Effects of CR-plating and environment on the cracking of low alloy steels at high temperatures

The cracking of low alloy Cr-Mo-V steels under cyclic stress at 1000-1100°C. was studied using a specially designed test apparatus. The results obtained from specimens plated with hard chromium are compared to those of unplated specimens. Tests conducted in gas mixtures of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide showed that a high CO/CO2 ratio retards cracking in both plated and unplated specimens. Both external and internal oxidation are used to explain these results. Inherent microcracks in the hard chromium plating promoted cracking in all CO/CO2 environments. It was also found that these steels are severely embrittled in the presence of liquid copper. --Abstract, page iii

A study of the effect of magnetite additions to shell molds on the surface quality of low carbon steel castings

Shell molds containing additions of ten to fifty percent magnetite, Fe3O4, of various particle sizes were cured by induction heating. For comparison, regular shell molds were made using silica and zircon sand. Low carbon steel was cast into all of the molds. Castings produced from the regular shell molds exhibited poor surfaces due to mold expansion. Magnetite additions eliminated the expansion defects from the casting surfaces. Excellent surfaces were obtained on the low carbon steel castings with proper selection of the magnetite particle size and the percent of magnetite added. Improper combinations of size and amount of magnetite resulted in defects associated with the magnetite additions to the mold material --Abstract, page ii

What is the mechanism of microalbuminuria in diabetes: a role for the glomerular endothelium?

Microalbuminuria is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and progressive renal impairment. This holds true in the general population and particularly in those with diabetes, in whom it is common and marks out those likely to develop macrovascular disease and progressive renal impairment. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms through which microalbuminuria occurs holds the key to designing therapies to arrest its development and prevent these later manifestations

Apnoea of prematurity - discontinuation of methylxanthines in a resource-limited setting

Background: Methylxanthines such as caffeine have been proven to reduce apnoea of prematurity and are often discontinued at 35 weeks’ corrected gestational age (GA). Objective. To ascertain whether a caffeine protocol based on international guidelines is applicable in our setting, where GA is often uncertain. Methods: A prospective folder review was undertaken of all premature infants discharged home over a 2-month period. Results: Fifty-five babies were included. All babies born at less than 35 weeks’ GA were correctly started on caffeine as per protocol. GA was assigned in 85.5% of cases by Ballard scoring and in 14.5% from antenatal ultrasound findings. Caffeine was discontinued before 35 weeks in 54.5%. Discussion: The main reason for discontinuing caffeine early was the baby’s ability to feed satisfactorily, a demonstration of physiological maturity. As feeding behaviours mature significantly between 33 and 36 weeks, the ability to feed may be a good indication that caffeine therapy can be stopped

Skin microvascular vasodilatory capacity in offspring of two parents with Type 2 diabetes

Aims<br/> Microvascular dysfunction occurs in Type 2 diabetes and in subjects with fasting hyperglycaemia. It is unclear whether this dysfunction relates to dysglycaemia. This study investigated in normogylcaemic individuals whether a genetic predisposition to diabetes, or indices of insulin resistance including endothelial markers, were associated with impaired microvascular function.<br/> Methods<br/> Maximum microvascular hyperaemia to local heating of the skin was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry in 21 normoglycaemic subjects with no family history of diabetes (Group 1) and 21 normoglycaemic age, sex and body mass index-matched offspring of two parents with Type 2 diabetes (Group 2). <br/>Results<br/> Although Group 2 had normal fasting plasma glucose and glucose tolerance tests, the 120-min glucose values were significantly higher at 6.4 (5.3-6.6) mmol/l (median (25th-75th centile)) than the control group at 4.9 (4.6-5.9) mmol/l (P=0.005) and the insulinogenic index was lower at 97.1 (60.9-130.8) vs. 124.0 (97.2-177.7) (P=0.027). Skin maximum microvascular hyperaemia (Group 1: 1.56 (1.39- 1.80) vs. Group 2: 1.53 (1.30-1.98) V, P=0.99) and minimum microvascular resistance which normalizes the hyperaemia data for blood pressure (Group 1: 52.0 (43.2-67.4) vs. Group 2: 56.0 (43.7-69.6) mmHgN, P=0.70) did not differ in the two groups. Significant positive associations occurred between minimum microvascular resistance and indices of the insulin resistance syndrome; plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (R-s=0.46, P=0.003), t-PA (R-s=0.36, P=0.03), total cholesterol (R-s=0.35, P=0.02), and triglyceride concentration (R-s=0.35, P=0.02), and an inverse association with insulin sensitivity (R-s=-0.33, P=0.03).<br/> Conclusions<br/> In normoglycaemic adults cutaneous microvascular vasodilatory capacity is associated with features of insulin resistance syndrome, particularly with plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. A strong family history of Type 2 diabetes alone does not result in impairment in the maximum hyperaemic response

Soil acidity - high rainfall pastures. Lime on old land pastures - field & glasshouse experiments

Soil Acidity - High Rainfall Pastures (funded by the Australian Meat Research Committee). Lime on old land pastures. 1. Field experiments - 80BU13, 80BU14, 81AL10, 81AL12, 81AL16, 81BU18, 81BY18, 81BY19, 81BY25, 81BY26, 82AL4, 82AL5, 82AL55, 82BU7, 82BU8, 82HA35, 82HA36, 82PE1, 83AL7, 83AL9, 83AL10, 83AL11, 83AL13, 83AL14, 83BU25, 83BU26, 83BY29, 83HA19, 83HA41, 84BU9, 84BY36, 84BY37, 84HA21. 2. Glasshouse experiments - 84GL4. Investigation of factors involved in lime responses on a new land acid peaty sand. 84GL7, 84GL8. Investigation of factors involved in lime responses on old land high rainfall area pastures

Short-term outcomes of inborn v. outborn very-low-birth-weight neonates (<1 500 g) in the neonatal nursery at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Background. The Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) neonatal nursery provides level 3 care for the Metro West Health District in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Worldwide, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates delivered in level 3 neonatal units have better outcomes than those transported from other facilities. Objectives. To identify the characteristics and outcomes of VLBW neonates at GSH, with emphasis on differences between inborns and outborns. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study. VLBW neonates admitted to the GSH neonatal nursery between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 were enrolled on the Vermont Oxford Network database and reviewed. Results. Of 1 032 VLBW neonates enrolled, 906 (87.8%) were delivered at GSH and 126 (12.2%) were outborn. Access to antenatal care, antenatal steroids and inborn status were statistically significant predictors of mortality and survival without morbidity. The mothers of inborn patients were more likely than those of outborn patients to have received antenatal care (89.1% v. 57.9%; p<0.0001) and antenatal steroids (64.2% v. 15.2%; p<0.0001). Inborns required less ventilatory support (16.2% v. 57.9%; p<0.0001) and surfactant administration than outborns (25.3% v. 65.1%; p<0.0001), and developed less late infection (8.8% v. 23.4%; p<0.0001), severe intraventricular haemorrhage (3.7% v. 13.9%; p<0.0001) and chronic lung disease (5.3% v. 13.4%; p=0.003). The incidence of necrotising enterocolitis was similar in the two groups (5.9% v. 8.7%; p=0.227). The mortality rate was 18.4% for inborns and 33.3% for outborns (p<0.0001). Mortality declined as birth weight increased. Of the survivors, 85.0% of inborns and 70.2% of outborns did not develop serious morbidity (p=0.003). Conclusions. VLBW neonates delivered at GSH had better outcomes than their outborn counterparts. Perinatal regionalisation is beneficial to our patients, with antenatal care, timeous transfer in utero and antenatal steroids contributing to excellent outcomes

Short-term outcomes of inborn v. outborn very-low-birth-weight neonates (

Background. The Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) neonatal nursery provides level 3 care for the Metro West Health District in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Worldwide, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates delivered in level 3 neonatal units have better outcomes than those transported from other facilities.Objectives. To identify the characteristics and outcomes of VLBW neonates at GSH, with emphasis on differences between inborns and outborns.Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study. VLBW neonates admitted to the GSH neonatal nursery between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 were enrolled on the Vermont Oxford Network database and reviewed.Results. Of 1 032 VLBW neonates enrolled, 906 (87.8%) were delivered at GSH and 126 (12.2%) were outborn. Access to antenatal care, antenatal steroids and inborn status were statistically significant predictors of mortality and survival without morbidity. The mothers of inborn patients were more likely than those of outborn patients to have received antenatal care (89.1% v. 57.9%; p&lt;0.0001) and antenatal steroids (64.2% v. 15.2%; p&lt;0.0001). Inborns required less ventilatory support (16.2% v. 57.9%; p&lt;0.0001) and surfactant administration than outborns (25.3% v. 65.1%; p&lt;0.0001), and developed less late infection (8.8% v. 23.4%; p&lt;0.0001), severe intraventricular haemorrhage (3.7% v. 13.9%; p&lt;0.0001) and chronic lung disease (5.3% v. 13.4%; p=0.003). The incidence of necrotising enterocolitis was similar in the two groups (5.9% v. 8.7%; p=0.227). The mortality rate was 18.4% for inborns and 33.3% for outborns (p&lt;0.0001). Mortality declined as birth weight increased. Of the survivors, 85.0% of inborns and 70.2% of outborns did not develop serious morbidity (p=0.003).Conclusions. VLBW neonates delivered at GSH had better outcomes than their outborn counterparts. Perinatal regionalisation is beneficial to our patients, with antenatal care, timeous transfer in utero and antenatal steroids contributing to excellent outcomes