Real-time observations of TRIP-induced ultrahigh strain hardening in a dual-phase CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy.

Strategies involving metastable phases have been the basis of the design of numerous alloys, yet research on metastable high-entropy alloys is still in its infancy. In dual-phase high-entropy alloys, the combination of local chemical environments and loading-induced crystal structure changes suggests a relationship between deformation mechanisms and chemical atomic distribution, which we examine in here in a Cantor-like Cr20Mn6Fe34Co34Ni6 alloy, comprising both face-centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal closed packed (hcp) phases. We observe that partial dislocation activities result in stable three-dimensional stacking-fault networks. Additionally, the fraction of the stronger hcp phase progressively increases during plastic deformation by forming at the stacking-fault network boundaries in the fcc phase, serving as the major source of strain hardening. In this context, variations in local chemical composition promote a high density of Lomer-Cottrell locks, which facilitate the construction of the stacking-fault networks to provide nucleation sites for the hcp phase transformation

p38 mediates mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) affects more than 25% of patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the pathogenesis remains unclear due to lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to PDN. In our current study, we use an animal model of type 2 diabetes in order to understand the roles of p38 in PDN. Previously, we have demonstrated that the C57BLK db/db (db/db) mouse, a model of type 2 diabetes that carries the loss-of-function leptin receptor mutant, develops mechanical allodynia in the hind paws during the early stage (6-12 wk of age) of diabetes. Using this timeline of PDN, we can investigate the signaling mechanisms underlying mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied the role of p38 in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (LDRG) during the development of mechanical allodynia in db/db mice. p38 phosphorylation was detected by immunoblots at the early stage of mechanical allodynia in LDRG of diabetic mice. Phosphorylated p38 (pp38) immunoreactivity was detected mostly in the small- to medium-sized LDRG neurons during the time period of mechanical allodynia. Treatment with an antibody against nerve growth factor (NGF) significantly inhibited p38 phosphorylation in LDRG of diabetic mice. In addition, we detected higher levels of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LDRG neurons of db/db mice compared to non-diabetic db+ mice. Intrathecal delivery of SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the development of mechanical allodynia and the upregulation of COX2, iNOS and TNF-α.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that NGF activated-p38 phosphorylation mediates mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse by upregulation of multiple inflammatory mediators in LDRG.</p

Drying characteristics of wastewater sludge according to outside air inflow conditions

[EN] The purpose of this study is to analyze the changes of drying efficiency according to the inflow conditions of outside air into the drying equipment during the drying process in order to reduce the energy used in the drying process of sludge. We conducted the experiment using a vertical thin film dryer. Materials used for the experiment are sewage sludge. As a result of the study, higher drying efficiency was obtained in the case of outside air inflow than in the case of no outside air inflow. In addition, optimum condition of outside air inflow was derived.This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 201820101066550).Oh, SH.; Park, KH.; Yu, BH.; Kim, SI. (2018). Drying characteristics of wastewater sludge according to outside air inflow conditions. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1815-1821. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7790OCS1815182

Extremely elevated international normalized ratio in a patient using dabigatran etexilate: a case report

Background We present the case of a patient who was administered dabigatran and showed an extremely elevated prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR). Case report A 79-year-old man was referred due to PT-INR 12.6. The patient was taking 110 mg of dabigatran twice daily in capsule form. On admission, blood urea nitrogen level was 23 mg/dL, creatinine was 1.51 mg/dL, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 44.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. Coagulation tests revealed PT 96.8 seconds, PT-INR 12.46, and activated partial thromboplastin time 125.5 seconds. Dabigatran was discontinued, PT-INR on the day after admission was 8.96. PT-INR recovered to 1.61 on the fourth day without any treatment. Conclusion The PT-INR was not directly correlated with dabigatran activity. Regular monitoring of coagulation was not necessary in all patients taking dabigatran. However, it may be useful to regularly perform coagulation tests in patients with renal impairment or in those at a high risk of bleeding

Hybrid cylinder dryer for the drying of sheet-form materials with hot air

[EN] In this paper, we introduce a novel energy-efficient dryer that uses hot air as a combined heating method of heat conduction and convection heat transfer. The dryer consisting of rotary cylinders and arched jackets is structurally different from conventional dryers. We designed and built a hybrid 4-cylinder dryer for sheet-form materials. The energy consumption to evaporate unit water is about 930 kcal/kg moisture from the experimental results of a hybrid 4-cylinder dryer. The hybrid 4-cylinders dryer has a compact structure with about 1/3 of the size of a conventional dryer for the drying of sheet-form materials.This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20172010105940)Kim, SI.; Oh, SH.; Chun, WP.; Park, KH.; Yu, BH. (2018). Hybrid cylinder dryer for the drying of sheet-form materials with hot air. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 443-448. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7682OCS44344

Evaluation of the pathogenicity of GJB3 and GJB6 variants associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss

AbstractA number of genes responsible for hearing loss are related to ion recycling and homeostasis in the inner ear. Connexins (Cx26 encoded by GJB2, Cx31 encoded by GJB3 and Cx30 encoded by GJB6) are core components of gap junctions in the inner ear. Gap junctions are intercellular communication channels and important factors that are associated with hearing loss. To date, a molecular genetics study of GJB3 and GJB6 as a causative gene for hearing loss has not been performed in Korea. This study was therefore performed to elucidate the genetic characteristics of Korean patients with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss and to determine the pathological mechanism of hearing loss by analyzing the intercellular communication function of Cx30 and Cx31 variants. Sequencing analysis of the GJB3 and GJB6 genes in our population revealed a total of nine variants, including four novel variants in the two genes. Three of the novel variants (Cx31-p.V27M, Cx31-p.V43M and Cx-30-p.I248V) and two previously reported variants (Cx31-p.V84I and Cx30-p.A40V) were selected for functional studies using a pathogenicity prediction program and assessed for whether the mutations were located in a conserved region of the protein. The results of biochemical and ionic coupling tests showed that both the Cx31-p.V27M and Cx31-p.V84I variants did not function normally when each was expressed as a heterozygote with the wild-type Cx31. This study demonstrated that two variants of Cx31 were pathogenic mutations with deleterious effect. This information will be valuable in understanding the pathogenic role of GJB3 and GJB6 mutations associated with hearing loss