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Nidhish Tiwari,1,2 Nidhi Madan3 1Department of Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; 3Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA Abstract: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the elderly and it causes significant morbidity and mortality. Hypertension is also highly prevalent in elderly patients with AS, and AS patients with hypertension have worse outcomes. Accurate assessment of AS severity and understanding its relationship with arterial compliance has become increasingly important as the options for valve management, particularly transcatheter interventions, have grown. The parameters used for quantifying stenosis severity have traditionally mainly focused on the valve itself. However, AS is now recognized as a systemic disease involving aging ventricles and stiff arteries rather than one limited solely to the valve. Over the last decade, valvuloarterial impedance, a measure of global ventricular load, has contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiology and course of AS in heterogeneous patients, even when segregated by symptoms and severity. This review summarizes our growing understanding of the interplay between ventricle, valve, and vessel, with a particular emphasis on downstream vascular changes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and the role of valvuloarterial impedance in predicting left ventricular changes and prognosis in patients with various transvalvular flow patterns. Keywords: aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, global ventricular load, ventriculoarterial coupling, arterial compliance, valvuloarterial impedance

Edlira Zere,1,* Prabhat Kumar Chaudhari,2,* Jitendra Sharan,3 Kunaal Dhingra,4 Nitesh Tiwari5 1Department of Orthodontic and Craniofacial Anomalies, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel; 2Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Deformities, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India; 4Division of Periodontics, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; 5Division of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Class III malocclusion represents a growth-related dentofacial deformity with mandibular prognathism in relation to the maxilla and/or cranial base. Its prevalence varies greatly among and within different races, ethnic groups, and geographic regions studied. Class III malocclusion has a multifactorial etiology, which is the expression of a moderate distortion of normal development as a result of interaction between innate factors or genetic hereditary with environmental factors. Various skeletal topographies of underlying Class III malocclusion are due to discrepancy in the maxillary and mandibular growth along with vertical and/or transverse problems apart from sagittal malformations. The spectrum of complications for Class III malocclusion ranges in gravity from dentoalveolar problems with functional anterior shift of the mandible to true skeletal problems with serious maxillomandibular discrepancies, which makes its diagnosis highly challenging in growing children. Concern regarding early treatment and the need for interceptive care in the case of Class III malocclusion has always been a dilemma, knowing that not all problems will be solved in these cases until maxillomandibular growth is further completed, and the long-term outcome of various treatment approaches may depend on the growth tendency of an individual. Interceptive treatment of Class III malocclusions should be undertaken if it prevents damage to the oral tissues and/or significantly reduces the amount or severity of future orthodontic and surgical interventions. This paper presents an overview of developing Class III malocclusion, with the emphasis on challenges and their solutions based on the best current available evidence. Keywords: Class III malocclusion, facemask therapy, maxillary expansion, chin cup appliance, bone-anchored maxillary protraction, growth treatment response vector

Gabion weir comprises porous materials packed with distinct shapes and sizes of gravel. The gabion weir is eco-friendlier than an impervious weir, as its opening enables water life and sediment materials to pass through it. Aeration is how natural processes or physical structures enhance the contact area and time between water and estranged air. This process improves the dissolved oxygen (D.O.) of water. The D.O. is one of the best determinants used for water quality measurement. This paper investigates the prediction of mass oxygen transfer over the gabion weir by ensemble models. The outputs of gabion weir oxygen mass transfer were estimated using bagging, boosting, and stacking by taking input parameters such as average size, porosity, the gabion weir height, discharge per unit width, and drop height. The dataset was taken by conducting experiments. By comparing these modeling ensembles, it was found that random forest-based bagging outperformed all proposed models. Nevertheless, all applied ensemble models were performing well, but published traditional equations were performing incredibly poorly. As sensitivity analysis suggests, the discharge per unit width was the most sensitive input. An uncertainty study was also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeration is a physical process through which air is brought into contact with water, and thereby both times of contact and contact area between water and air are enhanced. Gabion weirs are eco-friendly alternative structures having the least negative environmental impact. The paper examines the performance of the neuro-fuzzy, neural network, and Gaussian process regression (GPR) models in estimating the gabion weir oxygen aeration efficiency using the test data sets with regards to the evaluation indicators. The model utilizes non-dimensional inputs: Froude number, Reynolds number, the ratio of mean size to weir length, and porosity of gabion weir particles. The GPR with normalized poly kernel model having the highest value of correlation coefficient (CC), 0.9132, and value of root mean square error (RMSE), 0.392, outperforms all applied models and is followed by the neural network model with CC 0.8952 and RMSE 0.398. The neuro-fuzzy triangular shape with CC 0.8865 and RMSE 0.07576 is an equally performing model; nevertheless, all applied AI-based models are mostly performing well, but all mathematical models are exceptionally performing poorly except the nonlinear model with CC 0.8612 and RMSE 0.0029. To assess the relative relevance of input parameters on the output results, sensitivity and parametric analysis are also performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an experimental investigation of the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk and nanosized MnCo 2 O 4 diluted with Zn. The cationic distribution for tetrahedral A-site dilution is ( Co 1 − y A 2 + Zn y A 2 +) A [ Mn 3 + Co 3 + ] B O 4 ± δ , whereas B-site dilution results in ( Co 2 +) A [ Mn 1 − x B 3 + Zn x B 2 + Co 3 + ] B O 4 − δ . The strength of exchange interaction J i j between the magnetic ions in a bulk spinel lattice decreases by ∼ 15 % for A-site dilution relative to the undiluted compound; however, B-site dilution results in an enhancement in J i j by 17%. The frequency and temperature dependence of dynamic-susceptibility [ χ ac (f , T) ] studies of nanostructured compounds reveals the existence of spin-glass like behavior below the freezing temperature T F ∼ 125.7 K (for x B = 0.2) and 154.3 K (y A = 0.1). Relaxation time τ follows the Power-Law variation with a dynamical critical exponent z ν = 6.17 and microscopic spin relaxation time τ o = 4.4 × 10 − 15 s for x B = 0.2 (for y A = 0.1 , z ν = 5.2 and τ o = 5.4 × 10 − 13 s). The amplitude and peak position in χ ac (T) decreases with an increase in the DC bias field, which indicates that the spin-glass phase can survive in the presence of low fields forming a critical line with an exponent 2/3. This behavior is similar to the de Almeida-Thouless (AT-line) analysis in the T-H phase diagram which supports the existence of spin-glass like behavior below T F in these Zn diluted spinels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric plasma spray (APS) coating of Yttrium Phosphate (YPO4) may offer excellent environmental durability, outstanding chemical inertness, high melting point, and matching thermal expansion coefficients over a range of substrate materials of interest. The study investigates for the first time the high temperature thermal cycling behavior of APS coating of YPO4, developed on graphite discs without any bond coat. Generation of commonly solid P2O5 in gas phase during development of coating and thermal cycling enabling it to acquire some unique properties are few of the interesting aspects observed. Identifying formation of new phases, investigating microstructural changes inside the coating, their origin and consequences are the primary interests. Heating the APS coated graphite disk up to 1250, 1300, 1350, and 1400 °C at a rate of 12 °C/min, holding it at the temperatures for 2 h followed by natural cooling to ambient temperature are the steps followed in the thermal cycling. To understand suitability for nuclear application, the highest temperature in a thermal cycle is chosen above the melting point of Uranium. Induced structural and phase changes upon thermal cycling are investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDAX) analysis. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are used to further confirm the structural and chemical nature of the coating developed. Excellent chemical compatibility of the YPO4 coating with graphite has been demonstrated at temperatures up to 1400 °C. Conversion of YPO4 to Y2O3 and P2O5 upon thermal cycling, densification through pore closures, and possible improvements in thermal barrier and strain tolerance capacity due to formation of voids are some of the interesting results obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms of yellow discoloration, curling of leaves, and little leaves with excessive branching were observed on Withania somnifera and Capsicum annum plants, with an average incidence of 5 and 8%, respectively, in Hardoi District of Uttar Pradesh, India during 2016–17 and 2017–18. The little leaf and excessive branching suggested the possibility of phytoplasma association. However, the presence of whiteflies in the vicinity and leaf curling suggested begomovirus infection. Three leaf samples from Withania -somnifera and Capsicum annum symptomatic plants and one from non-symptomatic leaf were used for DNA isolation and were subjected to PCR using P1/P6 primers and nested PCR R16F2n/R16r2 primers, respectively, for the detection of phytoplasma. The begomovirus coat protein-specific primer AV1F/AV1R was used to detect begomovirus infection. Nested PCR amplified the ∼1.2 kb amplicon in all six symptomatic leaves and no amplification was observed in non-symptomatic leaves. The CP region primer yielded ∼800 bp amplicons in all three symptomatic samples of each plant. Amplified products from both primers were eluted, purified, and sequenced. The phytoplasma sequence obtained from Withania somnifera (MH789552) shared the highest sequence identity (99.92%) with other isolates of a clover proliferation group (16SrVI-D) group of phytoplasmas. However, Capsicum annum plants shared the highest identity (99%) with the Ca. P. asteris-related (16SrI-B) group of phytoplasma. In silico RFLP analysis of the 1.2 kbp product of the 16S rRNA sequence of the W. somnifera and C. annum phytoplasma strains submitted to the pDRAW32 tool () and phylogenetic analysis through the MEGA 6.0 tool confirmed that it as a member of the 16SrVI-D subgroup and 16SrI-B subgroup, respectively. The CP gene sequence of the W. somnifera isolate (MW176071) showed maximum identity (99%) with several isolates of the Tomato leaf curl virus reported from various places in India. However, the C. annum isolate (MW420480) shared maximum identity with the Ageratum enation virus. The investigation confirmed the mixed infection of ToLCV and 16SrVI-D group phytoplasma in the W. somnifera plant and 16SrI-B alongwith AEV in C. annum plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plunging jet aerators are considered energetically attractive devices for oxygenation because of their good mixing characteristics and ease of construction and operation. In this mechanism of plunging jet aeration, the air-water interfacial area is increased by a free-falling jet impinging on the surface of a water pool. In this study, experimental data from various configurations of plunging hollow jet aerators are explored in formulating the correlations for predicting the values of volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa) with the jet variables (discharge, jet thickness, jet velocity, jet length, depth of water pool, pipe outlet diameter, number of jets). Nonlinear regression modeling equations derived from dimensional and nondimensional data sets are compared with the neuro-fuzzy (ANFIS), support vector regression (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), M5 tree (M5), and random forests (RF) methods. SVM models calibrated with both types of data sets provided better results when tested on the unseen data sets. Regression equations are also useful and give acceptable results. The SVM models and regression equations are further checked for effectiveness on the data set of past study on plunging hollow jets. The nondimensional form of the regression equation derived in the current study fits reasonably well when tested on the oxygenation data from previous work as compared to the other regression models. The sensitivity of the jet variables is also tested, which showed jet velocity and jet thickness as major contributing factors in oxygenating the aeration pools. An aeration device adds oxygen to water and wastewater during treatment to ensure that microorganisms have enough oxygen to oxidize organic pollutants. Aeration requirements for aeration tanks vary greatly depending on the organic load, and one or more hollow jet aerators can be fitted to accommodate the fluctuating load. Hollow jet aerators are well suited to use in packaged wastewater treatment plants. The annular opening of these aerators can be adjusted accordingly based on the varying load. High-velocity thinner jets are better for quickly renewing air-water films and generating shear and turbulence in the receiving pool, but wastewater should be well screened before aeration to avoid clogging of the small annular opening. The results of this study on the capacity of plunging hollow jet aerators of different configurations/arrangements at varying operating conditions were reflected by the dimensional as well as nondimensional relationships between oxygen transfer rate and jet equipment parameters. Implementing these relationships on previous jet aeration data indicates that the equations are accurate enough to be used to situations similar to those in this investigation. Without any prior experimental effort, these equations can be used to estimate the oxygen transfer expected in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bubbles are formed as the plunging water jet passes through atmosphere and impinges on the surface of water in the pool, which increases the oxygen level of water. The amount of oxygen transferred into an aeration system can be altered by the flow characteristics of plunging jet. The present study models and simulates the oxygen transfer properties with basic flow characteristics of plunging hollow jets. Variables related to the jet included in this study are jet thickness, jet velocity, jet length, and depth of water. For the estimation of volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient ( K L a), modelling techniques such as multiple nonlinear regression (MNLR), artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and generalized regression neural network (GRNN) are used. The results are presented based on training and testing of the models. A nonlinear relationship proposed for the estimation of K L a is compared with the other soft computing-based approaches. The overall comparison of the results obtained from the application of modelling techniques in estimating the experimental data of plunging hollow jets yielded better prediction accuracy by ANFIS (bell-shaped membership function) as well as ANN as compared to MNLR, MARS, and GRNN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tunnel type sediment excluder is a preventive fluidic device constructed on the bed of the river in front of head regulator to mitigate the sediment in the off-taking canal. The water approaching the head regulator is separated into two parts by the roof slab of the tunnels. The top part having relatively clearer water enters into the offtake canal, while the bottom layer which carries most of sediment flows through the tunnels and is discharged from the undersluices to downstream side. Very crude methods for design of sediment excluder are in vogue to date which are based on past experiences and physical model study. So, a rational approach of machine learning methods; multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), group method of data handling (GMDH) and M5P has been utilized for estimating the removal efficiency of sediment excluder (E). These machine learning methods have also been compared with the conventional models given by earlier researchers. Sensitivity study indicated that extraction ratio (R) was the most influencing parameter, which is followed by size of silt (S). Parametric study further suggests that with increase of R, E is getting enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle feeding is used in the most important applications of radio frequency (r.f.) thermal plasmas like synthesis of nanoparticles and particle spheroidization. The study reports an in-situ investigation of radial distribution of temperature in such devices using yttrium ion emission lines under different rates of particle loading during synthesis of yttria nanoparticles. A number of interesting facts about the response of r.f. plasma to the rate of particle loading, hitherto unknown, are revealed. Observed phenomena are supported with experimental data from fast photographic experiments and actual synthesis results. The use of the Abel inversion technique together with simultaneous multi-track acquisition of emission spectra from different spatial locations using a CCD based spectrometer allowed us to extract accurate distribution of temperature inside the plasma in the presence of inherent instabilities. The temperature profiles of this type of plasma have been measured possibly for the first time while particles are being fed into the plasma. Observed changes in the temperature profiles as the particle feed rate increases are very significant. Reaction forces resulting from particle evaporation, and increased skin depth owing to the decrease in electrical conductivity in the edge region are proposed as the two different mechanisms to account for the observed changes in the temperature profile as the powder feed rate is increased. Quantitative analyses supporting the proposed mechanisms are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YPO4 qualifies as a strongly effective environmental barrier coating material against highly aggressive corrosive environments like molten uranium due to its remarkable phase stability, physical and chemical compatibility, high melting point, inertness to reactive metals, low thermal conductivity and closely matching thermal expansion coefficient. Non-availability of a suitable synthesis route and rare commercial availability of phase pure spray grade YPO4 powder restricted development of relevant atmospheric plasma spray (APS) coating. The study addresses the problem first by establishing an effective synthesis route for spray grade granulated YPO4, followed by the development of APS coating, its detailed characterization and testing compatibility of the coating with molten Uranium. Yttrium nitrate is reacted with ortho-phosphoric acid under appropriate PH control to obtain spray grade granules through powder compaction, sintering, crushing, and sieving. Chemical and phase purity are established through XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Development of thick thermal spray coating of YPO4 on graphite and molybdenum substrates and a thorough characterization of the developed coatings in terms of XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDX, adhesion strength, thermal expansion coefficient, and interface microstructure have been reported. Physical and chemical compatibility between YPO4 and graphite and that between the coating and molten uranium have been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three year old female child of Guntherâ€s disease with blistering over exposed parts of body, mutilation of nose and fingers, scanning alopecia and erythrodontia, is reported. Her urine was strongly positive for uropoprhyrinogen. The blistering could not be prevented by strict avoidance of sun, sunscreen with high SPF, chloroquine, high doses of activated charcoal and betacarotene, though there was significant symptomatic improvement by repeated packed erythrocyte transfusion.