Glass-forming ability and corrosion resistance of Al88Y8-xFe4+x (x = 0, 1, 2 at.%) alloys

The effect of iron and yttrium additions on glass forming ability and corrosion resistance of Al88Y8-xFe4+x (x = 0, 1, 2 at.%) alloys in the form of ingots and melt-spun ribbons was investigated. The crystalline multiphase structure of ingots and amorphous-crystalline structure of ribbons were examined by a number of analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It was confirmed that the higher Fe additions contributed to formation of amorphous structures. The impact of chemical composition and structure of alloys on their corrosion resistance was characterized by electrochemical tests in 3.5% NaCl solution at 25 ◦C. The identification of the mechanism of chemical reactions taking place during polarization test along with the morphology and internal structure of the surface oxide films generated was performed. It was revealed that the best corrosion resistance was achieved for the Al88Y7Fe5 alloy in the form of ribbon, which exhibited the lowest corrosion current density (jcorr = 0.09 µA/cm2) and the highest polarization resistance (Rp = 96.7 kΩ·cm2)

Vibration trauma as a causative factor of internal carotid artery dissection

Vibration trauma serves as a potential yet not recognized in large clinical series risk factor of cervical artery dissection. We present case report of a young male patient who developed internal carotid artery dissection as a result of prolonged drilling

The effect of cooling rate on the structure and selected properties of AlCoCrFeNiSix (x = 0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75) high entropy alloys

High entropy alloys with variable silicon content were prepared by two different methods to determine the influence of the cooling rate and chemical composition on the structure and properties of the alloys. First, the structure of the alloys was investigated using X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy and compared with Mössbauer spectra to obtain a comprehensive description of the atom arrangement. The formation ability of the BCC and B2 phases was confirmed. The magnetic properties were examined using a vibrating sample magnetometer and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The corrosion resistance behavior was stu died by electrochemical testing. Our results show that the saturation magnetization tends to decrease with increasing silicon content and that the lowest coercive force was noted for rapidly cooled plates. The highest corrosion resistance in a 3.5% NaCl solution characterizes the AlCoCrFeNiSi0.75 alloy in the form of plates. For which Ecorr and jcorr was equal to − 0.155 V and 0.17 μA/cm2. The addition of Si led to an increase in the hardness of the ingots and plates. For example, AlCoCrFeNiSi0.75 shows 859 HV for the ingot and 727 HV for the plate

Influence of magnetite nanoparticles shape and spontaneous surface oxidation on the electron transport mechanism

The spontaneous oxidation of a magnetite surface and shape design are major aspects of synthesizing various nanostructures with unique magnetic and electrical properties, catalytic activity, and biocompatibility. In this article, the roles of different organic modifiers on the shape and formation of an oxidized layer composed of maghemite were discussed and described in the context of magnetic and electrical properties. It was confirmed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of triphenylphosphine could be characterized by cuboidal shape, a relatively low average particle size (9.6 2.0 nm), and high saturation magnetization equal to 55.2 emu/g. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that low-frequency conductivity and dielectric properties are related to surface disordering and oxidation. The electric energy storage possibility increased for nanoparticles with a disordered and oxidized surface, whereas the dielectric losses in these particles were strongly related to their size. The cuboidal magnetite nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of triphenylphosphine had an ultrahigh electrical conductivity (1.02 104 S/cm at 10 Hz) in comparison to the spherical ones. At higher temperatures, the maghemite content altered the behavior of electrons. The electrical conductivity can be described by correlated barrier hopping or overlapping large polaron tunneling. Interestingly, the activation energies of electrons transport by the surface were similar for all the analyzed nanoparticles in low- and high-temperature ranges

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke – Five years of experience in Poland

Objectives Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% – emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization – in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 – in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines

Mineralogical characteristics of metallic phases in copper slags from the Old Copper Basin, Poland

Metallic phases (sulphides, metallic compounds and metals), constitute critical components of metallurgical slags as they concentrate most of the potentially toxic metals occurring within smelting wastes. For this reason, a detailed characterization of the metal-rich phases is crucial for proper estimation of environmental threat resulting from slags deposition. Metallic phases observed in slags were transformed from the original ore minerals during metal smelting, and they constitute an interesting field for observations of sulphides and metals susceptibility to temperature and chemistry changes. In this study, we observed that compositions similar to sulphide minerals (e.g. bornite, chalcocite, pyrrhotite) are common, but they always appear in specific sets. We distinguished 3 general types of metallic phases: copper-iron-sulphur (among which the following subtypes appear: bornite-pyrrhotite, chalcocite, and chalcopyrite, all ofthese with various exsolutions), metallic copper and iron-phosphorous (Fe-P) type. Among all the distinguished types, Fe4Pproved to be most resistant to weathering whereas the Cu-Fe-S assemblage was altered strongly when not surrounded by glass or crystalline phases. Observations revealed that iron-rich metallic phases tended to appear in amorphous slags and copperrich phases occurring within crystalline samples

Structural characterization of Al65Cu20Fe15 melt-spun alloy by X-ray, neutron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy

The aim of the work was to characterize the structure of Al65Cu20Fe15 alloy obtained with the use of conventional casting and rapid solidification-melt-spinning technology. Based on the literature data, the possibility of an icosahedral quasicrystalline phase forming in the Al-Cu-Fe was verified. Structure analysis was performed based on the results of X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer and transmission electron microscopy. Studies using differential scanning calorimetry were carried out to describe the crystallization mechanism. Additionally, electrochemical tests were performed in order to characterize the influence of the structure and cooling rate on the corrosion resistance. On the basis of the structural studies, the formation of a metastable icosahedral phase and partial amorphous state of ribbon structure were demonstrated. The possibility of the formation of icosahedral quasicrystalline phase I-AlCuFe together with the crystalline phases was indicated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron diffraction (ND) patterns, Mössbauer spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves. The beneficial effect of the application of rapid solidification on the corrosive properties was also confirmed

Pentoxifylline and its active metabolite lisofylline attenuate transforming growth factor \beta1-induced asthmatic bronchial fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition

Bronchial asthma is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and airway wall remodeling. Among many different cells and growth factors triggering changes in bronchi structure, transforming growth factor β1-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transition is believed to be very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether theophylline (used in asthma therapy) and two other methylxanthines (pentoxifylline and its active metabolite lisofylline), may affect transforming growth factor β1-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transition in bronchial fibroblasts derived from asthmatic patients. We show here for the first time that selected methylxanthines effectively reduce transforming growth factor β1-induced myofibroblast formation in asthmatic bronchial fibroblast populations. PTX was found to be the most effective methylxanthine. The number of differentiated myofibroblasts after PTX, LSF and THEO administration was reduced at least twofold. Studies on the use of methylxanthines opens a new perspective in the development of novel strategies in asthma therapy through their two-pronged, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic action. In the future they can be considered as promising anti-fibrotic drugs

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke : five years of experience in Poland

Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results: We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results: Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250 99 min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6 h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% - emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization - in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 - in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion: Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guideline