than in O2 +10%H2O. The different mass changes in the two exposure atmospheres were attributed to the higher vapour pressure of the volatile MoO2(OH)2 and WO2(OH)2 species in O2 +10%H2O than that of (MoO3)3 and (WO3)3 in dry O2. The peak mass gain was found to occur at a temperature of about 750°C in O2 and 650°C in O2 +10%H2O. At temperatures above 850°C, especially when water vapour is present, the removal of Mo and W from the oxide scales is rapid enough to allow partial healing of the silica, causing the oxidation rate to drop. At 950°C in O2 +10%H2O, a protective SiO2 scale could be re-established quickly and maintained, causing the oxidation to essentially cease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the review was to determine, from a physiotherapeutic perspective, existing tools that assess neglect and whether there was support for the positive effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on neglect after stroke. The review was based on publicized randomized controlled studies and reviews about neglect and stroke. The databases PubMed (Medline), Ahmed, Cinahl, PeDRO and PsycINFO were queried from 1980 until March 2007. A checklist from the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled studies; a model for analysis of systematic reviews from SBU was used for reviews. Specific training for the neglect syndrome was recommended. There was moderate evidence for spatio-motor cueing and scanning training towards the effected side. The literature also indicated that trunk rotation or repeated neck muscle vibrations when associated with an extensive training programme, mental imagery training, video feedback training and prism adaptation could be recommended for the rehabilitation of stroke patients with neglect. Treatment with Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has shown some promising results. None of the tools designed to assess neglect evaluated physical performance. From a physiotherapeutic point of view, there is limited evidence for treatment of patients with neglect after stroke and the way neglect should be assessed. Scanning training and activation of the affected hemisphere with spatio-motor cueing can be effectual. Several assessment tools in combination are recommended. Further randomized controlled trials with larger samples concerning physiotherapeutic interventions are warranted, in order to evaluate new techniques targeting cognitive processes contributing to clinical manifestations of neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]