A comprehensive study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of arc girth welded joints of spiral welded high strength API X70 steel pipe

In the paper, the effect of welding technology on the microstructure and mechanical properties of girth welded joints was presented. Metallographic examinations based on light microscopy and SEM were conducted on girth welded joints of API X70 steel pipe. Research has shown that microstructure of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of MMA girth welded joints is not homogeneous and depends on the thermal history of each area during the welding process. Near the fusion line the zone is coarse, and further away there is a fine-grained zone. In the area of root passes the microstructure consists of recrystallized ferrite grains unlike to cap passes where the fine bainitic microstructure can be observed. In the case of MAG girth welded joints, the weld microstructure consists of primary austenite grains. The primary austenite boundaries serve as nucleation sites of ferrite. The microstructure of the HAZ varies continuously from a coarse—to fine-grained microstructure of the base material. The results of mechanical properties of girth welded joints are also presented. The hardness and strength of arc welded joints depend on welding filler materials as well as welding technology. The results of hardness distribution of MMA and MAG girth welded joints confirmed the results of microstructural evaluation

Observation of Stochastic Resonance in Percolative Josephson Media

Measurements of the electrical response of granular Sn-Ge thin films below the superconducting transition temperature are reported. The addition of an external noise to the magnetic field applied to the sample is found to increase the sample voltage response to a small externally applied ac signal. The gain coefficient for this signal and the signal-to-noise ratio display clear maxima at particular noise levels. We interpret these observations as a stochastic resonance in the percolative Josephson media which occurs close to the percolation threshold.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Ultrastructure of the intestine of the bacteriophagous nematodes Caenorhabditis elgans, Panagrolaimus superbus and Acrobeloides maximus (Nematoda : Rhabditida)

L'intestin de trois nématodes libres - "Caenorhabditis elegans, panagrolaimus superbus et #Acrobeloides maximus - a été étudié en microscopie électronique à transmission sur des sections réalisées en trois localisations différentes. Entre les trois espèces, les différences ultrastructurales concernant les éléments cellulaires sont faibles encore que les deux types de cellules présents chez les trois espèces soient positionnés différemment sur le trajet de l'intestin. De plus, deux types de substances sécrétées dans la lumière intestinale ont été identifiés, l'un uniquement dans l'intestin antérieur, l'autre tout le long de l'intestin. Des colorations in toto de quinze nématodes à l'aide de la F-actine, ont révélé la présence d'un muscle intestinal bien développé, en forme de croix, présent seulement chez les Céphalobides. (Résumé d'auteur

One-dimensional analytical and numerical models of the pulse-tube cooler

Three one-dimensional models describing the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics in the tube section of a pulse-tube refrigerator have been developed: numerical, analytical and harmonic. The numerical model concerns a finite-difference scheme that is second-order accurate in space and time. The analytical model is exact and based on the method of characteristics. The harmonic model is approximate and assumes sinusoidal variations of all variables. Some typical results for a single-stage Stirling type pulse-tube refrigerator are presented

One-dimensional analytical and numerical models of the pulse-tube cooler

Three one-dimensional models describing the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics in the tube section of a pulse-tube refrigerator have been developed: numerical, analytical and harmonic. The numerical model concerns a finite-difference scheme that is second-order accurate in space and time. The analytical model is exact and based on the method of characteristics. The harmonic model is approximate and assumes sinusoidal variations of all variables. Some typical results for a single-stage Stirling type pulse-tube refrigerator are presented

Presence of peritrophic-like membranes in the intestine of three bacteriophagous nematodes (Nematoda : Rhabditida)

Chez trois nématodes Rhabdities, #Caenorhabditis elegans, Panagrolaimus superbus et #Acrobeloides maximus, les analyses ultrastructurales ont démontré la présence d'une membrane prenant naissance à l'extrémité des microvillosités intestinales, et ce sur l'entière longueur de l'intestin. Ces membranes permettent le passage de l'isothiocyanate de fluorescéine, du rouge de méthyle, du rouge neutre et de l'orange d'acridine, mais un passage très limité des molécules de ferritine. Après introduction d'une dose subléthale d'azide de sodium, la lumière intestinale est le siège d'une augmentation de la sécrétion des couches de la membrane. Des colorations #in toto des nématodes avec des lectines provenant de #Solanum tuberosum et #Triticum vulgare$, connues pour leur grande affinité avec la chitine, ont seulement montré une liaison spécifique de la première avec la frange en brosse, et ce chez tous les stades des trois nématodes considérés. Ces résultats révèlent dans l'intestin de trois espèces appartenant à un des plus anciens phylums de métazoaire, la présence de membranes possédant des caractéristiques morphologiques et fonctionnelles rappelant les membranes péritrophiques des insectes. (Résumé d'auteur

The Portacaval‐shunted rat : a new model for the study of the mechanisms controlling voluntary ethanol consumption and ethanol preference?

Portacaval anastomosis (PCA) is a surgical procedure whereby blood from the portal vein is shunted into the inferior vena cava. PCA in the rat results in a significant increase (from 0.77 ± 0.26 to 3.51 ± 0.37 g of ethanol/kg/day) in voluntary ethanol consumption in a free‐choice paradigm between water and 5% ethanol solution. After PCA surgery, increased voluntary ethanol consumption starts abruptly at 6 to 7 days and is maintained for > 28 weeks. Voluntary ethanol consumption in rats after PCA results in blood ethanol levels up to 158 mg%. After PCA, the ethanol preference ratio (defined as the percentage of total fluid intake constituted by ethanol) increased from 19 ± 2% to 78 ± 2% (p < 0.001). Administration of the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg, sc) resulted in a significant 6‐fold attenuation of voluntary ethanol consumption by rats with PCA, an effect that was not mediated by an effect on locomotor activity. These findings, together with previous reports of widespread alterations of the μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors in the brain after PCA, suggest that increased voluntary ethanol consumption and ethanol preference in PCA rats may result from activation of the endogenous opioid system. Preliminary studies suggest that rats with PCA manifest behavioral signs consistent with the development of dependence. The portacaval‐shunted rat may provide a useful preparation for the study of mechanisms, in particular those involving the liver, implicated in the development of increased voluntary ethanol consumption and ethanol preference

Nutrients and micronutrients at risk during renal replacement therapy: a scoping review.

Malnutrition is frequent in patients with acute kidney injury. Nutrient clearance during renal replacement therapy (RRT) potentially contributes to this complication. Although losses of amino acid, trace elements and vitamins have been described, there is no clear guidance regarding the role of micronutrient supplementation. A scoping review was conducted with the aim to review the existing literature on micronutrients status during RRT: 35 publications including data on effluent losses and blood concentrations were considered relevant and analysed. For completeness, we also included data on amino acids. Among trace elements, negative balances have been shown for copper and selenium: low blood levels seem to indicate potential deficiency. Smaller size water soluble vitamins were found in the effluent, but not larger size liposoluble vitamins. Low blood values were frequently reported for thiamine, folate and vitamin C, as well as for carnitine. All amino acids were detectable in effluent fluid. Duration of RRT was associated with decreasing blood values. Losses of several micronutrients and amino acids associated with low blood levels represent a real risk of deficiency for vitamins B1 and C, copper and selenium: they should be monitored in prolonged RRT. Further Research is urgently required as the data are insufficient to generate strong conclusions and prescription recommendations for clinical practice

Active plasmonic devices and optical metamaterials

We studied active near-infrared metamaterials based on phase transition of vanadium oxide thin films, asymmetrically coupled split-ring resonators for narrowing resonance line-widths , field effect modulation of plasmon propagation and 3D single layer, plasmonic negative-index metamaterials