Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (E-Journal)
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MACTOR Analysis for Academia-Industry Collaboration in Teaching Metallurgical Processes
Get PDFThis study focuses on analyzing the collaboration between academia and industry in the teaching of metallurgical processes, using the MACTOR technique to investigate the influence and dependency relationships between the different actors involved. Through both an exploratory and descriptive approach, based on an exhaustive review of the literature and consultation with experts, the most significant challenges, strategic objectives, and interdependencies present in this educational and industrial ecosystem are identified.
The analysis allows the actors to be classified according to their degree of influence and dependency, establishing a distinction between those who have a predominant role in decision-making and those who occupy more subordinate or autonomous positions within this collaborative network. The results obtained reveal the main differences and similarities between the various actors, which is key to understanding the opportunities and obstacles that influence the integration of knowledge and technologies in the training of future professionals in the context of metallurgy.
The findings of this study provide insight into the current state of collaboration between academia and industry, which could serve as a reference for decision-making within universities, companies, and regulatory bodies. Understanding these dynamics is essential to strengthen existing alliances and ensure that educational programs are tailored to the needs of the metallurgical sector, thus fostering more relevant and effective training
Application of the MACTOR Method for the Analysis of the Impact of Key Actors in the Development of Materials for Energy Applications
Get PDFThis article analyzes the power interactions and strategic relationships of the most important actors in the development of materials for energy applications using the MACTOR methodology, with the aim of assessing their potential in promoting sustainability, technological innovation, and the implementation of advanced energy policies. Nine actors are presented and analyzed, including governments and regulatory entities, energy companies, private finance, technology suppliers, research centers, and consumers.
The results of this research show that governments and research institutions have significant power over the rest of the actors, specifically in the promotion of standards and in the production of knowledge and technological innovation. Both technology providers and energy companies are key linking actors, fundamental for the implementation and adoption of new solutions. On the other hand, there is a weak convergence of NGO and consumers, which is a good opportunity to improve the relationship of these actors within the system and the social acceptance of advanced energy technologies.
The study concludes that strategic coordination and alignment of interests between these actors are essential to ensure the development of sustainable materials, compliance with international regulations, and the promotion of equity in access to energy technologies. In addition, it highlights the need to prioritize objectives related to social acceptance and professional training to maximize the positive impact on the energy sector
An Efficient Modified Ratio Estimator under Stratified Ranked Set Sampling
Get PDFStratified Ranked Set Sampling (SRSS) merges the benefits of stratification and Ranked Set Sampling (RSS) to yield an unbiased estimate of the population mean, with potential improvements in efficiency. This paper introduces modified ratio estimators for determining the mean of a finite population, using the first and third quartiles as supplementary information within the SRSS design. Results indicate that these estimators perform better compared to those based on Stratified Simple Random Sampling (StSRS). Expressions for bias and mean squared error (MSE) are derived for the proposed estimators. Theoretical analysis suggests that, under certain conditions, these estimators are more efficient than those used in StSRS and some existing SRSS methods
An AI Framework for Predictive Maintenance with a Foundation Rooted in Physics-Based Principals
Get PDFIn the field of production in general, the physical models that govern degradation are only effective in particular cases, but they are highly explanatory. On the other hand, machine learning models, although working under all conditions with high accuracy, remain unexplained due to their complexity, posing a challenge for engineers in the field. This article presents a symbolic approach to modeling failure modes from data. This approach integrates causal analysis, performance level estimation and risk analysis based on operational safety parameters evaluated according to the criteria of severity, frequency and probability. Using techniques such as deep learning (artificial intelligence), parsimony-driven model selection and symbolic regression, the aim is to minimize a variance function using defined operators. The end result is a simple, accurate function that works under all conditions, while remaining explainable to domain engineers and preserving the predictive capabilities of the neural network
Factors Associated with the Severity of Covid-19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – A Retrospective Cohort Study
Get PDFIntroduction: SARS-CoV-2 caused a major outbreak in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The disease was declared a pandemic in March, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease caused over 8 million confirmed cases and almost 450,000 deaths. Our study aims to explore all risk factors associated with Covid-19 severity among hospitalized patients. Methods: Hospital-based records are retrospectively collected from a cohort of admitted RT-PCR COVID -19 positive patients aged 18 years and older. ISARIC data collection form was used to collect all potential risk factors. Logistic regression is used to calculate crude and adjusted OR. Statistical analyses will be done using STATA v.13.0. Results: 224 hospitalized Covid-19 patients were collected. The mean age was 48.6 (SD±15.1) years old. Patients were significantly older among the severe to critical cases than among the mild to moderate cases with a mean of 53.2 (SD±13.4) vs 43.4 (SD±15.2) (p<0.05). Having DM was more prevalent among the severe to critical cases than mild to moderate cases (69.9%) vs (30.2%). Having a history of DM (OR=3.18) was significantly associated with a severe form of Covid-19, along with other significant risk factors (<0.05): having a higher BMI (OR=2.04), fever (OR= 3.37), sore throat (OR=0.11), shortness of breath (OR=2.68), RR (OR=1.19), lymphocyte count (OR=0.59), WBC count (OR=1.38) and viral pneumonia (OR=10.03). Conclusion: Older age, being diabetic, dyspnea, decreased lymphocyte count, increased WBC and acquiring viral pneumonia can all significantly predict Covid-19 disease progression
Examining How Medical Staff Members Perceive How Emotions Affect Their Behavior When Interacting with Patients
Get PDFBackground: Emotions significantly influence physicians' behavior during patient interactions, yet their impact remains underexplored. Transient mood states (e.g., positive mood, fatigue, nervousness) and enduring emotional conditions such as burnout can shape clinical decisions and care quality. Burnout, defined as a response to chronic work stress, may further moderate these effects. This study investigates how medical staff perceive the role of emotions in their professional behavior and examines burnout as a moderating factor.
Methods: The study recruited 150 physicians (56.7% male) from a major healthcare organization, including family physicians, pediatricians, and internists. Participants completed a validated questionnaire assessing mood states, burnout, and self-reported engagement in five patient-related behaviors: communication, prescribing, ordering lab tests, requesting diagnostic imaging, and specialist referrals. Burnout was measured using Kushnir and Melamed’s scale. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed the effects of mood states and burnout levels on these behaviors.
Results: Significant mood effects were observed across all five behaviors (p < 0.001), with positive moods enhancing communication (mean = 5.75) and negative moods, fatigue, and nervousness reducing it. Burnout significantly influenced behaviors such as ordering lab tests (p = 0.04), diagnostic imaging (p = 0.003), and specialist referrals (p = 0.02). Interaction effects between mood and burnout were significant for most behaviors, highlighting the complex interplay between these factors. For instance, high-burnout physicians exhibited increased diagnostic testing in negative emotional states.
Conclusion: Emotions, both transient and enduring, shape physicians' professional behaviors, with burnout serving as a critical moderating factor. High burnout levels exacerbate the negative impact of adverse moods on patient interactions and decision-making. Interventions targeting emotional well-being and burnout in medical staff could improve communication, reduce errors, and enhance care quality. Further research should explore strategies to mitigate these effects in clinical settings
Decoding the Interplay of Lighting and Spatial Dynamics: A Simulation-Based Case Study Analysis across Diverse Building Orientations
Get PDFIn contrast to artificial light sources, which can be calibrated for specific luminous effects, daylight is a dynamic source that generates varying shadow patterns and brightness levels. Despite the diversity in scale and complexity of daylight studies, this research extended spatial and temporal dimensions. This research predicts the interplay of spatial-temporal dynamics and daylight in replicated buildings across diverse orientations. This study employs integrated measurement tools, Autodesk Revit simulation, statistical analysis, and Heliodon simulations. Results have shown that spatial dimensions consistently affect daylighting levels, underscoring the importance of architectural design and orientation. Seasonal effects on daylighting vary spatially, impacting daylight inconsistently, while time intervals appear non-significant, possibly causing regional daylighting differences. In conclusion, building orientations significantly influence daylight distribution, and architectural choices are crucial in maintaining consistent daylight throughout varied spatial-temporal dynamics. This study advances the scientific comprehension of spatial-temporal elements in sustaining consistent lighting patterns across diverse building orientations
A Systematic Review Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials to Estimate the Lifetime Gained with Cancer Screening Tests
Get PDFBackground: Cancer screening has been a pivotal component of global cancer control strategies since the introduction of the National Cancer Act in 1971. Screening tests such as mammography, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and computed tomography (CT) for lung cancer are widely utilized to detect cancers early or prevent them through the identification and removal of precursors. While the benefits of screening in terms of reduced cancer-specific mortality are well-established, the impact on life expectancy remains less clear, particularly when accounting for potential harms from screening and subsequent treatments.
Methods: This study conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing cancer screening’s impact on all-cause mortality and life expectancy. We included trials with follow-up periods of 10 to 15 years, focusing on six common screening methods: mammography for breast cancer, PSA testing for prostate cancer, FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, and CT for lung cancer in current and former smokers. Trials were identified through comprehensive searches in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library, with a primary focus on studies comparing screening versus no screening. Lifetime gains were calculated using relative risks for all-cause mortality reported in the trials.
Results: Our analysis included 18 RCTs, encompassing over 2 million participants. Sigmoidoscopy was the only screening test to show a statistically significant increase in life expectancy, with a gain of 110 days (95% CI, 0-274 days). Mammography, FOBT (annual and biennial), and PSA testing did not show significant life expectancy benefits. Colonoscopy and lung cancer screening each showed potential increases of 37 days and 107 days, respectively, though with wide confidence intervals indicating uncertainty. A combined cancer screening study suggested a mean gain of 123 days (95% CI, 6-227 days).
Conclusion: This study suggests that while some cancer screenings, such as sigmoidoscopy, may provide modest increases in life expectancy, many commonly used tests do not show significant improvements in overall longevity. the impact on life expectancy can vary depending on the screening method. Future research with longer follow-up periods and more robust trial designs is needed to better understand the long-term effects of cancer screening on longevity
Coracoclavicular Fixation Using the Tight Rope Technique in Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocations: A Comprehensive Review
Get PDFBackground: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common shoulder injuries, particularly in young and active individuals. While conservative management is often considered for low-grade injuries, surgical intervention is preferred for high-grade (Rockwood type III-V) dislocations to restore anatomical alignment and shoulder function. Various surgical techniques have been explored, with coracoclavicular (CC) fixation using a tight rope system emerging as a promising alternative to traditional methods. This review aims to analyze the current literature on the effectiveness, biomechanics, clinical outcomes, and complications associated with the tight rope technique in the management of acute AC joint dislocations. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies evaluating the tight rope technique for CC fixation in acute AC joint dislocations were included. The review focused on surgical technique, functional outcomes, radiological assessment, complications, and comparative studies with other fixation methods such as hook plates, screw fixation, and ligament reconstruction.The literature suggests that CC fixation using the tight rope system provides satisfactory outcomes in terms of joint stability, functional recovery, and pain relief. Several studies report significant improvements in functional scores, including the Constant-Murley Score (CMS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, with high patient satisfaction rates. Radiographic evaluations indicate effective joint reduction, although some studies highlight potential concerns regarding loss of reduction over time, implant loosening, and risk of coracoid fractures. Comparative studies suggest that the tight rope technique may offer advantages over hook plates by allowing early mobilization and avoiding the need for implant removal. However, the long-term superiority of this technique remains debated due to variability in reported complications and recurrence rates.Coracoclavicular fixation using the tight rope technique represents a minimally invasive and biomechanically favorable option for managing acute AC joint dislocations. While short- to mid-term outcomes are promising, further high-quality randomized controlled trials and long-term studies are required to establish its efficacy relative to other fixation methods. Standardized surgical techniques and postoperative rehabilitation protocols may enhance the consistency of results and optimize patient outcomes