INFLUENCE OF COMPLIANCE FOR AN ELASTOKINEMATIC MODEL OF A PROPOSED REAR SUSPENSION

The research is carried out to improve passenger’s comfort to increase the vehicles stability in dynamic conditions. The literature available in the automotive engineering considers different topics for studying suspensions. An example represents mechanisms structure and analysis (synthesis, kinematics, and dynamics) under various operating conditions. These aspects have been approached before analytically, numerical. The current paper studies the influence of the lateral force on the contact patch of the wheel and the corresponding variations of vehicle stability parameters, such as camber angle and wheel rear track. The study is performed for a newer innovative rear suspensions mechanism which does not have a wheel track and camber angle variation, relative to the chassis, when the suspension components was considered rigid. A numerical solution is obtained through a virtual model on several commercial codes: MSC Adams, Patran, Nastran. Concerning the analysed parametes, their variation increases as the applied force is increased. Moreover, the largest variation corresponds to the case were elastic bushings and deformable links are considered

STUDY OF NEW AUTOMOTIVE REAR SUSPENSION MECHANISM

The paper presents firstly an introduction discussing: the problem’s statement emphasizing the actual problem of research of passenger car suspension to improve driving comfort and dynamic of the vehicle movement; aspects regarding the studies of car suspension mechanisms; the paper’s aims and objectives showing that a new configuration of suspension mechanism having in structure mobile frame and an actuator offering some important operational advantages is proposed. After this, the innovative concept is presented. The motions of mechanism elements and actuator and kinematic displacements are largely presented. The simulation using modern software (MSC Patran 2007, MD R2 Nastran and MSC ADAMS/View) accentuates the actuality of the results, which are presented and discussed for an application. Final conclusions are given

Novel ketone diet enhances physical and cognitive performance.

Ketone bodies are the most energy-efficient fuel and yield more ATP per mole of substrate than pyruvate and increase the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis. Elevation of circulating ketones via high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets has been used for the treatment of drug-refractory epilepsy and for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. Ketones may also be beneficial for muscle and brain in times of stress, such as endurance exercise. The challenge has been to raise circulating ketone levels by using a palatable diet without altering lipid levels. We found that blood ketone levels can be increased and cholesterol and triglycerides decreased by feeding rats a novel ketone ester diet: chow that is supplemented with (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate as 30% of calories. For 5 d, rats on the ketone diet ran 32% further on a treadmill than did control rats that ate an isocaloric diet that was supplemented with either corn starch or palm oil (P < 0.05). Ketone-fed rats completed an 8-arm radial maze test 38% faster than did those on the other diets, making more correct decisions before making a mistake (P < 0.05). Isolated, perfused hearts from rats that were fed the ketone diet had greater free energy available from ATP hydrolysis during increased work than did hearts from rats on the other diets as shown by using [31P]-NMR spectroscopy. The novel ketone diet, therefore, improved physical performance and cognitive function in rats, and its energy-sparing properties suggest that it may help to treat a range of human conditions with metabolic abnormalities.-Murray, A. J., Knight, N. S., Cole, M. A., Cochlin, L. E., Carter, E., Tchabanenko, K., Pichulik, T., Gulston, M. K., Atherton, H. J., Schroeder, M. A., Deacon, R. M. J., Kashiwaya, Y., King, M. T., Pawlosky, R., Rawlins, J. N. P., Tyler, D. J., Griffin, J. L., Robertson, J., Veech, R. L., Clarke, K. Novel ketone diet enhances physical and cognitive performance.A.J.M. thanks the Research Councils UK for supporting his Academic Fellowship. This work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from FASEB at https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201600773R

Geometric 3D Models of Spiral Structures Inspired by Contemporary Architecture

This geometric research is inspired by numerous magnificent structures-buildings around the world, which applied spiral geometry. Here we will present some of these architectural wonders and their basic geometric concepts. The intention of our work is to present the palette of 3D structures modeled in engineering software Auto CAD, where 3D operations with solids were available. Our concept concerning modeling of spiral building structures follows the basic geometric principles of simultaneous rotating and translating of an element along given geometric axis. The simple geometric shapes of circle, square, triangle and hexagon were combined in order to create the basic unit of spiral structure. We employed repetition of the basic unit, with the moving option in zigzag direction, around the central core (imaginary or real). Also, the combinations of elements which differ in sizes (scaling) are present in modeled shapes. As the result, we made various 3D models arranged in two types of structures: one developed in horizontal and the other in vertical direction

Energy Efficiency of Different Bus Subsystems in Belgrade Public Transport

Research in this paper comprised experimental determination of energy efficiency of different bus subsystems (diesel bus, trolleybus and fully electric bus) on chosen public transport route in Belgrade, Serbia. Experimental measuring of energy efficiency of each bus type has been done based on the analysis of parameters of vehicle driving cycles between stops. Results of this analysis were basis for development of theoretical simulation model of energy efficiency. The model was latter compared with the results of simulation done by Solaris Bus and Coach company for the chosen electric bus route. Based on demonstrated simulation, characteristics of electric bus batteries were defined, the method and dynamic of their re-charge was suggested, as well as choice for other aggregates for drive system and technical characteristics for the electric buses were suggested.17th International Symposium on Thermal Science and Engineering of Serbia (SIMTERM), Oct 20-23, 2015, Sokobanja, Serbi

Malignancy-related hyponatremia: Case report

Hiponatrijemija je čest elektrolitski poremećaj kod hospitalizovanih bolesnika. Nakon potvrđivanja laboratorijskog nalaza, potrebno je pojavu hiponatrijemiju etiološki razjasniti. Prikaz bolesnika: Bolesnica stara 56 godina, hospitalizovana je zbog evaluacije grčeva nogu i malaksalosti. U biohemijskim nalazima se registruje hipotona hiponatrijemija, te je posumnjano na SIADH (engl. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion). Evaluacijom SIADH-a, nije nađen uzrok hiponatrijemije. Primenom simptomatske terapije i korekcijom hiponatrijemije, pacijentkinja je otpuštena lako poboljšana. Četiri meseca nakon hospitalizacije, javlja se konfuzna, sa gušenjem, sindromom hiperglikemije i teškim opštem stanjem. Pored toga, kod pacijentkinjw su laboratorijski potvrđene hipotone hiponatrijemije, ultrasonografijom abdomena su viđene metastatske promene na jetri. Ubrzo nakon prijema, dolazi do smrtnog ishoda. Rodbina je odbila obdukciju, te primarno ishodište malignoma nije utrvđeno. Hipotona hiponatrijemija zahteva ozbiljnu kliničku evaluaciju. SIADH je najčešći uzrok hipotone hiponatrijemije, a najvažniji uzrok SIADH-a je maligna bolest. Pažljiva korekcija hiponatrijemije i lečenje osnovne bolesti je osnova lečenja SIADH-a.Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients. In the case of repetitive biochemically confirmed hyponatremia, it is necessary to find its cause. Case report: a 56-year-old woman was admitted to hospital due to leg cramps and malaise. Routine biochemical analysis revealed hypotonic hyponatremia and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) was suspected. The cause of hyponatremia was not discovered by means of evaluating SIADH. The patient was simptomatically treated, and discharged in better general condition, with partially corrected hyponatremia. She was advised to restrict water intake and to repeat serum electrolytes and BUN regularly. Four months later, she presented with dyspnea and hyperglycemic syndrome, she was confused and her life was threatened. Beside severe hyponatremia and hyperglycemia, an urgent abdominal ultrasonography showed liver secondaries. Shortly after admission, the patient passed away. Unfortunately, the patient's family refused an autopsy, so the origin of neoplasia has remained unknown. It is necessary to do a thorough clinical evaluation of hypotonic hyponatremia. SIADH, as the most frequent cause of hypotonic hyponatremia, is often a paraneoplastic syndrome. Careful correction of hypotonic hyponatremia and management of the underlying disease is the mainstay of SIADH treatment

Gender and contemporary risk of adverse events in atrial fibrillation

Background and Aims: The role of gender in decision-making for oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial.Methods: Population cohort study using electronic healthcare records of 16,587,749 patients from UK primary care (2005-2020). Primary (composite of all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke or arterial thromboembolism) and secondary outcomes were analysed using Cox hazard ratios (HR), adjusted for age, socioeconomic status and comorbidities.Results: 78,852 patients were included with AF, age 40-75 years, no prior stroke and no prescription of oral anticoagulants. 28,590 (36.3%) were women and 50,262 (63.7%) men. Median age was 65.7 years (interquartile range 58.5-70.9) with women being older and other differences in comorbidities. During total follow-up of 431,086 patient-years, women had a lower adjusted primary outcome rate with HR 0.89 vs men (95% CI 0.87-0.92; p&lt;0.001), and HR 0.87 after censoring for oral anticoagulation (95% CI 0.83-0.91; p&lt;0.001). This was driven by lower mortality in women (HR 0.86, 0.83-0.89; p&lt;0.001). No difference was identified between women and men for the secondary outcomes of ischaemic stroke or arterial thromboembolism (adjusted HR 1.00, 0.94-1.07; p=0.87), any stroke or any thromboembolism (1.02, 0.96-1.07; p=0.58), and incident vascular dementia (1.13, 0.97-1.32; p=0.11). Clinical risk scores were only modest predictors of outcomes, with CHA2DS2-VA (ignoring gender) superior to CHA2DS2-VASc for primary outcomes in this population (receiver operator curve area 0.651 vs 0.639; p&lt;0.001), and no interaction with gender (p=0.45).Conclusions: Removal of gender from clinical risk scoring could simplify the approach to which patients with AF should be offered oral anticoagulation.  <br/

Evaluating Perinatal Health in Europe: A Comparison of Routine Population Birth Data Sources

Background International comparisons of population birth data provide essential benchmarks for evaluating perinatal health policies. Objectives This study aimed to describe routine national data sources in Europe by their ability to provide core perinatal health indicators. Methods The Euro-Peristat Network collected routine national data on a recommended set of core indicators from 2015 to 2021 using a federated protocol based on a common data model with 16 data items. Data providers completed an online questionnaire to describe the sources used in each country. We classified countries by the number of data items they provided (all 16, 15–14, < 14). Results A total of 29 out of the 31 countries that provided data responded to the survey. Routine data sources included birth certificates (15 countries), electronic medical records (EMR) from delivery hospitalisations (16 countries), direct entry by health providers (9 countries), EMR from other care providers (7 countries) and Hospital Discharge Summaries (7 countries). Completeness of population coverage was at least 98%, with 17 countries reporting 100%. These databases most often included mothers giving birth in the national territory, regardless of nationality or place of residence (24 countries), whereas others register births to residents only. In 20 countries, routine sources were linked, including linkage between birth and death certificates (16 countries). Countries providing all 16 items (N = 8) were more likely to use EMRs from delivery hospitalisations (100%) compared to 50% and 11% in countries with 15–14 items (N = 12) and < 14 items (N = 9), respectively. Linkage was also more common in these countries (100%) versus 75% and 56%, respectively. Other data source characteristics did not differ by the ability to provide data on core perinatal indicators. Conclusions There are wide differences between countries in the data sources used to construct perinatal health indicators in Europe. Countries using EMR linking to other sources had the best data availability