Flaw-induced plastic-flow dynamics in bulk metallic glasses under tension

Inheriting amorphous atomic structures without crystalline lattices, bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are known to have superior mechanical properties, such as high strength approaching the ideal value, but are susceptible to catastrophic failures. Understanding the plastic-flow dynamics of BMGs is important for achieving stable plastic flow in order to avoid catastrophic failures, especially under tension, where almost all BMGs demonstrate limited plastic flow with catastrophic failure. Previous findings have shown that the plastic flow of BMGs displays critical dynamics under compression tests, however, the plastic-flow dynamics under tension are still unknown. Here we report that power-law critical dynamics can also be achieved in the plastic flow of tensile BMGs by introducing flaws. Differing from the plastic flow under compression, the flaw-induced plastic flow under tension shows an upward trend in the amplitudes of the load drops with time, resulting in a stable plastic-flow stage with a power-law distribution of the load drop. We found that the flaw-induced plastic flow resulted from the stress gradients around the notch roots, and the stable plastic-flow stage increased with the increase of the stress concentration factor ahead of the notch root. The findings are potentially useful for predicting and avoiding the catastrophic failures in tensile BMGs by tailoring the complex stress fields in practical structural-applications.

Voxel-based approach to generate entire human metacarpal bone with microscopic architecture for finite element analysis

With the development of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) technology, it is possible to construct three-dimensional (3D) models of human bone without destruction of samples and predict mechanical behavior of bone using finite element analysis (FEA). However, due to large number of elements required for constructing the FE models of entire bone, this demands a substantial computational effort and the analysis usually needs a high level of computer. In this article, a voxel-based approach for generation of FE models of entire bone with microscopic architecture from micro-CT image data is proposed. To enable the FE analyses of entire bone to be run even on a general personal computer, grayscale intensity thresholds were adopted to reduce the amount of elements. Human metacarpal bone (MCP) bone was used as an example for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed method. The micro-CT images of the MCP bone were combined and converted into 3D array of pixels. Dual grayscale intensity threshold parameters were used to distinguish the pixels of bone tissues from those of surrounding soft tissues and improve predictive accuracy for the FE analyses with different sizes of elements. The method of selecting an appropriate value of the second grayscale intensity threshold was also suggested to minimize the area error for the reconstructed cross-sections of a FE structure. Experimental results showed that the entire FE MCP bone with microscopic architecture could be modeled and analyzed on a personal computer with reasonable accuracy.

Parameter optimization for the visco-hyperelastic constitutive model of tendon using FEM

Numerous constitutive models describing the mechanical properties of tendons have been proposed during the past few decades. However, few were widely used owing to the lack of implementation in the general finite element (FE) software, and very few systematic studies have been done on selecting the most appropriate parameters for these constitutive laws. In this work, the visco-hyperelastic constitutive model of the tendon implemented through the use of three-parameter Mooney-Rivlin form and sixty-four-parameter Prony series were firstly analyzed using ANSYS FE software. Afterwards, an integrated optimization scheme was developed by coupling two optimization toolboxes (OPTs) of ANSYS and MATLAB for estimating these unknown constitutive parameters of the tendon. Finally, a group of Sprague-Dawley rat tendons was used to execute experimental and numerical simulation investigation. The simulated results showed good agreement with the experimental data. An important finding revealed that too many Maxwell elements was not necessary for assuring accuracy of the model, which is often neglected in most open literatures. Thus, all these proved that the constitutive parameter optimization scheme was reliable and highly efficient. Furthermore, the approach can be extended to study other tendons or ligaments, as well as any visco-hyperelastic solid materials.

Modeling of muscle fatigue using Hill's model

A new model incorporating muscle fatigue has been developed to predict the effect of muscle fatigue on the force-time relationship of skeletal muscle by using the PAK-program. Differential equations in the incremental form have been implemented into Hill's muscle model. In order to describe the effect of muscle fatigue and recovery on skeletal muscle behaviors, a set of equations in terms of three phenomenological parameters which are a fatigue curve under sustained maximal activation, a recovery curve and an endurance function were developed. With reference to existing models and experimental results, the input parameters for fatigue curve under sustained maximal activation and endurance function were determined. The model has been investigated under an isometric condition. The effects of different shapes of the recovery curves have also been considered in this model. Validation of the model has been performed by comparing the predicted results with the experimental data from an existing literature.

Influence of interphase layer on the overall elasto-plastic behaviors of HA/PEEK biocomposite

A three-dimensional finite element unit cell model has been designed and constructed for studying mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) biocomposite. The model consists of an elastic-brittle HA spherical particle, an elasto-plastic matrix and an interphase layer between the particle and the matrix. The interphase layers with four different kinds of material behaviors have been taken into consideration to examine their effects on the overall properties of the composite. The damage evolution in the matrix and the interphase layer, and the interface failure, were also taken into account. Some other factors, such as mesh sensitivity, loading velocity and mass scale scheme, were also discussed in this investigation. A general-purpose finite element software package, ABAQUS, incorporated with a user-defined material subroutine, was used to perform the analysis. The predicted results were compared with the experimental data obtained from existing literatures. The results predicted by using the cell model with consideration of the matrix degradation and the effects of the damage and failure on the interphase layer are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Hence, the suitability of our proposed cell model incorporated with an appropriate type of the interphase layer for modeling the mechanical properties of the particulate biocomposite could be verified.

Active finite element analysis of skeletal muscle-tendon complex during isometric, shortening and lengthening contraction

An active finite element model was developed to predict the mechanical behaviors of skeletal muscle-tendon complex during isometric, shortening and lengthening contraction. The active finite element was created through incorporation of a user-defined material property into ABAQUS finite element code. The active finite element is controlled by a motor element that is activated by a mathematical function. The nonlinear passive behavior of the muscle was defined by the viscoelastic elements and can be easily altered to other properties by using other elements in the material library without the need of re-defining the constitutive relation of the muscle. The isometric force-length relationship, force-strain relations of the muscle-tendon complex during both shortening and lengthening contraction and muscle relaxation response were predicted using the proposed finite element model. The predicted results were found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. In addition, the stress distribution in the muscle-tendon complex during isometric, shortening and lengthening contractions was simulated. The location of the maximum stress may provide useful information for studying muscle damage and fatigue in the future.

Role of acute elevation of portal venous pressure by exogenous glucagon on gastric mucosal injury in rats with portal hypertension

Time-course studies revealed the increased susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to noxious injury in portal hypertension correlates with the level of elevated portal venous pressure and hyperglucagonemia. Whether acute elevation of portal venous pressure by exogenous glucagon aggravates such injury is not known. We tested the hypothesis that glucagon in a dose sufficient to acutely elevate portal venous pressure aggravates noxious injury of the gastric mucosa in rats with portal hypertension. Infusion of a portal hypotensive dose of somatostatin should reverse these changes. In anesthetized rats with portal vein ligation, glucagon, somatostatin or the combination was administered intravenously in a randomized, coded fashion. Acidified ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury was determined. Portal venous pressure and gastric mucosal perfusion and oxygenation (reflectance spectrophotometry) were monitored to confirm the effects of the respective intravenous treatments. Exogenous glucagon exacerbated acidified ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. The exacerbation was attenuated by somatostatin. These changes paralleled the portal hypertensive and hypotensive effects of glucagon and somatostatin, respectively. Our data suggest that a unique mechanism is triggered with the onset of portal hypertension. In an antagonistic manner, glucagon and somatostatin modulate this novel mechanism that controls portal venous pressure and susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to noxious injury.

Wear performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/quartz composites

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/quartz composites were compression molded in the presence of organosiloxane, and then hydrolyzed. The used organosiloxane is vinyl tri-ethyloxyl silane. The gelation, the melting behavior, the crystallinity, the mechanical properties and the wear resistance of UHMWPE/quartz composites were investigated. The results showed that organosiloxane can act as a cross-linking agent for UHMWPE matrix and serve as a coupling agent for improving the bonding between the quartz particles and the UHMWPE matrix. The correlation between the various properties and the morphology of the composites has been discussed. At about 0.5phr organsiloxane while the degree of crystallinity of the composite is at the peak value of 57%, the mechanical properties and the wear resistance of UHMWPE/quartz composites reaches their maximum.

Potassium channels participate in gastric mucosal protection in rats with partial portal vein ligation

Glybenclamide, an adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (K+(ATP)) channel blocker, lowered portal pressure and attenuated the hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation in rats with partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). The purpose of this report was to confirm these observations and to test the hypothesis that glybenclamide could reduce acidified ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats with PPVL. Gastric mucosal blood flow (hydrogen gas clearance), systemic blood pressure, and portal pressure were monitored in rats with PPVL or sham operation (SO). Intravenous glybenclamide (20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered, followed by intragastric acidified ethanol (0.15 N HCl and 15% ethanol). The area of gastric mucosal lesions was assessed by image analysis. In contrast to published findings, there was no significant elevation of portal pressure after glybenclamide administration in rats with PPVL. Glybenclamide did not alter the gastric mucosal hyperemia in these rats. Glybenclamide significantly increased mucosal injury. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that K+(ATP) channels play a role in protecting the gastric mucosa in rats with PPVL.

Somatostatin reduces gastric mucosal blood flow in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy: a randomized, double-blind crossover study

Agents which decrease gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) are postulated to have beneficial effects in arresting gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that in a dose that significantly lowers wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), a bolus injection of somatostatin will significantly decrease GMBF in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study, 20 cirrhotic patients with PHG were randomly assigned to receive either somatostatin followed by placebo (Group A) or placebo followed by somatostatin (Group B). Wedged hepatic venous pressure was monitored. GMBF in the antrum and corpus was assessed by reflectance spectrophotometry. Indices of hemoglobin concentration (IHb) and indices of oxygen content (ISO2) were recorded. Nine patients were assigned to Group A, and 11 to Group B. Mild PHG was seen in 16 patients, and severe PHG in 4 patients. Baseline WHVP, IHb, and ISO2 were similar in both treatment groups. Wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) was significantly lowered [median, 17.6%; interquartile range (-27.0,-12.6%); P = 0.0008] after a 250-microg bolus injection of somatostatin. This dose of somatostatin significantly reduced IHb both in the antrum [-10.2% (-23.4, 0.4%)] and in the corpus [-5.8% (-16.6, 5.6%)] compared to placebo (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Intravenous bolus injection of 250 microg somatostatin significantly reduces WHVP and GMBF in patients with PHG. Whether this ability to decrease the GMBF in PHG makes somatostatin an effective treatment in acute gastrointestinal bleeding in PHG deserves to be studied.

Biliary IgA secretion in obstructive jaundice: the effects of endoscopic drainage

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin A is the predominant immunoglobulin in the bile. Data on the effects of biliary obstruction on IgA secretion are few.

METHODS

The serum and bile IgA levels in patients with common duct stones (n = 27) or with malignant obstructive jaundice (n = 20) were collected by insertion of nasobiliary catheters. Single samples of common duct bile from patients with gallstones (n = 24) were collected as controls. Bile samples collected were measured for total IgA, secretory IgA, and free secretory component levels by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Bile total IgA, secretory IgA, and free secretory component in the common duct stones group (82.7 +/- 11.4 microgram/ml, 18.4 +/- 1.7 microgram/ml, 0.74 +/- 0.15 microgram/ml) and the malignant obstructive jaundice group (81.6 +/- 10.7 microgram/ml, 18.2 +/- 2.4 microgram/ml, 0.57 +2- 0.12 microgram/ml) were found to be significantly lower than those of the control gallstone patients (104.8 +/- 3.4 microgram/ml, 33.2 +/- 2.9 microgram/ml, 1.03 +/- 0.12 microgram/ml) (P < 0.05). Serum secretory IgA levels in the common duct stones (26.53 +/- 1.75 microgram/ml) and malignant obstructive jaundice groups (26.03 +/- 3.48 microgram/ml) were significantly higher than the gallstone group (18.45 +/- 4.56 microgram/ml). The bile-to-serum concentration ratio of total IgA, secretory IgA, and free secretory component levels rose significantly within 48 hours after relief of obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary obstruction secondary to both calculus or malignancy of the hepatobiliary system causes suppression of bile IgA secretion and elevated serum level of secretory IgA. Bile secretory IgA secretion recovers with endoscopic drainage of the obstructed system.

Somatostatin attenuates the hyperdynamic circulatory state in the gastric mucosa of rats with portal hypertension

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertensive gastropathy is characterized by a hyperdynamic circulatory state in the gastric mucosa. We assessed the effect of bolus injection of somatostatin on gastric mucosal perfusion in a rat model of portal hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that somatostatin will reduce gastric mucosal perfusion in portal hypertension.

METHODS

Portal hypertension was induced by two-stage portal vein ligation (PVL). Two weeks after PVL significant elevation of portal venous pressure was demonstrated. Gastric mucosal hemodynamic changes were measured by reflectance spectrophotometry, which records the indexes of mucosal hemoglobin oxygen saturation (ISO2) and mucosal hemoglobin concentration (IHB).

RESULTS

After an intravenous bolus of 1 microgram somatostatin significant reductions of ISO2 and IHB were demonstrated in the rats with PVL (ISO2, -34 +/- 5%; IHB, -15 +/- 2%) and the controls (ISO2, -26 +/- 4%; IHB, -15 +/- 2%). A dose-response relationship was shown by using 0.01, 0.1, and 1 microgram of somatostatin. Somatostatin did not induce other hemodynamic changes except a transient drop in systemic blood pressure of 8-10%.

CONCLUSION

The significant reductions of gastric mucosal ISO2 and IHB by somatostatin support the hypothesis that somatostatin is capable of attenuating the hyperdynamic circulatory state in the gastric mucosa of rats with portal hypertension and may have a beneficial effect on portal hypertensive gastropathy. This hypothesis deserves to be evaluated in clinical studies.

Omitting side-holes in biliary stents does not improve drainage of the obstructed biliary system: a prospective randomized trial

Sludge, which occludes biliary stents, forms mainly around the side-holes of such stents. It has been reported that omitting the side-holes results in less sludge formation and theoretically improves drainage. To compare the clinical efficacy of biliary stents with and without side-holes, we randomized patients with malignant or benign strictures to receive 10FG polyethylene stents either with side-holes (SH) or without side-holes (NSH). The patients were seen at 4, 12, 20, and 28 weeks after stenting for symptom evaluation and serum liver enzyme and bilirubin assays. The stents were replaced only when clinical symptoms of cholangitis developed. Each group included 35 patients. The mean age of patients in the SH group was 68 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1:1.3. In the NSH group, the mean age of patients was 67 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1:1.4. Eight patients with SH stents and eight with NSH stents died before the stents were removed; two NSH stents migrated into the duodenum. During a mean follow-up period of 8.1 weeks (range, 1.1 to 28 weeks for the SH group and 0.6 to 28 weeks for the NSH group), 18 stents were found to be occluded in the SH group and 17 in the NSH group. The median time before total occlusion was 7.8 weeks (range, 2.6 to 28) for SH stents and 7.9 weeks (range, 0.6 to 28) for NSH stents (p > 0.1, NS). The occluded stents removed from these patients were freeze-dried and weighed to quantitate the sludge blocking the stent lumen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)