bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth patterns in children with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: De Amicis Ramona , Baranello Giovanni , Foppiani Andrea , Leone Alessandro , Battezzati Alberto , Bedogni Giorgio , Ravella Simone , Giaquinto Ester , Mastella Chiara , Agosto Caterina , Bertini Enrico , D’Amico Adele , Pedemonte Marina , Bruno Claudio , Wells Jonathan C. , Fewtrell Mary , Bertoli Simona
Published: September 2021

Background

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness. SMA type 1 (SMA1) is the most severe form: affected infants are unable to sit unaided; SMA type 2 (SMA2) children can sit, but are not able to walk independently. The Standards of Care has improved quality of life and the increasing availability of disease-modifying treatments is progressively changing the natural history; so, the clinical assessment of nutritional status has become even more crucial. Aims of this multicenter study were to present the growth pattern of treatment-naïve SMA1 and SMA2, and to compare it with the general growth standards.

Results

Body Weight (BW, kg) and Supine Length (SL, cm) were collected using a published standardized procedure. SMA-specific growth percentiles curves were developed and compared to the WHO reference data. We recruited 133 SMA1 and 82 SMA2 (48.8% females). Mean ages were 0.6 (0.4–1.6) and 4.1 (2.1–6.7) years, respectively. We present here a set of disease-specific percentiles curves of BW, SL, and BMI-for-age for girls and boys with SMA1 and SMA2. These curves show that BW is significantly lower in SMA than healthy peers, while SL is more variable. BMI is also typically lower in both sexes and at all ages.

Conclusions

These data on treatment-naïve patients point toward a better understanding of growth in SMA and could be useful to improve the clinical management and to assess the efficacy of the available and forthcoming therapies not only on motor function, but also on growth.
Immunoglobulin G4 hypophysitis in a 63-year-old woman with no autoimmune history: a case report
Authors: Gersey Zachary C. , Rajjoub Kenan R. , Pearce Thomas M. , Segel Scott A. , Gardner Paul A. , Snyderman Carl H. , Wang Eric W. , Zenonos Georgios A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disease that can present as a tumefactive pituitary lesion mimicking hypophyseal neoplasms such as pituitary adenoma or craniopharyngioma. The literature on this entity is sparse, with fewer than 100 cases reported across 19 publications; a recent review found only 24 cases published from 2007 to 2018. Previous reports have described demographic differences, with immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis in females tending to present in the second and third decades in association with other autoimmune disease, while males tend to present in the fifth and sixth decades of life without an autoimmune history.

Case presentation

In contrast to the reported demographic trends, here we describe a unique case of immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis in a 63-year-old white female with no history of autoimmune disease who presented with a rapidly enlarging sellar and hypothalamic mass causing headaches and cranial nerve palsies, prompting biopsy for diagnosis. The patient experienced rapid response to treatment with high-dose steroids and rituximab.

Conclusion

The case contributes to the growing clinicopathologic description of immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis and illustrates that this diagnosis should be a consideration even outside the conventional demographic setting.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in elderly female trauma patients: a case series
Authors: Patel Vishal , Levy Shuli , Malik Iqbal , Fertleman Michael B. , Koizia Louis J.
Published: September 2021

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by acute left ventricular wall motion abnormalities leading to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. It remains an important differential diagnosis for acute coronary syndrome.

Case presentations

Here we describe three cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy occurring in three Caucasian female trauma patients (aged 79, 81, and 82 years old) and the impact on their clinical course.

Conclusions

For patients requiring surgical management, delays in the diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may lead to postponement of urgent operative management. This delay in surgery likely impacts on length of hospital stay, leading to an increasing morbidity and mortality.
Huaier polysaccharides suppress triple-negative breast cancer metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inducing autophagic degradation of Snail
Authors: Tian Yuan , Wu Jin , Zeng Lingjuan , Zhou Linxi , Hu Ying , Pan Qinwen , Liu Wei , Yan Yuzhao , Wu Ziwei , Wang Zhaoyu , Zeng Zhen , Tang Peng , Jiang Jun , Wang Minghao
Published: September 2021

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and the targeted therapies are lacking for this type of cancer. We previously demonstrated that Huaier effectively improve 5-year OS and DFS in stage III TNBC patients, and the polysaccharides of Huaier (PS-T) have been identified as the major components of Huaier. However, the mechanisms of anti-tumor action of PS-T is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS-T on TNBC cell invasion and migration.

Results

This study showed that PS-T inhibited cell invasion and migration both in vitro and in vivo by inducing autophagy to suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Autophagy inhibitor LY294002 or knockdown of ATG5 suppressed the inhibitory effects of PS-T. In addition, as a key transcription factor controlling EMT initiation, Snail was found to be degraded by PS-T induced autophagy. In addition, overexpression of Snail reversed the inhibitory effects of PS-T. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the expression of Snail was inversely correlated with LC3 and associated with poor prognosis using immunohistochemistry and TCGA database analysis, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that PS-T could inhibit EMT in breast cancer cells by inducing autophagy to degrade Snail protein, thus improving the prognosis of TNBC, offering potential treatment alternatives for TNBC patients.
A bibliometric analysis of the scientific production related to “zero hunger” as a sustainable development goal: trends of the pacific alliance towards 2030
Authors: Herrera-Calderon Oscar , Yuli-Posadas Ricardo Ángel , Peña-Rojas Gilmar , Andía-Ayme Vidalina , Hañari-Quispe Renán Dilton , Gregorio-Chaviano Orlando
Published: September 2021

Background

In 2015, The United Nations (UN) established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In Latin America, the Pacific Alliance is integrated by Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico, which the scientific activity is focused on the scientific production from research and academic institutions. In this study, the main goal was to analyze the scientific production (2015–2019) in the Pacific Alliance related to “zero hunger” as SDG. The bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature was carried out using the Scopus database with search terms related to zero hunger and validated by Elsevier. We analyzed the annual production of original articles, productive journals, leading institutions, funding agencies, authors, and the most influential original.

Results

Our results showed that the Pacific Alliance produced 2215 (81.0%) original articles, which is the fraction of non-excluded outputs with an annual growth rate of 12.62%, Mexico was the leading country, Nutrición Hospitalaria was the most active journal, and The Universidad Autónoma de Mexico was the leading institution and CONACYT as the leading funding institution.

Conclusion

As conclusion, the scientific production of the Pacific Alliance is showing positive substantial changes, which reflects the main research themes related to zero hunger, such as food security, sustainable agriculture, and malnutrition to achieve this SDG by 2030.
First signs of late blight resistance in traditional native potatoes of Pasco—Peru, a preliminary assay
Authors: Zevallos Edith , Inga Josue , Alvarez Fernando , Marmolejo Karina , Paitan Rocio , Viza Ines , Becerra Dante , Rixi Gina , Silva-Diaz Cecilia
Published: September 2021

Background

The native Andean potatoes, despite their low yield, have a large diversity that is conserved by subsistence farmers in Peru, due to their culinary characteristics and other qualities. However, this diversity is threatened by the impacts of climate change, which would directly affect the food security of these people, and eventually ours. Among its qualities of resistance to pests and diseases, there could be a genetic source of resistance to late blight, one of the most damaging diseases of the potato crop in the world. In this assay, 103 native landraces collected from local farmers in the Pasco region of Peru were subjected to natural infection conditions with Phytophthora infestans to identify potential resistant landraces within them.

Results

The 103 landraces assessed showed a broad variety of responses and were classified as “resistant” (22%), “moderately resistant” (57%), and “susceptible landraces” (21%). A relative effect of the disease in the yield is also shown, which is already low for commercial intentions.

Conclusion

Within this representative sample of the native potato diversity of the Pasco region, at least 23 local varieties grown by subsistence farmers have resistance qualities against eventual late blight disease.
Operculum PIT tagging: a viable alternative to avoid human consumption in processed salmon
Authors: Oldham Tina , Macaulay Georgia , Stalheim Malin , Oppedal Frode
Published: September 2021

Background

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are commonly used to identify individual fish. However, use of PIT tags in commercial aquaculture research is limited by consumer safety concerns. For farmed fish, it is critical that tags do not end up in the final product. One possibility to enable the use of PIT tags in commercial research is to insert tags into a part of the body that will be separated from the trunk during processing. We compare tag loss, mortality rate and welfare scores between Atlantic salmon post-smolts (n = 798) marked with PIT tags either in the operculum musculature or the abdominal cavity (standard practice) before and after mechanical delousing.

Results

We found that neither condition factor (K) (range 0.60–1.99) nor tagging location significantly affected tag loss (operculum = 6%, intraperitoneal = 8%, z = 1.46, p = 0.14) or mortality (operculum = 2%, intraperitoneal = 2%, z = 0.55, p = 0.58). However, on average, the fish which died weighed 20% less at the time of handling (271 ± 13 g, K = 1.12 ± 0.02) than those which survived (340 ± 3 g, K = 1.14 ± 0.004), and those which lost tags (291 ± 7 g, K = 1.11 ± 0.02) weighed 15% less than those which retained them (340 ± 3 g, K = 1.14 ± 0.004), irrespective of tagging location or handling treatment.

Conclusions

Fish tagged in the operculum musculature had comparable rates of mortality and tag loss to the current “best practice” standard of intraperitoneal tagging. We show that placement of PIT tags in operculum musculature is a viable alternative to placement in the peritoneal cavity.
Investigation of pollutants formation in a diesel engine using numerical simulation
Authors: Zahid Muhammad , Syed Khalid S.
Published: September 2021

The current study aims at simulating the in-cylinder combustion process in a diesel engine and investigating the engine performance and pollutant formation. The combustion simulation is performed on a 3D sector employing appropriate models for various physical and chemical processes contributing in the combustion phenomenon. The overall model includes Transition SST turbulence model, eddy dissipation model for turbulence chemistry interaction, Moss–Brookes model for soot calculation and Zeldovich mechanism for NO production other than the usual transport equations. The numerical solutions are based on the finite volume discretization of the governing partial differential equations. Engine performance has been studied in terms of pressure, temperature and heat release rate while the pollutants formation has been investigated in terms of soot and thermal NO production. The results show that the ignition delay is quite short and that the injection timing may be successfully employed to control the combustion behavior. The simulation results are quite consistent with the expected behavior of the target variables indicating that the CFD analysis can be successfully employed in the diesel engine design. The results validation may be acknowledged in view of the mesh independence test, literature comparison and justification of the models.
The Impact of Long-term Physical Inactivity on Adipose Tissue Immunometabolism
Authors: Trim William V , Walhin Jean-Philippe , Koumanov Francoise , Bouloumié Anne , Lindsay Mark A , Travers Rebecca L , Turner James E , Thompson Dylan
Published: September 2021

Context

Adipose tissue and physical inactivity both influence metabolic health and systemic inflammation, but how adipose tissue responds to chronic physical inactivity is unknown.

Objective

This work aimed to characterize the impact of chronic physical inactivity on adipose tissue in healthy, young males.

Methods

We collected subcutaneous adipose tissue from 20 healthy, young men before and after 60 days of complete bed rest with energy intake reduced to maintain energy balance and fat mass. We used RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, ex vivo tissue culture, and targeted protein analyses to examine adipose tissue phenotype.

Results

Our results indicate that the adipose tissue transcriptome, stromal cellular compartment, and insulin signaling protein abundance are largely unaffected by bed rest when fat mass is kept stable. However, there was an increase in the circulating concentration of several adipokines, including plasma leptin, which was associated with inactivity-induced increases in plasma insulin and absent from adipose tissue cultured ex vivo under standardized culture conditions.

Conclusion

Physical inactivity–induced disturbances to adipokine concentrations such as leptin, without changes to fat mass, could have profound metabolic implications outside a clinical facility when energy intake is not tightly controlled.
Impact of Sodium Levels on Functional Outcomes in Patients With Stroke – A Swiss Stroke Registry Analysis
Authors: Potasso Laura , Refardt Julie , De Marchis Gian Marco , Wiencierz Andrea , Wright Patrick R , Wagner Benjamin , Dittrich Tolga , Polymeris Alexandros A , Gensicke Henrik , Bonati Leo H , Christ-Crain Mirjam
Published: September 2021

Context

Correction of hyponatremia might represent an additional treatment for improving stroke patients’ clinical outcomes.

Objective

Admission hyponatremia is associated with worse clinical outcome in stroke patients, but whether normalization of hyponatremia improves outcome is unknown. We investigated whether normalization of hyponatremia affects patients’ disability, mortality, and stroke recurrence within 3 months; length of hospitalization; and discharge destination.

Design

This was a registry-based analysis of data collected between January 2016 and December 2018. We linked data from Swiss Stroke Registry (SSR) with electronic patients’ records for extracting sodium values.

Setting

We analyzed data of hospitalized patients treated at University Hospital of Basel.

Patients

Stroke patients whose data and informed consent were available.

Main outcome measure

Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. The tested hypothesis was formulated after SSR data collection but before linkage with electronic patients’ records.

Results

Of 1995 patients, 144 (7.2%) had hyponatremia on admission; 102 (70.8%) reached normonatremia, and 42 (29.2%) remained hyponatremic at discharge. An increase of initial sodium was associated with better functional outcome at 3 months (odds ratio [OR] 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90-0.99, for a shift to higher mRS per 1 mmol/L sodium increase). Compared with normonatremic patients, patients who remained hyponatremic at discharge had a worse functional outcome at 3 months (odds ratio 2.46; 95% CI, 1.20-5.03, for a shift to higher mRS). No effect was found on mortality, recurrence, or length of hospitalization.

Conclusions

In hospitalized acute stroke patients, persistent hyponatremia is associated with worse functional outcome. Whether active correction of hyponatremia improves outcome remains to be determined in prospective studies.
Endoxifen, an Estrogen Receptor Targeted Therapy: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Jayaraman Swaathi , Reid Joel M , Hawse John R , Goetz Matthew P
Published: September 2021

The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, tamoxifen, is the only endocrine agent with approvals for both the prevention and treatment of premenopausal and postmenopausal estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer as well as for the treatment of male breast cancer. Endoxifen, a secondary metabolite resulting from CYP2D6-dependent biotransformation of the primary tamoxifen metabolite, N-desmethyltamoxifen (NDT), is a more potent antiestrogen than either NDT or the parent drug, tamoxifen. However, endoxifen’s antitumor effects may be related to additional molecular mechanisms of action, apart from its effects on ER. In phase 1/2 clinical studies, the efficacy of Z-endoxifen, the active isomer of endoxifen, was evaluated in patients with endocrine-refractory metastatic breast cancer as well as in patients with gynecologic, desmoid, and hormone-receptor positive solid tumors, and demonstrated substantial oral bioavailability and promising antitumor activity. Apart from its potent anticancer effects, Z-endoxifen appears to result in similar or even greater bone agonistic effects while resulting in little or no endometrial proliferative effects compared with tamoxifen. In this review, we summarize the preclinical and clinical studies evaluating endoxifen in the context of breast and other solid tumors, the potential benefits of endoxifen in bone, as well as its emerging role as an antimanic agent in bipolar disorder. In total, the summarized body of literature provides compelling arguments for the ongoing development of Z-endoxifen as a novel drug for multiple indications.
Transient Dexamethasone Loading Induces Prolonged Hyperglycemia in Male Mice With Histone Acetylation in Dpp-4 Promoter
Authors: Uto Asuka , Miyashita Kazutoshi , Endo Sho , Sato Masaaki , Ryuzaki Masaki , Kinouchi Kenichiro , Mitsuishi Masanori , Meguro Shu , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Glucocorticoid causes hyperglycemia, which is common in patients with or without diabetes. Prolonged hyperglycemia can be experienced even after the discontinuation of glucocorticoid use. In the present study, we examined the time course of blood glucose level in hospital patients who received transient glucocorticoid treatment. In addition, the mechanism of prolonged hyperglycemia was investigated by using dexamethasone (Dexa)-treated mice and cultured cells. The blood glucose level in glucose tolerance tests, level of insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) were examined during and after Dexa loading in mice, with histone acetylation level of the promoter region. Mice showed prolonged hyperglycemia during and after transient Dexa loading accompanied by persistently lower blood GLP-1 level and higher activity of DPP-4. The expression level of Dpp-4 was increased in the mononuclear cells and the promoter region of Dpp-4 was hyperacetylated during and after the transient Dexa treatment. In vitro experiments also indicated development of histone hyperacetylation in the Dpp-4 promoter region during and after Dexa treatment. The upregulation of Dpp-4 in cultured cells was significantly inhibited by a histone acetyltransferase inhibitor. Moreover, the histone hyperacetylation induced by Dexa was reversible by treatment with a sirtuin histone deacetylase activator, nicotinamide mononucleotide. We identified persistent reduction in blood GLP-1 level with hyperglycemia during and after Dexa treatment in mice, associated with histone hyperacetylation of promoter region of Dpp-4. The results unveil a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia, and suggest therapeutic intervention through epigenetic modification of Dpp-4.
Improving the Interpretation of Afternoon Cortisol Levels and SSTs to Prevent Misdiagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Ramadoss Vijay , Lazarus Katharine , Prevost Andrew Toby , Tan Tricia , Meeran Karim , Choudhury Sirazum
Published: September 2021

Background

Adrenal Insufficiency (AI), especially iatrogenic-AI, is a treatable cause of mortality. The difficulty in obtaining 9 am cortisol levels means samples are taken at suboptimal times, including a substantial proportion in the afternoon. Low afternoon cortisol levels often provoke short Synacthen tests (SSTs). It is important that this does not lead to patients misdiagnosed with AI, exposing them to the excess mortality and morbidity of inappropriate steroid replacement therapy.

Methods

This retrospective study collected 60 178 cortisol results. Medical records, including subsequent SSTs of initial cortisol results measured after midday were reviewed.

Results

Receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve: 0.89) on 6531 suitable cortisol values showed that a limit of <201.5 nmol/L achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 95.6% and 72.6%, while a limit of <234 nmol/L had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 59.5%. Out of 670 SSTs, 628 patients passed. Of these, 140 would have otherwise failed if only their 30-min cortisol was assessed without the 60-min value. A 30- and 60-min SST cortisol cutoff of 366.5 nmol/L and 418.5 nmol/L, respectively, can achieve a sensitivity of >95% on the Abbott analyser platform.

Conclusion

An afternoon cortisol >234 nmol/L excludes AI on Abbott analyser platforms. In patients who have an afternoon cortisol <234 nmol/L, including both 30- and 60-min SST cortisol values prevents unnecessary glucocorticoid replacement therapy in 22.3% of individuals in this study. The Abbott analyser SST cortisol cutoffs used to define AI should be 366.5 nmol/L and 418.5 nmol/L at 30 and 60 min, respectively. All patients remained well subsequently with at least 1-year longitudinal follow-up.
The autonomous control of landing on mobile platforms
Authors: APOSTOLESCU Nicolae , TOMESCU Ion , GUTA Dragos Daniel Ion , BOGATEANU Radu
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose a simulation application that allows an aerial vehicle to land autonomously on a moving platform in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. We have tested our method with various speeds and positions for the landing platform. In the context of this article, the autonomous control of landing on mobile platforms consists in synchronizing the movement of an aerial vehicle with the movement of the mobile platform. As a first step, the Spacelab INCAS laboratory group has developed an offline simulation application that allows an ABB robot to receive information on the movement of a Stewart-type mobile platform in order to conduct a landing process. The application can initiate a landing process on the mobile platform and guide the vehicle for perfect docking on the platform. Offline simulation allows the study of several scenarios of a robot working cell - the mobile platform before setting up the production cell. The offline application has a distributed client-server structure. The client communicates with the server through specific communication protocols. The client and server can reside on the same computer. The client application is developed in the Matlab environment and has as object the simulation and programming of the PS-6TL-1500 platform; the server one simulates and programs an ABB 7600-500/2.55 robot that moves on the track, in the RAPID language under RobotStudio ABB simulator.
An Analytic Study of the Effect of a Vane on the Hydraulic Field around a Cylinder
Authors: QASIM Rafi M. , JABBAR Tahseen Ali
Published: September 2021

The flow pattern around the cylinder body is a very serious problem and this problem may become more serious and sensitive, when we place a vane neighboring to the cylinder. The present paper deals with the vane impact on the flow pattern around the cylinder. To investigate this problem the ANSYS fluent software is employed in order to achieve the two dimensional numerical analysis. Here, Reynolds Average Navier Stokes model is adopted. The investigation comprises the following hydraulic variables, like eddy viscosity, turbulent intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent dissipation rate, flow velocity profile, static pressure and pressure coefficient. The constant flow velocity, cylinder diameter and vane dimension are adopted in this analysis, while the different certain distance between the vane and the cylinder is considered. The used vane has a rectangular shape. In this analysis, it is clear that the vane plays a sensitive vital role in the hydraulic behavior of the flow pattern around the cylinder. The study has taken up four distances between the vane and the cylinder, these distances is a function of the cylinder diameter, in addition to the direct touch that happens between the vane and the cylinder. The analysis also shows that when the cylinder has direct touch with the vane, the dramatic reduction will occur in hydraulic variables.
Design of an Error Estimation Algorithm for Time Series Data Prediction in Attitude Controlled Systems
Authors: RAJA M. , VASUDEVAN Kokila , SINGH Kartikay , SINGH Aishwerya , GUPTA Ayush
Published: September 2021

This research presents an error estimation approach with the combination of traditional multilevel techniques used to minimize errors for an accurate prediction and to investigate the behavior of such an algorithm for a satellite. The traditional techniques mentioned above are a combination derived from multiple regression techniques and perform a case study for data analysis. A linear plot can easily be predicted, however if a system tends to deviate toward non-linearity the overall result derived from such an algorithm can be non-reliable since each value would depict a completely different output at different levels. The stability of the fixed regression derived is used to determine the accuracy of the system.
Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures for Accidental Blast during Launching of a Rocket
Authors: SINGH Lovepreet , RAVALIYA Nirmal Rakeshbhai , AKBAR M. Abdul
Published: September 2021

Despite the greatest efforts, accidents continue to happen during the process of rocket launching, either in the form of generated blast wave or the debris that flies and hits random objects. In this paper, the impact of blast loading created by a rocket launch on the tie connection and the three-hinged arch is studied using the finite element model in ABAQUS. The impact of rocket launching was modelled using the physical characteristics/geometry of the launch pad, and a blast load intensity equivalent to 20,000lbs of TNT is applied using the CONWEP module. The tie connection and three-hinged arch after validation and mesh convergence study are applied with service loads in concurrence with the blast loading. The additional impact of blast loads on the static and dynamic response of the structure is studied. The distance of the structures from the point of blast (rocket launching site) is varied, and parametric studies are carried out to arrive at detailed guidelines on the minimum safety distance that stand-alone civil infrastructure should follow in order to minimize the rocket launching impact.
Corrosion Studies on Stainless Steel 316 and their Prevention – A Review
Authors: THIRUMALAI KUMARAN S. , BARANIDHARAN K. , UTHAYAKUMAR M. , PARAMESWARAN P.
Published: September 2021

Corrosion is a process that causes a change of metal to chemically stabled form, by reacting with a solution or with the atmospheric air. There are various types of corrosions such as crevice corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress corrosion, pitting corrosion, galvanic corrosion and uniform corrosion. These types of corrosion and the prevention methods are investigated in this review paper. Stainless steel 316 has excellence in corrosion resistance, due to the presence of molybdenum content. From the literature survey, stainless steel 316 has been tested in various experiments to improve the properties of the material. In the present review, several coating processes and additives which are added on SS 316 to improve the material properties are studied. The advantages of these improvements are reduced cost of change of material, reduced loss of material due to corrosion and increase in materials durability. Hence, stainless steel 316 is used for all corrosion applications which causes less damage and high durability compared with other austenitic steels.
Influence of Geometry on Failure Modes of Hybrid Metal-Composite Protruding Bolted Joints
Authors: COMAN Calin-Dumitru
Published: September 2021

This article presents the influence of joint geometry on the damage mode in the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite plate of the single-lap, protruding, hybrid metal-composite joints. A detailed 3D finite element model incorporating geometric, material and friction-based contact full nonlinearities is developed to numerically investigate the geometry effects on the progressive damage analysis (PDA) of the orthotropic material model. The PDA material model integrates the nonlinear shear response, Hashin-tape failure criteria and strain-based continuum degradation rules being developed using the UMAT user subroutine in Nastran commercial software. In order to validate the geometry effects on the failure modes of the joints with hexagonal head bolts, experiments were conducted using the SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) technique. The results showed that the plate geometry is an important parameter in the design process of an adequate bolted joint and its effects on damage initiation and failure modes were quite accurately predicted by the PDA material model, which proved to be computational efficient and can predict failure propagation and damage mechanism in hybrid metal-composite bolted joints.
Evaluating the effect of DEE blending ratio in biogas-biodiesel fuelled dual-fuel engine
Authors: KISHORRE V. Annanth , KAREN A. , VEDA K. Abhishek , NIRANJAN H. , KRISHNA K. Anusha , GOBINATH N. , FEROSKHAN M.
Published: September 2021

Fossil fuels are depleting faster than being consumed. Fuels with higher efficiency, less consumability, and ecocity are very much desired for the present scenario. In this investigation, a conventional single-cylinder CI engine is utilized in dual-fuel mode, in which biogas is the primary fuel while biodiesel (palm oil) with different DEE blending ratios is used (5%, 10%, and 15%) as a secondary fuel. For each DEE blend, biogas flow rate and loads are varied and their effect on brake thermal efficiency, pilot fuel energy ratio, CO, NOx, and HC emissions are estimated. Exhaust gas emissions were calculated using an AVL 5-gas emission analyser. The calorific value and density of each sample are calculated. It is witnessed from the experiments that 5% DEE used with lower biogas flow rate resulted in high brake thermal efficiency of 31.83%. Also, an increase in DEE is found to increase NOx emission while an increase in biogas flow rate resulted in a reduction in NOx emission. The addition of biogas is experimentally observed to have the potential in reducing pilot fuel consumption.
Linear Quadratic Gaussian Regulator for the Nonlinear Observer-Based Control of a Dynamic Base Inverted Pendulum
Authors: MIRZA K. Z.
Published: September 2021

The inverted pendulum is a non-linear control problem permanently tending towards instability. The main aim of this study is to design a controller capable enough to work within the given conditions while also keeping the pendulum erect given the impulsive movement of the cart to which it is joint via a hinge. The first half of the paper presents the mathematical modelling of the dynamic system, together with the design of a linear quadratic regulator (LQR). This paper also discusses a novel adaptive control mechanism employing a Kalman filter for the mobile inverted pendulum system (MIPS). In the second half of the paper, a Gaussian Quadratic Linear Controller (LQG) is adapted to improve on previous deficiencies. The simulation is done through Simulink and results show that both controllers are capable of managing the multiple output model. However, data from simulations clearly showed that an LQG controller is a better choice.
Reducing Conservatism in Analysis of Networked Control Systems Using Order Constraints
Authors: MOHAJERI Kamran , MADADI Ali , TAVASSOLI Babak
Published: September 2021

This paper deals with the analysis of the stability of networked control systems (NCS). In NCS, the signal transmission between the plant and the controller is done through a communication network. Usually, this data transmission faces packet delay and dropout. Two types of NCS modeling for networks with packet dropout and one type of modeling for networks with packet delays are introduced. These models are of discrete-time switched linear types and there may be constraints on the order of the subsystems’ occurrence. The analysis will be conservative if these constraints are not taken into account. It is shown that by considering these constraints, the stability analysis will be less conservative. Both deterministic and stochastic analyses are considered and compared.
Structural and CFD Analysis of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle by using COMSOL Multiphysics
Authors: MOSES Manova , SURESH Guruprasaath
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this article is to reduce the structural weight and drag of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone while increasing its endurance. To achieve a high strength to weight ratio, Finite Element Analysis is used to study the structural strength characteristics of UAV frames. A computational fluid dynamic analysis (CFD) is performed for different angles of attack and vehicle speeds to estimate the drag coefficient using the k-e turbulence model. The analysis results show that the designed UAV vehicle has excellent performance characteristics and stability at 5° AoA and 3 m/sec. This article outlines the overall design of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which was created using the CATIA V6 platform. COMSOL 5.6 software is used for structural and CFD analysis.
Machiavellianism and task-orientated leadership: moderating effect of job autonomy
Authors: Rehman Usama , Shahnawaz Mohammad Ghazi
Published: September 2021

Despite the negative connotation of Machiavellianism, Machs are found in all kinds of organization and at almost all levels. How they function in organizations is worth examining. The present study explored the relationship between Machiavellianism and Task-Oriented Leadership. Job autonomy was also hypothesized as a moderator, impacting the relationship between the two variables. The sample for the study comprised of middle level managers working for different organizations in and around National Capital Region, Delhi, India. Machiavellian Personality scale (MPS), Task oriented Leadership style questionnaire, and Work autonomy scale were used to collect data. The data was analyzed with the help of SPSS V-21 and Process Hayes macros. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between Machiavellianism and Task-oriented leadership. Also, the relationship between the two constructs was moderated by high and average level of job autonomy.
Introduction to AI journalism: Framework and ontology of the trans-domain field for integrating AI into journalism
Authors: Zhang Wei , Pérez Tornero José Manuel
Published: September 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being introduced to news routines. There is a need for theoretical framework to instruct the AI-adopting process and better integrate the cross-domain knowledge. This article attempts to explicate the major transformations AI brings to news systems, i.e., automated writing and personalization at scale. In light of the transformations, the tension between AI and human journalists has drawn attention. In order to unravel the accompanied conundrums, we propound a new notion – AI journalism, which is a trans-domain field of various categories, deriving from journalism automation. We propose to build AI journalism ontology that can manifest the emerging phenomenon in news ecosystem where intelligent machines and human journalists are coexisting. This article’s ultimate contribution is proffering a new framework and a transdisciplinary field to examine the integration of AI and associated technologies into journalism.
Natural experiments: Researching life through art
Authors: McNiff Shaun
Published: September 2021

Natural experiments are examinations of spontaneous and often transformative acts of nature, including artistic expression. The empirical research produces generalizable outcomes as documented during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. This article discusses how the unplanned nature of natural experiments is contrary to the pervasive practice of research in higher education, including the author’s personal experience as a research advisor. It is suggested that in the future, art-based natural experiments will enable research to correspond to life processes more fully.
Assessing hygiene indicators in two dairies in Algeria in producing pasteurized milk
Authors: Souad Regguem , Mossadak Hamdi Taha , Leila Bouayad
Published: September 2021

Background and Aim: There is a worldwide controversy about the choice of microbial flora for use as process hygiene indicators. This study aimed to evaluate the pertinence of using either coliforms or Enterobacteriaceae (EB) as process hygiene indicators in the pasteurized milk production line. Two flora families and total flora were used as bacterial indicators in some stages of pasteurized milk production line to identify the origin of post-pasteurization contamination and compare the results obtained for each flora. In addition, the bacteriological profile of isolated coliforms and EB was developed.

Materials and Methods: One thousand and two hundred samples of pasteurized cow milk and surfaces (pipes and tank) at various processing stages were taken from two dairies in the northern region of Algeria. The total microbial flora (TF), total coliforms (TC), thermotolerant coliforms, and EB were enumerated, following the recommendations of ISO 4833:2006, ISO 4832:2006, and ISO 21528-2:2017 methods, respectively. The bacteriological profile was determined using the API 20E and 10S tests (bioMérieux, France). Furthermore, the cleaning efficiency and disinfection protocol of surfaces were evaluated using contact agar slides 1 (Liofilchem™, Italy).

Results: Enumeration of the different indicators shows that the highest contamination rate is recorded by the total flora in the two units, 3.28 and 3.78 log CFU/mL, respectively. EB (–0.60 log CFU/mL) at post-pasteurization stage in Unit 1 and coliforms (0.44 log CFU/mL) at the pasteurized packaged milk stage in Unit 2 are the least significant germ families. The lowest compliance rates of bacterial contamination were reported for total flora (82-85%) at the three sampled sites in Unit 2. In comparison, the highest was reported in Unit 1 (99.8%) and 2 (98%) by the EB indicator. Assessing the surface cleaning and disinfection protocol compliance shows that the tank records the highest non-compliance rates for EB and TF (4% and 3%) in Unit 2. EB are represented in both units by various species. Acinetobacter baumannii in Unit 1 and Enterobacter cloacae in Unit 2 are the common species of the three indicator families. Acinetobacter and Enterobacter in Unit 1, Escherichia, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Hafnia in Unit 2 are the most time persistent bacterial genera along the production line. Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, and Escherichia are common genera in both units.

Conclusion: The results obtained show no difference in the use of EB or TC as hygiene indicators. However, if the objective is to identify the species of bacterial populations, using EBs are the most appropriate.
The Eventuality of Equating Energy and Mass - Laws and Theories
Authors: Khan Hamdoon A.
Published: September 2021

Einstein's famous equation, , revolutionized the theory of physics and introduced new perspectives to the study of energy and mass. However, a close consideration of its principles raises essential concerns on the equitability of mass and energy as well as other phenomena like the speed of light. The unavoidable scientific claim of this paper is that the total energy of matter depends on its internal and external energies, which are accounted for by kinetic and potential energies. In the current work, thought experiments reveal important additions to this idea regarding the apparent effects of external energy on the nature of matter and particles. This paper employs detailed thought experiments and theoretical discussions to identify and address several notable inconsistencies related to the energy and mass equation based on previous works in physics. The relative external energy of an object will be influenced by the position of the observer. The outcomes of the experiments presented herein also provide key insights into the constancy of the internal energy of all matter and particles. Generally, this paper provides an important basis for analyzing the theory underlying the physics of energy and mass, addressing questionable ideas that are common but poorly substantiated and providing a new understanding of the nature of mass and energy that lays the foundations for further research in this area by projecting the difference between them.
Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Administration on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in Pre-Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Dawood Muntadher H. , Al-Yassiry Mustafa M.
Published: September 2021

This study has assessed the effect of coenzyme Q10 among patients with systolic and diastolic blood pressure of prehypertensive of 50 participants including 30 males and 20 females were selected for this research according to their clinical diagnosis of prehypertensive symptoms, the study was placed in were seen in Al-Sader Teaching Hospital, in Misan hospital, IRAQ. The patients were divided by half into the control group and the other group which received the Q10 within their diet and lifestyle for 12 weeks. The results showed that the daily consumption of coenzyme q10 (200mg) with significant improvements in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive patients.
Synthesis of Cobalt Iron Oxide Doped by Chromium Using Sol-Gel Method and Application to Remove Malachite Green Dye
Authors: Alwan Ebtisam K. , Hammoudi Aqeel Mohhamed , Abd Intessar K. , Abd Alaa Maryam O. , Abbas Mohammed Nsaif
Published: September 2021

In the current paper, the nanoparticles of cobalt iron oxide doped by chromium (CIC) of (CrxCoFe2-xO4) formula were prepared by sol-gel method using the nitrate salts of the elements composed of this nanomaterial. The characteristic properties of CIC nanoparticles prepared were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in addition to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also examination of the surface area (BET). These tests showed that the CIC nanoparticle prepared was in a pure phase, in addition to having various functional groups; moreover their structural framework includes multiple pores, which was the reason for the high surface area, reached to 223.36 m2.g-1. The prepared CIC nanoparticle was applied as an adsorbent to recover the malachite green dye from aqueous contaminated solutions in a batch mode adsorption unit and under different operating conditions. Designing factors used to determine the efficiency of the CIC as an adsorption media for the organic dye included the acidic function (pH), contact time and amount of nanomaterial CIC. The obtained practical results showed that the removal efficiency of the malachite green dye using CIC nanoparticle was 88.519% at 50 ppm of the initial concentration of the contaminated solution and that the percentage removal was directly proportional to the amount of adsorbent, contact time and acidic function.
Studying the Effect of Different Parameters on Photocatalytic Degradation of Commercial Safranin-T Dye by Using ZnO/V2O5 Nanocomposite
Authors: Jawad Ameerah S. , gubury Hazim Y. Al-
Published: September 2021

Photocatalytic-degradation process of Safranin-T dye in this article has been investigated by using prepared nanocomposite and solar lamp. Zinc oxide/vanadium pentoxide nanocomposite was prepared using “hydrothermal processes”. The degradation of dye was performed by irradiated aqueous suspended solutions containing different concentrations of dye using 0.2g/100ml of nanocomposite. The effect of various factors on the photocatalytic-degradation process of Safranin-T dye was tested to reach an optimal state, where they involve the effect of the nanocomposite mass and the effect of Safranin-T dye concentration the effect of light intensity and effect of temperature. The activation energy has been calculated equal 28.84 kJ.mole-1 The irradiated solutions were studied using UV-Vis spectrophotometer.
Manufacture of Shielding for Attenuation Ionization Ray by the Preparation of Nano Gadolinium Oxide with PMMA
Authors: Shreef Amjed Mohammed , Abdulzahara Nura Anwer
Published: September 2021

In this research, the coefficient of linear absorption, Half-value layer and Effective atomic number of the composite material for gamma ray of gadolinium oxide with PMMA (Gd2O3- PMMA) for shields made with varying concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) and varied thicknesses The impact of raising the shield thickness when the concentration of each thickness is increased. The gamma ray radiation source was Cs-137and Co-60 which have (activity 10 μci and energy of 0.662 MeV, activity 1μci and energies 1.173 -1.332 (MeV) were used in measurement, As an electrical system, a scinatelaion detector (NaI (Tl)) was utilized with a (2x2)" for ORTEC software program (Scintivision-Buffer) with an integrated measurement system. The results reveal that when the concentration of nano particle-gadolinium oxides raised and the thickness of the produced layer increased, the attenuation coefficient and effective atomic number values increased of the prepared composite However, as the concentration and thickness of the composite increased, the Half-value layer values dropped.
Further Analysis on Solution Treatment for Diabetes of Patients at Hospitals in Vietnam
Authors: Binh Vu Thanh , Huy Dinh Tran Ngoc
Published: September 2021

In recent years in Vietnam, preventing and treatment for diabetes of patients in hospitals has been rising as hot issues because the number of patients with diabetes tend to increase much. Our study uses mainly statistics and qualitative analysis synthesis and inductive methods, together with quantitative analysis with data and statistics. Vu Thanh Binh et al (2021) said that Monitoring blood pressure with a continuous blood pressure monitor to carry around to detect masked hypertension (MH) in type 2 diabetes patients who are on outpatient treatment at Thai Binh Medical University Hospital, Thai Binh, Vietnam. Our study results indicated that diabetes including type 1 and type 2 and can be identified at early stages and have prevention treatment solutions such as physical exercises, eating food with lipid, and Reduce the amount of foods with high starch and sugar content. Lat but not least, Strengthening knowledge and skills of nurses and doctors and quality of human resources operating in the field of diabetes. Finally, our paper will propose policy implications and recommendations.