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This paper presents an analysis of the industrial process of hot forging a flange. The authors developed several thermomechanical models of the forging process for which they carried out computer simulations using the MSC.Marc 2013 software. In the Jawor Forge flanges with a neck are manufactured by hot forging in crank presses with a maximum load of 25 MN. The input material, in the form of a square bar, is heated up to a temperature of 1150°C and then formed in three operations: upsetting, preliminary die forging and finishing die forging. The main aim of the studies and the numerical analyses, in which the geometry of the tools would be modified, was to maximally reduce the amount of the input material taking into account the capabilities of the Jawor Forge, and consequently to significantly reduce the production costs. Besides the Forge’s equipment resources, the main constraint for modifications was the flange-with-neck forging standard which explicitely defines the tolerances for this element. The studies, which included numerical modelling, infrared measurements and technological tests, consisted in changing the geometry of the tools and that of the forging preform. As a result, the optimum direction for modifications aimed at reducing the mass of the input material was determined. The best of the solutions, making it possible to produce a correct forging in the Jawor Forge operating conditions, were adopted whereby the weight of the preform was reduced by 6.11%. Currently research is underway aimed at the application of the proposed and verified modifications to other flange forgings.

Aleksander Mendyk,1 Pawel Tuszynski,1 Sebastian Polak,2 Renata Jachowicz1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, 2Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland Background: The aim of this study was to develop a generalized in vitro-in vivo relationship (IVIVR) model based on in vitro dissolution profiles together with quantitative and qualitative composition of dosage formulations as covariates. Such a model would be of substantial aid in the early stages of development of a pharmaceutical formulation, when no in vivo results are yet available and it is impossible to create a classical in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC)/IVIVR. Methods: Chemoinformatics software was used to compute the molecular descriptors of drug substances (ie, active pharmaceutical ingredients) and excipients. The data were collected from the literature. Artificial neural networks were used as the modeling tool. The training process was carried out using the 10-fold cross-validation technique. Results: The database contained 93 formulations with 307 inputs initially, and was later limited to 28 in a course of sensitivity analysis. The four best models were introduced into the artificial neural network ensemble. Complete in vivo profiles were predicted accurately for 37.6% of the formulations. Conclusion: It has been shown that artificial neural networks can be an effective predictive tool for constructing IVIVR in an integrated generalized model for various formulations. Because IVIVC/IVIVR is classically conducted for 2–4 formulations and with a single active pharmaceutical ingredient, the approach described here is unique in that it incorporates various active pharmaceutical ingredients and dosage forms into a single model. Thus, preliminary IVIVC/IVIVR can be available without in vivo data, which is impossible using current IVIVC/IVIVR procedures. Keywords: artificial neural networks, in vitro-in vivo, correlation, relationship, bioavailability, soft computing

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of pharmaceutical care on patients’ knowledge, quality of life and blood pressure and to determine whether new type of pharmaceutical services changes the pharmacists’ satisfaction and knowledge.Methods: Community pharmacies were randomly assigned to study and control group and pharmacists from both groups included patients with hypertension, who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study group provided the pharmaceutical care (education, pharmacotherapy monitoring, detecting and solving drug related problems) for their patients, while the control group provided the standard pharmaceutical services (dispensing medicines with or without counseling). At the beginning and the end of the study pharmacists and patients filled in the knowledge test. Pharmacists fulfilled also satisfaction questionnaire.Results: Survey data were collected from 28 and 56 patients from community pharmacies in study and control group respectively. At the last meeting the normal blood pressure achieved 79% and 55% patients in study and control group, respectively (p>0,05). The pharmaceutical care improved patients’ knowledge about disease. Pharmacists from study group, who provided pharmaceutical care, had higher level of pharmacotherapy knowledge and professional satisfaction than the control group.Conclusion: Implementation of pharmaceutical care into the pharmacy practice benefits both, patients and pharmacists.

The article presents the results of a complex analysis referring to the possibilities of applying different types of construction of forging dies used on a hydraulic hammer lasco HO-U 160 in order to select the optimal solution in the aspect of obtaining the required dimension-shape accuracy. The analysis involved the use of the numerical simulation software FORGE 3.0 NxT. 12 different variants were analyzed, of both different tool constructions and detail arrangements on the die (in a quadruple and sixfold system). The effect of the forces as well as the way of material flow and degree of the forging tool seat's filling were verified. The most ergonomic and technologically justified detail arrangement on the die was described. The results of the numerical simulation analyses were presented with the indication of the pros and cons of the particular solutions. The selected solution of the forging tool construction, implemented in a mass production, was especially discussed to verify of obtained FEM results and improvement actual technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To biomechanically compare the bending stiffness, strength, and cyclic fatigue of titanium additively manufactured (AM) and conventionally manufactured (CM) limited contact plates (LCP) of equivalent dimensions using plate-screw constructs. Twenty-four 1.5/2.0-mm plate constructs (CM: n = 12; AM: n = 12) were placed under 4-point bending conditions. Data were collected during quasi-static single cycle to failure and cyclic fatigue testing until implants plastically deformed or failed. Bending stiffness, bending structural stiffness, and bending strength were determined from load–displacement curves. Fatigue life was determined as number of cycles to failure. Median test variables for each method were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test within each group. Fatigue data was also analysed by the Kaplan–Meier estimator of survival function. There was no evidence for a difference in bending stiffness and bending structural stiffness between AM and CM constructs. However, AM constructs exhibited greater bending strength (median 3.07 (min 3.0, max 3.4) Nm) under quasi-static 4-point bending than the CM constructs (median 2.57 (min 2.5, max 2.6) Nm, p = 0.006). Number of cycles to failure under dynamic 4-point bending was higher for the CM constructs (median 164,272 (min 73,557, max 250,000) cycles) than the AM constructs (median 18,704 (min 14,427, max 33,228) cycles; p = 0.02). Survival analysis showed that 50% of AM plates failed by 18,842 cycles, while 50% CM plates failed by 78,543 cycles. Additively manufactured titanium implants, printed to replicate a conventional titanium orthopaedic plate, were more prone to failure in a shorter fatigue period despite being stronger in single cycle to failure. Patient-specific implants made using this process may be brittle and therefore not comparable to CM orthopaedic implants. Careful selection of their use on a case/patient-specific basis is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report the outcome, frequency of complications and potential prognostic factors associated with surgical repair of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) luxation in dogs. Materials and Methods: Medical records from 10 referral hospitals were reviewed retrospectively for cases of SDFT luxation in dogs that underwent surgical stabilisation. Signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, surgical method, type and length of post‐operative limb immobilisation, nature of and length of exercise restriction, presence of post‐operative complications and outcomes were recorded. Data were summarised descriptively and prognostic risk factors assessed for association with surgical outcome using risk ratios. Results: Forty‐eight cases were included. A successful surgical outcome was recorded in 35 of 48 (73%) cases. Re‐luxation of the SDFT occurred in seven of 48 (15%). Six out of 48 (13%) had a persistent lameness despite a stable non‐luxating SDFT. A high frequency of post‐operative complications occurred (71%), with the majority resolved medically. The risk of surgical failure was 60% higher (risk ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.4) where absorbable suture material was used compared to non‐absorbable suture material. Surgical failure was more common in cases managed with non‐rigid immobilisation post‐operatively (57% failure) compared to cases managed with rigid immobilisation (19% failure), although this result was not statistically significant. Limb immobilisation of 6 weeks or longer did not significantly affect surgical outcome, compared to shorter periods of exercise restriction or limb immobilisation. Clinical Significance: A good outcome can be expected following surgical stabilisation of SDFT luxation. The use of non‐absorbable suture was associated with a more successful surgical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the design of devices using charged particle beams, often the effect of the charge on the electric field has to be taken into account. The distribution of the space charge in the beam can influence the electric field created by the electron optics significantly. The interaction between electrodes and space charge generated electric fields is described by the Poisson equation, the spac charge is governed by the equation of motion. In this paper an interpolation scheme in phase space is presented speeding up the usual successive substitutio algorithm considerably. The problem of finding the configuration space distribution from the phase space data is automatically solved, without integrating explicitly over the velocity space. The results obtained in several computational examples are discussed.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a revolutionary approach used in a complex management of patients with invasive breast cancer. Only a few decades ago, all patients diagnosed with this condition underwent a radical removal of all axillary lymph nodes to determine the stage of the cancer and to prevent further lymphatic metastasis. This surgery has been associated with numerous side effects, sometimes even more serious than complications after the removal of the primary tumour. The growing understanding of lymph circulation and its drainage patterns led to the concept of sentinel lymph nodes, which in turn led to the development of assorted techniques used for their mapping/detection. This review paper discusses the classic methods of sentinel lymph node detection, their status in clinical practice and novel emerging approaches. The classic is a "gold standard" combination of lymphoscintigraphy and blue dye. Although dominant in practice, it has numerous drawbacks. Novel techniques implement superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, indocyanine green fluorescence and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. These have a potential to establish a new gold standard, which will meet all the most important criteria in this regard -- optimal sensitivity, specificity, economic and technical availability and least burden for a patient (Ref. 60). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent Coronavirus 2019 outbreak took the world by surprise and called for global drastic measures. At this early point in the timeline of the pandemic, several questions remain open until the results of large scale studies become available. This article offers few insights on scattered issues; including the clinical characteristics, pathology and diagnosis, as well as treatment perspectives and public health approach. Focusing healthcare resources on necessary treatment and prevention and combining efforts for developing feasible solutions will be decisive for time needed to achieve worldwide containment (Tab. 1, Ref. 23). Text in PDF www.elis.sk [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper covers the research on the process of solutionizing of 7075 aluminum alloy in cold tools during the stamping of a high-strength structural element (B-pillar's base). For technological reasons, in order to obtain high strength parameters of the 7075 alloy, it is necessary to carry out a solutionization process, which allows to obtain dispersion strengthening during ageing process. Properly performed heat treatment of the alloy increases the strength of the material to approx. 600 MPa. The combination of the process of solutionization with simultaneous shaping is aimed at improving and simplifying technological operations of aluminum alloy stamping, shortening the duration of the manufacturing process and reducing production costs. The manufactured lower part of the B-pillar will be used for the verification of the validity of the developed method. During the experiment, a series of stamping tests were carried out, in which the lubricants, pressure and position of the upper and lower blankholders were the variables. The obtained results allow to estimate the influence of the cooling conditions on the strength of the drawpieces obtained after the process of artificial ageing. In order to verify and analyse the results more quickly, a numerical simulation was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]