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This paper investigates the impact of the introduction and implementation of the new EU bail-in framework on the banks' subordinated bond yield spreads over senior unsecured bonds, and links the bond yields developments with the characteristics of the issuing entities and the economic and financial environment. The analysis does not show evidence of a significant and generalized increase in the spreads as a result of a higher risk perception in the sample under review. The results reinforce the relevance of the Tier 1 capital ratio for making subordinated debt safer, while markets price the higher risk of banks with less stable sources of funding in their liability/capital structures. Market conditions and economic environment variables also play a key role in explaining bond spreads. Interestingly, after the introduction of the new bail-in framework, there is a convergence between the bond yields of the GSIBs and the non-GSIBs, which could point out to a reduction in the market perception of the so-called too big to fail public implicit guarantee. Nonetheless, this convergence is mostly driven by the reduction of the yields of bonds issued by banks not categorized as GSIBs, and not by significant increases in the GSIBs' bond yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiyear drought is projected to increase in frequency and duration in arid and semiarid regions across the world, threatening native species and ecosystem function. The effects of multiyear drought are often exacerbated by human water use, which manifest in reduced lake elevation, reduced stream discharge, and disruption in hydrologic connectivity for aquatic species. Here, we demonstrate that drought‐driven decreasing lake levels reduce the connectivity between tributaries and lakes by creating an elevation‐explicit tributary distance map. We combined long‐term fish catch data and a lake elevation time‐series with our elevation‐explicit tributary distance map to test whether population demographics are related to drought‐driven changes in tributary connectivity. We surveyed the littoral zone of Bear Lake, Utah and Idaho, USA, from full pool to a depth of >12 m, totalling 94.86 km2 surveyed. As lake elevation decreased from full pool to the lowest historical elevation, tributary channel distance increased by 3.5 km. Bear Lake Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) catch per unit effort was strongly negatively correlated with tributary channel distance, though individual growth rates were not influenced by drought metrics. We predicted the response of age 0 to age 10 cutthroat under high and low cobble availability, estimating up to a 61% decline in cutthroat CPUE when tributary channel distance is at its maximum historical value. Our study provided a unique opportunity to identify quantitative linkages between climate‐driven changes in habitat connectivity and an ecologically important endemic sportfish, expanding our understanding of potential pathways through which climate change may affect lentic ecosystems and fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progesterone and its analogues are known to influence ventilation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous and pharmaceutical female sex hormones in ventilatory control during the activation of the metaboreflex, mechanoreflex, and CO2 chemoreflex. Women aged 18–30 taking (n = 14) or not taking (n = 12) oral contraceptives (OC and NOC, respectively) were tested in the low hormone (LH) and high hormone (HH) conditions corresponding to the early follicular and mid‐luteal phases (NOC) or placebo and high‐dose pills (OC). Women underwent three randomized trials: (a) 3 min of passive leg movement (PLM), (b) 2 min of 40% maximal voluntary handgrip exercise followed by 2 min of post‐exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO), and (c) 5 min of breathing 5% CO2. We primarily measured hemodynamics and ventilation. During PLM, the OC group had a smaller pressor response (p =.012). During PECO, the OC group similarly exhibited a smaller pressor response (p =.043) and also exhibited a greater ventilatory response (p =.024). Lastly, in response to breathing 5% CO2, women in the HH phase had a greater ventilatory response (p =.022). We found that OC use attenuates the pressor response to both the metaboreflex and mechanoreflex while increasing the ventilatory response to metaboreflex activation. We also found evidence of an enhanced CO2 chemoreflex in the HH phase. We hypothesize that OC effects are from the chronic upregulation of pulmonary and vascular β‐adrenergic receptors. We further suggest that the increased cyclic progesterone in the HH phase enhances the chemoreflex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A class of Group III muscle afferent neurons has branching sensory terminals in the connective tissue between layers of mouse abdominal muscles ("CT3 muscle afferents"). These sensory endings are both mechanosensitive and metabosensitive. In the present study, responses of CT3 afferents to lactate ions and changes in temperature were recorded. Raising muscle temperature from 32.7°C to 37°C had no consistent effects on CT3 afferent basal firing rate or responses to either von Frey hair stimulation or to an applied load. Superfusion with lactate ions (15 mM, pH 7.4) was associated with an increase in firing from 6 ± 0.7 Hz to 11.7 ± 6.7 Hz (14 units, n = 13, P < 0.05, P = 0.0484) but with considerable variability in the nature and latency of response. Reducing the concentration of extracellular divalent cations, which mimicked the chelating effects of lactate, did not increase firing. Raised concentrations of divalent cations (to compensate for chelation) did not block excitatory effects of lactate on CT3 afferents, suggesting that effects via ASIC3 were not involved. Messenger RNA for the G-protein coupled receptor, hydroxyl carboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1) was detected in dorsal root ganglia and HCAR1-like immunoreactivity was present in spinal afferent nerve cell bodies retrogradely labeled from mouse abdominal muscles. HCAR1-like immunoreactivity was also present in axons in mouse abdominal muscles. This raises the possibility that some effects of lactate on group III muscle afferents may be mediated by HCAR1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varved lake sediments provide climatic records with seasonal to annual resolution and low associated age uncertainty. Robust and detailed comparison of well-dated and annually laminated sediment records is crucial for reconstructing abrupt and regionally time-transgressive changes as well as validation of spatial and temporal trajectories of past climatic changes. The VARved sediments DAtabase (VARDA) presented here is the first data compilation for varve chronologies and associated palaeoclimatic proxy records. The current version 1.0 allows detailed comparison of published varve records from 95 lakes. VARDA is freely accessible and was created to assess outputs from climate models with high-resolution terrestrial palaeoclimatic proxies. VARDA additionally provides a technical environment that enables us to explore the database of varved lake sediments using a connected data model and can generate a state-of-the-art graphic representation of a multisite comparison. This allows the reassessment of existing chronologies and tephra events to synchronize and compare even distant varved lake records. Furthermore, the present version of VARDA permits the exploration of varve thickness data. In this paper, we report in detail on the data-mining and compilation strategies for the identification of varved lakes and assimilation of high-resolution chronologies, as well as the technical infrastructure of the database. Additional palaeoclimatic proxy data will be provided in forthcoming updates. The VARDA graph database and user interface can be accessed online at https://varve.gfz-potsdam.de (last access: 15 September 2020), all datasets of version 1.0 are available at 10.5880/GFZ.4.3.2019.003 (Ramisch et al., 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans have substantially altered soil and landscape patterns and properties due to agricultural use, with severe impacts on biodiversity, carbon sequestration and food security. These impacts are difficult to quantify, because we lack data on long-term changes in soils in natural and agricultural settings and available simulation methods are not suitable for reliably predicting future development of soils under projected changes in climate and land management. To help overcome these challenges, we developed the HydroLorica soil–landscape evolution model that simulates soil development by explicitly modeling the spatial water balance as a driver of soil- and landscape-forming processes. We simulated 14 500 years of soil formation under natural conditions for three scenarios of different rainfall inputs. For each scenario we added a 500-year period of intensive agricultural land use, where we introduced tillage erosion and changed vegetation type. Our results show substantial differences between natural soil patterns under different rainfall input. With higher rainfall, soil patterns become more heterogeneous due to increased tree throw and water erosion. Agricultural patterns differ substantially from the natural patterns, with higher variation of soil properties over larger distances and larger correlations with terrain position. In the natural system, rainfall is the dominant factor influencing soil variation, while for agricultural soil patterns landform explains most of the variation simulated. The cultivation of soils thus changed the dominant factors and processes influencing soil formation and thereby also increased predictability of soil patterns. Our study highlights the potential of soil–landscape evolution modeling for simulating past and future developments of soil and landscape patterns. Our results confirm that humans have become the dominant soil-forming factor in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full densification of a Ti alloy (Ti6Al4V) is achieved at unprecedented low temperatures of 650 °C and 555 MPa by spark plasma sintering (SPS) without any sintering aid. The alloy demonstrates a globular equiaxed microstructure with comparable mechanical properties as that sintered at conventional high temperatures (950 °C, 60 MPa). In contrast with the diffusion‐driven sintering of the Ti alloy at conventional SPS conditions, the near‐full densification (99%) attained at low‐temperature/high‐pressure regimes is attributed to plastic deformation‐driven mass transport processes. Sintering pressures of 555 MPa result in a dislocation dense microstructure and the activation of compressive twins imparting lattice strains of up to 2.86 × 10−3, suggesting a 25% increase in lattice distortions as compared with those sintered at moderate pressures of 60 MPa. Depth‐sensing nanoscale indentation reveals the globular microstructure of the high‐pressure‐sintered alloy to retain its elastic modulus and hardness of 138 and 4.8 GPa, respectively, with <2% deviation from those sintered at conventional SPS temperatures. This energy‐efficient technique proposes an alternative to thermally exhaustive routines and presents an advantage for engineering titanium‐matrix composites with nanofillers and controlled reaction products by reducing processing temperatures by up to 300 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance of aluminum alloys to the actions that are characteristic of operation in the load-bearing structures of bridge constructions, namely, fatigue, static, impact loads, and crack propagation, is studied. It is shown that, in bridge building, medium-strength aluminum alloys of the Al–Mg, Al–Mg–Si, and Al–Zn–Mg systems should be used. The specific features of deformation and fracture of aluminum alloys that affect their ductility, fracture energy, fracture toughness, and fatigue life are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of inclusions is a major challenge prior to the casting process, as they cause a discontinuity in the cast material, thereby lowering its mechanical properties and have a negative impact on the feeding capability and fluidity of the liquid alloys. In order to achieve adequate melt quality for casting, it is important to clean the melts from inclusions, for which there are numerous methods that can be used. In the course of the presented research, the inclusion removal efficiency of rotary degassing coupled with the addition of different fluxes was investigated. The effects of various cleaning fluxes on the inclusion content and the susceptibility to pore formation were compared by the investigation of K-mold samples and the evaluation of Density Index values at different stages of melt preparation. The chemical composition of the applied fluxes was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, while the melting temperature of the fluxes was evaluated by derivatographic measurements. It was found that only the solute hydrogen content of the liquid metal could be significantly reduced during the melt treatments, however, better inclusion removal efficiency could be achieved with fluxes that have a low melting temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used X-ray absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical density functional theory calculations to identify critical features in the electronic structure of different sites in alloys that govern the local chemical reactivity. The measurements led to a simple model relating local geometric features of a site in an alloy to its electronic structure and chemical reactivity. The central feature of the model is that the formation of alloys does not lead to significant charge transfer between the constituent metal elements in the alloys, and that the local electronic structure and chemical reactivity can be predicted based on physical characteristics of constituent metal elements in their unalloyed form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AA7075-xZrB2 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) composites were manufactured by reacting potassium zirconium fluoride (K2ZrF6) and potassium tetrafluoroborate (KBF4) with molten AA7075 at 800°C. The ZrB2 particles formed by the reaction were fairly uniformly distributed throughout the whole composite. The microhardness of the composites increased from 45 to 78 VHN with ZrB2 contents from 0 to 20 wt.%, respectively. The wear rate rose as the load and sliding distance increased and fell as the sliding speed increased. The material-removal mechanism of the composites was due to abrasive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Young's modulus of aluminum-based materials is one of the most important mechanical properties in controlling structural performance. The improvement of the Young's modulus of castable aluminum-based materials is essential for improving their competiveness in light weighting structural applications. Currently, there are limited options for cast aluminum alloys with outstanding Young's modulus. Also, for further stiffness improvement and thereby weight lightening, in-depth understanding of the relevant mechanisms for modulus improvement in aluminum alloys is necessary. This review focuses on the Young's modulus of cast aluminum-based composites, as well as aluminum alloys reinforced with continuous metallic fibers (bimetallic materials). The effect of different chemical elements in cast alloys, the constituents of in-situ and ex-situ formed aluminum matrix composites, and the wire-enhanced bimetallic materials on the Young's modulus of aluminum-based materials are reviewed. The Young's modulus of cast aluminum alloys can be improved by: (a) introducing high modulus reinforcement phases – such as TiB2, SiC, B4C, and Al2O3 – into aluminum by in-situ reactions or by ex-situ additions; and (b) forming bimetallic materials with metallic wire/bar reinforcement in the aluminum matrix. The performance of a stiff aluminum alloy depends on the volume fraction, size, and distribution of the high modulus phases as well as the interface between reinforcement and Al matrix. One of the major concerns is the reduction of the ductility of castings after adding specific high modulus phases to increase the Young's modulus. Further research into the improvement of Young's modulus and the ductility of aluminum alloys is necessary through proper selection of reinforcement, optimizing interface, and distribution of reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atti della Società dei Naturalisti e Matematici di Modena is the property of Societa dei Naturalisti e Matematici di Modena and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Evidence-based interventions often need to be adapted to maximize their implementation potential in low-to middle-income countries. A single-arm feasibility study was conducted to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-delivered, nurse-led, symptom management intervention for adults undergoing chemotherapy in Honduras. Over the course of 6 months, nurses engaged 25 patients undergoing chemotherapy in the intervention. Each participant received an average of 16.2 attempts to contact them for telephone sessions (SD = 8.0, range = 2-28). Collectively, the participants discussed 24 different types of symptoms. The most commonly discussed symptoms were pain (12%), nausea (7%), and constipation (5%). Qualitative and quantitative data were used to identify treatment manual modifications (i.e., adding content about different symptoms and addressing scheduling of treatment) and workplace modifications (i.e., dedicated nurse time and space) that are needed to optimize implementation of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple estimation method of equivalent porosity and strength of scrapped aluminum die-casting floor panel is suggested in which various defects like pores can be allowed. During shop practice of processing die-casting parts, equivalent porosity is evaluated by the ratio of linear stiffness from the simple test to the analytical stiffness value. Porosity equation is derived from the inclusion theory. Then using Mori-Tanaka method the porosity value is used to find an elasto-plastic stress-strain curve for the porous material. In this paper Hollomon equation is used to describe the strain hardening effect of the die-casting material. Finally, the stress-strain curve for the porous material is used to calculate strength of die-casting part that captures the nonlinearity of the porous material. A facility die-casting floor panel is chosen to verify the proposed method. The result is accurate and adequate to the test result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal matrix composites are of great interest in industrial applications for its light weight with high specific strength, stiffness and heat resistance. The processing of MMCs by stir casting process is an effective way of manufacturing. In this paper the comparison of mechanical properties of Aluminium 7075 as a base metal and varying composition of fly ash by 3 and 6 wt.% SiC and 7% fly ash as reinforcement is carried out. Scanning electron microscope was used to confirm the presence of SiC and fly ash. The composites with 6% SiC was found to have maximum hardness whereas composites of 6% and 5% fly ash were found to have minimum hardness. The mechanical properties such as wear resistance were studied. From the results, it has been finalized that the addition of 6% SiC was identified to show the least wear rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Since there is limited study to assist in an evidenced‐based decision whether to extract or preserve a structurally compromised tooth, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the long‐term survival rate of tooth preservation after crown lengthening procedure (CLP) and restorative treatments. Methods: Electronic and paper chart of patients received CLP in our graduate clinic from 1990 to 2015 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was done using Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier estimator. Results: A total of 766 coded charts were initially collected. Four hundred and fourteen cases were included in the final analysis. The Kaplan–Meier estimate shows a cumulative survival rate of 88.3% in 5 years, 78.4% in 10 years and 68.1% in 15 years. In terms of reasons for failure, restorative problem such as recurrent decays was the main issue (35.2%), followed by fracture (29.6%), endodontic complications (23.9%) and periodontal breakdown (11.3%). Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, structurally compromised teeth have a reasonable long‐term survival rate close to 80% after 10 years in a teaching institute. Patients with high fracture or caries risk may pose a higher chance of failure. Objective information should be presented to the patient to arrive at an evidence‐based decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace elements Co, Cr were added to investigate their influence on the microstructure and physical properties of Al-Si extruded alloy. The Co, Cr elements were randomly distributed in the matrix, forms intermetallic phase and their existence were confirmed by XRD, EDS and SEM analysis. With addition of trace elements, the microstructure was modified, Si particle size was reduced and the growth rate of β-(Al5FeSi) phase limited. Compared to parent alloy, hardness and tensile strength were enhanced while the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was significantly reduced by 42.4% and 16.05% with Co and Cr addition respectively. It is considered that the low CTE occurs with addition of Co was due to the formation of intermetallic compound having low coefficient of thermal expansion. The results suggested that Co acts as an effective element in improving the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloys are widely used today in plastic injection molds in the automotive and aerospace industries due to their high strength and weight ratio, good corrosion and fatigue resistance as well as high feed rates. The 5754 aluminum alloy has high corrosion resistance and a structure suitable for cold forming. In this study, an AA 5754-H111 tempered aluminum alloy with the dimensions of 80£80£30 mm was used, and some of the materials were cryogenically heat treated. For the milling operations, Φ12 mm diameter 76 mm height uncoated as well as TiCN and TiAlN coated end mills were used. Different levels of cutting depth (1.25, 2.0, 2.5 mm), cutting speed (50, 80, 100 m/ min), feed rate (265, 425, 530 m/ min) and machining pattern (concentric, back and forth and inward helical) were used. The number of experiments was reduced from 486 to 54 using the Taguchi L54 orthogonal array. The values obtained at the end of the experiments were evaluated using the signal-to-noise ratio, ANOVA, three-dimensional graphs and the regression method. Based on the result of the verification experiments, the processing accuracy for surface roughness was improved from 3.20 μm to 0.90 μm, with performance increase of 71.88%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breathing constantly adapts to environmental, metabolic or behavioral changes by responding to different sensory information, including afferent feedback from muscles. Importantly, not just respiratory muscle feedback influences respiratory activity. Afferent sensory information from rhythmically moving limbs has also been shown to play an essential role in the breathing. The present review will discuss the neuronal mechanisms of respiratory modulation by activation of peripheral muscles that usually occurs during locomotion or exercise. An understanding of these mechanisms and finding the most effective approaches to regulate respiratory motor output by stimulation of limb muscles could be extremely beneficial for people with respiratory dysfunctions. Specific attention in the present review is given to the muscle stimulation to treat respiratory deficits following cervical spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the influence of the anodizing method and parameters on the properties and microstructure of the anodic layer produced on AlSi8 and AlSi9Cu3 cast aluminium alloys, in particular the effect on size and morphology of primary Si precipitates and the homogeneity of the resulting oxide coating. For investigations there were applied light microscope techniques, moreover hardness and wear resistance was examined in order to evaluate the obtained surface quality. The microstructure of the obtained surface layer was analysed by taking into account the primary silicon precipitates. The results of the hardness and abrasive wear test also show the influence of anodizing and electrolyte parameters on the structure and properties of the tested aluminium alloys. In case of the AlSi9Cu3 alloy the obtained alumina layer is of lower thickness -- 13.3 µm, about 50% less compared to the AlSi8 one, however the AlSi8 layer is more homogeneous and more uniform. The results of the wear test show that both anodised alloys show ca. 35% lower mass loss compared to non-anodized alloys, so structure of the Al2O3 layer increases the abrasion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process used to obtain recycled Al alloys depends on the scrap quality. Rotary furnaces are normally used in Europe as they allow a great productivity and they can process low quality scrap using a salt flux to protect the molten metal from oxidation. In this article, the effect of the quantity of salt on the metal recovery has been experimentally investigated by melting several types of scrap under a mixture of NaCl–KCl–Na3AlF6 salts. The quantity of salt has been related to the salt factor (SF), which is the ratio between the non-metallic content in the scrap and the quantity of salt required. The same levels of salt factor have been tested by melting the scrap in rotary and crucible furnaces. The metal recovery increases with the salt content for both furnaces. The results obtained with the different melting processes are comparable because the yield difference is similar considering different salt factors. Crucible furnace gives greater metal recovery but it cannot replace rotary furnace in Al refining industry due to lower melting capacity. However, the results highlight that the optimisation of the Al refining process can be supported by preliminary tests through crucible furnaces reducing the time and material consumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermodynamic calculations are used to study the phase compositions of Al–Si–X and Al–Cu–X alloys, where X is a low-melting metal (Sn, Pb, Bi, Cd, In). Poly- and isothermal sections are used to determine the temperatures of invariant monotectic reactions. The formation of globular low-melting phase inclusions in heating at 500°C is found by experimental techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Automatic Welding / Avtomatitcheskaia Svarka is the property of International Association Welding (Paton Publishing House) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Innovations and research in material processing have brought forward new and improvised materials that are applied in body panels of automobiles, aircraft cabins and railway wagons. These materials are used widely is because of their good mechanical properties and their high strength to weight ratio. In this paper Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) were added with organo modified montmorillonite (MMT) commonly known as nanoclay along with epoxy resin. The homogeneous dispersion of nanoclay in epoxy resin is accomplished by a hand stirrer dispersion method in ethanol. The FML material was processed by hand layup method. In this study the aluminium alloy 5052-H32 was used as a skin material and glass fibre (woven roving) used as core material which is bounded by epoxy with 5 wt.% nano clay (closet 30B). The fabricated sandwich material was cut by using water jet machine as per IS standards for testing. The fabricated material subjected to erichsen cupping test and was observed under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results from SEM image analysis indicated that the FML had fibre pull out and surface cracks were obtained in the skin material. Progressive loading resulted in ductile fracture which is absorbed in the specimen. Fibres came across brittle failure and the skin through ductile fracture. Non-uniform distribution of reinforcement is observed in the material, SEM micrographs revealed fibre cracks which were oriented in line to the direction of crack growth on the skin material. This study shows that these fibre metal laminates can be safely applied in automotive field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesion strength is one of the important properties that reflects the quality of a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coating. Scratch testing can be considered as an appropriate technique to evaluate the adhesion strength of PEO coatings on magnesium, titanium, and aluminum substrates. The scratch test is usually performed either under a constant or a progressively increasing normal load, where the critical load is used as a measure of adhesion strength of the coatings. In this review paper, the effect of different factors such as duration of coating processing, electrolyte composition, and processing current density, as well as different additives to the electrolyte bath, was studied on the adhesion strength of PEO coatings formed on magnesium, titanium, and aluminum substrates. It is understood that an optimum increase in process time and input energy leads to a corresponding increase in thickness of the PEO dense oxide layer and, consequently, an increase in critical load and adhesion strength. Moreover, the electrolyte composition and additives were found to affect the coating microstructure and composition and, subsequently, the coating adhesion strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telephone‐based interventions can increase accessibility to healthcare and are increasingly used as a convenient method of providing support. We conducted a systematic review of published literature reporting adult patients’ perceptions of the acceptability of, and satisfaction with, telephone‐based interventions during or post‐treatment for cancer. Systematic searches identified 4,855 articles. Forty‐eight articles describing 50 studies were included in the review. Three intervention categories were identified post hoc: (1) telephone follow‐up in lieu of routine hospital follow‐up, (2) telephone interventions for treatment side‐effect monitoring and toxicity management supplementary to usual care, and (3) supplementary psycho‐educational telephone interventions. Across studies, some consistent findings emerged. Positive perceptions emphasised the convenience of telephone interventions and increased accessibility to care. Conflicting perceptions of the quality of the support received, the impact of telecare on the patient–healthcare professional relationship and the need for such interventions emerged. In conclusion, the evidence base relating to patients’ perceptions of telephone‐based interventions is increasing. Interpretation of findings is currently limited by methodological limitations in the primary research. The instruments chosen to assess patient satisfaction quantitatively do not always reflect the patient‐centred priorities that emerge from qualitative data. Subsequent research would benefit from well‐designed qualitative studies and patient‐centred outcome measures to ensure that the individuality of participants’ positive and negative experiences is captured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effect of telephone‐based interventions on prognostic outcomes and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients and survivors. A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Web of science, Medline, EMBASE, CNKI and CBM database was carried out. Randomised, controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of telephone‐based intervention versus a control group receiving no telephone intervention, on prognostic outcomes and HRQoL with breast cancer were included. A meta‐analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of telephone‐based interventions on anxiety, depression, fatigue, self‐efficiency, physiological function, social‐domestic function and quality of life. In total, 14 studies involving 2002 participants were included. Due to the effect of telephone‐based interventions, statistically significant results were found on anxiety (standard mean difference [SMD] = −0.16, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [0.01, 0.30], p = .04), self‐efficiency (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI [−0.34, −0.10], p = .0004), social‐domestic function (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI [−0.35, −0.03], p = .02) and quality of life (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI [−1.00, −0.08], p = .02). Although the effects on depression, fatigue and physiological function were in the expected direction, these effects were not statistically significant (p > .05) based on the insufficient evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of low-melting metals (Pb, Bi, Cd, In) on the structure, phase composition, and properties of the Al-5% Si-4% Cu alloy was studied using calculations. Polythermal sections have been reported, which show that the considered systems are characterized by the presence of liquid regions and monotectic reactions. The effect of low-melting metals on the microstructure and hardening of base alloy in the cast and heat-treated states has been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melting sequence of the enthalpy exchange material (EEM) and formation of a slurry in the RheoMetal™ process was investigated. The EEM was extracted and quenched, together with a portion of the slurry at different processing times before complete melting. The EEM initially increased in size/diameter due to melt freezing onto its surface, forming a freeze- on layer. The initial growth of this layer was followed by a period of a constant diameter of the EEM with subsequent melting and decrease of diameter. Microstructural characterization of the size and morphology of different phases in the EEM and in the freeze-on layer was made. Dendritic equiaxed grains and eutectic regions containing Si particles and Cu-bearing particles and Fe-rich particles were observed in the as-cast EEM. The freeze-on layer consisted of dendritic aluminum tilted by about 30 deg in the upstream direction, caused by the rotation of the EEM. Energy dispersion spectroscopy analysis showed that the freeze-on layer had a composition corresponding to an alloy with higher melting point than the EEM and thus shielding the EEM from the surrounding melt. Microstructural changes in the EEM showed that temperature rapidly increased to 768 K (495 °C), indicated by incipient melting of the lowest temperature melting eutectic in triple junction grain boundary regions with AlCu and AlMgSiCu phases present. As the EEM temperature increased further the binary Al-Si eutectic started to melt to form a region of a fully developed coherent mushy state. Experimental results and a thermal model indicated that as the dendrites spheroidized near to the interface at the EEM/freeze-on layer reached a mushy state with 25 pct solid fraction, coherency was lost and disintegration of the freeze-on layer took place. Subsequently, in the absence of the shielding effect from the freeze-on Layer, the EEM continued to disintegrate with a coherency limit of a solid fraction estimated to be 50 pct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to extend the application of semi-solid processing (SSP) to higher performance alloys such as 319s (Al-Si-Cu-Mg) and 201 (Al-Cu-Ag). The melting of these two alloys was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermodynamic prediction. The alloys had been processed by magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) stirring before receipt to produce a microstructure suitable for SSP. The DSC results for the as-received MHD material were compared with those for material which has been taken through a complete DSC cycle and then reheated for a second DSC run. The effects of microsegregation were then analyzed. A higher liquid fraction for a particular temperature is found in the second DSC run than the first. Microstructural observations suggest this is because the intermetallics which form during the first cooling cycle tend to co-located. Quaternary and ternary reactions then occur during the second DSC heat and the co-location leads to enhanced peaks. The calculated liquid fraction is lower with 10 K/min DSC heating rate comparing with 3 K/min at a given temperature. The DSC scan rate must therefore be carefully considered if it is to be used to identify temperature parameters or the suitability of alloys for SSP. In addition, the starting material for DSC must represent the starting material for the SSP. With thermodynamic prediction, the equilibrium condition will provide better guidance for the thixoforming of MHD stirred starting material than the Scheil condition. The Scheil mode approximates more closely with a strongly microsegregated state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, various Mn amounts (up to 2 wt%) have been added into Al-Mn-Mg 3004 alloy to study their effect on the evolution of microstructure and elevated-temperature properties. Results showed that the dominant intermetallics are interdendritical Al6(MnFe) until to 1.5 wt% Mn. With further addition of Mn to 2 wt%, the blocky primary Al6Mn/Al6(MnFe) and high volume of fine Al6(MnFe) intermetallics form in the matrix, leading to the rapid increase on the volume fraction of intermetallics. After the precipitation heat treatment (375 °C/48 h), the precipitation of dispersoids increased with increasing Mn contents and reached the peak condition in the alloy with 1.5 wt% Mn, resulting in the highest yield strength and creep resistance at 300 °C. However, the elevated-temperature properties became worse in the alloy with 2 wt% Mn due to the lowest volume fraction of dispersoids and highest volume of dispersoid free zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribological and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Si-Sn-Pb alloys are studied. The effect of different alloying elements on the structure of their surface and its tribological properties is estimated. The alloys are studied at different stages of their production, i.e., after casting and homogenizing annealing. The character of surface transformations under friction simulated on fiction machines is investigated. The surface is visualized by means of optical and scanning probe microscopy and scanning electron microscopy combined with elemental analysis. Great amounts of oxygen leading to the formation of oxide particles with abrasive properties are revealed on the contact surfaces. The mass transfer of chemical elements also occurs in the contact area: the material of an insert 'spreads' over the shaft to form a film of secondary structures. At small thicknesses, this film serves as a solid lubricant, but might promote the formation of scoring during the development of microrelief. The application of two hardness measurement methods, such as 'microindentation' and 'nanoindentation', give mutually complementary results. The highest mechanical properties (hardness, up to 0.5 GPa) are established to be attained in silicon- and copper-containing alloys. Homogenizing annealing at 400°C is also revealed to decrease the hardness, but improve the plasticity, which is important for antifriction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A material flow analysis of the 2012 Swiss waste management system is presented, highlighting the material content available from waste. Half of municipal solid waste (MSW) is materially recycled and the other half thermally treated with energy recovery. A key component of an industrial ecosystem is increasing the resource efficiency through circulating materials. Recycling rates (RRs), an indicator for the circulating behavior of materials, are often used as measure for the degree of circularity of an economy. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the recycling of paper, cardboard, aluminum, tinplate, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from MSW in Switzerland by splitting the RRs into closed- and open-loop collection rate (CR) and RRs. Whereas CR refers to collected material that enters the recycling process, RRs measure the available secondary resources produced from recycling processes. For PET, the closed-loop CR of 45% and the open-loop CR of 40% compare to an RR of 31% and 37%, respectively (including exports and recycling of polyethylene and metals from collection). Official collection rates for paper and cardboard are very high (97%), whereas CR of 74% and 89% and RR of 59% and 81% for paper and cardboard, respectively, were found in the present study (including export). For a majority of the separately collected materials investigated, the rates that are determined are substantially lower than those that are officially communicated. Furthermore, given that official rates often do not provide information on the availability of secondary materials, the improvement potential for increased resource recovery is hidden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase formation was investigated via thermodynamic calculations of the Al-Si-Fe system within the range of commercial compositions with additions of Mn as a quaternary element. The calculations were performed using a commercial aluminum thermodynamic database and were compared with experimental data on sand casting from the literature. Both equilibrium and Scheil-Gulliver models were analyzed. The results showed that by adding Mn to the alloy it was possible to favor the formation of the Chinese script α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si intermetallic instead of the harmful platelet-shaped β-AlSiFe. Furthermore, the calculations indicated that with higher amounts of Mn, the β-AlSiFe intermetallic can be formed via a solid-state reaction, while α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si becomes the primary phase to form from the melt (also known as 'sludge' in the aluminum foundry industry). A relationship between Fe and Mn contents was identified that can prevent the formation of the β-AlSiFe intermetallic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study stages a comparative evaluation of microstructure and associated mechanical and thermal response for common cast aluminum alloys that are used for manufacturing automotive cylinder heads. The systems considered are Al-Cu (206-T6), Al-Si-Cu (319-T7), and Al-Si (356-T6, A356-T6, and A356 + 0.5Cu-T6). The focus of the present manuscript is on the evaluation of microstructure at various length scales after aging, while the second manuscript will deal with the mechanical and thermal response of these alloys due to short-term (aging) and long-term (pre-conditioning) heat treatments. At the grain-scale, the Al-Cu alloy possessed an equiaxed microstructure as opposed to the dendritic structure for the Al-Si-Cu or Al-Si alloys which is related to the individual solidification conditions for these alloy systems. The composition and morphology of intermetallic precipitates within the grain and at the grain/dendritic boundary are dictated by the alloy chemistry, solidification, and heat treatment conditions. At the nanoscale, these alloys contain various metastable strengthening precipitates (GPI and $$ \theta^{\prime\prime} $$ in Al-Cu alloy, $$ \theta^{\prime} $$ in Al-Si-Cu alloy, and $$ \beta^{\prime} $$ in Al-Si alloys) with varying size, morphology, coherency, and thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]