Microstructural and textural characterization of a hot-rolled IF steel

The present paper reports the experimental results on the microstructural and textural characterization of a hot-rolled IF steel. The IF steel was hot-rolled in multiple passes in the austenitic field (1,070 °C) followed by air-cooling. SEM, TEM, and LOM were used to image the microstructure of the material. The global texture was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The mesotexture of selected regions was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Results show the presence of a diffuse (nearly random) and weak texture in the hot-band that consists of recrystallized polygonal grains and subgrains. The fraction of boundaries with misorientations comprised in the interval 2° ≤ ψ < 15° was found to be lower than 5%. It can be concluded that these low angle boundaries and the presence of subgrains can be associated to the existence of a few areas softened by recovery during or after hot rolling in austenitic field.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-propionyl)iminoethylene

Summary The cationic polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline using CH₃I as initiator at different monomer/initiator ratios, temperatures, solvents and times of polymerization was carried out. The effect of these variables on the polymerization yield and viscosity of the polymers was studied. The poly(N-propionyl)iminoethylene was hydrolyzed in acid medium obtaining a linear poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI). All the polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR,¹H NMR, and¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

The opening speech by Dr. Carlos Dotres Martínez. International Course on Dengue and Hemorrhagic Dengue in the Americas, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", 14 August 1995

The authors report one case of multiple bilateral hydatid cyst of kidney associated to brain and spleen localizations, after intra cardiac rupture. They point out the rarity of the bilateral kidney localization of hydatidosis, explain the dissemination mode, and stress the role of computed tomography for the pre-operative diagnosis. The treatment is above all surgical and adapted to each case. The post-operative results are satisfying. Complementary medical treatment could be useful.     

Deep oxidation of VOC mixtures with platinum supported on Al2O3/Al monoliths

Pt impregnated metallic monoliths prepared from anodised aluminium foils were tested to study their catalytic activity in complete oxidation of volatile organic compound (VOC) mixtures. The VOCs oxidised were 2-propanol, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone and their mixtures. Complete oxidation was obtained in all cases except for the case of 2-propanol, where acetone was found as an oxidation intermediate. Even if the adsorption of the VOC on the Al₂O₃ is governed by its polarity, the reactivity is mainly affected by the competition of the oxygen atoms chemisorbed on the Pt particles.     

Transport of chromium(VI) through a Cyanex 921‐supported liquid membrane from HCl solutions

The transport of chromium(VI) through a flat‐sheet supported liquid membrane containing Cyanex 921 as a carrier has been investigated. The permeation of the metal is investigated as a function of various experimental variables: hydrodynamic conditions, concentration of chromium(VI) and HCl in the feed phase, carrier concentration and diluent in the membrane and strippant concentration in the stripping phase. The mass transfer coefficient and the thickness of the aqueous boundary layer were calculated from the experimental data. Furthermore, the selectivity of Cyanex 921‐based flat‐sheet supported liquid membrane towards different metal ions and the behaviour of the system against other carriers are presented. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Long-term follow-up of immunosuppressive treatment for obstructive airways disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced thyroid cancer invading the tracheal cartilage represents a difficult treatment dilemma during thyroidectomy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to determine the results of laryngotracheal resection or tracheal cartilage shave with adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer invading the upper airway. RESULTS: Of 597 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer, 40 were found to have laryngotracheal invasion. Thirty-five patients with superficial invasion underwent cartilage shave procedures with adjuvant radiotherapy; five with full-thickness invasion underwent radical resection, including tracheal sleeve resection (n = 3) or total laryngectomy (n = 2). Histologic subtypes included papillary (n = 32), follicular (n = 2), Hurthle cell (n = 1), medullary (n = 3), and anaplastic (n = 2). Of the cartilage shave group, 25 are currently alive with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up of 81 months (range 1-290). Six developed isolated local/regional recurrence and were managed with total laryngectomy (n = 1), tracheal resection (n = 1), cervical lymphadenectomy (n = 1), or repeat radiotherapy (n = 3). All six patients remain free of disease at a mean follow-up of 5 years. Of those who underwent initial laryngotracheal resection, four remain free of disease at a mean follow-up of 5 years. The rates of 10-year disease-free survival and overall survival for all patients were 47.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.8, 71.0) and 83.9% (95% CI 70.3, 97.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that adequate management of thyroid cancer with laryngotracheal invasion can be achieved with a more conservative surgical approach and adjuvant radiotherapy, reserving more radical resections for extensive primary lesions or locally recurrent disease.     

Coupling GIS with Hydrologic and Hydraulic Flood Modelling

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been recognised as a powerful means to integrate and analyse data from various sources in the context of comprehensive floodplain management. As part of this comprehensive approach to floodplain management, it is very important to be able to predict the consequences of different scenarios in terms of flooded areas and associated risk. Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling plays a crucial role and there is much to gain in incorporating these modelling capabilities in GIS. This is still a rather complex task and research is being done on the full integration of these models. Interfacing between these models and GIS may be a very efficient way of overcoming the difficulties and getting very good results in terms of engineering practice. This paper presents results based on the use of Intergraph GIS coupled with Idrisi GIS. Using these two systems substantially increased the flexibility of using GIS as a tool for flood studies. A lumped (XSRAIN) and a distributed (OMEGA) hydrologic models were used to simulate flood hydrographs. The well known HEC-2 Hydraulic model was used to compute flooded areas. These models were applied in the Livramento catchment with very good results. The computation of flooded areas for different flood scenarios, and its representation in GIS, can be used in the assessment of affected property and associated damages. This is a very useful GIS-based approach to floodplain management.     

secG and temperature modulate expression of azide-resistant and signal sequence suppressor phenotypes of Escherichia coli secA mutants

SecA is a dynamic protein that undergoes ATP-dependent membrane cycling to drive protein translocation across the Escherichia coli inner membrane. To understand more about this process, azide-resistant (azi) and signal sequence suppressor (prlD) alleles of secA were studied. We found that azide resistance is cold sensitive because of a direct effect on protein export, suggesting that SecA-membrane interaction is regulated by an endothermic step that is azide inhibitable. secG function is required for expression of azide-resistant and signal sequence suppressor activities of azi and prlD alleles, and in turn, these alleles suppress cold-sensitive and export-defective phenotypes of a secG null mutant. These remarkable genetic observations support biochemical data indicating that SecG promotes SecA membrane cycling and that this process is dependent on an endothermic change in SecA conformation.     

Minimal inhibition concentrations of selected antibiotics for strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) of gentamycin (Ge), neomycin (Neo), rifampicin (Rif), ampicillin (Amp), lincomycin (Lin), erythromycin (Ery), and streptomycin (STM) were determined by the agar dilution technique using 46, 130, 131, 125, 140, 139 and 142 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The strains, selected from the collection of the authors' laboratory, were isolated from mammary gland secretions of cows affected with clinical or subclinical mastitis. The following ranges of MIC (micrograms/ml) were assessed for the antibiotics under study: Ge 0.125-0.50, Neo 0.06-0.50, Rif 0.0039-0.030, Amp 0.015-1.00, Lin 0.25-1.00, Ery 0.06-0.25, STM 0.50-64.0. Modal MIC (micrograms/ml) were as follows; Ery 0.125 (86%), Lin 0.5 (71.4%), Rif 0.007 (68.7%), Ge 0.25 (56.5%), STM 1.00 (54.2%), Neo 0.25 (53.8%), Amp 0.06 (41.6%). The order of efficiency expressed in MIC 90 (micrograms/ml) was as follows: Rif (0.015), Ery (0.125), Ge (0.25), Neo (0.25), Amp (0.5), STM (4.0).