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The present study investigated the effect of compression ratio (CR) with the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology on the performance of combustion characteristics at different CRs and engine loads; the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), specific fuel consumption (SFC), volumetric efficiency (VOL.EFF), exhaust gas temperature, carbon dioxide emission (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and oxygen content (O2). The single‐cylinder, four‐stroke compression ignition engine was run on a mixture of diesel and biodiesel prepared from Iraqi waste cooking oil at (B0, B10, B20, and B30). A comparison has been achieved for these combustion characteristics at different blends, load, and CRs (14.5, 15.5, and 16.5) at 1500 rpm constant engine speed. The transesterification process is used to produce biodiesel and ASTM standards have been used to determine the physical and chemical properties of biodiesel and compare them to net diesel fuel. The preliminary conducting tests indicated that engine performance and emissions improved with the B20 mixture. Experimental test results showed an increase in BTE when CR increased by 17% and SFC increased by 23%. It also found a higher VOL.EFF by 6% at higher pressure ratios. A continuous decrease in BTE values and an increase in SFC were sustained when the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture was increased. Emissions of carbon dioxide, HC, and NOx increased by 12%, 50%, and 40%, respectively, as CR reached high values. NOx increased with the addition of biodiesel to 35%, which necessitated the use of EGR technology at rates of 5% and 10%. The results indicated that the best results were obtained in the case of running the engine with a mixing ratio of B20 with the addition of 10% EGR, NOx decreased by 47% against a slight increase in other emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for wearable electronic devices has resulted in tremendous progress in research on energy harvesting and storage devices/technologies. Energy storage devices require a power source to charge them, whereas energy harvesting devices require a storage compartment to store the harvested energy for sustainable delivery. Recently, a piezoelectrically driven self‐charging supercapacitor power cell (SCSPC) was developed to harvest and store electrical energy in a solitary system to determine the potential impact of these two types of energy devices for wearable electronic applications. This review describes the recent advances in piezoelectric‐driven SCSPCs in terms of device configuration, piezoelectric separator, electrolyte types, electrode materials, current collectors, and system integration. This review focuses specifically on the principles and mechanism of the self‐charging process that occurred in the SCSPCs and the use of a promising piezo electrochemical spectroscopic tool to realize the piezo electrochemical energy transfer and storage process in the SCSPCs. Further, the current challenges and new perspectives for future developments in the emerging area of SCSPCs or integrated energy devices are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme workloads and strict work schedules make an individual cut their time and energy from their family domain, which may create a conflict, and this situation is called Work–Family Conflict (W‐FC). Besides this, Work Family Balance (WFB) and Job Satisfaction (JS) issues are significant for academics because they have to play two roles (Job and Family) at the same time. This paper's fundamental objective was to investigate the indirect effect (mediation) of WFB through both forms of W‐FC and JS. Following the convenience sampling technique, 250 married academicians from different private universities were considered for the sample size. Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to complete the data analyses. The outcomes of this study showed that out of the two forms, only W to F has significant adverse effects on JS. Also, it was found that to some extent, WFB showed a partial mediating effect only between W to FC and JS, whereas there was no mediating effect through F to WC and JS. These findings will help both academicians and higher authorities of private universities in Bangladesh. The higher authorities and decision‐makers of the private universities in Bangladesh can identify the sources of W‐FCs and take the necessary steps to mitigate the level of W‐FCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Keratoplasty is a surgical procedure to create a more regular optical surface following biomechanical weakening of the cornea in keratoconus. The ideal keratoplasty procedure should also restore corneal biomechanics to that of the healthy cornea. Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biomechanical properties of corneas following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and predescematic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to those of healthy eyes. Design: Prospective cross‐sectional study. Participants: Two cohorts of post‐keratoplasty eyes (42 eyes with PKP and 27 eyes with DALK) with each other, and with a cohort of 152 healthy eyes. Methods: All eyes were examined by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, tomography, anterior segment‐OCT and non‐contact tonometry CorVis ST (CST). Main Outcome Measures: CST biomechanical parameters, maximum corneal deformation (MCD) and corneal energy dissipation were compared between keratoplasty techniques, and with healthy eyes. Results: The mean age of participants with PKP and DALK were 35 ± 13.7 and 36.1 ± 12.6 years, respectively. None of the CST parameters were significantly different between PKP and DALK eyes. However, when compared to healthy corneas, numerous parameters were significantly different for both keratoplasty techniques. Of note, MCD was significantly higher in PKP compared to DALK and healthy corneas, after controlling for co‐factors. Conclusions and Relevance: Neither type of keratoplasty technique utilized in keratoconus completely restored corneal biomechanical properties to that of healthy corneas. However, PKP resulted in a greater number of parameters significantly different to healthy corneas, compared to DALK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults undergoing otologic surgery.Study Design: Cross-sectional retrospective study.Setting: Single tertiary academic center.Subjects and Methods: Adults undergoing nononcologic, extracranial otologic surgery from August 2009 to December 2016. Patients with postoperative diagnosis VTE codes were identified. Imaging and clinical documents were searched for VTE evidence within the first 30 postoperative days. Methods of thromboprophylaxis were documented, and Caprini risk scores were calculated.Results: In total, 1213 otologic surgeries were evaluated. No postoperative VTE events were identified (0/1268). Mean age was 51.0 ± 17.3 years (range, 18.1-93.4 years). Average length of surgery was 136.0 ± 79.0 minutes (range, 5-768 minutes). The average Caprini score in all patients was 4.0 ± 1.7 (range, 1-15). Eighty-five percent of patients had a Caprini score ≥3, the threshold at which chemoprophylaxis has been recommended in general surgery patients by the American College of Chest Physicians 2012 guidelines. Six patients had documented preoperative chemoprophylaxis and a Caprini score of 4.8 ± 1.7. This was not significantly different from that of patients who did not receive preoperative chemoprophylaxis (t test, P = .3). The literature would estimate a rate of 3.7% VTE in adults with similar Caprini scores undergoing general surgery procedures with no VTE prophylaxis.Conclusion: The Caprini risk assessment model may overestimate VTE risk in patients undergoing extracranial otologic surgery. Postoperative VTE following otologic surgery is rare, even in patients traditionally considered moderate or high risk. Chemoprophylaxis guidelines in this group should be balanced against the potential risk of increased intraoperative bleeding and its associated effects on surgical visualization and morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensions from the Israeli occupation of Palestine reach around the globe and heated debates over the struggles of these two peoples are evident on U.S. college campuses. The power imbalance represented in the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis is replicated on college campuses. BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is a response to this inequality, is a movement to end the occupation, and has raised the issue of normalization. Teaching about this conflict presents particular challenges for faculty who negotiate this highly contested issue in classrooms or campus communities, and intergroup dialogue is an important pedagogy that can be used. It is critical to address normalization in intergroup dialogue. We discuss examples and themes of normalization in intergroup dialogue, and present pedagogical and other strategies to prevent and address normalization in intergroup dialogue and in other similar intergroup contact approaches with Arab or Palestinian and Jewish or Israeli participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bstract Background: The aim of this study is to assess patient satisfaction, convenience of use, ease of administration, side effects and treatment burden of topical ocular hypotensives. Design: Prospective, observational cohort. Participants: Two thousand five hundred and forty-one patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Methods: The Treatment Impact Patient Satisfaction Scale (TIPSS) was administered by mail to all patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension registered with Glaucoma New Zealand during a 3-month study period. The questionnaire assessed patient demographics; topical ocular hypotensive use including number of medications, frequency of administration, ease of use, class of medication, and presence/severity of side effects; impact on quality of life; and patient satisfaction. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify determinants of patient satisfaction. Main Outcome Measures: Patient satisfaction. Results: Almost 80% of respondents were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with topical ocular hypotensives. Factors that were predictive of patient satisfaction included satisfaction with frequency of eye drop use {odds ratio (OR) 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.1); P < 0.001}, subjective convenience (OR 2.6 [95% CI 2.0-3.4]; P < 0.001) and ease of administration (OR 2.5 [95% CI 2.0-3.3]; P < 0.001). Male gender was associated with lower satisfaction (OR 0.6 [95% CI 0.5-0.9]; P = 0.01). Factors that were not predictive of patient satisfaction included age, duration of eye drop use, class of medication and the presence of side effects. Conclusions: Patients with glaucoma and ocular hypotension are satisfied with topical ocular hypotensives. Efforts to improve patient satisfaction should focus on convenience and ease of administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient underwent initial treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and a course of oral penicillin, followed by high-dose oral prednisone, but unfortunately developed a recurrence shortly after requiring intravenous infliximab to control the disease. Poststreptococcal syndrome is a well-described immune-mediated condition and can include any of uveitis, glomerulonephritis, polyarthritis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and central nervous system vasculitis. In a case report with proven recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis associated with recurrent severe uveitis, a course of monthly benzylpenicillin was initiated and the patient underwent tonsillectomy, which reduced the severity of subsequent attacks.[3]. [Extracted from the article]

The title compound, 2C14H13NO4·3H2O, was isolated from the plant Acronychia pendunculata. The asymmetric unit consists of two quinoline mol­ecules and three water mol­ecules of crystallization. Intra- and inter­molecular hydrogen bonds are highly effective in forming infinite chains parallel to the b axis, thereby stabilizing the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 49 year-old woman with 4 days history of right periocular ache, blurred vision, and blue object in her right eye. It states that her case revealed an early late intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation which requires repositioning 3 days post initial surgery. It mentions that the patient's history of postoperative dislocation suggests zonular damage during surgery and insertion of sulcus IOL.

The article presents the importance of utilization of video recordings of objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) for training medical students.