bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Levels of FoxO3a Predict the Failure of Imatinib Mesylate Therapy among Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Wardhani Shinta Oktya , Susanti Hani , Rahayu Puji , Yueniwati Yuyun , Fajar Jonny
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION: Forkhead Transcription Factor 3a (FoxO3a) has been proposed to have a high efficacy to predict the failure of imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy among Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients. However, the limited evidence had made this marker remained controversy.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the correlation between the levels of FoxO3a and the risk of treatment failure of IM therapy in CML patients.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out between February 2019 and February 2020 in Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, Indonesia. All CML patients treated with IM on our hospital during the study period were included. The levels of FoxO3a was determined using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Cusabio Biotech Kit (Cusabio Biotech Co., New York, USA). The treatment response was assessed using the European Leukemia criteria. The correlation and effect estimate between the levels of FoxO3a and treatment response of CML patients was assessed using multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS: 53 CML patients receiving IM in our hospital were included, consisting of 29 patients with good response and 24 patients with non-response. Our study found that CML patients with lower levels of FoxO3a was associated with increased risk to develop treatment failure when treated with IM. Moreover, we also found that higher risk of treatment failure of IM therapy was also found in patients with increased levels of thrombocytes, basophils, and leukocytes, and lower levels of hemoglobin.
CONCLUSION: We reveal that FoxO3a is the prominent marker to predict the treatment response of CML patients treated with IM.
Prevalence of Home Storage of Medicines and Associated Factors in Iraq
Authors: Abood Sattar J. , Abdulsahib Waleed K. , Al-Radeef Mohanad Y.
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND: In most families around the world, medicines can be used to treat chronic or acute diseases. Simple access to medicines at home has led to high drug consumption rates for self-limiting diseases. Incorrect use of these home-stocked medications may also contribute to severe health risks, increase pathogens’ tolerance, prolonged distress, increased adversity, medication reactions, and delays in seeking adequate care if misdiagnosis occurs. Nothing is known about how Iraqi people store their medicines at home. AIM: The purpose of this study is to obtain data on the prevalence and related factors of drug storage in Diyala Governorate, Iraq. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Diyala Province, Iraq in July 2019. A total of 200 students participated in this study. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was used to collect data and the analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods. All the participants (100%) enrolled reported to keep medicines at their homes. RESULTS: The average number of drug users per household is 12.32%. Refrigerators are the main storage location (65%), followed by kitchen counters (33%). The majority of stored drugs were prescribed by physicians (78.5%) and the leading source of those drugs is a private pharmacy (55.71%). The most popular medicinal products stored were analgesics (23.1%), followed by antimicrobials (antibiotics, antibacterial, and antifungal) (19.44%). Among all medicines, currently used drugs accounted for 43.34%, remaining drugs accounted for 29.78%, and reserved drugs accounted for 26.87% for future use. The most common dosage forms of these drugs are tablets (21.16%) and capsules (20.95%). Most participants (82.5%) revealed that they always check the expiration date before use, and (37%) admitted to sharing drugs with others. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of drug storage in households in the Diyala Governorate of Iraq is high because all participants keep drugs at home. Regardless of the method used, these drugs should be retained, and proper storage procedures and conditions are rarely observed.
Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Schizophrenia and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Efffendy Elmeida , Amin Mustafa Mahmud , Utami Nurul
Published: June 2021

Background: Neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity play a key role as triggers and support for neurodegenerative processes, increase levels of TNF-α have been found in schizophrenic patients. Improved inflammatory processes have been demonstrated in acute and chronic schizophrenia. In schizophrenia is characterized by a collection of core symptoms that trigger individuals experiencing several cognitive disorders.
Objective: To investigate the relationship of serum TNF-α levels to impaired cognitive function in schizophrenic patients in Medan, Indonesia.
Method: This research is cross sectional analytical correlative study involving 40 male schizophrenic patients at Prof. Dr. M. Ildrem Mental Hospital through July to September 2019 that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum TNF-α levels were analyzed using Quantikine HS Human TNF-α Assay with a minimum detection limit of  0.1062 pg/ml while in the other hand, cognitive function test was carried out by using the Mini Mental State Examination.
Results: Serum TNF-α levels with a mean of 25.1216 with a standard deviation of 1.7629. There is a positive correlation with moderate correlation (r = 0.4 - <0.6) on cognitive function with the strength of correlation r = 0.434
Conclusion: We found that there is a link between serum TNF-α level and cognitive function as assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
On the mean field limit for Cucker-Smale models
Authors: Natalini Roberto , Paul Thierry
Published: June 2021

In this note, we consider generalizations of the Cucker-Smale dynamical system and we derive rigorously in Wasserstein's type topologies the mean-field limit (and propagation of chaos) to the Vlasov-type equation introduced in [13]. Unlike previous results on the Cucker-Smale model, our approach is not based on the empirical measures, but, using an Eulerian point of view introduced in [9] in the Hamiltonian setting, we show the limit providing explicit constants. Moreover, for non strictly Cucker-Smale particles dynamics, we also give an insight on what induces a flocking behavior of the solution to the Vlasov equation to the - unknown a priori - flocking properties of the original particle system.
La foire aux sciences, une expérience d’éducation scientifique et environnementale dans la formation des éducatrices et éducateurs en petite enfance
Authors: Calafell Genina , Banqué Neus
Published: June 2021

Considérant les enjeux et les limites de la « société de la connaissance », il importe de réorienter l’éducation et de privilégier à cet effet des processus d’apprentissage plus ancrés dans la communauté de vie et qui prennent en compte les réalités et problèmes écosociaux. À partir de cette prémisse, nous présentons une recherche-action dans le domaine de l’enseignement-apprentissage des sciences au préscolaire. Cette recherche nous a permis de mettre au point une démarche pédagogique qui articule quatre éléments clés : l’identification d’un phénomène à étudier dans le milieu de vie de l’enfant, la formulation de questions de médiation qui guident et stimulent l’investigation, l’instauration d’un dialogue interdisciplinaire et l’évaluation en tant que processus de régulation.
Quels critères pour quelles démarches d’investigation ? Articuler esprit créatif et esprit de contrôle
Authors: Cariou Jean-Yves
Published: June 2021

La promotion internationale des démarches d’investigation (DI) et l’enrôlement sous cette bannière commune, en France, d’approches prônées en sciences expérimentales, en technologie et en mathématiques interrogent sur le(s) sens de ce terme, sur son unité ou sa diversité. Toute mise en activité d’élèves paraît parfois suffire à parler de DI, dès lors que ceux-ci sont actifs ou acteurs. Engager des apprenants dans des DI a cependant un sens profond, qu’éclairent ses origines : des considérations épistémologiques et psychologiques ont historiquement concouru à préconiser une approche dans laquelle les composantes essentielles de l’esprit de recherche, que sont l’esprit créatif et l’esprit de contrôle, peuvent trouver leur place dans le vécu des classes. Des tentatives de définition et de caractérisation ont été faites, sans toujours mettre en relief ces principes fondamentaux. Remettre ceux-ci au premier plan permet d’envisager la spécification de critères pouvant tenir lieu, dans une proposition à visée normative – sans prétendre fixer de norme ultime – de préceptes utiles pour définir et élaborer des DI.
Construire un problème : un premier pas vers l'investigation en sciences. Analyse d’une formation d’enseignants de primaire en contexte français et colombien
Authors: Barrera Luz Helena Martínez , Hosson Cécile de , Décamp Nicolas
Published: June 2021

L’enseignement des sciences expérimentales a subi des changements importants sur le plan des orientations pédagogiques prescrites. Ces changements reflètent l’évolution d’un cadre international dont l’une des caractéristiques est de mettre en avant des démarches plus ouvertes fondées sur « l’investigation ». Les programmes français et colombien, sujet de cette recherche, attendent des enseignants d’une part de concevoir des problèmes pouvant conduire à la mise en place de démarches expérimentales ouvertes et, d’autre part, de motiver les élèves à participer davantage aux processus de construction du savoir. Dans cette recherche, on s’intéresse aux conditions qui favorisent la construction d’un problème scientifique. Nous avons conçu une action de formation continue d’enseignants du primaire sans formation initiale scientifique qui visait à favoriser ce processus de construction. Nous avons fait le choix d’une thématique non familière des curricula scientifiques de l’école primaire : le rebond des boules. Le cadre de la » problématisation », appliqué à l’analyse des interactions langagières des enseignants engagés dans l’activité de construction d’un problème, permet de comprendre les éléments qui bloquent ou favorisent l’émergence de problèmes pouvant donner naissance à de l’investigation fondée sur de l’expérimentation et à la construction de connaissances associées au phénomène de rebond (influence de paramètres physiques, construction de grandeurs caractéristiques, etc.).
Des normes professionnelles à caractère doxique aux difficultés de mise en œuvre de séquences d’investigation en classe de sciences : comprendre les déterminations de l’action
Authors: Marlot Corinne , Morge Ludovic
Published: June 2021

L’étude de la littérature montre que les enseignants rencontrent un grand nombre de difficultés dans la mise en œuvre de la démarche d’investigation en sciences expérimentales. L’origine de ces difficultés est souvent recherchée du côté des caractéristiques individuelles des enseignants (leurs conceptions épistémologiques, leur rapport à la discipline, le faible ancrage épistémique…). Dans cet article, nous explorons la piste des normes professionnelles à caractère doxique, comme source potentielle de difficultés. Ces normes professionnelles seraient construites collectivement, ancrées dans des principes issus de prescriptions primaires et secondaires qui leur confèrent leur légitimité. Après avoir formulé de manière hypothétique l’existence de certaines de ces normes professionnelles à caractère doxique, ces dernières sont mobilisées pour interpréter les difficultés de mise en œuvre d’une séance d’investigation par un enseignant en classe de maternelle. Cette étude vise donc à construire dans un premier temps ce que nous avons appelé une hypothèse relationnelle (relation entre les difficultés de mise en œuvre de l’investigation scientifique et la possible existence de normes professionnelles à caractère doxique) puis, dans un second temps à illustrer le pouvoir explicatif de cette hypothèse au travers d’un exemple en maternelle.
Blockchain Technology and Its Brunt on Digital Marketing
Authors: Thangam Dhanabalan , B Malali Anil , Subramaniyan S.Gopalakrishnan , Mariappan Sudha , Mohan Sumathy , Park Jin Yong
Published: June 2021

The proliferation of information and communication technology and online business platforms joined together with smartphone technology and thereby changed the business-to-consumer business landscape, restructured organizations, and refurbished the process of value creation. Thus, it facilitates the businesspeople to reach a wider customer base by the customized customer targets; in so doing, it increases customers' trust and loyalty towards a brand. The internet-enabled technologies help the businesspeople to develop new digital markets and to make new demands for their products and services. Thus, the internet-enabled technologies are contributing a lot to the market engagement and customer target. Inline, a new technology called blockchain has transformed the digital marketing process completely and helps to do the business effectively with accurate and up-to-date data. With this backdrop, this chapter is designed to demonstrate how blockchain technology acts as a cutting edge technology in the consumer-centric pattern.
Applications of Blockchain Technology for Digital Marketing
Authors: Rahman Kazi Turin
Published: June 2021

Using blockchain technology in digital marketing is still a budding concept. Hence, this chapter aims to do a systematic review of research published on this topic from 2015 to 2021 (Q1). The chapter will look to uncover the various impacts of using blockchain technology on digital marketing. Impacts include (but are not limited to) improving digital marketing security, countering click fraud, developing trust and transparency, and creating loyalty programs. Moreover, the chapter will also present future research propositions to further investigate blockchain applications in the realm of digital marketing.
Risk-Resilient Supply Chain Using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Gupta Bhoomi , Yadav Harsh
Published: June 2021

Recently, blockchain technology has been recognized for other industries than finance, proving it's potential other than cryptocurrencies and bitcoin. Supply chain is one of the exponentially growing industries which needs to undergo through changes in order to survive in tomorrow's economy. There are many risks involved in current supply chains that can be potentially eliminated with the implementation of blockchain. This chapter analyses the various aspects of blockchain technology and how other technologies can be integrated with it to deliver exceptional solutions. Various risks present in the current system are discussed along with how those risks can be handled using blockchain, contributing towards building a risk resilient supply chain.
Multi-Criteria Analysis and Consequential Lifecycle Assessment of Solid Waste Management
Authors: Saraiva Anna Bernstad , Clímaco João Namorado , do Valle Rogerio de Aragão Bastos , Mahler Claudio
Published: June 2021

Based on a case study comparing different approaches for management of organic waste generated in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this study proposes the combination of consequential lifecycle assessment (CLCA) and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). Compared approaches were landfilling with energy recovery from landfill gas, source segregation of organics for anaerobic digestion and use of digestate as fertilizer, and finally, post-sorting of organics and landfilling of residual bio-solids. Seven different impact categories were assessed in the CLCA. In addition, recovery of electricity and macro nutrients were included as additional impact categories. The use of VIP analysis facilitates the interpretation of results aggregating them under different conditions. Furthermore, approaches for ranking of considered impact categories could be carried out both for a local or a global perspective. This, and the possibility of easily including additional context derived evaluation parameters, clearly highlights the combination of CLCA and VIP analysis for decision support.
Representativeness of Taxi GPS-Enabled Travel Time Data Using Gamma Generalized Linear Model
Authors: Myrovali Glykeria , Karakasidis Theodoros , Morfoulaki Maria , Ayfantopoulou Georgia
Published: June 2021

The sensor-era has brought rapid changes in transportation; the abundance of data has started changing the traditional way in which planners and engineers approach mobility. Nowadays, traffic monitoring and information provision systems heavily rely on floating car data usually of special vehicles (e.g., trucks, taxi), and the question that arises is whether such sources can provide reliable data for the whole traffic in a complex urban environment. The current paper, through Thessaloniki's (GR) case study, seeks to evaluate the reliability of taxi data compared to the overall traffic. The analysis reveals that for the examined critical urban road paths, there is a strong relation among floating taxi data with the overall traffic that is additionally influenced by other significant factors (e.g., number of lanes, day, time period). Furthermore, a modelling approach with a generalized linear model (gamma with log link) seems appropriate when dealing with skewed and heteroscedastic traffic data.
Experimental Researches on Using Resistance Spot Welding for Built-Up Cold-Formed Beams Made of Corrugated Galvanized Steel Sheets
Authors: Radu Bogdan , Ungureanu Viorel , Both Ioan , Burca Mircea , Benzar Ştefan , Dubină Dan
Published: June 2021

The paper presents the results of researches carried out by a joint team from Department of Steel Structures and Structural Mechanics, together with Department of Materials Science and Engineering, from University Politehnica Timisoara, focused on the possibility of creating built-up cold-formed steel beams made of corrugated galvanized steel sheets by resistance welding, which will replace the similar beams built by self-drilling screws. Resistance spot welding technologies were developed and tested, together with mechanical testing of the welded joints, which were performed in our laboratories. The results obtained and presented confirm the good quality of the welded joints and, as a result, the good capability of this technology to be used in production, to replace the old type of beams.
Considerations about Hollow Polypropylene Balls Manufacturing by Ultrasonic Welding
Authors: Teușdea Dan Florin , Sîrbu Nicuşor Alin , Vodă Mircea , Roșu Adrian , Iacobici Răzvan Ionuţ
Published: June 2021

Fast development of Sustainability and Circular Economy concepts has been materialized in European Parliament Directive no 2019/904. This Directive requires to reduce the consumption of plastic material for the manufacture of disposable packaging. In spite of the aggressive campaign against plastic materials usage, there are huge advantages which must be considered before replacing them by other alternative materials. Downsizing, Lightweighting and Downgauging technics are employed from early stage in designing new products made by plastic materials. Product recyclability features and recycled materials usage for products manufacturing need also to be assessed during the design and testing phase. This article proposes ultrasonic welding as an alternative technology for manufacturing the hollow polypropylene balls. With the traditional technology, the manufacturing of these balls results in an uneven wall thicknesses and a large technological runner of material that needs to be grinded and reintroduced into the injection equipment and this involves high consumption of raw material and energy. The proposed method of manufacturing these hollow balls consists in forming the ball from two ball halves joined together by ultrasonic welding. This process will result in significant savings in raw material and energy. As a case study, the manufacturing of deo roll balls have been considered. Several experimental researches have been made using ultrasonic welding at frequencies of 20 kHz and 35 kHz. Significant improvements on the capabilities of the ball external diameters have been recorded by ultrasonic welding using the frequency of 35 kHz. Further testing and comparative study of mechanical properties must be considered in order to define the best process parameters for hollow plastic balls manufacturing by Ultrasonic Welding.
Preliminary Research for Development of MW-TIG Hybrid Welding System
Authors: Marin Robert Cristian , Ştefan Iulian , Iacobici Răzvan Ionuţ , Savu Sorin Vasile
Published: June 2021

The paper aims to report preliminary researches towards to development of new hybrid welding system by coupling a microwave beam with a TIG torch. The main research was focused on the designing of hybrid system as well as to establish the heating/welding mechanism by coupling two different thermal sources. Therefore, a specific welding chamber was designed taking into consideration the limitations provided by microwave waveguide technical specs, geometrical shape and dimensions of the TIG torch as well as the temperature monitoring during welding process and video surveillance for data recording. A microwave generator with adjustable power from 0 to 1250 W was coupled with a TIG torch and welding power source in order to establish the main parameters for hybrid system. The preliminary researches reported that the MW-TIG hybrid welding could be applied to eutectic joining of materials using low power (up to 600 W) injected from microwave generator as well as low welding current (up to 20 A). The flow of shielding gas have been established initially to 2 l/m. The research related to stabilization of MW-WIG plasma arc have been studied by increasing the flow of shielding gas up to 10 l/m. The results have shown that the microwave generator and TIG torch can be coupled to obtain hybrid-welding process without any matching tuning devices but with risks for damaging the microwave generator. Further researches will be done in order to design auxiliary devices to optimize the hybrid-welding process and to avoid any unwanted plasma arc discharge from welded base materials to microwave generator. In terms of temperature monitoring, an infrared pyrometer has been used. The IR pyrometer was targeted to the base materials in order to be able to measure their temperature without any influences from plasma arc. The results obtained have shown a stable plasma at average microwave power around 400 W even without any TIG current.
FDM 3D Printing Process - Risks and Environmental Aspects
Authors: Ciornei Mirela , Iacobici Răzvan Ionuț , Savu Ionel Dănuț , Simion Dalia
Published: June 2021

The application of the 3D printing processes is continuously increasing due to their large number of technical and economic advantages when produce prototypes, but in the mass fabrication as well, especially for metal printing of low dimension products. The process produces pollution as all technological processes. Noise, fume and polymer wastes are the main elements which exit from the process and they are not products. The types and the volumes of those pollution emissions depend on the process parameters. The paper presents the results of FDM process emissions analysis. It was recorded the noise for different stages of the printer functioning. It was measured the volume and the contents of the fume produced during the extrusion of the polymer, for PLA polymer and for ABS polymer filaments. Specific risks were analysed and conclusions were reported. The measurement was done for a random chosen product and the results were compared with the pollutant emissions from traditional technological processes applied to erect the same type of product. It has been concluded that the noise emitted during the FDM printing is about 82-85% of the noise produced when apply milling to create similar shapes and dimensions (it was recorded values for the sound pressure in a large range: 42-68 dB, depending on the working regime). Regarding the fume emission, the intensity of emission was up to 40% higher in the FDM process comparing to the milling process. That was explained as being a direct result of the fluid-viscous state in which the material is put during the printing process. When discuss about the risks, most of the main identified risks in the milling and/or extrusion process were almost inexistent in the FDM printing. Electrical injuries and heat injuries are the main risks to which the operator is exposed. Mechanical injuries are sensitively lower than in the traditional processes, as milling The FDM process is safer and produces lower material wastes. It can be concluded that the FDM printing process has lower impact with the environment and with the operator.
Resistive-IR Hybrid Heating in FDM Printing
Authors: Ciornei Mirela , Savu Ionel Dănuț , Sîrbu Nicuşor Alin , Savu Sorin Vasile , Olei Bebe Adrian
Published: June 2021

FDM printing is based on resistance to heat of the polymer filament, which starts in a viscous state and is extruded from nozzle to the printing area. The printing area is hot around 70°C for a better adherence of the deposited polymer and for slow cooling of it. The later deposited layers will experience faster cooling and the characteristics of the polymer will suffer light changes. The paper aims to present the results of a preliminary research regarding the double source successive heating and double source hybrid heating of the extruded polymer in FDM process. There were used two distinct heat sources, the resistive source mounted in the extrusion nozzle and IR lamp heat source placed in the printing chamber. The first heating, which acts during the extrusion process, is a hybrid heating and it is developed inside the extrusion nozzle (hot-end); it is given by the resistive heat source by the IR lamp. After the extrusion, during the deposition process and after the deposition process, the heating of the polymer continues due to the IR lamp. The difference between the printing with IR heating and without IR heating was monitored. A decreasing of about 5-8% of the material stiffness was noticed when the IR lamp was introduced. The material became more viscous and the bonding of the successive layers was improved. DSC analysis has been performed in both cases: with and without IR heat source. The evolution of the elastic modulus proved a decreasing of the plasticity during the simple printing process. The decreasing was less (at least by about 25%) when used IR heat source. The elongation viscosity was analysed and its values were decreasing while the temperature was increasing that took place. The decreasing was produced by the reduction of the elasticity, when the chain branches were decreasing their length. The decreasing is more pronounced while the increasing of the temperature. A low difference (of about 2-5%) was observed to the mechanical characteristics after tensile tests.
New Results of the Heat-Treated CuZn39Pb3 Brass Behavior and Resistance to Cavitation Erosion
Authors: Bordeasu Ilare , Sîrbu Nicuşor Alin , Lazăr Iosif , Mitelea Ion , Ghera Cristan , Sava Marcela , Mălaimare Gabriel , Bazavan Viorel
Published: June 2021

The paper presents the results of the behavior and resistance to the erosion by vibrating cavitation of the CuZn39Pb3 brass, obtained by quenching the volume heat treatment from 800°C with water cooling, followed by the stress-relief to 250°C, with air cooling. Comparison with both the delivery status and the naval brass (used for ship propellers), based on the characteristic parameters values, recommended by the ASTM G32 standards and used in the Cavitation Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Timisoara, shows that the hardness increase resulted from the heat treatment led to a significant increase of resistance to vibrating cavitation.
Effect of the Root Gap on the Structure and Properties of High Strength Steel S700MC Welds
Authors: Ferdinandov Nikolay , Gospodinov Danail , Ilieva Mariana , Radev Rossen
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, the use of high strength (HS) and ultra-high strength steels (UHS) increases, notably in welded constructions. These steels are mainly exploited in heavy loaded welded constructions such as bridges, cranes and excavators, in pressure vessels, vehicles, ships, drilling rigs etc. working at room or lower temperatures. As the welded constructions have specific requirements, the development of high strength and ultra-high strength steels imposes the need for research on the factors influencing their weldability. Among the possible negative implications are: cold cracks formation, softening of the heat affected zone, brittleness in the coarse grained zone. When complying with the generally accepted rules for welding, HS and UHS are readily welded by all conventional welding methods. Recommendations for welding of steels after normalization, thermo-mechanical treatment and quenching and tempering are given in the standard EN 1011 -1, 2. The use of thermo-mechanically treated (hot-rolled) steels with low carbon equivalent, such as S700MC, allows reduction in time required for welding as the preheating temperature is lowered or even preheating is not necessary. A more pronounced negative effect on the weld quality has the presence of different defects. S700MC can be welded by all conventional methods, and a reduction in the softened zone can be achieved by using appropriate welding parameters. Joint preparation for welding of HS and UHS steels is described in the standards EN ISO 9692-1:2013 and EN ISO 9692-2:2001. Nevertheless, the root gap is often the closing part in constructions and does not comply with the standard recommendations. That is why the effect of the root gap on welds has to be researched. The present work introduces results of a research studying the effect of the root gap on the structure and some mechanical and technological properties of S700MS welds, welded by submerged arc welding.
Correlation between GMAW Parameters and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Rolled, High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steel Butt Joints
Authors: Murariu Alin Constantin , Bîrdeanu Aurel Valentin
Published: June 2021

In all industrial fields, the product requirements are more and more demanding. HSLA steels are designed to provide higher atmospheric corrosion resistance and improved mechanical properties than structural steels. The paper presents the results of an experimental program based on factorial design, applied to predict the mechanical properties of butt-welded joints of S420MC and S460MC hot-rolled, high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel plates with 2mm, 4mm and 8mm thickness. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) was used and correlations between the main process parameters and the related mechanical properties of the welded joints were found. Obtained mathematical correlations can be exploited to provide optimal combination of welding parameters to fit the quality requirements of the end-users for envisaged welded product.
Some Peculiarities of MIG-MAG Welding Processes with Concentrated Energies
Authors: Voicu-Ioan Safta , Dumitru Mnerie , Mnerie Gabriela-Victoria
Published: June 2021

Throughout the history of modernization of welding processes, in many cases the research has focused on optimizing the location of energy in the welding area, with the continuous improvement of the quality of welded joints. The welding processes in shielding gas environment with fusible electrode (MIG-MAG) have achieved superior performances regarding the increase of the current density around of the welded joint, simultaneously with the increase of the universality degree of their application. This paper is based on researching the possibilities of concentrating energy in the welding area, seeking to obtain both more favorable energy yields and an increased quality of welded joints. In the paper are shown a some results obtained following a comparative study on 2 welding processes in MIG-MAG protective gas medium, differentiated mainly by the metal drop transfer mode: by spraying (Spray arc), respectively by synergistic transfer (Arc pulsed), applied for corner welding of alloy steel sheets.
Possibilities to Apply Friction Stir Processing FSP in Surface Engineering
Authors: Ciucă Cristian , Botila Lia-Nicoleta , Cojocaru Radu , Perianu Ion Aurel
Published: June 2021

The results obtained by ISIM Timisoara to the development of the friction stir welding process (FSW) have supported the extension of the researches on some derived processes, including friction stir processing (FSP). The experimental programs (the researches) were developed within complex research projects, aspects regarding the principle of the process, modalities and techniques of application, experiments for specific applications, being approached. The paper presents good results obtained by friction stir processing of cast aluminum alloys and copper alloys. The optimal process conditions, optimal characteristics of the processing tools were defined. The complex characterization of the processed areas was done, the advantages of the process applying being presented, especially for the cast aluminum alloys: EN AW 4047, EN AW 5083 and EN AW 7021. The characteristics of the processed areas are compared with those of the base materials. The results obtained are a solid basis for substantiating of some specific industrial applications, especially in the automotive, aeronautical / aerospace fields.
In vitro propagation of Gyrinops walla Gaetner ‘Walla patta’, a vulnerable agarwood producing species in Sri Lanka
Authors: Munasinghe S. P. , Somaratne S. , Weerakoon S. R. , Ranasinghe C.
Published: June 2021

Aloeswood or Agarwood has long been a perfumery commodity traded between Mediterranean Region and Southeast Asia since B. C. era. Oil or chips obtained by destructive harvesting of several Thymeleaceous genera including Aquilaria and Gonystylus are expensive and such ingredients are high in demand in the global market. The recent discovery of Gyrinops walla as a potential producer of market-quality agarwood in mature damaged woods and branches, intensified illicit felling and exportation of G. walla that led to it being in the verge of extinction from Sri Lankan flora. The sustainable utilization of G. walla undoubtedly enhances the foreign exchange of the country and the non-destructive utilization G. walla through tissue culture-based techniques is the only option available for sustainable exploitation and conservation of the vulnerable G. walla species. Micropropagation of G. walla was achieved by varying concentrations of BAP and NAA on MS medium to produce shoot and root with leaf-derived callus, respectively. The phytohormone concentrations of 3.0 mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l NAA proved the optimum concentrations for shoot and root induction, respectively. The callus turned to green and produced fewer buds. Roots were protruded out from the calli in the root induction medium. The findings of the study led to conclude that the micropropagation was viable in potential as an in vitro system for sustainable utilization and conservation endeavours of G. walla.
A Distinct Innate Immune Signature of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gardner Ivy H , Siddharthan Ragavan , Watson Katherine , Dewey Elizabeth , Ruhl Rebecca , Khou Sokchea , Guan Xiangnan , Xia Zheng , Tsikitis V Liana , Anand Sudarshan
Published: June 2021

Despite a decrease in the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the last 40 y, the prevalence of CRC in people under 50 y old is increasing around the globe. Early onset (≤50 y old) and late onset (≥65 y old) CRC appear to have differences in their clinicopathological and genetic features, but it is unclear if there are differences in the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that the immune microenvironment of early onset CRC is distinct from late onset CRC and promotes tumor progression. We used NanoString immune profiling to analyze mRNA expression of immune genes in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens from patients with early (n = 40) and late onset (n = 39) CRC. We found three genes, SAA1, C7, and CFD, have increased expression in early onset CRC and distinct immune signatures based on the tumor location. After adjusting for clinicopathological features, increased expression of CFD and SAA1 were associated with worse progression-free survival, and increased expression of C7 was associated with worse overall survival. We also performed gain-of-function experiments with CFD and SAA1 in s.c. tumor models and found that CFD is associated with higher tumor volumes, impacted several immune genes, and impacted three genes in mice that were also found to be differentially expressed in early onset CRC (EGR1, PSMB9, and CXCL9). Our data demonstrate that the immune microenvironment, characterized by a distinct innate immune response signature in early onset CRC, is unique, location dependent, and might contribute to worse outcomes.
Distinct Responses of Thitarodes xiaojinensis β-1,3-Glucan Recognition Protein-1 and Immulectin-8 to Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris Infection
Authors: Meng Qian , Wu Pei-Pei , Li Miao-Miao , Shu Rui-Hao , Zhou Gui-Ling , Zhang Ji-Hong , Zhang Huan , Jiang Haobo , Qin Qi-Lian , Zou Zhen
Published: June 2021

Melanization and encapsulation are prominent defense responses against microbes detected by pattern recognition receptors of their host insects. In the ghost moth Thitarodes xiaojinensis, an activated immune system can melanize and encapsulate the fungus Cordyceps militaris. However, these responses were hardly detected in the host hemolymph postinfection of another fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis. The immune interaction between O. sinensis and the host remains largely unknown, which hinders the artificial cultivation of Chinese cordyceps. We found that T. xiaojinensis β-1,3-glucan recognition protein-1 (βGRP1) was needed for prophenoloxidase activation induced by C. militaris. Failure of βGRP1 to recognize O. sinensis is a primary reason for the lack of melanization in the infected host. Lyticase or snailase treatment combined with binding and immunofluorescence detection showed the existence of a protective layer preventing the fungus from βGRP1 recognition. Coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis indicated that βGRP1 interacted with immulectin-8 (IML8) via binding to C. militaris. IML8 promotes encapsulation. This study suggests the roles of T. xiaojinensis βGRP1 and IML8 in modulating immune responses against C. militaris. Most importantly, the data indicate that O. sinensis may evade melanization by preventing βGRP1 recognition.
Serum- and Glucocorticoid-Inducible Kinase 1 Promotes Alternative Macrophage Polarization and Restrains Inflammation through FoxO1 and STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Ren Junling , Han Xiao , Lohner Hannah , Liang Ruqiang , Liang Shuang , Wang Huizhi
Published: June 2021

Expression and activity of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) are associated with many metabolic and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we report that SGK1 promotes alternative macrophage polarization and restrains inflammation in the infectious milieu of the gingiva. Inhibition of SGK1 expression or activity enhances characteristics of classically activated (M1) macrophages by directly activating the transcription of genes encoding iNOS, IL-12P40, TNF-α, and IL-6 and repressing IL-10 at message and protein levels. Moreover, SGK1 inhibition robustly reduces the expression of alternatively activated (M2) macrophage molecular markers, including arginase-1, Ym-1, Fizz1, and Mgl-1. These results were confirmed by multiple gain- and loss-of-function approaches, including small interfering RNA, a plasmid encoding SGK1, and LysM-Cre–mediated sgk1 gene knockout. Further mechanistic analysis showed that SGK1 deficiency decreases STAT3 but increases FoxO1 expression in macrophages under M2 or M1 macrophage–priming conditions, respectively. Combined with decreased FoxO1 phosphorylation and the subsequent suppressed cytoplasmic translocation observed, SGK1 deficiency robustly enhances FoxO1 activity and drives macrophage to preferential M1 phenotypes. Furthermore, FoxO1 inhibition abrogates M1 phenotypes, and STAT3 overexpression results in a significant increase of M2 phenotypes, indicating that both FoxO1 and STAT3 are involved in SGK1-mediated macrophage polarization. Additionally, SGK1 differentially regulates the expression of M1 and M2 molecular markers, including CD68 and F4/F80 and CD163 and CD206, respectively, and protects against Porphyromonas gingivalis–induced alveolar bone loss in a mouse model. Taken together, these results have demonstrated that SGK1 is critical for macrophage polarization and periodontal bone loss, and for the first time, to our knowledge, we elucidated a bifurcated signaling circuit by which SGK1 promotes alternative, while suppressing inflammatory, macrophage polarization.
Activation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type γ Suppresses Mechanisms of Adhesion and Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Montresor Alessio , Toffali Lara , Fumagalli Laura , Constantin Gabriela , Rigo Antonella , Ferrarini Isacco , Vinante Fabrizio , Laudanna Carlo
Published: June 2021

The regulatory role of protein tyrosine kinases in β1- and β2-integrin activation and in the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells is well established. In contrast, the involvement of protein tyrosine phosphatases in CLL biology was less investigated. We show that selective activation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type γ (PTPRG) strongly suppresses integrin activation and survival in leukemic B cells isolated from patients with CLL. Activation of PTPRG specifically inhibits CXCR4- as well as BCR-induced triggering of LFA-1 and VLA-4 integrins and mediated rapid adhesion. Triggering of LFA-1 affinity is also prevented by PTPRG activity. Analysis of signaling mechanisms shows that activation of PTPRG blocks chemokine-induced triggering of JAK2 and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase protein tyrosine kinases and of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA. Furthermore, activated PTPRG triggers rapid and robust caspase-3/7–mediated apoptosis in CLL cells in a manner quantitatively comparable to the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib. However, in contrast to ibrutinib, PTPRG-triggered apoptosis is insensitive to prosurvival signals generated by CXCR4 and BCR signaling. Importantly, PTPRG activation does not trigger apoptosis in healthy B lymphocytes. The data show that activated PTPRG inhibits, at once, the signaling pathways controlling adhesion and survival of CLL cells, thus emerging as a negative regulator of CLL pathogenesis. These findings suggest that pharmacological potentiation of PTPRG tyrosine-phosphatase enzymatic activity could represent a novel approach to CLL treatment.
Linear Ubiquitination of RIPK1 on Lys612 Regulates Systemic Inflammation via Preventing Cell Death
Authors: Tu Hailin , Tang Yong , Zhang Jie , Cheng Liqing , Joo Donghyun , Zhao Xueqiang , Lin Xin
Published: June 2021

Receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) is a master regulator of the TNF-α–induced cell death program. The function of RIPK1 is tightly controlled by posttranslational modifications, including linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex–mediated linear ubiquitination. However, the physiological function and molecular mechanism by which linear ubiquitination of RIPK1 regulates TNF-α–induced intracellular signaling remain unclear. In this article, we identified Lys627 residue as a major linear ubiquitination site in human RIPK1 (or Lys612 in murine RIPK1) and generated Ripk1K612R/K612R mice, which spontaneously develop systemic inflammation triggered by sustained emergency hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, without affecting NF-κB activation, Ripk1K612R/K612R mutation enhances apoptosis and necroptosis activation and promotes TNF-α–induced cell death. The systemic inflammation and hematopoietic disorders in Ripk1K612R/K612R mice are completely abolished by deleting TNF receptor 1 or both RIPK3 and Caspase-8. These data suggest the critical role of TNF-α–induced cell death in the resulting phenotype in Ripk1K612R/K612R mice. Together, our results demonstrate that linear ubiquitination of RIPK1 on K612 is essential for limiting TNF-α–induced cell death to further prevent systemic inflammation.
Comparison of analgesic efficacy of shoulder block versus interscalene block for postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic shoulder surgeries
Authors: Saini Suman , Rao Shruti Mahesh , Agrawal Nidhi , Gupta Anju
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims:

Arthroscopic orthopaedic surgery may lead to significant postoperative pain. Interscalene block (ISB) is associated with undesirable effects like phrenic nerve palsy. Shoulder block (ShB) is a relatively recent diaphragm sparing alternative for analgesia in these cases.

Methods:

This prospective randomised trial was conducted in 70 adult patients posted for arthroscopic Bankart repair surgery. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: interscalene block [Group ISB (n = 35): 0.5% bupivacaine 10 ml] or shoulder block [Group ShB (n = 35): 0.5% bupivacaine (suprascapular block 10 ml and axillary block 10 ml)] using ultrasound and nerve stimulator. The primary aim of our study was to compare the ISB with ShB for visual analogue score (VAS) in recovery area (zero hour). Time for block performance, VAS, time to first rescue analgesia, total analgesic requirement, patient satisfaction and complications were recorded.

Results:

VAS was significantly higher in ShB group at 2 and 4 h (P = 0.001 and 0.000) while it was significantly higher in ISB group at 12 h (P = 0.013). The time to first analgesic request was significantly prolonged in ISB group as compared to ShB group (8.22 h vs. 4.69 h; P = 0.002) but total analgesic requirement and patient satisfaction at 24 h were similar. Complications like dyspnoea, ptosis and motor weakness were seen only with ISB group.

Conclusion:

Both ShB and ISB blocks have similar efficacy in terms of postoperative pain scores, cumulative analgesic requirements and patient satisfaction. However, considering the various undesirable effects associated with ISB, like phrenic nerve blockade, prolonged upper limb weakness and the occurrence of rebound pain, shoulder block may be preferred for arthroscopic shoulder surgeries.
Semantic Prosody in Translation: Slovene and English ADV-V combinations
Authors: Jurko Primož
Published: June 2021

Semantic prosody is perhaps the most elusive meaning component established to date, and the present paper is a corpus-driven attempt to elucidate the meaning-forming process in some of the most frequent lexical items in Slovene and English. The underlying methodology is based on the novel top-down approach, which provides a semantically unmotivated point of view and is based on raw data, i.e., frequency of occurrence. The paper features a comparison of the pervasiveness of evident semantic prosody in high-frequency lexical items in Slovene and English, respectively. In closing it also deals with the problems involved in L1-L2 translation of the observed extended units of meaning, where possible translation equivalents exhibit varying levels of (mis)match in their semantic prosodies.
Polarisation of Content in Polish News Making, as Exemplified by News Programmes of Licensed Broadcasters and the Public Service Broadcaster
Authors: Skrzypczak Jędrzej , Iwasiuta Grzegorz
Published: June 2021

The paper contains a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the news services of the three largest broadcasters and three events essential for the functioning of the state and public life in Poland. The first one was the amendment to the Supreme Court Act of July 2017. The second event was the local elections campaign in Poland (broadcasts aired on the 18th of October 2018, the last but one day of the elections campaign), while the third set of material were the news items on the murder of the Mayor of Gdańsk – Paweł Adamowicz (broadcasts aired on the 15th of January 2019, one day after the tragic event). The analysis focused on the evening news editions by the three most popular broadcasters with the highest viewership, including commercial stations (i.e. TVN’s Fakty and Polsat’s Wydarzenia) and the public broadcaster (i.e. the Polish Television’s Wiadomości). In total, 43 news items of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 6 seconds were analysed. The study has revealed a clear polarisation of news content coming from the licensed broadcasters and the public service broadcaster.