Ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene‐fiber surface treatment by electron‐beam‐irradiation‐induced graft polymerization and its effect on adhesion in a styrene–butadiene rubber matrix

Aiming to develop a high‐performance fiber‐reinforced rubber from styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), we applied a special technique using electron‐beam (EB)‐irradiation‐induced graft polymerization to ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. The molecular interaction between the grafted UHMWPE fibers and an SBR matrix was studied through the evaluation of the adhesive behavior of the fibers in the SBR matrix. Although UHMWPE was chemically inert, two monomers, styrene and N‐vinyl formamide (NVF), were examined for graft polymerization onto the UHMWPE fiber surface. Styrene was not effective, but NVF was graft‐polymerized onto the UHMWPE fibers with this special method. A methanol/water mixture and dioxane were used as solvents for NVF, and the effects of the solvents on the grafting percentage of NVF were also examined. The methanol/water mixture was more effective. A grafting percentage of 16.4% was the highest obtained. This improved the adhesive force threefold with respect to that of untreated UHMWPE fibers. These results demonstrated that EB irradiation enabled graft polymerization to occur even on the inert surface of UHMWPE fibers. However, the mechanical properties of the fibers could be compromised according to the dose of EB irradiation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2595–2603, 2004     

The evolution of a truncated gaussian probability density through time—modelling animal liveweights after selection

The form of the probability density derived from the evolution in time of a previously truncated frequency distribution of animal Liveweights is of interest in animal husbandry. Truncated frequency distributions arise when the heavier animals are sold for slaughter and the lighter animals retained. The demands of modern quality assurance schemes require that, given information on animal growth, the farmer is able to estimate the number of animals that would meet the specifications at some time in the future after truncation. Assuming that animal growth can be described by a linear stochastic differential equation, we derive an explicit expression for the probability density of animal Liveweights at any time after the truncation of an initial Gaussian density. It is shown that this probability density converges rapidly to a Gaussian density, so that after about 20 days of typical growth rates for lambs, the resulting density is practically indistinguishable from Gaussian.     

Thinking and Turing's test

The questions raised by A. M. Turing in his paper on thought and machines are discussed. Human thought is considered in turn as a concept of normal language usage, as a basic concept of psychology, and as the basis of intellectual activity. It is concluded that neither of these notions of thought identifies something specific that a human being can or cannot do. The imitation game proposed by Turing for deciding whether a machine can think is found to result from an arbitrary empoverishment of the channel of communication between the interrogator and the item under investigation. Turing's notions of thinking are shown to lead to logical difficulties. An alternative view of consciousness, that would place it beyond the reach of any finite test, is finally discussed.     

Optical bistability in an all-optical fiber nonlinear fabry-perot resonator with linear absorption

An all-optical fiber nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator is proposed. The steady-state model for describing this resonator is developed. The transmission and refection bistabilities are shown numerically. Our results show that the bistability in this system is similar to that in a normal nonlinear Fabry-Perot etalon, except that the characteristics of the bistability can be changed not only by the cavity length but also by the phase shifts of the fiber loop mirrors.     

The accurate dimensional measurements within small internal structures

This paper shows that the dimension of internal structure of a component can be measured remotely to a resolution better than 5 μm by use of the combination of high resolution optical microscopy and image processing.A specialised high resolution, long working distance and diffraction limited lens was used to image within the component. A series of digital images were made to map spatially the interior of the component. An edge detector was then used to localise the specific location of features in order that an accurate internal measurement could be made. A visualisation of the internal surface finish was also achieved.     

Investigation of thin-film electroluminescent structures on rough subsrates

Results of experimental investigations of the volt-brightness characteristics, frequency dependences of brightness, and the directional radiation pattern of electroluminescent MSDM, MSCM, and MSDCM emitters, where M stands for the first transparent and second nontransparent electrodes, S is a semiconductor, D is a thin-film dielectric, and C is a silicone-based composite liquid dielectric with a powdered segnetoelectric filler, developed on conventional “smooth” and rough glass substrates are presented. It is shown that electroluminescent structures on rough surfaces have a brightness approximately two times higher than that of similar structures developed on a “smooth” substrate. Ul’yanovsk State University, 42, L. Tolstoi St., Ul’yanovsk, 432700, Russia. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 507–512, July–August, 1997.     

Investigation of acceptor centers in semiconductors with the diamond crystal structure by the μ − SR method

The residual polarization of negative muons in crystal silicon samples with phosphorus (P: 1.6×10¹³ cm⁻³) and antimony (Sb: 2×10¹⁸ cm⁻³) impurities is investigated. The measurements are made in a 1000 G magnetic field oriented in a direction transverse to the muon spin in the temperature range 4–300 K. The relaxation rate and shift of the precession frequency in the silicon sample with the phosphorus impurity are measured more accurately than previously. It is found that in antimony-doped silicon the acceptor center _μ A1 at temperatures below 30 K can be in both ionized and neutral states. The experimental data are interpreted on the basis of spin-lattice relaxation of the magnetic moment of an acceptor center, formation of acceptor-donor pairs, and recombination of charge carriers at the acceptor. Preliminary measurements showed a nonzero residual polarization of negative muons in germanium. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 68, No. 1, 61–66 (10 July 1998)     

The effect of voice lessons on the clinical and perceptual skills of graduate students in speech-language pathology

Two groups of 10 speech-language pathology graduate students were each given 7 weeks of singing lessons to determine whether voice lessons could have an effect on their clinical and perceptual skills. Pre-, mid-, and posttests to measure various skills were designed and implemented. With use of paired sample statistical testing, statistically significant results were obtained. In addition, the subjective responses of the students show that the lessons were effective in improving pitch perception, breath control, and legato production or easy onset. This study supports efforts to integrate curricula in vocal performance and speech-language pathology.