Effect of structure and nonmetallic inclusions on the intercrystalline fracture of cast steel

The structures of castings of 20GL and 20GFL steels have been investigated using metallography, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The correlation between the character of the structure and the level of mechanical properties has been established. It has been shown that a significant decrease in the plasticity and impact toughness of these steels is observed upon the manifestation of the intercrystalline fracture, the development of which is primarily connected with the weakening of intercrystalline bonds due to the presence at primary-crystal boundaries of colonies of coarse-lamellar pearlite and nonmetallic inclusions (film precipitates and eutectic-type oxysulfides).     

Improving the annealing of cold-rolled 65Γ steel to comply with the ISO/TU 16949:2002 standard

Production processes are evaluated on the basis of statistical process control (SPC) in order to ensure that cold-rolled strip made from 65Γ steel corresponding to Technical Specifications TU 14-4-1382-86 complies with the ISO/TU 16949:2002 standard. The statistical applicability and degree of controllability of SPC are determined, and corrections are introduced in the technology.     

A model of fatigue crack propagation in metals

A model of the formation and evolution of a local plastic deformation zone at the crack tip is proposed based on the analysis of the main physical processes taking place in a metallic material under the action of cyclic loads. An equation of fatigue crack growth rate curves, which explicitly accounts for the loading frequency, was derived. The equation applies to the whole range of crack lengths from short cracks to macroscopic ones. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 35–43, January–February, 2009.     

DNA vaccination against Theiler''s murine encephalomyelitis virus leads to alterations in demyelinating disease

Using glycerinated spasmoneme of giant Zoothamnium sp., the physical properties of spasmoneme before and after Ca2+-induced contraction (pCa 4.5) were investigated. The volume change of spasmoneme contraction was measured under zero tension. The length and diameter decreased by about 50% of their initial value as a result of contraction, which means that contraction is nearly isotropic. Thus the volume of spasmoneme decreased drastically by 86% of its original value. The swollen ratio of extended and contracted spasmoneme were 0.07 and 0.37, respectively. Tension-extension relationships of extended and contracted spasmonemes were measured. By applying the theory of rubber elasticity, the number of segments of a chain in originally extended spasmoneme was only 3.3, i.e., the chain was almost a straight one. On the other hand, the number of segments of a chain in contracted spasmoneme was more than 100, i.e., the chain was essentially a random one. Furthermore, the total number of chains in single spasmoneme was the same in extended and contracted spasmoneme. This means that the interchain cross-links of chains were not influenced by addition or removal of Ca2+. Moreover, the molecular weight of a chain is estimated to be at most about 50 kd. By considering all these results, it is concluded that the contractile mechanism of spasmoneme originates in the intramolecular folding and unfolding induced by Ca2+ binding and detaching.     

Approach to 3-d ultrasound high resolution imaging for mechanically moving large-aperture transducer based upon Fourier transform

A new three-dimensional (3-D) acoustic image formation technique is proposed that is based on the transmission of wide bandwidth pulse signals and the application of the 3-D fast Fourier transform. A solution to the Helmholtz wave equation has been obtained using the Born approximation. The solution contains analytical expressions for the spatial spectra of the transmit and receive radiation patterns for transducers of various geometries with lenses of fixed focal distances. It has been shown that the proposed algorithms allow for radiation patterns with constant widths at depths both behind and in front of the focal point, starting practically from the plane of the transducer. The theoretical and experimental investigations and computer simulation for both spherical and rectangular transducer shapes have been performed. The results were used to estimate the beamwidths and the side lobe levels. A variant of the linear array has been studied for a cylindrical lens of a fixed focal distance moving in a lateral direction. It has been shown that, in this case, a high resolution (of the order of a few wavelengths) can be achieved along all three Cartesian coordinates at a very high scanning velocity. The influence of the moving scatterers' velocity in inhomogeneous medium on the spatial radiation pattern characteristics has been estimated.     

Randomized controlled trial of effects of Escherichia coli antiserum on serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and morbidity and mortality rates in foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of commercially available Escherichia coli antiserum to neonatal foals would affect serum IgG concentration or morbidity and mortality rates during the first 60 days of life. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 271 neonatal foals on 4 well-managed farms. PROCEDURE: Foals were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. All foals were allowed to suckle colostrum normally. In addition, treatment-group foals were given E coli antiserum (10 micromilligrams) orally between 0 and 8 hours after birth. Serum samples were obtained between 18 and 36 hours after birth, and serum IgG concentration was determined. Foals were monitored for the first 60 days after birth, and causes of disease or death were recorded. RESULTS: Groups did not differ significantly in regard to breed, sex, month of birth, season of birth, age of dams, parity of dams, duration of gestation, or specific gravity of colostrum before suckling. In addition, groups did not differ significantly in regard to mean serum IgG concentration, prevalence of complete or partial failure of passive transfer of immunity, frequency or causes of disease, or frequency of death from infectious causes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In this group of foals on well-managed farms, administration of E coli antiserum did not alter serum IgG concentrations or morbidity and mortality rates during the first 60 days of life.     

Cerebral emboli and serum S100beta during cardiac operations

BACKGROUND: The glial protein S100beta has been used to estimate cerebral damage in a number of clinical settings. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the correlation between cerebral microemboli and S100beta levels during cardiac operations. METHODS: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure emboli in the right middle cerebral artery. Emboli counts (n = 111) were divided into five time periods: (1) incision to aortic cannulation; (2) aortic cannulation to cross-clamp onset; (3) cross-clamp onset to cross-clamp release; (4) cross-clamp release to decannulation; and (5) decannulation to chest closure. The level of S100beta (n = 156) was measured at baseline, at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, then 150 and 270 minutes after cross-clamp release. RESULTS: The level of S100beta correlated with age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, and number of emboli at time period 2. Although cardiopulmonary bypass time was univariately associated with S100beta level, it became nonsignificant in a multivariable model that included age and cross-clamp time. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of S100beta level with emboli measured during cannulation (time period 2) supports the hypothesis that cannulation is a high-risk time period for cerebral injury.     

Mediated short-term influence of alternating magnetic field on the epileptic brain

The changes of bioelectric activity of the brain hemispheres were studied under the influence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF), directed on the hand of 20 epileptic patients and 18 healthy normals. Under AMF influence there was intensification of epileptic activity--elevation of the focal bioelectric characteristics and of the processes of generalization. It permitted to apply AMF for diagnosis of epileptic focus. Under AMF influence more stable changes in posterio-parietal areas of the right hemisphere occur. The authors came to the conclusion that AMF effects were mainly realized with participation of right hemisphere.     

Infant feeding practices in a tribal community of Melghat region in Maharashtra state

1. Out of 494 infants none was breastfed within 2 hours of delivery. 36% infants received first breastfeed after 24 hours of delivery 91.2% of the mothers used prelacteal feeds. 2. Only 31.06% of the infants were weaned, out of these only 7 received complementary foods between 4-6 months. 3. Thus, it can be concluded that though breastfeeding is practiced by all mothers, there is need for early initiation of breastfeeding and proper weaning habits.     

Participation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cgamma1 and STAT1 protein in the formation of latent complexes of signal proteins

It is known that the growth factor activates appropriate membrane receptors which become starting points of cascades of protein-protein interactions leading to cellular response. Recent data suggest that different signalling pathways may cross-talk during the cellular response. Here we show that phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C gamma 1, one of the key elements in phosphoinositide pathway of signal transduction, is physically associated with members of the STAT pathway. The precipitation of phospholipase C gamma 1, using polyclonal antibody in A-431 cells, leads to co-immunoprecipitation of STAT1 alpha and STAT1 beta, as well as STAT3. The formation of such complexes was observed in both unstimulated and EGF stimulated cells. The participation of SH3-domains in the formation of such complexes is discussed.