Primary Dendrite Distribution and Disorder During Directional Solidification of Pb-Sb Alloys

Pb-2.2 wt pct Sb and Pb-5.8 wt pet Sb alloys have been directionally solidified from a single-crystal seed with its [100] orientation parallel to the growth direction, to examine the primary dendrite distribution and disorder of the dendrite arrays. The dendrite distribution and ordering have been investigated using analysis techniques such as the Gauss-amplitude fit to the frequency distribution of nearest and higher-order spacings, minimum spanning tree (MST), Voronoi polygon, and Fourier transform (FT) of the dendrite centers. Since the arrangement of dendrites is driven by the requirement to accommodate side-branch growth along the (100) directions, the FT images of the fully developed dendrite centers contain spots which indicate this preferred alignment. A directional solidification distance of about three mushy-zone lengths is sufficient to ensure a steady-state dendritic array, in terms of reaching a constant mean primary spacing. However, local dendrite ordering continues throughout the directional solidification process. The interdendritic convection not only decreases the mean primary spacing, it also makes the dendrite array more disordered and reduces the ratio of the upper and lower spacing limits, as defined by the largest 5 pct and the smallest 5 pct of the population

Layer-wise dynamic stiffness solution for free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates

The dynamic stiffness method has been developed by using a sophisticated layer-wise theory which complies with the Cz0 requirements and delivers high accuracy for the analysis of laminated composite plates. The method is versatile as it derives the dynamic stiffness matrix for plates with any number of layers in a novel way without the need to re-derive and re-solve the equations of motion when the number of layers has changed. This novel procedure to manipulate and solve the equations of motion has been referred to as the L matrix method in this paper. The Carrera unified formulation (CUF) is employed to derive the equations of motion through the use of a first-order layer-wise assumption for a plate with a single layer first. The method is then generalised and extended to multiple layers. Essentially by writing the equations of motion of one single layer in the L matrix form, the system of equations of motion of a laminated plate with any number of layers is generated in an efficient and automatic way. A significant feature of the subsequent work is to devise a method to solve the system of differential equations automatically in closed analytical form and then obtain the ensuing dynamic stiffness matrix of the laminated plate. The developed dynamic stiffness element has been validated wherever possible by analytical solutions (based on Navier's solution for plates simply supported at all edges) for the same displacement formulation. Furthermore, the dynamic stiffness theory is assessed by 3D analytical solutions (scantly available in the literature) and also by the finite element method using NASTRAN. The results have been obtained in an exact sense for the first time and hence they can be used as benchmark solutions for assessing approximate methods. This new development of the dynamic stiffness method will allow free vibration and response analysis of geometrically complex structures with such a level of computational efficiency and accuracy that could not be possibly achieved using other methods

Single-cell analysis shows that adipose tissue of persons with both HIV and diabetes is enriched for clonal, cytotoxic, and CMV-specific CD4+ T cells

Persons with HIV are at increased risk for diabetes mellitus compared with individuals without HIV. Adipose tissue is an important regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism, and adipose tissue T cells modulate local inflammatory responses and, by extension, adipocyte function. Persons with HIV and diabetes have a high proportion of CX3CR1+ GPR56+ CD57+ (C-G-C+) CD4+ T cells in adipose tissue, a subset of which are cytomegalovirus specific, whereas individuals with diabetes but without HIV have predominantly CD69+ CD4+ T cells. Adipose tissue CD69+ and C-G-C+ CD4+ T cell subsets demonstrate higher receptor clonality compared with the same cells in blood, potentially reflecting antigen-driven expansion, but C-G-C+ CD4+ T cells have a more inflammatory and cytotoxic RNA transcriptome. Future studies will explore whether viral antigens have a role in recruitment and proliferation of pro-inflammatory C-G-C+ CD4+ T cells in adipose tissue of persons with HIV

Effect of Magnetic-Field on the Microstructure and Macrosegregation in Directionally Solidified Pb-Sn Alloys

An investigation into the influence of a transverse magnetic field (0.45 T) on the mushy zone morphology and macrosegregation in directionally solidified hypoeutectic Pb-Sn alloy shows that the field has no influence on the morphology of dendritic arrays. The field does, however, cause severe distortion in the cellular array morphology. Cellular arrayed growth with the magnetic field results in an extensive channel formation in the mushy zone, as opposed to the well-aligned and uniformly distributed cells formed in the absence of the field. The channels are produced due to the anisotropy in the thermosolutal convection caused by the magnetic field. Macrosegregation, however, along the length of the directionally solidified samples is not influenced by this magnetic field for either the cellular or dendritic arrays

Domestic animal proteomics in the 21st century: a global retrospective and viewpoint analysis

Animal production and health are of significant economic importance, particularly regarding the world food supply. Animal and veterinary sciences have evolved immensely in the past six decades, particularly in genetics, nutrition, housing, management and health. To address major challenges such as those posed by climate change or metabolic disorders, it is of utmost importance to use state-of-the-art research tools. Proteomics and the other post-genomic tools (transcriptomics or metabolomics) are among them. Proteomics has experienced a considerable development over the last decades. This brought developments to different scientific fields. The use and adoption of proteomics tools in animal and veterinary sciences has some limitations (database availability or access to proteomics platforms and funding). As a result, proteomics' use by animal science researchers varies across the globe. In this viewpoint article, we focus on the developments of domestic animal proteomics over the last decade in different regions of the globe and how the researchers have coped with such challenges. In the second part of the article, we provide examples of funding, educational and laboratory establishment initiatives designed to foster the development of (animal-based) proteomics. International scientific collaboration is a definitive and key feature in the development and advancement of domestic animal proteomics. SIGNIFICANCE: Animal production and health are very important for food supply worldwide particularly as a source of proteinaceous foods. Animal and veterinary sciences have evolved immensely in the last decades. In order to address the major contemporary challenges facing animal and veterinary sciences, it is of utmost importance to use state-of-the-art research tools such as Proteomics and other Omics. Herein, we focus on the major developments in domestic animal proteomics worldwide during the last decade and how different regions of the world have used the technology in this specific research field. We address also major international efforts aiming to increase the research output in this area and highlight the importance of international cooperation to address specific problems inherent to domestic animal proteomics.Science and Technology Foundation (Lisbon, Portugal) through LEAF Research Center: UID/AGR/04129/2020 SFRH/BD/143992/2019; Science and Technology Foundation (Lisbon, Portugal):UID/Multi/04326/2020 16-02-05-FMP-12, 16-02-01-FMP-0014 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (Brasilia, DF, Brazil) CNPq 409186/2018-0 Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) 001 research program Animal health, environment and food safety of Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana - Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) P4-0092 European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST): FA1002 European Commission FP7 VETMEDZG project: 621394 European Commission: KK.01.1.1.04.0086 Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Joint Doctorate MANNA project 765423; European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program 823839info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

7th Drug hypersensitivity meeting: part two

No abstract availabl

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries