Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (E-Journal)
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Cardiorenal Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies
Get PDFCardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a complex pathophysiological disorder characterized by bidirectional interactions between the heart and kidneys, where dysfunction in one organ exacerbates dysfunction in the other. It is classified into five types based on the primary organ affected and the timeline of dysfunction. Type 1 involves acute cardiac dysfunction leading to acute kidney injury, while type 2 is characterized by chronic cardiac dysfunction contributing to chronic kidney disease. Type 3 denotes acute kidney injury precipitating acute heart dysfunction, and type 4 represents chronic kidney disease leading to chronic heart failure. Type 5 involves systemic conditions such as sepsis or diabetes that simultaneously impair both organs.
The diagnosis of CRS necessitates a multidisciplinary approach incorporating clinical assessment, biochemical markers, imaging studies, and hemodynamic monitoring. Clinical evaluation includes symptoms such as dyspnea, edema, fatigue, and oliguria, alongside a detailed history of cardiovascular and renal risk factors. Biochemical markers like serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) are essential in assessing renal and cardiac function. Emerging biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), offer early detection of renal injury, while high-sensitivity troponins and galectin-3 provide insights into myocardial stress and fibrosis.
Imaging modalities play a crucial role in CRS diagnosis, with echocardiography assessing cardiac function and renal ultrasound detecting structural abnormalities. Hemodynamic monitoring, including right heart catheterization and noninvasive techniques such as bioimpedance analysis, helps differentiate volume overload from intrinsic renal dysfunction. Additional diagnostic tools include urine analysis, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac MRI, and renal biopsy when indicated.
Management of CRS requires an integrated strategy involving cardiologists, nephrologists, and intensivists. Optimizing volume status with diuretics, ultrafiltration, or renal replacement therapy is critical. Pharmacological interventions include renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Dialysis, nutritional support, and lifestyle modifications, including cardiac rehabilitation and psychosocial care, are essential in improving outcomes. Emerging therapies such as anti-inflammatory agents, novel antifibrotic drugs, and remote patient monitoring offer promising avenues for future research and clinical management. A personalized approach integrating genetic, molecular, and pharmacogenomic insights may further refine CRS treatment, improving patient prognosis and reducing morbidity and mortality
Building The Future: Applications Of Artificial Intelligence In Civil Engineering
Get PDFArtificial intelligence (AI) gives classical civil engineering (CE) a new life and ways to innovate by giving it more complex mathematical frameworks and algorithms. The new AI methods can improve and update a lot of complicated, time-consuming and hard work in design, building and inspection. The physical machine learning can help solve many problems and find new laws in the field of CE by combining the data paradigm with physical principles. On the other hand, artificial intelligence based solutions may often help civil engineers to solve problems more quickly and easily. This paper talks about new theories and methods that have been developed for using artificial intelligence in civil engineering. The smart science and technology in CE greatly improve the current levels of digitalization, informatization, automation and intellectualization. This paper gives a systematic review and summary of the most recent advancements in AI in civil engineering (CE) for the entire life cycle of civil structures and infrastructure. These advancements include intelligent architectural design, intelligent structural health diagnosis and intelligent disaster prevention and reduction. A number of examples are given for intelligent architectural art shape design, structural topology optimization, computer vision-based structural damage recognition, correlation-pattern-based structural condition assessment, machine-learning-enhanced reliability analysis, vision-based earthquake disaster evaluation, and dense displacement monitoring of structures under wind and earthquake. The discourse concludes with an examination of the potential of sentient science and technology in the context of future CE
Development And Evaluation Of Neem Oil Nanoemulsions: Enhanced Antifungal Activity Against Trichophyton Rubrum With Improved Stability
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Neem oil, Azadirachta indica is an effective antifungal agent; however, its hydrophobic nature is one of the limiting factors for conventional formulation. Nanoemulsion systems offer a promising approach to enhance its solubility, stability, and antifungal activity. This study was carried out to formulate neem oil nanoemulsions with optimal droplet size, investigate their stability, and assess their antifungal efficacy against Trichophyton rubrum.
Methods: Nanoemulsions were prepared by high-energy emulsification at different oil-to-surfactant ratios (1:2, 1:3, 1:4) and two sonication times (10 and 15 minutes). The particle sizes were determined by DLS. Antifungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration-MIC-by the broth microdilution method of the nanoemulsions were compared with neem oil macroemulsions and nystatin as a control.
Results: The minimum droplet size was 11.95 nm with an oil-to-surfactant ratio of 1:4, which was subjected to a sonication time of 15 minutes. Further, the optimized nanoemulsion showed higher antifungal efficiency (MIC: 1562.5 μg/mL) than the corresponding macroemulsion (MIC value 3125 μg/mL). The stability study exhibited only slight increase in droplet diameter within 60 days of evaluation, and thus it remained stable (<20 nm).
Conclusion: The neem oil nanoemulsion significantly enhanced antifungal efficacy and stability, which could be due to the enhancement in droplet’s surface area and solubility. This study presents the potential of nanoemulsion technology in the development of efficient antifungal formulations and, therefore, is worthy of further clinical exploration
Titanium Coagulants in Water Purification and Water Treatment Processes in Additive Manufacturing
Get PDFConsiderable attention is paid to improving the environmental safety of additive manufacturing. The production of titanium products using powder metallurgy methods is characterized by a significant amount of water consumption, and therefore a significant amount of wastewater generated. The paper presents the main directions of using titanium compounds as coagulants for the post-treatment of natural (technical water treatment) and waste water from the additive production of titanium products. It has been established that in the processes of wastewater and recycled water treatment, titanium-containing coagulants are significantly superior to traditional coagulants based on aluminum and iron salts. Processes for preparing process water from surface sources using titanium coagulants also occur with high efficiency. Residual concentrations of pollutants when using titanium tetrachloride as a coagulant were on average 2-3 times lower than when using traditional reagents. The coagulation sludge (sediment) obtained as part of water treatment is titanium dioxide in its composition and can be used in the future as a raw material for various industries
Structural Performance of Hybrid Reinforced Concrete T- Beams Combining High Strength Concrete and Lightweight Concrete
Get PDFThis paper investigates the structural performance of reinforced concrete hybrid beams, focusing on the effects of the flexural reinforcement ratio and concrete strength on key parameters such as ultimate load, first cracking load, deflection, and crack patterns. An extensive experimental study was conducted on ten simply supported reinforced concrete beams, including nine hybrid concrete reinforced beams and one conventional beam. All beams featured a T-shaped cross-section with dimensions of 200 mm flange width, 60 mm flange depth, 190 mm web depth, and 100 mm web width. For the hybrid beams, lightweight concrete (19 MPa) was used in the web, while high-strength concrete was used in the flange. The conventional beam was constructed entirely of high-strength concrete (46 MPa). The beams were designed with varying flexural reinforcement diameters (8, 10, and 12 mm) and web concrete strengths (46, 62, and 84 MPa). The results demonstrate that increasing the reinforcement ratio (from 0.00217 to 0.00341 and 0.00493) significantly enhances load capacity. Similarly, increasing the compressive strength of the web concrete (from 46 to 62 and 84 MPa) effectively raises the failure load. However, early cracking load values remained consistent across all hybrid specimens due to the uniform use of lightweight concrete in the web. The first cracking load was found to be more influenced by the quality of the concrete within the web, than by the reinforcement ratio. The reference beam, constructed with a web concrete strength of 46 MPa, exhibited superior crack control, with a 21.7%–47% improvement in the first cracking load compared to the hybrid beams. Optimal performance was achieved by combining a higher flexural reinforcement ratio with increased flange concrete strength. The hybrid beam with 84 MPa web concrete strength and 12 mm flexural reinforcement diameter demonstrated the best structural performance, achieving lowest deflection (17.60 mm) at failure and a maximum load capacity of 176.17 kN. This beam exhibited excellent load capacity, stiffness, and crack resistance. In Addition, all beams showed negligible slip between concrete layers, further confirming the effectiveness of the hybrid design. These findings provide valuable insights into designing robust and efficient structural elements with enhanced strength and crack resistance, offering potential applications in various structural contexts
An Evaluation of the Public's Expectations and Experiences with Medical Personnel
Get PDFBackground: The relationship between healthcare providers and patients is crucial to achieving optimal clinical outcomes. While physicians’ clinical competence is universally recognized, patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) increasingly prioritize communication, empathy, and technical expertise. However, a gap exists between patient expectations and their actual healthcare experiences, often leading to dissatisfaction and negative consequences, such as physician-targeted violence. Understanding and addressing this disparity is essential for improving healthcare delivery.
Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the public’s expectations and experiences with medical personnel. A total of 500 participants were surveyed using a composite questionnaire derived from the Patient Picker Experience-15 (PPE-15) and the Exceptionally Good Doctor Survey. The questionnaire evaluated sociodemographic factors, patient expectations, and their most recent healthcare experiences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify factors associated with high expectations and negative experiences.
Results: The study found that 65% of participants had high expectations of their healthcare providers, particularly in communication, professionalism, and technical expertise. However, 55% of participants reported at least one negative experience, with poor communication being the most frequent issue (45%). Participants with high expectations, especially regarding communication and professionalism, were more likely to report dissatisfaction when these expectations were unmet. Significant issues included insufficient time for consultation, dismissal of concerns, and inadequate information.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to align their practices with patient expectations, particularly in communication, empathy, and technical expertise. By addressing these key areas, healthcare systems can improve patient satisfaction, reduce negative experiences, and foster stronger, more trusting doctor-patient relationships, particularly in LMICs where resources and infrastructure may be limited
The Green HRM Impact on Employees' Environmental Commitment: Mediating Effect of Organizational Pride
Get PDFThis study investigates green HRM practices on employees' environmental commitment, focusing on mediating role of organizational pride. This study extended research aims to deeply understand, how green HRM influences EEC through organizational pride. The study reveals that green HRM practices enhance employee commitment towards environmental sustainability, leading to improved stronger environmental commitment of employees. Organizational pride act as mediator, derived from employees' contentment and self-worth associated with their organization, plays significant role in enhancing employees’ commitment in environmental initiatives. Hence, current study utilize 267 samples from the employees’ of plastic industry of Pakistan, more over empirical testing was carried out utilizing partial least squares-SEM in Smart PLS 3.0 software. Using the social identity theory, the study suggests that employees' identification with environmentally responsible practices boosts organizational pride and commitment. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on green HRM and sustainability, offering insights into psychological processes that link green HRM and EEC. The findings emphasize fostering organizational pride significance; enhanced employees' commitment via EEC and excellent organizational green HRM practices
Revolutionary Women: Semiotic Analysis of Female Imagery in Chinese Cultural Revolution Posters
No full textThis study explores the semiotic representation of female figures in propaganda posters produced during China's Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), focusing on their symbolic roles and ideological functions within the sociopolitical context of the era. By examining the symbolic meanings and their underlying cultural metaphors, this research investigates how visual elements were utilized to shape political narratives and promote revolutionary ideals. The study reveals the multifaceted roles and symbolic significance of female images in political propaganda, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping political narratives and reinforcing revolutionary ideals.The analysis reveals that women were portrayed as revolutionary protagonists, labor models, and loyal supporters of the Communist Party, embodying collective values and symbolizing the ideal of gender equality. While propaganda posters from the Cultural Revolution have been widely studied as critical media for political communication, this study uniquely applies semiotic theory to systematically analyze the symbolic construction of female figures, revealing their nuanced roles in embodying revolutionary ideals and reshaping gender norms—an aspect often overlooked in previous research. The portrayal of women in these posters as revolutionaries, labor exemplars, and symbols of collectivism underscores the deliberate alignment of gender roles with the political and ideological narratives of the Cultural Revolution, offering insight into how propaganda reinforced specific historical gender constructs. However, a comprehensive examination of how female images in these posters were crafted and deployed within visual symbol systems to articulate and propagate political ideology remains underexplored, particularly in terms of their semiotic structures and ideological implications. This paper contextualizes these visual symbols within the historical and cultural framework of the Cultural Revolution, emphasizing the interplay between gender, politics, and propaganda in shaping revolutionary narratives. The findings shed light on the symbolic roles of female representations in revolutionary narratives, providing a semiotic framework for interpreting female imagery during the Cultural Revolution
A Convolution-Based Method For Calculating The Sum Of Three Z-Numbers In Uncertain Environments
Get PDFThis paper presents a convolution-based method for calculating the sum of three Z-numbers in uncertain environments.
Given the computational complexity of summing more than two Z-numbers using traditional numerical methods, this study proposes a simplified technique that combines the convolution of probability functions with Zadeh’s extension principle. The results from solving numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method can produce outcomes with acceptable accuracy, although some dependence on the initial parameters of the probability distribution remains.
This method is particularly well-suited for engineering applications and seismic analysis, where data are uncertain and reliability is variable
Pipe Material Influence On Variable Formation Of Chlorine Disinfection By-Products In Water Supply Networks
Get PDFWell-known, prominent two-chlorination disinfectant byproducts (DBPs), i.e., Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Trihaloacetic Acids (THAAs), emerge in drinking water when reacting with other constituents in water. The chlorination of water nowadays crucial step in water supply infrastructure, yet the production of chlorine-generated DBPs has emerged as a critical public health issue. The pipe nature used for water supply is considered an important factor for the manipulation in the production of Chlorine DBPs. This study validates the pipe nature effect in the production of Chlorine DBPs by using the two types of pipe, i.e., Galvanized Iron (G.I.) and High-Density Polythene (HDPE). When the chlorinated water comes in contact with the surface of two different nature pipes, fluctuating results were seen. These findings certainly contribute to the contrast between the generation of prominent DBPs formation under the known two supply mediums. Overall results from this study revealed that the G.I pipe nature contributes more to the chlorine DBPs production as compared to the HDPE pipe nature