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In this work, a theoretical model for the metal powder consolidation technique known as Electrical Resistance Sintering (ERS) is proposed and validated. This technique consists of the consolidation of a mass of metal powder by the simultaneous action of pressure and the passage of a high intensity electric current. This electric current heats the powder mass by the Joule effect, while softening it so that the imposed pressure causes its densification. The proposed model meets the set objective of seeking the greatest possible simplicity, without ignoring the key aspects of the technique. In line with this simplicity, the proposed model has a one-dimensional character and is solved numerically by means of Finite Difference through a simulator implemented in the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet environment, programming in VBA, with computation times not exceeding 5 min. The adopted strategy takes into account the strong electrical–mechanical-thermal coupling present in the process. The sensors incorporated in the ERS equipment allow the recording of the data necessary to construct the evolution curves of the global porosity and the thermal energy released. The theoretical predictions provided by the simulator have been compared with experimental curves obtained from the electrical consolidation experiments with commercially pure iron powder. Discrepancies between experimental and theoretical values for final global porosity are around 5% (although approaching 20% in the vicinity of critical conditions) and those for final specific thermal energy do not exceed 7%. The reasonable agreement between the experimental and theoretical curves gives confidence that the model, despite its simplifications, reproduces the main characteristics of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Studies have investigated the early use of liquid biopsy (LBx) during the diagnostic workup of patients presenting with clinical evidence of advanced lung cancer, but real-world adoption and impact has not been characterized. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of LBx before diagnosis (Dx; LBx-Dx) enables timely comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and shortens time until treatment initiation for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used the Flatiron Health-Foundation Medicine electronic health record-derived deidentified clinicogenomic database of patients with aNSCLC from approximately 280 US cancer clinics. RESULTS: Of 1,076 patients with LBx CGP ordered within 30 days prediagnosis/postdiagnosis, we focused on 56 (5.2%) patients who ordered LBx before diagnosis date (median 8 days between order and diagnosis, range, 1-28). Compared with 1,020 patients who ordered LBx after diagnosis (Dx-LBx), LBx-Dx patients had similar stage and ctDNA tumor fraction (TF). LBx-Dx patients received CGP results a median of 1 day after Dx versus 25 days for Dx-LBx patients. Forty-three percent of LBx-Dx were positive for an National Comprehensive Cancer Network driver, and 32% had ctDNA TF >1% but were driver negative (presumed true negatives). In 748 patients with previously untreated aNSCLC, median time from Dx to therapy was shorter in the LBx-Dx versus Dx-LBx group (21 v 35 days; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Early LBx in anticipation of pathologic diagnosis of aNSCLC was uncommon in this real-world cohort, yet this emerging paradigm was associated with an abbreviated time to CGP results and faster therapy initiation. Forthcoming prospective studies will clarify the utility of LBx in parallel with biopsy for diagnostic confirmation for patients presenting with suspected advanced lung cancer. Early liquid biopsy in aNSCLC in parallel with path dx is associated with shorter time to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Electronic health record (EHR)–based real-world data (RWD) are integral to oncology research, and understanding fitness for use is critical for data users. Complexity of data sources and curation methods necessitate transparency into how quality is approached. We describe the application of data quality dimensions in curating EHR-derived oncology RWD. METHODS: A targeted review was conducted to summarize data quality dimensions in frameworks published by the European Medicines Agency, The National Institute for Healthcare and Excellence, US Food and Drug Administration, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. We then characterized quality processes applied to curation of Flatiron Health RWD, which originate from EHRs of a nationwide network of academic and community cancer clinics, across the summarized quality dimensions. RESULTS: The primary quality dimensions across frameworks were relevance (including subdimensions of availability, sufficiency, and representativeness) and reliability (including subdimensions of accuracy, completeness, provenance, and timeliness). Flatiron Health RWD quality processes were aligned to each dimension. Relevancy to broad or specific use cases is optimized through data set size and variable breadth and depth. Accuracy is addressed using validation approaches, such as comparison with external or internal reference standards or indirect benchmarking, and verification checks for conformance, consistency, and plausibility, selected on the basis of feasibility and criticality of the variable to the intended use case. Completeness is assessed against expected source documentation; provenance by recording data transformation, management procedures, and auditable metadata; and timeliness by setting refresh frequency to minimize data lags. CONCLUSION: Development of high-quality, scaled, EHR-based RWD requires integration of systematic processes across the data lifecycle. Approaches to quality are optimized through knowledge of data sources, curation processes, and use case needs. By addressing quality dimensions from published frameworks, Flatiron Health RWD enable transparency in determining fitness for real-world evidence generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper dissects prospects and difficulties for Pakistan at public and global levels for the making of mechanism to defeat the considerations of opponents. The researcher discusses outstanding features of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and efforts to analyses the opportunities and challenges coming along its way. The project was launched after Chinese President's visit to Pakistan in 2015 and project has so far reaped significant economic, external and strategic benefits for Pakistan, but with the CPEC faces a number of challenges. In this research highlights the significance of the CPEC in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and focuses on the strategic significance of Gwadar port as well as the significance of the CPEC for both China-Pakistan that is providing the shortest connectivity to China with Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and onward to Europe. Moreover, it emphasizes on how distance will be abbreviated for oil transportation from Gulf to China and will empower Beijing to assume a significant part as a significant import and export corridor in the world. It additionally resolves the inquiry concerning the import/export imbalance among China and Pakistan and features that the CPEC will also boost the bilateral trade. In this research has utilized a descriptive, comparative, analytical, and qualitative, approaches, through Graham Allison "Rational Actor Model". Secondary data has been analyzed through document analysis. Pakistan has to face both challenges and benefits at the same time. Furthermore, the study examines various segments of the development and prospects of the CPEC and questions the threat perception for the game changer project the CPEC and how Pakistan can handle these threats. The role of international players to destabilize CPEC is also the burning question of the time that needs to be dealt with iron hands. This study will be useful for policy makers, diplomats and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia of chronic diseases is the most popular type of anemia. Treatment of such conditions is based on iron supplementation. However, chronic conditions are accompanied by increased activity of hepcidin, which significantly limits iron absorption from traditional supplementation forms. Modern liposomal technologies allow for efficient encapsulation of macromolecules, which can result in a significant absorption improvement. The presented results show an encapsulation efficiency of more than 90% of iron‐dextran complexes, with a decrease in cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species generation. Practical Application: These results can be used to prepare novel liposomal iron ion formulation with high encapsulation efficiency due to the appliance of iron(III) oxide complex with dextran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water utilities in Japan face a number of challenges, including declining water demand due to a shrinking population, shrinking workforce, and aging water supply facilities. Widespread use of smart water meters is crucial for solving these problems. The widespread use of smart water meters is expected to bring many benefits such as reduced labor by automating meter reading, early identification of leaks, and visualization of pipeline data to strengthen the infrastructure of water services, business continuity, and customer service, as detailed data can be obtained using wireless communication. Demonstration tests are actively conducted in Japan; however, many problems have been reported with cast iron meter boxes blocking radio waves. To address the issue, a low-cost slit structure for cast iron meter boxes is investigated in this study. The results confirm that the L-shaped tapered slit array structure with a cavity, which can be fabricated in a cast iron integral structure, satisfies the design loads required for road installation. The proposed slit structure achieved gain characteristics from −3.32 to more than 9.54 dBi in the 800 to 920 MHz band. The gain characteristics of conventional cast iron meter boxes range from −15 to −20 dBi, and the gain has been significantly improved. Antennas with a gain of −2.0 to +1.5 dB (0.8 to 2.5 GHz) were used for the transmitter antenna, which was found to have a higher gain than the transmit antenna in the 800 to 880 MHz frequency band. In the 1.5 to 2.0 GHz band, a high peak gain of 4.25 dBi was achieved at 1660 MHz, with no null and the lowest gain confirmed that this is an improvement of more than 10 dBi over conventional products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study discusses the inventory of finds from a sunken house that decayed in the last third of the 3rd c. or the first half of the 4th c. The feature was investigated in 2010. The backfill layers contain a relatively large number of archaeological finds – pottery, glass, bronze, iron, bone and antler artefacts. Specifically, the collection of finds includes a coin, bone and bronze needles, spindle whorls, an amulet, iron knives, nails and fragments of tools. The analysis of pottery shows that the majority of ceramics were used for dining purposes while larger vessels – storage containers – are rare. Only a minor part of the pottery finds from the feature are Roman imports. Special attention is paid to the iron amulet box and the fragment of a clay vessel with a rooster-like (or hen-like) spout. The research together with other surveys in the Upper Žitava region corroborates the view that – contrary to previous beliefs – the region was densely settled from the end of the 2nd c. to the 5th c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of synthetic dyes are toxic for the environment. On the other hand, natural dyes are eco-friendly and can replace synthetic toxic dyes. In the present studies, a natural dye was extracted from rinsed and grinded olive peel in 1:10 ratio (m/V) with water. Then, fabrics (wool and silk) were dyed with the peel extract by using different types of dulling and shining mordants (FeSO CoSO4, SnCl2, K2SO4, Al2(SO4)3, ZnSO4 and NiSO4). The mordants have shown best results for wool at the acidic pH (4-5) and for silk at the basic pH (8-9). After dyeing wool (at 70-80°C) and silk (at 100°C) with olive peel extract, by simultaneous mordanting method, an interesting variety of beige, buff and khaki shades were obtained. Color fastness was noted by matching the dyed fabric color with grey scale. The colors of dyed fabric were again noted after its washing, pressing by iron, rubbing and light exposure. The fastness results were found quite satisfactory. The investigated procedure of natural dye extraction is eco-friendly, safe for the environment and a safe technique as it does not involve any organic solvent. The natural dyes can be satisfactory potential substitutes of the synthetic environmentally hazardous dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the precision seeding of small seeds including millet and broomcorn millet in hilly and mountainous areas, a single-row small grain precision seeder was developed. Static seeding test and seeding test were carried out on the seeder. In this paper, the key parts such as socket wheel-ring groove seed metering device, transmission system and tensioning wheel are designed. The working parts such as arrow shovel furrow opener, plastic seed tube and hollow cast iron press wheel were selected to achieve seed metering. The seed metering wheel has double-row of holes. The results of static seeding test showed that rotational speed had a significant effect on the sowing quantity of millet and broomcorn millet (P < 0.001). The higher the rotational speed, the greater the sowing quantity. With the increase of rotational speed of seed metering wheel, the damage rate of millet and broomcorn millet increased. At the same rotational speed, the breakage rate of broomcorn millet is smaller than that of millet. The field sowing test showed that when the seeder is at a marching speed of about 0.5 m/s, the qualified rate of the hole spacing of millet and broomcorn millet is greater than or equal to 90%, and the qualified rate of the number of grains per hole is greater than or equal to 82%. All indicators meet the requirements of the technical conditions of single-grain (precision) seeder. The design can provide reference for the design and optimization of small grain precision seeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical behavior of pure iron (Armco‐iron) deformed at 200 °C by equal angular channel pressing using processing route BC is investigated with a focus on the fracture properties. In particular, the fracture toughness in terms of elastic–plastic fracture mechanics is evaluated for different specimen orientations with respect to the last deformation step. In addition, the results are comprehensively compared with material processed by route A. The microstructural features of both deformation routes are presented and the underlying microstructure–property relationships are discussed. Both deformation routes (A and BC) lead to a comparable strength even though the microstructural features differ. Route A contains a banded and well‐aligned structure almost parallel to the extrusion direction. For route BC, the microstructural alignment is rotated with respect to the pre‐crack orientation and the grain structure is more heterogeneous. For both deformation routes, the crack plane orientation plays a significant role in the fracture characteristics. The fracture toughness along the extrusion direction, with substantially low fracture toughness for route A, is markedly enhanced for route BC. Consequently, route BC offers a pathway to obtaining severe plastic deformation (SPD) materials with high damage tolerance and a considerably lower extent of anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wool Textile Journal is the property of National Wool Textile Science & Technology Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering is the property of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The polyphasic evolution of the testimonial buttes in the central area of the Ebro basin (Los Monegros) is analysed. This is a semiarid area that favours high erosion rates. An evolutionary model of the Jubierre hills is presented that shows the environmental cycles represented by aggradational and degradative processes on the slopes that resulted in the present arrangement of talus flatiron rings. In the four studied cases, talus relicts are composed of detritic material from a disappeared caprock pediment. Four slope stages (S4 to S1) that formed under stable climate conditions are identified. Older stages (S4 and S3) are estimated by comparison with other talus flatirons in the region. The S2 stage contains Bronze Age archaeological remains and the radiocarbon age obtained was 1608–1446 years cal BC (2σ), while S1 is younger. A palaeoenvironmental interpretation was made for these aggradational stages (S4 to S1). The active erosion of these hills led to a relief inversion, and talus flatirons remain as the only features revealing the presence of the relict hills and past human occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central sector of the Ebro Depression is characterized by an abundance of isolated buttes with relict talus flatiron morphologies and block slopes on the footslopes. This paper presents two unusual study cases where the block slopes are aligned in parallel with the retreating escarpment. The evolutionary process of both buttes started with the formation of talus flatirons and ended with aligned block slopes. This is because both buttes initially had a detrital caprock (Pleistocene pediment) which eroded away to expose a sandstone layer that functioned as a new caprock and so changed the slope dynamics. Seven stages were identified at La Cobeta butte and five at Puyalón butte. The relative ages obtained for stages II and IV enabled an estimation of the escarpment retreat rates. The chronologies of the other stages of block alignments were estimated using Schmidt-hammer rebound values. The estimated age of the stage II (ca. 6588-6222 cal yr BP) coincides with three radiocarbon datings obtained in the deposit. Stage III (ca. 4235-3684 cal yr BP) is contemporary with the 4.2 Bond event. Stage IV (ca. 2800-2500 cal yr BP) coincides with the 2.8 Bond event and is associated with ceramic potsherds and radiocarbon datings. Stages V and VI developed during the Warm Roman period and the Medieval Climatic Anomaly respectively. Lastly, stage VII was formed during the Little Ice Age. The information obtained regarding the morphological arrangement improves our knowledge of the regional evolutionary model where talus flatirons and block slopes develop in a semiarid environment. • Slope dynamics and evolution can be establish with a block alignments study. • Schmidt-hammer records were applied to make chronological estimations. • Chronological estimations were partially controlled using absolute and relative datings. • Seven evolutionary stages including talus flatiron and block alignments were established. • Block alignments provide more accurate data than talus flatiron on scarp retreat rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this work is to reduce blowhole defect occurring in a cast iron transfer box. The transfer box moulds were produced using green sand moulding process, and cores were made using CO2 process. It was found that the transfer box had a rejection rate as high as 60%, and it was mainly due to a blowhole on the top surface of the casting. The Ishikawa and risk Ishikawa diagrams were used to analyze this major defect. The risk Ishikawa diagram was constructed by assigning weights to the major and sub-causes due to which the defect occurs. Further, the probability of risk and its impact values were employed to compute risk scores for the main causes and also global risk. From the work carried out, it was found that that the moulds and the sands along with melting and pouring parameters were the major causes for this defect while damp chill, pouring delays and high moisture content in sand were identified as the root causes for the blowhole defect. The main root cause for the blowhole defect was pouring delay that eventually causes dampness in the chill pieces kept inside the moulds. The remedial measures of keeping the moisture content of the sand within 3.5% and pouring the moulds in the shift II within half an hour after closing them were implemented to eliminate it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Real-world treatment patterns for palbociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor, or an aromatase inhibitor alone, for patients with metastatic breast cancer in the Flatiron Database." The correction addresses an error in the third paragraph of the introduction section, where the number of patients prescribed palbociclib in the United States was incorrectly stated. The correct number is nearly 173,000 patients as of March 2023. The correction notice apologizes for the error. [Extracted from the article]