In recent years there has been an increase in the field of research of advanced steels that have excellent mechanical properties combining high strength with excellent ductility. Within this range of advanced steels are the stable austenitic phase steels at room temperature of twinning induced plasticity known as TWIP. An important aspect to highlight about TWIP steels is their addition with different microalloying elements, generally less than 0.20 wt. %, which are forming precipitated phases such as carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, and directly or indirectly control and/or modify microstructure and mechanical properties in these steels. Microalloying elements can cause a higher degree of hardening due to the formation of precipitates and grain refinement. The present research work studies the inclusions and second-phase particles formed in Fe–21Mn–1.3Si–1.6Al TWIP steels microalloyed with Ti, Nb, V, Mo and Ti/B in as-solution condition. TWIP steels melted in induction furnace were homogenized and hot-rolled at 1200 °C with reduction of 60 %. Subsequently, rolled plates were solubilized at 1100 °C followed by water quench. Thermodynamics-based predictions of inclusions and second-phases of different TWIP steels were carried out using JMatPro®V.9.1.2. Metallographic characterization was carried out by light optical and scanning electron microscopies (LOM, SEM), while second-phase particles characterization was performed using energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Also, Vickers microhardness tests were carried out in accordance to ASTM E92 standard. In general, results showed the formation of inclusions of AlN and MnS at higher temperatures, which act as nuclei points for the precipitation particles of each type of microalloying element (TiN, TiC, Nb (C, N), VC and MoC) at lower temperatures. The studied TWIP steels exhibit similar microhardness values, since the microalloying elements are mostly dissolved in solid solution. The TWIP steels microalloyed with V and Ti exhibited the highest microhardness values.

We aimed to quantify the proportion of people receiving care for HIV-infection that are 50 years or older (older HIV patients) in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2000 and 2015 and to estimate the contribution to the growth of this population of people enrolled before (<50yo) and after 50 years old (yo) (⩾50yo). We used a series of repeated, cross-sectional measurements over time in the Caribbean, Central and South American network (CCASAnet) cohort. We estimated the percentage of patients retained in care each year that were older HIV patients. For every calendar year, we divided patients into two groups: those who enrolled before age 50 and after age 50. We used logistic regression models to estimate the change in the proportion of older HIV patients between 2000 and 2015. The percentage of CCASAnet HIV patients over 50 years had a threefold increase (8% to 24%) between 2000 and 2015. Most of the growth of this population can be explained by the increasing proportion of people that enrolled before 50 years and aged in care. These changes will impact needs of care for people living with HIV, due to multiple comorbidities and high risk of disability associated with aging.

We introduce a forcing technique to construct three-dimensional arrays of generic extensions through FS (finite support) iterations of ccc posets, which we refer to as 3D-coherent systems. We use them to produce models of new constellations in Cichoń’s diagram, in particular, a model where the diagram can be separated into 7 different values. Furthermore, we show that this constellation of 7 values is consistent with the existence of a ${\rm{\Delta }}_3^1$ well-order of the reals.

Steady methane/air laminar premixed flames stabilised on a cylindrical bluff body subjected to a continuous rotation are analysed using joint direct numerical simulations (DNS) and experiments. DNS are carried out using a 19 species scheme for methane/air combustion and a lumped model to predict the cylinder temperature. Rotation of the cylinder induces a symmetry breaking of the flow, and leads to two distinct flame branches in the wake of the cylinder. DNS are validated against experiments in terms of flame topologies and velocity fields. DNS are then used to analyse flame structures and thermal effects. The location and structure of the two flames are differently modified by rotation and heat transfer: a superadiabatic flame branch stabilises close to the hot cylinder and burns preheated fresh gases while a subadiabatic branch is quenched over a large zone and anchors far downstream of the cylinder. Local flame structures are shown to be controlled to first order by the local enthalpy defect or excess due to heat transfer between the cylinder and the flow. An analysis of the local wall heat flux around the cylinder shows that, for low rotation speeds, the superadiabatic flame branch contributes to wall heat fluxes that considerably exceed typical values found for classical flame/wall interactions. However, for high rotation speeds, fluxes decrease because the cylinder is surrounded by a layer of burned gases that dilute incoming reactants and shield it from the flame.

In this work, nano, micro, and macro-indentation tests under standard or multicycle loading conditions were performed for studying the mechanical behavior of a crown borosilicate glass sample with the objective to study the scale effect in indentation and the influence of cracks formation on the assessment of mechanical properties. When no cracks were initiated during the indenter penetration, especially for low indentation loads, the mechanical properties were deduced by applying different methodologies, (i) Standard (or monocyclic) loading, (ii) Continuous Stiffness Measurement mode, (iii) Constant and progressive multicycle loading, and (iv) Dynamic hardness computation. It has been found independently of the loading conditions, Martens hardness and elastic modulus are approximately 3.3 and 70 GPa, respectively. However, when cracking and chipping are produced during the indentation test, two damage parameters related to hardness and elastic modulus can be used for representing the decrease of the mechanical properties as a function of the relative penetration depth.

The present work is a study on alkali activation of Mexican blast furnace slag, using sodium silicate. The aim is to produce an optimal specimen, homogeneous without carbonation, and with small fraction of crystalline phases, similar to CSH, which provide mechanical properties suitable to use in the construction industry. The samples were prepared using sodium silicate activator solutions with modulus (SiO2/Na2O) of 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75. The weight percentage of Na2O in the activator solutions was added at 4, 6 and 8% relative to the slag weight. The prepared samples were stored in sealed molds, at room temperature (20°C), during 7 days. The X-ray diffraction has revealed the presence of an amorphous phase, semi crystalline clinotobermorite phase and signals of calcium carbonate for the samples of 4 and 6 % of Na2O; in contrast with the 8% Na2O, where the latter signals almost disappeared. The specimen selected as optimal was prepared with an activator concentration of 8% of Na2O /Slag, and SiO2/Na2O of 1.25. A specimen under these optimal conditions was prepared with accelerated curing (40°C, humidity, 48 hours), and a compressive strength test was attained, with an average value of 52 MPa at 3 days.

Oil industry is very strategic for any country. Not only for their market share and their budgets, but also for the critical infrastructure interdependences that creates. Considering statistics and fractal geometry as a support for analysis, interpretation of data and as an aid in taking decisions, this paper deals with data obtained in 1994 and 2004 from the inspection of the onshore pipelines in Mexico. Making use of software Benoit and ITSM-2000, the time series were found to have a fractal behavior. Further analysis and contrast with a previous research base on artificial neural networks was also accomplished. As a result it was obtained a forecast for 2014, based on the sum of the time series of data.

The cognitive profile of early onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) has not been clearly defined. Mutations in the parkin gene are the most common genetic risk factor for EOPD and may offer information about the neuropsychological pattern of performance in both symptomatic and asymptomatic mutation carriers. EOPD probands and their first-degree relatives who did not have Parkinson’s disease (PD) were genotyped for mutations in the parkin gene and administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Performance was compared between EOPD probands with (N = 43) and without (N = 52) parkin mutations. The same neuropsychological battery was administered to 217 first-degree relatives to assess neuropsychological function in individuals who carry parkin mutations but do not have PD. No significant differences in neuropsychological test performance were found between parkin carrier and noncarrier probands. Performance also did not differ between EOPD noncarriers and carrier subgroups (i.e., heterozygotes, compound heterozygotes/homozygotes). Similarly, no differences were found among unaffected family members across genotypes. Mean neuropsychological test performance was within normal range in all probands and relatives. Carriers of parkin mutations, whether or not they have PD, do not perform differently on neuropsychological measures as compared to noncarriers. The cognitive functioning of parkin carriers over time warrants further study. (JINS, 2011, 17, 1–10)

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, July 30 – August 3, 2005

In ruminants, the urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) reflects the absorption of microbial purines and can be used as an index of microbial protein supply. The objective of this study, carried out in Aberdeen, 1992, was to examine whether PD concentrations in spot urine or plasma samples vary diurnally during a given feeding regime and if they reflect differences in daily PD excretion induced by varying feed intake. Sixteen sheep were offered ad libitum one of four diets (fresh weight basis, the rest of each diet being minerals and vitamins): (1) 99·9% lucerne (pelleted); (2) 50% hay, 30% barley, 9% fishmeal and 10% molasses; (3) 72% straw, 7% molasses and 20% molassed sugarbeet pulp; and (4) 97% barley. Measurements were made for 1 week after a 2-week adaptation period. Urine was collected daily on days 1–4 and hourly on days 5–7. Hourly urine collection was achieved using a fraction collector. Plasma samples were collected hourly from 09·00 to 17·00 h on day 4. Feed intake varied considerably (347–1718 g DM/day) between diets and between animals. Daily excretion of PD (7·1–22·6 mmol/day) was linearly related to DM intake (r = 0·85, n = 16), and so was the microbial N supply (3·9–19·5 g N/day) estimated from daily PD excretion (r = 0·87). In hourly urine samples, the ratio of PD:creatinine concentrations showed no significant difference between sampling times, and was linearlycorrelated with the daily PD excretion (r = 0·92). Similarly, plasma PD concentration also showed little diurnal fluctuation. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased with feed intake. Plasma PD was not well correlated with daily PD excretion in urine (r = 0·57). The tubular load of PD (plasma PD × GFR) was better correlated with the daily excretion (r = 0·80). It appears that when sheep are fed ad libitum, PD in spot urine may provide a practical indicator of microbial protein supply status.

The fabrication of GaAs-GaAIAs coupled quantum dots and of quantum rings using electron beam lithography and dry etching is described. Coupled dots of physical diameter of 500 and 250 nm were fabricated and processed with top electrical contacts to apply an electric field. We show that the emission spectrum of coupled dots is modified by the electric field. Quantum rings of 400 nm outer diameter and wall thickness of 25 nm were fabricated. The emission spectrum from rings showed the quantum well emission shifted to higher energies and although its intensity decreased by about one order of magnitude there was little linewidth broadening.

The trapping capability of Arthrobotrys oligospora and A. conoides (Hyphomycetales) against third stage larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae) was evaluated in an in vitro trial. Arthrobotrys oligospora showed a 35.87% and 25.71% trapping effectiveness against H. contortus infective larvae at 18 and 25°C, respectively; whereas the trapping capability of A. conoides was 92.17% and 90.40% at the same temperatures, respectively. Microscopic examination demonstrated that A. conoides spontaneously developed a large quantity of three-dimensional loops before the nematodes were added. Neither of the two species studied developed three-dimensional adhesive loops at 30°C, consequently no trapped nematode was observed. In a second trial, the trapping capability of A. conoides against H. contortus (L3) and second stage larvae (J2) of Nacobbus aberrans (Pratylenchidae), was evaluated at 25°C. The trapping capability shown by A. conoides was higher than 90% for both kinds of nematode. The possible use of A. conoides to control ovine haemonchosis is discussed.

In ruminants, daily urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) reflects the absorption of microbial purines and can be used as an index of microbial protein supply (Chen, Ørskov and Hovell, 1991). The application could be extended to farm conditions if measurements based on spot urine samples or plasma could serve as an alternative index. The objective of this study was to examine whether PD concentrations in spot urine or plasma samples vary diurnally during a given feeding regime and if they reflect differences in daily PD excretion induced by varying feed intake.