Effect of welding process on the microstructure and properties of dissimilar weld joints between low alloy steel and duplex stainless steel

To obtain high-quality dissimilar weld joints, the processes of metal inert gas （MIG） welding and tungsten inert gas （TIG） welding for duplex stainless steel （DSS） and low alloy steel were compared in this paper. The microstructure and corrosion morphology of dissimilar weld joints were observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）; the chemical compositions in different zones were detected by en- ergy-dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）; the mechanical properties were measured by microhardness test, tensile test, and impact test; the corro- sion behavior was evaluated by polarization curves. Obvious concentration gradients of Ni and Cr exist between the fusion boundary and the type II boundary, where the hardness is much higher. The impact toughness of weld metal by MIG welding is higher than that by TIG weld- ing. The corrosion current density of TIG weld metal is higher than that of MIG weld metal in a 3.5wt% NaC1 solution. Galvanic corrosion happens between low alloy steel and weld metal, revealing the weakness of low alloy steel in industrial service. The quality of joints pro- duced by MIG welding is better than that by TIG welding in mechanical performance and corrosion resistance. MIG welding with the filler metal ER2009 is the suitable welding process for dissimilar metals jointing between UNS $31803 duplex stainless steel and low alloy steel in practical application.

Early hepatitis B viral DNA clearance predicts treatment response at week 96

AIM To investigate whether hepatitis viral DNA load at 24 wk of treatment predicts response at 96 wk in patients with chronic hepatitis B.METHODS A total of 172 hepatitis B envelope antigen(HBe Ag)-positive chronic hepatitis B patients who received initial treatment at 16 tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province, China were enrolled in this study. All patients received conventional doses of lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil, telbivudine, entecavir dispersible tablets, or entecavir tablets for 96 wk. Patients who used other antiviral drugs or antitumor and immune regulation therapy were excluded. Patients were stratified into three groups according to their viral DNA load at 24 wk: < 10 IU/m L(group 1), 10-103 IU/m L(group 2), and > 103 IU/m L(group 3). Correlations of 24-wk DNA load with HBe Ag negative status and HBe Ag seroconversion at 96 wk were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to test the predictive value of the HBV DNA load at 24 wk for long-term response.RESULTS The rates of conversion to HBe Ag negative status and HBe Ag seroconversion rates were 53.7% and 51.9%, respectively, in group 1; 35.21% and 32.39% in group 2; and 6.38% and 6.38% in group 3. The receiver operating characteristic curves for the three subgroups revealed that the lowest DNA load(< 10 IU/m L) was better correlated with response at 96 wk than a higher DNA load(10-103 IU/m L). Nested PCR was used for amplifying and sequencing viral DNA in patients with a viral DNA load > 200 IU/m L at 96 wk; resistance mutations involving different loci were present in 26 patients, and three of these patients had a viral DNA load 10-103 IU/m L at 96 wk. CONCLUSION Hepatitis B viral DNA load at 24 wk of antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B is a predictor of the viral load and response rate at 96 wk.

Association between body mass index and the risk of bleeding in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation taking dabigatran:a cohort study

Background Uncertainty remains regarding the association between body mass index(BMI)and the risk of bleeding in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF).We aimed to investigate the association between BMI and the risk of bleeding in elderly NVAF patients taking dabigatran.Methods A total of 509 elderly NVAF patients,who were being treated at twelve centers in China from February 2015 to December 2017 and taking dabigatran,were analyzed.The exposure and outcome variables were BMI at baseline and bleeding events within the subsequent six months,respectively.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between BMI and the risk of bleeding.Moreover,the Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting was conducted.Results During the six-month follow-up,50 participants experienced bleeding.Every 1 kg/m^2 increase in BMI was associated with a 12%increased risk of bleeding(P=0.021).Compared to those with BMI values in Tertile 1(<22.5 kg/m^2),the adjusted hazard ratio(HR)of bleeding for participants in Tertile 2(22.5–25.3 kg/m^2)and Tertile 3(>25.3 kg/m^2)were 2.71(95%CI:1.02–7.17)and 3.5(95%CI:1.21–8.70),respectively.The Ptrend-value was significant in all models.The adjusted smooth curve showed a linear association between BMI and bleeding.None of the stratified variables showed significant effect modification on the association between BMI and bleeding(Pinteraction>0.05).Conclusions BMI was significantly and positively associated with the risk of bleeding in elderly NVAF patients treated with dabigatran.

Environmental boundary and formation mechanism of different types of H2S corrosion products on pipeline steel

To establish an adequate thermodynamic model for the mechanism of formation of hydrogen sulfide(H_2S) corrosion products,theoretical and experimental studies were combined in this work. The corrosion products of API X60 pipeline steel formed under different H_2S corrosion conditions were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and X-ray diffraction. A thermodynamic model was developed to clarify the environmental boundaries for the formation and transformation of different products. Presumably,a dividing line with a negative slope existed between mackinawite and pyrrhotite. Using experimental data presented in this study combined with previously published results,we validated the model to predict the formation of mackinawite and pyrrhotite on the basis of the laws of thermodynamics. The established relationship is expected to support the investigation of the H_2S corrosion mechanism in the oil and gas industry.

Autoimmune regulator regulates autophagy in THP-1 human monocytes

The autoimmune regulator(AIRE)is a crucial factor for the induction of central tolerance,and mutations in this gene lead to abnormal immune responses.However,the role of AIRE in autophagy in immune cells,especially in monocytes,is obscure.In the present study,we found that overexpression of AIRE in THP-1 human monocytes resulted in increased endogenous light chain 3(LC3)-II level and elevated LC3 positive vesicles.Moreover,an autophagy inhibitor or knockdown of AIRE by small interference RNA attenuated these effects.In contrast,the expression of p62/SQSTM1 remained unchanged in THP-1 cells after the corresponding treatment.Our findings indicate that AIRE plays a role in the regulation of autophagy in THP-1 human monocytes.

Peripheral leukocyte count and risk of bleeding in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation taking dabigatran: a real-world study

Background: The association between peripheral leukocyte count and bleeding events in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated with dabigatran remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between leukocyte count and bleeding events after excluding other confounders in NVAF patients taking dabigatran. Methods: A total of 851 NVAF patients treated with dabigatran (110 mg bid) were recruited from 12 centers in China from February 2015 to December 2017. Follow-up was completed by May 2018. The exposure and outcome variables were leukocyte count measured at baseline and the number of bleeding events within the subsequent 6 months. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to analyze independent associations, and a Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) was used to address nonlinearity between leukocyte count and bleeding. The inflection point was calculated using a recursive algorithm, and then a two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards model for both sides of the inflection point was constructed. Results: During 6-month follow-up, 87 participants occurred bleeding events. For every 1×10^9/L increase in leukocyte count, the risk of bleeding increased by 11%(hazard ratio [HR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–1.25). The smooth curve showed nonlinear relationship between leukocyte count and bleeding events. The inflection point of the leukocyte count was 6.75×10^9/L. For leukocyte counts < 6.75×10^9/L, the HR (95% CI) was 0.88 (0.69–1.13), and for leukocyte counts ≥ 6.75×10^9/L, the HR (95% CI) was 1.28 (1.09–1.51). Conclusion: This study found a J-shaped association between baseline leukocyte count and risk of bleeding in NVAF patients treated with dabigatran.

Association between mandibular posterior alveolar morphology and growth pattern in a Chinese population with normal occlusion

Objective:To investigate the relationship between growth patterns and mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology in a Chinese population with normal occlusion.Methods:Forty-five patients with normal occlusion(23 males,22 females) were included in this study.Among these patients,20 displayed the vertical growth pattern,and 20 had the horizontal growth pattern,while the remaining patients displayed the average growth pattern.All of the patients underwent dental cone beam computed tomography(CBCT),which included the region of the mandibular posterior teeth and the alveolar.A linear regression analysis and a correlation analysis between the facial height index(FHI) and the alveolar bone morphology were performed.Results:The inclination of the molars,the thickness of the cortical bone,and the height of the mandibular bone differed significantly between patients with the horizontal growth pattern and those with the vertical growth pattern(P<0.05).Significant positive correlations were found between:the FHI and the inclination of the molars;the FHI and the thickness of the cortical bone;and the FHI and the height of the mandibular bone.Conclusions:The mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology may be affected by growth patterns.

Efficacy of concentrated growth factors combined with mineralized collagen on quality of life and bone reconstruction of guided bone regeneration

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of concentrated growth factors(CGFs)combined with mineralized collagen(MC)in guided bone regeneration(GBR).A retrospective study involving 29 patients treated with GBR technique,which was performed either CGF and MC complexes or MC alone.Implants were inserted simultaneously and cone-beam computed tomography was taken immediately,at 3 and 6 months postoperation.Questionnaires were completed by all patients so as to evaluate the main symptoms and daily activities during the first week after surgery.The outcomes of the two groups were statistically compared.All implants healed uneventfully.Patients in both groups suffered from different levels of discomfort for the reason of swelling,pain and chewing impairment on 1-2 days.Meanwhile,swelling of the Trial group was weaker than the Control group.When compared with the Control group,pain levels in Trial group were more rapidly reduced and patients took fewer analgesics from Day 3.Furthermore,the reconstitution mean value of the graft was thicker at 3 and 6 months in Trial group.CGFs complex with MC were beneficial to relieve the clinical symptoms,promote the peri-implant bone regeneration and shorten the healing time.