The influence of delayed light curing on the degree of conversion and polymerization contraction stress in dual-cured resin luting agents

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of delayed photo-initiation on the polymerization contraction stress (PCS) and degree of conversion (DC) of a dual-cure resin-luting agent. Thirty-five disk (6 mm × 1 mm) samples (n = 10 each group) of dual cure resin luting agent for PCS assessment were fabricated and polymerized using two illuminated quartz rods. Based on the delay in photo-initiation, 30 disks were divided among six groups [group A-0 min (min) delay, group B-2 min, group C-4 min, group D-6 min, group E-8 min and group F-10 min]. A non-photoinitiated group (group G – chemical cure – n = 5) was included as control. The PCS for all specimens was assessed using a Tensometer. For DC evaluation thirty-five specimens were divided into seven groups with delays in photo-initiation (group H-0 min, group I-2 min, group J-4 min, group K-6 min, group L-8 min and group M-10 min, group N-chemical cure). DC was assessed using attenuated total reflectance spectroscopic technique. Statistical comparison among groups was performed using analysis of variance (α = 0.05). The maximum and minimum PCS and DC values with delayed photo-initiation was observed in group-C (3.34 MPa) & group-F (2.44 MPa); and group-M (0.78 MPa) and group-H (0.55 MPa) respectively. Chemically cured samples showed the least PCS (group-G, 1.94) and DC (group-N, 0.53) values in their respective categories. PCS significantly decreased with delayed photo-initiation. A significant increase in DC was noticed when photo-initiation was delayed in the dual cure resin luting agent.     

Local-Tetra-Patterns for Face Recognition Encoded on Spatial Pyramid Matching

Face recognition is a big challenge in the research field with a lot of problems like misalignment, illumination changes, pose variations, occlusion, and expressions. Providing a single solution to solve all these problems at a time is a challenging task. We have put some effort to provide a solution to solving all these issues by introducing a face recognition model based on local tetra patterns and spatial pyramid matching. The technique is based on a procedure where the input image is passed through an algorithm that extracts local features by using spatial pyramid matching and max-pooling. Finally, the input image is recognized using a robust kernel representation method using extracted features. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the proposed method is carried on benchmark image datasets. Experimental results showed that the proposed method performs better in terms of standard performance evaluation parameters as compared to state-of-the-art methods on AR, ORL, LFW, and FERET face recognition datasets.     

Natural Convection around Horizontal Tubes with Smooth,Rough, and Machined Surfaces

This study concerns natural convection around horizontal tubes with smooth, rough, and machined surfaces. The study is motivated by the need for understanding the machining effect or the use of a rough surface layer on the natural convection process. An experimental system is constructed that includes a thick wall metal tube equipped with thermocouples for measuring the surface temperature. A heating element is inserted inside the tube and is coupled with a power supply that can be adjusted to achieve surface temperatures of 60–160°C. The tube surface is machined at various depths of 1–3 mm. Also, four grades of sandpaper are used to cover the tube surface. An analysis of measured data is based on variations in the Nusselt number as a function of the Rayleigh number and surface condition. Results show that the measured data for the smooth tube are consistent with literature results. Although surface machining increases the heat transfer area, it lowers the heat transfer rate because of the low thermal conductivity of air, which replaces the removed metal in the machined grooves. Similarly, covering the tube surface with sandpaper reduces the rate of heat transfer from the tube surface because of contact resistance and the thermal resistance of the sandpaper. Data analysis that takes into consideration the above resistances, where the contact and sandpaper thermal resistances are eliminated, show enhancement of up to 30%. This implies that the direct roughening of a metal surface would enhance the heat transfer rate by 30%.     

Artificial Neural Networks for Prediction of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

In this study, we have proposed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to estimate and forecast the number of confirmed and recovered cases of COVID-19 in the upcoming days until September 17, 2020. The proposed model is based on the existing data (training data) published in the Saudi Arabia Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation—Demographics. The Prey-Predator algorithm is employed for the training. Multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) is used in this study. To improve the performance of MLPNN, we determined the parameters of MLPNN using the prey-predator algorithm (PPA). The proposed model is called the MLPNN–PPA. The performance of the proposed model has been analyzed by the root mean squared error (RMSE) function, and correlation coefficient (R). Furthermore, we tested the proposed model using other existing data recorded in Saudi Arabia (testing data). It is demonstrated that the MLPNN-PPA model has the highest performance in predicting the number of infected and recovering in Saudi Arabia. The results reveal that the number of infected persons will increase in the coming days and become a minimum of 9789. The number of recoveries will be 2000 to 4000 per day.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of cross-linked polyamines for removal of Erichrome Black T from aqueous solution

A new series of polymers comprising four terpolymers was synthesized via Mannich polycondensation of benzene-1,4-diamine, formaldehyde and piperazine by varying the benzene-1,4-diamine and piperazine ratio. The new polyamines (labeled Dipip) were characterized using 13C solid-state NMR, FT-IR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM and EDX. The adsorptive performances of the synthesized polymers for Erichrome Black T (EBT) uptake from aqueous solution were investigated under batch process. Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermo-dynamic studies were conducted to determine the influence of different operational parameters of the adsorption process. The two most promising polymers among the series show an excellent EBT removal efficiency of～100％and～95％with high adsorption capacities of 775 mg·g- 1 and 917 mg·g- 1, respectively at a meager dosage of 5 mg. The sorption of EBT on the polymers was well described by Redlich-Peterson&Langmuir model while the kinetic studies indicate that pseudo-second order model was followed. For the thermodynamic studies, the negativeΔG and positiveΔH values obtained suggest a spontaneity of the sorption process which was endothermic in nature. The results of reusability test of the resins were promising even at the fourth cycle, showcasing the potentials of the new polymers in dyes contaminated water treatment.     

Second Law Analysis and Optimization of Elliptical Pin Fin Heat Sinks Using Firefly Algorithm

One of the most significant considerations in the design of a heat sink is thermal management due to increasing thermal flux and miniature in size. These heat sinks utilize plate or pin fins depending upon the required heat dissipation rate. They are designed to optimize overall performance. Elliptical pin fin heat sinks enhance heat transfer rates and reduce the pumping power. In this study, the Firefly Algorithm is implemented to optimize heat sinks with elliptical pin-fins. The pin-fins are arranged in an inline fashion. The natureinspired metaheuristic algorithm performs powerfully and efficiently in solving numerical global optimization problems. Based on mass, energy, and entropy balance, three models are developed for thermal resistance, hydraulic resistance, and entropy generation rate in the heat sink. The major axis is used as the characteristic length, and the maximum velocity is used as the reference velocity. The entropy generation rate comprises the combined effect of thermal resistance and pressure drop. The total EGR is minimized by utilizing the firefly algorithm. The optimization model utilizes analytical/empirical correlations for the heat transfer coefficients and friction factors. It is shown that both thermal resistance and pressure drop can be simultaneously optimized using this algorithm. It is demonstrated that the performance of FFA is much better than PPA.     

Jet Impingement Cooling of a Finite Thickness Solid Layer Conjugated with Porous Medium

The present study numerically investigates the mixed convection-conduction problem of impingement cooling of a finite thickness solid wall conjugated with a porous medium. The heat transfer is investigated over wide ranges of governing parameters: Rayleigh number (50 ≤ Ra ≤ 100), Péclet number (1 ≤ Pe ≤ 10³), solid wall thickness (0.05 ≤ H ≤ 0.25), heat transfer coefficient parameter (0.1 ≤ H _v  ≤ 10), and solid wall thermal conductivity (0.24 ≤ k _w  ≤ 240). The results shows that the total average Nusselt numbers can be increased with the decrease in H and increase in k _w and H _v . Opposing mixed convection is demonstrated to occur and the minimum value of average Nusselt numbers for fluid are found except for a low value of k _w .     

Copresence of High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses and Epstein–Barr Virus in Colorectal Cancer: A Tissue Microarray and Molecular Study from Lebanon

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) have been reported to be present in different types of human cancers, including CRCs, where they can play a key role in the onset and/or progression of these cancers. Thus, we herein explored the prevalence of high-risk HPVs and EBV in a cohort of 94 CRC tissue samples and 13 colorectal normal tissues from the Lebanese population using polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and tissue microarray methodologies. We found that high-risk HPVs are present in 64%, while EBV is present in 29% of our CRC samples. Additionally, our data showed that high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 35, 58, 51, 45, 52, 31, and 33) are the most frequent in CRC in the Lebanese cohort, respectively. Our data point out that HPVs and EBV are copresent in 28% of the samples. Thus, this study clearly suggests that high-risk HPVs and EBV are present/copresent in CRCs, where they could play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, further investigations using a larger cohort are needed to elucidate the possible cooperation between these oncoviruses in the development of CRC.     

Tau as a Biomarker of Neurodegeneration

Less than 50 years since tau was first isolated from a porcine brain, its detection in femtolitre concentrations in biological fluids is revolutionizing the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights the molecular and technological advances that have catapulted tau from obscurity to the forefront of biomarker diagnostics. Comprehensive updates are provided describing the burgeoning clinical applications of tau as a biomarker of neurodegeneration. For the clinician, tau not only enhances diagnostic accuracy, but holds promise as a predictor of clinical progression, phenotype, and response to drug therapy. For patients living with neurodegenerative disorders, characterization of tau dysregulation could provide much-needed clarity to a notoriously murky diagnostic landscape.