In situ investigation of production processes in a large chamber scanning electron microscope.

A large-chamber scanning electron microscope (LC-SEM) provides an ideal platform for the installation of large-scale in situ experiments. Our LC-SEM has internal chamber dimensions of 1,2 × 1,3 × 1,4 m3 (W × H × D) (Fig.1) and makes it possible to incorporate novel in situ experimental devices, which are reported on here. The present manuscript describes in detail the development of in situ test equipment for the study of a broad range of processes in production engineering. Direct observation of the materials modification mechanisms provides fundamental insight into the underlying process characteristics. An in situ turning device was developed, tested and used to observe the chip formation on the microstructure scale of a 43CrMo4-sample. Laser beam micro welding was integrated into the LC-SEM to achieve in situ analysis of the welding process on stainless steel 1.4310. A heating module was employed for in situ wetting experiments to observe the formation and solidification of the melt of a tin-copper brazing filler on an aluminium cast alloy.

Nano structured physical vapor deposited coatings by means of picosecond laser radiation.

Molding of nano structures by injection molding leads to special requirements for the tools e.g., wear resistance and as low as possible release forces of the molded components. On the other hand it is not allowed to affect the replication precision. Physical vapor deposition is one of the promising technologies for applying coatings with adapted properties like high hardness, low roughness, low Young's modulus and less adhesion to the plastics melt. Although physical vapor deposition technology allows the deposition of films on micro structures without changing the structure significantly, film deposition on nano structures and small micro structures leads to a relevant change in surface topography. For this reason direct structuring of physical vapor deposition coatings might be beneficial. In this paper structuring was done using a picoseconds ultraviolet laser, Lumera Laser "Rapid," with a master oscillator power amplifier system at 355 nm. Two different coatings were deposited by magnetron sputter ion plating physical vapor deposition technology for laser structuring tests ((Cr, Al)N, (Cr, Al,Si)N). After deposition, the coatings were analyzed by common techniques regarding hardness, Young's modulus and morphology. The structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show a high potential for laser structuring of coatings deposited via physical vapor deposition. Linear structures with sizes between 400 nm and 10microm were realized.

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and psychopathy.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity appears to be correlated to certain diagnostic subgroups and symptom patterns. A group of criminal offenders hospitalized for forensic psychiatric assessment were studied. Male nurses and construction workers were used as controls. Patients who were diagnosed as psychopaths according to the criteria of Cleckley had significantly lower platelet MAO activity than the control group of construction workers.

Metipranolol and propranolol: no CNS effects of a single oral dose.

Effects of single oral doses of the beta-blocking drugs propranolol (40 mg) and metipranolol (Disorat, Boehringer, Mannheim, FRG, 5 and 20 mg), in comparison with placebo, on mental performance and psychophysiological measures were investigated in a double-blind crossover study comprising 12 healthy volunteers. Effects were evaluated using a battery of highly reliable and sensitive computerized indices of mental performance and a comprehensive range of psychophysiological measures. Propranolol and metipranolol had no effects on mental performance, in contrast to findings in a previous study for bunitrolol (Stresson, Boehringer, Ingelheim, FRG). There were marked effects on some autonomic functions; dose-dependent for heart rate and heart rate response, and dose-independent for blood pressure and finger tremor. In the previous study bunitrolol had no effect on tremor and blood pressure and a less marked effect on heart rate. The lack of psychotropic effects for metipranolol and propranolol as compared to bunitrolol cannot be predicted from pharmacokinetic properties or peripheral effects of the three drugs, arguing for the need for systematic screening using psychometric and psychophysiological methods of current and new beta-blocking drugs. A comparison between the effect of propranolol given in a single oral dose and findings in a previous study with repeated administration suggested that the differences in effect profile between acute and chronic administration of the drug are small.