Search

This study examines the utilization of metal-cored filler wire in conjunction with the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) technique for welding high-strength S690QL steel. Since welding parameters significantly impact the bead quality and weld joint integrity, the main objective was to identify the optimal welding parameters. To achieve this, the input variables including the current (A), voltage (V), and gas flow rate (GFR), and their effects were evaluated for reinforcement (R), width (W), depth of penetration (DOP), and the width of the heat-affected zone (HAZ). For a more efficient and cost-effective investigation, a Box–Behnken design, which is based on response surface methodology, was used for bead-on-plate trials. Mathematical regression models, derived from experimental data, were rigorously validated using the analysis of variance, main effects plots, residual analysis, and the R 2 and Adj. R 2 values. Additionally, the heat transfer search (HTS) algorithm was employed for process optimization. While single-objective optimization provided optimal settings for individual responses, simultaneous optimization aimed to strike a balance between multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives. This comprehensive approach resulted in specific values, including a reinforcement (R) of 4.285 mm, a width (W) of 9.906 mm, a DOP of 2.039 mm, and an HAZ width of 2.020 mm. These values were achieved with specific input parameters: current (221 A), voltage (24 V), and GFR (21 L·min−1). The Pareto solutions offered a nuanced selection of the most suitable configuration, taking into account the desired values for R, W, DOP, and HAZ. The close alignment between predicted and experimentally measured values for the responses highlights the precision and suitability of the HTS algorithm in estimating critical bead geometries during GMAW of S690QL plates.

Joy Q Jin,1,2 Riley K Spencer,2 Vidhatha Reddy,2 Tina Bhutani,2 Wilson Liao2 1School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; 2Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Joy Q Jin, Box 1212, Floor 01, Room 101, 2340 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA, Tel +1 415-353-7800, Fax +1 415-502-4126, Email joy.jin@ucsf.eduIntroduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition with significant detriments to physical/mental health. While systemic therapies are available for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis, patients can experience therapeutic failure, loss of efficacy, or medical contraindications that require other therapeutic options.Objective: With the recent approval of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class TYK2 small molecule inhibitor administered orally for psoriasis patients, we reviewed data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to synthesize its clinical utility. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of deucravacitinib comparing its clinical efficacy to placebo in psoriasis.Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify RCTs studying deucravacitinib in human patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.Results: One placebo-controlled Phase II RCT and two placebo-controlled/active-comparator Phase III RCTs were included for review. Patients (N=1953) treated with deucravacitinib 6 mg daily showed marked improvement in disease severity (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) and quality-of-life outcomes compared to patients administered comparator (apremilast) and placebo. Clinical improvement given deucravacitinib was noted for scalp psoriasis but not fingernail psoriasis. Meta-analysis (deucravacitinib, n=888; placebo, n=466) comparing rates of clearance (sPGA 0/1) demonstrated superior efficacy of deucravacitinib compared to placebo (odds ratio, 12.87; 95% confidence interval, 8.97– 18.48; χ2=4.08, I2=51%). Deucravacitinib was well-tolerated, with similar rate of occurrence and type of adverse events reported among patients treated with placebo or apremilast at Week 12– 16. No cardiovascular events, serious infections, or lab abnormalities were noted.Conclusion: Deucravacitinib possesses good efficacy, with no report of safety concerns associated with prior JAK inhibitors used for psoriasis. Meta-analysis demonstrated deucravacitinib’s superiority compared to placebo, indicating its promising clinical utility. Further studies are needed to observe long-term safety and efficacy, and to compare deucravacitinib to existing treatments.Keywords: apremilast, deucravacitinib, meta-analysis, placebo, plaque psoriasis, systematic review