Local Elastic and Geometric Stiffness Matrices for the Shell Element Applied in cFEM

In this paper local elastic and geometric stiffness matrices of ashell finite element are presented and discussed. The shell finiteelement is a rectangular plane element, specifically designedfor the so-called constrained finite element method. One of themost notable features of the proposed shell finite element isthat two perpendicular (in-plane) directions are distinguished,which is resulted in an unusual combination of otherwise classicshape functions. An important speciality of the derived stiffnessmatrices is that various options are considered, whichallows the user to decide how to consider the through-thicknessstress-strain distributions, as well as which second-order strainterms to consider from the Green-Lagrange strain matrix. Thederivations of the stiffness matrices are briefly summarizedthen numerical examples are provided. The numerical examplesillustrate the effect of the various options, as well as theyare used to prove the correctness of the proposed shell elementand of the completed derivations

Local stiffness matrices for the semi-analytical Finite Strip Method in case of various boundary conditions

In this paper the elastic and geometric stiffness matrices of the semi-analytical finite strip method (FSM) are discussed. The stiffness matrices are derived in various options. New derivations are presented for different longitudinal base functions, which corresponds to column/beam member with general boundary conditions. Numerical studies are performed to verify the new stiffness matrices as well as to illustrate the effect of the various options. It is shown that inconsistency is existing in the current implementations of FSM, which inconsistency has negligible effect in most of the practical cases, but might have non-negligible effect in certain specific cases

Evaluation of ultrasound and microbubbles effect on pork meat during brining process

In this study combined effect of ultrasound-induced acoustic cavitation and microbubbles during meat brining on pork loin (Longissimus dorsi) was evaluated. Cylindrical shape (diameter 15 mm, height 80 mm) pork loin samples were cut and immersed in 200 g L-1 NaCl brine and treated with the following brining methods for 180 min: static brining (SB), ultrasound assisted brining (US) and ultrasound combined with microbubbles in brine (USMB). Ultrasound was generated with 20 kHz frequency, 5,09 W/cm2 maximum intensity and 100 W maximum power. Microbubbles in brine were produced by a gas–liquid mixing pump. Effect of ultrasound and microbbubles on NaCl content and diffusion in pork loin, mass balance, water binding capacity (WBC), protein denaturation and meat tissue microstructure were evaluated. The US and USMB brinings enhanced the NaCl diffusion into meat compared to meat brined under static conditions. The constant diffusion coefficient (D) model precisely described the NaCl diffusion kinetics during brinings. The ultrasound and microbbubles resulted in microscopic pores on the surface of myofibers. Decreasing WBC was observed for all brining methods. Myosin was not detectable in any of the brining methods. Denaturation temperature of actin showed a decreasing tendency with increasing brining time independently the brining methods

Hypersensitivity reactions amongst Hungarian Patients with Hereditary Angioedema due to C1-Inhibitor Deficiency

Background: In hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE), bradykinin-mediated submucosal and/or subcutaneous angioedema dominates the clinical picture. The deficiency of C1-inhibitor can lead to the over-activation of the complement system. Complement plays an important role in all types of hypersensitivity reactions. On the other hand, during the degranulation of mast cells, heparin is also released amongst other substances. Heparin can activate the plasma kinin-kallikrein system, leading to bradykinin generation. These observations suggest a possible connection between C1-INH-HAE and mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Objective: To assess the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions in the Hungarian C1-INH-HAE population. Methods: Patients filled out a questionnaire of 112 questions, either online or on paper. The questions were about hypersensitivity and C1-INH-HAE symptoms, the relation between these 2, general health, and demographic data. The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Semmelweis University, Budapest, and informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results: One hundred and six patients (64 female, 42 male, median age 46 years) responded, with 63.2% having hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity was provoked by pollen in 25.5% of patients, by contact sensitivity in 22.6%, by food in 21.7%, by insect sting in 19.8%, by pet in 15.1%, by drug in 14.2%, by dust mite in 5.7%, and by mold in 1.9%. In 11 patients, hypersensitivity symptoms appeared after the diagnosis of C1-INH-HAE. Six hypersensitive patients experienced improvement in their symptoms; 42 remained the same, but none experienced worsening after the diagnosis of C1-INH-HAE. In 7.8% of the hypersensitive patients, a C1-INH-HAE attack worsened the hypersensitivity symptoms, while 15.7% of the hypersensitive patients experienced a C1-INH-HAE attack provoked by contact with the provoking factor. Conclusion: While 63.2% of our C1-INH-HAE patients have reported hypersensitivity symptoms, Eurostat's latest data puts the prevalence of self-reported allergies in Hungary at 19.3%. Since in our experience most Hungarian patients report hypersensitivity reactions as allergies, this may support a possible connection between the 2 diseases, but further molecular studies are needed