Investigation of the tensile and fatigue properties of cast magnesium alloys, created by the heated mold continuous casting process (HMC),

was conducted. The mechanical properties of the Mg-HMC alloys were overall higher than those for the Mg alloys, made by the

conventional gravity casting process (GC), and especially excellent mechanical properties were obtained for the Mg97Y2Zn1

-HMC alloy.

This was because of the fine-grained structure composed of the -Mg phases with the interdendritic LPSO phase. Such mechanical

properties were similar levels to those for conventional cast aluminum alloy (Al84.7Si10.5Cu2.5Fe1.3Zn1 alloys: ADC12), made by the GC

process. Moreover, the tensile properties (UTS and f

) and fatigue properties of the Mg97Y2Zn1

-HMC alloy were about 1.5 times higher

than that for the commercial Mg90Al9Zn1

-GC alloy (AZ91). The high correlation rate between tensile properties and fatigue strength

(endurance limit: l

) was obtained. With newly proposed etching technique, the residual stress in the Mg97Y2Zn1 alloy could be revealed,

and it appeared that the high internal stress was severely accumulated in and around the long-period stacking-order phases (LPSO). This

was made during the solidification process due to the different shrinkage rate between α-Mg and LPSO. In this etching technique, microcracks

were observed on the sample surface, and amount of micro-cracks (density) could be a parameter to determine the severity of the

internal stress, i.e., a large amount to micro-cracks is caused by the high internal stress.

This study investigated the utility of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure with hemostatic clip by comparing with traditional PDA closure. Medical records of 51 dogs with surgical closure of PDA were reviewed and retrospective study was conducted. 29 dogs were treated by procedure with hemostatic clip (Group HC), and 22 dogs were treated by surgical ligation (Group SL). Data pertaining to breed, sex, age and body weight at the time of surgery, echocardiographic minimal ductal diameter, duration of surgery, hemostatic clip size, echocardiographic findings, hemorrhage, residual ductal flow and recanalization were collected from records. The results showed that procedure with hemostatic clip had been selected in lighter dogs than traditional PDA closure. Duration of surgery performed only hemostatic clip technique was significantly shorter than that in group SL. Preoperative LVIDd, E-wave and FS were significantly lower than postoperative ones. As regard all parameters, the differences between pre- and postoperative periods were not significantly different between group HC and group SL. Hemorrhage, residual ductal flow, and recanalization were not significantly different in both groups. The present study showed that procedure with hemostatic clip is beneficial in that it is available in smaller dogs and can make shorter operation duration than traditional PDA closure. Moreover, the procedure is effective for the resolution of volume overload of the left atrium and ventricle in short-term outcome. Complications including hemorrhage, residual ductal flow and recanalization were not significantly different with both techniques.