Importance of computed tomography in posterior malleolar fractures:Added information to preoperative X-ray studies

BACKGROUND Ankle fractures are common lesions of the lower limbs.Approximately 40%of ankle fractures affect the posterior malleolus(PM).Historically,PM osteosynthesis was recommended when PM size in X-ray images was greater than 25%of the joint.Currently,computed tomography(CT)has been gaining traction in the preoperative evaluation of ankle fractures.AIM To elucidate the similarity in dimensions and to correlate PM size in X-ray images with the articular surface of the affected tibial plafond in the axial view on CT(AXCT)of a PM fracture.METHODS Eighty-one patients(mean age:39.4±13.5 years)were evaluated(54.3%were male).Two independent examiners measured PM size in profile X-ray images(PMXR)and sagittal CT(SAGCT)slices.The correlation of the measurements between the examiners and the difference in the PM fragment sizes between the two images were compared.Next,the PM size in PMXR was compared with the surface of the tibial plafond involved in the fracture in AXCT according to the Haraguchi classification.RESULTS The correlation rates between the examiners were 0.93 and 0.94 for PMXR and SAGCT,respectively(P<0.001).Fragments were 2.12%larger in SAGCT than in PMXR(P=0.018).In PMXR,there were 56 cases<25%and 25 cases≥25%.When PMXR was<25%,AXCT corresponded to 10.13%of the tibial plafond.When PMXR was≥25%,AXCT was 24.52%(P<0.001).According to the Haraguchi classification,fracture types I and II had similar PMXR measurements that were greater than those of type III.When analyzing AXCT,a significant difference was found between the three types,with II>I>III(P<0.001).CONCLUSION PM fractures show different sizes using X-ray or CT images.CT showed a larger PM in the sagittal plane and allowed the visualization of the real dimensions of the tibial plafond surface.

Effects of Laser Shock Processing on Mechanical Properties of Laser Welded ANSI 304 Stainless Steel Joint

With the rapid development of engineering component with integration,high-speed and multi-parameter,traditional techniques haven＇t met practical needs in extreme service environment.Laser welding,a new welding technology,has been widely used.However,it would generate the drop of mechanical properties for laser welded joint due to its thermal effect.Laser shock processing（LSP） is one of the most effective methods to improve the mechanical properties of laser welded ANSI 304 stainless steel joint.In this paper,the effects of LSP on the mechanical properties of laser welded ANSI 304 stainless steel joint have been investigated.The welded joint on the front of the tensile samples is treated by LSP impacts,and the overlapping rate of the laser spot is 50%.The tensile test of the laser welded joint with and without LSP impacts is carried out,and the fracture morphology of the tensile samples is analyzed by scanning electron microscope（SEM）.Compared with the yield strength of 11.70 kN,the tensile strength of 37.66 kN,the yield-to-tensile strength ratio of 0.310 7,the elongation of 25.20%,the area reduction of 32.68% and the elastic modulus of 13 063.876 MPa,the corresponding values after LSP impacts are 14.25 kN,38.74 kN,0.367 8,26.58%,42.29% and 14 754.394 MPa,respectively.Through LSP impacts,the increasing ratio of the yield strength and tensile strength are 121.79% and 102.87%,respectively;the elongation and area reduction are improved by 5.48% and 29.38%,respectively.By comparing with coarse fracture surface of the welded joint,the delamination splitting with some cracks in the sharp corner of the welded joint and asymmetric dimples,LSP can cause brighter fracture surface,and finer and more uniform dimples.Finally,the schematic illustration of dimple formation with LSP is clearly described.The proposed research ensures that the LSP technology can clearly improve the yield strength,tensile strength,yield-to-tensile strength ratio,elongation,area reduction and elastic modulus of the welded joint.The enhancement mechanism of LSP on laser welded ANSI 304 stainless steel joint is mainly due to the fact that the refined and uniform dimples effectively delay the fracture of laser welded joints.

Reproducing Kernel Particle Method for Non-Linear Fracture Analysis

To study the non-linear fracture, a non-linear constitutive model for piezoelectric ceramics was proposed, in which the polarization switching and saturation were taken into account. Based on the model, the non-linear fracture analysis was implemented using reproducing kernel particle method （RKPM）. Using local J-integral as a fracture criterion, a relation curve of fracture loads against electric fields was obtained. Qualitatively, the curve is in agreement with the experimental observations reported in literature. The reproducing equation, the shape function of RKPM, and the transformation method to impose essential boundary conditions for meshless methods were also introduced. The computation was implemented using object-oriented programming method.

Tensile and Fracture Properties of 15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al Composites Fabricated by Hot Isostatic Pressing and Hot Extrusion Processes

15 vol% silicon carbide particle （SiCp）-reinforced 2009A1 matrix （15 vol% SiCp/2009A1） composites were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing （HIP） and hot extrusion processes. The tensile and fracture properties of 15 vol% SiCp/ 2009Al were studied. The results showed that hot extrusion increased the ultimate tensile strength （UTS）, yield strength （YS）, elongation （EL）, reduction in area （RA）, and fracture toughness of the composites. The heat treatment resulted in the increase in UTS, YS, and fracture toughness, but a decrease in EL and RA. Both hot extrusion and heat treatment had negligible effects on elastic modulus （E）. With the increase of SiCp size, the UTS, YS, and E decreased, but the EL and RA increased. The fracture toughness increased first and then decreased with increasing SiCp size, and when the SiCp size was about 7 μm, the composites obtained the maximum fracture toughness value of 31.74 MPa m^1/2.

Pesticide Makers Enjoy Fat Profits or Suffer Losses

In contrast with the consistent growth results of urea firms,China’s pesticide makers reported wide ranging fmancial results for their product lines for the first half(H1) of this year,ending June 30th.The early birds entering the manu-facture of glyphosate shared fats profits brought by the quadrupled price increase in twelve months.At the other extreme firms who were heavily involved in producing the highly toxic pesticides that were recently banned