Functional characterization of Genlisea aurea (S8E8K3) protein

This work predicts the functions of Genlisea aurea (S8E8K3) protein. Identification of corresponding proteins, conserved domains, functions and pedigree tree of target and corresponding proteins was obtained. Uniprot database, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and Clustal Omega were used in this study. Results indicated that proteins from Sesamum indicum (XP011073982.1), Erythranthe guttate (XP012836557.1), Handroanthus impetiginosus (PIN05468.1) and Olea europaea var. sylvestris (XP022874946.1) showed 91%, 90%, 89% and 87% similarity, respectively, to S8E8K3. Model proteins all possessed WD40 domain. All model proteins functioned as ribonucleoprotein and phylogenetic tree showed that all proteins had eukaryotic origin. Therefore, S8E8K3 is and performs the role of a ribonucleoprotein

Functional characterization of Genlisea aurea (S8E8K3) protein

This work predicts the functions of Genlisea aurea (S8E8K3) protein. Identification of corresponding proteins, conserved domains, functions and pedigree tree of target and corresponding proteins was obtained. Uniprot database, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and Clustal Omega were used in this study. Results indicated that proteins from Sesamum indicum (XP011073982.1), Erythranthe guttate (XP012836557.1), Handroanthus impetiginosus (PIN05468.1) and Olea europaea var. sylvestris (XP022874946.1) showed 91%, 90%, 89% and 87% similarity, respectively, to S8E8K3. Model proteins all possessed WD40 domain. All model proteins functioned as ribonucleoprotein and phylogenetic tree showed that all proteins had eukaryotic origin. Therefore, S8E8K3 is and performs the role of a ribonucleoprotein

Effects Of Induction Heating On Thixoformed MWCNT-Al Alloy Composite

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of vertical induction heating on MWCNT-Al alloy composite during thixoforming. Several feedstocks of MWCNT-A356 alloy composite with a non-dendritic microstructure were prepared using a mechanical stirring of liquid casting. During thixoforming, the feedstocks were reheated up to the 50 % liquid fraction in the semi-solid state at 580 °C and compress into an upper mold. The heat distribution is determined by analyzing the microstructures and densities throughout the cross-sectional of the feedstock. After that, real time temperature monitoring is carried out using the EPAD-Base2 data acquisition systems, optical microscopic observations and electronic densimeter measurements were used, respectively at its surface, top, center, and bottom locations. The results show that the temperatures distribution is consistent with only ± 10 °C variation. The homogeneous heat distribution has also been observed by the similar coarsening rates of α-Al grain after thixoforming with the average grain diameter of 37.9 ± 22.8 µm and spherical factor (SF) of 0.564 ± 0.127, and the densities are almost identical of 2.675 ± 0.009 g/cm3, 2.676 ± 0.011 g/cm3 and 2.676 ± 0.007 g/cm3 at these locations. Therefore, the vertical induction heating in this study is suitable for thixoforming of the composite aluminium alloy

Influence Of Point And Helix Angle On Thrust Force And Delamination For One-Shot Drilling Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)

Drilling operation for CFRP parts in the aircraft industry assembly line is unavoidable. Delamination frequently occurs during drilling holes in CFRP and reduces the ability of CFRP parts to carry loads and affects its service life spend. Drill reamer is enhancing the drill bits option for oneshot drilling to save time and cost. This article aims to investigate the influence on the variation of point and helix angle of drill reamer to thrust force and delamination damage. Different drills with the variation of point and helix angle were used to drill unidirectional CFRP laminates panel separately. From the thrust force curve graph, drilling using drill reamer can be divided into three main stages. Point angle geometrical feature influence in stage I while, helix angle in stage III, whereas stage II act as an opener for the drilled hole. Its found that point angle in drill reamer act as pilot drill and helix angle significantly affect to drilled holes quality. Variation of point angle features affected the thrust force measurement for stage I of drilling. The minor righthand side helix angle reduces the delamination compared to straight flute but negatively affected when major helix angle applied. The suitable combination of drill reamers’ geometry features will enhance overall drilling qualities

Investigation Of Mechanical & Wear Characteristics Of T6 Heat Treated Thixoformed Aluminium Alloy Composite

Thixoforming of aluminium alloy has been making a strong presence in the near net shape part production for the automotive and aerospace industries due to its process superior properties output in comparison to the other conventional methods. Improvement of the properties would surely further add to the already advantageous process above others.This study investigates the mechanical and wear behaviours of thixoformed Al-Si-Cu alloy when multi-walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNT) infusing into the thixoforming process. A new approach established using the mechanical stirring casting techniques produces a well-bind composite mixture of non-dendritic aluminium mixed with different content (0.5, and 0.75) of MWCNTs. The approach enclosed the MWCNTs with 0.5wt.% of Magnesium (Mg) powder as a wetting agentinto an aluminium wrapping and stirred it with LM4 for 10 and 15 min interval inside a furnace. The feedstock produced would be thixoformed before finally being applying T5 and T6 heat treatment. The microstructure of eacH specimens is characterised while the mechanical (tensile and hardness) and wear properties aremeasured according to each requirement. The outcome shows formation of non-dendritic microstructure with homogeneous distribution phase of the MWCNTs within it. The DOE analysis of the highest MWCNT content and stirring time after a T6 heat treatment reveals the highest hardness and UTS result of 94.6 HV and 246.2 MPa respectively. The Taguchi analysis also reveals that heat treatment was the most significant factor contributing towards the improvement. The heat-treated samples increase the hardness and tensile strength approximately 30% compared to an as-cast and give around 20% increment of wear resistance to the specime

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950–2019: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Accurate and up-to-date assessment of demographic metrics is crucial for understanding a wide range of social, economic, and public health issues that affect populations worldwide. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 produced updated and comprehensive demographic assessments of the key indicators of fertility, mortality, migration, and population for 204 countries and territories and selected subnational locations from 1950 to 2019. Methods: 8078 country-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 938 surveys, 349 censuses, and 238 other sources were identified and used to estimate age-specific fertility. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate age-specific fertility rates for 5-year age groups between ages 15 and 49 years. With extensions to age groups 10–14 and 50–54 years, the total fertility rate (TFR) was then aggregated using the estimated age-specific fertility between ages 10 and 54 years. 7417 sources were used for under-5 mortality estimation and 7355 for adult mortality. ST-GPR was used to synthesise data sources after correction for known biases. Adult mortality was measured as the probability of death between ages 15 and 60 years based on vital registration, sample registration, and sibling histories, and was also estimated using ST-GPR. HIV-free life tables were then estimated using estimates of under-5 and adult mortality rates using a relational model life table system created for GBD, which closely tracks observed age-specific mortality rates from complete vital registration when available. Independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated by an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys and antenatal clinic serosurveillance and other sources were incorporated into the estimates in countries with large epidemics. Annual and single-year age estimates of net migration and population for each country and territory were generated using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model that analysed estimated age-specific fertility and mortality rates along with 1250 censuses and 747 population registry years. We classified location-years into seven categories on the basis of the natural rate of increase in population (calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate) and the net migration rate. We computed healthy life expectancy (HALE) using years lived with disability (YLDs) per capita, life tables, and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty was propagated throughout the demographic estimation process, including fertility, mortality, and population, with 1000 draw-level estimates produced for each metric. Findings: The global TFR decreased from 2•72 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2•66–2•79) in 2000 to 2•31 (2•17–2•46) in 2019. Global annual livebirths increased from 134•5 million (131•5–137•8) in 2000 to a peak of 139•6 million (133•0–146•9) in 2016. Global livebirths then declined to 135•3 million (127•2–144•1) in 2019. Of the 204 countries and territories included in this study, in 2019, 102 had a TFR lower than 2•1, which is considered a good approximation of replacement-level fertility. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had TFRs above replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27•1% (95% UI 26•4–27•8) of global livebirths. Global life expectancy at birth increased from 67•2 years (95% UI 66•8–67•6) in 2000 to 73•5 years (72•8–74•3) in 2019. The total number of deaths increased from 50•7 million (49•5–51•9) in 2000 to 56•5 million (53•7–59•2) in 2019. Under-5 deaths declined from 9•6 million (9•1–10•3) in 2000 to 5•0 million (4•3–6•0) in 2019. Global population increased by 25•7%, from 6•2 billion (6•0–6•3) in 2000 to 7•7 billion (7•5–8•0) in 2019. In 2019, 34 countries had negative natural rates of increase; in 17 of these, the population declined because immigration was not sufficient to counteract the negative rate of decline. Globally, HALE increased from 58•6 years (56•1–60•8) in 2000 to 63•5 years (60•8–66•1) in 2019. HALE increased in 202 of 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2019. Interpretation: Over the past 20 years, fertility rates have been dropping steadily and life expectancy has been increasing, with few exceptions. Much of this change follows historical patterns linking social and economic determinants, such as those captured by the GBD Socio-demographic Index, with demographic outcomes. More recently, several countries have experienced a combination of low fertility and stagnating improvement in mortality rates, pushing more populations into the late stages of the demographic transition. Tracking demographic change and the emergence of new patterns will be essential for global health monitoring. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens

Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990�2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Rigorous analysis of levels and trends in exposure to leading risk factors and quantification of their effect on human health are important to identify where public health is making progress and in which cases current efforts are inadequate. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 provides a standardised and comprehensive assessment of the magnitude of risk factor exposure, relative risk, and attributable burden of disease. Methods: GBD 2019 estimated attributable mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 87 risk factors and combinations of risk factors, at the global level, regionally, and for 204 countries and territories. GBD uses a hierarchical list of risk factors so that specific risk factors (eg, sodium intake), and related aggregates (eg, diet quality), are both evaluated. This method has six analytical steps. (1) We included 560 risk�outcome pairs that met criteria for convincing or probable evidence on the basis of research studies. 12 risk�outcome pairs included in GBD 2017 no longer met inclusion criteria and 47 risk�outcome pairs for risks already included in GBD 2017 were added based on new evidence. (2) Relative risks were estimated as a function of exposure based on published systematic reviews, 81 systematic reviews done for GBD 2019, and meta-regression. (3) Levels of exposure in each age-sex-location-year included in the study were estimated based on all available data sources using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression method, or alternative methods. (4) We determined, from published trials or cohort studies, the level of exposure associated with minimum risk, called the theoretical minimum risk exposure level. (5) Attributable deaths, YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs were computed by multiplying population attributable fractions (PAFs) by the relevant outcome quantity for each age-sex-location-year. (6) PAFs and attributable burden for combinations of risk factors were estimated taking into account mediation of different risk factors through other risk factors. Across all six analytical steps, 30 652 distinct data sources were used in the analysis. Uncertainty in each step of the analysis was propagated into the final estimates of attributable burden. Exposure levels for dichotomous, polytomous, and continuous risk factors were summarised with use of the summary exposure value to facilitate comparisons over time, across location, and across risks. Because the entire time series from 1990 to 2019 has been re-estimated with use of consistent data and methods, these results supersede previously published GBD estimates of attributable burden. Findings: The largest declines in risk exposure from 2010 to 2019 were among a set of risks that are strongly linked to social and economic development, including household air pollution; unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing; and child growth failure. Global declines also occurred for tobacco smoking and lead exposure. The largest increases in risk exposure were for ambient particulate matter pollution, drug use, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body-mass index. In 2019, the leading Level 2 risk factor globally for attributable deaths was high systolic blood pressure, which accounted for 10·8 million (95 uncertainty interval UI 9·51�12·1) deaths (19·2% 16·9�21·3 of all deaths in 2019), followed by tobacco (smoked, second-hand, and chewing), which accounted for 8·71 million (8·12�9·31) deaths (15·4% 14·6�16·2 of all deaths in 2019). The leading Level 2 risk factor for attributable DALYs globally in 2019 was child and maternal malnutrition, which largely affects health in the youngest age groups and accounted for 295 million (253�350) DALYs (11·6% 10·3�13·1 of all global DALYs that year). The risk factor burden varied considerably in 2019 between age groups and locations. Among children aged 0�9 years, the three leading detailed risk factors for attributable DALYs were all related to malnutrition. Iron deficiency was the leading risk factor for those aged 10�24 years, alcohol use for those aged 25�49 years, and high systolic blood pressure for those aged 50�74 years and 75 years and older. Interpretation: Overall, the record for reducing exposure to harmful risks over the past three decades is poor. Success with reducing smoking and lead exposure through regulatory policy might point the way for a stronger role for public policy on other risks in addition to continued efforts to provide information on risk factor harm to the general public. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens