Effect of thermomechanical treatment modes on structural-phase states and mechanical properties of metastable austenitic steel

The features of the structural-phase states and mechanical properties of metastable austenitic steel after thermomechanical treatments have been investigated. It is shown that low-temperature and subsequent deformation in the temperature range 300–773 K contributes to the direct (γ → α′)-martensitic transformation. The combination of low-temperature, subsequent warm deformation at 873 K and annealing at 1073 K leads to the direct (γ → α′)- and reverse (α′ → γ)-martensitic transformations. As a result of thermomechanical treatments submicrocrystalline two-phase structural states with high strength properties (σ0.1 ≈ 1160–1350 MPa) are formed

Features of deformation localization in stable austenitic steel under thermomechanical treatment

Features of structural states of Fe-18Cr-14Ni-Mo austenitic steel after thermomechanical treatment, including low-temperature and warm rolling deformation, were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that mechanical twinning in multiple systems and strain localization bands contribute to grain fragmentation with the formation of the submicrocrystalline austenitic structure. These bands lie in the miсrotwin structure, have high-angle (≈60°–90°, 〈110〉) misorientations of the crystal lattice relative to the matrix and localize significant (up to ≈1) shear strain. In areas of the bands, structural states with high (tens of deg/μm) curvature of the crystal lattice and high local internal stresses are observed. The internal structure of the bands is presented by nanoscale fragments of austenite and α′-martensite. The presence of specific misorientations and fragments of martensite means that the formation mechanism of localized deformation bands are direct plus reverse (γ → α′ → γ) martensitic transformations with the reverse transformation follows by an alternative path. These structural states provide high strength properties of steel: the yield strength is up to 1150 MPa

The features of microstructure and mechanical properties of austenitic steel after direct and reverse martensitic transformations

The features of structural states of metastable austenitic steel after thermomechanical treatments, including low-temperature deformation, warm deformation and subsequent annealing are investigated. It is shown that under these conditions the direct (γ → α′) and reverse (α′ → γ) martensitic transformations occur and submicrocrystalline structural states are formed. The proposed thermomechanical treatment allows varying the strength and plastic properties of austenitic steel in a wide range. The strength of steel in submicrocrystalline state is 4–6 times higher than its original value

Elucidation of the substrate binding site of Siah ubiquitin ligase

The Siah family of RING proteins function as ubiquitin ligase components, contributing to the degradation of multiple targets involved in cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, oncogenesis, and inflammation. Previously, a binding motif (degron) was recognized in many of the Siah degradation targets, suggesting that Siah itself may facilitate substrate recognition. We report the crystal structure of the Siah in complex with a peptide containing the degron motif. Binding is within a groove formed in part by the zinc fingers and the first two ß strands of the TRAF-C domain of Siah. We show that residues in the degron, previously described to facilitate binding to Siah, interact with the protein. Mutagenesis of Siah at sites of interaction also abrogates both in vitro peptide binding and destabilization of a known Siah target

Microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-resistant 12 % Cr ferritic-martensitic steel EK-181 after thermomechanical treatment

The effect of high-temperature thermomechanical treatment (TMT) with the deformation in the austenitic region on the features of microstructure, phase transformations and mechanical properties of low-activation 12% Cr ferritic-martensitic steel EK-181 is investigated. It is established, that directly after thermomechanical treatment (without tempering) the sizes and density of V(CN) particles are comparable with those after a traditional heat treatment (air quenching and tempering at 720°C, 3 h), where these particles are formed only during tempering. It causes the increasing of the yield strength of the steel up to ≈1450 MPa at room temperature and up to ≈430 MPa at the test temperature T = 650°C. The potential of microstructure modification by this treatment aimed at improving heat resistance of steel is discussed

Effect of multistage high temperature thermomechanical treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of austenitic reactor steel

The deformation microstructures formed by novel multistage high-temperature thermomechanical treatment (HTMT) and their effect on the mechanical properties of austenitic reactor steel are investigated. It is shown that HTMT with plastic deformation at the temperature decreasing in each stage (1100, 900, and 600 C with a total strain degree of e = 2) is an effective method for refining the grain structure and increasing the strength of the reactor steel. The structural features of grains, grain boundaries and defective substructure of the steel are studied in two sections (in planes perpendicular to the transverse direction and perpendicular to the normal direction) by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (SEM EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). After the multistage HTMT, a fragmented structure is formed with grains elongated along the rolling direction and flattened in the rolling plane. The average grain size decreases from 19.3 m (for the state after solution treatment) to 1.8 m. A high density of low-angle boundaries (up to 80%) is found inside deformed grains. An additional cold deformation (e = 0.3) after the multistage HTMT promotes mechanical twinning within fragmented grains and subgrains. The resulting structural states provide high strength properties of steel: the yield strength increases up to 910 MPa (at 20 C) and up to 580 MPa (at 650 C), which is 4.6 and 6.1 times higher than that in the state after solution treatment (ST), respectively. The formation of deformed substructure and the influence of dynamic strain aging at an elevated tensile temperature on the mechanical properties of the steel are discussed. Based on the results obtained, the multistage HTMT used in this study can be applied for increasing the strength of austenitic steels

Local comparison of protein structures highlights cases of convergent evolution in analogous functional sites

We performed an exhaustive search for local structural similarities in an ensemble of non-redundant protein functional sites. With the purpose of finding new examples of convergent evolution, we selected only those matching sites composed of structural regions whose residue order is inverted in the relative protein sequences

Distinct expression patterns of the E3 ligase SIAH-1 and its partner Kid/KIF22 in normal tissues and in the breast tumoral processes

SIAH proteins are the human members of an highly conserved family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Several data suggest that SIAH proteins may have a role in tumor suppression and apoptosis. Previously, we reported that SIAH-1 induces the degradation of Kid (KIF22), a chromokinesin protein implicated in the normal progression of mitosis and meiosis, by the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. In human breast cancer cells stably transfected with SIAH-1, Kid/KIF22 protein level was markedly reduced whereas, the Kid/KIF22 mRNA level was increased. This interaction has been further elucidated through analyzing SIAH and Kid/KIF22 expression in both paired normal and tumor tissues and cell lines. It was observed that SIAH-1 protein is widely expressed in different normal tissues, and in cells lines but showing some differences in western blotting profiles. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows that the intracellular distribution of SIAH-1 and Kid/KIF22 appears to be modified in human tumor tissues compared to normal controls. When mRNA expression of SIAH-1 and Kid/KIF22 was analyzed by real-time PCR in normal and cancer breast tissues from the same patient, a large variation in the number of mRNA copies was detected between the different samples. In most cases, SIAH-1 mRNA is decreased in tumor tissues compared to their normal counterparts. Interestingly, in all breast tumor tissues analyzed, variations in the Kid/KIF22 mRNA levels mirrored those seen with SIAH-1 mRNAs. This concerted variation of SIAH-1 and Kid/KIF22 messengers suggests the existence of an additional level of control than the previously described protein-protein interaction and protein stability regulation. Our observations also underline the need to re-evaluate the results of gene expression obtained by qRT-PCR and relate it to the protein expression and cellular localization when matched normal and tumoral tissues are analyzed

Валидация Бостонского опросника по оценке карпального туннельного синдрома (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) в России

International scales and questionnaires have become widespread in Russian neurology. Validation is a procedure of top priority necessary before applying this kind of diagnostic instrument in Russian-speaking population. In this article, validation of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) intended for patients with this disease is described. Use of validated Russian version would allow to objectively evaluate severity of clinical manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome and follow patient dynamics. We present the official BCTQ version recommended for use in Russia, as well as data that showed high sensitivity and reliability of this instrument for clinical evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome.В отечественной неврологии широкое распространение получили международные шкалы и опросники. Валидация – приоритетная процедура, необходимая перед применением такого рода диагностических инструментов в русскоязычной популяции. В настоящей статье описана работа по валидации Бостонского опросника по оценке карпального туннельного синдрома (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ), предназначенного для использования у пациентов с вышеуказанным заболеванием. Применение валидированной русскоязычной версии позволит объективно оценить выраженность клинических проявлений карпального туннельного синдрома (синдрома запястного канала) и отследить динамику состояния пациента. Представлены не только официальная версия BCTQ, рекомендованная для применения в России, но и данные, показавшие высокую чувствительность и надежность этого инструмента клинической оценки карпального туннельного синдрома

Validation of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain scale (LANSS) in Russia

Background: Objectivization of the characteristics of neuropathic pain is an important component of differential diagnosis in various diseases. Scales and questionnaires are topical diagnostic tools for assessing subjective symptoms for patients and health professionals. Objective: to development and validation of the Russian version of the the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale (LANSS). Materials and methods: The study included two stages: linguocultural ratification and assessment of the psychometric properties of the developed Russian version. Results: The study showed a high level of reliability, validity and sensitivity of the developed Russian-language version of the scale. Conclusion: By the results of the study, the official validated Russian-language version of the scale is presented and recommended for use in work with Russian-speaking patients