Experimental demonstration of formation of magnetite and wustitefine grains

Production method of magnetite and wustite grains have been introduced. Magnetite and wustite grains were produced in an Ar gas pressure range of 25 to 100 Torr and 17 to 20 Torr respectively by evaporating FeO powder from a tantalum boat. The growth of these grains has been discussed as the result of oxidation of Fe fine grains and coalescence growth among the oxidized grains

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor: A Multifunctional Cytokine in Rheumatic Diseases

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was originally identified in the culture medium of activated T lymphocytes as a soluble factor that inhibited the random migration of macrophages. MIF is now recognized to be a multipotent cytokine involved in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Moreover, the pivotal nature of its involvement highlights the importance of MIF to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders and suggests that blocking MIF may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating these diseases. This paper discusses the function and expressional regulation of MIF in several rheumatic diseases and related conditions

Impact of frailty on long-term mortality in older patients receiving intensive care via the emergency department

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether frailty was associated with 6-month mortality in older adults who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with an illness requiring emergency care. The investigation was a prospective, multi-center, observational study conducted among the ICUs of 17 participating hospitals. Patients >= 65 years of age who were admitted to the ICU directly from an emergency department visit were assessed to determine their baseline Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores before the illness and were surveyed 6 months after admission. Among 650 patients included in the study, the median age was 79 years old, and overall mortality at 6 months was as low as 21%, ranging from 6.2% in patients with CFS 1 to 42.9% in patients with CFS >= 7. When adjusted for potential confounders, CFS score was an independent prognostic factor for mortality (one-point increase in CFS, adjusted risk ratio with 95% confidence interval 1.19 [1.09-1.30]). Quality of life 6 months after admission worsened as baseline CFS score increased. However, there was no association between total hospitalization cost and baseline CFS. CFS is an important predictor of long-term outcomes among critically ill older patients requiring emergent admission

Production and Properties of Nano-scale Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) 9Cr Martensitic Steel Claddings

The 9Cr-ODS martensitic steel claddings were developed by cold-rolling and subsequent heat-treatment. The standard chemical composition is Fe-0.13C-9Cr-2W-0.2Ti-0.35Y2O3. The substantially elongated grains formed by cold-rolling turned out to be into equi-axied grains by ferrite to austenite phase transformation at the final heat-treatment. The produced claddings have the tempered martensitic structure and excess oxygen of 0.060 mass%. The superior tensile and creep rupture strength were shown in the produced cladding, compared with conventional ferritic (PNC-FMS) and even austenitic (PNC316) claddings at higher temperature and extended time. The strength improvement is attributed to finely distributed nano-scale complex oxide. The coarser ferrite grains produced by slow cooling make further improvement in the tensile and creep rupture strength beyond those of tempered martensite at high temperature and longer testing time. The higher excess oxygen content of 0.137 mass% prevents fine distribution of the oxide particles that lead to inferior high temperature tensile and creep strength