Fabrication of Metal and Alloy Components by Additive Manufacturing: Examples of 3D Materials Science

ObjectiveThis paper provides a brief review of relatively new additive manufacturing technologies for the fabrication of unusual and complex metal and alloy products by laser and electron beam melting. A number of process features and product microstructures are illustrated utilizing 3D optical and transmission electron microscope image compositions representing examples of 3D materials science.MethodsProcessing methods involving electron beam melting (EBM) and a process referred to as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), often called selective laser melting (SLM) are described along with the use of light (optical) microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to elucidate microstructural phenomena.ResultsExamples of EBM and SLM studies are presented in 3D image compositions. These include EBM of Ti-6Al-4V, Cu, Co-base superalloy and Inconel 625; and SLM of 17-4 PH stainless steel, Inconel 718 and Inconel 625.Conclusions3D image compositions constituting 3D materials science provide effective visualization for directional solidification-related phenomena associated with the EBM and SLM fabrication of a range of metals and alloys, especially microstructures and microstructural architectures

Open-Cellular Co-Base and Ni-Base Superalloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting

Reticulated mesh samples of Co-29Cr-6Mo alloy and Ni-21Cr-9Mo-4Nb alloy (625) and stochastic foam samples of Co-29Cr-6Mo alloy fabricated by electron beam melting were characterized by optical metallography, and the dynamic stiffness (Young’s modulus) was measured by resonant frequency analysis. The relative stiffness (E/Es) versus relative density (ρ/ρs) plotted on a log-log basis resulted in a fitted straight line with a slope n ≅ 2, consistent with that for ideal open cellular materials

Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients ≥65 years

Although the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee found that significant evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery, few data are available on the outcomes of bariatric procedures in patients ≥65 years. The aim of this study was to report on contemporary outcomes of Roux-en- Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in patients ≥65 years. We reviewed prospectively collected data from all patients ≥65 years who underwent RYGB at two Florida university-based programs from 1999 to 2005. Similarly, the Florida Discharge Database was queried for patients ≥65 years who had undergone RYGB from 1999 to 2005. The data are presented as the mean ± SEM. A total of 25 patients ≥65 years had undergone RYGB at our institutions (age 68 ± 1 years, body mass index 50 ± 3 kg/m 2). The overall complication rate was 20%, and the length of stay was 7 ± 3 days. One patient (4%) died 5 weeks postoperatively of septic complications. For the 13 patients with a median follow-up of 21 months (range 9–61), the percentage of excess body weight loss was 51% ± 7%; medication use for co-morbidities decreased from 9 ± 1 to 4 ± 1 medications/day ( P <.01). The Florida Discharge Database reported 231 patients ≥65 years who had undergone RYGB. In that group of patients, the mean age was 67 ± 0.2 years, the length of stay was 6 ± 1 days, in-hospital mortality rate was 1.3%, and the overall complication rate was 15%. In a small cohort of patients ≥65 years, RYGB resulted in significant weight loss and resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities. The findings from the mandatory reported Florida Discharge Database strongly confirmed the safety of RYGB in patients ≥65 years

A State-wide Review of Contemporary Outcomes of Gastric Bypass in Florida: Does Provider Volume Impact Outcomes?

An analysis of the Florida hospital discharge database demonstrates that the overall in-hospital mortality and morbidity rates are 0.28% and 9.3%, respectively; and that age and male gender increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes. Surgeon and hospital procedure volume have an inverse relationship with in-hospital mortality and morbidity. These data have important implications for credentialing and outcomes management

Oasis 2015

2015 IssueCollection of poetry, creative writing and art work by students at Angelo State University during the 2014-2015 school yearEnglish and Modern Languages Department of Angelo State Universit