Topographic and Electrochemical Ti6Al4V Alloy Surface Characterization in Dry and Wet Reciprocating Sliding

This present paper shows the behavior of functional integrity of the state Ti6Al4V alloy under reciprocating sliding wear conditions in acomparative way for two different counter materials, steel and ceramicballs in dry and corrosive environment (3.5% NaCl). The surface integrity analysis of the dry reciprocating wear tests was based on the evolution of The roughness parameters with the applied load. In the case of reciprocating wear tests in corrosive environment the surface integrity analysis was based on electrochemical parameters. Comparative analysis of the evolution of the roughness parameters with the applied load shows a higher stability of the Ti6Al4V/Al2O3 contact pair, while from the point of view of the electrochemical parameters the Tribological properties are worse than Ti6Al4V/steel ball contact pair

Pengaruh Penambahan Abu Sekam Padi Dan Abu Terbang Batubara Terhadap Kekuatan Tekan Dan Porositas Genteng Tanah Liat Kabupaten Pringsewu

Rice husk ash and prosperous coal fly ash silica (SiO2). Silica-term construction, concrete technology has been used primarily as an additive. Husk ash and coal fly ash is used as an additive clay roof tile manufacturing process. It is made by compounding of clay, sand, water and husk ash. Then, they are mashed by extruder machine and forming of kuweh and then, airing for three days before the process of stamping. The roof tile is dried for four days then there is fumigation for twelve days and continued by combustion for also twelve days. The examination which used is press and porosity examination with the aim of knowing whether there is additional impact of rice\u27 husk ash\u27 existence or not into clay roof tile in Kabupaten Pringsewu. The research\u27s results showed that there is conversion of press and porosity power compared with roof tile rice\u27s husk ash composition. The optimum value for the press and examination of porosity obtained from the tile with a composition of 5% rice husk ash and 5% coal fly ash \u27with an average of 12.253 KPa press strength and porosity values average value of 18.06%. The minimum value for the press obtained from the tile with a composition of 5% rice husk ash and 2,5% coal fly ash with the press power\u27s average value 9.757 KPa. The minimum value for porosity from the tile with a composition of 5% rice husk ash and 7,5% coal fly ash with the porosity average value 23.78%

Model Pendidikan Karakter Untuk Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan

: This study aims to develop a model of character education for vocational school in Yogyakarta by using norms and local wisdoms of Yogyakarta as the approach to examine the appropriateness of the model developed. The steps taken to formulate the character education are: (i) doing literature research, (ii conducting interviews, and (iii) formulate a model of character education. The instrument used to obtain the data is a list of interview questions. The formulation of the character education model developed consists of objectives, contents, methods, environments, tools, educators, and students as character education participants

Sensitive Detection and Early Prognostic Significance of p24 Antigen in Heat-Denatured Plasma of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Infants

Immune complex formation causes underdetection of p24 antigen in human immunodeficiencyvirus(HIV)infection.Brieflyboilingdilutedplasma releasesallcomplexedantigen, which can then be measured by some commercial assays. In a retrospective pediatric cohort study, the specificity of this procedure in 390 uninfected samples was 96.9% after initial testing and 100% after neutralization. Sensitivity among 125 postnatal infected samples was, at a detection of 2 pg/ml., 96.0% (97% neutralizable) compared with 47.7% for regular antigen (76% neutralizable), 96% for polymerase chain reaction, and 77% for viral culture. The high sensitivity and specificity of heat-denatured antigen was confirmed by prospectively testing 113 additional samples.Quantitativeanalysisofsamplesfrominfectedinfants showedlowlevelsofp24 antigen in 29% of cord blood sera, a postnatal increase to levels that were during the first 6 months of life inversely associated with survival, and persistence of antigenemia thereafter independent of clinical status. Prevalence and antigen levels were significantly lower in mothers. The persistent antigenemia in children indicates that their immune systems cannot restrict HIV expression as efficiently as those of adult

Tribocorrosion behaviour of hot pressed CoCrMo−Al2O3 composites for biomedical applications

Alumina/alumina wear couple can lower the wear rates and thus metallic ion releasing on load bearing metallic implant materials. However, the low fracture toughness of ceramics is still a major concern. Therefore, the present study aims to process and to triboelectrochemically characterise the 5 and 10 vol.-%Al2O3 reinforced CoCrMo matrix composites. Corrosion and tribocorrosion behaviour of the composites were investigated in 8 g L21 NaCl solution at body temperature. Corroded and worn surfaces were investigated by a field emission gun scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After tribocorrosion experi- ments, wear rates were calculated using a profilometer. Results suggest that Al2O3 particle addition decreased the tendency of CoCrMo alloy to corrosion under both static and tribocorrosion conditions. However, no significant influence on the corrosion and wear rates was observed in composites mainly due to increased porosity and insufficient matrix/ reinforcement bonding.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal), under project no. EXCL/EMS-TEC/0460/2012, and The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation through 'Programa de Mobilidade Academica para Professores'. The authors also would like to thank Professor A. Ramalho (Universidade de Coimbra) for the provision of profilometry facilities

Phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites: Eco-environmental concerns, field studies, sustainability issues and future prospects

Environmental contamination due to heavy metals (HMs) is of serious ecotoxicological concern worldwide because of their increasing use at industries. Due to non-biodegradable and persistent nature, HMs cause serious soil/water pollution and severe health hazards in living beings upon exposure. HMs can be genotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic in nature even at low concentration. They may also act as endocrine disruptors and induce developmental as well as neurological disorders and thus, their removal from our natural environment is crucial for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites. To cope with HM pollution, phytoremediation has emerged as a low-cost and eco-sustainable solution to conventional physico-chemical cleanup methods that require high capital investment and labor alter soil properties and disturb soil microflora. Phytoremediation is a green technology wherein plants and associated microbes are used to remediate HM-contaminated sites to safeguard the environment and protect public health. Hence, in view of the above, the present paper aims to examine the feasibility of phytoremediation as a sustainable remediation technology for the management of metals-contaminated sites. Therefore, this paper provides an in-depth review on both the conventional and novel phytoremediation approaches, evaluate their efficacy to remove toxic metals from our natural environment, explore current scientific progresses, field experiences and sustainability issues and revise world over trends in phytoremediation research for its wider recognition and public acceptance as a sustainable remediation technology for the management of contaminated sites in 21st century

Final results from the PERUSE study of first-line pertuzumab plus trastuzumab plus a taxane for HER2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, with a multivariable approach to guide prognostication

Background: The phase III CLinical Evaluation Of Pertuzumab And TRAstuzumab (CLEOPATRA) trial established the combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel as standard first-line therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally recurrent/metastatic breast cancer (LR/mBC). The multicentre single-arm PERtUzumab global SafEty (PERUSE) study assessed the safety and efficacy of pertuzumab and trastuzumab combined with investigator-selected taxane in this setting. Patients and methods: Eligible patients with inoperable HER2-positive LR/mBC and no prior systemic therapy for LR/mBC (except endocrine therapy) received docetaxel, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel with trastuzumab and pertuzumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Prespecified subgroup analyses included subgroups according to taxane, hormone receptor (HR) status and prior trastuzumab. Exploratory univariable analyses identified potential prognostic factors; those that remained significant in multivariable analysis were used to analyse PFS and OS in subgroups with all, some or none of these factors. Results: Of 1436 treated patients, 588 (41%) initially received paclitaxel and 918 (64%) had HR-positive disease. The most common grade 653 adverse events were neutropenia (10%, mainly with docetaxel) and diarrhoea (8%). At the final analysis (median follow-up: 5.7 years), median PFS was 20.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.9-23.1] months overall and was similar irrespective of HR status or taxane. Median OS was 65.3 (95% CI 60.9-70.9) months overall. OS was similar regardless of taxane backbone but was more favourable in patients with HR-positive than HR-negative LR/mBC. In exploratory analyses, trastuzumab-pretreated patients with visceral disease had the shortest median PFS (13.1 months) and OS (46.3 months). Conclusions: Mature results from PERUSE show a safety and efficacy profile consistent with results from CLEOPATRA and median OS exceeding 5 years. Results suggest that paclitaxel is a valid alternative to docetaxel as backbone chemotherapy. Exploratory analyses suggest risk factors that could guide future trial design