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In this paper, plastic deformation properties and recrystallization process of single crystal metallic materials are studied, where the scale of deformation is in the micrometer range. Nano plastic forming test was conducted on single crystal specimens using a 60 degree wedge tool. Cross-sections of the indented grooves were produced by FIB machining, and variation of their crystal orientation in the plastic deformation zone was analyzed by EBSD measurement. Furthermore, the nano formed specimens were annealed under various conditions, and recrystallized grains in the vicinity of indented grooves were observed by SIM. The effects of plastic deformation and annealing conditions on recrystallization process are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soleus H reflex excitability cycle has been studied using, as conditioning stimulus, a mechanical tap, subthreshold for the tendon reflex, which was applied either on the Achilles tendon, the short biceps tendon, or the quadriceps tendon. In all cases there was an early facilitation followed by a longlasting inhibition of the test H reflex. The same results were obtained in patients with a complete spinal cord section. Wherever the site of the conditioning stimulation, these modifications disappeared after ischaemia of the leg. It is concluded that the effects observed are due to the activation by the tendon tap of the Ia nerve fibres from the soleus muscle, and that the longlasting inhibition is probably due to a transmitter depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A torque converter lock-up clutch slip control system, which is designed to improve fuel economy, must be able to precisely regulate slip speed. Also the system must have a high level of robustness for coping with changes in the operating conditions and any deterioration in the automatic transmission fluid and the clutch. Moreover, to reduce the design time, the design process must be as simple as possible. In this paper, we first propose a loop shaping that aims to optimize complementary sensitivity function of the control system, while satisfying the abovementioned requirements of performance and robustness. Next, a method for simplifying the design process is proposed, that is, a model and a controller are expressed by interpolation. A controller set, which has a relationship of duality to the interpolation parameters of the model, is created in advance so that the construction of a new control system can be realized by identifying the characteristic parameters only. From application to the actual design process for a vehicle, we verified that the design time was reduced to less than 1/3 of that required for the conventional method. This new method has already been adopted for the design and fitting of new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]