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The present-day structural application requires advanced materials at extreme conditions, and the development of it is not economically feasible. As a result, existing material in the composite form has more visibility to suit the purpose. The material's strengths and qualities must be examined before it can be recommended for use in harsh conditions. In the present study, Al2O3(3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt.%) and ZrO2particles (2 wt.%) are reinforced with Al-Mg-Si alloy (Al 6061), which possess good isotropic behaviour and better interface bonding. The double stir casting process was adopted for the hybrid composite development, and the samples were cold rolled to reduce grain size and pores in the composites. The developed composites were subjected to mechanical characterisation tests such as hardness, tensile, compression, impact and flexural tests. An increase in reinforcement percentage enhances the mechanical properties. The improvement was attributed to the high thermal mismatch and reduction in the inter-particle distance by cold rolling and the reinforcements. Scanning electron microscope microstructural examination was conducted, and even dispersion of 3 to 15 wt.% Al2O3reinforcements was observed. Tensile elongation decreases with an increase in reinforcement percentage. High elastic modulus and temperature mismatch between matrix and reinforcements increase the strength of the composites. The fracture behaviour of the composites generally showed dimples which are characteristics of ductile fracture, except at 15 wt.% Al2O3/ 2 wt.% ZrO2showed a large portion of cleavage planes and grain cracking. The Al-Mg-Si alloy is reinforced with 9 wt%. Al2O3/ 2 wt.% ZrO2had the best properties suitable for its use in different structural applications.

Investors depend on various sources for decision-making in trading, with maximum profit earning as the primary objective. A predictive model with experience is essential in developing an automated trading system to make wise decisions and avoid risky situations. The present research aims to investigate an artificial agent simulation model that maximizes trading profit. We have designed an innovative IASMFT (Intelligent Agent Simulation Model for Future Trading) for stock trading and profit maximization. IASMFT integrates Fuzzy-c means clustering, GAN (Generative Adversarial Network), and Reinforcement learning. The experimental data consists of historical datasets of six stocks from 8th August 2016 to 31st March 2023. The existing and proposed models are evaluated based on Domain–specific metrics and General regression metrics. The proposed model, IASMFT, maximized the trading profit with an RMSE of 10.14 and MAE of 2.75 and outperformed the models in the recent literature. The findings indicate that the combination of Domain–specific and General regression metrics is a perfect fit to evaluate trading profit and maximization models. IASMFT maximizes the trading profit and is a reliable approach that can be implemented in a real-time scenario.

The adoption of hybrid fluids in machining processes offers multiple benefits, including improved heat dissipation, enhanced lubrication, extended tool life, better surface quality, and reduced environmental impact. These advantages make hybrid fluids an attractive choice for modern machining applications, where efficiency, performance, and sustainability are paramount. A hybrid nanofluid consists of two or more different types of nanoparticles in the base fluid. The primary goal of creating a hybrid nanofluid is to enhance thermal conductivity and heat transfer properties when combined than when employed separately as a standard mono-nanofluid. This paper reports various hybrid nanofluids used in the machining industries. Also, hybridization can make hybrid nanofluids extremely effective at improving heat transfer, surface roughness, and tool life. This study provides an overview of the thermophysical characteristics of hybrid nanofluids and preparation techniques.

Analyzing dissymmetric molecules of semi-organic dyes doped thiourea barium chloride (TBC) single crystals for bettering the SHG frequency and utilizing it for NLO devices casting. Dyes doped TBC crystals were germinated using slow vaporization technique and it was transformed into single crystal using vapour diffusion method. Exemplifying the behavior of dyes doped TBC crystals were carried out using characterization techniques such as PXRD was taken to confirm lattice parameters and structure of grown crystals. The optical transmission of dyes doped TBC were characterized by UV–vis spectra. The functional groups of the compounds present in grown crystal were validated through FT-IR analysis. Vickers hardness number with yield strength and stiffness constant was examined using Vicker’s microhardness tester. The NLO and SHG studies were carried out for identifying optical behavior of dyes doped TBC crystals. The obtained results claims the doped TBC exhibit more efficiency than pure one.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technique used to build complete three-dimensional models from a range of materials for various applications. Brass alloys as an additive were found to be noteworthy composites used in additive manufacturing. Till date, limited research data are available on the tensile properties of PLA–brass composites manufactured using the FDM process. As such, the present research investigates the tensile properties of brass–PLA composite at various infill patterns and compositions (15% and 70%). The significant parameter affecting the mechanical parameters was determined using response surface methodology (RSM). Mechanical qualities were mathematically modeled using the response surface methodology, anticipating the needed output value for various compositions, and infill patterns. In conclusion, for the tensile test, the concentric pattern achieves the highest value for elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength (0.2% offset) for both compositions and the octa-spiral pattern has the weakest properties. The highest value of elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength (0.2% offset) obtained was 0.333 GPa, 7.758 MPa and 4.539 MPa, respectively. The higher infill composition was found to decreases the tensile behavior of the composite. Adapting RSM, a mathematical model to estimate tensile properties has also been developed to ease the future FDM printed PLA–brass tensile properties.

OBJECTIVE--Individuals with type 2 diabetes have a myriad of metabolic aberrations including increased inflammation, increasing their cardiovascular risk. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their ligands play a key role in insulin [...]

OBJECTIVE--Hyperglycemia-induced inflammation is central in diabetes complications, and monocytes are important in orchestrating these effects. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in innate immune responses and inflammation. However, there is a paucity of data examining the expression and activity of TLRs in hyperglycemic conditions. Thus, in the present study, we examined TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein expression and mechanism of their induction in monocytic cells under high-glucose conditions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--High glucose (15 mmol/l) significantly induced TLR2 and TLR4 expression in THP-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). High glucose increased TLR expression, myeloid differentiation factor 88, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1, and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) p65-dependent activation in THP-1 cells. THP-1 cell data were further confirmed using freshly isolated monocytes from healthy human volunteers (n = 10). RESULTS--Pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity and NADPH oxidase significantly decreased TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein (P < 0.05). Knocking down both TLR2 and TLR4 in the cells resulted in a 76% (P < 0.05) decrease in high-glucose-induced NF-κB activity, suggesting an additive effect. Furthermore, PKC-α knockdown decreased TLR2 by 61% (P < 0.05), whereas inhibition of PKC-δ decreased TLR4 under high glucose by 63% (P < 0.05). Small inhibitory RNA to p47Phox in THP-1 cells abrogated high-glucose-induced TLR2 and TLR4 expression. Additional studies revealed that PKC-α, PKC-δ, and p47Phox knockdown significantly abrogated high-glucose-induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine secretion. CONCLUSIONS--Collectively, these data suggest that high glucose induces TLR2 and -4 expression via PKC-α and PKC-δ, respectively, by stimulating NADPH oxidase in human monocytes. Diabetes 57:3090-3098, 2008, The major cause of death in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients is atherosclerosis (1-3). The pathogenesis of the accelerated atherosclerosis is multifactorial. Inflammation is pivotal in the development [...]

The article offers information on CIOs (Chief Information Officers). Particular focus is given to the career paths of CIOS. Additional topics discussed include their changing positions and master's degrees, how the institution one graduates from has no influence on one's chances of becoming a CIO and how CIOs often earn degrees in fields including business, information systems and engineering.

The integration of chirped frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar techniques into digital holography enables range selective holographic imaging well beyond the depth of field of the system. The technique uses FMCW transmit and reference beams. By frequency shifting the reference beam to compensate for the typical FMCW beat frequency associated with a particular range, temporally stable holograms are formed for objects at the selected range. The holograms associated with objects at all other ranges oscillate and integrate towards zero. Experimental demonstrations of the technique are presented, showing enhanced imaging of objects at different ranges and cancellation of obscuring objects. The technique is expandable to range-Doppler selective digital holographic imaging.

The main purpose of this article is to recommend that instructors and textbook authors of business and management communication present explanation, an important component of negative news, as an ethical [...]

Fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia may experience delayed lung maturation, indicating a need for surfactant replacement therapy to enhance lung maturation. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare defect involving the lungs that causes death in many cases. Researchers compared measurements of lung surfactants in the amniotic fluid of 19 fetuses known to have congenital diaphragmatic hernia with those of 48 normal fetuses. Surfactant levels increased after 34 weeks of pregnancy in the amniotic fluid of normal fetuses, but not in the fluid of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Low levels of surfactant protein A were associated with fetal death or with fetuses needing aggressive oxygen treatment after birth.

There has been an increase in research on cross-cultural business communication. There are some shortcomings in the research on cross-cultural organizational behavior. Investigations must be made of the cultural dimensions of femininity-masculinity, collectivism-individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance. The approaches in this field would be greatly strengthened if concepts and paradigms were to be redefined to include criteria regarding effectiveness and views that are non-Western in nature. Testable hypotheses are developed.

An off-axis digital holographic imaging polarimeter was developed to estimate the Jones matrices of an object. The Jones vector image of the electric field returned from the object is determined from a single holographic recording using the interference between the dual, nearly orthogonal, reference beams. The technique compensates for phase variations in the optical beam paths between the recorded holograms and relaxes the need to generate orthogonal illumination polarization states. A minimization algorithm was developed to compute an estimation of the Jones matrix image of an object based on a set of measured Jones vector images. A proof-of-concept demonstration was performed to compute an estimated Jones matrix image of a polarimetrically complex object using digital holograms recorded with 6 different illumination polarizations.

Aluminum (Al) - Silicon Carbide (SiC) metal matrix composite is one of the widely used composites in today’s manufacturing industry. Al-SiC composites are produced through several methods such as casting and powder metallurgy, but its production through Reverse Two-Step Sintering (R-TSS) process in powder metallurgy has not been addressed so far. The present work focuses on manufacturing Al-SiC metal matrix composite through reverse two-step sintering process in powder metallurgy. The reinforcement element SiC is embedded with metal matrix element Al in different proportions. Then the consolidated mixture is compacted using the die and punch setup followed by a two-step sintering process suggested by Wong; thereby, the final compact is produced. Further, the processed sample is analyzed for density and hardness tests.

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses on the choice of a recently proposed multi-class, speed-area occupancy based, one-dimensional continuum model towards the measurement of network level traffic flow variables, namely, travel time and outflow. The parameters of the model are calibrated for a hypothetical mid-block with four vehicle classes, using the micro simulation data from VISSIM software. Analysis result indicates that the model produces travel time and outflow result closer to that by the VISSIM micro simulation. To explore this macroscopic model towards accurate modelling of lacking lane disciplined traffic, i.e. the traffic with frequent lateral movements, a two-dimensional formulation of the model is proposed. It is shown that the new formulation retains the properties of its original version as well as the desirable properties of any traffic flow model.

BACKGROUND: Management of malignant renal tumors involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) depends on tumor extension within the cava. METHODS: Of 295 patients treated for renal cancer, propagation of tumor mass through the renal vein to IVC was seen in 22 (7%) patients. Cephalad extension of the tumor was suprarenal: infrahepatic in 12, retrohepatic in 6, and within the right atrium in 4 patients. All patients had radical nephrectomy, cavotomy, and complete resection of tumors except I with diffuse peritoneal metastasis. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had curative resections. No operative deaths and no instances of pulmonary embolism or exsanguination occurred. Seventeen patients were alive at 2 years and 12 at 5 years, resulting in 77% and 55% survival rates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive approach for vena cava involvement from malignant renal neoplasms resulted in prevention of tumor embolus, minimization of blood loss, and maintenance of venous return to the heart. Am J Surg. 1998; 176:137-139. [C] 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a major health care concern with limited effective therapies. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐based therapies are promising treatment options due to their beneficial effects of immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and other paracrine effects. We investigated whether a bioengineered scaffold device containing hypoxia‐preconditioned, allogeneic human MSCs combined with the beta‐adrenergic antagonist timolol could improve impaired wound healing in diabetic mice. Different iterations were tested to optimize the primary wound outcome, which was percent of wound epithelialization. MSC preconditioned in 1 μM timolol at 1% oxygen (hypoxia) seeded at a density of 2.5 × 105cells/cm2on Integra Matrix Wound Scaffold (MSC/T/H/S) applied to wounds and combined with daily topical timolol applications at 2.9 mM resulted in optimal wound epithelialization 65.6% (24.9% ± 13.0% with MSC/T/H/S vs 41.2% ± 20.1%, in control). Systemic absorption of timolol was below the HPLC limit of quantification, suggesting that with the 7‐day treatment, accumulative steady‐state timolol concentration is minimal. In the early inflammation stage of healing, the MSC/T/H/S treatment increased CCL2 expression, lowered the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1B and IL6 levels, decreased neutrophils by 44.8%, and shifted the macrophage ratio of M2/M1 to 1.9 in the wound, demonstrating an anti‐inflammatory benefit. Importantly, expression of the endothelial marker CD31 was increased by 2.5‐fold with this treatment. Overall, the combination device successfully improved wound healing and reduced the wound inflammatory response in the diabetic mouse model, suggesting that it could be translated to a therapy for patients with diabetic chronic wounds.

This paper presents a detailed study on optimization of turning parameters of Al7075/SiC/Gr metal matrix composites that are used for structural applications widely. The composite specimen containing a mixture of 90 wt.% of Al7075 and 10wt% of SiC and Gr is fabricated by stir casting process. The focus of the work is to identify the optimum weight fraction of reinforcement as well as optimizing the machining parameters. TOPSIS method of optimization is used to predict the optimum composition of reinforcement and the turning parameters like feed, speed and depth of cut. L27 orthogonal array (OA) design is used to carry out the turning experiments. As per TOPSIS analysis, minimum speed of 40 m/min, feed rate of 0.100 mm/rev, high depth of cut of 0.3 mm and material composition of 3%SiC + 7%Gr were found as optimal levels. SEM analysis is also carried out to study microstructural variations after machining. The confirmation test revealed the improvement in surface finish as 16.02% while the tool wear and cutting force are reduced by 22% and 32.30% respectively.

End stage heart failure is a lethal disease with a dismal 5 year survival. Heart transplantation has proven to be a highly effective modality of treatment in appropriately selected group of such patients. This is a retrospective analysis of medium term outcomes of heart transplantation in the setting of a private health facility in India. The objective of this study was two fold.11To document the short term and medium term survival of patients undergoing a heart transplant procedure2To identify the risk factors for unfavorable outcomes with subgroup analysis.

We present the chemical precipitation technique for producing several quantities of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) capped zinc sulphide nanoparticles doped with Ni2+in an ambient environment. The average grain size of the nanoparticles generated was tuned by using SHMP concentration. SEM with EDAX, HRTEM, and SAED patterns was used to confirm the particle size, crystallinity, and composition. Compared to bulk ZnS, UV–Vis spectra of both capped and uncapped samples reveal a blue shift in the absorption edge. FTIR studies confirmed the capping of SHMP on the surface of Ni-doped ZnS. PL spectra of ZnS:Ni2+nanoparticles exhibit intense and sustained visible-light emissions. The intensity of the blue emission centered at 468 nm increased with increasing SHMP concentration up to 0.75 wt percent but decreased with higher concentrations of SHMP. TG – DTA results show that SHMP – ZnS (Ni-doped) nanoparticles have excellent thermal stability due to improved shape and compactness.

ABSTRACTIn this study, the effect of immersion time of the substrate in the chemical deposition bath on the physical properties of cupric oxide films is estimated by varying the immersion time as 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 mins, respectively. The XRD studies revealed that the thin films showed a monoclinic structure with preferential orientation along (111) plane. Using X-ray profile analysis such as crystallite size, microstrain, dislocation density and stacking fault is estimated. Morphological studies revealed that the surface of films has uniformity and the particle size maximum for 45 min immersion time. In optical studies band gap, refractive index, extinction coefficient and optical conductivity have been estimated. The variations in immersion time had a considerable effect on the electrical parameters of films are confirmed. The studies revealed that the immersion time on CBD does have a significant role in deciding the property of the CuO thin films grown.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

The PDZ domain is one of the most widespread protein interaction domains found in nature. Due to their integral role in numerous biological functions, their ability to act as scaffolds for signal amplification, and the occurrence of mutations linked to human diseases, PDZ domains are attractive therapeutic targets. On the basis of the differential binding affinities of selected C-terminal peptides of the human proteome for one such PDZ domain (PSMD9) and by exploring structure–activity relationships, we design and convert a low-affinity tetrapeptide (∼439 μM) to a tight binding sequence (∼5 μM). The peptide inhibits PSMD9–hnRNPA1 interactions that are critical in basal and stimulus-induced NF-κB signaling and a potential therapeutic target in cancers, including chemotherapy or radiation-induced therapy resistance. Extensive application of computer modeling, including ligand mapping and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, helps us to rationalize the structural basis for the huge differences in binding affinity and inform us about the residue-wise contributions to the binding energy. Our findings are in accord with the classical preference of the (PSMD9) PDZ domain for C-terminal sequences that contain hydrophobic residues at the P0 (C-terminal) position. In addition, for the first time, we identify a hitherto unknown occupancy for cysteine at the P–2 position that drives high-affinity interaction in a PDZ domain.

Solute–solvent interactions are critical for biomolecular stability and recognition. Explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are routinely used to probe such interactions. However, detailed analyses and interpretation of the hydration patterns seen in MD simulations can be both complex and time-consuming. A variety of approaches/tools to compute and interrogate hydration properties in structural ensembles of proteins, nucleic acids, or in general any molecule are available and are complemented here with a new and free software package (“JAL”). Central to “JAL” is an intuitive atom centric approach of computing hydration properties. In addition to the standard metrics commonly used to understand hydration, “JAL” introduces two nonstandard utilities: a program to rapidly compute buried waters in an MD trajectory and a new method to compute multiwater bridges around a solute. We demonstrate the utility of the package by probing the hydration characteristics of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and the translation initiation factor eif4E. “JAL” is hosted online and can be accessed for free at http://mspc.bii.a-star.edu.sg/minhn/jal.html.

In this paper, we propose two novel and simple designs for photonic-crystal-fiber-based polarization filters, which consist of a gold rod and gold ring at the center. The performance characteristics of both the designs are analyzed by using the finite element method. Surface plasmon resonance is induced through the coupling mechanism when the phase-matching condition is achieved. Bandwidth performance of the gold rod model is evaluated by varying the diameter of the two small air holes near the fiber core, whereas the same is done for the gold ring model by varying the thickness of the gold ring. From the simulation results, it can be inferred that the proposed filter structure achieved high bandwidth up to 1000 nm over the communication bands.

An alternative to phase-matched angled beam spatial-spectral holographic grating geometries for separating stimulated photon echoes (SPEs) from the probing pulse is proposed and demonstrated. By use of a Mach–Zehnder geometry with inhomogeneously broadened medium in both paths, the SPE can be interferometrically isolated from the generating probe pulse. This interferometric-based technique is well suited to waveguide geometries, which have benefits for future quantum and classical optical signal processing applications such as quantum memories, correlation, and efficient cryogenic microwave-to-optical conversion. Experimental demonstrations showing interferometric-based isolation in Tm^3+-doped LiNbO_3 at 3.2 K are performed and analyzed.

Study's results conflict with those of other papers EDITOR--Robinson et al report a reduction in the amount of paracetamol ingested in overdose since the introduction of reduced pack sizes and [...]

Two assumptions underlie the teaching of international business communication. First, perceptual variations exist within a country, and they sharpen even more across countries and cultures. International business communication students nee [...]

With its many parties and seesaw agendas, India's thorny political system can complicate foreign investment and influence the staying power of foreign firms. Respect, patience and tenacity are essential. From [...]

The article examines the revenue and expenditure trends of 15 states of India during the period 2005–2006 to 2013–2014, by grouping them into high, middle and low income based on per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The analysis reveals that the middle-income states have performed better than the high- and low-income states in own tax effort, whereas low-income states are ahead of all states average in proportion of development expenditure to GSDP. The quality of fiscal deficit has improved, as a major part of it is capital outlay for 12 out of 15 states. Central grants and taxes have shown progressive trends with the degree of progressivity more in the latter. In devolution of resources to local self governments (LSGs), only 5 states are ahead of all states average. The association between development expenditure, own tax revenue effort, devolution of Central taxes and Central grants is positive and statistically significant.