Joint integrity evaluation of laser beam welded additive manufactured Ti6Al4V sheets

The feasibility of joining laser metal deposited Ti6Al4V sheets using laser beam welding was investigated in this article. The additive manufactured sheets were joined using a 3 kW CW YLS-2000-TR ytterbium laser system. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded additive manufactured parts (AM welds) were compared with those of the wrought sheets welded using the same laser process. The welds were characterized and compared in terms of bead geometry, microhardness, tensile strength, fractography, and microstructure. The differences in characteristics are majorly found in the width of the bead and tensile strength. The bead width of AM welds appear wider than the wrought welds, and the wrought welds exhibited higher tensile strength and ductility than the AM welds.

A military health care facility has high in vitro fertilization success rates

The purpose of this study is to describe in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates at our military health care facility. A retrospective analysis was performed for all IVF cycles initiated at Wilford Hall Medical Center from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1998. During this period, there were 214 IVF cycles initiated with gonadotropin therapy. The overall pregnancy rate, with an intrauterine pregnancy identified by transvaginal ultrasonography, was 45.3%. IVF services can be provided at a military health care facility with a high rate of success.

Reporting of adverse drug reactions by hospital doctors and the response to intervention

AIMS

In Ireland there are relatively fewer adverse drug reaction (ADR/yellow card) reports from doctors in hospital than in general practice. The aim of this study was to review the attitudes to reporting of ADRs of hospital doctors and to determine the effect of making yellow cards freely available.

METHODS

A postal survey of actively practising doctors with follow-up of nonresponders was undertaken. We addressed the single most frequently claimed deterrent to reporting, unavailability of yellow cards, by making cards prominently available and placing one in patient's chart upon admission. In addition, doctors were regularly reminded that ADRs should be reported.

RESULTS

Of 118 hospital based doctors, only 45% had ever reported an ADR. Fewer than 5% of pre-registration house officers had reported an ADR and the likelihood of reporting increased with seniority and was greater among physicians than surgeons. We found no evidence that doctors had published case reports in place of submitting ADR reports. Over 3 months, the greater availability of yellow cards and reminders about reporting ADRs led to an approximate five-fold increase in reports but reporting declined rapidly thereafter when verbal reminders were withdrawn, despite continued ready availability of cards suggesting that making cards available alone does not significantly increase reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates there may be more fundamental constraints to reporting than attitudinal surveys would suggest and we need to explore additional avenues to ensure a 'reporting culture'.