Two-layer laser clad coating as a replacement for chrome electroplating on forged steel

Chrome plating is one of many surface engineering techniques used for corrosion resistance, as well as a protective coating against surface damage in load bearing applications, with surface hardness in the region of 1000Hv. Laser cladding is an alternative hardfacing technique often chosen for corrosion resistance and for increasing the surface hardness of components, through thick clad coatings. The application of chrome plating and other similar surface engineering techniques for thick coatings can be inefficient and costly with practical process limitations. The objective of this case study was to investigate the feasibility of replacing the chrome plated layer of a rod mill pinion, made of forged steel, with a Nickel-based Tungsten-Carbide (Ni-WC) composite layer and an intermediate layer of Inconel 625. Mechanical properties were obtained using microhardness and nanoindentation techniques. Three-point bend tests were performed on test specimens from a pinion sample, in order to observe crack propagation resistance, a challenging task due to the curved geometry of the pinion sample and the difference in thickness between the existing and proposed coating layers. Crack development was captured, and plastic deformation was quantified with the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC). In bending it was found that the bond between the composite coating, Inconel 625 and the steel substrate provided improved resistance to axial crack propagation, where the composite coating could withstand more than twice the bending tool displacement than the chrome electroplating

Syzygium jambolanum treatment improves survival in lethal sepsis induced in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The leaves and the fruits from <it>Syzygium jambolanum </it>DC.(Myrtaceae), a plant known in Brazil as sweet olive or 'jambolão', have been used by native people to treat infectious diseases, diabetes, and stomachache. Since the bactericidal activity of <it>S. jambolanum </it>has been confirmed <it>in vitro</it>, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the prophylactic treatment with <it>S. jambolanum </it>on the <it>in vivo </it>polymicrobial infection induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>C57Bl/6 mice were treated by the subcutaneous route with a hydroalcoholic extract from fresh leaves of <it>S. jambolanum </it>(HCE). After 6 h, a bacterial infection was induced in the peritoneum using the lethal CLP model. The mice were killed 12 h after the CLP induction to evaluate the cellular influx and local and systemic inflammatory mediators' production. Some animals were maintained alive to evaluate the survival rate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prophylactic HCE treatment increased the mice survival, the neutrophil migration to infectious site, the spreading ability and the hydrogen peroxide release, but decreased the serum TNF and nitrite. Despite the increased migration and activation of peritoneal cells the HCE treatment did not decrease the number of CFU. The HCE treatment induced a significant decrease on the bone marrow cells number but did not alter the cell number of the spleen and lymph node.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the treatment with <it>S. jambolanum </it>has a potent prophylactic anti-septic effect that is not associated to a direct microbicidal effect but it is associated to a recruitment of activated neutrophils to the infectious site and to a diminished systemic inflammatory response.</p

Dental caries in Uruguayan adults and elders: findings from the first Uruguayan National Oral Health Survey

This study aimed to assess dental caries status and associated factors in Uruguayan adults and elders using data from the first Uruguayan National Oral Health Survey. Data were representative of the country as a whole. Socio-demographic information was collected with a closed questionnaire. Dental caries was assessed by clinical examination using the DMFT index. The final sample consisted of 769 participants. Mean DMFT was 15.20 and 24.12 for the 35-44 and 65-74-year age groups, respectively. Mean number of decayed teeth was 1.70 in adults and 0.66 in elders. Multivariate analyses showed higher prevalence of dental caries associated with age 65-74 years, low socioeconomic status, use of public dental services, presence of gingivitis; for decayed teeth, age 35-44 years, low socioeconomic status, use of public dental services, infrequent tooth brushing, need for oral health care, and presence of root caries showed higher severity. Uruguayan adults and elders from disadvantaged backgrounds concentrated a heavier burden of dental caries