Propriétés Physiques et Mécaniques des Graines et Amandes de Jatropha curcas L.

Cette étude a déterminé les propriétés physiques et mécaniques des graines et amandes de Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha), originaire de l’Extrême- Nord du Cameroun. Les paramètres physiques tels que les dimensions moyennes, les caractéristiques massiques, les paramètres de forme et les caractéristiques volumiques ont été évalués. La raideur de la coque a été définie en variant la vitesse de compression de la machine d’essai de traction universel EZ 50. A grande vitesse de compression (5-40 mm/mn), les brisures d’amandes et de coques qui ont été observées ont été représentées sur les courbes de compression des graines par plusieurs points de rupture. Avec une faible vitesse de l’ordre de 1 mm/mn, les courbes de compression ont été linéaires. La valeur moyenne de la force de rupture en compression Fr(N) et la raideur K (N/mm) des coques calculées ont été respectivement 134,41 N et 105 N/mm. Les essais d’extraction d’huile de Jatropha sont réalisés à température ambiante (23-24°C) avec des charges comprises entre 1000 et 12000 N. Ce qui a permis d’obtenir les relations mathématiques entre la force de compression et la déformation relative : F(l) =8,91Exp(0,94l) -9,41 (N) ; entre la contrainte de compression et la déformation relative : ()=0,08Exp(6,89)-0,08 (MPa). L’algorithme de « Trust region » et de « Levenberg-Marquardt », ont été respectivement intégré dans l’application MATLAB R2018a pour obtenir les modèles précédents. Les points limites pour le pressage des amandes sont compris entre 0,40 et 0,85 permettant d’obtenir les limites pour une extraction optimale de l’huile. La force de compression a été comprise entre 72,71 N et 4905,70 N, pendant que la contrainte de compression varie entre 0,65 et 37,01MPa pour une consommation d’énergie allant de 0,13 à 2,83J/mm3. This study has estimated physicomechanical properties of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) seeds and kernels from the Far North Region of Cameroon. Physical parameters as mean sizes, mass characteristics, morphologic and volume characteristics were evaluated. The stiffness of the husk was estimated by varying the velocity of the universal tensile testing machine EZ 50. For a high compression velocity, (5-40mm/mn), compression diagrams of seeds showed several breaking point, we observed broken seeds and kernels with low velocity of 1 mm/mn, compression diagram are linear. The means value of the compression force Fr(N) and husk stiffness K (N/mm) are respectively 134.41 N and 105 N/mm. Tensile tests of Jatropha oil were realized at 23-24°C with compression forces of 1000 and 12000N. We obtained mathematical relations between relative deformation and compression force: F(l)=8.91Exp(0.94l)-9.41 (N), compression stress and relative deformation: ()=0.08Exp(6.89)-0.08 (MPa), using respectively the “trust region” and “Levenberg-Marquardt” algorithm related to MATLAB R 2018a software. The endpoints for and optimal extraction of Jatropha oil were 0.40 and 0.85 when the compression force were between 72.71 N and 4905.5 N, the stress compression vavy between 0.65 and 37.01 MPa, therefore the consumed energy varied between 0.13 and 3.83 J/mm3

CONCEPTION ET DIMENSIONNEMENT D’UN EQUIPEMENT DE VANNAGE DE GRAINES DE JATROPHA CURCAS

Jatropha curcas L. is a plant resistant to drought, versatile with many attributes and considerable potentials. The most valuable part of the plant is the oil content of the seed kernel. For optimum oil extraction, the seeds must be peeled almonds and separate the hulls. The separation of hulls almond is generally done manually which requires hard work and very time consuming. Also, use non cracked seeds produced low oil recovery. Hence the need to develop an equipment capable of mechanically carry out the separation of hulls and almonds. This work therefore aims to scale winnowing equipment for mechanical separation of the shells and kernels of seeds of Jatropha curcas. To carry out this work, we conducted a theoretical study of the physical properties related to the size and the terminal velocity of kernels and shells of Jatropha curcas and we made a design methodology application linked to the functional analysis to design the winnower. The main results obtained following this approach were: the sizing of the mechanical elements in this case, the design of a perforated plate (sieve) with holes of 6 mm diameter, serving as a support on which the seeds are deposited for mechanical sorting by flow of air (fluidized) and the sizing of the centrifugal fan with its drive motor, which allowed us to perform first choice components

Factors Related to the Severity of Delirium in the Elderly Patients With Infection

Objective: Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome in the elderly characterized by concurrent impairments in cognition and behavior. Infection is one of the most important risk factors for delirium. The objective of this study is to elaborate the factors related to the severity of delirium in the elderly patients with infection. Method: An observational study on the relationship of several clinical parameters and the severity of delirium in elderly patients (more than 60 years) with infection was conducted at Geriatric Inpatient Ward, Sanglah Hospital. Delirium was defined by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). Charlson Age Comorbidity Index (CACI) scores were calculated as proposed by Charlson et al. Infection was confirmed by clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings. Results: During 3 months, there were 60 elderly patients (35 men and 25 women) who were hospitalized with infection and delirium. In all, 33 (55.0%), 16 (26.7%), and 11 (18.3%) patients had pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and other infections, respectively, and 44 out of 60 (73.3%) patients had sepsis. There was no significant difference found in MDAS score between male and female patients and among different types of infection, but patients with sepsis had higher MDAS score significantly compared with patients without sepsis (19.48 ± 3.72 vs. 15.88 ± 2.82; p < .001). This study revealed that of several clinical parameters, only CACI ( R = .533; p < .001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; R = .230; p = .040), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels ( R = .499; p < .001) were correlated with MDAS score significantly. By multiple linear regression test, CACI, IL-6, and sepsis have significant role, meanwhile, BUN has no role, on the severity of delirium. Conclusions: The CACI score, IL-6 levels, and sepsis have strong relationship with the severity of delirium, but BUN only has weak role in the severity of delirium in the elderly patients with infection

The Ricochet-Scepter Technique: A Balloon-Assisted Technique to Achieve Outflow Access During Pipeline-Assisted Coil Embolization of a Near-Giant Internal Carotid Artery Ophthalmic Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion with or without coil embolization has become the first-line treatment for large or giant paraclinoid internal carotid artery intracranial aneurysms. Oftentimes, these sizable aneurysms impose anatomical challenges to endovascular treatment through limiting both distal outflow access and maintenance of distal vessel purchase during catheter reduction, which are required for successful stent placement. Various strategies to obtain and maintain distal access within the parent vessel have been described previously; however, new techniques may need to be employed when more standard maneuvers fail. CASE DESCRIPTION: This paper depicts a case of successful flow diversion of a near-giant internal carotid artery ophthalmic aneurysm in a middle-aged female patient using a balloon-assisted technique, designated the Ricochet-Scepter technique, to achieve distal outflow access followed by secondary system reduction via a stent retriever after standard maneuvers had failed. CONCLUSIONS: Giant, wide-neck aneurysms present treatment challenges that may require using adjunctive devices and advanced endovascular techniques. When routine strategies for gaining distal outflow access fail, the Ricochet-Scepter technique is a viable option for achieving distal access

NEW METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF ALUNINUM SILICON ALLOYS

A new approach to the preparation of aluminum-silicon alloys, based on the concept of the leading role of hydrogen in determining the structure and properties of alloys consists in using as charge materials of silicon dioxide (silica) and hydrogen instead of crystalline silicon was described. Practical ways to implement the new method were proposed on the example of industrial alloys prepared on charge synthetic alloy. It is shown that the application of the proposed method allows to improve the mechanical properties and reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion alloys, Al-Si. The effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties, density and thermal expansion of synthetic alloys was researched

Associating Increased Chemical Exposure to Hurricane Harvey in a Longitudinal Panel Using Silicone Wristbands

Hurricane Harvey was associated with flood-related damage to chemical plants and oil refineries, and the flooding of hazardous waste sites, including 13 Superfund sites. As clean-up efforts began, concerns were raised regarding the human health impact of possible increased chemical exposure resulting from the hurricane and subsequent flooding. Personal sampling devices in the form of silicone wristbands were deployed to a longitudinal panel of individuals (n = 99) within 45 days of the hurricane and again one year later in the Houston metropolitan area. Using gas chromatography&ndash;mass spectroscopy, each wristband was screened for 1500 chemicals and analyzed for 63 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Chemical exposure levels found on the wristbands were generally higher post-Hurricane Harvey. In the 1500 screen, 188 chemicals were detected, 29 were detected in at least 30% of the study population, and of those, 79% (n = 23) were found in significantly higher concentrations (p &lt; 0.05) post-Hurricane Harvey. Similarly, in PAH analysis, 51 chemicals were detected, 31 were detected in at least 30% of the study population, and 39% (n = 12) were found at statistically higher concentrations (p &lt; 0.05) post-Hurricane Harvey. This study indicates that there were increased levels of chemical exposure after Hurricane Harvey in the Houston metropolitan area

Runx transcription factors repress human and murine c-Myc expression in a DNA-binding and C-terminally dependent manner.

The transcription factors Runx1 and c-Myc have individually been shown to regulate important gene targets as well as to collaborate in oncogenesis. However, it is unknown whether there is a regulatory relationship between the two genes. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of endogenous c-Myc by Runx1 in the human T cell line Jurkat and murine primary hematopoietic cells. Endogenous Runx1 binds to multiple sites in the c-Myc locus upstream of the c-Myc transcriptional start site. Cells transduced with a C-terminally truncated Runx1 (Runx1.d190), which lacks important cofactor interaction sites and can block C-terminal-dependent functions of all Runx transcription factors, showed increased transcription of c-Myc. In order to monitor c-Myc expression in response to early and transiently-acting Runx1.d190, we generated a cell membrane-permeable TAT-Runx1.d190 fusion protein. Murine splenocytes treated with TAT-Runx1.d190 showed an increase in the transcription of c-Myc within 2 hours, peaking at 4 hours post-treatment and declining thereafter. This effect is dependent on the ability of Runx1.d190 to bind to DNA. The increase in c-Myc transcripts is correlated with increased c-Myc protein levels. Collectively, these data show that Runx1 directly regulates c-Myc transcription in a C-terminal- and DNA-binding-dependent manner

Hegel, Heidegger e la questione della Romanitas

Il volume raccolgie una serie di contributo che si concentrano sull'intepretazione della Romanitas da parte di Hegel e di Heidegger. Entrambi presentano infatti un'intperetazione negativa della Romanitas. I contributi intendono mostrare in che senso tale interpretazione sia significativa per comprendere il rapporto che le filosofie hegeliana e heideggeriana istituiscono con la storia e in che senso la loro intepretazione impediaca a volte di cogliere alcuni dei nuclei decisivi che la Romanitas ha portato al pensiero occidentale