Thermal and residual stress anlayses of a welded stainless steel plate

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.In this study, a welding simulation was analyzed numerically by using finite element method. Two-dimensional model of butt welded plate was conducted in ANSYS finite element package software. Transient thermal distribution on ST-37 plate was obtained for all time intervals until it reaches environment temperature. The initial temperature of ST-37 was considered 300 K, whilst the temperature of welded zone was assumed to be 1773 K. The enthalpy and density of the welded zone material were assumed to have temperature dependent values, although the non-welded zone of the steel was considered to have constant values. In accordance to this, plastic stresses were presented base on the elasto-plastic bilinear material behavior using structural analysis. Finally, residual stresses were found out by removing loads on the butt welded plate. Changing of residual stresses and spread of plastic zones according to cooling time were investigated.dc201

Effects of Prolonged Intravenous Flunixin Meglumine in Healthy Dogs

This study was designed to evaluate possible side effects on liver and kidney functions and haematological indices, associated with long-term intravenous (IV) administration of flunixin meglumine in healthy dogs. For this purpose, 12 dogs were divided into 2 equal groups. Group 1 was intravenously given flunixin meglumine at the dose of 1.1 mg/kg/day for 5 days and g-roup 11 received 2.2 mg/kg/day IV for 5 days. Blood samples were withdrawn before treatment (day 0), 2 h post injection on each day of treatment and one day after the last injection for biochemical (glucose, sodium-Na, potassium-K, chloride-Cl, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase-AP, alanine amino transferase-ALT and total protein) and haematological (bleeding time, coagulation time, red blood cell, white blood cell, platelet count, differential leukocyte count, haematocrit and haemoglobin) analyses. Faecal and urine samples were collected on the same days as blood samples for the presence of any abnormalities. The results revealed a significant increase in bleeding (P < 0.001) and coagulation time (P < 0.001) and a decrease in platelet count (P < 0.001) in both groups. There was also a significant increase in the concentration of Na and Cl in group 1 and an elevation in AP (P < 0.00 07 ALT (P < 0.001) and glucose (P < 0.001) in group II. Blood in urine and faeces was also evident in both groups. The results may suggest that the dose of 1.1 mg/kg IV for 5 d does not cause any significant side effects provided that no bleeding disorder exists. and the dose of 2.2 mg/kg IV for 5 d should not exceed 3 d as liver enzymes began to increase significantly afterwards

Abscess in Adenomyosis Mimicking a Malignancy in a 54-Year-Old Woman

Background: Although there are a few reports describing abscess formation in endometriotic foci no report of abscess formation arising de novo within adenomyosis appears in the literature. Preoperative diagnosis of adenomyosis is frequently difficult because of non-specific signs and symptoms. Synchronous pelvic pathologies such as leiomyoma, endometrial polyp, endometrial hyperplasia, as well as endometrial cancer may cause differential diagnostic problems. Case: A 54-year-old postmenopausal woman complaining of inguinal pain, nightsweats and hot flashes is presented. Radiologic examinations of the pelvis revealed a 95 × 85 mm leiomyoma-like lesion including a 53 × 43 mmcystic space and 9 × 6 mmpapillary formation within the uterus raising clinical suspicion of malignancy. A total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed accompanied by a frozen section diagnosis. The frozen section revealed an abscess formation arising in a focus of adenomyosis. The postoperative period of the patient was uneventful. Conclusion : The present case, to our knowledge, is the first report representing abscess formation in adenomyosis. Abscess arising within adenomyosis can strongly raise the suspicion of endometrial cancer, particularly if the patient is postmenopausal. If endometrial cancer cannot be ruled out with definitive histopathological diagnosis in the preoperative period, a frozen section becomes mandatory during surgical intervention

Interoperable E-Health System Using Structural and Semantic Interoperability Approaches in CAREPATH

Technical and semantic interoperability are broadly used components of interoperability technology in healthcare. Technical Interoperability provides interoperability interfaces to enable data exchange within different healthcare systems, despite any underlying heterogeneity. Semantic interoperability make different healthcare systems understand and interpret the meaning of the data that is exchanged, by using and mapping standardized terminologies, coding systems, and data models to describe the concept and structure of data. We propose a solution using Semantic and Structural Mapping techniques within CAREPATH; a research project designed to develop ICT solutions for the care management of elderly multimorbid patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Our technical interoperability solution supplies a standard-based data exchange protocol to enable information exchange between local care systems and CAREPATH components. Our semantic interoperability solution supplies programmable interfaces, in order to semantically mediate different clinical data representation formats and incorporating data format and terminology mapping features. The solution offers a more reliable, flexible and resource efficient method across EHRs.</p

Facilitating coordinated care for multi-morbidity patients through integrated preventive Clinical Decision Support (C3-Cloud)

Introduction: A growing share of the population in OECD countries is of age 65 and over, expected to reach 22% by 2030 (compared to 15% in 2010). Life expectancy has also significantly increased. People at age of 65 are expected to live for an average of 21 and 17 years for women and men; an almost 40% increase since 1960. The profound success in improving life expectancy has resulted in a new set of challenges. Challenge: Shift of resources was necessary, redirected to address the complex needs of multi-morbidity patients. Furthermore, patients’ needs are not effectively met by current care models, which tend to operate in isolation. This results in static services that patients need to wander. It is common for patients to revisit all levels of care discussing their needs, and reconciling potentially conflicting objectives amongst their conditions (e.g., incompatible lifestyle goals, adverse drug effects and side-effects, undetected conditions). Optimal collaboration and coordination between professionals in the delivery of integrated care have become essential requirements for the provision of high-quality care. Coordinated care aims for the orderly arrangement of individual and group efforts providing unity of action in pursuit of a common goal. Method: C3-Cloud is an e-health based ICT system, offering integrated, patient-centred care, considering all aspects of multi-morbidity and creating a collaborative environment, for all involved stakeholders. The navel of the system consists of the patient care plan, a digital shared picture of the patients’ needs and care regime. The care plan allows all professionals to review and understand the implications of one condition in the presence of others; this by its nature is complex, containing a considerable amount of diverse information. Navigating, understanding, and interpreting all the information can be confounding. The C3-Cloud Clinical Decision Support Service (CDS) offers an automated means of interpreting the available data. CDSS connects to the care plan repository, and continuously searches records for relevant data. The algorithms and integration of recommendations to the service were reviewed and validated by clinicians. Human computer interaction methods were employed to ensure optimal interaction between C3-Cloud and its users. Results: C3-Cloud offers CDSS for diabetes, renal failure, depression and congenital heart failure, with over 300 rules and checks that deliver four best practice guidelines in parallel; whilst reconciling their objectives, and monitoring their outcomes. It creates warnings or recommendations for the patient as well as for formal and informal carers. Discussion and Conclusions: C3-Cloud offers a powerful way to ensure that subtle, as well as critical, information about the patient, is presented to healthcare professionals, along with guideline based recommendations. The rules reconcile potential conflicts amongst conditions. Combined with a single patient and professionals interface, it provides a seamless experience throughout the health and care service. The C3-Cloud CDS service provides support to three pilot sites throughout Europe, currently undergoing evaluation. Acknowledgements: C3-Cloud is funded from the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation project C3-Cloud, under grant agreement No 6891810. This abstract is based on the work and material of the entire C3-Cloud consortium

Clinical and parasitological detection of babesia canis canis in dogs: first report from turkey

This study was aimed to describe clinical, biochemical and haemathological findings in three dogs with Babesia canis canis diagnosed by Giemsa staining and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods. In Case I and II severe icterus, anemia, haemoglobinemia, haemoglobinuria, thrombocytopenia, tachypnea, tachycardia, liver damage and myositis were determined. In addition in Case I cholecystitis and in Case II renal damage were developed. In Case III mild anemia and icterus along with liver damage and myositis were developed and clinical signs were mild. Following treatment Case II and III completely recovered while Case I died. In conclusion, B. canis canis has been determined clinically and parasitologically for first time in Turkey

Perillyl alcohol in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN-PA): Cytotoxicity and antitumor potential in sarcoma 180 mice model

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. These cells invade organs and tissues by extension or direct dissemination and can spread to other regions of the body. Nanomedicine offers many possibilities to prevent the spread of cancer tissue and help cure the disease. In this work, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were used to encapsulate perillyl alcohol (PA), a volatile monoterpene with proven anticancer activity. Encapsulation of PA into SLN (SLN-PA) is expected to promote controlled release, increase PA bioavailability, and impair the volatility of the monoterpene. SLN-PA prepared by high-shear homogenization showed average particle diameter around 254 nm, polydispersity index ~ 0.35, zeta potential ~ -14.7 mV, and encapsulation efficiency 84.6%. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed a decrease in crystallinity, suggesting the encapsulation of PA in the SLN, confirming the spherical shape and the loading of the monoterpene in the SLN. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against murine fibroblasts (L929) showed that SLN-PA in both treated doses did not induce any cytotoxicity on non-tumoral cells. In vivo antitumor effect of the SLN-PA was evaluated in sarcoma 180-transplanted mice. The in vivo results demonstrated a significant tumor inhibition rate of 51.76 and 54.49% via intraperitoneal application of SLN-PA at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day (p < 0.05), respective when compared to the negative control (dimethyl sulfoxide). Adverse side effects of SLN-PA were not noticed in the liver, the kidney, or spleen tissue. The developed SLN-PA can be considered as a safe approach for site-specific antitumor effect in vivo, reinterpreting new nanoparticles- based cancer therapy.This work was supported by the Banco do Nordeste (grant FUNDECI/2016.0015), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe (Fapitec) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Eliana B. Souto would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT) and from European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE) for the project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Design, implementation and usability analysis of patient empowerment in ADLIFE project via patient reported outcome measures and shared decision making

Introduction: This paper outlines the design, implementation, and usability study results of the patient empowerment process for chronic disease management, using Patient Reported Outcome Measurements and Shared Decision-Making Processes. Background: The ADLIFE project aims to develop innovative, digital health solutions to support personalized, integrated care for patients with severe long-term conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and/or Chronic Heart Failure. Successful long-term management of patients with chronic conditions requires active patient self-management and a proactive involvement of patients in their healthcare and treatment. This calls for a patient-provider partnership within an integrated system of collaborative care, supporting self-management, shared-decision making, collection of patient reported outcome measures, education, and follow-up. Methods: ADLIFE follows an outcome-based and patient-centered approach where PROMs represent an especially valuable tool to evaluate the outcomes of the care delivered. We have selected 11 standardized PROMs for evaluating the most recent patients’ clinical context, enabling the decision-making process, and personalized care planning. The ADLIFE project implements the "SHARE approach’ for enabling shared decision-making via two digital platforms for healthcare professionals and patients. We have successfully integrated PROMs and shared decision-making processes into our digital toolbox, based on an international interoperability standard, namely HL7 FHIR. A usability study was conducted with 3 clinical sites with 20 users in total to gather feedback and to subsequently prioritize updates to the ADLIFE toolbox. Results: User satisfaction is measured in the QUIS7 questionnaire on a 9-point scale in the following aspects: overall reaction, screen, terminology and tool feedback, learning, multimedia, training material and system capabilities. With all the average scores above 6 in all categories, most respondents have a positive reaction to the ADLIFE PEP platform and find it easy to use. We have identified shortcomings and have prioritized updates to the platform before clinical pilot studies are initiated. Conclusions: Having finalized design, implementation, and pre-deployment usability studies, and updated the tool based on further feedback, our patient empowerment mechanisms enabled via PROMs and shared decision-making processes are ready to be piloted in clinal settings. Clinical studies will be conducted based at six healthcare settings across Spain, UK, Germany, Denmark, and Israel

Physiological, Biochemical, and Transcriptional Responses to Single and Combined Abiotic Stress in Stress-Tolerant and Stress-Sensitive Potato Genotypes

Potato production is often constrained by abiotic stresses such as drought and high temperatures which are often present in combination. In the present work, we aimed to identify key mechanisms and processes underlying single and combined abiotic stress tolerance by comparative analysis of tolerant and susceptible cultivars. Physiological data indicated that the cultivars Desiree and Unica were stress tolerant while Agria and Russett Burbank were stress susceptible. Abiotic stress caused a greater reduction of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in the susceptible cultivars which was associated with a lower leaf transpiration rate. Oxidative stress, as estimated by the accumulation of malondialdehyde was not induced by stress treatments in any of the genotypes with the exception of drought stress in Russett Burbank. Stress treatment resulted in increases in ascorbate peroxidase activity in all cultivars except Agria which increased catalase activity in response to stress. Transcript profiling highlighted a decrease in the abundance of transcripts encoding proteins associated with PSII light harvesting complex in stress tolerant cultivars. Furthermore, stress tolerant cultivars accumulated fewer transcripts encoding a type-1 metacaspase implicated in programmed cell death. Stress tolerant cultivars exhibited stronger expression of genes associated with plant growth and development, hormone metabolism and primary and secondary metabolism than stress susceptible cultivars. Metabolite profiling revealed accumulation of proline in all genotypes following drought stress that was partially suppressed in combined heat and drought. On the contrary, the sugar alcohols inositol and mannitol were strongly accumulated under heat and combined heat and drought stress while galactinol was most strongly accumulated under drought. Combined heat and drought also resulted in the accumulation of Valine, isoleucine, and lysine in all genotypes. These data indicate that single and multiple abiotic stress tolerance in potato is associated with a maintenance of CO2 assimilation and protection of PSII by a reduction of light harvesting capacity. The data further suggests that stress tolerant cultivars suppress cell death and maintain growth and development via fine tuning of hormone signaling, and primary and secondary metabolism. This study highlights potential targets for the development of stress tolerant potato cultivars