bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
America’s Opioid Epidemic: Supply and Demand Considerations
Authors: Clark David J. , Schumacher Mark A.
Published: October 2017

America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic characterized by aggressive prescribing practices, highly prevalent opioid misuse, and rising rates of prescription and illicit opioid overdose-related deaths. Medical and lay public sentiment have become more cautious with respect to prescription opioid use in the past few years, but a comprehensive strategy to reduce our reliance on prescription opioids is lacking. Addressing this epidemic through reductions in unnecessary access to these drugs while implementing measures to reduce demand will be important components of any comprehensive solution. Key supply-side measures include avoiding overprescribing, reducing diversion, and discouraging misuse through changes in drug formulations. Important demand-side measures center around educating patients and clinicians regarding the pitfalls of opioid overuse and methods to avoid unnecessary exposure to these drugs. Anesthesiologists, by virtue of their expertise in the use of these drugs and their position in guiding opioid use around the time of surgery, have important roles to play in reducing patient exposure to opioids and providing education about appropriate use. Aside from the many immediate steps that can be taken, clinical and basic research directed at understanding the interaction between pain and opioid misuse is critical to identifying the optimal use of these powerful pain relievers in clinical practice.
A Review of Opioid-Sparing Modalities in Perioperative Pain Management: Methods to Decrease Opioid Use Postoperatively
Authors: Kumar Kanupriya , Kirksey Meghan A. , Duong Silvia , Wu Christopher L.
Published: October 2017

There is an epidemic of opioid use, abuse, and misuse in the United States, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. It may be difficult to reduce perioperative opioid use given known acute surgical trauma and resultant pain; however, the discrete and often limited nature of postoperative pain also may make management easier in part by utilizing nonopioid modalities, such as regional anesthesia/analgesia, and multimodal analgesia, which may decrease the need for powerful opioids. This article reviews the relevant literature describing the use of adjunct medications, regional anesthesia and analgesic techniques, and regional block additives in the context of providing adequate pain control while lessening opioid use.
Constitutive activity of the Ghrelin receptor reduces surface expression of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in a CaVβ-dependent manner
Authors: Mustafá Emilio R. , López Soto Eduardo J. , Martínez Damonte Valentina , Rodríguez Silvia S. , Lipscombe Diane , Raingo Jesica
Published: October 2017

Voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels couple membrane depolarization to Ca2+ influx, triggering a range of Ca2+-dependent cellular processes. CaV channels are, therefore, crucial in shaping neuronal activity and function, depending on their individual temporal and spatial properties. Furthermore, many neurotransmitters and drugs that act through G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), modulate neuronal activity by altering the expression, trafficking, or function of CaV channels. GPCR-dependent mechanisms that downregulate CaV channel expression levels are observed in many neurons but are, by comparison, less studied. Here we show that the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR), a GPCR, can inhibit the forwarding trafficking of several CaV subtypes, even in the absence of agonist. This constitutive form of GPCR inhibition of CaV channels depends on the presence of a CaVβ subunit. CaVβ subunits displace CaVα1 subunits from the endoplasmic reticulum. The actions of GHSR on CaV channels trafficking suggest a role for this signaling pathway in brain areas that control food intake, reward, and learning and memory.
Fighting over burrows: the emergence of dominance hierarchies in the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)
Authors: Sbragaglia Valerio , Leiva David , Arias Anna , García Jose Antonio , Aguzzi Jacopo , Breithaupt Thomas
Published: October 2017

Animals fight over resources such as mating partners, territory, food or shelter and repeated contests lead to stable social hierarchies in different phyla. The group dynamics of hierarchy formation are not characterized in the Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus). Lobsters spend most of the day in burrows and forage outside of them according to a diel (i.e. 24-h based) activity rhythm. Here, we use a linear and generalized mixed model approach to analyse, in 7 groups of 4 male lobsters, the formation of dominance hierarchies and rank related changes in burrowing behaviour. We show that hierarchies emerge within 1 to 3 days and increase in steepness over a period of 5 days, while rank changes and number of fights gradually decrease over a 5 day period. The rank position determined by open area fights predicts the outcome of fights over burrows, the time spent in burrows, and the locomotor activity levels. Dominant lobsters are more likely to evict subordinate lobsters from their burrows and more successful in defending their own burrows. They spend more time in burrows and display lower levels of locomotor activity outside the burrow. Lobsters do not change their diel activity rhythms as a result of a change in rank, and all tested individuals showed higher activity at night and dusk compared to dawn and day. We discuss how behavioural changes in burrowing behaviour could lead to rank related benefits such a reduced exposure to predators and energy savings.
The evidence on effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jacinto JC Kennetth , Co Jayson , Mejia Michael Benedict , Regala Eugenio Emmanuel
Published: October 2017

Objective:

This study aims to synthesize the current available evidences on the effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy in the primary and adjuvant treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were undertaken to assess the effectiveness of weekly vs triweekly schedule in primary and adjuvant treatment for HNSCC with adverse risk features. Search of relevant articles from electronic database from 2000 to March 2016 and appraisal of studies were done.

Results:

Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and six retrospective studies were included in this review. The RCT showed less severe mucositis (75 vs 38.5%, p = 0.012) and more patients receiving at least 200 mg/m2 (62.5% vs 88.5%, p = 0.047) of cisplatin in triweekly arm. There was no difference in 1-year progression-free survival (60% vs 71.1%, p = 0.806) and 1-year overall survival (OS) (71.6 vs 79.3%, p = 0.978) between the weekly and triweekly arm. Pooling of data from six studies showed no difference in 5-year progression-free survival (RR 0.84, 95%, CI 0.67–1.07), 5-year OS (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.73–1.07), severe renal events (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.42–1.04), severe mucositis (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.71–1.21), severe dermatitis (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37–1.03), treatment interruptions (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.74–1.52) and number of patients receiving at least 200 mg/m2 (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.67–1.03).

Conclusion:

The current evidence showed that weekly schedule is not superior to triweekly in improving oncological outcomes and decreasing early effects of treatment. In the absence of compelling data, triweekly schedule should remain the standard of care while more RCTs are warranted.

Advances in knowledge:

While some have proposed that low-dose weekly cisplatin is safer and less toxic, this study emphasized that there is no difference in acute toxicity of the two schedules and it is safe to utilize high-dose cisplatin every 3 weeks to reach the threshold dose of 200 mg/m2 faster. Uniquely, this study excluded nasopharyngeal cancer patients as the biology and treatment response are different with other HNSCC.
Influência da demografia sobre a consciência ambiental e consumo ecológico
Authors: Longo Bianca Cristina , Ribeiro Ivano , Carvalho Antonio Oliveira de , Bertolini Geysler Rogis Flor
Published: October 2017

Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar as influências dos fatores demográficos sobre o grau de percepção de consciência ambiental e consumo ecológico. A partir de dados decorrentes de 1075 questionários respondidos, foram testadas seis hipóteses de pesquisa. As variáveis independentes foram: sexo, idade e escolaridade. Os resultados demonstram que o sexo feminino e a idade mais elevada estão relacionadas de forma positiva e significante com o maior grau de percepção de consciência ambiental e de consumo ecológico. Já a escolaridade está positivamente relacionada com o maior grau de percepção de consciência ambiental, porém sem efeito significativo sobre a percepção de consumo ecológico. Como grande parte dos estudos que investigaram este tema se concentram em aspectos comportamentais, a principal contribuição desse estudo é o melhor entendimento sobre o efeito das variáveis demográficas sobre a percepção dos indivíduos quanto ao grau de consciência ambiental e consumo ecológico.
Learning Effects of Domain, Technology, and Customer Knowledge in Information Systems Development: An Empirical Study
Authors: Kang Keumseok , Hahn Jungpil , De Prabuddha
Published: October 2017

This study examines learning effects (i.e., the effects of prior experience) in information systems development (ISD). ISD is characterized by disparate tasks, teams, and levels of project complexity across projects. These features challenge our understanding of how learning effects occur in the ISD context. Drawing on the theory of transfer of learning, this study examines how ISD project teams learn and under what conditions the learning effects are stronger or weaker. We find that ISD project teams’ experience in prior projects translates into performance gains for the current ISD project when the prior and current projects share the same domain, technology, or customer knowledge elements—domain, technology, and customer being the most essential knowledge types for ISD. Moreover, we find that the learning effects of domain, technology, and customer knowledge are substitutive for one another and that these learning effects become stronger or weaker depending on the extent of ISD projects’ team and task complexities. The study makes significant contributions to the ISD literature on learning effects and the roles of domain, technology, customer knowledge, and project complexity, as well as to the general organizational learning literature. It also provides important managerial insights into practical concerns such as project staffing and knowledge acquisition for ISD organizations.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0713 .
User-Generated Content and Competing Firms’ Product Design
Authors: Kwark Young , Chen Jianqing , Raghunathan Srinivasan
Published: October 2017

Firms employ various techniques to obtain information about consumer taste/location and valuation prior to making product design decisions. User-generated content has become an important information source. The vast variety and volume of user-generated content makes firms better informed about consumers (precision-improving effect), and the common and public nature of user-generated content makes firms’ information more correlated (correlation-increasing effect). We examine the impact of user-generated content in a setting in which two competing firms that are uncertain about consumer location or valuation design and sell horizontally differentiated products. We find that user-generated content has very different implications for competing firms’ location decisions and quality decisions. When firms are uncertain about consumer taste and choose their product locations, whether firms and/or consumers benefit from the user-generated content depends on which of the two effects dominates. We find that only when the correlation-increasing effect is moderate, a win–win scenario for both firms and consumers occurs, but the society always benefits from user-generated content. Stronger consumer preference strengthens the overall impact of user-generated content. In sharp contrast, when firms face uncertain consumer valuation of quality and choose product quality, they do not benefit from user-generated content, but consumers may benefit or lose from it. When the correlation-increasing effect is significant, both firms and consumers, and therefore the society, are hurt by user-generated content. Stronger consumer preference mitigates the negative impact but amplifies the positive impact of user-generated content in this case.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2839 .

This paper was accepted by Chris Forman, information systems.
Parameters Selection for Electropolishing Process of Products Made of Copper and Its Alloys
Authors: Maciąg T. , Wieczorek J. , Węcki B.
Published: October 2017

Electropolishing is electrochemical method used in metal working that has a vital role in production of medical apparatus, in food or electric industry. The purpose of this paper is to determine optimal current parameters and time required for conducting electropolishing process from the perspective of changes of surface microgeometry. Furthermore, effect of different types of mechanical working used before electropolishing on final surface state was evaluated by observation in changes of topography. Research was conducted on electrolytic copper and brass. Analysis of surface geometry and its parameters (Ra, Sa) was used as criterion describing efficiency of chemical electropolishing. Results of the experiment allow for current parameter optimization of electrochemical polishing process for selected non-ferrous alloys with preliminary mechanical preparation of the surface.
Closing the Loop: Key Role of Iron in Metal-Bearing Waste Recycling
Authors: Sedlakova-Kadukova J. , Marcincakova R. , Mrazikova A. , Willner J. , Fornalczyk A.
Published: October 2017

The role of iron in metal-bearing waste bioleaching was studied. Four various types of waste (printed circuit boards (PCBs), Ni-Cd batteries, alkaline batteries and Li-ion batteries) were treated by bioleaching using the acidophilic bacteria A. ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans (separately or in mixture). Role of main leaching agents (Fe3+ions or sulphuric acid) was simulated in abiotic experiments. Results showed that oxidation abilities of Fe3+ions were crucial for recovery of Cu and Zn from PCBs, with the efficiencies of 88% and 100%, respectively. To recover 68% of Ni from PCBs, and 55% and 100% of Ni and Cd, respectively, from Ni-Cd batteries both oxidation action and hydrolysis of Fe3+were required. The importance of Fe2+ions as a reducing agent was showed in bioleaching of Co from Li-ion batteries and Mn from alkaline batteries. The efficiency of the processes has increased by 70% and 40% in Co and Mn bioleaching, respectively, in the presence of Fe2+ions. Based on the results we suggest the integrated biometallurgical model of metal-bearing waste recycling in the effort to develop zero-waste and less energy-dependent technologies.
Multiphase Ausformed Austempered Ductile Iron
Authors: Soliman M. , Palkowski H. , Nofal A.
Published: October 2017

Ductile iron was subjected to a total true strain (φt) of 0.3 either by applying φtin the austenite region or by apportioning it through applying a true strain of 0.2 in the austenite region before quenching to austempering temperature (TA) of 375°C, where a true strain of 0.1 is applied (ausforming). Additionally, two types of matrices were produced in the ductile iron, namely ausferritic and ferritic-ausferritic matrices. The ferrite is introduced to the matrix by intercritical annealing after austenitization. Dilatometric measurements as well as microstructure examination showed a fast ausferrite transformation directly after applying φAand that the introduction of ferrite to the matrix resulted in a remarkable acceleration of the ausferrite formation. The transformation kinetics, microstructure evolution, hardness and compression properties are studied.
Increasing the Durability of Separating Rolls During Rolling Ribbed Bars in the Three-Strand Technology
Authors: Strycharska D. , Szota P. , Mróz S.
Published: October 2017

The paper presents the results of investigations aimed at enhancing the durability of slitting passes in the process of three-strand rolling of 16 mm-diameter ribbed bars. Using the Forge2011® computer program, numerical modelling of the rolling process was carried out in order to examine the variations in band shape in individual rolling passes, to verify the correctness of the designed new slitting pass system, to determine the local strains in the rolled band, and then to determine the distribution of unit friction force work on the roll groove surface. From the obtained investigation results it was found that the application of the new roll pass design in stands 13-16 increased their durability in the rolling process by approx. 30%. The wear of the roll sets for the stands under examination after rolling out the annual 16 mm-diameter bar production volume was determined in the study. The obtained numerical modelling results were verified in experimental tests.
Influence of Fe and Si Addition on the Properties and Structure Conductivity Aluminium
Authors: Jabłoński M. , Knych T. , Mamala A. , Smyrak B. , Wojtaszek K.
Published: October 2017

The effect of iron and silicon addition on the structure and properties of aluminium wire rod obtained in the laboratory horizontal direct chill casting process has been analysed. In addition, the impact of laboratory wire drawing process has been examined. The addition of iron and velocity of casting increase the strength of aluminium wire rod in as-cast condition while the electrical conductivity drop acceptable. Moreover, the laboratory wire drawing process causes work-hardening wires and increase drawing tension as a result of fragmentation of structure and growth of grain boundaries. It has been shown that iron is beneficial for mechanical and technological properties of aluminium.
The Use of 3D Scanning Methods to Evaluate the Hybrid Layer Used in Forging Tools in Order to Improve their Durability
Authors: Gronostajski Z. , Hawryluk M. , Kaszuba M. , Widomski P. , Ziemba J. , Smolik J.
Published: October 2017

This study is focused on tools used in the industrial process of hot forging of a front wheel forging (gear wheel) manufactured for the automotive industry. Five different variants were applied for the tools: 3 die inserts were coated with three different hybrid layers (PN + PVD type), i.e. AlCrTiN, AlCrTiSiN and CrN, one insert was only nitrided, and one was pad welded, to improve tool durability. The tool wear was analysed and represented by the material degradation on the working surface, based on the 3D scanning and the material growth of the periodically collected forgings. Additionally, the scanned tools were divided into two areas, in which it was found, based on the analysis, that various degradation mechanisms are predominant. Microstructural tests and hardness measurements of the analyzed tools were also performed. Based on the results, it was found that, in the central part of the die insert, thermo-mechanical fatigue, abrasive wear and plastic deformation occurred, while in the area of the bridge insert, only abrasive wear could be observed. For these areas, the loss of material was determined separately. It was established that the use of the GN+CrN and GN+AlCrTiN hybrid layers on forging tools improves their durability, while the best results in the central area were observed on the tool with the GN+CrN layer, which is the most resistant to thermo-mechanical fatigue. In the second analyzed area, good wear resistance occurred on GN+CrN, GN+AlCrTiN and pad welded inserts, for which, together with the increase of the forging number, a proportional, slight growth of the loss of material occurred.
Modelling and Experimental Testing of Hybrid Joints Made of: Aluminium Adherends, Adhesive Layers and Rivets for Aerospace Applications
Authors: Sadowski T. , Golewski P.
Published: October 2017

The contemporary demands in different branches of engineering require application of new multi-component materials and structural systems. Appropriately chosen joining technology can offer significant enhancement of structural system performance in terms of effectiveness, reliability, safety and other design criteria. The modern applications of complex joints are of great technological interest as they permit to combine and to enhance the individual effects of each kind of joint. This is of great importance for modern applications in different branches of engineering: aerospace, mechanical and civil. Therefore in this paper we will focus on the analysis of mechanical response of adhesive joint of aluminium strips reinforced by rivets. The aim of the paper is to investigate experimentally the mechanical behaviour of adhesive joint of aluminium strips reinforced by rivets for industrial applications in aerospace. The considered joint was subjected to uniaxial loading. The tests in this paper were performed for: • classical adhesive joint in order to investigate material parameters for numerical modelling of the hybrid joint • hybrid joining of the structural elements in order to investigate the reinforcement effect. The experiments with application of digital image ARAMIS system allowed for on-line monitoring of the deformation process of the considered joining elements. The particular distributions of displacement fields at the joint surface were estimated for any stage of loading process. Numerical modelling was performed for experimentally investigated specimens. The materials parameters, necessary for calculation, were estimated from experiments. FEA modelling was done with the help of ABAQUS code.
Selected the Casting Properties of the Composites AlMg10+Cgr
Authors: Łągiewka M.
Published: October 2017

The paper is a review of the previous investigations concerning the influence of graphite particles both on the casting properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs). The work presents the examination results of casting properties (i.e. castability and shrinkage) of the MMCs with matrices of a selected aluminium alloy reinforced with graphite particles. There is also presented the influence of graphite particles on the surface tension and viscosity of the flowing and filling the mould composite suspension. The suspensions containing various percentages of graphite particles (namely 5%, 10%, or 15% in volume) were prepared in order to perform the above mentioned examinations. Castability (fluidity) of these suspensions was measured in two ways, i.e. by means of both the spiral test and the rod test, while their shrinkage was determined with the use of a device designed and assembled in the Department of Foundry Engineering, CUT. The device enables to determine changes in the length of a casting during its solidification with respect to the specified length of the test rod. The surface tension was determined by the wedge casting method consisting in the pouring of metal into an open shell mould with the cavity of wedge geometry, the sharp edge being perpendicular to the free metal surface. The change in viscosity corresponding to the change in graphite particles percentage was calculated from Einstein’s equation. The results of examinations show that the introduction of reinforcing graphite particles results in both a significant increase in the viscosity of the flowing suspension and a considerable decrease in its castability. The greater dimensional stability of castings was observed, i.e. the shrinkage of composite castings was smaller than the shrinkage of matrix alloy itself. An increase in surface tension index value with an increase in volume percentage of graphite particles in composite was also noticed.
Study of Bending Fatigue Properties of Al-Si Cast Alloy
Authors: Tillová E. , Závodská D. , Kuchariková L. , Chalupová M. , Belan J.
Published: October 2017

Fatigue properties of casting Al-alloys are very sensitive to the microstructural features of the alloy (e.g. size and morphology of the eutectic Si, secondary dendrite arm spacing - SDAS, intermetallics, grain size) and casting defects (porosity and oxides). Experimental study of bending fatigue properties of secondary cast alloys have shown that: fatigue tests up to 106-107cycles show mean fatigue limits of approx. 30-49 MPa (AlSi9Cu3 alloy - as cast state), approx. 65-76 MPa (AlSi9Cu3 alloy after solution treatment) and 60-70 MPa (self-hardened AlZn10Si8Mg alloy) in the tested casting condition; whenever large pore is present at or near the specimen’s surface, it will be the dominant cause of fatigue crack initiation; in the absence of large casting defects, the influence of microstructural features (Si morphology; Fe-rich phases) on the fatigue performance becomes more pronounced.
The Effects of Laser Surface Hardening on Microstructural Characteristics and Wear Resistance of AISI H11 Hot Work Tool Steel
Authors: Šebek M. , Falat L. , Kováč F. , Petryshynets I. , Horňak P. , Girman V.
Published: October 2017

The present study deals with the effects of laser surface treatment on microstructure evolution and wear resistance of AISI H11 hot work tool steel in quenched and tempered condition. The most upper laser-affected zone is characterized by re-melted microstructure consisting of dendrite cells with fresh non-tempered martensite, retained austenite and inter-dendritic carbidic network. The subsolidus microstructure just beneath the re-melted zone represents the most laser surface hardened zone consisting of fresh non-tempered martensite with fine and coarse carbides as a result of overheating the original QT substrate microstructure. The highest microhardness values in the range from 775 to 857 HV were measured for the LSH microstructure and the most softened microstructure exhibited the minimum hardness of 530 HV. The laser treated samples showed the improvement of their surface wear resistance by 35%.
Experimental Investigation of Process Parameters in Drilling LM25 Composites Coated with Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tubes Using Sonication Process
Authors: Sangeetha M. , Prakash S.
Published: October 2017

Aluminium based metal matrix composites are widely used in automobile components such as cardan shaft of Chevrolet corvette, disc brake and engine push rod. In this experiment a Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (HMMC) are fabricated and drilled. Drilling is the process of making slots in disc brake and thread in the engine parts. The surface quality of the drilled specimen depends on the speed, feed, drill type and the thrust force. Thrust force plays the major role in drilling the specimen. In this experiment HMMCs are fabricated using two processes-called, sonication and casting. Sonication is the process of coating the carbon nanotubes over the silicon carbide particles (SiCp). Semisolid stir casting is used to reinforce the coated SiCp in the LM 25 alloy. A drilling process is performed on HMMC to analyse the extent to which the input parameters influence the thrust force and Ovality. The tools used for drilling are solid carbide tools of three different diameters. Taguchi’s experimental design is adopted for the drilling operation. A mathematical model is used to determine the influence of input parameters on the outputs thrust force and ovality. This paper proves the combination of N3, f1and d1of the carbide tool results in the lowest value of thrust force and ovality while drilling HMMCs. In this work the HMMC is prepared by coating the abrasive nature, silicon carbide particle and there is a good interfacial bonding between the reinforced particle and matrix and the drilling process becomes smoother. The new being of this article is the treated ceramics, SiCp with carbon nanotubes. This HMMC shows the improved mechanical properties compared to other metal matrix composites surveyed in the literatures.
Impact of Cutting Forces and Chip Microstructure in High Speed Machining of Carbon Fiber – Epoxy Composite Tube
Authors: Roy Y. Allwin , Gobivel K. , Sekar K.S. Vijay , Kumar S. Suresh
Published: October 2017

Carbon fiber reinforced polymeric (CFRP) composite materials are widely used in aerospace, automobile and biomedical industries due to their high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance and durability. High speed machining (HSM) of CFRP material is needed to study the impact of cutting parameters on cutting forces and chip microstructure which offer vital inputs to the machinability and deformation characteristics of the material. In this work, the orthogonal machining of CFRP was conducted by varying the cutting parameters such as cutting speed and feed rate at high cutting speed/feed rate ranges up to 346 m/min/ 0.446 mm/rev. The impact of the cutting parameters on cutting forces (principal cutting, feed and thrust forces) and chip microstructure were analyzed. A significant impact on thrust forces and chip segmentation pattern was seen at higher feed rates and low cutting speeds.
Influence of Rock Properties on Wear of M and SR Grade Rubber with Varying Normal Load and Sliding Speed
Authors: Pal Samir Kumar , Rao K.U.M. , Kumar P. Sathish , Rajasekar R.
Published: October 2017

Rubbers are interesting materials and are extensively used in many mining industries for material transportation. Wear of rubber is a very complex phenomenon to understand. The present study aims to explain the influence of rock properties on wear of M and SR grade rubber used in top cover of conveyor belts. Extensive laboratory experiments were conducted under four combinations of normal load and sliding speed. The wear of both the rubber types were analyzed based on the rock properties like shear strength, abrasivity index and fractal dimension. A fully instrumented testing set up was used to study the wear of rubber samples under different operating conditions. In general, wear was higher for M grade rubber compared to SR grade rubber. Increase in shear strength of rocks depicts decreasing trend for the wear of M and SR grade rubber at lower load conditions. Moreover, a higher load combination displays no definite trend in both the rubbers. The strong correlation between the wear of rubber and frictional power for all rubber-rock combinations has given rise to the parameter A, which reflects the relative compatibility between the rubber and rock. Increase of Cerchar’s Abrasivity Index of rocks shows gradual enhancement in wear for M grade rubber in all the load and speed combinations whereas, it fails in SR grade rubber due to its higher strength. The wear of rubber tends to decrease marginally with the surface roughness of rocks at highest normal load and sliding speed in M grade rubber. However, the wear of M and SR grade rubber is influenced by the surface roughness of rocks.
Influence of The Arrangement of Materials and Microstructural Analysis During FSW of AZ80A & AZ91C Mg Alloys
Authors: Sevvel P. , Jaiganesh V.
Published: October 2017

The main objective of this paper is to produce defect free weldments with improved properties during friction stir welding of dissimilar Mg alloys. The influence of the anisotropic arrangement of materials when AZ80A Mg alloy is taken as advancing side and AZ91C Mg alloy as retreating side and vice versa with respect to their mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics were investigated. The effects of various FSW parameters on the quality of these joints were also analyzed and best optimized FSW parameters were suggested. Defect free sound joints with excellent mechanical properties were produced when AZ80A Mg alloy was positioned at retreating side. At the same time, it seems a little bit difficult to obtain good quality joints with the contrary arrangement of materials. These investigations revealed that materials having inferior plastic deformability must be kept at the advancing side to obtain sound joints during FSW of dissimilar alloys of Magnesium.
Analysis of Solid Contamination in Ball Bearing Through Acoustic Emission Signals
Authors: Sheriff K.A.I. , Hariharan V. , Kannan T.
Published: October 2017

Acoustic emission is one of the effective techniques used for the condition monitoring of rolling element bearings. Contamination is one of the major reasons for bearing early failure due to presence of solid particle in lubricant grease. In most cases, outer race is stationary and the inner race is attached to the rotating assembly. The lubrication is very essential for the bearing to perform under various demanding conditions. The main aim of this project is to analyze the effect of contamination of lubricant by solid particles on the dynamic behavior of rolling bearing. Green sand at three concentration levels 5%, 15%, 25% and different particle sizes 75 μm, 106 μm and 150μm is used to contaminate the lubricant. Experimental tests have been performed for different load and speed condition in good and contaminated ball bearings lubricated with grease. The trends in the amount of AE waves affected by the contamination of the grease were determined. Acoustic emission signals were analyzed in terms of RMS, kurtosis, and peak-peak.
Review on Parameters Influencing the Rice Breakage and Rubber Roll Wear in Sheller
Authors: Prabhakaran P. , Ranganathan R. , Kumar V. Muthu , Rajasekar R. , Devakumar L. , Pal S.K.
Published: October 2017

The present review deals with parameters influencing the rice breakage during rice milling operations and the effect of rubber roll Sheller in rice husk removal process. The main objective of rice milling system is to remove the husk and bran layer to produce the white rice. In this process, rubber roll sheller is used to remove husk from the grains by friction process. If the rubber material is too soft, there may not be sufficient shear force to husk the paddy. Wear will be minimum for rubber material with high hardness but indeed it pronounce the breakage of rice. Hence, for efficient husking the rubber roll material should possess the balance of physico-mechanical properties. Rice breakage depends on several other parameters like the type of harvest, drying temperature, drying methods, physical characteristics of paddy, husking characteristics, paddy moisture content, rubber roller speed, rubber roll pressure, paddy feed rate and fissures. Rubber roll wear depends on the type of rubber material attached to the roller, feed rate, roller speed, pressure etc.
Effect of Ovality in Inlet Pigtail Pipe Bends Under Combined Internal Pressure and In-Plane Bending for Ni-Fe-Cr B407 Material
Authors: Ramaswami P. , Velmurugan P. Senthil , Rajasekar R.
Published: October 2017

The present paper makes an attempt to depict the effect of ovality in the inlet pigtail pipe bend of a reformer under combined internal pressure and in-plane bending. Finite element analysis (FEA) and experiments have been used. An incoloy Ni-Fe-Cr B407 alloy material was considered for study and assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic in behavior. The design of pipe bend is based on ASME B31.3 standard and during manufacturing process, it is challenging to avoid thickening on the inner radius and thinning on the outer radius of pipe bend. This geometrical shape imperfection is known as ovality and its effect needs investigation which is considered for the study. The finite element analysis (ANSYS-workbench) results showed that ovality affects the load carrying capacity of the pipe bend and it was varying with bend factor (h). By data fitting of finite element results, an empirical formula for the limit load of inlet pigtail pipe bend with ovality has been proposed, which is validated by experiments.
The diagnostic value of serum microRNA-183 and TK1 as biomarkers for colorectal cancer diagnosis
Authors: Zhu Xiangrong , Wang Xiongtie , Chen Xihua
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the serum levels of microRNA-183 (miR-183) and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in colorectal cancer patients and their clinical value as biomarkers for colorectal cancer auxiliary diagnosis.

Methods

Forty-six pathology confirmed colorectal cancer patients and 46 healthy controls were included in this study. The serum levels of miR-183 and TK1 in colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls were examined by real-time PCR and chemiluminescence detection assay respectively. The diagnostic value of serum miR-183 and TK1 as tumor biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

The median serum relative expression of miR-183 was 1.33 (0.34-5.65) and 0.88 (0.26-4.67) in colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls respectively with significant statistical difference (p<0.05). Using serum miR-183 as the diagnostic reference, the colorectal cancer diagnosis sensitivity, specificity and AUC was 65.22%, 63.04% and 0.69 respectively. The median serum level of TK1 was 3.33 (0.78-5.78) pmol/L and 0.99 (0.34-4.46) pmol/L in colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls respectively with significant statistical difference (p<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and AUC was 84.78%, 78.26% and 0.88 respectively forserum TK1 as reference for colorectal diagnosis. The pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the serum miR-183 and TK1 correlation in colorectal cancer patients. However, no significant correlation between serum miR-183 and TK1 was found in colorectal patients (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Serum levels of miR-183 and TK1 arepotential biomarkers for colorectal cancer auxiliary diagnosis.
Proteomic and bioinformatics analysis of human saliva for the dental-risk assessment
Authors: Laputková Galina , Bencková Mária , Alexovič Michal , Schwartzová Vladimíra , Talian Ivan , Sabo Ján
Published: October 2017

Background: Dental caries disease is a dynamic process with a multi-factorial etiology. It is manifested by demineralization of enamel followed by damage spreading into the tooth inner structure. Successful early diagnosis could identify caries-risk and improve dental screening, providing a baseline for evaluating personalized dental treatment and prevention strategies. Methodology: Salivary proteome of the whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) samples was assessed in caries-free and caries-susceptible individuals of older adolescent age with permanent dentition using a nano-HPLC and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Results: 554 proteins in the caries-free and 695 proteins in the caries-susceptible group were identified. Assessment using bioinformatics tools and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed qualitative differences between these two proteomes. Members of the caries-susceptible group exhibited a branch of cytokine binding gene products responsible for the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections. Inspection of molecular functions and biological processes of caries-susceptible saliva samples revealed significant categories predominantly related to the activity of proteolytic peptidases, and the regulation of metabolic and catabolic processes of carbohydrates. Conclusions: Proteomic analysis of the whole saliva revealed information about potential risk factors associated with the development of caries-susceptibility and provides a better understanding of tooth protection mechanisms.
Integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge in climate adaptation in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa
Authors: Basdew Myuri , Jiri Obert , Mafongoya Paramu L
Published: October 2017

Indigenous knowledge has for generations assisted rural subsistence farming communities adapt to climate change and make daily decisions regarding agriculture. This study was conducted in the rural community of Swayimane, uMshwathi Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The main objective of the research was to determine the indigenous indicators used by rural farmers, identify the means through which seasonal climate information is disseminated and assess the strengths and weaknesses of indigenous and scientific knowledge. The other objective of the research was to evaluate the integration of indigenous and scientific weather forecasting. The research used 100 questionnaires which were administered to the subsistence farmers of the community. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with small groups of individuals. Results showed that majority of the indigenous indicators related to rainfall and seasonal predictions. Also, seasonal scientific climate information was mainly disseminated via television and radio. Local farmers highlighted that indigenous knowledge was essential in predicting seasonal changes and rainfall and scientific knowledge was not trusted. Indigenous knowledge is transmitted by oral tradition, from generation to generation and mainly among the elderly, and, thinly, to the younger generation. Scientific information was thought to be too technical and difficult to comprehend. It can be concluded that subsistence farmers were open to the integration of scientific and indigenous weather forecasting. They highlighted that it would improve decision making concerning their agricultural activities.
Multiple brain abscesses caused by Serratia marcescens in preterm newborn
Authors: Hadžimuratović Emina , Hadžimuratović Admir , Hadžipašić Amra
Published: October 2017

Background

Brain abscesses are possible but very uncommon complications of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in neonates. We report a case of multiple brain abscesses in a preterm neonate as a complication of Serratia marcescens sepsis.

Case

The female preterm weighing 1990 g was delivered by cesarean section at 32 weeks of gestation. Apart from moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), the baby was in a good condition with no indicators of perinatal infection. On the 3rd day of life, the clinical status deteriorated and the sepsis screen was positive. The baby was intubated and, along with other intensive measures, treated with high doses of vancomycin and imipenem. Serattia marcescens was isolated in hemoculture. The baby clinicaly improved in the following days, but the cranial ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic lesions in parietal lobes bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed multiple (five) hypodense lesions with the peripheral enhancement suggestive of intra-parenchymal abscesses. The neurosurgical consilium suggested conservative treatment with antibiotics and weekly neuroimiging follow-up. The antibiotic treatment was conducted for a total of 8 weeks. The final MRI showed a total regresion of previous abscesses with the formation of small cavitations. The clinical and neurological examination of the baby was normal as was the EEG. The baby was discharged with a recommendation of neurological follow-up.

Conclusion

A multidisciplinary team approach, including neurosurgeons, neonatologists and infectious disease specialists, is needed for a decision on treatment of brain abscesses in neonates. Serial imaging is important in the assessment of the efficacy of treatment.
Comparison of predation by two suburban cats in New Zealand
Authors: Flux John E. C.
Published: October 2017

To study the effects domestic cats may have on surrounding wildlife, a complete list was made of 558 items caught in the garden or brought into the house by one cat over 17 years, from 1988 to 2005. The effect on prey populations was assessed by comparing their abundance with the previous 15 years’ population without a cat. On balance, this cat (Cat 1) was clearly beneficial to the native bird species by killing rodents and deterring mustelids. The diet of a second cat (Cat 2) was recorded in the same way from 2006 to 2016. This cat caught half the number of items 148:287, but in the same proportions: house mice (37.8:42.6); ship rats (12.8:12.1); European rabbits (all young) (8.1:6.7); weasels (0.7:0.4); dunnock (12.8:9.2); house sparrow (2.0:3.1); blackbird (2.7:2.5); song thrush (1.4:1.3); European greenfinch (0.7:5.8); chaffinch (0.7:3.3); silvereye (10.1:8.3); New Zealand fantail (2.0:1.0); lizards (8.1:1.7). Despite this, there were significant differences: Cat 2 avoided finches (2:28, P = 0.004), and took a few more lizards (12:5). For both cats, birds apparently formed about a third of their diet: 33.4% and 34.5%, but comparison of the proportion of birds and rodents brought into the house (12:92) and found dead away from the house (49:45) implies that 320 rodent kills may have been missed, being far more difficult to find. As top predators, these cats were clearly beneficial to native birds, and proposed control or elimination may precipitate mesopredator release and a rabbit problem.
Climate Regulation of Rearing-Related Buildings - Evaluating the Factors Related to the Energy Requirement of Heating/Cooling, and Analysis of Alternative Solutions
Authors: Toth Laszló , Horvath Balint , Fulop Zsolt , Fogarassy Csaba
Published: October 2017

The most notable role in the energy usage of rearing-related buildings belongs to barn climate. For animals, one of the most important climate parameter is the temperature of the barn atmosphere. This can be kept in the proper interval by either heating or cooling. Apart from the operation of technological solutions, the need for airing barns must be taken into consideration. This means there are special technical requirements for airing. Also, they can cause significant energy losses. The temperature limit of heating is mainly influenced by the technological temperature related to keeping the animal in question, its acceptable differences, the heat loss of the barn, and the airing requirement. Energy sources applicable to heating can be traditional sources (coal, oil, gas), renewable sources (solar, biomass, wind, water, or geothermal energy), or transformed energy (electricity). As these have specific operation systems, they also mean further challenges in implementing efficient energy usage. The usage of heating energy can either be optimised by the rational usage of the heating system, or machinery explicitly made for reserving energy. Sparing heating energy via recuperative heating exchange may cut costs significantly, which we also proved in this research with actual calculations. However, we have to state that the efficient usage of heat exchangers requires that the internal and external temperatures differ greatly, which has a huge impact on heat recovery performance.
Referential NPs as subtle expressions of attitude in infanticide trials, 1674–1775
Authors: Vartiainen Turo
Published: October 2017

This article discusses how victims of infanticide were portrayed in theProceedings of the Old Baileyin 1674–1775. More specifically, the study focuses on the use of lexical NPs as subtle foregrounding devices in the trial accounts. It is argued that the use of a prosodically prominent lexical NP in a place where a topical and a highly accessible referent could naturally be expressed by an unstressed pronoun may not be emotionally or attitudinally neutral; rather, I will argue that by repeatedly using lexical NPs, the trial participants were able to express sympathy and solidarity to the victims in a very subtle way by making the referent more discourse-prominent and emphasising the victims’ young age by using head nouns likechildandinfant. The data will mainly be discussed from a diachronic perspective, and the results show that as most women convicted of infanticide in the eighteenth century were acquitted, the frequency of lexical NPs used in reference to the deceased children increased. The overuse of lexical NPs is particularly prominent in the trials where the woman was found guilty of the crime, suggesting a possible connection between the degree of violence used in the murder and the kinds of NPs the trial participants used to refer to the deceased children as subtle indications of sympathy.