Growth Kinetics of the (110) Faces of Complex Potassium Cobalt–Nickel Sulphate K2CoxNi1−x(SO4)2·6H2O Crystals

The normal growth rate, the steepness of polygonized growth hillocks and the velocity of step movement on the (110) faces of potassium cobalt–nickel sulphate crystals in aqueous solutions with cobalt to nickel ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 were investigated as a function of supersaturation by the geometry of growth hillocks using laser interferometry. It was found that the morphologies of growth hillocks on the (110) faces of the crystals grown from 1:1 and 1:2 solutions are similar and that the growth hillocks are formed by multiple screw dislocation sources. The experimental data on the growth kinetics of the (110) faces of the crystals were analyzed by using the Burton–Cabrera–Frank theory. It was found that (1) there is a critical supersaturation for the growth of the (110) faces, and the value of this supersaturation in the 1:2 solution is higher than that in the 1:1 solution, and (2) the kinetic coefficient of the step movement in the sectors of growth hillocks is highly anisotropic, and the values of this coefficient are larger in 1:2 solution than in 1:1 solution. These results are discussed in the presented work.

Conversion of geared DC motor into stepper motor using switching delay time signals

In solar tracking system, general stepper motor is used to control the stepwise movement and low speed of solar panel in vertical motion. Degree of rotation is directly proportional to stepwise movement (stepping method) of stepper motor. But it is cumbersome process to hold a solar panel at a particular vertical position depending on the sun’s position using low cost stepper motors. So, geared DC motor is implemented into stepper motor for low-speed applications using Stepping Method (GDCSM). Degree per step movement of geared DC motor is identified using Step angle switching delay time signal (A) of microcontroller. Speed of geared DC motor is controlled by passing fixed time interval between the pulses where the pulses have fixed width. Controlling speed is implemented by using Step delay time signal (D) of microcontroller. Combining effect of switching delay time signals A and D represents the Stepping Method. Stepping method resembles the step movement and controlling speed of the stepper motor. Speed of 10RPM & 30RPM geared DC motors is operated at 10V DC power supply. Microcontroller ATmega 328P with switching delay time signals is used to control the geared DC motors. Performance of 10RPM & 30RPM GDCSM is analyzed with stepper motors in terms of Relative slip degree error per revolution (RE$$_\mathrm{{S}}$$ S ) and acceptable slippage degree tolerance under open loop condition. Change in consuming voltage tolerance ($$\varDelta$$ Δ ) during rotation of GDCSM is another parameter which is used to maintain the constant actual total step count per revolutions of GDCSM. At 40 ms of step angle delay time (A), 10RPMGDCSM has 120 steps per revolution. At 25 ms of A, 30RPMGDCSM has 55 steps per revolution. Speed of 10RPM & 30RPM GDCSM is controllable up to 2RPM when its RE$$_\mathrm{{S}}$$ S or acceptable slippage degree tolerance value is less than or equal to 1%. If $$\varDelta$$ Δ value of GDCSM is less than or equal to − 0.4%, then it behaves like stepper motor. GDCSM is suitable to hold and control vertical position of solar tracking system with low speed and step movement. Performance of geared DC motor experimentally showed better result than commercial available stepper motors like 28BYJ-48 or STP-43d1027-01.

The Rhythm Detox: A shaking body reset and fascinating rhythm infusion

Rhythm not only connects the notes of a song into pleasing melody, it also organizes much of our everyday experience. Everything has an underlying rhythm including speech, thoughts and how bodies move through space. When people feel stuck, lifeless or in need of a creative inspirational reset, we propose paying more attention to the rhythms organizing their somatic expression rather than only attending to inner psychological states. This can be done through what we call a ‘Rhythm Detox’, a brief two-step movement practice. Step one begins with a simple body shake performed without listening to any percussion. Step two involves playing a recording of any lively, syncopated rhythms and enacting a unique means of catching the surprising changes and off beats. This experimental means of resourcefully interrupting, shaking up and reinvigorating the rhythms organizing your daily movement habits can be done alone or with others and as often as needed throughout the day.

Parents' experiences of substance use problems, parenthood, and recovery within the 12-step movement

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how people with earlier substance use problems narrated their experiences of becoming and being parents. The literature in this area is limited. Method: The study participants, all active members of the 12-step movement, were interviewed about their experiences of substance use problems, recovery, and parenthood. The data were analysed using a narrative theoretical framework seeking to answer the questions of how the parents narrate their experiences of parenthood within the frame of a classic 12-step storyline and how they present themselves as parents through these narratives. Results: The results show that, on the whole, the narratives conformed to a classic 12-step storyline. For example, the narratives’ turning points were often built up around experiences of “hitting rock bottom”, when the negative consequences of substance use culminated in dramatic events forcing the narrators to see the seriousness of their problems. At the same time the motivational potential of having or expecting (or wishing for future) children was downplayed by several study participants, who instead said that positive driving forces such as human relationships were not enough to break through their denial of their substance use problems. Finally, all study participants described how the process of working towards sobriety had been a transformative experience through which they had come in better contact with their feelings and emotions, and they defined this as an important resource in their everyday lives as parents. Conclusion: The results showed that the parents, when narrating their experiences within the frames of a classic 12-step storyline, were also able to present themselves as competent parents, empowered rather than stigmatised by their earlier experiences.

The Use of Different Modes of Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) for Enhancing Speed of the Slide-Step in Basketball Players

Background: This study aimed to determine whether 5% of body mass-resisted or assisted conditioning activity (CA) can enhance 5 m slide-step movement performance. Methods: Sixteen division I basketball players participated in this study (23.6 ± 4.4 years; 86.3 ± 5.9 kg; 192.3 ± 6.2 cm; training experience 6.7 ± 2.6 years). The experiment was performed following a randomized crossover design, where each participant performed two different exercise protocols—assisted and resisted CA each consisting of four sets of 10 m slide-step movement with 5% of body mass external load and 1 min rest intervals between. To assess the differences between baseline and post-assisted, as well as post-resisted CA, the participants performed a 2 × 5 m slide-step movement 6 min after each CA protocol. The differences in time between baseline, post-assisted and post-resisted CA were examined using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between baseline and post-assisted postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) (p = 0.011). There were no significant intragroup differences between baseline and post-resisted CA (p = 0.230). Conclusion: Findings of the study show that a light load assisted CA (5% of body mass) effectively elicits a potentiation response among basketball players.

Investigation of Hydro-piercing Method for Stainless Steels by Finite Element Method

Researches and studies on hydroforming process, which is a method that is getting more and more popular every day thanks to its many advantages in application, are ongoing. It is possible to pierce- the holes on a tube or sheet hydroformed part using hydropiercing method after the forming operation. In this study, hydropiercing process of a 304 stainless steel is simulated via the LS-Dyna in 2D axial symmetry model. In the simulations two types of punch movement was investigated to determine the contribution to the burr formation. In the simulations, Jonson-Cook hardening and damage model were used to determine the initiation of the crack on the samples. As a result, the burr formation can be eliminated by the two step movement of the punch through the piercing operation.