The Effect of Boron and Zirconium on Microstructure and Stress-Rupture Life of Nickel-based Superalloy ATI 718Plus

The effects of boron and zirconium on the microstructure, hardness and stressrupture life of the nickel-based superalloy ATI 718Plus were investigated in this study. Four alloys with different percentages of boron (0.005-0.01 wt.%) and zirconium (0-0.1 wt%) were cast through a vacuum induction melting furnace and then were rolled. The microstructural studies indicated an increased percentage of δ phase, carbide precipitates and twins in the presence of zirconium. The percentage of carbide (boron carbide) precipitates was increased and the solidification range of the alloy was decreased in the presence of boron in the composition. Furthermore, the results obtained from the hardness and stress-rupture tests showed the significant role of both elements in increasing hardness and improved rupture life of the alloy. The maximum rupture life was observed in the alloy which contained the highest percentages of boron and zirconium in its composition. This can be attributed mainly to the increased percentage of δ phase on grain boundaries and their enhanced high-temperature strength

Quality of life among patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury using glasgow outcome scale extended and quality of life after brain injury scale

Objective: To assess quality of life of patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC) for traumatic brain injury and satisfaction of caregivers with outcomes.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care urban center in Pakistan. All patients with severe traumatic brain injury who underwent DC and survived \u3e6 months were included. Outcomes were assessed using 2 scales: Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury (QOLIBRI). The proforma was translated and validated into the national language. Patient caregivers were interviewed to ask if they would opt for DC in a similar situation in future.Results: The study comprised 40 patients, including 35 male (88%) and 5 female (12%) patients. Mean age of patients was 26.5 ± 9.5 years. Mean Glasgow Coma Scale score at presentation was 8.34 ± 3.22. Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 6-18 months). Mean Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score was 5.35 ± 1.9, which correlates with an unfavorable outcome. Mean QOLIBRI score was 59.65 ± 21.27. Family members of 38 (95%) patients were content with their decision to give consent for DC in their patients. Spearman correlation for different domains of QOLIBRI and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended was statistically significant for all parameters except social relationship.Conclusions: Mean QOLIBRI score of patients undergoing DC was 59.65 ± 21.27. Most caregivers (95%) were satisfied with their decision to consent for DC. Patient-reported health-related quality of life assessment is necessary to assess impact of traumatic brain injury

The Effect of Boron and Zirconium on Microstructure and Stress-Rupture Life of Nickel-based Superalloy ATI 718Plus

The effects of boron and zirconium on the microstructure, hardness and stressrupture life of the nickel-based superalloy ATI 718Plus were investigated in this study. Four alloys with different percentages of boron (0.005-0.01 wt.%) and zirconium (0-0.1 wt%) were cast through a vacuum induction melting furnace and then were rolled. The microstructural studies indicated an increased percentage of δ phase, carbide precipitates and twins in the presence of zirconium. The percentage of carbide (boron carbide) precipitates was increased and the solidification range of the alloy was decreased in the presence of boron in the composition. Furthermore, the results obtained from the hardness and stress-rupture tests showed the significant role of both elements in increasing hardness and improved rupture life of the alloy. The maximum rupture life was observed in the alloy which contained the highest percentages of boron and zirconium in its composition. This can be attributed mainly to the increased percentage of δ phase on grain boundaries and their enhanced high-temperature strength

A roadmap to develop dementia research capacity and capability in Pakistan: a model for low- and middle-income countries

Objective To produce a strategic roadmap for supporting the development of dementia research in Pakistan. Background While global research strategies for dementia research already exist, none is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Pakistan. Methods We undertook an iterative consensus process with lay and professional experts to develop a Theory of Change-based strategy for dementia research in Pakistan. This included Expert Reference Groups (ERGs), strategic planning techniques, a “research question” priority survey, and consultations with Key Opinion Leaders. Results We agreed on ten principles to guide dementia research in Pakistan, emphasizing pragmatic, resource sparing, real-world approaches to support people with dementia, both locally and internationally. Goals included capacity/capability building. Priority research topics included raising awareness and understanding of dementia, and improving quality of life. Conclusion This roadmap may be a model for other LMIC health ecosystems with emerging dementia research cultures

A Wearable, Low-cost Hand Tremor Sensor for Detecting Hypoglycemic Events in Diabetic Patients

Severe hypoglycemia leverages complication in diabetes patients: e.g., it increases death rate by a six-fold. Therefore, early detection and prediction of hypoglycemic events are of utmost importance. This publication presents a prototype of a wearable hand-tremor system that detects the onset of hypoglycemic events. The results show the prototype is capable of simulating anticipated frequency and amplitude of the tremor relevant for hypoglycemic events. The initial functional performance-tests demonstrate a maximum error of 4.75% in the detecting the tremor frequency

Impact of peer review in the radiation treatment planning process: Experience of a tertiary care university hospital in Pakistan

Purpose: To evaluate and report the frequency of changes in radiation therapy treatment plans after peer review in a simulation review meeting once a week.Materials and Methods: Between July 1 and August 31, 2016, the radiation plans of 116 patients were discussed in departmental simulation review meetings. All plans were finalized by the primary radiation oncologist before presenting them in the meeting. A team of radiation oncologists reviewed each plan, and their suggestions were documented as no change, major change, minor change, or missing contour. Changes were further classified as changes in clinical target volume, treatment field, or dose. All recommendations were stratified on the basis of treatment intent, site, and technique. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and are presented descriptively.Results: Out of 116 plans, 26 (22.4%) were recommended for changes. Minor changes were suggested in 15 treatment plans (12.9%) and a major change in 10 (8.6%), and only one plan was suggested for missing contour. The frequency of change recommendations was greater in radical radiation plans than in palliative plans (92.3% v 7.7%). The head and neck was the most common treatment site recommended for any changes (42.3%). Most of the changes were recommended in the technique planned with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (50%). Clinical target volume (73.1%) was identified as the most frequent parameter suggested for any change, followed by treatment field (19.2%) and dose (0.08%).Conclusion: Peer review is an important tool that can be used to overcome deficiencies in radiation treatment plans, with a goal of improved and individualized patient care. Our study reports changes in up to a quarter of radiotherapy plans

Design and study of a small implantable antenna design for blood glucose monitoring

In this paper, a miniaturized implantable antenna with the dimensions of 8×8×1 mm3 has been studied for continuous monitoring of Blood Glucose Levels (BGL). The antenna performance is analyzed numerically for both the free space and implanted operation. The results show that the works excellently in both the scenarios. The antenna has the lowest resonant frequency of 3.58 GHz in free space with a gain 1.18 GHz while it operates at 2.58 GHz with a gain of 4.18 dBi. Good performance, small size and resilience to the human body effects make the antenna to have a good potential use in future implantable glucose monitoring devices

Building e-trust and e-retention in online shopping: the role of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use

Purpose – This study aims to examine the impact of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use as an engagement motivational factors on customer e-trust and e-retention in online shopping. Design/methodology/approach – By using deductive approach, quantitative methods and purposive sampling technique, this study has collected the data from 295 young online customers to enhance an understanding of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use in an online shopping context. Findings – The findings revealed interesting insights where reliability is the most significant predictor of customer e-trust in online shopping, followed by perceived ease of use and website design. In addition, a significant mediating effect of e-trust is found between customer e-retention, website design, reliability and perceived ease of use. Research limitations/implications – Future research is recommended to predict the antecedents of online engagement motivational factors with value co-creation and co-creation experience in online shopping context. Originality/value – This study offers fresh insights about driving elements and impediments of online customer retention. Customer engagement comprising of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use appear to influence the online customer retention through direct and indirect effect

Foam-Mat Freeze-Drying of Blueberry Juice by Using Trehalose-β-Lactoglobulin and Trehalose-Bovine Serum Albumin as Matrices

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pure protein compounds and trehalose incorporated into blueberry juice for foam-mat freeze-drying on the foam and powder properties. Foam-mat freeze-drying (FMFD) of blueberry juice was tested at − 55 °C for 24 h. Matrices used were trehalose + β-lactoglobulin (T3BL1) and trehalose + bovine serum albumin (T3A1) and compared with maltodextrin + whey protein isolate (M3W1). Physicochemical properties of foam and powder, e.g., foam stability, foam density, moisture, rehydration time, color, particle morphology, total phenolic, and anthocyanins (total and individuals), were investigated. T3BL1 and T3A1 had more stable foam than M3W1. However, overrun of T3BL1 and T3A1 foamed were inferior to the M3W1 sample. The M3W1 sample recovered 79% powder (dry weight) and was superior to others. Rehydration time of powdered T3BL1 and T3A1, with bulk densities of 0.55–0.60 g cm−3, was the fastest (34–36 s). The blueberry powders of M3W1 showed more irregular particle size and shape, while the samples with trehalose and pure proteins generated particles of more uniform size with obvious pores. T3BL1 and T3A1 showed less redness (a*) values than the M3W1 product. All samples were considered pure red due to hue values < 90. M3W1 was superior in total phenolic content (TPC) and total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) compared with both samples made with trehalose + β-lactoglobulin and trehalose+bovine serum albumin. Delphinidin-3-glucoside (Del3Gl) concentration was found to be higher in M3W1. Also, M3W1 had higher cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cyn3Gl) and malvidin-3-glucoside (Mal3Gl) concentration. M3W1 also prevented the degradation of these bioactive compounds better than the other FMFD samples. The use of pure proteins and trehalose as matrices in the FMFD process had little advantage compared with maltodextrin/whey protein isolate. Thus, maltodextrin/whey protein isolate seems an ideal matrix for the manufacture of FMFD blueberry