Debris Particles Research Articles

Hematological Response to Particle Debris Generated During Wear-Corrosion Processes of CoCr Surfaces Modified with Graphene Oxide and Hyaluronic Acid for Joint Prostheses.

Various surface modifications to increase the lifespan of cobalt-chromium (CoCr) joint prostheses are being studied to reduce the wear rate in bone joint applications. One recently proposed modification involves depositing graphene oxide functionalized with hyaluronic acid (a compound present in joints) on CoCr surfaces, which can act as a solid lubricant. This paper analyzes the biological alterations caused by wear-corrosion phenomena that occur in joints, both from the perspective of the worn surface (in vitro model) and the particles generated during the wear processes (in vivo model). The analysis of the inflammatory response of macrophage was performed on CoCr surfaces modified with graphene oxide and functionalized with hyaluronic acid (CoCr-GO-HA), before and after wear-corrosion processes. The wear particles released during the wear-corrosion tests of the CoCr-GO-HA/CoCr ball pair immersed in 3 g/L hyaluronic acid were intra-articularly injected into the experimental animals. The hematological analysis in vivo was made considering a murine model of intra-articular injection into the left knee in male adult Wistar rats, at increasing concentrations of the collected wear particles dispersed in 0.9% NaCl. Non-significant differences in the inflammatory response to unworn CoCr-GO-HA surfaces and control (polystyrene) were obtained. The wear-corrosion of the CoCr-GO-HA disk increased the inflammatory response at both 72 and 96 h of material exposure compared to the unworn CoCr-GO-HA surfaces, although the differences were not statistically significant. The pro-inflammatory response of the macrophages was reduced on the worn surfaces of the CoCr modified and functionalized with graphene oxide (GO) and hyaluronic acid (HA), compared to the worn surfaces of the unmodified CoCr. The hematological analysis and tissue reactions after intra-articular injection did not reveal pathological damage, with average hematological values recorded, although slight reductions in creatinine and protein within non-pathological ranges were found. Some traces of biomaterial particles in the knee at the highest concentration of injected particles were only found but without inflammatory signs. The results show the potential benefits of using graphene in intra-articular prostheses, which could improve the quality of life for numerous patients.

Mathematical model of velocity and distribution law in gas lift reverse circulation well washing flow field for drilling shaft sinking

To reveal the velocity distribution law of a gas lift reverse circulation well washing flow field in drilling shaft sinking, a velocity mathematical model of well washing flow field is established. The theoretical analytical solutions and velocity distribution laws in the drill pipe and bottom hole were provided and validated through numerical simulations and similar model tests. Furthermore, this study explores the impacts of mud circulation, wind pressure, rock debris, and mud properties on the flow field distribution, presenting the sensitivity order of the factors. This study indicated the following findings. (1) The velocity theoretical model of well washing flow field was validated through numerical simulation and similar model tests, and the relative error ranged from 4.2 to 18.5%, demonstrating the high consistency. (2) The rock debris and mud experienced slight and consistent deceleration within the drill pipe. Upon reaching the gas input end, the axial upward return of the multiphase flow resulted in a “jumping” sharp increase. (3) The mud circulation, wind pressure, and void fraction positively correlated with the multiphase fluid velocity in the drill pipe, but negatively correlated with the mud density and slag content. The axial upward velocity of the rock debris decreased with increasing particle size and density. (4) The sensitivity of each factor to the discharge speed of rock debris was summarized as follows: air content > mud circulation > wind pressure > mud density > rock debris density > rock debris particle size > slag content. These findings could offer a theoretical basis for selecting well washing parameters and enhancing drilling and washing efficiency.

Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Masked Multiple Passes Abrasive Waterjet Machining Surface Texturing on Coefficient of Friction

The surface texturing method is popular because of its ability to improve surface properties, specifically surface functioning, and friction control. It is a common technique used on material surfaces to improve friction performance. Laser surface texturing is the popular choice; however, this method suffers drawbacks such as cracking, heat-affected zone, and generation of hazardous fumes. The Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) was chosen is that, because the eroded material is carried by the waterjet, the process is clean and does not produce dust, chips, or chemical contaminants. This experiment examines the influence of AWJM and investigates how crater density and a multiple-pass machining path affect the stainless-steel friction characteristics when sliding in dry conditions. The texture was applied on the surface of stainless steel by masked multi-passes AWJM technique. According to the findings, there is less friction in craters with greater densities because there are more craters in the contact zone, which improves the trapping of debris particles and reduces friction, when the crater density rises from 4% to 18%, there is a greater chance of worn debris becoming trapped, which reduces friction. The coefficient of friction and crater roughness of the stainless-steel surface are all proportionally affected by the multiple-passes approach. The coefficient of friction increases with higher machining passes. There is more erosion and greater roughness when there are more jet passes. It is concluded that the masked multiple passes AWJM Surface Texturing technique has a significant impact on the Coefficient of Friction (COF).

The Cumulation of Debris Clouds around a Fast-rotating Asteroid

Abstract The rotational mass loss has been realized to be a prevalent mechanism to produce low-speed debris near the asteroid, and the size composition of the asteroid’s surface regolith has been closely measured by in situ explorations. However, the full-scale evolution of the shedding debris has not been examined using the observed particle sizes, which may hold vital clues to the initial growth of an asteroid moonlet and help us to understand the general mechanisms that dominate the formation of asteroid systems. This paper presents our study on the cumulative evolution of the debris cloud formed by a rotationally unstable asteroid. A semianalytical model is developed to characterize the spatiotemporal evolution of the debris cloud posterior to a shedding event. Large-scale discrete element method (DEM) simulations are performed to quantify the clustering behavior of the debris particles in the mechanical environment near the asteroid. As a result, we found that the cumulation of a steady debris cloud is dominated by large pieces of debris, and the shedding particles follow a common migration trend, which fundamentally determines the mass distribution of the debris cloud. For the accretion analysis, we sketched the life cycle of a debris cluster and showed its dependency on particle size. The DEM simulations adopt physical parameters estimated from observations and asteroid missions. The results confirm that porous fluffy cluster structures can form shortly after a shedding event with magnitudes the same as the observed shedding activities. Measurements of these structures show that they themselves possess a certain strength and have the capacity to collisions to absorb dissociative particles that collide with them.

Study on the evolution rules of coal deformation and failure characteristics caused by multiple mining disturbances

During coal mining operations, the coal will be deformed and damaged due to multiple mining disturbances (MMD), often resulting in disasters, like rock burst. To understand the evolution rules of coal deformation under MMD and its final fracture characteristics after impact dynamic load loading, reduce the adverse effects of mining disturbances, and improve disaster prevention and control capabilities, quasi-static uniaxial cyclic loading-unloading (L-U) and dynamic axial compression tests were conducted on large-sized coal-like samples. During the tests, three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring technology were utilized to accurately capture the full-field deformation and AE response data, facilitating a systematic analysis of deformation and fracture characteristics. The results show that: (1) Under the cyclic L-U effect induced by MMD, each loading cycle causes compression deformation with partial recovery during unloading, presenting an overall “wavy” variation trend. (2) The maximum load is the most critical factor affecting the damaged coal deformation, with smaller load resulting in less overall sample deformation. (3) After the impact dynamic loading, the damaged samples suffered large-scale impact splitting failure, with the compressive-shear layer failure mainly occurred inside the holes. (4) Lower loading during cyclic L-U process correlate with reduced damage degree, and smaller debris particles with a higher fractal dimension when impact failure occurs, indicating a more severe impact failure. (5) With multiple cycles of L-U, the cracks inside the sample gradually extend and expand from around the hole to the outside. The greater the load and the number of cycles, the more serious the crack damage will be. (6) In the practical mining process, it is crucial to reinforce roadway interiors while minimizing low-loading cyclic disturbances induced by MMD. The study has obtained the deformation evolution rules and failure characteristics of coal under MMD, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of corresponding engineering disasters.

The Influence of the Gap Phenomenon on the Occurrence of Consecutive Discharges in WEDM Through High-Speed Video Camera Observation

The Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) process is an accurate method for manufacturing high-added-value components for industry. Continuous developments in the process have resulted in specialized machines used in sectors such as aerospace and biomedical engineering. However, some fundamental aspects of the discharge process remain unresolved. This work aims to study the influence of discharge location and bubble expansion on the occurrence of subsequent discharges. A high-speed video camera observation system was constructed to capture images of each discharge. From the acquired images, an algorithm was devised to determine the discharge location based on grayscale analysis. Moreover, the voltage and current waveforms of the discharges and the framing signals of the high-speed video camera were then obtained using an oscilloscope. Synchronizing the observation images and signals allowed for calculating the delay time for each single discharge. The results indicate that most of the discharges occurred near the boundary of the bubble and during bubble expansion. This finding has been observed for a variety of machining conditions and can be explained by the effect of the debris particles concentrated at the bubble boundary. This study provides useful information for better understanding the discharge process in WEDM.

Formation mechanism and oil-bearing properties of gravity flow sand body of Chang 63 sub-member of Yanchang Formation in Huaqing area, Ordos Basin

Abstract Gravity flow sand body is an important reservoir for deep water deposition. The in-depth study of its formation mechanism and oil enrichment law can provide important guidance for oil and gas exploration in deep water areas. In this article, taking the deep-water gravity flow sand body of the Triassic Chang 63 sub-member in the Huaqing area as an example, the identification characteristics, formation mechanism, and oil-bearing characteristics of the gravity flow sand body are systematically discussed. The results show that sandy debris flow, turbidite flow, and mixed event flow present different superposition combination modes on vertical gravity flow deposition. The lithofacies of the gravity flow sandstone complex are mainly affected by lake level fluctuation, provenance supply, and hydrodynamic conditions. According to the formation conditions, sedimentary types. and distribution characteristics of deep water gravity flow sand bodies, a three-dimensional sedimentary mode of deep water gravity flow sand bodies is established. It is found that the physical and oil-bearing properties of the sandy debris flow sand body are better than those of the turbidity flow sand body. The reason is that the proportion of debris in the sand body of sandy debris flow is high, and the content of debris particles is generally greater than 70% according to the statistics of thin sections, which is conducive to the formation of pores. Second, sandy debris flow belongs to block transport, and the mixing of lithology is not sufficient in the process of block flow transport, so some pores will be preserved. Finally, gravity flows, which are dense at the beginning, become less dense later as detrital sediments unload, allowing them to be transported to distant regions. Therefore, the monolayer thickness of the sandy debris flow sand body is large (generally greater than 0.5 m), and the particle size of the debris ranges from 0.03 to 0.3 mm. Finally, the physical and oil-bearing properties of the sandy clastic flow sand body are better than those of the turbidity flow sand body.

Shape of fragments cloud behind heterogeneous screen by a space debris particle impact

Technogenic pollution of near-Earth space poses a threat to the functioning of spacecraft. Collisions between space debris (SD) and spacecraft (SC) structures can have catastrophic consequences or cause localized damage, leading to the loss of SC operability or the failure of certain functions. The SC body must effectively protect the internal equipment from various external impacts, be technologically feasible to manufacture, and have as little mass as possible. As a result, the task of designing spacecraft bodies and protective screens for low-orbit SC is particularly relevant due to the large concentration of SD in low Earth orbits.A comparative numerical study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various thin shields in protecting against impacts from space debris particles. The study examined homogeneous shields made of A356 aluminum alloy and 316L stainless steel, as well as volumetrically reinforced composite shields produced using additive manufacturing with steel inclusions, and shields with a gradient distribution of steel throughout the thickness of an aluminum matrix, all with the same areal density. In all the heterogeneous plates considered, the volumetric concentration of steel was 36 %. The study covered an interaction velocity range of 2–9 km/s. Numerical modeling results indicated that the structure of the thin heterogeneous plate does not affect the shape of the debris cloud formed behind the protective shield. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for selecting materials for the development of more effective protection for spacecraft against high-velocity impacts.

Virtual simulator for cystoscopy containing motion blur and bladder debris to aid the development of clinical tools.

Cystoscopic data can be used to improve bladder cancer care, but cystoscopic videos are cumbersome to review. Alternatively, cystoscopic video data can be preserved in the form of a 3D bladder reconstruction, which is both informative and convenient to review. Developing algorithms for 3D reconstruction is an iterative process and often requires access to clinical data. Unfortunately, the time and access constraints of the urology clinical workflow can inhibit this technical development. In this manuscript, we present a virtual cystoscopy simulator to enable the creation of realistic and customizable cystoscopy videos through the inclusion of motion blur and bladder debris. The user can induce motion blur at set points in the video by setting the cystoscope speed between 1 and 9 cm/s. We also introduce 12 models of bladder debris particles, each model of which has a different color, shape, or size. The user can add bladder debris to the virtual bladder by specifying which debris models to include, the density of the particles, defining the number of particles in the bladder, and whether debris is stationary or blurred and moving at a user-defined speed. This simulator can be used to generate a large collection of unique and realistic cystoscopy videos with characteristics defined by the user for their specific purpose, thereby assisting the development of novel technologies for clinical implementation.

Spacecraft protection against man-made and natural space debris particles

Classification of space objects according to their size, mass and density is presented. Methods developed for assessing the degree of near-Earth space contamination by space debris are reviewed briefly. General principles of providing passive and active protection for spacecraft are analyzed. Based on the developed model of particle motion under the conditions of electrodynamic armor, the areas of its efficient application are specified. It is shown that the current level of development of structural materials and high-pulse energy storage devices does not fully ensure the possibility of their full-scale efficient use in spacecraft protection systems. It is stated that it is necessary to develop additional measures to ensure the space flight safety, for example, by developing service spacecraft on the basis of unified space platforms, the primary purpose of which would be the active removal of space debris.

Formation mechanisms and biogeochemical response of coastal salinity front in the central eastern Arabian Sea

This study investigates the formation mechanisms and impact of a coastal salinity front observed in the central eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) coast, particularly off Mangalore (∼13°N), during the peak summer monsoon in August 2018. The interplay of intense monsoon rainfall, river runoff and coastal upwelling created a dynamic frontal zone characterised by distinct physical and biogeochemical properties in the central EAS. The study revealed that observed salinity fronts are formed due to the breaking of freshwater lenses by strong upwelled waters and the subsequent offshore transport of low-salinity plumes by prevailing current and Ekman transport. The high nutrient concentrations enhanced the chlorophyll a concentration 15–20 times higher (10.12 mg/m3) in the frontal zone compared to the non-frontal station. The dominance of diatoms in the frontal zone indicates herbivorous control in the coastal food web. Accumulation of plastic debris and foam-like particles in the frontal zone poses ecological risks and threatens aquatic life.

A scoping investigation on debris bed formation with high-temperature melt simulant Fe-Sn

In hypothetical severe accidents of Nordic boiling water reactors (BWRs), the core melt (corium) has the potential to relocate to the lower head, leading to the failure of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Consequently, the corium, a molten mixture of either UO2-ZrO2 or Fe-Zr, is anticipated to undergo fuel coolant interactions (FCI) in a deep-water pool within the reactor cavity which is supposed to be flooded during severe accidents. The characteristics of the resulting debris bed play an important role in corium coolability that is paramount to accident stabilization and termination. This study is dedicated to characterizing the debris bed resulting from the FCI using Fe-Sn as the simulant of Fe-Zr. Compared with other simulants in our previous studies, the Fe-Sn alloy has a a higher melting point of 1130 °C and the same element of Fe as in prototypical Fe-Zr. The Fe-Sn is melted in a clay graphite crucible with glass coating layer to minimize contamination of molten materials by graphite. Argon containing 1.26 % hydrogen is employed as cover gas to avoid the oxidation of Fe-Sn at high temperature. The process of debris bed formation, including melt jet breakup, debris fragmentation, and fragments’ sedimentation on the pool bottom, is meticulously recorded using high-speed cameras. The porosity of the debris bed is determined in the post-test analyses using a three-dimensional laser scanner and a graduated water tank. The laser scanner data are also used to reconstruct the geometric appearance of the final debris bed. The debris particulates are sieved to obtain their size distribution. The chemical interaction between water and melt is examined by the SEM analysis. The experimental results show that the debris bed of Fe-Sn has significant differences from those of low melting point simulants (Sn-Bi, Sn, Zn) in our previous studies.

Influence of planets on debris discs in star clusters – II. The impact of stellar density

ABSTRACT We present numerical simulations of planetary systems in star clusters with different initial stellar densities, to investigate the impact of the density on debris disc dynamics. We use lps+ to combine N-body codes nbody6++gpu and rebound for simulations. We simulate debris discs with and without a Jupiter-mass planet at 50 au, in star clusters with $N=$ 1k–64k stars. The spatial range of the remaining planetary systems decreases with increasing N. As cluster density increases, the planet’s influence range first increases and then decreases. For debris particles escaping from planetary systems, the probability of their direct ejection from the star cluster decreases as their initial semimajor axis ($a_0$) or the cluster density increases. The eccentricity and inclination of surviving particles increase as cluster density increases. The presence of a planet leads to lower eccentricities and inclinations of surviving particles. The radial density distribution of the remaining discs decays exponentially in sparse clusters. We derive a general expression of the gravitational encounter rate. Our results are unable to directly explain the scarcity of debris discs in star clusters. Nevertheless, given that many planetary systems have multiple planets, the mechanism of the planet-cluster combined gravitational influence on the disc remains appealing as a potential explanation.

Organic carbon cycling in the sediments of Prydz Bay, Eastern Antarctica: Implications for a high carbon sequestration potential

Understanding the dynamics of sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) in the productive continental marginal sea surrounding Antarctica is crucial for elucidating the effect of this sea on the global carbon cycle. We analyzed 31 surface sediment samples and eight sediment cores collected from Prydz Bay (PB) and the adjacent basin area. The element and stable isotope compositions, grain size compositions, and biogenic silica and lithogenic minerals of these samples were used to evaluate the spatial variations in the sources, transport mechanisms, and preservation patterns of SOC, with a particular focus on the efficiency of the biological carbon pump (BCP). Our findings reveal that the SOC originated from mixed marine/terrestrial sources. The δ13C values were higher in the Prydz Bay Gyre (PBG) region than in the open sea area. Biogenic matter-rich debris, associated with fine-grained particles (silt and clay), was concentrated in the PBG, while abiotic ice-rafted debris and coarse-grained particles were preferentially deposited in the bank and ice shelf front regions. Lithogenic matter predominated in the basin sediments. The annual accumulation rate of SOC in PB ranged from 1.6 to 6.2 g·m−2·yr−1 (mean 4.2 ± 1.9 g·m−2·yr−1), and the rates were higher in the PBG than in the ice shelf front region. Estimates based on our tentative box model suggest that the efficiency of the BCP, which refers to the proportion of surface-produced organic carbon successfully transferred to deep waters, is approximately 5.7 % in PB, surpassing the global average (∼0.8 %) and the efficiencies reported for other polar environments. Furthermore, our calculations indicate that the SOC preservation efficiency (the ratio of preserved to initially deposited organic carbon in sediments) in PB is approximately 79 % ± 20 %, underscoring the significant carbon sequestration potential within PB. The results of this study have important implications for the effects of sediment dynamics on the carbon cycle in the sea surrounding Antarctica.

Polarization Characteristics of Massive HVI Debris Clouds Using an Improved Monte Carlo Ray Tracing Method for Remote Sensing Applications

As a signature phenomenon of massive hypervelocity impacts (HVIs) in space, debris clouds provide critical optical information for satellite remote sensing and the assessment of large-scale impacts. However, studies of the optical scattering properties of debris clouds remain limited, and existing vector radiative transfer (VRT) methods struggle to accurately simulate the optical characteristics of these complex scatterers. To address this gap, this paper presents an improved Monte Carlo VRT program (PGS–MC) for multicomponent polydisperse scatterers to precisely evaluate the radiation and polarization characteristics of complex scatterers. Based on the Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method, our program introduces a particle grouping strategy (PGS) to further emphasize the importance of accounting for optical property discrepancies between different materials and particle sizes, thus significantly improving the fidelity of VRT simulations. Moreover, our program, developed using the compute unified device architecture (CUDA), can be run parallelly on graphics processing units (GPUs), which effectively reduces the computational time. The validation results indicated that the developed PGS–MC program can accurately and efficiently simulate the polarization of complex 3D scatterers. A further investigation showed that the polarization characteristics of debris clouds are highly sensitive to parameters such as the angle between the incident and detection directions, number density, particle size distribution, debris material, and wavelength. In addition, the polarization imaging of debris clouds offers distinct advantages over intensity imaging. This study offers guidance for analyzing the VRT properties of massive HVI debris clouds. Additionally, it provides a practical tool and concrete ideas for modeling the polarization characteristics of various complex scatterers, such as aircraft contrails and clouds, etc.

Analysis of Early-Retrieved Dual-Mobility Polyethylene Liners for Total Hip Replacement

Despite their emerging use, the in vivo behaviour of dual-mobility (DM) total hip replacements (THRs) is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the articulating surfaces of 20 early-retrieved DM polyethylene liners (mean length of implantation 20.0 ± 18.8 months) for damage to improve the current understanding of their in vivo functional mechanisms. The internal and external surfaces of each liner were visually and geometrically assessed, and the material composition of embedded debris particles were further characterized. Scratching and pitting were the most common modes of damage identified on either surface, and a high incidence of burnishing (50%) and embedded debris (65%) were observed on the internal and external surfaces, respectively. Embedded debris particles were commonly titanium- or iron-based, although other materials such as cobalt-chrome and tantalum were also identified. The geometric assessment demonstrated highly variable damage patterns across the liners, with the internal surfaces commonly presenting with crescent-shaped, circumferential, or circular regions of penetration whilst the external surfaces commonly presented with regions of deep pitting or gouging. This study demonstrates that DM-THRs primarily articulate at the head/liner junction, and that polyethylene liners are capable of rotating about the femoral neck axis, although the extent of this may be limited in some cases. Additionally, this study suggests that intra-prosthetic dislocation and edge loading may remain pertinent failure mechanisms of DM implants despite the advent of highly crosslinked polyethylene and design features, thus highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring of these devices.

A Finemet-based microfluidic single-coil microsensor for monitoring oil condition

Wear is an unavoidable phenomenon that generates debris particles. i.e., ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic particles. If the system's condition is not monitored effectively, wear can lead to the breakdown of the system. Therefore, an inductive-resistance sensor was designed to monitor and detect debris particles. Moreover, Finemet (Fe73.5Si13.5B9Nb3Cu1) was applied to the sensor to improve its sensitivity. A comparison simulation and experiment examined the sensor's performance and Finemet's impact. The study shows that the induction mode has greater sensitivity in detecting ferromagnetic particles, while the resistance mode is more sensitive in detecting non-ferromagnetic particles. This study also demonstrates that the application of Finemet boosts the sensitivity of the sensors in both findings, indicating the significance of Finemet for the sensor's applications.

Internal blocking and bonding to strengthen the mechanical properties and prevent collapse and leakage of fragmented coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs by cohesive drilling fluids

Exploiting coalbed methane (CBM) not only provides clean energy but also reduces the risk of gas explosions in coal mining. CBM reservoirs have low mechanical strength due to poor continuity, strong heterogeneity, and rich natural fractures, which bring about wellbore collapse and leakage during the drilling operations of CBM wells. As for fragmented coalbed methane reservoirs, plugging the leakage channel and increasing the density of drilling fluid would result in new collapse problems and leakage. To achieve this, we developed a cohesive fuzzy ball drilling fluid (FBDF) to adhere fragmented coal particles from the discontinuous phase to the continuous phase and strengthen their mechanical properties to prevent collapse and leakage. The microcosmic interaction of coal seams with different fluid systems and adhesive properties have been comprehensively evaluated. The mechanical parameters of coal plugs treated with common potassium chloride drilling fluid (PCDF), polymer drilling fluid (PDF), and FBDF were carefully compared through uniaxial and triaxial experiments. Additionally, the adhesive mechanism of FBDF to coal fines was comprehensively discussed. The results showed that the FBDF would form an elastic mesh structure through hydrophobic association, and bond the small particles of coal debris together to form a stable structure similar to “steel bar-concrete” “macromolecule-particle”. The viscous force on the surface of coal rocks treated by FBDF was higher than that of coal plungers treated by PCDF or PDF. The uniaxial compressive strength of core samples treated by FBDF was increased by 47.1%, while the modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, and brittleness coefficient were decreased by 19.94%, 11.95%, and 4%, respectively, compared to dry coal plug. FBDF also showed preferential plugging and permeability recovery abilities. The FBDF fluids have been successfully applied in two CBM wells characterized by “top leakage and bottom collapse”, neither collapse nor leakage occurred during the drilling process. It provided a new internal blocking and bonding technology for fragmented reservoirs.

Dust properties and their variations in comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS)

Context. We analyze the results of photometric monitoring of comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) from December 2015 until January 2016 obtained within B, V, and R Johnson–Cousins filters. Aims. The main objective is to investigate the dust coma and to obtain the physical characteristics of its dust particles. Methods. We analyzed our observations using model-agglomerated debris particles, and we constrained the microphysical properties of the dust in comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) on the pre-outburst and post-outburst epochs. Moreover, we applied a geometrical model to the images processed by digital filters to estimate the rotational period of the nucleus. Results. Our campaign revealed a sharp increase in the comet brightness on January 1, 2016. The B − V and V − R colors calculated within an aperture size of 17 000 km appear to be mostly red, except for the outburst date. The dust production (A f ρ proxy) and normalized spectral gradient S′ (B − R) dramatically changed on January 2 as compared to what was seen in December 2015. According to this model, the C/2013 X1 coma was populated by 70% organic-matter particles by volume and by two types of silicate particles together, constituting the other 30%. One type of silicate particles was composed of Mg-rich silicates, whereas the other type was composed of both Mg-rich and Fe-poor silicates. Using the geometrical model, we estimate the nucleus rotational period to be (24.02 ± 0.02) h. We interpret the observed coma morphology by two jet structures, one structure that formed by the near-pole active area at a latitude of (85+5−3)°, and the other structure formed by an active area at a latitude of (+40 ± 5)°.

METAL DEBRIS RELEASE MAY BE UNDER-RECOGNIZED IN TOTAL ANKLE ARTHROPLASTY

Despite advancements, revision rates following total ankle replacement (TAR) are high in comparison to other total joint replacements. This explant analysis study aimed to investigate whether there was appreciable metal particulate debris release from various contemporary TARs by describing patterns of material loss. Twenty-eight explanted TARs (9 designs: 3 fixed and 6 mobile bearing), revised for any reason, were studied. The articulating surfaces of the metal tibial and talar components as well as the polyethylene insert were assessed for damage features using light microscopy. Based on the results of the microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was performed to determine the composition of embedded debris identified, as well as non-contacting 3D profilometry. Pitting, indicative of material loss, was identified on the articulating surfaces of 54% of tibial components and 96% of talar components. Bearing constraint was not found to be a factor, with similar proportions of fixed and mobile bearing metal components showing pitting. More cobalt-chromium than titanium alloy tibial components exhibited pitting (63% versus 20%). Significantly higher average surface roughness (Sa) values were measured for pitted areas in comparison to unpitted areas of these metal components (p<0.05). Additionally, metallic embedded debris (cobalt-chromium likely due to pitting of the tibial and talar components or titanium likely from loss of their porous coatings) was identified in 18% of polyethylene inserts. The presence of hard 3rd body particles was also indicated by macroscopically visible sliding plane scratching, identified on 79% of talar components. This explant analysis study demonstrates that metal debris is released from the articulating surfaces and the coatings of various contemporary TARs, both fixed and mobile bearing. These findings suggest that metal debris release in TARs may be an under-recognised issue that should be considered in the study of painful or failed TAR moving forwards.