Analysis of composite plates through cell-based smoothed finite element and 4-noded mixed interpolation of tensorial components techniques

The static bending and the free vibration analysis of composite plates are performed with Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF). We combine the cell-based smoothed finite element method (CSFEM) and the 4-noded mixed interpolation of tensorial components approach (MITC4). The smoothing method is used for the approximation of the bending strains, whilst the mixed interpolation allows the calculation of the shear transverse stress in a different manner. With a few numerical examples, the accuracy and the efficiency of the approach is demonstrated. The insensitiveness to shear locking is also demonstrated. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Analysis of composite plates by a unified formulation-cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent elements

In this article, we combine Carrera’s Unified Formulation (CUF) [13] and [7] and cell based smoothed finite element method [28] for studying the static bending and the free vibration of thin and thick laminated plates. A 4-noded quadrilateral element based on the field consistency requirement is used for this study to suppress the shear locking phenomenon. The combination of cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent approach with CUF allows a very accurate prediction of field variables. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach are demonstrated through numerical experiments

Impact of clinical phenotypes on management and outcomes in European atrial fibrillation patients: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry

Background: Epidemiological studies in atrial fibrillation (AF) illustrate that clinical complexity increase the risk of major adverse outcomes. We aimed to describe European AF patients\u2019 clinical phenotypes and analyse the differential clinical course. Methods: We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Ward\u2019s Method and Squared Euclidean Distance using 22 clinical binary variables, identifying the optimal number of clusters. We investigated differences in clinical management, use of healthcare resources and outcomes in a cohort of European AF patients from a Europe-wide observational registry. Results: A total of 9363 were available for this analysis. We identified three clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 3634; 38.8%) characterized by older patients and prevalent non-cardiac comorbidities; Cluster 2 (n = 2774; 29.6%) characterized by younger patients with low prevalence of comorbidities; Cluster 3 (n = 2955;31.6%) characterized by patients\u2019 prevalent cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities. Over a mean follow-up of 22.5 months, Cluster 3 had the highest rate of cardiovascular events, all-cause death, and the composite outcome (combining the previous two) compared to Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 (all P <.001). An adjusted Cox regression showed that compared to Cluster 2, Cluster 3 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27\u20133.62; HR 3.42, 95%CI 2.72\u20134.31; HR 2.79, 95%CI 2.32\u20133.35), and Cluster 1 (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.48\u20132.38; HR 2.50, 95%CI 1.98\u20133.15; HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.74\u20132.51) reported a higher risk for the three outcomes respectively. Conclusions: In European AF patients, three main clusters were identified, differentiated by differential presence of comorbidities. Both non-cardiac and cardiac comorbidities clusters were found to be associated with an increased risk of major adverse outcomes

Green synthesis of LaCrO3 powder mediated by the extract of the Amazon rainforest native plant Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel and their photocatalytic activity

Lanthanum chromite (LaCrO3) powder was successfully synthesized by plant-extract-assisted sol–gel method using milk of Janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel) as an eco-effective chelating agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed an orthorhombic crystalline structure, with average crystallite and particle sizes of ~40 and ~640 nm, respectively, confirming the obtaining of LaCrO3 powder. UV–vis absorption spectrum reveals a band with a well-defined maximum in the range of 230–350 nm, with an optical band-gap energy value of 3.33 eV. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MB in the presence of LaCrO3 as photocatalyst after 120 min of illumination (in low light intensity of 2.87 Wcm−2) was 6.3%. Therefore, our study provides preliminary evidence that the LaCrO3 powder is a potential photocatalyst for MB dye degradation, a pigment widely used by the textile industry that generates large amounts of effluents to be treated. Finally, the present synthesis proposal presents a cheap and eco-friendly alternative for the production of LaCrO3 powder

Consumo de volumosos, produção e composição físico-química do leite de cabras F1 Boer × Saanen Roughage intake, milk yield and physicochemical composition from F1 Boer × Saanen goats

Avaliaram-se os efeitos do fornecimento de volumosos suplementares sobre o consumo, a produção e a composição físico-química do leite de cabras F1 (Boer &#215;Saanen). Utilizaram-se 18 cabras distribuídas em três baias, recebendo como suplemento, à vontade, silagem de sorgo, silagem de milho ou feno de amoreira com controle diário do consumo de matéria seca. A média diária para produção semanal foi calculada reunindo-se dados leiteiros em três períodos pós-parto: 1 (34 a 40 dias/7 dias); 2 [(64 a 70 dias/7 dias) + (91 a 97 dias)/7 dias)]/2; e 3 (125 a 131 dias/7 dias) e a média pontual diária do período pelas datas de referência dos períodos da média diária para produção semanal, que foi correlacionada à composição de gordura, proteína, lactose e extrato seco total e à contagem de células somáticas. Os dados semanais de acidez e densidade foram agrupados em 37, 81&plusmn;13, 128 e 151&plusmn;10 dias pós-parto. Com modelos mistos, o animal foi computado como aleatório e os efeitos fixos foram três suplementos e três períodos (composição, médias diárias as produções semanal e do período) ou quatro (acidez e densidade). O consumo de feno de amoreira (0,657 kg) superou o de silagem de milho (0,604 kg), que foi superior ao de silagem de sorgo (0,305 kg). No período 2, a composição em extrato etéreo foi menor, em razão do decréscimo de gordura e lactose. No período 3, a composição em proteína e a acidez aumentaram e a densidade foi maior nos períodos 1 (1,0270) e 3 (1,0277). A mamite aumentou a CCS no período 2. Para proteína, o tipo de suplemento não foi significativo, mas houve efeito da interação período pós-parto &#215;suplemento. As demais variáveis não foram influenciadas pelo tipo de suplemento, apenas pelo período pós-parto. O feno de amoreira aumenta o consumo suplementar pelas cabras em relação às silagens de milho e sorgo, mas não melhora as médias de produção e composição do leite. Cabras Boer &#215;Saanen em pastejo e sob suplementação têm bom potencial leiteiro.<br>The effects were assessed of supplying supplementary roughage on intake, milk yield and milk physical and chemical composition in F1 (Boer &#215;Saanen) goats. Eighteen females were placed in three stalls, and received as ad libitum supplement sorghum silage, corn silage and mulberry hay (MHT), with daily control of dry matter intake. The average daily production per week was calculated by gathering the milk data in three post-parturition periods: 1 (34-40 days/7 days); 2 [(64-70 days/7 days) + (91-97 days)/7 days)]/2 and 3 (125-131 days/7 days). Daily spot-average of each period (DSAP) was calculated from the reference dates of average daily production per week, that was correlated with the composition of fat, protein, lactose, total solids composition and the somatic cell count. The weekly data for acidity and density were grouped in 37, 81&plusmn;13, 128 and 151&plusmn;10 days post-parturition. Using mixed models, the animal was computed as random and the fixed effects were three supplements and three periods (composition, average daily production per week and per period) or four (acidity and density). Mulberry hay intake (0.657 kg) was greater than corn silage (0.604 kg) that was greater than sorghum silage (0.305 kg). In period 2, the ether extract composition was smaller because of the decrease in fat and lactose. In period 3, protein and acidity increased and density was great in periods 1 (1.0270) and 3 (1.0277). Mastitis increased SCC in period 2. The type of supplement was not significant for protein, but there was post partum period &#215;supplement effect. The other variables were not influenced by the type of supplement, only by the post-partum period. Mulberry hay increased the supplement intake by the goats compared to corn and sorghum silage, but it did not improve milk yield = means and composition. Grazing Boer &#215;Saanen goats with supplementation have good milk production potential

Impact of malignancy on outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the ESC‐EHRA EURObservational research programme in atrial fibrillation general long‐term registry

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