Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: An elevated preoperative white blood cell count has been associated with a worse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Leukocyte subtypes, and particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, may however, convey superior prognostic information. We hypothesized that the N/L ratio would predict the outcome of patients undergoing surgical revascularization. Methods: Baseline clinical details were obtained prospectively in 1938 patients undergoing CABG. The differential leukocyte was measured before surgery, and patients were followed-up 3.6 years later. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results: The preoperative N/L ratio was a powerful univariable predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per unit, P 3.36). Conclusion: An elevated N/L ratio is associated with a poorer survival after CABG. This prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors.Peer reviewedAuthor versio

A review of laser engineered net shaping (LENS) build and process parameters of metallic parts

Purpose: This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process in an attempt to provide the reader with a deep understanding of the controllable and fixed build parameters of metallic parts. The authors discuss the effect and interplay between process parameters, including: laser power, scan speed and powder feed rate. Further, the authors show the interplay between process parameters is pivotal in achieving the desired microstructure, macrostructure, geometrical accuracy and mechanical properties. Design/methodology/approach: In this manuscript, the authors review current research examining the process inputs and their influences on the final product when manufacturing with the LENS process. The authors also discuss how these parameters relate to important build aspects such as melt-pool dimensions, the volume of porosity and geometry accuracy. Findings: The authors conclude that studies have greatly enriched the understanding of the LENS build process, however, much studies remains to be done. Importantly, the authors reveal that to date there are a number of detailed theoretical models that predict the end properties of deposition, however, much more study is necessary to allow for reasonable prediction of the build process for standard industrial parts, based on the synchronistic behavior of the input parameters. Originality/value: This paper intends to raise questions about the possible research areas that could potentially promote the effectiveness of this LENS technology.</div

Brass Blast with special guest Georgia Brass Band

Kennesaw State University School of Music presents Brass Blast with special guest, Georgia Brass Band.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1375/thumbnail.jp

Pair dispersion in turbulence

We study the statistics of pair dispersion in two-dimensional turbulence. Direct numerical simulations show that the pdf of pair separations is in agreement with the Richardson prediction. The pdf of doubling times follows dimensional scaling and shows a long tail which is the signature of close approaches between particles initially seeded with a large separation. This phenomenon is related to the formation of fronts in passive scalar advection.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Mirror matter admixtures and isospin breaking in the \Delta I=1/2 rule in \Omega^- two body non-leptonic decays

We discuss a description of \Omega^- two body non-leptonic decays based on possible, albeit tiny, admixtures of mirror matter in ordinary hadrons. The \Delta I=1/2 rule enhancement is obtained as a result of isospin symmetry and, more importantly, the rather large observed deviations from this rule result from small isospin breaking. This analysis lends support to the possibility that the enhancement phenomenon observed in low energy weak interactions may be systematically described by mirror matter admixtures in ordinary hadrons.Comment: Changed conten

Numerical and analytical investigation on meltpool temperature of laser-based powder bed fusion of IN718

Prediction of meltpool features in Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion (LB-PBF) is a complex non-linear multiple phase dynamic problem. In this investigation, numerical simulations and analytical models are offered to predict meltpool temperature and to provide a methodology to estimate melt track quality. By determining the meltpool temperature, different rheological phenomena including recoil pressure can be controlled. Recoil pressure is known to drive the keyhole and conduction modes in LB-PBF which is an important factor to qualify the melt track. A numerical simulation was carried out using Discrete Element Method (DEM) with a range of process parameters and absorptivity ratios; allowing observation of the variation of meltpool temperature and free surface morphology, as calculated by the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. A spatially thermophysical-based analytical model is developed to estimate meltpool temperature, based on LB-PBF process parameters and thermophysical properties of the material. These results are compared with experimentally observed meltpool depth for IN718 specimens and found to have a good accuracy. The numerical and analytic results show good agreement in the conduction mode to estimate the meltpool temperature and related phenomena such as recoil pressure to control the melt track and layering quality. The analytical model does not accurately predict the keyhole mode which may be explained by evaporation of chemical elements in the examined material

Controlled trial of fish oil for regression of human coronary atherosclerosis

AbstractObjectives. This randomized clinical trial tested whether fish oil supplements can improve human coronary atherosclerosis.Background. Epidemiologic studies of populations whose intake of oily fish is high, as well as laboratory studies of the effects of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil, support the hypothesis that fish oil is antiatherogenic.Methods. Patients with angiographically documented coronary heart disease and normal plasma lipid levels were randomized to receive either fish oil capsules (n = 31), containing 6 g of n-3 fatty acids, or olive oil capsules (n = 28) for an average duration of 28 months. Coronary atherosclerosis on angiography was quantified by computer-assisted image analysis.Results. Mean (±SD) baseline characteristics were age 62 ± 7 years, plasma total cholesterol concentration 187 ± 31 mg/dl (4.83 ± 0.80 mmol/liter) and triglyceride levels 132 ± 70 mg/dl (1.51 ± 0.80 mmol/liter). Fish oil lowered triglyceride levels by 30% (p = 0.007) but had no significant effects on other plasma lipoprotein levels. At the end of the trial, eicosapentaenoic acid in adipose tissue samples was 0.91% in the fish oil group compared with 0.20% in the control group (p < 0.0001). At baseline, the minimal lumen diameter of coronary artery lesions (n = 305) was 1.64 ± 0.76 mm, and percent narrowing was 48 ± 14%. Mean minimal diameter of atherosclerotic coronary arteries decreased by 0.104 and 0.138 mm in the fish oil and control groups, respectively (p = 0.6 between groups), and percent stenosis increased by 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively (p = 0.8). Confidence intervals exclude improvement by fish oil treatment of >0.17 mm, or >2.6%.Conclusions. Fish oil treatment for 2 years does not promote major favorable changes in the diameter of atherosclerotic coronary arteries

Brass Ensembles Showcase

Kennesaw State University School of Music presents Brass Ensembles Showcase featuring performances by various brass ensembles showcasing the KSU brass faculty and students.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1777/thumbnail.jp