Ultra-high–strength Bainitic Steels

Novel bainitic microstructures, consisting of slender ferrite plates (tens of nm) in a matrix of retained austenite, have reported maximum yield strength of 1.4 GPa, ultimate tensile strength of 2.2 GPa, 30% ductility and respectable levels of fracture toughness (∼51 MPa m0.5). The unusual combination of properties is attributed to the fine bainitic plates and the presence of retained austenite in the microstructure.The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia for the financial support in the form of Ramón y Cajal contracts (RyC 2002 and 2004 respectively). Some of this work was carried out under the auspices of an EPSRC/MOD sponsored project on bainitic steels at the University of Cambridge; we are extremely grateful for this support over a period of three years. The authors are extremely grateful to Prof. H. K. D.Peer reviewe

In Vitro Analysis of Human Cartilage Infiltrated by Hydrogels and Hydrogel-Encapsulated Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease causing loss of articular cartilage and structural damage in all joint tissues. Given the limited regenerative capacity of articular cartilage, methods to support the native structural properties of articular cartilage are highly anticipated. The aim of this study was to infiltrate zwitterionic monomer solutions into human OA-cartilage explants to replace lost proteoglycans. The study included polymerization and deposition of methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine- and a novel sulfobetaine-methacrylate-based monomer solution within ex vivo human OA-cartilage explants and the encapsulation of isolated chondrocytes within hydrogels and the corresponding effects on chondrocyte viability. The results demonstrated that zwitterionic cartilage–hydrogel networks are formed by infiltration. In general, cytotoxic effects of the monomer solutions were observed, as was a time-dependent infiltration behavior into the tissue accompanied by increasing cell death and penetration depth. The successful deposition of zwitterionic hydrogels within OA cartilage identifies the infiltration method as a potential future therapeutic option for the repair/replacement of OA-cartilage extracellular suprastructure. Due to the toxic effects of the monomer solutions, the focus should be on sealing the OA-cartilage surface, instead of complete infiltration. An alternative treatment option for focal cartilage defects could be the usage of monomer solutions, especially the novel generated sulfobetaine-methacrylate-based monomer solution, as bionic for cell-based 3D bioprintable hydrogels

THE DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM MOMENTS IN A CONTINUOUS BEAM BY GENETIC ALGORITHMS

Genetik Algoritma, bilgisayar üzerinde oluşan bir evrim şeklidir. Genetik Algoritmalar ile oluşturulan seleksiyon, doğal topluluklara benzer bir şekilde bilgisayar hafızasına depo edilmiş kromozomlar üzerinde icra edilmektedir. Evrim teorisi, biyolojik sistemleri doğal seleksiyon işleminin devamlı üretimi olarak tanımlamaktadır. Buna benzer olarak, Genetik Algoritmalar el ile yapıldığında uzun süren hesaplamalar yerine bilgisayar üzerinde oluşturulan evrimle mühendislik problemlerinin çözümünde etkili olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada altı açıklıklı sürekli bir kirişte maksimum açıklık ve mesnet momentlerini veren hareketli yük kombinezonlarının Genetik Algoritmalarla otomatik bir şekilde düzenlenmesi incelenmiştir. Sunulan metodun hesaplama hızı tesir çizgileri yöntemi gibi klasik yöntemlerle yapılan çözüme kıyasla oldukça yüksektir. Genetic Algorithm is a form of evolution that takes place in a computer. The selection by Genetic Algorithm operates on strings of binary digits stored in the computer's memory in much the same way that natural populations of individuals evolve. The evolution theory describes the biological systems as the continuous process of the natural selections. Similar to that, since computations made by hand are time consuming, Genetic Algorithms are effective for solving engineering problems by forming evaluation in computer. In this study, the live load arrangements for maximum bending and support moments on a continuous sixspan beam are obtained automatically by Genetic Algorithms. Computation speed of presented method is higher as compared to that of conventional methods like influence line method

Decreased HIV diversity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation of an HIV-1 infected patient: a case report

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor use and viral evolution were analyzed in blood samples from an HIV-1 infected patient undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Coreceptor use was predicted in silico from sequence data obtained from the third variable loop region of the viral envelope gene with two software tools. Viral diversity and evolution was evaluated on the same samples by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. In addition, phenotypic analysis was done by comparison of viral growth in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a CCR5 (R5)-deficient T-cell line which was controlled by a reporter assay confirming viral tropism. In silico coreceptor predictions did not match experimental determinations that showed a consistent R5 tropism. Anti-HIV directed antibodies could be detected before and after the SCT. These preexisting antibodies did not prevent viral rebound after the interruption of antiretroviral therapy during the SCT. Eventually, transplantation and readministration of anti-retroviral drugs lead to sustained increase in CD4 counts and decreased viral load to undetectable levels. Unexpectedly, viral diversity decreased after successful SCT. Our data evidence that only R5-tropic virus was found in the patient before and after transplantation. Therefore, blocking CCR5 receptor during stem cell transplantation might have had beneficial effects and this might apply to more patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Furthermore, we revealed a scenario of HIV-1 dynamic different from the commonly described ones. Analysis of viral evolution shows the decrease of viral diversity even during episodes with bursts in viral load

The role of HR - Manager in the effective management of human resources

The article describes the duties and responsibilities of a competent HR- manager. It stresses that a good HR-manager must possess a certain set of professional knowledge: the knowledge of the economy and the market system, understanding of entrepreneurship and business principles. This specialist should fulfil certain professional duties - to manage the personnel - it means being a psychologist to understand any person, to combine available human resources in order to fulfil the potential of the company. According to official statistics, in companies where a personnel manager works, employees’ productivity increases by an average of 20%. In conclusion, it is proved that the position of a personnel manager of the company is necessary for the successful operation of the company, and for the positive positioning of the company in the market.В статье рассматриваются обязанности компетентного менеджера по персоналу. Указывается то, что хороший менеджер по кадрам должен обладать определённым набором профессиональных знаний: знаниями экономики и рыночной системы, пониманием функционирования частного предпринимательства и деловых принципов. Этот специалист должен выполнять определённые профессиональные обязанности - управлять персоналом, что подразумевает умение быть хорошим психологом и разбираться в людях с первого взгляда, совмещать доступные человеческие ресурсы для успешной реализации потенциала компании. В соответствии с официальной статистикой, в компаниях, имеющих должность менеджера по персоналу, производительность работников возрастает в среднем на 20%. В заключении доказывается, что должность менеджера по персоналу необходима для успешной деятельности компании и позиционирования компании на рынке

Randomized implementation of a primary human papillomavirus testing-based cervical cancer screening protocol for women 34 to 69 years in Norway

Background: Cervical cancer screening programs are facing a programmatic shift where screening protocol based on human papillomavirus testing (HPV-Screening protocol) is replacing the liquid-based cytology (LBC-Screening protocol). For safe technology transfer within the nationwide screening programme in Norway, HPV-Screening protocol was implemented randomized to compare the real-world effectiveness of HPV-Screening protocol and LBC-Screening protocol at the first screening round. Methods: Among 302,295 women ages 34 to 69 years scheduled to attend screening from February 2015 to June 2017, 157,447 attended. A total of 77,207 were randomly allocated to the HPV-Screening protocol and 80,240 were allocated to the LBC-Screening protocol. All women were followed up for 18 months. Results: The HPV-Screening protocol resulted in a relative increase of 60% in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or worse [risk ratio (RR) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5–1.7], 40% in CIN grade 3 or worse (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3–1.6), 40% in cancer (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–2.1), and 60% in colposcopy referrals (RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.5–1.6) compared with LBC-Screening. The performance of both protocols was age dependent, being more effective in women ages under 50 years. Conclusions: The HPV-Screening protocol was well accepted by women in Norway and detected more CIN2, CIN3, and cancers compared with the LBC-Screening protocol. Impact: A randomized implementation of the HPV-Screening protocol with real-world assessment enabled a gradual, quality assured, and safe technology transition. HPV-based screening protocol may further be improved by using HPV genotyping and age-specific referral algorithms.publishedVersio

Training approaches for the dissemination of clinical guidelines for NSSI: a quasi-experimental trial.

BACKGROUND Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is of high clinical relevance due to its high prevalence and negative long-term implications. In 2016, the German consensus-based clinical guidelines for diagnostic, assessment and treatment of NSSI in childhood and adolescence were published. However, research indicates that clinical guidelines are often poorly implemented in clinical practice. One crucial part of this process is the training of healthcare professionals to transfer knowledge and capacities to bring guideline recommendations into clinical practice. METHODS The effect of three different dissemination strategies (printed educational material, e-learning, and blended-learning) on the NSSI guidelines´ recommendations was examined among 671 physicians and psychotherapists via an online-survey. The quasi-experimental study included three measurement points (before the training, after the training, 3-month follow-up) and mixed effects models were used to test for changes in knowledge, competences and attitudes toward NSSI and treatment. Moreover, the transfer of gained competences to practical work and user satisfaction were reviewed. RESULTS With all three training formats, the intended changes of the outcome variables could be observed. Hereby, the printed educational material condition showed the lowest improvement in the scores for the 'negative attitudes toward NSSI and those who self-injure'. The training effect remained stable throughout the follow-up measurement. The highest application rate of acquired intervention techniques in clinical practice was reported for the blended-learning condition. For all three training strategies, user satisfaction was high and evaluation of training quality was positive, with printed educational material receiving the lowest and blended-learning the highest evaluations. CONCLUSIONS In summary, all three training formats were perceived to be of high quality and seem to be suited to cover the needs of a heterogeneous group of physicians and psychotherapists. The choice of training method could be driven by considering which training goals are desired to be achieved and by the benefit-cost ratio allowing for tailored training approaches

Anti-CD3 antibody treatment reduces scar formation in a rat model of myocardial infarction

Introduction: Antibody treatment with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) has been shown to be cardioprotective. We aimed to evaluate which single anti-T-cell epitope antibody alters chemokine expression at a level similar to ATG and identified CD3, which is a T-cell co-receptor mediating T-cell activation. Based on these results, the effects of anti-CD3 antibody treatment on angiogenesis and cardioprotection were tested in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Concentrations of IL-8 and MCP-1 in supernatants of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures following distinct antibody treatments were evaluated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In vivo, anti-CD3 antibodies or vehicle were injected intravenously in rats subjected to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Chemotaxis and angiogenesis were evaluated using tube and migration assays. Intracellular pathways were assessed using Western blot. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were quantitatively evaluated using fluorescence-activated cell scanning, exoELISA, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Also, microRNA profiles were determined by next-generation sequencing. Results: Only PBMC stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody led to IL-8 and MCP-1 changes in secretion, similar to ATG. In a rat model of AMI, systemic treatment with an anti-CD3 antibody markedly reduced infarct scar size (27.8% (Inter-quartile range; IQR 16.2–34.9) vs. 12.6% (IQR 8.3–27.2); p < 0.01). The secretomes of anti-CD3 treated PBMC neither induced cardioprotective pathways in cardiomyocytes nor pro-angiogenic mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) in vitro. While EVs quantities remained unchanged, PBMC incubation with an anti-CD3 antibody led to alterations in EVs miRNA expression. Conclusion: Treatment with an anti-CD3 antibody led to decreased scar size in a rat model of AMI. Whereas cardioprotective and pro-angiogenetic pathways were unaltered by anti-CD3 treatment, qualitative changes in the EVs miRNA expression could be observed, which might be causal for the observed cardioprotective phenotype. We provide evidence that EVs are a potential cardioprotective treatment target. Our findings will also provide the basis for a more detailed analysis of putatively relevant miRNA candidates

Hybrid bioactive hydrogels containing single-walled carbon nanotubes covalently integrated via strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition

A non-photochemical and metal-free orthogonal route for the covalent incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes into a κ-carrageenan-based bioactive hydrogel scaffold is reported. The characterization of materials was carried out by usual analytical techniques and hybrid biohydrogels were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity on HeLa cell lines. The results revealed a significant antiproliferative effect instead of additional cytotoxicity with respect to native hydrogels.Peer reviewe