Supersolidus liquid phase sintering of water-atomized low-alloy steel in binder jetting additive manufacturing.

This work investigates the feasibility of net shape manufacturing of parts using water-atomized (WA) low-alloy steel with comparable densities to conventional powder metallurgy parts via binder jetting additive manufacturing (BJAM) and supersolidus liquid phase sintering (SLPS). In this study, a modified water-atomized powder grade with similar composition as MPIF FL-4405 was printed and pressure-less sintered under a 95% N-5% H atmosphere. Combinations of two different sintering schedules (direct-sintering and step-sintering) and three different heating rates (1, 3, and 5 °C/min) were applied to study the densification, shrinkage, and microstructural evolution of BJAM parts.

An unexpected case of hypercalcaemia and hilar fullness.

Hypercalcaemia, a condition with abnormally raised calcium levels, is commonly caused by cancer, immobility, certain supplements and other diseases such as sarcoidosis. In this case report, we present a 65-year-old female who presented with hypercalcaemia, hilar adenopathy on chest X-ray and a pathological fracture of her ankle that was unexpectedly due to hyperparathyroidism.

Assessment of the knowledge of usage of blood and blood products amongst medical doctors in the Department of Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand affiliated academic hospitals.

Background: Rational and appropriate use of blood and blood products is important in a resource limited setting like South Africa. Proper education is required in decision-making and management with regard to blood transfusion. Status of the current knowledge of blood transfusion practice is also necessary in order to identify target areas of teaching and patient management.

An evaluation of local thermal analysis of polymers on the sub-micrometer scale using heated scanning probe microscopy cantilevers.

A basic understanding of thermal properties of polymers is of fundamental importance for the development of advanced polymers. However, up to now, mainly bulk properties have been investigated. To characterize local softening processes in polymers, a local thermal analysis (LTA) technique is applied as an add-on to a scanning probe microscope.

Assessing the nanoscale structure and mechanical properties of polymer monoliths used for chromatography.

Concerning polymeric monolithic materials utilized in separation science, the structural and mechanical characteristics from the nanoscopic to the macroscopic scale remain of great interest. Suitable analytical tools are urgently required to understand the polymer monolith's constituent structure, particularly in the case of nanoscale polymer properties that tend to develop gel porosity in contact with a mobile phase ultimately affecting the chromatographic performance. Herein described are our first findings from a characterization of commercially available analytical polymer monoliths based on styrene/divinylbenzene and methacrylate chemistries utilizing confocal Raman spectroscopy imaging and atomic force microscopy (AFM).