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Aluminium–magnesium alloys find widespread application in diverse industrial and technological fields owing to their unique characteristics such as lightweight nature, favourable physical and mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness. During production, these alloys often undergo various forming processes that significantly affect the morphology and microstructure of their surface layers. Consequently, the surface properties, including corrosion resistance, are notably influenced by these treatments. In this study, the impact of cold rolling on the corrosion behaviour of the 5083 aluminium alloy, which is considered as an important alloy for the aerospace and naval industry, was investigated. The 5083 Al alloy underwent a cold-rolling process, resulting in specimens with reduced average thicknesses of 7% and 15%, respectively. The microstructure of the alloy was examined by using X-ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Furthermore, the corrosion behaviour of both the as-received and cold-rolled aluminium alloy specimens was evaluated through potentiostatic and potentiodynamic corrosion measurements. The experimental results demonstrated that higher cold deformation percentages, within the specified experimental parameters, led to an enhanced corrosion resistance for the alloy. This improvement was primarily attributed to the reduction in grain size induced by recrystallization and to the formation of a passivating aluminium oxide film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wind turbine industry, mechanical components sometimes have to operate under starved lubrication. This occurs mainly after maintenance and/or repairing procedures, when the wind turbine is starting up again after a prolonged inactive period. In field observations have shown that oil starvation is more prominent in warmer climates and of course for longer durations where the mechanical components remained 'inactive'. To get a better insight on this issue, a validation test procedure was developed based on reciprocating sliding tests. This protocol was used to investigate the starvation behaviour of two commercially available oils on metallic components, which were exposed at different temperatures (ranging from −20° to 40°C) and durations (ranging from 5 to 21 days). Based on these tests the resistance to starvation (failure time) and the effect of critical waiting time and temperature to initiate starvation were assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta shoreline structure has long been hypothesized to encode information on the relative influence of fluvial, wave, and tidal processes on delta formation and evolution. We introduce here a novel multiscale characterization of shorelines by defining three process‐informed morphological metrics. We show that this characterization yields self‐emerging classes of morphologically similar deltas, that is, delta morphotypes, and also predicts the dominant forcing of each morphotype. Then we show that the dominant forcings inferred from shoreline structure generally align with those estimated via relative sediment fluxes, while positing that misalignments arise from spatiotemporal heterogeneity in deltaic sediment fluxes not captured in their estimates. The proposed framework for shoreline characterization advances our quantitative understanding of how shoreline features reflect delta forcings, and may aid in deciphering paleoclimate from images of ancient deposits and projecting delta morphologic response to changes in sediment fluxes. Plain Language Summary: It has long been hypothesized that delta morphology and its evolution are primarily dictated by the interplay of three primary forcings: riverine, wave, and tidal. The rich diversity of delta morphologies observed across the globe is attributed to the relative dominance of those forcings. This study aims to retrieve the forcing information archived in delta morphology, specifically in the delta's shoreline, to establish a morphologic classification of deltas. To accomplish that, we propose a set of morphologic metrics targeting the specific locations and scales of the shoreline reworked by riverine, wave, and tidal processes. We show that the projection of the complex shoreline geometries into the low‐dimensional space defined by the proposed morphologic metrics leads to clusters of deltas with similar features, denoted here as morphotypes. Guided by the values of the metrics, we can infer the dominant forcings underlying each morphotype, which generally align with those obtained by estimating the sediment fluxes transported by each forcing. Misalignments are also observed and are mostly due to space‐time heterogeneities and uncertainties in the quantified sediment fluxes. Our methodology relies on readily‐available remote sensing images and is shown to have low sensitivity to its defining parameters, offering insight into predicting deltaic geomorphic response to changing forcings. Key Points: Three process‐informed, geometric, and spectral metrics are introduced to characterize multiscale shoreline featuresUnsupervised clustering of the shoreline metrics reveals five distinct delta morphotypes which correspond to distinct forcingsMorphotypes can be robustly estimated from readily available satellite imagery [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel quantitative test of a 50‐year‐old hypothesis which asserts that river delta morphology is determined by the balance between river and marine influence. We define three metrics to capture the first‐order morphology of deltas (shoreline roughness, number of distributary channel mouths, and presence/absence of spits), and use a recently developed sediment flux framework to quantify the river‐marine influence. Through analysis of simulated and field deltas we quantitatively demonstrate the relationship between sediment flux balance and delta morphology and show that the flux balance accounts for at least 35% of the variance in the number of distributary channel mouths and 42% of the variance in the shoreline roughness for real‐world and simulated deltas. We identify a tipping point in the flux balance where wave influence halts distributary channel formation and show how this explains morphological transitions in real world deltas. Plain Language Summary: River deltas are ecologically and economically important, and each delta is unique in terms of its environmental conditions and overall form. We test a 50‐year‐old hypothesis that qualitatively relates the overall form of a delta (in terms of its shoreline and channel network) to the balance between river and marine influence. We develop a suite of simulated river deltas using a physics‐based numerical model. We quantitatively describe the overall form for each of the simulated deltas and for a globally‐distributed set of real‐world deltas. The simulations and global deltas indeed exhibit relationships between their overall form and the balance of river and marine influence. Deltas with little to no marine influence have abundant channel mouths and rough shorelines. Tides act to roughen the shoreline but do not affect the number of distributary channel mouths. Waves tend to smooth the shoreline and reduce the number of distributary channel mouths. Waves may also lead to the formation of barrier islands and sand spits, though these features do not necessarily indicate wave "dominance." These results confirm the hypothesis from the 1970's while adding important information about the morphological transitions between different end‐member "type" deltas. Key Points: Physics‐based simulations reveal relationships between delta morphology and the balance of river, wave, and tidal sediment fluxesRivers create channels and tides roughen the shoreline, whereas waves smooth the shoreline, decrease channel number, and can create spitsThe simulations are consistent with the morphology of field deltas and confirm the 50‐year‐old hypothesis of Galloway (1975, https://archives.datapages.com/data/hgssp/data/022/022001/87_hgs0220087.htm) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chlormethine gel is a skin‐directed therapy used for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) that showed a favourable risk/benefit profile in a randomized clinical trial. Currently, data on chlormethine gel use in real‐world settings are limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess safety and efficacy of chlormethine gel treatment in patients treated during daily clinical practice and investigate associations between response and disease stage, lesion type, mono‐ or combination therapy, and occurrence of dermatitis. Methods: Clinical data from patients using chlormethine gel from three sites in Greece were analysed. Efficacy was assessed through modified Severity‐Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) scores. Safety assessments included analysis of the occurrence and severity of dermatitis. The Skindex‐29 questionnaire was used for quality‐of‐life assessments. Results: Fifty‐eight patients were included. The overall response rate (ORR) increased from 37.9% at month 1 to 80.8% at month 9. For 64.2% of patients, response was maintained for at least 4 months (ORR4). At month 3, a higher ORR was seen for patients with patches (69.7%) than patients with plaques/tumours (both 15.2%). A higher ORR4 was observed for patients with early‐ vs late‐stage disease (71.4% vs. 36.4%) and patients on mono‐ vs combination therapy (75% vs. 47.6%). Dermatitis was observed in the majority of patients (72.4%), but the presence or severity of dermatitis was not directly correlated with treatment response. Both mSWAT and Skindex‐29 scores decreased significantly during treatment, and changes in these scores from baseline to month 6 showed a positive correlation (r = 0.55, P = 0.026). Conclusions: Chlormethine gel was effective for the treatment of skin lesions in patients with early‐ and late‐stage MF in clinical practice. Response rates increased over time, indicating that continued treatment with the gel is important. Dermatitis may be managed by reducing the treatment frequency; the occurrence of dermatitis did not affect the response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expedient simulations and numerical modelling of forming processes depend on a good knowledge of the friction at the tool–sheet metal contact. The absolute value of the friction force or relative changes of this force due to changing conditions are vital input for a reliable numerical model. For that reason, a good selection of a laboratory experiment that can measure the friction under forming conditions is an essential step. This work is part of a large European Union project named ASPECT, which evaluates the friction force evolution in sheet metal forming as a result of changes in contact conditions. Simplified tribological lab-scale techniques showed an temperature dependence of friction opposite to what is measured in state-of-the-art macroscopic flat strip drawing tests. To understand and overcome this contradiction, a new method was developed to integrate the deformation aspect into a friction test; this approach assures closer resemblance to the actual forming conditions. The aim is to develop a method that measures the effect of temperature and speed on the resistance to sliding and deformation, and to provide an efficient prescreening and ranking of forming oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper is a part of the scientific category HBIM, with ground photography and photogrammetric processing. The photogrammetry is an important tool for recording, storing, promoting and documenting buildings. The purpose of the work is to construct a three-dimensional model of the Greek-Roman aqueduct of the city of Kavala, in northern Greece. First of all, the aqueduct has a very important historical and aesthetic value for the city, because it is a tourist attraction. Also, it is an urban physical boundary, which separates part of the old town from the new roads of the coastal front. Moreover, the methodology was based on photographic shots, then on photogrammetric processing with Zephyr software. The methodology of the 3D model had as a purpose the terrestrial photography in a rapid and effective way. The result, of the work is the presentation of the three-dimensional model of the aqueduct, the analysis of the methodological steps of photogrammetric processing and the analysis of the historical transformation of the aqueduct area by a medieval and modern coastal city. The advantages of photogrammetric documentation have a role in the storage of the three-dimensional form of the historical building and in the smart promotion of its historical, touristic, urban aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nevertheless, treatment outcomes have only been reported in case reports and in a few clinical trials.2-4 The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of peg IFN in the treatment of mycosis fungoides (MF). The only dose-limiting toxicity was a grade 3 elevation of liver enzymes in the 270-mg dose group.3 Overall, peg IFN should be considered as an alternative option in the treatment of MF and its optimal dosing needs to be evaluated in future studies. IFN- with its cytotoxic effects on tumorous T cells was introduced in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in the 1980s and is included as an option in CTCL guidelines.1 However, recombinant IFN a-2a or IFN a-2b interferon regimens are no longer available, and therefore, the pegylated analogue (pegylated IFN a-2a) has been currently used. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Retinoids have long been used in the treatment of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas. However, data on acitretin use for mycosis fungoides (MF) are very limited. Objectives: To evaluate treatment outcomes of acitretin in patients with MF attending three academic referral centres in different regions of Greece. Methods: Data on effectiveness, safety and drug survival of acitretin as monotherapy or as adjuvant regimen were collected in a multicentre, register‐based, retrospective study. Results: Overall, 128 patients (64.8% male; mean age at MF diagnosis 59.7 years) were included. Folliculotropic MF was present in 24 (18.8%) cases. Most patients (n = 118; 92.2%) had early‐stage disease (≤IIA) at acitretin initiation. In all, 28 (21.9%) patients received acitretin monotherapy, while 100 (78.1%) subjects on acitretin concomitantly received phototherapy (n = 65; 50.8%) or topical steroids (n = 27; 21.1%). Acitretin was given as a first‐line agent in 73 (57%) cases. A 77.3% overall response rate was noted: 44.5% and 32.8% for complete and partial responses, respectively. Acitretin was more effective as first‐line than as a subsequent agent (P = 0.008). A trend towards better response was observed in the combination arm compared to patients receiving acitretin alone (P = 0.056). Median time to best response was 6.9 months (IQR 4.4–9.4); median duration of response was 23.7 months (IQR 11.9–35.4). Overall, the mean length of all treatment patterns was 569 days (SD 718.8). Therapy was discontinued in 5 (3.9%) cases due to drug intolerance. Adverse effects were recorded in 62 (48.4%) cases with dyslipidaemia (n = 31; 24.2%), xerosis (n = 24; 18.6%) and hair loss (n = 10; 7.8%) being the most commonly recorded. Conclusions: Acitretin, either alone or as adjuvant, showed a stable long‐term effectiveness in this cohort, especially when used in the first‐line setting. This RAR‐selective agonist may serve as an attractive option for treatment of MF and should be further evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of time of flight mass spectrometry, along with resonance ionization spectroscopy, aids the examination of the ejection of ions and neutrals from a Ge-solid target irradiated with ultraviolet XeCl excimer laser pulses. The ions and neutrals are ejected through a nonthermal mechanism, as is indicated by the ejection at temperatures less than the melting point of the target. In the ground state, the velocities of the ejected neutrals is 3 times 10 to the 4th power cm/s.

Endothelin alters central sympathetic responses, but the resultant effects on arrhythmogenesis are unknown. We examined ventricular tachyarrhythmias after endothelin receptor-A blockade in the brain of Wistar rats with acute myocardial infarction. For this aim, BQ-123 (n=6) or phosphate-buffered saline (n=6) were injected intracerebroventricularly. After 10 min, the left coronary artery was ligated, followed by implantation of telemetry transmitters. Electrocardiography and voluntary activity (as a surrogate of acute left ventricular failure) were continuously monitored for 24 h. Infarct-size was similar in the two groups. There were fewer episodes of ventricular tachyarrhythmias of shorter average duration in treated rats, leading to markedly shorter total duration (12.3±8.9 s), when compared to controls (546.2±130.3 s). Voluntary activity increased in treated rats during the last hours of recording, but bradyarrhythmic episodes were comparable between the two groups. Endothelin receptor-A blockade in the brain of rats decreases the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias post-ligation, without affecting bradyarrhythmic episodes. These findings call for further research on the pathophysiologic role of endothelin during acute myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observatory‐scale data collection efforts allow unprecedented opportunities for integrative, multidisciplinary investigations in large, complex watersheds, which can affect management decisions and policy. Through the National Science Foundation‐funded REACH (REsilience under Accelerated CHange) project, in collaboration with the Intensively Managed Landscapes‐Critical Zone Observatory, we have collected a series of multidisciplinary data sets throughout the Minnesota River Basin in south‐central Minnesota, USA, a 43,400‐km2 tributary to the Upper Mississippi River. Postglacial incision within the Minnesota River valley created an erosional landscape highly responsive to hydrologic change, allowing for transdisciplinary research into the complex cascade of environmental changes that occur due to hydrology and land use alterations from intensive agricultural management and climate change. Data sets collected include water chemistry and biogeochemical data, geochemical fingerprinting of major sediment sources, high‐resolution monitoring of river bluff erosion, and repeat channel cross‐sectional and bathymetry data following major floods. The data collection efforts led to development of a series of integrative reduced complexity models that provide deeper insight into how water, sediment, and nutrients route and transform through a large channel network and respond to change. These models represent the culmination of efforts to integrate interdisciplinary data sets and science to gain new insights into watershed‐scale processes in order to advance management and decision making. The purpose of this paper is to present a synthesis of the data sets and models, disseminate them to the community for further research, and identify mechanisms used to expand the temporal and spatial extent of short‐term observatory‐scale data collection efforts. Key Points: Observatory‐scale study of MN River Basin created integrative data sets and reduced complexity models to understand environmental changeData sets include water biogeochemistry, sediment sources and sinks, sediment fingerprinting, geomorphic change detection, and bathymetryModeling efforts focus on basin‐scale environmental transport to inform land management, reduce pollutant export, and improve river biota [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the outcome of referrals for external cephalic version (ECV).Design: Retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data.Setting: Major university hospital, UK.Sample: Women with non-cephalic presentation at term and no prior caesarean, referred to a specialist clinic.Methods: Details of referrals, ECV attempts, and perinatal outcomes were prospectively collected and analysed. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were created to determine independent predictors of ECV success, reversion, and spontaneous version.Main Outcome Measures: External cephalic version success rates, predictors of success and cephalic presentation at birth, and perinatal outcomes.Results: Three thousand eight had confirmed breech presentation; 2614 women underwent ECV. Ineligibility for ECV occurred in 117 breech presentations (3.9%), and 297 eligible women (10.2%) declined it. ECV was successful in 1280 (49.0%, 95% CI 47.0-50.9%) (40% in nulliparous women; 64% in others); 1234 (97.3%) were cephalic at birth. Spontaneous version after failure occurred in 4.3% and was more common in multiparas (aOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.43-4.26) and those with a posterior fetal back (aOR 6.09, 95% CI 1.90-19.53). Reversion after successful ECV occurred in 2.2%. In women with a successful ECV whose fetus remained cephalic at birth, 85.7% delivered vaginally. The corrected perinatal mortality of the ECV cohort was 0.12%.Conclusion: External cephalic version has a low complication rate and is effective for most breech presentations, enabling vaginal birth and avoiding caesarean section.Tweetable Abstract: External cephalic version can safely be performed with most breech presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventive actions of cultural heritage continuously emerge in order to preserve the identity of the respective civilizations, retain its cultural significance and ensure its accessibility to present and future generations. 3D geomatics technologies along with UAV systems are widely used for documenting existing structures especially in difficult-to-access areas. In addition, Building Information Modelling (BIM) for cultural heritage gains ground towards the sustainable management, update and maintenance of the information. To this context, the current work generates a Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) model of the "Averof's Museum of Neohellenic art" located in Metsovo, Greece, by using UAV photogrammetry techniques and additional information derived from the architecture designs of the buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured, biocompatible, TiC/Ti Supersonic Cold Gas Sprayed coatings were deposited onto a Ti6Al4V alloy and their microstructure, wear resistance and hardness were investigated. The starting nanostructured powder, containing a varied mixture of Ti and TiC particles, was produced by high energy ball milling. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used for structural and chemical analyses of powder particles and coatings. Coatings, 250-350 μm thick, preserving the nanostructure and chemical powder composition, with low porosity and relatively high hardness (~850 HV), were obtained. These nanostructured TiC/Ti coatings exhibited better tribological properties than commonly used biomedical benchmark materials, due to an appropriate balance of hard and soft nano-phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni–Sn alloy intermetallic coatings with different Sn contents, were electrodeposited on Vanadis 23 steel substrates. Structural and chemical characterisation of these coatings was performed by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive x-ray analysis. The as-plated Ni–Sn coatings were found to consist of a crystalline Ni solid solution with dispersed Ni–Sn intermetallic phases, whereas in certain cases bulk intermetallic coatings were obtained. The addition of Sn as an alloying element into electrolytic Ni coatings led to a significant increase of hardness and Young’s modulus of these coatings. In addition, the effect of a post-deposition heat treatment at 400°C for 1 h on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of these electrolytic Ni–Sn alloy coatings was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses in investigating the effect of cold deformation on the cathodic hydrogen charging of 5083 aluminum alloy. The aluminium alloy was submitted to a cold rolling process, until the average thickness of the specimens was reduced by 7% and 15%, respectively. A study of the structure, microhardness, and tensile properties of the hydrogen charged aluminium specimens, with and without cold rolling, indicated that the cold deformation process led to an increase of hydrogen susceptibility of this aluminum alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mycosis fungoides ( MF) is an indolent cutaneous lymphoma with excellent prognosis at early stages and much poorer outcome during disease progression. Old age, male sex and folliculotropism have been proposed as relevant prognostic factors; however, their exact effect remains debatable. Objectives To evaluate MF prognostic indicators and survival rates in a Greek population. Methods Prognostic variables affecting survival rates were studied in 473 patients with MF diagnosed and treated by two academic referral centres in Greece. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to determine survival rates and progression. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess prognostic factors. Results The mean age of diagnosis was 61·7 years ( SD 16·33). Five-year disease-specific survival was 96% in patients with stage IA disease and 52% in patients with stage IIB disease. Univariate analysis certified that large-cell transformation, clonal rearrangements of the TCR gene, severe pruritus and presence of plaques were the most important prognostic factors. Folliculotropism altered disease progression only in patients with early-stage disease. The application of the Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index ( CLIPI) on our late-stage group failed to provide reliable evidence. The current Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium ( CLIC) prognostic index can efficiently distinguish a low-risk from a high-risk group of patients. Tumour-Node-Metastasis-Blood ( TNMB) staging was the most important prognostic factor for survival rates in multivariate analysis. Conclusions In our study we validated the current prognostic indicators for MF in a Greek population and identified new potential prognostic factors for survival outcome. Our findings contribute to the ongoing investigation of prognostic indicators of MF, further validation of which is highly needed through prospective studies and among different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is the estimation of radiation burden during liver chemoembolisation procedures. Organ dose and effective dose conversion factors, normalised to dose-area product (DAP), were estimated for chemoembolisation procedures using a Monte Carlo transport code in conjunction with an adult mathematical phantom. Exposure data from 32 patients were used to determine the exposure projections for the simulations. Equivalent organ (HT) and effective (E) doses were estimated using individual DAP values. The organs receiving the highest amount of doses during these exams were lumbar spine, liver and kidneys. The mean effective dose conversion factor was 1.4 Sv Gy-1 m-2. Dose conversion factors can be useful for patientspecific radiation burden during chemoembolisation procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]