Identification of Service Innovation Dimensions in Service Organizations

In today competitive world, innovation is a key factor for creating competitive advantage and even for survival of the enterprises and as a propellant for business growth and prosperity and maintain more profitability for an organization, as a result of market needs and technology push. In service organizations, recognition of the conceptual framework of service innovation, improves performance of the Organization and creates core competencies for achieving competitive advantage through their systematic approach to service development, which is crucial for survival and maintaining competitiveness in the current financial markets. Banking systems due to the rapid global competition, the impact of structural change, deregulation effects, the use of new technologies and the increasing expectations of customers, have sought to develop and implement service innovation in their organizations. In this paper the effective factors of Service Innovation in service organizations has been introduced and case of study is Iranian Governmental Banks. Research methodology is qualitative and qualitative. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with academic experts and managers of governmental banking systems until theoretical saturation was achieved. The gathered data was analyzed using axial and open coding methods. The results show that dimensions of Service Innovation in financial service organization systems consist of six main dimensions including new service concept, new delivery system (organization), new delivery system (technological), interact with new customers, new value systems / new business partners and finally the new revenue models and 36 secondary factors. The results of this paper can be used for the understanding of service innovation for new service design and development in governmental banking system in a competitive environment at the other countries

Association of Helicobacter Pylori with Presence of Myocardial Infarction in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, cardiovascular diseases have been recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most prevalent types of cardiovascular diseases that is caused by the closure of coronary arteries and ischemic heart muscle. Numerous studies have analyzed the role of H. pylori as a possible risk factor for coronary artery diseases, in most of which the role of infection in coronary artery disease is not statistically significant.METHODS: These contradictory findings made us conduct a systematic review to analyze all relevant studies in Iran through a meta-analysis and report a comprehensive and integrated result. All published studies from September 2000 until September 2016were considered. Using reliable Latin databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Google search, Scopus, Science Direct and Persian databases like SID, Irandoc, Iran Mede and Magiran. After quality control, these studies were entered into a meta-analysis by using the random effects model. After evaluating the studies, 11 papers were finally selected and assessed.RESULTS: A total of 2517 participants had been evaluated in these studies, including 1253 cases and 1264 controls. Based on the results of meta-analysis and using random effects model, an overall estimate of OR Helicobacter Pylori with Presence of Myocardial Infarction in Iran was OR=2.53 (CI=1.37-4.67).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review study show that H. pylori are associated with the incidence of MI so that the odds ratio of MI in the patients with helicobacter pylori is twice greater than that of the people without H. pylori. Future studies are recommended to evaluate the mechanisms associated with relation of H. pylori with MI as well as its association with time.KEYWORDS: Myocardial infarction, H. pylori, Meta-analysis, Ira

Effects of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Seed and Peel Methanolic Extracts on Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile Changes Induced by Methotrexate in Rats

Purpose: Methotrexate (MTX) is prescribed in many diseases and can result in oxidative stress (OS) followed by injuries in some tissues. Antioxidants administration are effective in reducing OS. Pomegranate exhibits high anti-oxidant capacities. This study investigated whether pomegranate seed and peel methanolic extracts (PSE and PPE) could protect against MTX-induced OS and lipid profile changes in rats. Methods: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (normal salin), PSE group (500 mg/kg, orally), PPE group (500 mg/kg, orally), MTX group (10 mg/kg, IM), MTX and PSE group, and MTX and PPE group. Blood samples were taken for analysis in the end of the procedure. Results: The findings showed a significant reduction in Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and an enhancement in malondialdehyde (MDA) values after MTX treatment (p < 0.05). SOD and GPx levels reached the levels of the control group in MTX+SPE and MTX+PPE groups. No significant differences were observed in catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels between groups. The results showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the MTX treated group (p < 0.01). The values of TC, HDL, and LDL became elevated to the normal control levels in the MTX+PSE and MTX+PPE treated groups. Conclusion: The results showed the OS induced by MTX and the protective effects of PSE and PPE against MTX-induced serum oxidative stress and lipid profile changes in rats

Clinical relevance of the first domomedicine platform securing multidrug chronotherapy delivery in metastatic cancer patients at home : the inCASA European project

Background: Telehealth solutions can improve the safety of ambulatory chemotherapy, contributing to the maintenance of patients at their home, hence improving their well-being, all the while reducing health care costs. There is, however, need for a practicable multilevel monitoring solution, encompassing relevant outputs involved in the pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Domomedicine embraces the delivery of complex care and medical procedures at the patient’s home based on modern technologies, and thus it offers an integrated approach for increasing the safety of cancer patients on chemotherapy. Objective: The objective was to evaluate patient compliance and clinical relevance of a novel integrated multiparametric telemonitoring domomedicine platform in cancer patients receiving multidrug chemotherapy at home. Methods: Self-measured body weight, self-rated symptoms using the 19-item MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), and circadian rest-activity rhythm recording with a wrist accelerometer (actigraph) were transmitted daily by patients to a server via the Internet, using a dedicated platform installed at home. Daily body weight changes, individual MDASI scores, and relative percentage of activity in-bed versus out-of-bed (I<O) were computed. Chemotherapy was administered according to the patient medical condition. Compliance was evaluated according to the proportions of (1) patient-days with all data available (full) and (2) patient-days with at least one parameter available (minimal). Acceptability was assessed using the Whole Systems Demonstrator Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire. Linear discriminant analysis was used to identify the combination of parameters associated with subsequent unplanned hospitalization. Results: A total of 31 patients (males: 55% [17/31]; World Health Organization Performance Status=0: 29% (9/31); age range: 35-91 years) participated for a median of 58 days (38-313). They received a total of 102 chemotherapy courses (64.7% as outpatients). Overall full compliance was 59.7% (522/874), with at least one data available for 830/874 patient-days (95.0%), during the 30-day per-protocol span. Missing data rates were similar for each parameter. Patients were altogether satisfied with the use of the platform. Ten toxicity-related hospitalizations occurred in 6 patients. The combination of weighted circadian function (actigraphy parameter I<O), body weight change, and MDASI scores predicted for ensuing emergency hospitalization within 3 days, with an accuracy of 94%. Conclusions: Multidimensional daily telemonitoring of body weight, circadian rest-activity rhythm, and patient-reported symptoms was feasible, satisfactory, and clinically relevant in patients on chemotherapy. This domomedicine platform constitutes a unique tool for the further development of safe home-based chemotherapy administration

Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone with or without enzalutamide for patients with metastatic prostate cancer starting androgen deprivation therapy: final results from two randomised phase 3 trials of the STAMPEDE platform protocol

Background: Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone (herein referred to as abiraterone) or enzalutamide added at the start of androgen deprivation therapy improves outcomes for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and test whether combining enzalutamide with abiraterone and androgen deprivation therapy improves survival. Methods: We analysed two open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trials of the STAMPEDE platform protocol, with no overlapping controls, conducted at 117 sites in the UK and Switzerland. Eligible patients (no age restriction) had metastatic, histologically-confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma; a WHO performance status of 0–2; and adequate haematological, renal, and liver function. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computerised algorithm and a minimisation technique to either standard of care (androgen deprivation therapy; docetaxel 75 mg/m2 intravenously for six cycles with prednisolone 10 mg orally once per day allowed from Dec 17, 2015) or standard of care plus abiraterone acetate 1000 mg and prednisolone 5 mg (in the abiraterone trial) orally or abiraterone acetate and prednisolone plus enzalutamide 160 mg orally once a day (in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial). Patients were stratified by centre, age, WHO performance status, type of androgen deprivation therapy, use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pelvic nodal status, planned radiotherapy, and planned docetaxel use. The primary outcome was overall survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who started treatment. A fixed-effects meta-analysis of individual patient data was used to compare differences in survival between the two trials. STAMPEDE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00268476) and ISRCTN (ISRCTN78818544). Findings: Between Nov 15, 2011, and Jan 17, 2014, 1003 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care (n=502) or standard of care plus abiraterone (n=501) in the abiraterone trial. Between July 29, 2014, and March 31, 2016, 916 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care (n=454) or standard of care plus abiraterone and enzalutamide (n=462) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial. Median follow-up was 96 months (IQR 86–107) in the abiraterone trial and 72 months (61–74) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial. In the abiraterone trial, median overall survival was 76·6 months (95% CI 67·8–86·9) in the abiraterone group versus 45·7 months (41·6–52·0) in the standard of care group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·62 [95% CI 0·53–0·73]; p&lt;0·0001). In the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial, median overall survival was 73·1 months (61·9–81·3) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide group versus 51·8 months (45·3–59·0) in the standard of care group (HR 0·65 [0·55–0·77]; p&lt;0·0001). We found no difference in the treatment effect between these two trials (interaction HR 1·05 [0·83–1·32]; pinteraction=0·71) or between-trial heterogeneity (I2 p=0·70). In the first 5 years of treatment, grade 3–5 toxic effects were higher when abiraterone was added to standard of care (271 [54%] of 498 vs 192 [38%] of 502 with standard of care) and the highest toxic effects were seen when abiraterone and enzalutamide were added to standard of care (302 [68%] of 445 vs 204 [45%] of 454 with standard of care). Cardiac causes were the most common cause of death due to adverse events (five [1%] with standard of care plus abiraterone and enzalutamide [two attributed to treatment] and one (&lt;1%) with standard of care in the abiraterone trial). Interpretation: Enzalutamide and abiraterone should not be combined for patients with prostate cancer starting long-term androgen deprivation therapy. Clinically important improvements in survival from addition of abiraterone to androgen deprivation therapy are maintained for longer than 7 years. Funding: Cancer Research UK, UK Medical Research Council, Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Janssen, and Astellas

Computationally-aided design of aluminum alloys for high electrical conductivity power grids

Due to their high electrical conductivity and relatively high melting temperature compared to other highly conductive metals (1.72×10-8 Ω.m), copper alloys have been used widely in power grids. However, in the recent decades, the price of copper alloys has increased substantially. For this reason, the demand for new alloys which can be used instead of copper has increased. The working temperature of the power grids is 140 °C, with short periods of up to 200 °C. Therefore, new developed materials should possess equal or better mechanical properties (creep resistance) at these temperatures, as well as high electrical conductivity, and also a reasonable price compared to copper alloys. For these reasons, aluminium alloys are among the most promising candidates. In this study, new aluminium alloys have been developed and investigated. Aluminium alloys have a high electrical conductivity, which satisfies this requirement for the power grids. However due to their low melting temperature, creep mechanisms are active in the temperature range of the working condition of power grids. In order to use aluminium alloys in power grids, it is necessary to develop alloys with high strength and creep resistance. Based on the mentioned demands, new aluminium alloys were produced and investigated in this work. The strain hardening mechanism is known to deteriorate the electrical conductivity. Therefore, AA3105 aluminium alloy as a precipitation hardened alloy and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloy as a solid solution hardened alloy were produced and investigated. In order to optimize the mechanical properties of AA3105 aluminium alloys, the precipitation sequence of the alloys were investigated by means of DSC measurements, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) investigations, simulations and creep tests. The precipitation behavior of as-cast AA6016, AA6005 and A3105 aluminium alloys was simulated by means of a classical nucleation and growth model. The model was coupled with a thermodynamic database containing the elements Al, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu and Mn with their corresponding stable and metastable phases. The focus of the investigation was laid on the evolution of β″, β′, β (Mg2Si) and Si phases. DSC tests were conducted in the temperature range of 100-500 °C. The simulation results were compared to results of the DSC experiments. The simulation results showed a very good agreement with the experimentally measured DSC curves and the average particle size. TEM investigations were conducted on the DSC samples in order to identify the precipitated phases at certain temperatures and the precipitation sequence was determined for AA3105 aluminium alloy. The evolution of the α-Al (Mn,Fe)Si phase was studied with and without the presence of Mg-Si phases. The α-Al (Mn,Fe)Si particles can improve the mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, unlike the Mg-Si phases. It was found that Mg addition accelerates the precipitation of the α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si particles, and it shifts the precipitation to lower temperatures during DSC measurement. This effect appears to be caused by local enrichment of the matrix, rather than direct phase transformation, since heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si particles on the u-phase was not observed during the investigations. With high probability, the precipitation sequence of the AA3105 aluminium alloy with Mg was: (GP zones) → β′′ → β′ → α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si → β (Mg2Si). Without Mg, the sequence was described as: small spherical precipitates with an unknown structure → α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si. Based on the simulations, new heat treatments were proposed and investigated. From their results, a new production process was proposed. The creep behavior of the as-cast Al-Zr-Fe and AA3105 aluminium alloys was also investigated. The creep mechanism of AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloys at low stresses and temperatures is dislocation annihilation by cross slip at cell walls. At low stresses and intermediate temperatures, the pipe-diffusion-controlled dislocation climb dominates. For AA3105 aluminium alloys, dislocation glide with a drag stress is dominant at high temperatures and high stresses. However, for Al-Zr-Fe, a power-law break down occurs at high temperatures and high stresses. Comparing the creep behavior of the AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloys shows that the Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloy has a better creep resistance at low stresses up to 65 MPa, due to the solid solution hardening, but at high stresses the AA3105 aluminium alloy shows a better creep resistance, which is due to the smaller grain diameter and precipitation hardening. Based on the conducted study and understanding of the precipitation kinetics of AA3105 aluminium alloy, and also the creep behavior of both alloys, a new production chain is proposed for AA3105 aluminium alloy which is expected to lead to a higher creep resistance compared to the conventionally produced AA3105 aluminium alloy, and which is expected to fulfil the requirements of power grids

Conception assistée par ordinateur d'alliages d'aluminium pour les réseaux électriques à conductivité électrique élevée

Aufgrund der hohen elektrischen Leitfähigkeit und einer relativ hohen Schmelztemperatur im Vergleich zu anderen hoch elektrisch leitenden Metallen werden Kupferlegierungen in großem Umfang in Stromnetzen eingesetzt. In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich der Preis der Kupfer-Legierungen erhöht. Deshalb hat sich die Nachfrage nach neuen Legierungen, die anstelle der Kupferlegierungen verwendet werden kann, erhöht. Die Arbeitstemperatur der Stromnetze liegt bei 140 °C, kurzzeitig auch bis zu 200 °C. Daher müssen neu entwickelte Materialien bei vernünftigem Preis vergleichbar gute mechanische Eigenschaften bei hohen Temperaturen (Kriechfestigkeit) sowie eine vergleichbar hohe elektrische Leitfähigkeit wie kommerzielle Kupferlegierungen besitzen. Aluminium-Legierungen gehören hierbei zu den erfolgversprechenden Kandidaten. In dieser Studie wurden neue Aluminiumlegierungen entwickelt und untersucht. Aluminium-legierungen haben eine hohe elektrische Leitfähigkeit, die die Anforderungen für Stromnetze erfüllt. Jedoch sind in Aluminium aufgrund der niedrigen Schmelztemperatur relativ zur Einsatztemperatur der Stromnetze Kriechmechanismen aktiv. Um Aluminiumlegierungen in Stromnetzen zu verwenden, ist es notwendig, Legierungen mit einer hohen Kriechfestigkeit zu entwickeln. Auf der Grundlage dieser Anforderungen wurden neue Aluminiumlegierungen hergestellt und im Rahmen dieser Arbeit untersucht. Als vielversprechendste Legierungen sind AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung, eine neue ausscheidungsgehärtete Legierung sowie Al-Zr-Fe Aluminiumlegierung ausgewählt, die eine mischkristallgehärtete Legierung ist. Um die mechanischen Eigenschaften von AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung zu optimieren, wurde die Ausscheidungssequenz der Legierungen mittels Differenzial-Scanning-Kalorimetrie (DSC), Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (TEM) und Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (SEM) sowie Computersimulationen und Kriechversuchen untersucht. Das Ausscheidungsverhalten aus dem Gusszustand von AA6016, AA6005 und AA3105 Aluminiumlegierungen wurde mittels einem klassischen Keimbildungs- und Wachstumsmodell simuliert. Das Modell wurde mit einer thermodynamischen Datenbank, die die Elemente Al, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu und Mn mit ihren entsprechenden stabilen und metastabilen Phasen enthält, verknüpft. Der Schwerpunkt der Untersuchungen lag auf der Entwicklung von β“, β‘, β (Mg2Si) und Si-Phasen. DSC-Tests wurden im Temperaturbereich von 100-500 °C durchgeführt. Die Simulationsergebnisse wurden mit den Ergebnissen der DSC-Experimente verglichen. Die Simulationsergebnisse zeigten eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung mit den experimentell gemessenen DSC-Kurven und der mittleren Partikelgröße. TEM-Untersuchungen wurden an den DSC-Proben durchgeführt, um die bei bestimmten Temperaturen ausgeschiedenen Phasen zu bestimmen und die Reihenfolge der Ausscheidung zu identifizieren. Die Entwicklung der α-Al (Mn, Fe) Si-Phase wurde mit und ohne Mg-Gehalt untersucht. Im Gegensatz zu den Mg-Si-Phasen können die α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si Partikel die mechanischen Eigenschaften bei erhöhten Temperaturen verbessern. Es wurde festgestellt, dass Mg die Ausscheidung der α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si Partikel beschleunigt, und es verschiebt die Ausscheidungstemperaturen während der DSC-Messungen zu niedrigen Temperaturen. Dieser Effekt scheint durch lokale Anreicherung der Matrix verursacht zu werden. Mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit lautet die Reihenfolge der Ausscheidung für AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung mit Mg: GP-Zonen → β″ → β′→ α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si → β (Mg2Si). Ohne Mg lautet die Sequenz: kleine kugelförmige Teilchen einer noch unbekannten Struktur → α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si. Auf der Grundlage dieser Ergebnisse wurde ein neues Herstellungsverfahren für AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung vorgeschlagen und untersucht. Das Kriechverhalten von stranggepresstem Al-Zr-Fe und AA3105 Aluminiumlegierungen wurde untersucht. Deren Kriechmechanismus bei niedrigeren Temperaturen und Spannungen ist die Versetzungsauslöschung durch Quergleiten an Zellwänden, bei hohen Temperaturen und niedrigen Spannungen das durch Diffusion im Kern kontrollierte Versetzungsklettern. Bei hohen Spannungen und Temperaturen liegt in AA3105 Versetzungsgleiten mit einer Reibungskraft vor, aber für Al-Zr-Fe führt die Erhöhung der Spannungen zum Ausfall des Potenzgesetzes. Das Vergleichen des Kriechverhaltens der AA3105 und Al-Zr-Fe-Legierungen zeigt, dass die Al-Zr-Fe infolge der Mischkristallhärtung eine bessere Kriechfestigkeit bei geringen Spannungen von bis zu 65 MPa hat, aber bei hohen Spannungen zeigt AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung eine bessere Kriechbeständigkeit, die auf die kleinere Korngröße und vor das Ausscheidungshärten zurückzuführen ist. Für die AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung wurde, basierend auf der durchgeführten Studie und dem verbesserten Verständnis der Ausscheidungskinetik, ein Vorschlag zur Verbesserung der Prozesskette erarbeitet. Es wird erwartet, dass die neue vorgeschlagene Produktionskette im Vergleich zu der konventionellen Produktionskette für AA3105 Aluminiumlegierung zu einer höheren Kriechfestigkeit führen und die Anforderung der Stromnetze erfüllen wird.Due to their high electrical conductivity and relatively high melting temperature compared to other highly conductive metals (1.72×10-8 Ω.m), copper alloys have been used widely in power grids. However, in the recent decades, the price of copper alloys has increased substantially. For this reason, the demand for new alloys which can be used instead of copper has increased. The working temperature of the power grids is 140 °C, with short periods of up to 200 °C. Therefore, new developed materials should possess equal or better mechanical properties (creep resistance) at these temperatures, as well as high electrical conductivity, and also a reasonable price compared to copper alloys. For these reasons, aluminium alloys are among the most promising candidates. In this study, new aluminium alloys have been developed and investigated. Aluminium alloys have a high electrical conductivity, which satisfies this requirement for the power grids. However due to their low melting temperature, creep mechanisms are active in the temperature range of the working condition of power grids. In order to use aluminium alloys in power grids, it is necessary to develop alloys with high strength and creep resistance. Based on the mentioned demands, new aluminium alloys were produced and investigated in this work. The strain hardening mechanism is known to deteriorate the electrical conductivity. Therefore, AA3105 aluminium alloy as a precipitation hardened alloy and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloy as a solid solution hardened alloy were produced and investigated. In order to optimize the mechanical properties of AA3105 aluminium alloys, the precipitation sequence of the alloys were investigated by means of DSC measurements, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) investigations, simulations and creep tests. The precipitation behavior of as-cast AA6016, AA6005 and A3105 aluminium alloys was simulated by means of a classical nucleation and growth model. The model was coupled with a thermodynamic database containing the elements Al, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu and Mn with their corresponding stable and metastable phases. The focus of the investigation was laid on the evolution of β″, β′, β (Mg2Si) and Si phases. DSC tests were conducted in the temperature range of 100-500 °C. The simulation results were compared to results of the DSC experiments. The simulation results showed a very good agreement with the experimentally measured DSC curves and the average particle size. TEM investigations were conducted on the DSC samples in order to identify the precipitated phases at certain temperatures and the precipitation sequence was determined for AA3105 aluminium alloy. The evolution of the α-Al (Mn,Fe)Si phase was studied with and without the presence of Mg-Si phases. The α-Al (Mn,Fe)Si particles can improve the mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, unlike the Mg-Si phases. It was found that Mg addition accelerates the precipitation of the α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si particles, and it shifts the precipitation to lower temperatures during DSC measurement. This effect appears to be caused by local enrichment of the matrix, rather than direct phase transformation, since heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si particles on the u-phase was not observed during the investigations. With high probability, the precipitation sequence of the AA3105 aluminium alloy with Mg was: (GP zones) → β′′ → β′ → α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si → β (Mg2Si). Without Mg, the sequence was described as: small spherical precipitates with an unknown structure → α-Al (Mn, Fe)Si. Based on the simulations, new heat treatments were proposed and investigated. From their results, a new production process was proposed. The creep behavior of the as-cast Al-Zr-Fe and AA3105 aluminium alloys was also investigated. The creep mechanism of AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloys at low stresses and temperatures is dislocation annihilation by cross slip at cell walls. At low stresses and intermediate temperatures, the pipe-diffusion-controlled dislocation climb dominates. For AA3105 aluminium alloys, dislocation glide with a drag stress is dominant at high temperatures and high stresses. However, for Al-Zr-Fe, a power-law break down occurs at high temperatures and high stresses. Comparing the creep behavior of the AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloys shows that the Al-Zr-Fe aluminium alloy has a better creep resistance at low stresses up to 65 MPa, due to the solid solution hardening, but at high stresses the AA3105 aluminium alloy shows a better creep resistance, which is due to the smaller grain diameter and precipitation hardening. Based on the conducted study and understanding of the precipitation kinetics of AA3105 aluminium alloy, and also the creep behavior of both alloys, a new production chain is proposed for AA3105 aluminium alloy which is expected to lead to a higher creep resistance compared to the conventionally produced AA3105 aluminium alloy, and which is expected to fulfil the requirements of power grids.Due to their high electrical conductivity and relatively high melting temperature compared to other highly conductive metals (1.72×10-8 Ω.m), copper alloys have been used widely in power grids. However, in the recent decades, the price of copper alloys has increased substantially. For this reason, the demand for new alloys which can be used instead of copper has increased. The working temperature of the power grids is 140 °C, with short periods of up to 200 °C. Therefore, new developed materials should possess equal or better mechanical properties (creep resistance) at these temperatures, as well as high electrical conductivity, and also a reasonable price compared to copper alloys. For these reasons, aluminum alloysare among the most promising candidates.In this study, new aluminum alloys have been developed and investigated. Aluminum alloys have a high electrical conductivity, which satisfies this requirement for the power grids. However due to their low melting temperature, creep mechanisms are active in the temperature range of the working condition of power grids. In order to use aluminum alloys in power grids, it is necessary to develop alloys with high strength and creep resistance. Based on the mentioned demands, new aluminum alloys were produced and investigated in this work. The strain hardening mechanism is known to deteriorate the electrical conductivity. Therefore, AA3105 aluminum alloy as a precipitation hardened alloy and Al-Zr-Fe aluminumalloy as a solid solution hardened alloy were produced and investigated.In order to optimize the mechanical properties of AA3105 aluminum alloys, the precipitation sequence of the alloys were investigated by means of DSC measurements, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) investigations, simulations and creep tests. The precipitation behavior of as-cast AA6016, AA6005 and A3105 aluminum alloys was simulated by means of a classical nucleation and growth model. The model was coupled with a thermodynamic database containing the elements Al, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu and Mn with their corresponding stable and metastable phases. The focus of the investigation was laid on the evolution of β″, β′, β (Mg2Si) and Si phases. DSC tests were conducted in the temperature range of 100-500 °C. The simulation results were compared to results of the DSC experiments. The simulation results showed a very good agreement with the experimentally measured DSC curves and the average particle size. TEM investigations were conducted on the DSC samples in order to identify the precipitated phases at certain temperatures and the precipitation sequence was determined for AA3105 aluminum alloy. The evolution of the α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si phase was studied with and without the presence of Mg-Si phases. The α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si particles can improve the mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, unlike the Mg-Si phases. It was found that Mg addition accelerates theprecipitation of the α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si particles, and it shifts the precipitation to lower temperatures during DSC measurement. This effect appears to be caused by local enrichment of the matrix, rather than direct phase transformation, since heterogeneous nucleation of αAl(Mn,Fe)Si particles on the u-phase was not observed during the investigations. With high probability, the precipitation sequence of the AA3105 aluminum alloy with Mg was: (GP zones) → β′′ → β′ → α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si → β(Mg2Si). Without Mg, the sequence was described as: small spherical precipitates with an unknown structure → α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si. Based on the simulations, new heat treatments were proposed and investigated. From their results, a new productionprocess was proposed.The creep behavior of the as-cast Al-Zr-Fe and AA3105 aluminum alloys was also investigated. The creep mechanism of AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminum alloys at low stresses and temperatures is dislocation annihilation by cross slip at cell walls. At low stresses and intermediate temperatures, the pipe-diffusion-controlled dislocation climb dominates. For AA3105 aluminum alloys, dislocation glide with a drag stress is dominant at high temperatures and high stresses. However, for Al-Zr-Fe, a power-law break down occurs at high temperatures and high stresses. Comparing the creep behavior of the AA3105 and Al-Zr-Fe aluminum alloys shows that the Al-Zr-Fe aluminum alloy has a better creep resistance at low stresses up to 65 MPa, due to the solid solution hardening, but at high stresses the AA3105 aluminum alloy shows a better creep resistance, which is due to the smaller grain diameter and precipitation hardening.Based on the conducted study and understanding of the precipitation kinetics of AA3105 aluminum alloy, and also the creep behavior of both alloys, a new production chain is proposed for AA3105 aluminum alloy which is expected to lead to a higher creep resistance compared to the conventionally produced AA3105 aluminum alloy, and which is expected to fulfil the requirements of power grids.En raison de la conductivité électrique élevée et d'une température de fusion relativement élevée par rapport à d'autres métaux hautement conducteurs d'électricité, les alliages de cuivre sont largement utilisés dans les réseaux électriques. Le prix des alliages de cuivre a augmenté ces dernières décennies. Par conséquent, la demande de nouveaux alliages pouvant être utilisés à la place des alliages de cuivre a augmenté. La température de fonctionnement des réseaux électriques est de 140 ° C, temporairement jusqu'à 200 ° C. Par conséquent, les matériaux nouvellement développés à un prix raisonnable doivent avoir des propriétés mécaniques comparables à des températures élevées (résistance au fluage) et une conductivité électrique élevée comparable à celle des alliages de cuivre commerciaux. Les alliages d'aluminium font partie des candidats prometteurs. Dans cette étude, de nouveaux alliages d'aluminium ont été développés et étudiés. Les alliages d'aluminium ont une conductivité électrique élevée qui répond aux exigences des réseaux électriques. Cependant, les mécanismes de fluage sont actifs dans l'aluminium en raison de la faible température de fusion par rapport à la température de fonctionnement des réseaux électriques. Afin d'utiliser des alliages d'aluminium dans les réseaux électriques, il est nécessaire de développer des alliages à haute résistance au fluage. Sur la base de ces exigences, de nouveaux alliages d'aluminium ont été produits et examinés au cours de ces travaux. Les alliages les plus prometteurs sélectionnés sont l'alliage d'aluminium AA3105, un nouvel alliage durci par précipitation et l'alliage d'aluminium Al-Zr-Fe, qui est un alliage durci par cristaux mixtes. Afin d'optimiser les propriétés mécaniques de l'alliage d'aluminium AA3105, la séquence de précipitation des alliages a été étudiée en utilisant la calorimétrie différentielle à balayage (DSC), la microscopie électronique à transmission (MET) et la microscopie électronique à balayage (MEB) ainsi que des simulations informatiques et des tests de fluage. Le comportement de précipitation à partir de l'état coulé des alliages d'aluminium AA6016, AA6005 et AA3105 a été simulé à l'aide d'un modèle classique de nucléation et de croissance. Le modèle a été lié à une base de données thermodynamique contenant les éléments Al, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu et Mn avec leurs phases stables et métastables correspondantes. L’objectif des recherches était le développement des phases β “, β’, β (Mg2Si) et Si. Les tests DSC ont été effectués dans la plage de températures de 100-500 ° C. Les résultats de la simulation ont été comparés aux résultats des expériences DSC. Les résultats de la simulation ont montré un très bon accord avec les courbes DSC mesurées expérimentalement et la taille moyenne des particules. Des investigations MET ont été menées sur les échantillons DSC afin de déterminer les phases excrétées à certaines températures et d'identifier la séquence de l'excrétion. Le développement de la phase α-Al (Mn, Fe) Si a été examiné avec et sans teneur en Mg. Contrairement aux phases Mg-Si, les particules α-Al (Mn, Fe) Si peuvent améliorer les propriétés mécaniques à des températures élevées. Il a été trouvé que le Mg accélère la précipitation des particules d'a-Al (Mn, Fe) Si, et qu'il déplace les températures de précipitation vers de basses températures pendant les mesures DSC. Cet effet semble être causé par un enrichissement local de la matrice. Avec une probabilité élevée, l'ordre de précipitation pour l'alliage d'aluminium AA3105 avec Mg est: zones GP → β ″ → β ′ → α-Al (Mn, Fe) Si → β (Mg2Si). Sans Mg, la séquence est: petites particules sphériques de structure encore inconnue → α-Al (Mn, Fe) Si. Sur la base de ces résultats, un nouveau procédé de fabrication d'alliage d'aluminium AA3105 a été proposé et étudié. Le comportement au fluage des alliages d'aluminium extrudés Al-Zr-Fe et AA3105 a été étudié. Leur mécanisme de fluage à des températures et des contraintes plus basses est l'extinction du déplacement par glissement latéral sur les parois des alvéoles, à des températures élevées et de faibles contraintes le déplacement en montée contrôlé par diffusion dans le noyau. Aux hautes tensions et températures il y a glissement de dislocation avec une force de frottement dans AA3105, mais pour Al-Zr-Fe l'augmentation des tensions conduit à l'échec de la loi de puissance. La comparaison du comportement au fluage des alliages AA3105 et Al-Zr-Fe montre qu'en raison du durcissement cristallin mixte, l'Al-Zr-Fe a une meilleure résistance au fluage à de faibles contraintes jusqu'à 65 MPa, mais à des contraintes élevées, l'alliage d'aluminium AA3105 présente une meilleure résistance au fluage, ce qui est dû à la plus petite granulométrie et avant le durcissement par précipitation. Pour l'alliage d'aluminium AA3105, une proposition d'amélioration de la chaîne de processus a été développée sur la base de l'étude réalisée et d'une meilleure compréhension de la cinétique d'excrétion. On s'attend à ce que la nouvelle chaîne de production proposée se traduise par une résistance au fluage plus élevée par rapport à la chaîne de production d'alliage d'aluminium AA3105 conventionnelle et satisfasse aux exigences des réseaux électriques.En raison de leur conductivité électrique élevée et de leur température de fusion relativement élevée par rapport à d'autres métaux hautement conducteurs (1,72 × 10-8 Ω.m), les alliages de cuivre ont été largement utilisés dans les réseaux électriques. Cependant, au cours des dernières décennies, le prix des alliages de cuivre a considérablement augmenté. Pour cette raison, la demande de nouveaux alliages qui peuvent être utilisés à la place du cuivre a augmenté. La température de fonctionnement des réseaux électriques est de 140 ° C, avec de courtes périodes allant jusqu'à 200 ° C. Par conséquent, les nouveaux matériaux développés devraient posséder des propriétés mécaniques égales ou meilleures (résistance au fluage) à ces températures, ainsi qu'une conductivité électrique élevée, ainsi qu'un prix raisonnable par rapport aux alliages de cuivre. Pour ces raisons, les alliages d'aluminium sont parmi les candidats les plus prometteurs. Dans cette étude, de nouveaux alliages d'aluminium ont été développés et étudiés. Les alliages d'aluminium ont une conductivité électrique élevée, ce qui répond à cette exigence pour les réseaux électriques. Cependant, en raison de leur faible température de fusion, les mécanismes de fluage sont actifs dans la plage de température de l'état de fonctionnement des réseaux électriques. Afin d'utiliser des alliages d'aluminium dans les réseaux électriques, il est nécessaire de dévelo

Temsirolimus for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma : outcomes in patients receiving temsirolimus within a compassionate use program in a tertiary referral center

Aim: Temsirolimus has shown efficacy as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and poor prognostic features. The efficacy of temsirolimus in other clinical settings, such as second-line therapy, is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of an unselected group of patients with renal cancer treated with temsirolimus in a compassionate use program. Patients and methods: This retrospective analysis included all patients receiving temsirolimus at a tertiary referral center between November 2007 and October 2008. Information was obtained through review of patient notes, electronic records, and pharmacy records. Baseline characteristics, prognostic features, and previous treatments were recorded for all patients. Outcome measures were response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the analysis, with median age of 62 years, among whom 37% were untreated and 63% had received one or more previous treatments. Thirty-four percent of the patients had three or more poor prognostic factors. Four patients (11%) achieved a partial response (PR); in all four of these patients, the PR was confirmed by two subsequent computed tomography (CT) scans, and in one patient, the PR lasted for more than 18 months. A total of 34% achieved stable disease, and 50% had disease progression. Median OS was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8–10.5), and median PFS was 3.2 months (95% CI 1.0–5.5). Patients with two or fewer poor prognostic factors had a survival of 10.12 months compared with 5.03 months of those with three or more. Median survival was 14.9 months for untreated patients and 6.4 months for previously treated patients. Conclusion: Our results indicate some efficacy of temsirolimus in untreated patients with renal tumors and poor-intermediate prognosis, although the limitations of small sample size and retrospective nature must be taken into account. The role of temsirolimus in previously treated patients remains controversial given the recently published results of the INTORSECT trial and the discrepancies between the few published series