Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21 MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

Characterization of wear in composite material orthopaedic implants. Part I: The composite trunnion/ceramic head interface.

Carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (C/PEEK) composite materials are being investigated as an alternative to metal in the femoral component of a total hip arthroplasty. Wear is among the issues that must be addressed before introducing a new orthopaedic implant material. This study examines the generation of wear debris when zirconia femoral heads are mechanically attached to C/PEEK trunnions and loaded under simulated physiological conditions. Mechanical testing was performed on a trunnion/head assembly loaded from 445 to 4450N at an angle of 39 degrees to the long axis of the trunnion. The trunnions were tested at a frequency of 20 Hz for 10 million cycles. After completion of the fatigue test, solution from the test assembly was characterized by laser scattering and by SEM image analysis to determine the size, shape, total number, and identify of the particles. In addition, the peak load to pull the head from the trunnion was measured. The total number of particles generated during the test was in the range of 10(5) as indicated by both laser scattering and (SEM) image analysis. Both carbon fiber and PEEK particles were found in an average proportion of about 1:13, respectively. The carbon fiber particle size average was 153 microns and the PEEK particle size average was 2.2 microns. The zirconia heads remained well attached to the C/PEEK trunnions as indicated by a mean peak distraction force of 1942 +/- 116N.

Characterization of wear in composite material orthopaedic implants. Part II: The implant/bone interface.

Carbon fiber/PEEK polymer (C/PEEK) composite materials are being developed for use as orthopaedic implant materials. Wear is an issue of increasing importance in orthopaedic implants; particulate debris generated by the wearing of biomaterials may be a causal factor leading to osteolysis and implant loosening. Therefore, numerical and experimental studies were completed to characterize the wear of C/PEEK composite materials in comparison to current orthopaedic implant materials. Finite element analyses (FEA) of a composite material hip stem implanted in a femur and loaded at 890 N determined that peak contact stresses will occur at the proximal-medial and distal regions of the implant. These contact stresses were found to be below 1.0 MPa over most of the implant surface; however the peak stress in the proximal-medial region was 1.8 MPa and higher still at the distal portion of the stem. In vivo forces result in contact stress values up to 9.0 MPa. The composite implant exhibited 10-40% lower contact stresses in the distal region compared to a titanium-alloy implant of identical design. Composite material wear samples were slid against porous hydroxylapatite (HA) to simulate the stem/bone interface. An identical series of experiments was run for comparison to a current orthopaedic implant material--Ti6A14V titanium alloy. Two domains of motion were studied; a composite ring-on-HA disc large amplitude sliding wear test; and a composite pin-on-HA disc small amplitude fretting regimen. Nominal contact pressures during testing were 1.4 MPa and 7.6 MPa for sliding and fretting tests, respectively. Fretting and sliding abrasive wear tests resulted in the composite material exhibiting a lower wear rate than the titanium-alloy. The magnitude of the difference was greatly dependent on the contact pressures, sliding amplitudes, and counterface material properties.