Microstructure And Compressive Properties Of Aluminum Foam Fabricated Using Sintering Dissolution Process

Sintering dissolution process (SDP) is a technique which enables fabrication of aluminum foam as a suitable absorber material with good quality. The aim of this research is to study the effect of various parameters towards morphology and compression properties of aluminum foam fabricated using SDP method. In this research, sodium chloride (NaCl) powders were used as space holder. Aluminum foams were fabricated using SDP method which involves milling (1 hour), compaction (200 MPa), sintering (570 ºC) and dissolution process (90 ºC). The first part of this research is to investigate the effect of different space holder content in aluminum foam on density, morphology, compression properties and energy absorption. The result shows that the space holder contributes to higher porosity and energy absorption which prevented the foam structure from collapsed during compression loading. In contrast, too high space holder content leading to high tendency of residual NaCl particles in aluminum foam which resulted in porous foam with lower compression properties and energy absorption. It was found that increasing dissolution time improved energy absorption due to complete dissolution of NaCl particles

Microstructure And Compressive Properties Of Aluminum Foam Fabricated Using Sintering Dissolution Process

Sintering dissolution process (SDP) is a technique which enables fabrication of aluminum foam as a suitable absorber material with good quality. The aim of this research is to study the effect of various parameters towards morphology and compression properties of aluminum foam fabricated using SDP method. In this research, sodium chloride (NaCl) powders were used as space holder. Aluminum foams were fabricated using SDP method which involves milling (1 hour), compaction (200 MPa), sintering (570 ºC) and dissolution process (90 ºC). The first part of this research is to investigate the effect of different space holder content in aluminum foam on density, morphology, compression properties and energy absorption. The result shows that the space holder contributes to higher porosity and energy absorption which prevented the foam structure from collapsed during compression loading. In contrast, too high space holder content leading to high tendency of residual NaCl particles in aluminum foam which resulted in porous foam with lower compression properties and energy absorption. It was found that increasing dissolution time improved energy absorption due to complete dissolution of NaCl particles

Molecular Epidemiology of Anthrax Cases Associated with Recreational Use of Animal Hides and Yarn in the United States

To determine potential links between the clinical isolate to animal products and their geographic origin, we genotyped (MLVA-8, MVLA-15, and canSNP analysis) 80 environmental and 12 clinical isolates and 2 clinical specimens from five cases of anthrax (California in 1976 [n = 1], New York in 2006 [n = 1], Connecticut in 2007 [n = 2], and New Hampshire in 2009[n = 1]) resulting from recreational handling of animal products. For the California case, four clinical isolates were identified as MLVA-8 genotype (GT) 76 and in the canSNP A.Br.Vollum lineage, which is consistent with the Pakistani origin of the yarn. Twenty eight of the California isolates were in the A.Br.Vollum canSNP lineage and one isolate was in the A.Br. 003/004 canSNP sub-group. All 52 isolates and both clinical specimens related to the New York and Connecticut cases were MLVA-8 GT 1. The animal products associated with the NY and CT cases were believed to originate from West Africa, but no isolates from this region are available to be genotyped for comparison. All isolates associated with the New Hampshire case were identical and had a new genotype (GT 149). Isolates from the NY, CT and NH cases diverge from the established canSNP phylogeny near the base of the A.Br.011/009. This report illustrates the power of the current genotyping methods and the dramatically different epidemiological conditions that can lead to infections (i.e., contamination by a single genotype versus widespread contamination of numerous genotypes). These cases illustrate the need to acquire and genotype global isolates so that accurate assignments can be made about isolate origins

Epidemiologic Responses to Anthrax Outbreaks: A Review of Field Investigations, 1950–2001

We used unpublished reports, published manuscripts, and communication with investigators to identify and summarize 49 anthrax-related epidemiologic field investigations conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1950 to August 2001. Of 41 investigations in which Bacillus anthracis caused human or animal disease, 24 were in agricultural settings, 11 in textile mills, and 6 in other settings. Among the other investigations, two focused on building decontamination, one was a response to bioterrorism threats, and five involved other causes. Knowledge gained in these investigations helped guide the public health response to the October 2001 intentional release of B. anthracis, especially by addressing the management of anthrax threats, prevention of occupational anthrax, use of antibiotic prophylaxis in exposed persons, use of vaccination, spread of B. anthracis spores in aerosols, clinical diagnostic and laboratory confirmation methods, techniques for environmental sampling of exposed surfaces, and methods for decontaminating buildings

Competitive Tendering In The Netherlands: Central Planning Or Functional Specifications?

Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Randomised Controlled Trial of Antiglucocorticoid Augmentation (Metyrapone) of Antidepressants in Depression (Add Study)

Background: Depressed patients who do not respond to second-line antidepressant drugs are characterised as suffering from treatment-refractory depression (TRD). Chronic psychosocial stress hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is associated with attenuated responses to antidepressants. Corticosteroid co-administration reduces the increase in forebrain 5-hydroxytryptamine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, whereas antiglucocorticoids have the opposite effect. A Cochrane review suggesting that antiglucocorticoid augmentation of antidepressants may be effective in treating TRD included a pilot study of the cortisol synthesis inhibitor, metyrapone. The Antiglucocorticoid augmentation of antiDepressants in Depression (ADD Study) was a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial of metyrapone augmentation of serotonergic antidepressants in patients with TRD. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of augmentation of standard serotonergic antidepressants with metyrapone 500 mg twice a day for 3 weeks in patients with TRD. Methods: A total of 165 patients with moderate to severe TRD aged 18–65 years were randomised to metyrapone 500 mg twice daily or placebo for 3 weeks, in addition to ongoing serotonergic antidepressants. The primary outcome was improvement in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score 5 weeks after randomisation estimated using analysis of covariance. Secondary outcomes included the degree of persistence of treatment effect for up to 6 months, and also safety and tolerability of metyrapone. ADD included substudies investigating the potential mechanism of action of metyrapone, and utilised a comparator group of healthy participants. Results: The estimated mean difference for each of our study outcomes between randomised groups, 5 weeks post randomisation (allowing for variation between centres and whether or not patients originate from primary or secondary care) was MADRS –0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) –3.48 to 2.46]; Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) –2.65 (95% CI –6.41 to 1.10); Clinical Anxiety Scale 0.46 (95% CI –1.20 to 2.12); State–Trait Anxiety Inventory 1.2 (95% CI –0.6 to 3.0); European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions 0.015 (95% CI –0.069 to 0.099); EuroQol visual analogue scale 5.6 (95% CI –0.7 to 12.0); and Young Mania Rating Scale –0.04 (95% CI –0.52 to 0.45). The differences were not statistically significant and were small in relation to the change from baseline in both groups that was observed immediately after completion of therapy. Endocrinological data required for compliance assessment are not yet available. HPA function, similar in patients and control subjects, was not associated with differing clinical responses. Neuropsychological impairments were found, along with changes in brain structure and function, but no effect of metyrapone was seen on these measures. Discussion: The inclusion criteria led to the sample being broadly representative of patients with TRD, within the UK NHS, with high anxiety and BDI scores. Metyrapone augmentation of antidepressants is not efficacious for outpatients with TRD who are moderately depressed. There was no obvious benefit associated with the use of metyrapone, either on the primary outcome or over the period of follow-up, and this negative result extended to other secondary outcomes. Metyrapone was well tolerated. There were no serious adverse events attributable to it and adverse events were as common with the placebo. HPA axis function was not associated with differing clinical or neuropsychological outcomes. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that although metyrapone augmentation was well tolerated, it is ineffective in the treatment of refractory depression. This finding is contrary to a previous proof of principle study in more acutely unwell patients. Future research should consider whether or not antiglucocorticoid treatments, such as metyrapone, should be targeted at patients with confirmed hypercortisolaemia. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN45338259. Funding details: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme, a MRC and NIHR partnership