bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment Of The Reproducibility And Precision For Milling And 3d Printing Surgical Guides
Authors: Mukai Sueli , Mukai Eduardo , DDS Jamil Awad Shibli , GIRO GABRIELA
Published: November 2019

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility and precision of two types of surgical guides, obtained by using 3D printing and milling methods.
Methods: A virtual model was developed, which allowed the virtual design of surgical guide project that were milled (n = 10) or 3D printing (n = 10). Surgical guides were digitally oriented and overlapped on the virtual model that had generated them. For milling guides, it was used the Sirona Dentsply system, while 3D printing guides were produced at the Perfactory P4K Life Series, the EnvisionTEC's E-Guide Tint. In this way, average mismatches from the master model were determined. Moreover, coefficients of variation, root mean square deviations, and mismatches during an overlap were evaluated after obtaining individual misalignments for each guide, in order to verify the reproducibility of the guides and the precision of the methods for obtaining the guides
Results: The evaluations showed that both groups presented the same degree of mismatch during overlap, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. However, the intragroup evaluation for misalignment, 3D printing surgical guides had a higher coefficient of variation than the milled guides, since a statistically significant difference was observed between groups in the RMS of the guide from the master model.
Conclusions: Milling of the guides resulted in smaller misalignments from the master model.
With a grain of salt? Supervisor credibility and other factors influencing trainee decisions to seek in-consultation assistance: a focus group study of Australian general practice trainees.
Authors: Sturman Nancy Jennifer , Jorm Christine , Parker Malcolm
Published: November 2019

Background
‘Ad hoc’ help-seeking by trainees from their supervisors during trainee consultations is important for patient safety, and trainee professional development. We explored trainee objectives and activities in seeking supervisor assistance, and trainee perceptions of the outcomes of this help-seeking (including the utility of supervisor responses).
Methods
Focus groups with Australian general practice trainees were undertaken. All data was audio-recorded and transcribed, coded using in-vivo and descriptive codes, and analysed by the constant comparison of provisional interpretations and themes with the data. Findings are reported under the over-arching categories of help-seeking objectives, activities and outcomes.
Results
Early in their general practice placements trainees needed information about practice facilities, and the “complex maze” of local patient resources and referral preferences: some clinical presentations were also unfamiliar, and many trainees were unaccustomed to making patient management decisions. Subsequent help-seeking was often characterised informally as “having a chat” or “getting a second opinion” so as not to “miss anything” when trainees were “not 100% sure”. Trainees emphasised the importance of being (and demonstrating that they were) clinically safe. Workflow constraints, and supervisory and doctor-patient relationships, had a powerful influence on trainee help-seeking activities. An etiquette for providing help in front of patients was described. Trainees assessed the credibility of supervisors based on their approach to risk and their clinical expertise in the relevant area. Several trainees reported reservations about their supervisor’s advice on occasions.
Conclusion
A trainee’s subsequent help-seeking is strongly influenced by how their supervisor responds when their help is sought. Trainees prefer to seek help from credible supervisors who respond promptly and maintain trainee ‘face’ in front of patients. Trainees learn through help-seeking to make their own clinical decisions but may remain uncertain about professional and societal expectations, and curious about how other general practitioners practise. Trainees value opportunities throughout their training to observe expert general practice.
Cost of inappropriate antimicrobial use for upper respiratory infection in Japan
Authors: Tsuzuki Shinya , Kimura Yuki , Ishikane Masahiro , Kusama Yoshiki , Ohamagari Norio
Published: November 2019

Background: Antibiotics are often prescribed inappropriately to patients with upper respiratory infection (URI) in ambulatory care settings; however, the economic burden of such prescription has not been quantitatively assessed. Here, we aimed to evaluate the additional cost of antimicrobial prescription for URI at the population level in Japan.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational survey using longitudinal claims data between 2013 and 2016 obtained from JMDC Claims Database, which contains data from 5·1 million corporate employees and family members aged <65 years. Appropriateness of antibiotic prescription was assessed by a panel of six infectious disease physicians according to ICD-10 code in JMDC Claims Database. Total additional cost of antibiotic prescription for URI at the national level was estimated by weighting of age-structured population data
Results: The total annual cost of antibiotic prescription for URI was estimated at 423·6 (95% CI: 416·8–430·5) million USD in 2013, 340·9 (95% CI: 335·7–346·2) million USD in 2014, 349·9 (95% CI: 344·5–355·3) million USD in 2015, and 297·1 (95% CI: 292·4–301·9) million USD in 2016. Three classes of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics (third-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones) accounted for >90% of the total annual cost.
Conclusions: Although a decreasing trend was observed, annual costs of antibiotic prescriptions for URI could be a substantial economic burden in Japan. Appropriately prescribing broad-spectrum oral antibiotics might be an important issue to reduce unnecessary medical costs in Japanese ambulatory care.
Clinical value of histologic dating of the endometrium for personalized frozen-thawed embryo transfer (pFET) in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) in natural cycles
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Xiaofeng , liao Jingnan , Fan Xiangxiu , Hu Yongbin , Gan Runxin , Lu Guangxiu , Lin Ge , Gong Fei
Published: November 2019

Background: Displacement of the window of implantation (WOI) has been proposed as an important factor contributing to RIF. However, histologic dating of the endometrium as a diagnostic tool of endometrial receptivity has been questioned.
Methods: This is a prospective intervention trial that entailed 205 infertile patients from July 2017 to December 2017. Endometrial biopsies from 50 good-prognosis patients were conducted on day 3 (n=6), 5 (n=6), 7 (n=26), 9 (n=6) or 11 (n=6) post-ovulation (PO+3/5/7/9/11) of the previous natural cycle before their conventional frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle. We conducted endometrial biopsies of 155 RIF patients on day PO +7.
Results: The verification of the Noyes criteria for endometrial dating was conducted at different times (PO +3/+5/+7/+9/+11) on 41 good-prognosis patients who achieved an ongoing pregnancy in their first conventional FET cycle after endometrial biopsy. The agreement between two pathologists for endometrial biopsy dating in infertile patients was determined to be acceptable (weighted kappa = 0.672, P < 0.001). The rate of out-of-phase dating on day PO+7 was significantly higher in RIF patients than good- prognosis patients (31.6% vs . 3.8%, P=0.003). pFET was performed in 47 RIF patients diagnosed to be out of phase, and the cumulative live-birth rate was 55.7%.
Conclusions: Histologic endometrial dating of RIF patients in natural cycles may be a biomarker for a receptive endometrium in diagnosing the displacement of WOI.
Screening for triazole resistance in clinically significant Aspergillus species; report from Pakistan
Authors: Moin Safia , Farooqi Joveria , Jabeen Kauser , Laiq Sidra , Zafar Afia
Published: November 2019

Background: Burden of aspergillosis is reported to be significant from developing countries including those in South Asia. The estimated burden in Pakistan is also high on the background of tuberculosis and chronic lung diseases. There is concern for management of aspergillosis with the emergence of azole resistant Aspergillus species in neighbouring countries in Central and South Asia. Hence the aim of this study was to screen significant Aspergillus species isolates at the Microbiology Section of Aga Khan Clinical Laboratories, Pakistan, for triazole resistance. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted at the Aga Khan University Laboratories, Karachi, from September 2016-May 2019. One hundred and fourteen, clinically significant Aspergillus isolates [A. fumigatus (38; 33.3%), A. flavus (64; 56.1%), A. niger (9; 7.9%) A. terreus (3; 2.6%)] were included. The clinical spectrum ranged from invasive aspergillosis (IA) (n=25; 21.9%), chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) (n=58; 50.9%), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) (n=4; 3.5%), severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) (n=4; 3.5%), saprophytic tracheobronchial aspergillosis (n=23; 20.2%). Screening for triazole resistance was performed by antifungal agar screening method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 41 representative isolates were tested and interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method. Results: All the isolates were triazole-susceptible on agar screening. MICs of three azole antifungals for 41 tested isolates were found to be ≤1 ml/L; all isolates tested were categorized as triazole-susceptible, including 4 isolates from patients previously on triazole therapy for more than two weeks. The minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit the growth of 90% organisms (MIC90) of itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole of the representative Aspergillus isolates was 1 mg/L, 1 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion: Triazole resistance could not be detected amongst clinical Aspergillus isolates from the South of Pakistan. However, environmental strains remain to be tested for a holistic assessment of the situation. This study will set precedence for future periodic antifungal resistance surveillance in our region on Aspergillus isolates. Keywords: Aspergillosis, Aspergullus flavus, Aspergullus fumigatus, Aspergullus niger, Aspergullus terreus, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole.
Evaluation of the Effect of Items’ Format and Type on Psychometric Properties of Sixth Year Pharmacy Students Clinical Clerkship Assessment Tools
Authors: Muhaissen Suha Al , AlKhatib Hatim S. , Brazeau Gayle , Akour Amal
Published: November 2019

Background Examination is the traditional assessment tool, and are used to guide the improvement of academic programs. Accreditation committees’ emphasis on the implementation of standardized examinations. The aims of the current study are to evaluate the quality of assessment tools of sixth year PharmD students as a function of assessment item format and type/structure and to assess the effect of the number of response choices on the characteristics of MCQs as assessment items. Methods. A total of 173 assessment items used in the examinations of sixth year rotations of PharmD program were included. Items were classified as case based or non-case based and as MCQs or open-ended. The psychometric characteristics of examinations were studied as a function of the level of the Bloom’s levels addressed by an item, item format, and number of choices in MCQs. Results. Items addressing intellectual and analysis skills were more difficult, while items associated with multiple cognitive levels were more discriminative. No differences were found between case based and noncase based items in terms of their difficulty, with a slightly better discrimination in the letter. Open-ended items were easier, yet more discriminative. MCQs with higher number of options were easier and more discriminative. Open-ended questions were significantly easier and more discriminative in comparison to MCQs as case based items while they were more difficult and more discriminative as non-case based items. Conclusion. Item formats, structure, and number of options in MCQs, affected students’ performance and overall examination quality. The discrimination of items associated with multiple Bloom’s levels was significantly higher than those associated with a single level. Noncase based items and open-ended items were easier and more discriminative than case based items and MCQs, respectively.
Increased Association of Deamidated αA-N101D with Lens Membrane of Transgenic αAN101D vs. Wild Type αA Mice: Potential Effects on Intracellular Ionic Imbalance and Membrane Disorganization
Authors: Srivast Om , Srivast Kiran , Joseph Roy , Wilson Landon
Published: November 2019

Background: We have generated mouse models by inserting the human lens αA-N101D transgene in CRYAAN101D mice, and human wild-type αA-transgene in CRYAAWT mice. The CRYAAN101D mice developed cortical cataract at about 7-months of age relative to CRYAAWT mice. The objective of the study was to determine the following relative changes in the lenses of CRYAAN101D- vs. CRYAAWT mice: age-related changes with specific emphasis on protein insolubilization, relative membrane-association of αAN101D vs. WTαA, and changes intracellular ionic imbalance and membrane organization. Methods: Lenses from CRYAAWT and CRYAAN101D mice were compared for an age-related protein insolubilization. The relative lens membrane-association of the αAN101D and WTαA in the two types of mice was determined by immunohistochemical-, immunogold-labeling-, and western blot analyses. The relative levels of membrane-binding of recombinant αAN101D and WTαA was determined by an in vitro assay, and the levels of intracellular Ca 2+ uptake and Na, K-ATPase mRNA were determined in the cultured epithelial cells of the two types lenses. Results: Compared to the lenses of CRYAAWT, the lenses of CRYAAN101D mice exhibited: (A) An increase in age-related protein insolubilization beginning at about 4-months of age. (B) A greater lens membrane-association of αAN101D relative to WTαA during immunogold-labeling- and western blot analyses, including relatively a greater membrane swelling in the CRYAAN101D lenses. . (C) During in vitro assay, the greater levels of binding αAN101D to membranes relative to WTαA was observed. (D) The 75% lower level of Na,K-ATPase mRNA but 1.5X greater Ca 2+ uptake were observed in cultured lens epithelial cells of CRYAAN101D than those of CRYAAWT mice. Conclusions: The results show that an increased lens membrane association of αAN101D relative WTαA in CRYAAN101D mice than CRYAAWT mice, which causes intracellular ionic imbalance, and in turn membrane swelling leading to cortical opacity.
Is Vulnerability Factors Discourages Women-Empowerment? The moderating role of Environmental, Health, Economic and Political Vulnerability between Microfinance Institutions and Women-Empowerment
Authors: Hameed Waseem Ul
Published: November 2019

Background Women-empowerment is still a problematic area in most of the developing countries including Pakistan. The women contribution is limited and not well acknowledged in various developing countries. As the women contribution in Pakistani economy is only 25-30% which is quite low as compared to most of the developing as well as developed countries. Various studies addressed the women-empowerment; however, literature is missing to consider the role of various vulnerability factors such as health, environment, economic/social and political. Microfinance institutes are working; however, the result is limited. It is due to the various vulnerability factors which effect negatively on women empowerment and decreases the positive role of microfinance institutes. Therefore, the prime objective of this study is to examine the role of vulnerability factors and microfinance institutes in women-empowerment.Methods Cross-sectional research design was selected, and survey was carried out to collect the data from female clients of microfinance institutes. Primary data were analyzed by using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).Results Findings of the study revealed that vulnerability factors such as women health, environment, economic/social conditions and political conditions decrease women-empowerment. However, microfinance institutes are most significant to enhance women-empowerment. Services of microfinance institutes such as micro-credit, micro-saving and micro-insurance has significant positive relationship with women-empowerment.Conclusion Various vulnerability factors such as women health vulnerability, environment vulnerability, economic/social vulnerability and political vulnerability should be managed to increase women-empowerment. Microfinance institutes is one of the solutions to handle these vulnerabilities through various services. Therefore, the current study is significant for microfinance institutes, state bank of Pakistan and government of Pakistan while making the strategies to enhance women-empowerment.
Increased Respiratory Morbidity in Individuals with Interstitial Lung Abnormalities
Authors: Hoyer Nils , Thomsen Laura H. , Wille Mathilde M.W. , Wilcke Torgny , Dirksen Asger , Pedersen Jesper H. , Saghir Zaigham , Ashraf Haseem , Shaker Saher B.
Published: November 2019

Background Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are common in participants of lung cancer screening trials and broad population-based cohorts. They are associated with increased mortality, but less is known about disease specific morbidity and healthcare utilisation in individuals with ILA.Methods We included all participants from the screening arm of the Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial with available baseline CT scan data (n=1990) in this cohort study. The baseline scan was scored for the presence of ILA and patients were followed for up to 12 years. Data about all hospital admissions, primary healthcare visits and medicine prescriptions were collected from the Danish National Health Registries and used to determine the participants’ disease specific morbidity and healthcare utilisation using Cox proportional hazards models.Results The 332 (16.7%) participants with ILA were more likely to be diagnosed with one of several respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung disease (HR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.8–13.3, p=0.008), pneumonia (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.7, p<0.001), lung cancer (HR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.0, p<0.001) and respiratory failure (HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0, p=0.03) compared with participants without ILA. These findings were confirmed by increased hospital admission rates with these diagnoses and more frequent prescriptions for inhalation medicine and antibiotics in participants with ILA.Conclusions Individuals with ILA are more likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment for several respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, lung cancer and respiratory failure during long term follow-up. The broadly increased respiratory morbidity can help explain the increased mortality in this population.
The Measurement and Improvement of Effectiveness in K-440 Haul Truck Using Overall Equipment Effectiveness in Coal Mining Company
Authors: Kurniawan Shelvy , Azaria Ayesha , Alzena Talitha , Dwicahyo Yandri Habib
Published: November 2019

The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of K-440 haul trucks based on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculation, to find out the main factors that caused the ineffectiveness of K-440 haul trucks based on fishbone diagram and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and to analyze the proposed implementation of appropriate improvements to overcome the main problems of K-440 haul trucks. The method used was the mixed method, and the type of research was descriptive. The analysis methods used were OEE, fishbone diagram, and FMEA. The results show that the average effectiveness of the three K-440haul trucks is still far below international standards, which is 44,99%. The material is a significant factor that causes low OEE based on fishbone diagram analysis. There are five problems based on the Risk Priority Number (RPN) critical value from FMEA analysis, namely transmission which is not functioning properly, worn brake lining, unrotated propeller shaft on the shaft, cracked brake drum, and broken spring. Then, the implementation of eight pillars of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is proposed in overcoming the main problem of K-440haul trucks. Based on these results, the company needs to implement eight pillars of TPM and carry out OEE calculations regularly.
Vibration suppression effects on rotating wind turbine blade using a particle damping method
Authors: Sandanshiv Santosh R. , Chavan Umesh S.
Published: November 2019

Due to the vibration of the wind turbine blade, the rate of electricity generation gets reduced. In this research, the focus is on reduction of wind turbine blade vibration. The important point is that in the attempt of vibration suppression, a new method of damping named particle damping has been tried. The novelty of this study is that this method is adopted for the first time in wind turbine blade for rotating condition. In this method, containers filled with spherical particles are mounted at four different positions on each blade alternatively. Taking tests at different rpm and container positions gives a different vibration suppression effect as compared to without damping and finding optimum positions for mounting of damper.
Parametric design and analysis of a mortar base plate
Authors: Wang Fengfeng , Yang Guolai
Published: November 2019

In order to improve the efficiency of designing and analyzing a mortar base plate, parametric technology has been applied to the design and analysis of the base plate. By conducting characteristic analysis of the base plate, critical design parameters extracted have been driven as characteristics to perform secondary development on UG, so that the base plate could be automatically modeled in three dimensions. Meanwhile, Python has also been applied in the secondary development of Abaqus, so as to realize the automatic finite element modeling of the base plate. After conducting parametric analysis on the model established, sensitivities of design variables of the base plate have been analyzed using an approximate model in combination with the sample designed by the optimal Latin hypercube approach. Moreover, parametric optimization carrying out on results of sensitivity analysis could give feedback to parametric design for guiding parameter values of design variables to improve the design quality
Optimization and analysis of novel thermoelectric module
Authors: Mane Pradyumn , Atheaya Deepali
Published: November 2019

Optimization and analysis of novel thermoelectric module is proposed in this research paper. The simulation for four thermoelectric modules were performed in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 software and detailed analysis of these thermoelectric modules were carried out. The three thermoelectric modules showed the efficiency and power output above-average thermoelectric modules. It also indicated that lead telluride based thermoelectric modules could be used in isolated areas due to toxicity of lead whereas tetrahedrite based thermoelectric module could be used in non-isolated areas due to its non-toxic properties. The proposed thermoelectric modules can be utilized in applications such as industries, deep space explorations, automobiles, thermal power plants, renewable electricity generation, hybrid renewable systems, etc. in an economically viable manner.
Strength determination of wagon bearing structures made of round pipes at railroad ferry transportation
Authors: Fomin Oleksij , Lovska Alyona , Píštěk Václav , Kučera Pavel
Published: November 2019

The article presents the results of strength simulation of the bearing structure of freight wagon bodies made of round pipes during railway ferry transportation. In order to reduce the cost for manufacturing freight wagons, the introduction of round pipes in the supporting structure was proposed. In order to ensure the possibility of transportation of the designed structures of wagons on railway ferries, it was proposed to install on their draw bars an assembly unit for fixing with regard to decks. The value of the dynamic load which acts on the supporting structures of the bodies of the main types of freight wagons transported on the railway ferry was determined and the strength was calculated. It was established that the maximum equivalent stresses are within admissible values. The obtained results will enhance the efficiency of the operation of freight wagons through international transport corridors.
The vibroisolation properties of the lattices containing the lumped inclusions
Authors: Banakh Ludmila
Published: November 2019

The vibroisolation and wave properties of the lattice consisting from the beam elements and lumped masses located in the lattice nodes are studied. The finite element method is used to obtain the lattice dynamic model and its dispersion equation in analytical form. It is shown that such a lattice is a bandpass mechanical filter, and the opacity bands of the harmonic signal depending on the direction of the wave propagation is found. The limiting minimum and maximum frequencies for the harmonic signal transmission are also obtained. It is shown that the addition of discrete inclusions to the lattice increases its vibroisolation properties in low-frequency range.
Comparative study for material effect on stress behaviourial characteristics of rectangular plate
Authors: Mamaduri Pavan Kishore , Shaik Himam Saheb , A Chandrashekhar
Published: November 2019

The circular cutout is considered as a typical source of stress concentrations in rectangular plate type structures. The proper position of a cutout in a rectangular plate can be significantly affected by the choice of material, cutout size, and various end conditions which are relative to the externally applied force. The research work entitled in this paper deals with the finite element formulation applied to a plate made with isotropic and laminated plates subjected to uniform pressure with various end conditions. The vicinity of stress distribution for the rectangular plate made of these two materials with and without the effect of circular cutouts is discussed. The accuracy of the solution verified with the available literature, and from the comparison, a fairly good agreement seen between the Finite element formulations in this paper with previously available results.
Numerical analysis of temperature distribution in sliding contacts of pin on disc model
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Ranjan Vinayak , Tyagi Rajnesh , Singh Baij Nath
Published: November 2019

Pin on disc is a tribosystem confirming to ASTM G99, is employed in this work. It consists of deformable cylindrical disc and rigid pin with friction. Coating of Inconel 712 is added on stainless steel disc and pin is made of SiC3. The FEM software ANSYS R19.1 is employed for simulation of temperature distribution produced due to friction between pin on disc. Stress distribution is calculated from result produced between pin and disc interface due to applied contact load on pin. The governing equation is mentioned in introduction section. Result showing as contact load on pin increases maximum principle stress is increases. Temperature rises in direct proportion with sliding distance and time. Simulation result validates and confirmed with experimental results.
Simulation on metro railway induced vibration. Part II: effect of corrugated rail
Authors: Zhang Hougui , Ren Zhou , Wu Qiong , Yang Jie
Published: November 2019

The deterioration of running surface, including out-of-round wheels and corrugated rails. The effect of out-of-round wheels on simulation of rail dynamic behavior was presented in a companion paper [1]. In this paper, the effect of corrugated rails was discussed. Considering a perfect round wheels moving on different irregularities rail surface, including perfect smooth rail, irregularities generated from a US PSD, measurement data from corrugated rails. Calculation result indicated that (1) the traditional used irregularity generated from US-PSD would not satisfy the requirement simulation on rolling noise and vibration generation in high frequency range; (2) corrugated rail plays the dominant role on the vibration which obviously related to its typical wavelength.
Analysis of vibration based windmill coupled micromachined energy harvester
Authors: R Pavan , P I Shyamsundar , Rao Venkatesh K P
Published: November 2019

The present work exploits the centripetal, Coriolis and Euler forces generated in a rotating windmill. The MEMS device is placed on the blade of a windmill to harvest the energy. Modal analysis is carried out to optimize the dimensions of the structure to match the desired conditions. The real time response of the structure and the voltage generated in the piezoelectric layer are evaluated using transient analysis. It was noticed that Euler and Coriolis forces have a significant contribution in the initial time when the wind turbine accelerates from rest. The later portion is dominated by the Coriolis and Euler forces, and in some instances they cancel out each other. However, there is always a steady contribution from the centripetal force which is proportional to the magnitude of angular velocity of the wind turbine.
Gear shift simulation by using virtual prototype
Authors: Prokop Ales , Rehak Kamil
Published: November 2019

The presented paper is focused on the simulation of gear shift and prediction of whole gearbox dynamic behavior during gear shift. For this complex task the methodology for simplified gearbox was developed first. The whole methodology is divided into three different level of numerical model, where each of them was developed and validated by technical experiment. Afterwards the methodology was applied on more complex gearboxes, in presented case the heavy-duty gearbox concept. The virtual prototype was extended by gear shift option. The numerical sensitivity study of different gear shift time, which are simulated by different clutch activation and deactivation, was performed and the surface normal velocity and torque were evaluated and compared. The simulation was performed to find the optimal gear shift progress with minimal affects vehicle comfort. For this purpose, the surface normal velocity is evaluated, which is directly connected to emitted noise of whole gearbox.
Comparative study for modal analysis of circular plates with various cutouts and end conditions
Authors: Bhatnagar Vedanth , Mamaduri Pavan Kishore , B Sreenivasulu
Published: November 2019

The applicational use of structural members in engineering and technology may take the form of a circular plate, for such members it becomes important to predict the vibrational characteristics when operated closer to resonance phenomena. In addition to, the effect of the cutout in the circular plate has a significant effect on modal characteristics. The part of the research work entitled in this paper emphasizes on the modal analysis of a circular plate with clamped boundary condition determined by the characteristics equation and mode shapes of the plate using FEM. The effects of inclusion of cut-out on the vibrational characteristics are discussed. The subject of the analysis was a circular plate considered with certain modifications i.e. free circular plate without cutout clamped on the outer periphery, circular plate with cut-out clamped on the outer periphery, circular plate with cutout clamped on the outer and inner periphery. The methodology applied to conventional material based circular plate is extended to Glass epoxy circular plate with the same set of modifications. The values of natural frequencies for various cases are tabulated and corresponding mode shapes are illustrated.
Effect of in-wheel motor suspension system on electric vehicle ride comfort
Authors: Quynh Le Van , Cuong Bui Van , Liem Nguyen Van , Long Le Xuan , Thanh Dung Pham Thi
Published: November 2019

This paper presents the effect of in-wheel motor (IWM) suspension system on electric vehicle (EV) ride comfort. To analyze the impact on the vehicle ride comfort caused by IWM suspension system, a dynamic model of quarter vehicle is established with the combination of IWM and road surface roughness excitations. The weighted root-mean-square (r.m.s.) acceleration of the vertical vehicle body (awbz) according to the international standard ISO 2631-1 (1997) is selected as an objective function to analyze the effect of IWM suspension system when the road surface and IWM mass conditions change. The study results indicate that the effect of IWM suspension system on the EV ride quality is significant and the value of awbz reduces by 8.6 % in comparison to without IWM suspension system. The IWM suspension system has significantly improved the EV ride quality when the road surface and IWM mass conditions change.
Renewed spirituality in cloistered architecture in Naples
Authors: Zerlenga Ornella
Published: November 2019

The object of study is the cloistered architecture with particular attention to the cloisters of Santa Maria della Sanità and San Severo in Naples. Among the different environments that characterize a convent or monastery, the cloister is the main element of religious life, the central nucleus of the activities carried out collectively. Typologically, the distinctive features of the cloister can be identified in the following: position within the religious complex; presence of porch, garden, well; variety of shape and planimetric dimension. The cloister of Santa Maria della Sanità has an unusual ovate shape. This cloister was severely tampered with by the construction of the bridge of Sanità in the French decade. This intervention brought the cloister into oblivion and decay like that of San Severo. Recently the cloisters have been restored to new social use to promote inclusion and diversity.
The Conservation of Sixteenth Century Church Santa Maria of Montedecoro in Maddaloni
Authors: Guadagnuolo Mariateresa , Faella Giuseppe , Aurilio Marianna , Nuzzo Mariano
Published: November 2019

Santa Maria of Montedecoro is a sacral complex located in Maddaloni, in the south of Italy, and is one of the most important historical monuments of the city. Built in the sixteenth century, the monastic organism consists of an aggregate structure, including the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the bell tower which is set back from the church, the sacristy, the parsonage. This paper concerns the analysis of all the degradation phenomena identified in the complex, due to both its deterioration state and structural damage. Particular attention is placed on the bell tower that shows different degradation of the surfaces, with large erosions and fallen plasters. The masonry structure, notably compromised, shows several cracks due to the rotation of the tower towards the street. Because of such damage phenomena, a preliminary investigative research was performed to understand the effective conservation state of the Church and its appurtenances. The obtained diagnostic survey data confirm the hypotheses advanced in the cognitive phase and have provided all the necessary elements for the restoration and retrofitting design. This paper presents the restoration design and the results of the seismic analyses carried out on the bell tower.
The Churches of San Gregorio Barbarigo and Santi Martiri dell’Uganda in Rome
Authors: Dal Mas Roberta Maria
Published: November 2019

This study aims to identify the figurative and symbolic meanings of Giuseppe Vaccaro’s plans for the churches of San Gregorio Barbarigo in the EUR neighbourhood (1970-1972) and of Santi Martiri dell’Uganda in the Poggio Ameno district (1975-1982), in Rome. These particular values may be recognized in the configuration of the layout, in the structural types and construction techniques used, and in how the two buildings’ materials were worked and put in place. These qualities must be preserved, because they define the current image of the works, and because they bear witness to the creativity of their architect. The reconstruction of the two churches’ creative and building process, and an understanding the compositional language used by Vaccaro (and the other professionals taking part in the work site) are an indispensable prerequisite for gaining knowledge of twentieth-century architecture and for defining effective operative strategies for protecting its spatiality, understood as the “place of image”.
Production of activated carbon from poultry feathers for waste water treatment
Authors: Chiramba Rue , Charis Gratitude , Fungura Nonhlanhla , Danha Gwiranai , Mamvura Tirivaviri
Published: November 2019

Contamination of water bodies by heavy metal ions is a challenge many developing nations like Zimbabwe face, with negative environmental and socio-economic repercussions. Treating affected bodies usually requires a costly consignment of chemicals and activated carbon. This research investigates the possible use of an abundant waste resource – poultry feathers – to make activated carbon for heavy metal ion removal. Poultry consumption in this nation generates more than five million tonnes of feathers a year, with very few uses of this by-product. This research was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of activated carbon synthesized from poultry feathers with sodium hydroxide as the activating agent. It was tested for removing heavy metal ions from waste water at Lake Chivero and the experimental work done showed that it had a removal efficiency as high as 97%, with a high affinity for lead ions as compared with chromium ions. Upon characterization, the activated carbon showed an iodine number of 520 mg and it worked best at a pH value of 8. The efficiency removal also increased with increasing adsorbent concentration as well as contact time up to a period where these factors ceased to be the limiting factors of the reaction.
Application of Modern Technologies (Active Citizen) in the Field of Population Surveys
Authors: Novikov Mikhail Stanislavovich
Published: November 2019

In the modern world, in order to support civil society, a modern system of collecting opinions of the population about the issues and methods of their solution is necessary. The paper describes Active Citizen, a mobile application developed through the sponsorship of the government of Moscow.
Roles of PD-1 and PD-L1 receptors in the development of systemic inflammatory response and immunoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Khanova M. , Grigoryev E.
Published: November 2019

The modern view of systemic inflammatory response revolves around the fact that the key pathophysiological link is immunosuppression rather than the initial hyperinflammatory phase as previously supposed. Immunosuppression in critically induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome is associated with increased susceptibility of patients to secondary nosocomial infections and increased probability of progression to multiple organ failure. The role of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has been investigated in the context of systemic inflammatory response from the standpoint of its participation in the development of immunosuppression. One of the mechanisms of immunosuppression is the exhaustion of T-cells mediated by inhibitory PD-1 receptors. In the body, the PD-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway regulates autoimmunity, tumour immunity, transplant immunity, allergies and immunopathology. This review summarises the results of experimental studies demonstrating that blocking the interaction of PD-1 with its PD-L1 ligand recovers T-cell dysfunction and improves survival rates in animal models of sepsis. Moreover, a clinical case of the use of anti-PD-1 therapy that led to improvement in the status of a critically ill patient is described. Undesirable side effects of this therapeutic approach are also evaluated. Meanwhile, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been introduced into clinical practice to treat certain forms of cancer. Increased expression of PD-1 receptors in systemic inflammatory response syndrome is may thus be a prognostic marker.
Received 2 August 2019. Accepted 30 October 2019.
Funding: The work is supported by a grant of the President of the Russian Federation for leading scientific schools НШ-2696.2018.7 “Prediction and preventive intensive care of persistent multiple organ failure.”
Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Long-term outcomes after bioresorbable scaffold implantation in patients with coronary artery stenosis
Authors: Prokhorikhin A. , Fartakov E. , Malaev D. , Boykov A. , Baystrukov V. , Grazhdankin I. , Zubarev D. , Kretov E.
Published: November 2019

Aim. The present study aimed to demonstrate the long-term outcomes after Absorb (Abbott Vascular, USA) everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation in real-world patients with coronary artery disease.Methods. This trial involved the largest registry of Absorb BVS implantation in patients with coronary artery disease from Russia, and it was conducted between 2014 and 2018 (n = 500). Safety and efficacy parameters (target vessel failure, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and clinically driven target vessel revascularisation; major adverse cardiac and cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularisation and stroke, stent thrombosis according to the Academic Research Consortium definition) were assessed over a period of 2 years after the index procedure. Results. Lesion treatment success was achieved in 98.51% (n = 594) of patients. In the 2 years after Absorb BVS implantation, long-term outcomes were assessed via phone calls. Only 9.8% (n = 49) of patients were lost to follow-up. The rates of target vessel failure and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were 11.6% (n = 58) and 12.6% (n = 63), respectively. Definite/probable stent thrombosis was observed in 3.2% (n = 16) of patients. Conclusion. Using an optimal implantation technique during Absorb BVS implantation in routine clinical practice leads to a high level of lesion treatment success. However, despite this, Absorb BVS use is associated with an increased risk of device-related adverse events, particularly stent thrombosis. Absorb BVS use in long and bifurcated lesions and BVS implantation in the distal segment of the coronary artery are independent predictors of stent thrombosis. In addition, Absorb BVS use in patients with a high functional class of angina and heart failure, multivessel coronary artery disease as well as BVS implantation in the distal segment of the coronary artery are independent predictors of device-related adverse events.Received 22 July 2019. Revised 1 October 2019. Accepted 14 October 2019.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Identification of Inhibitors Based on Molecular Docking: Thyroid Hormone Transmembrane Transporter MCT8 as a Target
Authors: Shaji Divya
Published: November 2019

Aims:

To identify natural inhibitors against MCT8 for Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome.

Background:

Monocarboxylate Transporter 8 (MCT8) is a Thyroid Hormone (TH) transporter which is highly expressed in the liver and brain. Mutations in the MCT8 gene (SLC16A2) cause a syndrome of psychomotor retardation in humans, known as Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome (AHDS). Currently, no treatment is available for AHDS. Therefore, there is a need to discover new inhibitors of MCT8 for treating AHDS.

Objective:

Considering the importance of natural compounds in drug discovery, this study aimed to identify potential natural inhibitors against MCT8.

Methods:

As Protein-ligand interactions play a key role in structure based drug design, this study screened 24 natural kinase inhibitors and investigated their binding affinity against MCT8 by using molecular docking. The modelled 3D structure of MCT8 docked with 24 compounds using PyRX through Autodock Vina. Drug-likeness studies were made using Swiss ADME and Lipinski’s rule of five was performed. Triac, desipramine and silychristin were used as the positive controls. Binding energies of the selected compounds were compared with that of positive controls.

Result:

The results showed that emodin exhibited best binding energy of −8.6 kcal/mol followed by helenaquinol, cercosporamide and resveratrol. Moreover, it was observed that emodin and helenaquinol exhibit higher binding energy than the positive controls. Cercosporamide and resveratrol exhibited higher binding energy than triac and desipramine and showed the binding energy similar to silychristin.

Conclusion:

This study reveals that these compounds could be promising candidates for further evaluation for AHDS prevention.
A Systematic Methodology for Pre-Reconstruction Planning in Post Conflict Scenarios
Authors: Al-Chaar Ghassan , Calfas George
Published: November 2019

Aim:

This study aims to assist in planning the preliminary phases of pre-reconstruction. The pre-reconstruction phase is critically important to the success of any reconstruction effort.

Background:

The period of reconstruction following armed civilian conflict, military operation or natural disaster is a critical window of opportunity to bring stability and normalcy to a region. Stability not only depends on resilient infrastructure, but also on reliable political systems, a national identity, and an able population to sustain the economy and system of governance.

Methods:

It presents three foundational dimensions that contribute to creating and fostering a successful post-conflict or post-disaster environment: political reality awareness, cultural property protection, and capacity building. This study also presents a methodology that quantitatively assesses the specific elements that contribute to the success or failure of a planned reconstruction effort.

Results:

An in-depth understanding of the three dimensions of Political Reality, Cultural Property Protection, and Capacity Building is necessary to ensure a stable environment for any reconstruction operations to succeed without unpredicted obstacles.

Conclusion:

A systematic methodology of assessing the potential outcomes of an effort can guide planners to evaluate the appropriateness of the effort for the scenario as well as the probability of it achieving success.