HIPERC: a novel, high performance, economic steel concept for linepipe and general structural use

The HIPERC project has examined the effects of alloying elements and processing conditions in low carbon, < 0.09 wt %., niobium containing, 0.05 - 0.12 wt.%, steels. Laboratory-scale heats and pilot rolling trials simulating air and water-cooled plate production as well as hot-rolled strip production have been made. The effects of C, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mo, Nb, Ti and B, on transformation characteristics and temperatures of recrystallisation have been determined along with regression equations for characterisation of microstructure, tensile and impact properties, and for the weldability of these steels. The properties of products processed commercially to plate and coil-plate and made into pipe and to plate for structural use were determined and these compared well with the values predicted from the regression equations. The project has shown that excellent combinations of strength, toughness and weldability can be obtained using this steel type. Additional experiences have been gained in the processing of these steels through three commercial rolling mills and benefits were seen with this steel type due to higher production rates and lower amounts of surface dressing compared with steels currently being used to satisfy equivalent property specifications. Recommendations on the limits for niobium in Euronorms have been proposed; concerns relating to weldability have been addressed by proposing varying limits based on the carbon and manganese contents of the steel. This report makes the output of this project available to CEN working groups to support the revision of Euronorms based on the gathered data

Interface modification during oxidation of a glass-ceramic matrix/SiC fibre composite

Oxidation heat treatments between 375{degrees}C and 600{degrees}C for 100 hours in air, have been performed on the calcium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix/SiC fibre reinforced composite CAS/Nicalon (manufactured by Coming, USA). Using a commercial nano-indentation system to perform fibre push-down tests, the fibre-matrix interfacial debond fracture surface energy (G{sub i}) and frictional shear stress ({tau}) have been determined. Modification of interface properties, compared to the as fabricated material, was observed at heat treatment temperatures as low as 375{degrees}C, where a significant drop in G{sub i} and an increase in {tau} were recorded. With 450{degrees}C, 525{degrees}C and 600{degrees}C heat treatments, an increase in G{sub i} but a dramatic increase in {tau} were recorded. Under four-point flexure testing, the as fabricated and the 375{degrees}C heat treated materials displayed tough, composite behaviour with extensive fibre pull out, but at {le}450{degrees}C, brittle failure with minimal fibre pull out, was observed. This transition from tough mechanical response to one of brittleness is due to the large increase in {tau} reducing fibre pull out to a minimum and therefore reducing the total required work of fracture. The large increases in {tau} and G{sub i} have been attributed to the oxidative removal of the lubricating, carbon interface and the compressive residual stresses across the interface

Neuroinflammation and structural injury of the fetal ovine brain following intra-amniotic Candida albicans exposure.

BackgroundIntra-amniotic Candida albicans (C. Albicans) infection is associated with preterm birth and high morbidity and mortality rates. Survivors are prone to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The mechanisms leading to these adverse neonatal brain outcomes remain largely unknown. To better understand the mechanisms underlying C. albicans-induced fetal brain injury, we studied immunological responses and structural changes of the fetal brain in a well-established translational ovine model of intra-amniotic C. albicans infection. In addition, we tested whether these potential adverse outcomes of the fetal brain were improved in utero by antifungal treatment with fluconazole.MethodsPregnant ewes received an intra-amniotic injection of 10(7) colony-forming units C. albicans or saline (controls) at 3 or 5 days before preterm delivery at 0.8 of gestation (term ~ 150 days). Fetal intra-amniotic/intra-peritoneal injections of fluconazole or saline (controls) were administered 2 days after C. albicans exposure. Post mortem analyses for fungal burden, peripheral immune activation, neuroinflammation, and white matter/neuronal injury were performed to determine the effects of intra-amniotic C. albicans and fluconazole treatment.ResultsIntra-amniotic exposure to C. albicans caused a severe systemic inflammatory response, illustrated by a robust increase of plasma interleukin-6 concentrations. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures were positive for C. albicans in the majority of the 3-day C. albicans-exposed animals whereas no positive cultures were present in the 5-day C. albicans-exposed and fluconazole-treated animals. Although C. albicans was not detected in the brain parenchyma, a neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus and white matter was seen which was characterized by increased microglial and astrocyte activation. These neuroinflammatory changes were accompanied by structural white matter injury. Intra-amniotic fluconazole reduced fetal mortality but did not attenuate neuroinflammation and white matter injury.ConclusionsIntra-amniotic C. albicans exposure provoked acute systemic and neuroinflammatory responses with concomitant white matter injury. Fluconazole treatment prevented systemic inflammation without attenuating cerebral inflammation and injury

Load transfer in ceramic matrix composites

SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Modelizacion de la fractura de los haces de fibras en materiales compuestos

In Spanish with English abstractSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Tensile fracture behaviour of reinforcing yarns in brittle matrix composites

SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Data on saponins, xylan and cellulose yield obtained from quinoa stalks after pressurized hot water extraction

The data we present below are linked to our research paper “Integrated process for sequential extraction of saponins, xylan and cellulose from quinoa stalks (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)” (Gil-Ramírez et al., 2018) [1]. The objective is to provide supplementary information in order to facilitate the comprehension of the central composite experimental design (rotatable 22) used in the integrated process of extractions. Two factors, temperature and time of extraction are considered in the design. The responses are the yield of saponin, xylan and cellulose. First, the desirable linear regression obtained by the observed vs. predicted yields plot for each variable response confirm the validation of the model (Fig. 1). Second, the data presented here through Standardized Pareto Charts (Fig. 2), provides information about the effect of the time and temperature, as well as their interactions, in the yield of saponins, xylan and cellulose obtained in an integrated sequential extraction

Fracture mechanics. Applications and challenges Invited papers

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Power of mentorship for civilian and military acute care surgeons: identifying and leveraging opportunities for longitudinal professional development

Across disciplines, mentorship has been recognized as a key to success. Acute care surgeons, focused on the care of trauma surgery, emergency general surgery and surgical critical care, practice in a wide variety of settings and have unique mentorship needs across all phases of their career. Recognizing the need for robust mentorship and professional development, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) convened an expert panel entitled 'The Power of Mentorship' at the 81st annual meeting in September 2022 (Chicago, Illinois). This was a collaboration between the AAST Associate Member Council (consisting of surgical resident, fellow and junior faculty members), the AAST Military Liaison Committee, and the AAST Healthcare Economics Committee. Led by two moderators, the panel consisted of five real-life mentor-mentee pairs. They addressed the following realms of mentorship: clinical, research, executive leadership and career development, mentorship through professional societies, and mentorship for military-trained surgeons. Recommendations, as well as pearls and pitfalls, are summarized below