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Compositions of several Al-Mg-Si alloys used in this research.
In this chapter, a new type strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process for Al-Mg-Si alloys was used. The microstructural characteristics, formability at elevated temperature and mechanical properties were estimated. The high-hardness globular grain boundaries are formed by eutectic phases. This new type SIMA process has proved that it can decrease high temperature compression resistance and improve ability of metal flowing at high temperature. After SIMA forming process, the mechanical properties of materials can be improved via artificial aging and can be competed with general artificial aged materials. All results show that this SIMA process is a potential process.
- strain-induced melt activation
- microstructural evolution
- high temperature formability
- mechanical properties
- erosion resistance
1.1. Strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process
Semi-solid metal forming process is a hybrid net shape process that combines the advantages of forging and casting [1, 2]. Materials are manufactured at the temperature of solid-liquid coexistence and perform good high temperature formability [3–5]. Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) stirring casting, spray casting and strain-induced melting activation (SIMA) are three common semi-solid process for getting fine and globular grains that can enhance formability at elevated temperatures [6, 7].
The SIMA process is useful because of its low cost, simple equipment and high stability. Figure 1(a) reveals steps of the traditional SIMA process . Casting, hot work, cold work and heat treatment for partial melting and grain spheroidization are four major steps of traditional SIMA process. A promoted and new type of SIMA process is proposed here. The two main dissimilarities between two SIMA processes are: (1) this new process uses severe hot extrusion instead of cold work to introduce sufficient amount of strain energy and (2) the new process uses a salt bath for heating to enhance heating uniformity and to reduce heating duration. Figure 1(b) shows the steps of this process.
The mechanisms of globular grain formation for the traditional SIMA [8, 9] process are shown in Figure 2. The procedures are: (1) casting; (2) hot work for disintegrating the casting structure; (3) cold work for introducing sufficient strain energy; and (4) heat treatment for making alloys recrystallize and partially melt at the temperature of muzzy zone. In the step of heat treatment, grains recrystallize and phases with low melting point and parts of eutectic composition start to melt partially and penetrate to the grain boundaries of recrystallized grains due to their high free energy. It results in liquid phases surrounding the fine recrystallized grains. Finally, grain growth occurs and generates spheroidized grains as heating carry on because the surface energy of global grains is the smallest.
For the growth mechanism of globular grains, when alloys are heated to the temperature of solid-liquid coexistence, two coarsening mechanisms are considered [7, 10–13]: grain coalescence and Ostwald ripening. Ostwald ripening dominates for higher liquid fractions and long-duration heating, and grain coalescence dominates for lower liquid fractions and short-duration heating. In general, Oswald ripening should be the major growth mechanism of globular grains. The globular grain growth is based on Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) theory [1, 14–18]. The formula is
1.2. 6xxx aluminum alloys
6xxx Al alloys, a series of precipitation-hardened Al alloys , are widely used. More than 70% of extruded Al alloys are 6xxx Al alloys, therefore, this series alloy is chosen for this chapter of new type SIMA process, as hot extrusion is a major step in this process. Similar results and discoveries can be seen in other series of aluminum alloys.
The major components of 6xxx series aluminum alloys are Mg and Si. The Mg2Si phase is generated first since its forming free energy is lower than those of other precipitating phases [20–22]. 6xxx aluminum alloys with more Si that are required to form stoichiometric Mg2Si commonly have relatively high strength and low ductility due to the hard and brittle Si particles in their matrix. In contrast, 6xxx aluminum alloys with excess Mg have relatively low strength and high ductility. Besides Mg and Si, Cu, Mn, Cr, Zr, Sc and V are added to these alloys. Adding Mn inhibits grain growth, enhances strength, and increases recrystallization temperature [20, 23, 24]. Adding Cu improves strength and hardness due to the refining of the precipitated phase during artificial aging [13–16]. Adding Cr promotes corrosion resistance . Adding Zr enhances strength since Al3Zr is generated and grain growth is inhibited, and adding Sc or V retards grain growth [24, 25].
1.3. Topics of this study
In short, 6xxx Al-Mg-Si alloys are the major materials for the new type SIMA process. There are three essential topics to be exhibited: (1) microstructural characteristics and microstructure evolution of SIMA processed Al-Mg-Si alloys and their relationship with parameters of SIMA process; (2) formability and deformation mechanism at elevated temperatures of SIMA-processed Al-Mg-Si alloys and (3) the mechanical properties improvement of SIMA forming alloys and its strengthening mechanism. These above topics are discussed in following sections in sequence.
2. Microstructure evolution and microstructural characteristics of new type SIMA-processed alloys
2.1. Brief introduction
The degree of spheroidization and globule size affect high temperature formability obviously in SIMA process [3–5]. Highly spheroidized, fine and uniform globules lead to high formability at elevated temperatures. Hence, how to control hot extrusion conditions, how to design proper material composition and how to determine parameters of SIMA process to get fine, uniform and highly spheroidized globule is the major theme of discussion in this section.
Seven kinds of hot-extruded Al-Mg-Si alloys with different composition or fabricated by distinct extrusive ratio were used for discussing the effects of composition and extrusive ratio. The target is to build a principle for designing suitable materials for new type SIMA process and to choose most proper alloy for further researches .
2.2. Experimental methods
2.2.1. Designing and choosing alloys
The compositions and codes of seven kinds of Al-Mg-Si alloys are shown in Table 1. All the materials are extruded sheet except for 6069-rod is an extruded rod. They were used for determining the influences of extrusion conditions and understanding how to design composition of alloys for SIMA process by observing their microstructure evolution.
2.2.2. New type strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process
The flow of new type SIMA process is shown in Figure 1(b). The considerable three parameters of new type SIMA process are extrusive ratio (it also means the introduced strain energy), temperature of salt bath and duration of salt bath in sequence of its flowchart. The temperatures of salt bath are set as 570–630°C due to partial melting starting at about 570°C and severe deformation occurring above 630°C in Al-Mg-Si alloys. The durations of salt bath are set from 1 to 60 min for understanding the effect of salt bath duration on globule size and degree of spheroidization.
The codes of salt bath specimens are interpreted by the following example: SB620-10 means a material which was heated by salt bath at 620°C for 10 min.
2.2.3. Microstructure analysis and globule size measuring
The microstructure evolution and globule size were investigated using optical microscopy (OM). The concept of an equivalent circle is used in this study. When the shape of a grain is not circular in a two-dimensional plane, grain size is represented by the diameter of the equivalent circle, as shown in Figure 3. Two shape parameters,
In salt bath step of new type SIMA process, low melting point second phases and part of matrix with high dislocation density were partially melted at the temperature of solid-liquid coexistence, liquid generated and penetrated into recrystallized grain boundaries. It is defined as liquid phase. The fraction of liquid phases was measured using Image J software. High liquid fraction results in improvement of high temperature formability according to Refs. [3, 6, 7].
2.2.4. Elements distribution analysis and phases identification
In order to estimate the distribution of elements and phases, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) integrated in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron probe X-ray micro-analyzer (EPMA) were used. The evolution of elements distribution and diffusion can be semi-quantified by these two instruments.
2.3. Effects of extrusive condition and chemical composition on microstructure evolution of SIMA-processed Al-Mg-Si alloys
The microstructures of the initial extruded alloys are shown in Figure 4. Their initial grain sizes are shown in Table 2. Even though the extrusion ratios of 6061 and 6061-Mn are identical, the initial grain size of 6061 is larger than that of 6061-Mn due to Mn retarding grain growth.
|Material||Initial grain size (μm)||Liquid fraction (%) at 10 min salt bath|
As the extrusion ratio increased, the level of dynamic recrystallization also increased. This can be shown by comparing the microstructures of 6066_3 mm and 6066_9 mm. The higher level of recrystallization of 6066_3 mm led to a more uniform and smaller initial grain size. Dynamic recrystallization in 6061 alloys is easier than that in 6066 alloys due to Mn addition, which increases recrystallization temperature, in the latter.
Both coarse and fine grains can be seen in 3 mm-thick 6069-sheet alloys. According to the grain coalescence mechanism, if the crystal orientations of neighboring grains are similar, the grains will easily merge, forming coarse grains. This led to the nonuniform grain distribution in 6069-sheet. In the 28 mm-diameter 6069-rod alloy, fine grains appear in the center and coarse and fine grains appear at the edge. This is due to the lower strain in the center of the rod creating a smaller driving force for grain growth, and the higher strain at the edge of the rod making some crystals with similar orientations grow and then merge. Although 6069-sheet and 6069-rod did not contain Mn, the level of grain growth of 6069 alloys was lower than that of 6061 alloys due to the addition of V and Zr.
Equiaxial grains resulted from dynamic recrystallization in the 3 mm-thick 6082 alloy due to Mn content. This confirms that Mn inhibits grain growth.
The microstructural evolution in the salt bath step for all alloys is shown in Figure 5. The codes of specimens subjected to a salt bath are marked with the prefix “SB.” After the salt bath, grains were spheroidized and grain boundaries were broadened due to the low melting point phases melting and penetrating the grain boundaries. With grain growth, melting phases aggregated to form liquid pools [3, 4]. The alloys with spheroidized grains are defined as SIMA alloys. Table 2 shows the liquid fraction of all alloys after a salt bath at 620°C for 10 min. Fine grains, high spheroidization degree and high liquid fraction are the major factors for promoting high temperature formability [7–9].
It is assumed that all grain growth mechanism of all materials is Oswald ripening for comparing the grain growth rate. The grain growth rate of all materials is shown in Table 2. This table shows that the grain growth rate of 6061-Mn is lower than 6061, and the grain growth of 6066 alloys and 6082 alloys are relatively lower than other alloys. It proves that adding Mn can decrease the rate of globular grain growth. Besides, after the salt bath, the grain size of 6066-3 mm is smaller than that of 6066-9 mm even though their grain growth rates
Table 2 also shows the liquid fractions of the four kinds of aluminum alloy during the 10-min salt bath. The order of liquid fractions is those for 6066, 6069, 6082 and 6061 (from high to low). The liquid fractions of a given alloy are similar, except for 6061. In general, the liquid fractions of a given alloy should be similar. However, the high grain growth and low liquid fraction of 6061 alloys led to position affecting the results.
The degrees of spheroidization of all alloys are shown Figure 5. The degrees of spheroidization of 6066 alloys and 6069-rod are higher than those of other samples. The degrees of spheroidization of 6066-3 mm, 6066-9 mm, and 6069-rod are higher due to their fine and uniform initial recrystallized grains and high liquid fraction.
The elemental distributions obtained using EPMA are shown in Figure 6. Mg, Si and Cu are the major elements located at grain boundaries, and Fe, Mn, Cr and V exist in the particle phases. It indicates that the melting phases in the salt bath step are mostly composed of Mg, Si, Cu and Al. The three phase diagrams in Figure 7 show that the eutectic points of Al and Si, Al and Mg2Si and Al and Al2Cu are 577, 595 and 548°C, respectively. Moreover, Table 3 shows the weight percentages of Mg2Si, Al2Cu, excess Si and the sum of these three phases. The order of the sums of these phases is those for 6066, 6069, 6082 and 6061 (from high to low). This order is consistent with that for the liquid fraction shown in Table 3. These results show that the major phases distributed at globule boundaries are these three phases.
Three main factors affect the generation of fine, uniform, high-liquid fraction and highly spheroidized globular grains in this new type of SIMA process: (1) a proper composition with sufficient elements (e.g., Mg, Si and Cu), which can form low melting point phases for enhancing the liquid fraction, is necessary; (2) the initial extrusion microstructure should be fine and uniform grains for generating fine and uniform spheroidized grains; and (3) particular elements (e.g., Mn, V and Zr) should be added to inhibit grain growth not only to create fine recrystallized grains in the hot extrusion step but also to create fine spheroidized grains in the salt bath step. In this part, 6066 aluminum alloys were the most suitable material for obtaining finest and most spheroidized globules. Therefore, 6066 alloy is used in further researches.
2.4. The parameters of new type SIMA process on microstructure evolution of 6066 aluminum alloy
The influences of salt bath temperatures on microstructural evolution are revealed in Figure 8. After salt bath for 30 min at different temperatures, the grains were not spheroidized uniformly as temperature lower than 610°C, and the alloys deformed severely or partially melted as temperature higher than 630°C.
Figure 9 exhibits the microstructural evolution of 6066 alloys in the salt bath at 610, 620 and 630°C with various duration of salt bath. When salt bath duration increases, the grain growth becomes obvious. A higher salt bath temperature led to higher grain growth for a given period time of salt bath. The grain growth rates for various salt bath temperatures were calculated based on the LSW theory. The linear fitting results are shown in Table 4. The results reveal grain growth was very severe at 630°C.
|6066_3 mm/610°C||6066_3 mm/620°C||6066_3 mm/630°C|
Broadening of globule boundaries was occurred for all temperatures of salt bath, as shown in Figure 9. It was resulted from the low melting point phases melting [5–7] and the liquid penetrating the grain boundaries. With the increasing salt bath duration, liquid pools formed due to large amounts of liquid phases aggregating. Figure 10 shows the liquid fraction. With the increasing salt bath temperature and duration, the liquid fraction increased. Moreover, cracks and voids generated in the materials at 630°C, as shown in Figure 8(f), at which the partial melting occurred and the volume shrank too rapidly during quenching. Even though liquid phase formation at 630°C was the fastest, defects are easily generated. Therefore, the most suitable salt bath temperature was 620°C because liquid formation is sufficiently fast and stable.
The effect of extrusive ratio on microstructure evolution was discussed by 6066 aluminum alloys with different thickness (6066_3 mm and 6066_9 mm). The microstructure evolution of these two alloys with various salt bath duration at 620°C is exhibited in Figure 11. It shows that the average globule size of 6066_9 mm is larger than that of 6066_3 mm at same salt bath duration. High-angle with high free energy grain boundary of recrystallized grains is necessary for SIMA process because they can provide paths for liquid penetrating. However, the amounts of strain introduced by hot extrusion are different in these two alloys with diverse thickness. The recrystallization degree of these two alloys is also different. In 6066_3 mm, severe dynamic recrystallization occurred at the hot extrusion step overall the alloys. On the other hand, in 6066_9 mm alloy, dynamic recrystallization occurred only in part of alloy, and static recrystallization also occurred at the step of salt bath. It leads to the different initial recrystallized grain sizes of two as-extruded alloys and also results in different globule size after salt bath. Even though the recrystallization states of these two alloys are different, the grains of those both can be spheroidized.
The relationship between degree of spheroidization and parameters of proposed SIMA process is shown in Figure 12. It demonstrates that two shape factors (
2.5. Formation mechanism for the two-step strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process
The mechanisms of globular grain formation for the new type SIMA process are shown in Figure 13. The steps are: (1) a suitable composition alloy is cast with uniformly distributed low melting points second phases; (2) disintegrate initial casting microstructure, introduce sufficient strain energy and dynamically grain recrystallize over the alloy through severe hot extrusion; (3) second phases with lower melting points melt and the liquid penetrates grain boundaries and then surrounds the grains at the step of salt bath and (4) grains grow and become globular with adequate duration of salt bath. This new type SIMA process can produce globular grains faster, and the grains spheroidize uniformly and are finer compared to the traditional SIMA process.
The grains of the 6066_9 mm material can also be spheroidized after the salt bath. It indicates that the static recrystallized grains in the salt bath also provided high-energy grain boundaries for liquid penetration. Both dynamic and static recrystallization can generate grain spheroidization.
Three major factors to generate fine, uniform, high-liquid fraction and highly spheroidized globular grains in this new type SIMA process: (a) sufficient elements to form low melting point phases, (b) adding some elements to inhibit grain growth and (c) proper extrusive parameters to get fine and uniform initial extrusive microstructure.
In 6xxx series alloys, the 6066 aluminum alloy is the most suitable alloys for new type SIMA process. Mg, Si and Cu can generate low melting point phases and Mn can inhibit grain growth.
The eutectic phases of Al and Mg2Si, Al and Al2Cu and Al and Si are the major phases located on the globule boundaries.
3. High temperature formability and mechanism of deformation of SIMA-processed alloys
3.1. Brief introduction
In this section, mechanical properties and formability under tensile and compressive stress at 500–600°C of the SIMA-processed 6066 alloys were evaluated. And the high temperature deformation mechanism and forming performance were investigated. Besides, the ability of metal flowing and compressibility in a mold of screw at elevated temperatures of SIMA-processed alloys were also estimated.
3.2. Experimental methods
3.2.1. The preparation and codes of specimens
The 6066 alloy is originally a casting column of 6-inch diameter. It was hot extruded in the first step of the new type SIMA process to a 9 mm-thick sheet and to a 3 mm-thick sheet. Hereafter, “F” will be adopted to abbreviate the hot-extruded sheet material. A 3 mm-thick sheet is used in high temperature tensile test and 9 mm-thick sheet is used in high temperature compressive test, respectively.
In the second step of the new type SIMA process, F was held at 620°C in salt bath (620°C is the best temperature confirmed in Section 2). To vary the size of globule, for different duration, namely 1, 4, 10 and 30 min, were set in this treatment. The specimens of these four different durations will be denoted in the following as S1, S4, S10 and S30, respectively.
Aluminum alloys always manufactured in fully annealed status. The fully annealed alloys will be designated as “O.”
3.2.2. Micro-hardness distribution analysis
In order to investigate the difference of hardness between interior globule and globule boundaries, nanoindentation test was performed to evaluate the micro distribution of hardness, using triangular diamond probe with 0.25 nm/s drift velocity and 800 nm depth. The space between adjacent measurement points was 5 μm.
3.2.3. Mechanical test at elevated temperatures and deformation mechanism discussion
A universal material tester was used for the tensile test and compression test. The tensile test was conducted at 500, 550, 600°C and room temperature with the initial strain set at 1.67 × 10−3 s−1. The dimensions of the tensile plate-specimens were shown in Figure 14(a). The broken specimens were used to analyze the fracture mechanism by SEM.
The compression test was performed at 550 and 600°C. Cylindrical specimens with a height of 9 mm and a diameter of 6 mm, as depicted in Figure 14(b), were used. In order to explore the influence of compressive strain rate, two crosshead speeds, namely 3.6 and 36 mm/min, were chosen for the test, which correspond to the initial strain rats of 6.67 × 10−3 s−1 and 6.67 × 10−2 s−1, respectively. All specimens were compressed to 70% strain and the flow curves were analyzed to determine flow resistance. The compressed specimens were sectioned longitudinally and subjected to metallographic analysis.
3.2.4. High temperature formability evaluation
184.108.40.206. Compression with a given compression rate
In the high temperature compression test with a given compression rate, as-extruded alloys, fully annealed alloys, and SIMA alloys were tested to compare their high temperature formability. The alloys were machined into compression specimens with dimensions of 40 mm (length) × 20 mm (width) × 9 mm (thickness). The compression loading of the dissimilar alloys were measured and compared as 50% compression ratio. The compression ratio is defined as
220.127.116.11. Forming test at elevated temperature
The high temperature forming test was conducted to 550°C. In the test, cylindrical specimen as those in the compression test was compressed and shaped into a small screw with 0.8 mm pitch. The size of the screw is shown in Figure 14(c). The compressive displacement was set as 6 mm to compare the degree of filling the fringe of different specimens. The crosshead speed was 36 mm/min because the forming efficiency is a great concern in practice. The curves of compressive load versus compressive displacement and the metallographic data of the specimens compressed into screw nut were obtained to determine the resistance of forming, ability of metal flowing and high temperature formability.
3.3. Micro-hardness distribution
The hardness of globule boundaries and liquid pool, where large amount of second phase formed by partial melting aggregated, is twofold to threefold higher than that of the α-Al matrix in grain interior as shown in Figure 15.
3.4. Tensile properties of SIMA alloy at different temperatures
Temperatures of tensile test were set at room temperature, 500, 550 and 600°C. F, S10 and S30 were chosen to use in tensile test. Figure 16 exhibits the breaking features of three materials at room temperature, 500, 550 and 600°C. These figures reveal dimple fracture for extruded alloys, and intergranular fracture for SIMA-processed alloys. Spheroidized grains can be identified on the breaking surface. Quasi-continuous distribution of second phases with low melting point on globule boundaries results in intergranular fracture.
The yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) of four materials are below 20 MPa as shown in Figure 17. It shows the deformation resistance of 6066 Al alloy is very low at elevated temperatures.
Figure 17 also reveals that the uniform elongation (UE) and total elongation (TE) of F are obviously higher than those of S10 and S30 at all temperatures. The results are due to occurrence of intergranular fracture, which results from quasi-continuous distribution of second phases with low melting point on globule boundaries. These phases are hard and brittle at room temperature, and they can be softened or partial melted at 500 and 550°C. Therefore, intergranular fracture is the main tensile breaking mechanism of S10 and S30 at room temperature and elevated temperatures. The phases with low melting point on globule boundaries are the weakness when SIMA-processed 6066 Al alloys are subjected to tensile loading at all temperatures. SIMA-processed alloys are not proper for forming with tensile loading.
3.5. Compressive properties and deformation mechanism of SIMA-processed alloys at elevated temperatures
Six materials (F, O, S1, S4, S10 and S30) were compressed at 500, 550 and 600°C to 70% compression ratio with 3.6 mm/min (slow rate, abbreviated as “s”) and 36 mm/min (fast rate, abbreviated as “f”) in the compression test. No cracks or fractures took place for all materials tested under all conditions as shown in Figure 18.
The general tendency of decreasing flow resistance with decreasing compression velocity and increasing temperature as shown in Figure 19, which reveals typical flow curves of six materials. The SIMA-processed alloys all had higher flow resistance when they were compressed with slow compression velocity at 500°C. In view of high temperature formability, this result implies poor performance of the SIMA-processed alloy at 500°C.
Given in Figure 19(a) and (b) is the flow curves compressed at 550 and 600°C with 3.6 mm/min. It reveals compression resistance of the SIMA-processed materials are lower than those of F, and they are similar or slightly lower than those of O. Compared to O and F compressed with fast compression rate, Figure 19(d) exhibited lower flow resistance of S10 and S30, and Figure 19(b) indicates lower flow resistance of S4, S10 and S30. Productivity can be enhanced by a higher compression velocity in practical forming applications. The SIMA-processed alloy compressed at 550 and 600°C with 36 mm/min (fast compression rate) performs low deformation resistance. Therefore, SIMA process is potential to substitute annealing in the pretreatment process of manufacturing at elevated temperatures involving high compression rate.
Figure 20 reveal the metallographic characteristics of the extruded and the SIMA-processed materials of various salt bath durations compressed at 600°C with slow compression velocity. The compressed microstructure of extruded alloy is very uniform, but the compression of the SIMA-processed alloy results in three zones of different microstructure: (1) large deformation zone in center of specimen, in which the spheroidized SIMA grains are severely flattened; (2) free deformation zone near the top and bottom edges of the specimen, in which the spheroidized grains still undeformed; and (3) a transition zone in-between the above two zones. The laminated structure is more distinctive and the globules in free deformation zone become larger when duration of salt bath increased.
Three deformation zones are proposed here and they are formed by the mechanism shown schematically in Figure 21. Free deformation zone is generated by globule boundary sliding and flow of liquid, which is formed by low melting point second phases melting. Large deformation zone is compressed majorly by plastic deformation of the globules, infrequently by flow of liquid and globule boundary sliding. In transition zone, the mechanisms of above two zones co-dominate and compete with each other, hence the microstructure alters with position.
Figure 22 reveals the thickness dissimilarity of the deformation zone of the SIMA alloy for different durations of salt bath. Figure 22(a) describes the compression zones and Figure 22(b) reveals the thickness of large deformation layer of SIMA alloys. The higher liquid fraction, higher fluidity and more deformed grains at 600°C lead to the thickness was obviously lower than that of 500°C. The thickness of the large deformation layer of the three SIMA-processed materials is close to each other with the slow compression velocity. It is caused by compress stress being decreased by dynamic recrystallization. The thickness of the large deformation layer of S4 is the largest with the fast compression velocity, followed by those of S10 and S30. The reasons are: (1) grain in the large deformation zone (in the center of the samples) limits flowing and sliding of each other, and thus grains deform during compression in this zone. The deformation of small grains (e.g., S4) is more difficult than that of large grains (e.g., S30) [27–29]. (2) The thickness of the large deformation layer decreases with increasing fluidity during compression. The fluidity of the SIMA-processed alloys enhances because of increasing in the fraction of the liquid phases with the salt bath duration increasing.
3.6. High temperature forming behavior of SIMA-processed alloy
3.6.1. Compression test with a given loading
The compression loading at a 50% compression ratio for various materials for the compression at 600°C is shown in Figure 23. It shows the compression loading of S10 is the lowest. The new type SIMA process reduced compression loading by about 35% compared with that of the as-extruded alloys, and full annealing reduced that by only about 9%. It indicates that the new type SIMA process can promote the compressibility at elevated temperatures. The SIMA-processed alloys have the lowest compression resistance.
3.6.2. Forming test at elevated temperature
F, O, S1, S4, S10 and S30 were compressed and shaped into a small screw nut as shown in Figure 24(a). Figure 24(b) shows the order of loading (from small to large) is S30, S10, S4, O, S1 and F. The compression loading of S30 is the smallest at any compressive displacement. After salt bath for 4 min, the forming resistance of the SIMA-processed alloy is lower than that of F and O. When salt bath duration is adequate, the forming resistance of the SIMA-processed alloy is relative lower.
Figure 25 shows the microstructure of sectioned-shaped specimens. The position of observation is the first fringe of the screw nut. The degree of filling the fringe (from high to low) is S10, S4, S30, S1, O and F. It indicates S10 has the highest ability of metal flowing. It is due to its suitable globule size and sufficient liquid fraction.
SIMA-processed alloys are suitable for forming with compressive stress. The deformation resistance of the SIMA-processed alloy is low and ability of metal flowing of that is high during compression at elevated temperatures with high compression velocity. The compression formability of SIMA-processed alloys is even higher than that of O. These results prove that the new type SIMA process is applicable for manufacturing with compressive stress. The compression loading can reduce by about 30% and production capability can be enhanced by this SIMA process.
High temperature tensile data show that even though high temperature tensile yield stress of SIMA alloys is small, the elongation and formability cannot compete with F. It is due to the multi-elements and hard grain boundaries melting or softening at high temperatures and generating cracks. Cracks are easy to proceed along grain boundaries and result in intergranular fracture.
As compressing temperature is higher than 550°C, the deformation resistance of SIMA alloys descends obviously. With duration of salt bath increasing, deformation resistance decreases more. This advantage is more manifest when compressing rate increases due to dynamic recrystallization appearing as compressing rate being slower. And the results of high temperature forming test prove that sufficient fraction of liquid phase and suitable size of globular grains promotes the fluidity of material and improve the high temperature formability.
At high temperatures, the compressive deforming mechanism of SIMA alloy includes two ways: (1) flowing, flow of liquid incorporating solid grains and grain boundary sliding of outer layer of material, which is named free deformation zone; (2) plastic deformation occurring in the center of material due to grains restrict each other to slide and flow, which is named large deformation zone. Between above two zones, transition zone exists. Two mechanisms compete with each other in this zone and result in the microstructure of this zone has gradually variation.
S10 is the best one for high temperature forming. It performs low deformation resistance and good fluidity. It proves that suitable size of spheroidized grains is necessary. Notably, intergranular fracture still should be avoided, that is, tensile stress cannot be introduced too much in application.
4. Mechanical properties improvement of SIMA-processed alloys
4.1. Brief introduction
In this section, the improvement of the mechanical properties of SIMA alloys was investigated. The SIMA-processed alloy with 10-min salt bath duration (S10) was used and compared its mechanical properties with that of the as-extruded alloy (F). And the mechanical properties of the SIMA alloy and the as-extruded alloy both strengthened via artificial aging (T6) heat treatment and compared their tensile mechanical properties. Besides, the tensile fracture mechanism of these alloys will be demonstrated.
4.2. Experimental methods
The specimens of tensile test are the compressed specimens with a given compression rate in Section 3.6. It defined as SIMA forming material and marked then with a prefix “C-.”
4.2.1. T6 heat treatment and its influences
T6 heat treatment is used for enhancing the mechanical properties. T6 heat treatment includes solution heat treatment and artificial aging. The parameters of solution treatment are set as 530 and 550°C for 2 h, and the parameters of artificial aging is set as 175°C for 8 h (peak aging). Specimens subjected to T6 heat treatment are marked the suffix “/T6530” or “/T6550.” Different solution temperature is used for investigating the effect of amount of solid solution.
4.2.2. Tensile test and tensile fracture mechanism analysis
A universal tester is used in tensile test. Six specimens, namely C-F, C-S10, C-F/T6530, C-F/T6550, C-S10/T6530 and C-S10/T6550, were selected to conduct tensile test at room temperature with the initial strain set as 1.67 × 10−3 s−1. The dimension of tensile specimen is shown in Figure 14(a). The tensile direction is parallel to extruded direction.
The tensile fracture mechanism of different specimens was analyzed by tensile sub-surface observing with optical microscope (OM) and fracture characteristic investigating with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
4.3. Mechanical properties improvement of SIMA forming alloys
The tensile properties data of compressed and heat-treated materials are shown in Figure 26. Figure 26(a) shows the strength data. T6 heat treatment promote the strength of specimens, and the strength of compressed SIMA alloys was slightly lower (by about 10–20 MPa) than that of as-extruded alloys. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of SIMA-processed alloys can reach about 430–440 MPa. It proves the strength of SIMA forming alloys after T6 heat treatment is high enough for general applications.
The tensile elongation of SIMA-processed alloy is much lower than that of as-extruded alloys as shown in Figure 26(b). Compression at 600°C can enhance the uniform elongation (UE) to about 23% and total elongation (TE) to about 27% because the hard and brittle phases at globule boundaries composed of Al, Mg, Si and Cu diffused into the matrix. Elongation is increased after T6 heat treatment, and it increases with decreasing solution heat treatment temperature. Uniform elongation is about 12% and total elongation is 16% when the solution heat treatment temperature was 530°C. In short, high temperature compression at elevated temperature and T6 heat treatment can improve the mechanical properties of SIMA-processed alloys. An appropriate heat treatment can promote the strength higher than 400 MPa and elongation higher than 10%.
4.4. Mechanism of tensile fracture of SIMA forming alloys
Figure 27 shows the microstructures of compressed SIMA alloys after T6 heat treatment. It shows that the original compressed globular grains of compressed SIMA alloys grew during solution treatment, as shown in Figure 27(a) and (b). The microstructure of T6-heat-treated as-extruded alloys remained as fine recrystallized grains, as show in Figure 27(c) and (d). The degree of precipitation strengthening of these two kinds of 6066 Al alloys should be identical because their compositions and T6 heat treatment conditions are the same. The slight difference of mechanical properties is due to grain size [27–29]. The strength of as-extruded alloys was higher than that of SIMA forming alloys because of the former’s fine grains.
Figure 28 reveals the elemental distribution of compressed SIMA alloys after T6 heat treatment. It reveals all elements distribute uniformly. It indicates T6 heat treatment makes Cu, Mg and Si solid-solute and precipitate completely.
Figures 29 and 30 interpret the fracture mechanism of all materials. The intergranular fracture characteristic of SIMA-processed materials is shown in Figures 29(a) and 30(a). The phases with low melting point melted, penetrated and solidified at globule boundaries, resulting in the globule boundary being more brittle and harder than the matrix. It leads to stress concentration and the generation of cracks. These cracks initiated at globule boundaries and connected with each other, leading to intergranular fracture. Otherwise, Figure 29(c)–(f) show the dimple fractures on the fracture surfaces of compressed SIMA alloys and T6-heat-treated compressed SIMA alloys. Dimple fracture is a ductile fracture characteristic caused by micro-voids coalescence. Figure 30(b)-(d) reveals the sub-surface morphologies of compressed SIMA alloys and T6-heat-treated compressed SIMA alloys. The brittle phases with low melting point disappeared after compression at elevated temperatures, leading to improvement of mechanical properties. After T6 heat treatment, the mechanical properties of SIMA forming alloys are high enough for general applications.
The mechanical properties of SIMA-processed alloys can be improved obviously (especially elongation) even though that of original SIMA-processed alloys are very low, and T6 heat treatment enhances the mechanical properties of SIMA alloys more to be sufficient for common applications.
The improvement of mechanical properties is due to the elimination of brittle and hard phases located on globule boundaries via high temperature compression and solution treatment of T6.
Three major factors to generate fine, uniform, high-liquid fraction and highly spheroidized globular globules in this new type SIMA process are the following: (a) sufficient elements to form low melting point phases, (b) adding elements for inhibiting grain growth and (c) proper extrusive parameters to get fine and uniform initial extrusive microstructure. For 6xxx Al-Mg-Si alloys, low melting point phases can be composited of Mg, Si, Cu and Al, and globule growth can be inhibited by adding Mn (or V and Zr). Heating method of salt bath results in Ostwald ripening being the major globule growth mechanism. Degree of spheroidization is positive relative to liquid fraction but it is independent on extrusive ratio.
At the temperature of solid-liquid coexistence, compressive stress is suitable for SIMA materials forming. Tensile stress will lead to intergranular fracture because brittle and hard phases locate on globule boundaries. Compression of the SIMA-processed alloy results in three zones of different microstructure, namely large deformation zone, free deformation zone and transition zone. SIMA materials perform high compressibility at high compression rate. High spheroidization, high liquid fraction and small globule size enhance the ability of metal flowing and improve the compressibility at elevated temperatures.
High temperature compression can improve the elongation of SIMA alloys. The mechanical properties of SIMA alloys can be enhanced by T6 heat treatment. The improvement of mechanical properties is due to the elimination of brittle and hard phases located on globule boundaries via high temperature compression and solution treatment of T6.
Wang N, Zhou Z, Lu G. Microstructural evolution of 6061 alloy during isothermal heat treatment. Journal of Materials Science and Technology. 2011; 27(1):8-14
Fan Z. Semisolid metal processing. International Materials Reviews. 2002; 47:49-85
Tzimas E, Zavaliangos A. A comparative characterization of near-equiaxed microstructures as produced by spray casting, magnetohydronamic casting and the stress induced, melt activated process. Materials Science and Engineering A. 2000; 289:217-227
Tzimas E, Zavaliangos A. Evolution of near-equizxed microstructure in the semisolid state. Materials Science and Engineering A. 2000; 289:228-240
Song YB, Park KT, Hong CP. Recrystallization behavior of 7175 Al alloy during modified strain-induced melt-activation (SIMA) process. Materials Transactions. 2006; 47:1250-1256
Parshizfard E, Shabestari SG. An investigation on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of A380 aluminum alloy during SIMA process. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 2011; 509:9654-9658
Paes M, Zoqu EJ. Semi-solid behavior of new Al-Si-Mg alloy for thixoforming. Materials Science and Engineering A. 2005; 406:63-73
Young KP, Kyonka CP, Courtois JA. United States Patent 4415374. Nov.15 1983
Glickman EE, Nathan M. On the kinetic mechanism of grain boundary wetting in metals. Journal of Applied Physics. 1999; 85:3185-3191
Zhangm L, Liu YB, Cao ZY, Zhang YF, Zhang QQ. Effects of isothermal process parameters on the microstructure of semisolid AZ91D alloy produced by SIMA. Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 2009; 209:792-797
Qin QD, Zhao YG, Xiu K, Zhou W, Liang YH. Microstructure evolution of in situ Mg2Si/Al-Si-Cu composite in semisolid remelting process. Materials Science and Engineering A. 2005; 407:196-200
Ji Z, Hu M, Suguyama S, Yanagimoto J. Formatioin process of AZ31B semi-solid microstructures through strain-induced melt activation method. Materials Characterization. 2008; 59:905-911
Wang JG, Lu P, Wang HY, Liu JF, Jiang QC. Semisolid microstructure evolution of the predeformed AZ91D alloy during heat treatment. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 2005; 395:108-112
Wang Z, Ji Z, Hu M, Xu H. Evolution of the semi-solid microstructure of ADC12 alloy in a modified SIMA process. Materials Characterization. 2011; 62:925-930
Yan G, Zhao S, Ma S, Shou H. Microstructural evolution of A356.2 alloy prepared by the SIMA process. Materials Characterization. 2012; 69:45-51
Bolouri A, Shahmiri M, Kang CG. Coarsening of equiaxed microstructure in the semisolid state of aluminum 7075 alloy through SIMA processing. Journal of Materials Science. 2012; 47:3544-3553
Hardy SC, Voorhees PW. Ostwald ripening in a system with a high volume fraction of coarsening phase. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A. 1988; 19:2713-2721
Atkinson HV, Liu D. Coarsening rate of microstructure in semi-solid aluminum alloys. Transaction of Nonferrous Metals Society of China. 2010; 20:1672-1676
ASM International Handbook Committee. Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials. 1990. p. 51
Hatch JE. Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy. Ohio: American Society for Metals; 1984. pp. 224-240
Totten GE, Mackenzie DS. Handbook of Aluminum-Physical Metallurgy and Process. New York: Metal Dekker Inc.; 2003. pp. 168-185
Zhen L, Fei WD, Kang SB, Kim HW. Precipitation behavior of Al-Mg-Si alloys with high silicon content. Journal of Materials Science. 1997; 32:1895
Jeniski Jr RA. Effects of Cr addition on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of 6061-T6 continuously cast and rolled redraw rod. Materials Science and Engineering A. 1997; 237:52-64
Claves SR, Elias DL, Misiolek WZ. Analysis of the intermetallic phase transformation occurring during homogenization of 6xxx aluminum alloys. Materials Science Forum. 2002; 396:667-674
Cabibbo M, Evangelista E, Scalabroni C, Bonetti E. A transmission electron microscopy study of the role of Sc+Zr addition to a 6082-T8 alloy subjected to equal channel angular pressing. Materials Science Forum. 2006; 503-504:841-846
Huang HJ, Cai YH, Cui H, Huang JF, He JP, Zhabg JS. Influence of Mn addition on microstructure and phase formation of spray-deposited Al-25Si-xFe-yMn alloy. Materials Science and Engineering A. 2009; 502:118-125
Petch NJ. The cleavage strength of polycrystals. Journal of Iron Steel Institute. 1953; 174:8-25
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Tilly GP. In: Scott D, editor. Treatise on Materials Science and Technology. 13th ed. New York: Academic Press; 1979. pp. 287-319

domain: chemistry


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Greetings everyone, July is coming to a close and hopefully the heat will subside too. We are drawing close to Black August for those of you who have not heard of or unaware. Black August is a month long tribute to the Black resistance and freedom fighters who were killed by the state of California.
Black August also commemorates several black uprisings that took place during the month. Those uprisings included the Watts Uprising, Haitian Revolution, and the March on Washington. The significance of these events should stand as reminder that the fight for equality is not over and there is work to be done.
T- Dubb O – The Raw Files
It is only fitting when I talk about Black resistance that I mention one of my St. Louis favorites T-Dubb O. Known for his unapologetic thoughts on Black Resistance and his involvement in The Ferguson Uprising. Dubb has released a new project today titled “The Raw Files”.
“The Raw Files” is a few of Dubb’s unreleased tunes that he has been sitting on. I would not say you want to call this a throw away because Dubb is a highly skilled emcee and has managed to put out several solid projects over the years. Notable tracks worth checking out is “M.O.E.”, “The Madness” featuring Bo Dean and Gthesinger, and “No Freedom in Hell” featuring Tef Poe.
Isaiah Rashad – The House is Burning
It has been nearly five years since we last heard from TDE’s Isaiah Rashad. “The House is Burning” is 16 tracks of Isaiah Rashad bringing his Chattanooga influenced vibes to the world. Coming in around 48 minutes this project features Duke Deuce on “Lay Wit Ya”, new comers Iamdoechii and Kal Banx on “Wat U Sed”, along with St. Louis’s Smino on “Claymore”.
Rashad’s latest is full of the sounds we have grown to love and features production credits from Kal Banx, and Kenny Beats. Beside the songs already mentioned my favorite tracks on the album include “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”, “True Story”featuring Jay Rock and Jay Worthy, “Score” featuring SZA and 6lack. Overall this is a solid album and may get tossed in one of those best of categories come award time.
Silk Sonic – Skate
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are back with another song “Skate” from their forthcoming collaboration as Silk Sonic. This song will definitely make you pick up your favorite rollerblades and get down on the floor. There is no word still on when the project will drop but in the meantime enjoy the grooves.
Lydia Ceasar – The Ones We Love
Lydia Ceasar is an emerging artist originally from New York who now resides in the St. Louis region. Ceasar released her latest single “The Ones We Love” on streaming platforms today and will be performing live at The Grandel Open Air Concert series July 31. Unfortunately tickets are sold out for the event, but If you would like a chance to win tickets you can click here to catch Lydia singing tomorrow night.
Follow Enforcer Fridays
Well, this will conclude new music Friday and my picks for the week. You can listen to #EnforcerFridays playlist for a full update of todays picks along with the rest of my favorite Hip Hop and R&B songs.
- New Music: Hit Boy & Alchemist, Icewear Vezzo plus several new singles added to the Playlist - Friday, February 2, 2024
- Aida Ade (Live at the Dark Room) - Saturday, January 27, 2024
- New Music Friday: Keyon Harrold, Destin Conrad, Elcamino & Black Soprano Family, and more - Friday, January 19, 2024

domain: artistic


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How Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Came Back From Rock Bottom People's 'Sexiest Man Alive,' who, oh yeah, is also the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, has launched a new YouTube series called 'Seven Bucks Moment.'
Ever feel like you've hit rock bottom? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has.
People's "Sexiest Man Alive," who, oh yeah, is also the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, launched a new YouTube series Tuesday called "Seven Bucks Moment." In the premiere entry, Johnson discusses the lowest point in his life: when he was cut from the Canadian Football League after two months.
"I was so broke that I couldn't even afford a cab to the airport," Johnson says in the video.
He was 23 or 24 at the time, and he returned home to Miami and called his father for a ride back to his parents's apartment. In his father's truck, Johnson discovered that he had only $7 in his pocket -- hence the name of the series.
"It's the time in your life when you faced such adversity, such challenges, and you felt you had hit rock bottom and there was no place to go but rise back up again," Johnson says. "We've all been there. We've all been through hard times, and we know what it's like to get our asses kicked and get knocked down, but we also know what it's like to come back up again."
For two weeks, Johnson sat in his parents's apartment watching the O.J. Simpson trial and cleaning "every scuff mark" he found.
"Then I realized there was something else for me. The world was going to hear from me," he says. "I didn't know how. I didn't know when. But I did know my life wasn't just sitting around this apartment. I started turning my life around and I started training again."
Johnson decided to end his pursuit of a professional football career to go into professional wrestling. As he puts it in the video: "The rest, as they say, is history."
Watch The Rock tell his story here:

domain: news


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Normita Suarez and Jesus Alvariño were two popular artists from radio and television in Cuba as well as in exile, an exile that was imposed by the lack of freedom in their homeland. Jesus was an important artist from the 1940s, 50s and 60s in programs like Tamakún, Los tres Villalobos (written by Armando Couto, it was for years the most listened to radio program in Cuba and other Latin American countries), La Taberna de Pedro, where he played “Pedro el Polaco” (already on television). Normita Suárez was also an artist from a young age and excelled in many programs such as «Casos y cosas de casa» (Cases and Household Things) as well as others. She also starred in theater and movies.
But not only in Cuba were these two artists well know —both crossed borders and were recognized throughout Latin America. In the wide photo gallery included in this book, you can see the friendships they had with the greatest artists of their time. They also stood out for their Christian ideals, not only in their personal and family life but also in their evangelizing task. That is why the letter from Mons. Agustín Román, Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, is included on the back cover.
This book is not only about the lives of these talented artists, it is also a history of Cuban radio and television because, through them, we are presented with many of the best Cuban artists and their most important moments. It includes a selection of articles by Jesús Alvariño with current themes, humor and Christian reflections.
Lourdes Alvariño Suárez de Castiñeira was the editor of this book. She not only saves the memory of her parents for posterity, but also that of that golden age of Cuban radio and television


Grateful Dead Illustration book
As every Dead Head knows all Grateful Dead shows are a unique one off experience. The energy shared from Grateful Dead music has formed a dedicated community Inspired by the music. I created a visual interpretation of their songs and arranged them into a setlist. Just like a Dead show I wanted the setlist to be unique in its own way while still containing that one thing loved most about their shows.... the anticipation of what's to come.
8 x 10


Q: Why is using the robot to create recipient sites useful in a hair transplant?
A: The ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant system eliminates the inconsistencies inherent in creating large numbers of recipient sites by hand. The robot can create sites at a rate of up to 2,000 per hour. Although there is more set-up time compared to sites made manually, once the physician specifies the parameters such as punch depth, punch angle, and site direction, recipient site creation is precise and rapid.
One of the benefits of robotic site creation is that the distribution of grafts over a fixed area of the scalp can be exact. For example, if one wants to transplant 1,000 grafts evenly over 50cm2 of area, this can be done with great precision and with uniform site spacing. In addition, the physician can vary the densities in select regions of the scalp and the robot will adjust the densities in other areas so that the total number of sites remains the same.
Another benefit of the new technology is that the robot can be programmed to avoid existing hair and select which specific hair diameters to avoid. The robot is programmed to keep a specified distance from the existing hair to ensure that the resident follicles will not be damaged and that the distribution of new hair is even and natural. This computerized mechanism appears to be more accurate than what can be done by hand and, importantly, does not sacrifice speed in the process.


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There is nothing quite as red, white, and blue as some amazing barbecue in one of the nation’s oldest states. If you are in the mood for some smoky meat, pulled pork extravaganzas, or just want to sit around eating barbecued chicken wings and sipping on some original brews, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the 6 best barbecue joints in Maryland.
This once local hangout has been gaining in popularity as more people take the short trip down Forest drive to the Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern for some of the best barbecue in the area. Not only do they have amazing brisket and pull pork that will have your mouth watering for more, plus some of the best brews on tap, but they also have award winning chicken wings that you simply have to taste.
Mackeis Southern Barbecue, a place where you can get fantastic barbecue made from the finest local ingredients. This is a restaurant that has become a local fan favorite in Gaithersburg, based on the sheer quality of food you can get here. When you factor in the amazing service and friendly staff, and a modern interpretation of classic American barbecue, you have a restaurant that you cannot pass up. If you really have a craving for meat, try their meat by the pound option to buy some smoked classics.
For the residents of South County, Maryland there is a place they go whenever they have to eat some local, fresh, and amazing barbecue. That place is the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, a family friendly joint in Churchton. Bring the whole family down to try some local favorites like smoked chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, or a burger known as “not your Mama’s burger.” Or stick with a classic like brisket.
Baltimore has a legendary pit beef stop that was started in 1987 by Gus Glava. The food here is sourced locally and is the freshest, highest quality of meat that has put this joint on the map. It has one of Guy Fieri’s favorite sandwiches, as featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” Chaps was named one of Food Networks “Top Favorite Places to Eat,” and the awards have just kept coming. For someone who wants barbecue that will make you never want to leave, and then come back as soon as you can, go to Chaps Pit Beef and find out what it takes to be an award-winning smokehouse.
When you think of Texas, the first thing you think of Texas barbecue in a relaxed setting that harkens back to a slower time. If you are in the mood for cowboy boots, country music, and mouthwatering barbecue then head down to Texas Ribs and BBQ. A cowboy themed restaurant, this place also has some of the best baby backs, steaks, and seafood to offer. Come for the ambiance, stay for amazing food.
On the Eastern Shore and craving some hot, smoky meat? Come on down to Hot Off the Coals, one of the Eastern Shore’s best barbecue joints. Run by Chef Ric Brice, who has spent the last 40 years tweaking and perfecting his recipes, the love and dedication that goes into his smoking is epic, and it shows. With handpicked angus beef, certified pork and chicken, and baked beans to die for, this is one place you never want to drive past. If the family is coming, there are even options to get slow cooked sandwiches, subs, and salads.

domain: food


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Gabrielle Epstein 22/10/2021
Gabrielle Epstein – Celebrity Fashion Style 22nd October 2021 – is an Australian model and social media celebrity. She was born on February 19, 1994 in Australia.
She has over 3 million Followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And her estimated net worth is $11 Million in 2021.
More details of Gabrielle Epstein will be updated here soon. This is latest viral updates on social media under just fashion now, celebrity, fashion, trending.

domain: celebrity


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STOUGHTON (CBS) – In his obituary, a Stoughton man is asking voters not to elect Hillary Clinton in this year's presidential election.
Carl Crocetti, 62, died on Sunday after a decline in health over the last year.
The lifelong Stoughton resident is survived by his son Carlo.
In his obituary, Crocetti pleaded for residents not to vote for the likely Democratic nominee this fall.
"Carl requested in lieu of flowers that people elect NOT to vote for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election in November," the obituary reads.
Carlo says his dad was like a cartoon character.
"He was very animated, very passionate about the election," Carlo said. "What I will say is, he wants to make American great again."
A larger than life legend who loved hot cars, speed boats and was a laugh riot.
"When you bring your future wife to the house to meet your father, and he's wearing his underwear, and he doesn't care, and he makes it known, that's kind of guy he was," Carlo said.
He was a man who pulled no punches and who didn't shy from politics.
"I'm just trying to honor him as best I can," Carlo said. "And this is how I'm doing it."
A funeral will be held for Crocetti on Tuesday at 7 p.m. with visiting hours from 4-7 p.m. that day at Farley Funeral Home in Stoughton.
This is not the first time this election cycle that a Massachusetts resident has used their obituary to send a political message.
In March, a Lynn woman's obituary asked for people not to vote for Donald Trump.
for more features.


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Accurate diagnosis is of major importance for
Accurate diagnosis is of major importance for optimizing the treatment and providing the patient and family with proper information regarding ways to cope with the disease and prepare for the future. In this context, many patients are still diagnosed with "Dementia", but not with the specific etiology: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontal lobe dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies. The estimated prevalence of these etiologies varies greatly in different studies. Zacci in his review found that in different studies the prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies is 0-5% in the general population and the prevalence among patients with dementia is 0 to 30.5% (Zaccai). The wide range of these findings, can point to significant differences in diagnosing this medical condition. Differences in data can rate this disease as the common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease or as an esoteric rare disease.
97subjects residents of a centrally located unit and 67 residents of a unit in the periphery. Patients in the center were not significantly different in their age from their counterparts in the periphery. Significant differences were found in the following parameters: the pre hospitalization socio-economic status of patients that was significantly higher in the center than in the periphery. In the center patients had significantly more years of education and more in-house leaving employed workers prior to hospital admission (Table 1).
These aspects are related to one another. A patient under close observation and follow up in a memory clinic will most probably have a better chance of being diagnosed correctly and receiving the available treatment. Our results show that significantly fewer patients in the periphery were in a follow-up of a memory clinic. Significantly fewer patients with the diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease in the periphery had a CT scan. We see it as a possible indication to the difference in the diagnosis process between center and periphery.
We believe that an appropriate solution for the general population and especially for those living in the periphery is to have a spread-out network of regional memory clinics for the elderly. We should aspire that all patients with dementia should be in a follow up of a memory clinic. In this way disparities will be minimized; more patients will undergo thorough investigation in order to establish as accurate a diagnosis as possible. Choline esterase inhibitors and Memantine will be prescribed to every patient with the proper indication. Atypical neuroleptic drugs should be readily available to each patient with dementia and behavioral problems. The current situation in Israel in which many patients are not in a routine follow-up of memory clinics, probably affects the quality of care these patients receive.
Lancet 2005 ;366(9503):2112-7.Lancet 2005 ;366(9503):2112
A systematic review of prevalence and incidence studies of dementia with Lewy bodies.
Choctaw Indian dementia patients. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7(6):562-6.
The Israeli Central Bureau of statistics.
Live-in home aid
Table 1. Demographic data: Patients from the center vs. periphry
Fig. (1) MMSE score on admission Center vs. Periphery. Error bars represent confidence limits.
Follow-up by a memory clinic (%)
Fig. (2) Patients who were in a follow-up of a memory clinic prior to admission. Error bars represent confidence limits.
Fig. (3) Patients with Alzheimer's disease who undergo CT scan prior to admission. Error bars represent confidence limits.
Fig. (4) The portion of patients who were treated with atypical neuroleptic among the all patients who were treated with neuroleptics.Error bars represent confidence limits.
Fig. (5) Patients who were not treated with Choline esterase inhibitorr or Memantine

domain: literature


A new promo for Rachel Lindsay's upcoming Bachelorette season is here! It's only 30 seconds long, but there's plenty of detail packed into the clip.
The trailer has everything you could want from The Bachelorette. There's a rose being destroyed, a gorgeous (and totally over the top) gown, and a killer Fifth Harmony song.
We already knew from the first poster for Season 13 that Lindsay is literally becoming a rose in the ads. It's an interesting visual, and it couldn't be more fitting for the flower-loving franchise.
But in the new promo, the rose takes a darker turn. Lindsay is still wearing the rose petal-inspired dress, but she's got some attitude, too. The Texas lawyer dramatically stomps on rose petals after a flower falls to the ground. The stomping may be a reference to Nick Viall for sending her home from The Bachelor — though she's clearly doing just fine.
Meanwhile, all of the stomping is set to "That's My Girl" — with the song title appearing on screen, in rose petals, at the end.
There's almost a month to go until Lindsay's Bachelorette season starts, so it's safe to say we'll be seeing more ads before Season 13 starts on May 22. Until then, I'll be studying up on Lindsay's potential suitors — from what we've seen from a few of them, they might deserve a stepped-on rose.
Even if you're not a fan of the Bachelor franchise, the new Bachelorette season is one to watch. Lindsay is the first Black bachelorette in the show's history.
"I'm happy to represent myself as a Black woman in front of America, and I'm happy for America to rally behind me and see what it's like for me to be on this journey to find love," Lindsay told People in February. Check out the new promo below.


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Jenna Jameson just revealed her keto diet grocery haul from trader Joe's
Luckily, she's definitely delivering with a series of posts on her new Instagram account @ketocantlose.
Luckily, she's definitely delivering with a series of posts on her new Instagram account @ketocantlose. In them, Jenna breaks down what she bought during a recent trip to Trader Joe’s, plus why she likes each item so much. It’s only been up for a few hours, and people are already losing it over her haul.
“They should rename this ‘Jenna’s spread dip’…Okay, maybe not,” she says. “This is the jam, guys. The jam. Buy it if you can find it.”
“I got this artichoke antipasto, which will be great on my eggs in the morning. You want to change it up, you know?” she says, before pointing out it that it only has one gram of carbs per serving.
3 Trader Giotto’s Bruschetta
“I got this bruschetta topping for eggs in the morning,” she says. “I’m telling you—it’s hard to eat eggs every morning. You’ve got to switch it up, you’ve got to put stuff on them to make it taste good.” The topping has three grams of carbs, which she says is “not bad.”
4 Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce
“I was thinking about making zucchini enchiladas, and I found this enchilada sauce,” Jenna says. “It’s only three grams of carbs, zero sugar so not bad. Should taste good!”
5 Trader Joe’s Prepared Horseradish
“Not a huge amount of people like it but I adore it,” she says. “It’s a great detoxifier for your body. So if you do like it, I recommend it.” Jenna also says that the horseradish is “so great paired with steak” or when you use it in a salad dressing.
6 Trader Joe’s Jalapeno Monterey Jack Cheese
“This is some of my favorite cheese,” she says. “I like to just melt it and eat it, so it’s a great snack.” However, Jenna says she’s off dairy for a few days.
7 Trader Joe’s Thai Lime and Chili Cashews
“I got these for a little snack,” she says. The nuts have five grams of carbs per serving which Jenna says “isn’t bad.” However, she adds, “when you get stuff like this, just don’t eat a huge amount. Just have a handful—boom, you’re done.”
8. Trader Joes Onion Salt and Cottage Cheese
A few other items Jenna likes to keep in the mix: onion salt, cottage cheese, olive oil, carrots for roasting, broccoli, and green onions.
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- This article tells about musical instrument. Synthesizer means also some equipment which generates something synthetically, for example frequency synthesizer in electronics
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of imitating the sound of many traditional instruments, and of producing unique musical sounds of its own.
The concept has a long history. The traditional pipe organ has numerous sets of pipes controlled with stops, producing a variety of different tone colors. Some have names like "flute," "strings," "trombone," and even "Vox humana" (human voice).
The word "synthesizer" derives from the concept of synthesizing a complex waveform out of simple ones, particularly sine waves. Fourier analysis consists of breaking a complex waveform into sine waves, so the converse process is called synthesis. The 1934 Hammond Organ used this technique, producing sine waves with stable and precise tuning by an electromagnetic system known as tonewheels. However, even though it was using additive synthesis, it was not called a "synthesizer."
The 1955 RCA Music Synthesizer was the first machine to receive the name. It was a room-sized machine using vacuum tubes. It was controlled by a prepunched paper tape, like a player piano. It had no keyboard or any means for a musician to "play" it. The music laboriously prepared for it was played in strict rhythm. RCA released a few recordings produced by this device, but it was never more than a curiosity. Nevertheless, it was able not only to produce different timbres and tone colorations, but vibrato, and instrument-like attacks and decays. It really does sound rather like a modern "synthesizer."
By the late 1960s and 1970s, solid-state electronics made analog synthesizers more inexpensive and practical, and Robert Moog in particular developed a series of synthesizers which had keyboards as interfaces and began to attract the attention of musicians. A breakthrough occurred in 1968 when Walter Carlos released Switched-on Bach, an LP of Bach piece which he "realized" on a specially-built Moog synthesizer. These synthesizers were still not performance instruments; they could only play one part at a time, and Carlos had to assemble his pieces on a multitrack recorder. The genuinely musical quality of his "realizations" took the synthesizer out of the realm of a novelty or a source of sound effects (like the Theremin) and touched off a wave of synthesizer use.
By the 1990s, digital electronics made it possible for synthesizers to be performance instruments, playing chords and supplying effect such as vibrato in real time. Improved synthesis algorithms and the use of "sampled" sounds recorded from real instruments made it possible for synthesizers to produce not only electronic sounds but extremely convincing imitations of traditional instrument sounds. In performances of works such as musical comedies and operettas, a sole synthesizer player could produce a tolerable rendition of the score all by himself; not as good as a real 15-piece pit band, of course, but far better than a pianist playing a "piano reduction" of the score.
The synthetic transformation can be the result of any of several processes, including the subtraction of qualities from a sound, the addition of qualities to a sound, modulation of pitch, waveform, and sound phase, and also from digitally-sampled sounds.
Notes and references
- The 1955 RCA Music Synthesizer. Has links to recorded examples.

domain: entertainment


text:
"World's Leading Large Ship Specialist"
Tom Baker, President — CruiseCenter
The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
The Signature Collection Sailings offer Exceptional Value and Exclusive Amenities.
Rocking a name that balances the duality of the iridescent glow of the seven seas with the fierce intelligence of women across the world, Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages' fourth ship in the fleet, is splashing onto the scene with bright and vivid intention - ready to take you across the world.
Fares listed are per person, based on double occupancy, except for categories V1 and I1 - these are solo staterooms and can only accommodate one guest. Pricing for V1 and I1 is based on solo occupancy. Taxes and fees are additional. If booking outside
All prices per person and in USD unless otherwise stated.
Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.
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domain: travel


text:
Release Date: 1941
DVD Release Date: September 19th, 2006
Not Yet Rated|1 hr 57 min
In Austria, German Ludwig Kern (Glenn Ford) is stripped of his passport and jailed for 40 days when he admits he is a Jew. Befriended by German political dissident Josef Steiner (Fredric March), the men travel to Czechoslovakia together upon their release. As the German army closes in on first Czechoslovakia, then Austria and ultimately France as war begins, Ludwig, Josef and fellow refugee Ruth Holland (Margaret Sullavan), without passports, desperately try to keep one step ahead of them.
Director: John Cromwell

domain: library


I've been keen on Sailor for ages, and was very pleased to find this CD was actually two albums on the one disc. Good value for money to start off with!
I always enjoy their music, and the notes and bio of the group in the cover sleeve were very informative... how the guys got together, how they decided on the nautical sailor theme, the story of their great nickelodeon instrument. I think I appreciate their music more now I know more about them.
All their best-known tracks, and I think my favourite is "The Old Nickelodeon Sound" - lovely nostalgic lyrics, and wonderful backing.


Shay B. Cohen, Noah A. Smith.
Year: 2010, Volume: 11, Issue: 101, Pages: 3017−3051
Probabilistic grammars offer great flexibility in modeling discrete sequential data like natural language text. Their symbolic component is amenable to inspection by humans, while their probabilistic component helps resolve ambiguity. They also permit the use of well-understood, general-purpose learning algorithms. There has been an increased interest in using probabilistic grammars in the Bayesian setting. To date, most of the literature has focused on using a Dirichlet prior. The Dirichlet prior has several limitations, including that it cannot directly model covariance between the probabilistic grammar's parameters. Yet, various grammar parameters are expected to be correlated because the elements in language they represent share linguistic properties. In this paper, we suggest an alternative to the Dirichlet prior, a family of logistic normal distributions. We derive an inference algorithm for this family of distributions and experiment with the task of dependency grammar induction, demonstrating performance improvements with our priors on a set of six treebanks in different natural languages. Our covariance framework permits soft parameter tying within grammars and across grammars for text in different languages, and we show empirical gains in a novel learning setting using bilingual, non-parallel data.


text:
Theatre Of The Deranged
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Andy the Arsonist wishes you the warmest of welcomes to his Theatre Of The Deranged for a night of thrills, chills, spills and oh yes...Grisly, Gory Murders!. Under the eerie light of his dusty projector, your host and resident pyromaniac will treat you to five short films from some of the best horror writer/directors in the indie scene. He'll take you on a demented adventure across the English countryside, through surreal homicides, only to be eaten alive by adult film sensation Sophie Dee. But first he'll pay your admission to a sinister carnival along with horror legend Shawn C. Phillips.
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“Lust For Blood” is both comical and bizarre. The jokes are funny, the acting is over the top exaggerated and the effects are cheesy.“Bad Dennis” is filmed with gory vision and plenty of screams. “Speak Easy” is a dark dubstep into betrayal of the man-code. This short was a brilliant blood sprayed tale. “Doll Parts” is Americana warped into pure insanity and the gore is gloriously rich. “Cannibal Blood Girl” is total punk rock indie gore. A hilariously cheesy karmic tale of terror. Andy the Arsonist delivers on his promise to bring truly twisted tales in “Theatre Of The Deranged”. The stories are original homages to classic indie filmmaking. I only hope there will be more deranged tales to come.
Most recent customer reviews
Really appreciate the way the various directors portray the genre. 5 Stars. Great stuff.


text:
The Suns will stick with the same starting five as they look to get back on track in Game 6 after losing the last three games of the series. They will look to force a Game 7 on Thursday and should be led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton.
The Bucks will continue to run with the same starting five after taking the last three games of the series. Tonight, they will look to take home their first NBA Finals trophy since 1971 and should be led by Giannis, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday.
The Suns will stick with the same starting five as they look to get back on track in Game 5 after losing the last two games in Milwaukee. They will look to take a 3-2 series lead tonight at home in Phoenix and be led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton.
The Bucks will continue to run with the same starting five after evening the series at 2 games apiece with their victory on Wednesday. Tonight, they look to steal a game on the road to take a 3-2 series lead before heading back to Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo has been listed as out for Saturday’s Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns due to health and safety protocols. So far he is the only Bucks player that seems to be in the protocol but we will monitor the situation, we did not have Thanasis projected for any minutes tonight so no one stands to benefit in any major way from his absence. The Bucks should be led by Giannis, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday as they look to take a 3-2 series lead tonight and send the series back to Milwaukee on Tuesday with a chance to win the NBA Finals.
The Suns will try to bounce back tonight from their first loss of the series and will do so with the same starting five that they have been using throughout the series and most of the playoffs. The Suns will look to take a 3-1 lead tonight and set up a closeout game on Saturday in Phoenix to win the NBA Finals.
The Bucks will continue to run with the same starting five as they look to even the series at two games apiece tonight before the series heads back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Saturday.
Lineup Update: Suns will start Paul, Booker, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton on Sunday
Coach Budenholzer will elect to keep the same starting five for Game 3 on Sunday despite being down in the series 2-0. The Bucks will look to capture their first win at home in Milwaukee tonight and should be led in production by Giannis, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday.
As expected, Torrey Craig will be available for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday after being listed as probable on the injury report last night. Craig suffered a knee contusion last game when drawing a charge on Giannis Antetokounmpo and was unable to return. If he were to be limited tonight (though there has been no word on this yet), we could expect more minutes from Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cam Johnson. The Suns offense should be run primarily through Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton as Phoenix looks to take a commanding 3-0 series lead tonight.
Lineup Update: Suns will start Paul, Booker, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton on Thursday
The Bucks will roll with the same starting five as they did in Game 1 as they look to bounce back from a tough loss and tie the series at 1 game apiece tonight.
Lineup Update: Suns will start Paul, Booker, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton on Tuesday
Giannis will rejoin the starting lineup after just being cleared to play for Game 1 of the NBA Finals which will send Bobby Portis back to the bench. It remains to be seen how effective Giannis will be coming back so quickly from his injury or if he will be limited.
Giannis has been further upgraded from questionable and will play tonight in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Although there has been no official word yet he will likely be limited, if this is the case Bobby Portis (who has started in place of Giannis while he has been out) will likely play an increased role off the bench along with Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes. Also if limited, both Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will be forced to play larger roles and will become the main source of offense for the Bucks when Giannis is off the floor. The Milwaukee offense should be led by Giannis (for however long he is on the court), Middleton, and Holiday as the Bucks look to take Game 1 of the Finals in Phoenix tonight.

domain: sports


text:
Matt and Chuck talk Braves Winter Meeting news and singings, UGA having some players hitting the portal, and the Hawks needing to get some stuff together.
We also play Win Chuck's Dinner and have a College Football Today.
Chuck and Chernoff
Atlanta Braves Radio Network
The Bulldog Beat
Chuck & Chernoff - Is Fields coming to Atlanta plus a Scott Boras conversation
Chuck & Chernoff - Doc McChuckins & an elite Braves pairing
Chuck & Chernoff - Latest on Falcons QB search & Audio Fun Bag


text:
Dog Breed Pug And Beagle Mix Reviews
She can come in medium and toy sizes and has a life span of 10 to 15 years.
Dog breed pug and beagle mix reviews. Here people add reviews who knows pros and cons of relative dog breeds. Get beagle dog reviews from real people who own beagle dog breed. German shepherd pitbull mix. He is described as friendly curious and merry and this is where the puggle gets his happy go lucky attitude from.
They are good family dogs easygoing relaxed and friendly. She sometimes participates in agility competitions and is otherwise a very perky and happy little dog with a great deal of curiosity. Beagle cross breeds best dog food black pug boxer dog benefits chorkie dalmatian doberman dogo argentino dogo argentino dog dog vomiting german shepherd horizon legacy dog food benefits infographics panther dog vomiting. Puggle is a cross breed dog.
A complete guide to the puggle a pug beagle mix breed. He s become fairly popular thanks to his fun loving personality and cute looks. Can dogs eat pineapple. If your first choice of dog was pug then choosing a pug crossbreed is a great alternative.
Puggles have become very popular today and are often considered as a designer dog breed. Get real reviews about all dog breeds from real people. She will literally follow her nose to wherever it may lead. The puggle is a mix between the beagle and pug dog breeds.
He gets along with kids and other dogs and can make a. They are serious dogs not frisky and do best with they have a job to accomplish. Some of the famous puggle owners include some of hollywood s big names such as uma thurman. The puggle is a mixed breed being the offspring of a beagle and pug.
Beagles are solid loving playful dogs. Find pros and cons of beagle dog. A complete guide to the puggle a pug beagle mix breed. They are great with children.
Puggles are in fact one of the most popular cross breeds and loved by many celebrities. Beagle x pit bull mix beagle pit beagle x pointer mix beagle point beagle x pomeranian mix pomeagle beagle x poodle mix poogle beagle x pug mix puggle beagle x rottweiler mix reagle beagle x schnauzer mix schneagle beagle x scottish terrier mix sceagle beagle x shetland sheepdog mix beagle sheltie beagle x shiba inu mix shi beagle. Here you can know about all beagle mixes with pictures breed profiles select one for you and your family. Giving you all the information you need about appearance temperament and health.
Some other popular designer dogs with a beagle parent include the beagle boxer mix beagle shepherd mix and the doxle. In 2019 the akc ranked the beagle as the 6 th most popular dog breed in america.
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domain: pet


text:
Hello, my name is Andrea from Northern Ireland. I am an enthusiastic machine knitter but am interested in all things woollen. I am an active member of the NI Machine Knitters Guild which has renewed my interest in machine knitting. I own a standard Brother 940 electronic knitting machine and a Brother Chunky. I also hand knit and love looking at new wools and patterns.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
I have finished my ruffle scarf. I purchased this wool while on holiday in Cambridge. It is Rizos Katia and is one of the new type of yarn with a little space at the top to insert your needles. It is quite a slippy yarn, so I was advised to knit it on circular needles and then it has less chance of slipping off. The yarn is manufactured in Spain and made from 98% acrylic and 2% polyester. It comes in 100g balls.
Close up of the ruffles
Using 5.5 mm needles, I cast on 15 stitches and this size of scarf took approximately 2 balls of yarn. There were some beautiful colours in it and the next time I would make it slightly thinner, maybe 10 stitches. It knits up quickly and would make a lovely Christmas present.


text:
BURBANK (CBSLA) — Starting Monday, Burbank residents could apply for the city’s program that provides emergency rent assistance and utility payments to low-income renters impacted by the COVID pandemic.
Renters who have been hit hard by the pandemic can receive up to $1,000 per month for three months through the Burbank Rental Assistance Program.READ MORE: 3 Children Stabbed To Death In Reseda Apartment; Mother Captured In Central California After Going On The Run
The grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the $375,475 the city has committed runs out.
To qualify, residents must:READ MORE: Historic Flight Of NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Postponed Several Days Due To Technical Issue
- live in Burbank;
- not exceed the annual income based on household size as a result of COVID-19;
- have experienced a job loss, furlough, or reduced work hours due to COVID-19;
- have fallen behind on rent or have a verifiable need for future rent assistance;
- have fallen behind on utility payments with Burbank Water and Power;
- not receive Section 8 or live in a rent-restricted unit; or
- have a current rental agreement.
Residents can apply through April 16 at 5 p.m. A waiting list will be established as applications are received.
Applications can be submitted at citydataservices.net and are limited to one per household.
For other questions or assistance, residents can call the Application Call Center at 818-238-5180, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.MORE NEWS: 6-Year-Old Boy Wounded After Gunfire Erupts At Sun Valley Apartment Complex; Female Suspect Sought
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

domain: finance


The Department of Veterans Affairs is reviewing its decision to strip a retired Navy SEAL’s small business of the ability to bid on contracts reserved for veteran owners.
Last month, a VA employee visited Syncon, the Chesapeake, Va.-based construction firm owned by Mark Lilly, a 23-year veteran who was shot in Afghanistan and has a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and five Bronze Stars.
The VA denied the business veteran-owned status in June, saying Lilly’s partner, who isn’t a veteran, had more construction experience. The VA questioned whether Lilly, 47, who has a Virginia contractor’s license, was in charge of daily operations as agency rules require.
“Our review of the documentation in this case reveals an apparent lack of understanding of the requirements of the regulations,’’ Jo Schuda, an agency spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. “The site visit is part of a total new review of the company, and allows for interviews of the owners and staff to get a better picture of how the business is operated and controlled.’’
The VA’s July 26 visit to Syncon followed a Bloomberg story on its rejection of Lilly. It came a week before two congressional subcommittees held a joint hearing on the agency’s new verification system, which has drawn complaints from veteran owners turned down during the process.
The visit to Syncon was part of the agency’s response to Lilly’s request for reconsideration, Schuda said.“VA officials are ready to assist Mr. Lilly and other veteran entrepreneurs to correct all deficiencies in their applications and become eligible for participation,’’ she said.
Lilly said he had been asking the VA since January to visit his company.
More than 4,000 companies, or almost two-thirds of all those that applied, have been rejected by the VA since the agency stepped up efforts last year to prevent fraud, according to March data from the VA. The department didn’t make more recent data available.
“There’s a lot of overreaching by the agency,’’ said Lee Dougherty, an attorney for Syncon who was present at the site visit. “We’ve seen veterans denied because of things they put on LinkedIn or Facebook.’’
Dougherty said he advises about 25 clients on issues with the VA’s verification process. He said he has provided informal guidance and pro bono assistance to hundreds of companies going through the system, which now requires the small businesses to prove that they’re owned, controlled and managed by veterans if they want preferential s bidding tatus.
Syncon has provided documents that show Lilly is a veteran and the majority owner and that he “is in control of the company,’’ Dougherty said in a phone interview. “I’m confident that is exactly what the site visit will show,’’ he said.
The lack of certification has cost the company the chance to compete for as much as $5 million in contracts since late March, said Lilly, who is in Yemen doing security and project consulting for an oil company to make up for the loss.
“My hope is that I get reverified, I’m able to make up for lost VA work and stop the overseas consulting,’’ Lilly said in an e-mail July 26. He has daily conference calls with his staff while he is out of the country, he said.
Lilly said he received an e-mail in the past week from Tom Leney, head of the VA certification office, saying the VA would conduct a site visit.
The agency’s office of general counsel will make the final decision on Lilly’s request for reconsideration, Schuda said in the e-mail. She would not estimate when the review will be done.
A 2010 law requires the VA to do more to ensure that veterans are in control of a company after reports of fraud in the program, including cases in which veterans are “fronting’’ or claiming to manage companies run by other people.
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), and Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman (R-Ind.), sent a July 11 letter to Eric Shinseki, the VA’s secretary, saying the department’s “regulations too often fall outside a reasonable interpretation’’ of the law that gave the agency power to certify veteran-owned businesses.
The congressmen head the two House subcommittees that plan to hold the Aug. 2 hearing on the verification program.
“Staff base decisions on a suspicion that an applicant’s documentation does not qualify, rather than clear evidence of disqualification,’’ they said in the letter.


Know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa's indigenous plants
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Know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa's indigenous plants.
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text: The Micro Corp Crew Jumper by Standard is a relaxed-fitting long sleeve jumper. This design features a ribbed crew neckline, logo at centre front, ribbed trimmings, logo patch on left sleeve and is made in a soft cotton fabrication. Team it up with black Dickies pants and sneakers for sleek style. Our model is wearing a size medium. He is 185cm tall with a 97cm chest and a 81cm waist.

domain: design


The Federal Capital Territory-Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has dissociated itself from fake appointment letters in circulation purportedly issued by the agency.
The revenue authority in a letter that was issued by its head, corporate communications department, Mustapha Sumaila, said the circulation of the letters was done my scammers with the intention to defraud unsuspected Nigerians.
The authority said it is not recruiting at the moment, contrary to what is captured in the fake letter in circulation.
“FCT-IRS is not currently recruiting and we hereby caution the general public to be careful not to fall victims of these unscrupulous elements.
“We are calling on the general public to be wary of the activities of these fraudsters who are out to defraud them of their hard-earned savings.
“The fake employment letters did not emanate from FCT-IRS therefore anyone who patronises such fraudsters does that at his or her peril. Meanwhile, we have beamed our search light on the nefarious activities of these bad elements with a view to bring them to book,” Sumaila said.


Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman and chief of staff to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen, James LaCarrubba, both Democrats, should resign from their current jobs on grounds they are unfit for public office during a probe into severance paid to them as former officials in the City of Long Beach, the Republican candidate for Hempstead Town supervisor said Tuesday.
"I'm calling on both of those public funded employees to resign in wake of the fact that these payout scandals happened to them, under their watch, and as far as I'm concerned, with knowledge of what has taken place," said Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, who is challenging Gillen in November.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, both Democrats, have been investigating Long Beach payouts for more than a year. Schnirman has said he would cooperate with this investigation.
Nassau County Legis. Denise Ford, a Long Beach Democrat who caucuses with Republicans, joined Clavin on the steps of the county executive and legislative building in Mineola but stopped short of calling for Schnirman's resignation, saying, "the residents deserve justice, they deserve answers and they deserve the respect."
"No, I do not believe that Jack Schnirman should resign from his position as county comptroller, but I would like him to consider his payout and come before us and justify why he got the money that he got," Ford said in an interview after the news conference.
Clavin and Ford's sentiments come after a Newsday report Saturday showed Schnirman was paid for more sick days than he was entitled to after six years on the job, earning about an extra $6,640. Schnirman received a total payout of $108,000 for unused sick and vacation time when he resigned as city manager of Long Beach in January 2018 to take the county comptroller's post.
“I stand by my record of commitment and achievement as a public servant, and will not be swayed by dirty politics and desperate campaign tactics,” LaCarrubba said in an email Tuesday night.
Earlier, spokesmen representing Schnirman and LaCarrubba individually dismissed the Clavin and Ford moves as political plays.
"Being lectured on ethics by Nassau Republican politicians like Denise Ford who did nothing to stop the corruption of Ed Mangano is the height of hypocrisy. This partisan political attack from the Republican machine will not stop the Comptroller from pursuing an aggressive reform agenda led by his nepotism audit series," said Schnirman spokesman Rob Busweiler in an email.
Gillen re-election campaign manager Michael Ousley on Tuesday said Clavin did nothing to stop Republican political corruption.
Ousley said: "Maybe it's because Clavin has benefited from the corruption tax that Long Island families pay. Instead of attacking, shouldn't Clavin be explaining?"
Records also showed Schnirman never signed his termination pay agreements, which ask him to certify that the reported time and money owed him were correct.
In May 2018, Newsday reported Schnirman received full pay for unused sick days even though city code and his employment contract limited payment to 30 percent of the accumulated sick days.
LaCarrubba, former Long Beach public works director, retired in 2016 and was hired back in 2017 as a $39,000 labor relations secretary and a consultant on superstorm Sandy projects. In August his salary increased to $130,000. He was paid at the higher rate for two months until he left the city, for a total payment of $69,779, including a $20,967 retirement payout.
Ford, who was first elected in 2003 to represent the county's 4th Legislative District, which includes Long Beach, had demanded investigations since April 2018 when the city council refused to borrow $2.1 million to cover payouts already made to employees and retirees, including Schnirman.
"We still have not received any information from anyone about whether these payouts were legitimate or not," Ford said. "They are questionable and we keep asking and asking."
With Celeste Hadrick and John Asbury