The Effect of Additives on The Performance of HydrostaticThrust Bearings

The paper is concerned with, the behavior of the hydrostatic thrust bearings lubricated with liquid-solid lubricants using Einstein viscosity formula, and taking into account the centrifugal force resulting from high speed. Also studied is the effect of the bearing dimensions on the pressure, flow rate, load capacity, shear stress, power consumption and stiffness. <br />The theoretical results show an increase in load capacity by (8.3%) in the presence of solid graphite particles with concentration of (16%) by weight as compared with pure oil, with increasing shear stress. . <br />In general the performance of hydrostatic thrust bearings improve for load carrying capacity, volume flow rate, pumping power subjected to centrifugal parameter (S), recess position (r1), film thickness ratio (&#61538;), particle concentration (&#61548;).<br /

Disseminating mechatronics research results (via science and engineering exhibitions)

© 2014 IEEE. To overcome engineering skills shortages in the UK, national science and engineering bodies are actively trying to encourage 11-14 year old pupils to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects. One strategy is to bring exciting developments in science and engineering to their attention through science exhibitions. This paper describes the preparation of an exhibit for the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to showcase the results of our research in mechatronics engineering that has developed wall and pipe climbing robots and swimming robots for a wide range of industrial inspection tasks. The exhibit is titled 'Robot Detectives: Sherlock Holmes meets Spiderman'. It interactively demonstrates wall and pipe climbing robots, swimming robots, magnetic flux concentration principles with levitation rigs, and ultrasound and eddy current techniques for non-destructive testing

Carbon Reduction and Energy Optimization Strategy for one NHS Trust

Energy managers at many National Health Service (NHS) hospitals are now under intense pressure to radically investigate and develop energy and carbon reduction strategies. Factors contributing to this pressure include new Government and NHS carbon reduction targets, reduced energy budgets, increase of energy demand and energy cost. The increase in energy demand in many NHS hospitals is also influenced by the age of the infrastructure, rapid demand and expansion along with increased use of energy intensive medical kits in certain specialist hospitals. This paper presents a detailed analysis of energy data spanning 6 years for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The analysis, together with a survey of existing systems forms the basis for profiling the hospital historical energy consumption trend and to determine the average “Business As Usual” growth rate for energy, and the resultant costs. Further investigation of short and long term energy saving measures was undertaken based on the analysis of the effects of previously implemented measures and the hospital energy profiles. New energy savings measures have also been identified using financial and carbon emission savings studies

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and the prediction of primary cardiovascular events: results from 15-year follow-up of WOSCOPS

&lt;b&gt;Aims:&lt;/b&gt;To test whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was independently associated with, and improved the prediction of, cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a primary prevention cohort. &lt;b&gt;Methods and results:&lt;/b&gt; In the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), a cohort of middle-aged men with hypercholesterolaemia at a moderate risk of CVD, we related the baseline NT-proBNP (geometric mean 28 pg/mL) in 4801 men to the risk of CVD over 15 years during which 1690 experienced CVD events. Taking into account the competing risk of non-CVD death, NT-proBNP was associated with an increased risk of all CVD [HR: 1.17 (95% CI: 1.11–1.23) per standard deviation increase in log NT-proBNP] after adjustment for classical and clinical cardiovascular risk factors plus C-reactive protein. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide was more strongly related to the risk of fatal [HR: 1.34 (95% CI: 1.19–1.52)] than non-fatal CVD [HR: 1.17 (95% CI: 1.10–1.24)] (P= 0.022). The addition of NT-proBNP to traditional risk factors improved the C-index (+0.013; P &lt; 0.001). The continuous net reclassification index improved with the addition of NT-proBNP by 19.8% (95% CI: 13.6–25.9%) compared with 9.8% (95% CI: 4.2–15.6%) with the addition of C-reactive protein. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide correctly reclassified 14.7% of events, whereas C-reactive protein correctly reclassified 3.4% of events. Results were similar in the 4128 men without evidence of angina, nitrate prescription, minor ECG abnormalities, or prior cerebrovascular disease. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide predicts CVD events in men without clinical evidence of CHD, angina, or history of stroke, and appears related more strongly to the risk for fatal events. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide also provides moderate risk discrimination, in excess of that provided by the measurement of C-reactive protein

Effect of interleukin-6 receptor blockade on surrogates of vascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: MEASURE, a randomised, placebo-controlled study

Objectives The interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blocker tocilizumab (TCZ) reduces inflammatory disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but elevates lipid concentrations in some patients. We aimed to characterise the impact of IL-6R inhibition on established and novel risk factors in active RA. Methods Randomised, multicentre, two-part, phase III trial (24-week double-blind, 80-week open-label), MEASURE, evaluated lipid and lipoprotein levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle composition, markers of coagulation, thrombosis and vascular function by pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 132 patients with RA who received TCZ or placebo. Results Median total-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels increased in TCZ versus placebo recipients by week 12 (12.6% vs 1.7%, 28.1% vs 2.2%, 10.6% vs −1.9%, respectively; all p&#60;0.01). There were no significant differences in mean small LDL, mean oxidised LDL or total HDL-C concentrations. However, HDL-associated serum amyloid A content decreased in TCZ recipients. TCZ also induced reductions (&#60;30%) in secretory phospholipase A2-IIA, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen and D-dimers and elevation of paraoxonase (all p&#60;0.0001 vs placebo). The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio remained stable over time in both groups. PWV decreases were greater with placebo than TCZ at 12 weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.79 m/s (95% CI 0.22 to 1.35; p=0.0067)). Conclusions These data provide the first detailed evidence for the modulation of lipoprotein particles and other surrogates of vascular risk with IL-6R inhibition. When compared with placebo, TCZ induced elevations in LDL-C but altered HDL particles towards an anti-inflammatory composition and favourably modified most, but not all, measured vascular risk surrogates. The net effect of such changes for cardiovascular risk requires determination.</p

Maternal plasma DHA levels increase prior to 29 days post-LH surge in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer: a prospective, observational study of human pregnancy

Context: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important fatty acid required for neurological development but its importance during early fetal neurological organogenesis is unknown. Objective: To assess plasma fatty acid changes in early pregnancy in women undergoing natural cycle-frozen embryo transfer as a means of achieving accurately-timed periconceptual sampling. Design: Women undergoing frozen embryo transfer were recruited and serial fasting blood samples were taken pre-luteinising hormone (LH) surge, and at days 18, 29 and 45 post-LH surge and fatty acids were analysed using gas chromatography. Setting: Assisted Conception Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland Main outcome measures: Plasma fatty acid concentrations, influence of twin pregnancies on DHA plasma concentration. Results: In pregnant women, there was a rapid, early increase in the maternal rate of change of plasma DHA concentration observed by 29 days post-LH surge (mean±SD, from 0.1±1.3 to 1.6±2.9 nmol DHA per mL plasma per day). This early pressure to increase plasma DHA concentration was further emphasised in twin pregnancies where the increase in DHA concentration over 45 days was two-fold higher than in singleton pregnancies (mean±SD increase, 74±39 nmol/mL versus 36±40 nmol/mL). An index of delta-6 desaturase activity increased 30% and positively correlated with the rate of change of DHA concentration between day 18 and 29-post LH surge (R-squared adjusted = 41%, P=0.0002). DHA was the only fatty acid with a continual accelerated increase in plasma concentration and a positive incremental area under the curve (mean±SD, 632±911 nmol/mL x day) over the first 45 days of gestation. Conclusions: An increase in maternal plasma DHA concentration is initiated in human pregnancy prior to neural tube closure which occurs at 28 days' gestation

Response by Welsh et al to letter regarding article “Urinary sodium excretion, blood pressure, and risk of future cardiovascular disease and mortality in subjects without prior cardiovascular disease”

No abstract available

Valproic Acid-Induced Hyperammonemia with Encephalopathy (VIHE): A Case Report

Valproic acid (VPA) is a wide spectrum antiepileptic medication indicated for seizure prophylaxis across the spectrum of epilepsy. Since coming into clinical use, VPA has also been recommended for the management of a variety of other pathologies, including, most notably, mood stabilization in the manic patient. VPA’s common adverse effects include gastrointestinal, influenza-like symptoms, headache, and difficulties with sleep; nonetheless, in rare instances, VPA has been noted to cause the severe and potentially lethal condition of hyperammonemia with encephalopathy (VIHE). VIHE is the result of a dose-independent increase in ammonia levels. Often the patient is asymptomatic; if symptoms reach clinical threshold, lethargy is most common, though seizures, focal neurologic deficits and even coma are possible. VIHE can occur in patients despite normal hepatic function, normal loading doses, chronic stable doses and normal free serum drug levels. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the first approach for symptomatic patients is to discontinue VPA, start alternative mood stabilizer as indicated, and supplement hyperammonemia treatment with lactulose, carnitine or carglumic acid. Below is a case report of VIHE that developed in an adolescent girl with a history of Bipolar I Disorder who was hospitalized in our facility for stabilization of mania.&nbsp; As demonstrated below, early diagnosis of VIHE is pivotal in reducing morbidity and ultimately can be life-saving

Study of lipid lowering effects of oral antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases associated with ‘atherogenic dyslipidemia’ The treatment of T2DM often is initiated with oral antidiabetic drugs, most of which not only decrease blood sugar levels effectively but also decrease the lipid levels. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents in dealing with associated dyslipidemia.Methods: 150 T2DM patients were divided equally into five groups depending upon the oral antidiabetic drugs they received in solo or in combination for 24 weeks, with equal number of males and females in each group. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, Biochemical investigations including, glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile, chest X-ray and ECG were done.Results: After 24 weeks of study, the mean total cholesterol and mean triglycerides decreased significantly (p <0.05 to p <0.01) with monotherapy of metformin and teneligliptin as well as with combination of either metformin and glimepiride or metformin and teneligliptin. The decrease of LDL-C and VLDL-C was not statistically significant with any of the OAD drugs in solo or in combination. Similarly, HDL-C increased significantly (p <0.05) in Group I, III, IV and V; but was most effective with combination therapy. The atherogenic index of plasma also decreased (p <0.05) with metformin or its combination with either teneligliptin or glimepiride.Conclusions: Oral antidiabetic drugs are not only affordable and effective hypoglycemic agents but can also decrease serum lipids and thereby aids in the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and its complications in T2DM

Airborne Infectious Agents and Other Pollutants in Automobiles for Domestic Use: Potential Health Impacts and Approaches to Risk Mitigation

Theworld total of passenger cars is expected to go fromthe current one billion to \u3e2.5 billion by 2050. Cars for domestic use account for ∼74% of the world’s yearly production ofmotorized vehicles. In North America, ∼80% of the commuters use their own car with another 5.6% travelling as passengers.With the current life-expectancy of 78.6 years, the average North American spends 4.3 years driving a car! This equates to driving 101 minutes/day with a lifetime driving distance of nearly 1.3 million km inside the confined and often shared space of the car with exposure to a mix of potentially harmful pathogens, allergens, endotoxins, particulates, and volatile organics. Such risks may increase in proportion to the unprecedented upsurge in the numbers of family cars globally. Though new technologies may reduce the levels of air pollution from car exhausts and other sources, they are unlikely to impact our in-car exposure to pathogens. Can commercial in-car air decontamination devices reduce the risk from airborne infections and other pollutants?We lack scientifically rigorous protocols to verify the claims of such devices. Here we discuss the essentials of a customized aerobiology facility and test protocols to assess such devices under field-relevant conditions