Simulation-based super-resolution EBSD for measurements of relative deformation gradient tensors.

We summarize a data analysis approach for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) which uses high-resolution Kikuchi pattern simulations to measure isochoric relative deformation gradient tensors from experimentally measured Kikuchi patterns of relatively low resolution. Simulation-based supersampling of the theoretical test diffraction patterns enables a significant precision improvement of tensor parameters obtained in best-fit determinations of strains and orientations from low-resolution experimental patterns. As an application, we demonstrate high-resolution orientation and strain analysis for the model case of hardness test indents on a Si(100) wafer, using Kikuchi patterns of variable resolution.

A knowledge-based equation of daily work exposure.

The objective of this study was to establish a predictive equation that expresses the daily work exposure as a function of variables that define complex work tasks. The equation was verified with data reported in reviewed publications. The ScienceDirect, PubMed, and ProQuest databases were searched using keywords related to variables that characterize intermittent tasks and those that describe muscle fatigue resulting from these tasks.

EBSD and TKD analyses using inverted contrast Kikuchi diffraction patterns and alternative measurement geometries.

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns can exhibit Kikuchi bands with inverted contrast due to anomalous absorption. This can be observed, for example, on samples with nanoscale topography, in case of a low tilt backscattering geometry, or for transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) on thicker samples. Three examples are discussed where contrast-inverted physics-based simulated master patterns have been applied to find the correct crystal orientation.

Population-specific equations of age-related maximum handgrip force: a comprehensive review.

Background: The measurement of handgrip force responses is important in many aspects, for example: to complement neurological assessments, to investigate the contribution of muscle mass in predicting functional outcomes, in setting realistic treatment goals, evaluating rehabilitation strategies. Normative data about handgrip force can assist the therapist in interpreting a patient's results compared with healthy individuals of the same age and gender and can serve as key decision criteria. In this context, establishing normative values of handgrip strength is crucial.

Differences in lumbar spine intradiscal pressure between standing and sitting postures: a comprehensive literature review.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), especially in the lumbar spine, are a leading concern in occupational health. Work activities associated with excessive exposure are a source of risk for MSDs. The optimal design of workplaces requires changes in both sitting and standing postures.

Synthesis and Characterization of Boron Carbide Nanoparticles as Potential Boron-Rich Therapeutic Carriers.

Boron carbide is one of the hardest materials in the world which can be synthesized by various methods. The most common one is a carbothermic or magnesiothermic reduction of BO performed at high temperatures, where the obtained powder still requires grinding and purification. The goal of this research is to present the possibility of synthesizing BC nanoparticles from elements via vapor deposition and modifying the morphology of the obtained powders, particularly those synthesized at high temperatures.

Mapping of lattice distortion in martensitic steel-Comparison of different evaluation methods of EBSD patterns.

To visualize the varying tetragonal distortions in high carbon martensitic steels by EBSD, two different approaches have been applied on backscattered Kikuchi diffraction (BKD) patterns. A band-edge refinement technique called Refined Accuracy (RA) (Oxford Instruments) is compared with a technique called Pattern Matching (PM), which optimizes the fit to a simulated BKD signal. RA distinguishes between hypothetical phases of different fixed c/a, while PM determines a best fitting continuous c/a by projective transformation of a master pattern.

Use of electron backscatter diffraction patterns to determine the crystal lattice. Part 2. Offset corrections.

A band width determination using the first derivative of the band profile systematically underestimates the true Bragg angle. Corrections are proposed to compensate for the resulting offset Δ/ of the mean lattice parameters derived from as many Kikuchi band widths as possible. For dynamically simulated Kikuchi patterns, Δ/ can reach up to 8% for phases with a high mean atomic number , whereas for much more common low- materials the offset decreases linearly.

Use of electron backscatter diffraction patterns to determine the crystal lattice. Part 3. Pseudosymmetry.

A pseudosymmetric description of the crystal lattice derived from a single wide-angle Kikuchi pattern can have several causes. The small size (<15%) of the sector covered by an electron backscatter diffraction pattern, the limited precision of the projection centre position and the Kikuchi band definition are crucial. Inherent pseudosymmetries of the crystal lattice and/or structure also pose a challenge in the analysis of Kikuchi patterns.

Use of electron backscatter diffraction patterns to determine the crystal lattice. Part 1. Where is the Bragg angle?

The derivation of a crystal structure and its phase-specific parameters from a single wide-angle backscattered Kikuchi diffraction pattern requires reliable extraction of the Bragg angles. By means of the first derivative of the lattice profile, an attempt is made to determine fully automatically and reproducibly the band widths in simulated Kikuchi patterns. Even under such ideal conditions (projection centre, wavelength and lattice plane traces are perfectly known), this leads to a lattice parameter distribution whose mean shows a linear offset that correlates with the mean atomic number of the pattern-forming phase.

Correlative Analysis of the Dimensional Properties of Bipyramidal Titania Nanoparticles by Complementing Electron Microscopy with Other Methods.

In this paper, the accurate determination of the size and size distribution of bipyramidal anatase nanoparticles (NPs) after deposition as single particles on a silicon substrate by correlative Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis is described as a new measurement procedure for metrological purposes. The knowledge of the exact orientation of the NPs is a crucial step in extracting the real 3D dimensions of the particles. Two approaches are proposed to determine the geometrical orientation of individual nano-bipyramides: (i) AFM profiling along the long bipyramid axis and (ii) stage tilting followed by SEM imaging.

Eco Friendly Synthesis of Carbon Dot by Hydrothermal Method for Metal Ions Salt Identification.

In this work, we report the synthesis method of carbon quantum dots (CDs) using the one-step method for fast and effective metal ion determination. Ascorbic acid was used as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly precursor. High-pressure and high-temperature reactors were used for this purpose.

Batch Reactor vs. Microreactor System for Efficient AuNP Deposition on Activated Carbon Fibers.

The process of noble metals ions recovery and the removal small fraction of nanoparticles from waste solution is an urgent topic not only from the economic but also ecology point of view. In this paper, the use of activated carbon fibers (ACF) as a "trap" for gold nanoparticles obtained by a chemical reduction method is described. The synthesized nanoparticles were stabilized either electrostatically or electrosterically and then deposited on carbon fibers or activated carbon fibers.

Transmission Kikuchi diffraction: The impact of the signal-to-noise ratio.

Signal optimization for transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) measurements in the scanning electron microscope is investigated by a comparison of different sample holder designs. An optimized design is presented, which uses a metal shield to efficiently trap the electron beam after transmission through the sample. For comparison, a second holder configuration allows a significant number of the transmitted electrons to scatter back from the surface of the sample holder onto the diffraction camera screen.

Kikuchi pattern simulations of backscattered and transmitted electrons.

We discuss a refined simulation approach which treats Kikuchi diffraction patterns in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD). The model considers the result of two combined mechanisms: (a) the dynamical diffraction of electrons emitted coherently from point sources in a crystal and (b) diffraction effects on incoherent diffuse intensity distributions. Using suitable parameter settings, the refined simulation model allows to reproduce various thickness- and energy-dependent features which are observed in experimental Kikuchi diffraction patterns.

Effect of a Sulfur Precursor on the Hydrothermal Synthesis of CuMnSnS.

CuMnSnS (CMTS) is acknowledged as an alternative to traditional semiconductors. The structure and microstructure of synthetic CMTS depend on, among other things, the types of sulfur sources used. Traditionally obtained CMTS mostly has a tetragonal structure.

Crystallographic analysis of the lattice metric () from single electron backscatter diffraction or transmission Kikuchi diffraction patterns.

A new software is presented for the determination of crystal lattice parameters from the positions and widths of Kikuchi bands in a diffraction pattern. Starting with a single wide-angle Kikuchi pattern of arbitrary resolution and unknown phase, the traces of all visibly diffracting lattice planes are manually derived from four initial Kikuchi band traces via an intuitive graphical user interface. A single Kikuchi bandwidth is then used as reference to scale all reciprocal lattice point distances.

Laser cladding of bioactive glass coating on pure titanium substrate with highly refined grain structure.

Free from toxic elements biomaterial potentially applicable for load bearing biomedical implants was obtained for the first time by laser cladding of S520 bioactive glass onto ultrafine-grained commercially pure titanium. The cladding process affected the refined structure of the substrate inducing martensitic transformation near its surface. The α' acicular martensite gradually passes into relatively large grains with increasing distance from the substrate surface, which subsequently are transformed into smaller grains of about 2 μm in diameter.

Assessment of load on the lumbar spine using two computerised packages and REBA method.

Purpose: The aim of the research was a comparative analysis of the back lumbar load assessment using three methods: two with continuous input data and evaluation procedures based on mathematical relationships (ShiftBack, 3DSSPP) and one method with categorized input data and tabular load estimation procedures (REBA).

Methods: For the analysis, work activities and the value of applied force were selected. Among the analyzed 24 work activities were those during which there was a symmetrical load, as well as those during which the applied force or the assumed position of the body caused a lack of load symmetry.

Effectiveness of workplace intervention strategies in lower back pain prevention: a review.

The aim of this study was to identify effective work place intervention strategies for the prevention of low back pain (LBP). The study focused on interventions to two major groups: personal interventions and technical interventions. Data basis were searched for with inclusion criteria: study design based on randomised controlled trial; outcome measures including non-specific LBP occurrence expressed by prevalence or intensity; intervention met the definition of the technical and/or personal (physical exercises, behavioural training, educational) intervention programme.

Approximant-based orientation determination of quasicrystals using electron backscatter diffraction.

Orientation mapping of quasicrystalline materials is demonstrated using crystalline approximant structures in the technique of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The approximant-based orientations are symmetrised according to the rotational point group of the quasicrystal, including the visualization of orientation maps using proper colour keys for quasicrystal symmetries. Alternatively, approximant-based orientation data can also be treated using pseudosymmetry post-processing options in the EBSD system software, which enables basic grain size estimations.

Refined Calibration Model for Improving the Orientation Precision of Electron Backscatter Diffraction Maps.

For the precise determination of orientations in polycrystalline materials, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) requires a consistent calibration of the diffraction geometry in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the present paper, the variation of the projection center for the Kikuchi diffraction patterns which are measured by EBSD is calibrated using a projective transformation model for the SEM beam scan positions on the sample. Based on a full pattern matching approach between simulated and experimental Kikuchi patterns, individual projection center estimates are determined on a subgrid of the EBSD map, from which least-square fits to affine and projective transformations can be obtained.

Age-related differences in bimanual coordination performance.

. The purpose of this article was to determine how characteristics of bimanual coordination tasks affect the quality of performance and to determine the impact of these characteristics on muscular activation of the upper limbs, with consideration of age-related differences. .

Manual measurement of angles in backscattered and transmission Kikuchi diffraction patterns.

A historical tool for crystallographic analysis is provided by the Hilton net, which can be used for manually surveying the crystal lattice as it is manifested by the Kikuchi bands in a gnomonic projection. For a quantitative analysis using the Hilton net, the projection centre as the relative position of the signal source with respect to the detector plane needs to be known. Interplanar angles are accessible with a precision and accuracy which is estimated to be ≤0.