Interaction between Lubricants Containing Phosphate Ester Additives and Stainless Steels

One way to improve fuel efficiency in today’s jet aircraft engines is to create an environment for higher operating temperatures and speeds. New and improved lubricants and bearing materials must be developed to remain stable in these elevated operating temperatures. Three lubricants, with varying amounts of tricresyl phosphate added as an anti-wear/extreme pressure additive were tested on two different stainless steels at varying temperatures ranging from 300 °C to 350 °C in vacuum. Significant decomposition of the lubricant base-stocks and the phosphate ester additive did occur in most of the trials resulting in the formation of carboxylic acids and phenols. In these cases a film containing phosphorus was deposited onto the stainless steel substrate

Antibodies against phosphorylcholine in hospitalized versus non‑hospitalized obese subjects

Obesity associates with reduced life expectancy, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and is characterized by chronic inflammation. Phosphorylcholine (PC) is an epitope on oxidized low-density lipoprotein, dead cells and some microorganisms. Antibodies against PC (anti-PC) have anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we explored the role of anti-PC in hospitalized versus non-hospitalized obese. One-hundred-and-twenty-eight obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) individuals (59.8 (± 5.5) years, 53.9% women) from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Cardiovascular Cohort were examined and IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 anti-PC were analyzed by ELISA. Individuals with at least one recorded history of hospitalization prior to study baseline were considered hospitalized obese (HO). Associations between IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 anti-PC and HO (n = 32)/non-hospitalized obese (NHO) (n = 96), but also with metabolic syndrome and diabetes were analysed using logistic regressions. Both IgM and IgG1 anti-PC were inversely associated with HO, also after controlling for age and sex. When further adjusted for waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, glucose levels and smoking status, only IgG1 anti-PC remained significantly associated with HO. In multivariate models, each 1 standard deviation of increment in anti-PC IgG1 levels was inversely associated with prevalence of HO (odds ratio 0.57; CI 95% 0.33–0.98; p = 0.044). IgG2 anti-PC did not show any associations with HO. Low levels of IgM and IgG1 anti-PC are associated with higher risk of being a HO individual independent of sex and age, IgG1 anti-PC also independently of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The anti-inflammatory properties of these antibodies may be related to inflammation in obesity and its complications

Relation between eating evoked by lateral hypothalamic stimulation and tail pinch in different rat strains

The similarity between the behaviors evoked by tail pinch (TP) and electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (ESLH) has been noted by many investigators. Evidence is presented for a possible inverse relationship between the probability that ESLH would evoke eating and the readiness to eat in response to TP in six different rat populations (High and Low lines of the LC1 and LC2 Hebrew University Strains, Sprague--Dawley, and Long--Evans). Discussion of these results emphasizes differences in intensity between ESLH and TP stimulation and differences in emotionality among rat populations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24047/1/0000296.pd

Characterization and Engineering Properties of Dry and Ponded Class-F Fly Ash

Characterization studies conducted on Class-F fly-ash specimens gathered from different producers in the southeastern United States confirm general trends reported for fly ash worldwide. Additional tests and detailed analyses explain the spread in specific gravity (interparticle porosity cenospheres), highlight the tendency to segregation and layering, and show marked ferromagnetism. Furthermore, data show that early diagenetic cementation—within days after wetting—hinders densification and produces a fabric that is prone to collapse. New procedures are specifically developed to diagnose and characterize early diagenesis, including (1) pH measurements as an indicator of diagenetic potential, (2) test protocols to assess early diagenesis using oedometer tests and shear-wave velocity, and (3) procedures to determine realizable unit weights as reference values for the analyses of contractive or dilative tendencies and instability. In the absence of early diagenetic cementation, dilative fly-ash behavior is expected in the upper ≈20  m under monotonic shear loading. Flow instability may follow the failure of the containment structure if the ponded ash is saturated and has experienced hindered densification

Efficacy of Dapagliflozin According to Geographic Location of Patients With Heart Failure

Background: Because clinical characteristics and prognosis vary by geographic region in patients with heart failure (HF), the response to treatment may also vary. A previous report suggested that the efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor efficacy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) may be modified by region. Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with HF according to geographic region. Methods: We conducted a patient-level pooled analysis of the DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure) and DELIVER (Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure) trials, which evaluated the effects of dapagliflozin in HFrEF and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)/heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), respectively. The primary outcome was the composite of worsening HF or cardiovascular death. Results: Among 11,007 patients, 5,159 (46.9%) were enrolled in Europe, 1,528 (13.9%) in North America, 1,998 (18.2%) in South America, and 2,322 (21.1%) in Asia. The rate of the primary outcome (per 100 person-years) was higher in North America (13.9 [95% CI: 12.5-15.4]) than in other regions: Europe 10.8 (95% CI: 10.1-11.5), South America 10.0 (95% CI: 9.0-11.1), and Asia 10.5 (95% CI: 9.5-11.5). The benefit of dapagliflozin on the primary outcome was not modified by region: dapagliflozin vs placebo HR: Europe, 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75-0.96); North America, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.61-0.93); South America, 0.72 (95% CI: 0.58-0.89); and Asia, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.61-0.91) (P interaction = 0.40). This was the same when evaluated separately for HFrEF (P interaction = 0.39) and HFmrEF/HFpEF (P interaction = 0.84). Patients in North America discontinued randomized treatment more frequently than did those elsewhere (placebo discontinuation: 21.8% in North America vs 6.4% in South America), but discontinuation rates did not differ between placebo and dapagliflozin by region. Conclusions: The efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin were consistent across global regions despite geographic differences in patient characteristics, background treatment, and event rates.</p

Characterization and Engineering Properties of Dry and Ponded Class-F Fly Ash

Characterization studies conducted on Class-F fly-ash specimens gathered from different producers in the southeastern United States confirm general trends reported for fly ash worldwide. Additional tests and detailed analyses explain the spread in specific gravity (interparticle porosity cenospheres), highlight the tendency to segregation and layering, and show marked ferromagnetism. Furthermore, data show that early diagenetic cementation—within days after wetting—hinders densification and produces a fabric that is prone to collapse. New procedures are specifically developed to diagnose and characterize early diagenesis, including (1) pH measurements as an indicator of diagenetic potential, (2) test protocols to assess early diagenesis using oedometer tests and shear-wave velocity, and (3) procedures to determine realizable unit weights as reference values for the analyses of contractive or dilative tendencies and instability. In the absence of early diagenetic cementation, dilative fly-ash behavior is expected in the upper ≈20  m under monotonic shear loading. Flow instability may follow the failure of the containment structure if the ponded ash is saturated and has experienced hindered densification

Dapagliflozin and timing of prior heart failure hospitalization a patient-level meta-analysis of DAPA-HF and DELIVER

Background: Patients recently hospitalized for heart failure (HF) are at a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes, but they may experience a greater absolute and relative benefit from effective therapies than individuals who are considered more “stable.” Objectives: The authors examined the effects of dapagliflozin according to the timing of prior HF hospitalization in a patient-level pooled analysis of DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure) and DELIVER (Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure). Methods: A total of 11,007 patients were randomized in DAPA-HF and DELIVER. The primary outcome was the composite of worsening HF or cardiovascular death. Results: In total, 12.4% were hospitalized for HF within 3 months of randomization, 14.2% between 3 and 12 months, and 16.8% more than 1 year before randomization, whereas 56.5% had not been hospitalized. The risk of the primary endpoint was inversely associated with time from prior HF hospitalization, and patients with a recent HF hospitalization had the highest risk. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary outcome across HF hospitalization category (0-3 months, HR: 0.66 [95% CI: 0.55-0.81]; 3-12 months, HR: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.59-0.90]; &gt;1 year, HR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.74-1.12]; and no prior hospitalization, HR: 0.83 [95% CI: 0.73-0.94]; Pinteraction = 0.09). The number of patients needed to treat with dapagliflozin to prevent 1 event over the median follow-up of 22 months was 13, 20, 23, and 28, respectively. The beneficial effect was consistent across the range of LVEF regardless of HF hospitalization category. Conclusions: The relative benefits of dapagliflozin were consistent across the range of LVEF regardless of the timing of the most recent HF hospitalization with a greater absolute benefit in patients with recent hospitalization

Dapagliflozin and quality of life measured using the EuroQol 5-Dimension questionnaire in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF/HFpEF

Aims: Although much is known about the usefulness of heart failure (HF)-specific instruments for assessing patient well-being, less is known about the value of generic instruments for the measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in HF. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) visual analogue scale (VAS) and index scores, clinical characteristics, and outcomes in patients with HF and the effect of dapagliflozin on these scores. Methods and results: We performed a patient-level pooled analysis of the DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials, which investigated the effectiveness and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and mildly reduced/preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF), respectively. Patients reporting higher (better) EQ-5D-5L VAS and index scores had a lower prevalence of comorbidities, including atrial fibrillation and hypertension, than patients with a worse score. They were also more likely to have better investigator-reported (New York Heart Association class) and patient-self-reported (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) health status and lower median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Compared to patients with the lowest scores (Q1), those with higher EQ-5D-5L VAS scores had better outcomes: the hazard ratio for the composite of cardiovascular death or worsening HF was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.72–0.91) in Q2, 0.74 (0.65–0.84) in Q3, and 0.62 (0.54–0.72) in Q4. The risk of each component of the composite outcome, and all-cause death, was also lower in patients with better scores. Similar findings were observed for the index score. Treatment with dapagliflozin improved both EQ-5D-5L VAS and index scores across the range of ejection fraction. Conclusions: Both higher (better) EQ-5D-5L VAS and index scores were associated with better outcomes. Dapagliflozin treatment improved EQ-5D-5L VAS and index scores, irrespective of ejection fraction