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The aim of present investigation is to study the effect of an electron beam surface treatment on 2205 duplex stainless steel joints produced by the same electron beam process. Heat treatment of the joints is necessary, to re-establish the ferrite/austenite balance, which is extremely disturbed during the electron beam welding process. For assessing the effectiveness of the electron beam surface treatment, similar weld joints were subjected to conventional furnace heat treatment at 1050 °C, and used as reference. Metallographic techniques and mechanical testing were used to assess the microstructure and corresponding mechanical properties of the as-welded and heat treated specimens. The metallographic results showed that an austenite/ferrite ratio approaching the one produced by a typical furnace post-weld heat treatment can also be achieved by heating locally the weld surface with an electron beam. At the same time the tensile properties show considerable improvement, approaching those obtained by means of a conventional furnace heat treatment, whereas the impact strength is also improved compared to the as welded specimen, but remains clearly lower than the one of the furnace heat treated weld. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cholinergic deficiency in Alzheimer''s (AD) and Parkinson''s disease (PD). For this purpose, pupil size changes and mobility were assessed using a fast-video pupillometer (263 frames/s). Twenty-three (23) patients with probable AD and twenty-two (22) patients with PD (eleven with cognitive impairment and eleven without) entered the study. A full record of the pupil''s reaction to light was registered. From this data ten (10) parameters were measured and reported. Comparison of those parameters in both group of subjects followed. Patients with probable AD had abnormal pupillary function compared to healthy ageing. All the Pupil Light Reflex (PLR) variables significantly differed between the two groups (p <0.005) except the Baseline Pupil Diameter after 2-min dark adaptation (D1) and the Minimum Pupil Diameter (D2). Maximum Constriction Acceleration (ACmax) was the best predictor in classifying a subject as normal or as an AD with a perfect classification ability (AUC=1, p <0.001). ACmax and Maximum Constriction Velocity (VCmax) were significantly lower in PD patients without and with coexisting cognitive impairment compared to normal subjects (p <0.001). Patients with cognitive impairment had significantly lower levels of ACmax, VCmax and amplitude (AMP= D1–D2) than patients with no cognitive deficits. ACmax and secondarily VCmax were the best predictors in classifying a subject as normal or as a PD patient with or without cognitive impairment. Cognitive and memory impairment, which reflects a cholinergic deficit, may be a crucial pathogenetic factor for the decrease in the aforementioned pupillometric parameters. VCmax and ACmax can be considered as the most sensitive indicators of this cholinergic deficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Growth media based on whole-stem kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and sand have been used to produce compact lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. Seeds were sown directly in kenaf-containing substrates and growth was recorded for up to 100 days after sowing. The presence of whole-stem kenaf (core and bark), even at a ratio of 10:90 (kenaf:sand), inhibited plant growth expressed as plant height, leaf number, and plant fresh and dry weight. When plants were subsequently transplanted to a kenaf-free substrate, growth continued at a similar rate to that of the control (sown and grown in peat and sand). The inhibitory effect of kenaf is located both in the core and bark, but is decreased by soaking the kenaf in NH4NO3 prior to use. A possible role for whole-stem kenaf (core and bark) in the production of compact plants is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]