Impact of Ultra-Low Viscosity Fluids on Drivetrain Functionality and Durability

Increasing automotive powertrain electrification is impacting drivetrain complexity and the profiles of the fluids needed. Since the millennium, drivetrain fluid viscosities have been reduced for better efficiency, but this new challenge is driving them to unprecedented low levels. This paper assesses some of the potential implications of ultra-low viscosity fluids on drivetrain functionality and durability. Model formulations have been prepared from a variety of base fluids combined with additive packages. These have been evaluated in typical automotive drivetrain rig tests, as well as with some selected functional tests. In addition, the thermo-oxidative stability and electrical and thermal properties of the fluids were compared. Based on the results, the impact of low viscosity fluids on drivetrain functionality and durability varies depending on the performance parameter evaluated. For example, gear scuffing and bearing wear is highly dependent on additives, whilst gear and bearing fatigue is mainly affected by fluid viscosity. However, by carefully balancing base fluids and additives, acceptable component and fluid durability can be achieved. With respect to new electric drivetrain performance needs, the thermal properties of the finished fluid are essentially dependent on the base fluid composition, whilst its electrical properties are more influenced by additive chemistry, with some secondary impact from base fluid composition.

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Quota Women Are Threatening to Men

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000195 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 76 (3) ◽

pp. 107-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Klea Faniko ◽

Till Burckhardt ◽

Oriane Sarrasin ◽

Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi ◽

Siri Øyslebø Sørensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Organizational Performance ◽

Gender Stereotypes ◽

Perceived Threat ◽

Preferential Treatment ◽

Public Sector Employees ◽

Different Types ◽

Low Levels ◽

Women In Decision Making ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Two studies carried out among Albanian public-sector employees examined the impact of different types of affirmative action policies (AAPs) on (counter)stereotypical perceptions of women in decision-making positions. Study 1 (N = 178) revealed that participants – especially women – perceived women in decision-making positions as more masculine (i.e., agentic) than feminine (i.e., communal). Study 2 (N = 239) showed that different types of AA had different effects on the attribution of gender stereotypes to AAP beneficiaries: Women benefiting from a quota policy were perceived as being more communal than agentic, while those benefiting from weak preferential treatment were perceived as being more agentic than communal. Furthermore, we examined how the belief that AAPs threaten men’s access to decision-making positions influenced the attribution of these traits to AAP beneficiaries. The results showed that men who reported high levels of perceived threat, as compared to men who reported low levels of perceived threat, attributed more communal than agentic traits to the beneficiaries of quotas. These findings suggest that AAPs may have created a backlash against its beneficiaries by emphasizing gender-stereotypical or counterstereotypical traits. Thus, the framing of AAPs, for instance, as a matter of enhancing organizational performance, in the process of policy making and implementation, may be a crucial tool to countering potential backlash.

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Approximate Analytical Analysis of Unsteady MHD Mixed Flow of Non-Newtonian Hybrid Nanofluid over a Stretching Surface

Fluids ◽

10.3390/fluids6040138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 138

Author(s):

Ali Rehman ◽

Zabidin Salleh

Keyword(s):

Heat Transfer ◽

Differential Equations ◽

Base Fluid ◽

Research Work ◽

Hybrid Nanofluid ◽

Stretching Surface ◽

Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method ◽

Analytical Analysis ◽

Transfer Ratio ◽

The Impact

This paper analyses the two-dimensional unsteady and incompressible flow of a non-Newtonian hybrid nanofluid over a stretching surface. The nanofluid formulated in the present study is TiO2 + Ag + blood, and TiO2 + blood, where in this combination TiO2 + blood is the base fluid and TiO2 + Ag + blood represents the hybrid nanofluid. The aim of the present research work is to improve the heat transfer ratio because the heat transfer ratio of the hybrid nanofluid is higher than that of the base fluid. The novelty of the recent work is the approximate analytical analysis of the magnetohydrodynamics mixed non-Newtonian hybrid nanofluid over a stretching surface. This type of combination, where TiO2+blood is the base fluid and TiO2 + Ag + blood is the hybrid nanofluid, is studied for the first time in the literature. The fundamental partial differential equations are transformed to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the guide of some appropriate similarity transformations. The analytical approximate method, namely the optimal homotopy analysis method (OHAM), is used for the approximate analytical solution. The convergence of the OHAM for particular problems is also discussed. The impact of the magnetic parameter, dynamic viscosity parameter, stretching surface parameter and Prandtl number is interpreted through graphs. The skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are explained in table form. The present work is found to be in very good agreement with those published earlier.

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POS0329 GASTROINTESTINAL INVOLVEMENT IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: PATHOGENETIC ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOME, CYTOKINES AND ADIPOKINES

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.1904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 392.1-392

Author(s):

E. Pigatto ◽

M. Schiesaro ◽

M. Caputo ◽

M. Beggio ◽

P. Galozzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Serum Levels ◽

High Serum ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Gastrointestinal Involvement ◽

Degrading Bacteria ◽

Gi Symptoms ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Impact

Background:Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is very common in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The pathophysiology of GI manifestations has not yet been defined. Cell-mediated immunological reactions appear to lead to endothelial damage resulting in fibrosis. The risk of developing malnutrition reinforces the need to better understand GI pathophysiology in these patients.Objectives:The study aimed to evaluate GI symptoms (GIT 2.0) and malnutrition status (MUST) and to determine specific bacterial changes in gut microbiome by investigating the possible presence of positive hot spots in bacterial species in SSc patients and their potential role in the disease progression. We also evaluated serum levels of adipokines and cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of SSc and their role, in addition to gut microbiome, in predicting the onset of GI involvement and malnutrition in SSc patients.Methods:We enrolled 25 scleroderma patients (EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria). UCLA-SCTC GIT 2.0 questionnaire to evaluate GI symptoms and MUST to investigate the risk of malnutrition were used. Gut microbiome was analyzed and the samples were subjected to extraction for the 16S rRNA gene (Earth Microbiome Project and the NIH-Human Microbiome Project). The microbiome was investigated at phenotypic and genotypic level. Serum levels of cytokines and adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were evaluated by ELISA.Results:79.9% of patients had GERD and 63.5% abdominal distension at GIT 2.0 questionnaires. 48% of patients had moderate risk of malnutrition (MUST=2) and 12% had high risk (MUST=3). Gut microbioma: 19 patients (76%) had low similarity and 11 (44%) low diversity compared to the healthy population. The prevailing enterotypes of gut microbiome was Bacteroides (80%) and Prevotella (20%). The genotypic evaluation showed a reduced concentration of: gluten-digesting (Lactobacillus); lactose-digesting (Faecalibacterium); vitamin K-producing (Enterococcus, Desulfovibrio and Veillonella); acetaldehyde-degrading bacteria. 24 patients (96%) showed a reduction in bacteria devoted to maintaining weight control (Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus). The patients had an altered intestinal permeability with less mucolytic bacteria (Bacteroides) and reduced production of LPS (Enterobacter and Escherichia). Low levels of butyrate (Eubacterium and Clostridium), acetate and propionate were found for SCFA-producing bacteria. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were also investigated: Salmonella was found in 14 (56%), Klebsiella in 9 (36%) and Enterococcus Faecalis in 3 (12%) patients. 11 (44%) patients had elevated serum levels of IL10 and IL12; 4 (16%) had high value of leptin. Correlation was found in patients who had a reduced concentration of gluten-digesting bacteria and MUST. Elevated MUST was correlated with serological increase in IL17A and IFN-α. Serum levels of IL12 and IL10 were found to correlate with specific bacteria alterations: high concentration of acetaldehyde-producing bacteria and low levels of acetaldehyde-degrade bacteria (also correlated with high serum levels of IL6), mucolytic bacteria and producers of hydrogen sulphide, acetate and propionate. Finally, reduced levels of mucolytic bacteria and acetate producing bacteria correlated with high serum leptin levels.Conclusion:The relationship between the gut microbiome and SSc seems to be multifactorial. In our study genotypic changes of gut microbioma might play a role in damaging the permeability of the mucosa and increasing risk of malnutrition. The evaluation of gut microbiome and cytokine profile is probably going to be of value in the follow-up of SSc. However, further studies are needed to clarify the impact of GI dysbiosis on the immune system in SSc.References:[1]Patrone V. et al. Gut microbiota profile in systemic sclerosis patients with and without clinical evidence of gastrointestinal involvement, Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 14874Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Comprehension in English Medium Instruction (EMI) lectures: On the impact of lecturer L2 English use

Language Learning in Higher Education ◽

10.1515/cercles-2020-2005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 73-91

Author(s):

Joseph Siegel

Keyword(s):

Teaching And Learning ◽

First Language ◽

Student Body ◽

University Campuses ◽

Student Comprehension ◽

Teachers And Students ◽

English Medium Instruction ◽

Low Levels ◽

Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe importance and amount of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) usage and English Medium Instruction (EMI) lectures continue to increase on university campuses as universities worldwide seek to promote internationalization among both the student body and the faculty. While EMI has become a priority, the teaching and learning that occurs within this framework needs to be monitored for effectiveness and efficiency. Many of the teachers and students in these EMI courses do not share a common first language and likely have a first language other than English. Therefore, they are operating in EMI with varying levels of second language (L2) English ability, which can lead to low levels of student comprehension, learning and satisfaction unless the lecturer takes special care in their delivery of content. This paper explores the linguistic composition of EMI lectures in the Swedish context and reports survey findings of students’ self-reported levels of comprehension related to lecture content and their lecturer’s L2 English use. Three case studies are described and illustrate various linguistic factors that can contribute to or inhibit student comprehension in EMI lectures. Pedagogic implications are presented with the intention of supporting EMI lecturers and their students.

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Identifying Critical Binder Attributes to Facilitate Binder Selection for Efficient Formulation Development in a Continuous Twin Screw Wet Granulation Process

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13020210 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 210

Author(s):

Lise Vandevivere ◽

Maxine Vangampelaere ◽

Christoph Portier ◽

Cedrine de Backere ◽

Olaf Häusler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dissolution Kinetics ◽

Wet Granulation ◽

Continuous Manufacturing ◽

Formulation Development ◽

Granulation Process ◽

Low Viscosity ◽

Twin Screw ◽

Poorly Soluble ◽

Selection For ◽

The Impact

The suitability of pharmaceutical binders for continuous twin-screw wet granulation was investigated as the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a switch from batch to continuous manufacturing. Binder selection for twin-screw wet granulation should rely on a scientific approach to enable efficient formulation development. Therefore, the current study identified binder attributes affecting the binder effectiveness in a wet granulation process of a highly soluble model excipient (mannitol). For this formulation, higher binder effectiveness was linked to fast activation of the binder properties (i.e., fast binder dissolution kinetics combined with low viscosity attributes and good wetting properties by the binder). As the impact of binder attributes on the granulation process of a poorly soluble formulation (dicalcium phosphate) was previously investigated, this enabled a comprehensive comparison between both formulations in current research focusing on binder selection. This comparison revealed that binder attributes that are important to guide binder selection differ in function of the solubility of the formulation. The identification of critical binder attributes in the current study enables rational and efficient binder selection for twin-screw granulation of well soluble and poorly soluble formulations. Binder addition proved especially valuable for a poorly soluble formulation.

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The Lateral Cross-Linking of Polyurethane Using Grafted Epichlorohydrin and the Impact on the Tensile and Thermal Properties

Advances in Polymer Technology ◽

10.1002/adv.21670 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 323-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yong-Chan Chung ◽

Byung Hee Lee ◽

Jae Won Choi ◽

Byoung Chul Chun

Keyword(s):

Thermal Properties ◽

Cross Linking ◽

The Impact

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Investigating the influence of carbon nanotube on the performance of asphalt binder

Progress in Rubber Plastics and Recycling Technology ◽

10.1177/14777606211019413 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 147776062110194

Author(s):

Peerzada Mosir Shah ◽

Mohammad Shafi Mir

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Asphalt Binder ◽

Storage Condition ◽

Modified Bitumen ◽

Creep And Recovery ◽

Low Viscosity ◽

Temperature Performance ◽

Modified Asphalt Binder ◽

Viscosity Grade ◽

The Impact

The purpose of this study aims at investigating the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT’s) on the properties of low viscosity grade asphalt binder. Asphalt binder with viscosity grade-10 is selected as the control binder and later it is modified with different percentages of MWCNT’s (0.5–2.5%). Penetration, softening point, ductility and rotational viscosity test were employed for evaluating the effect of MWCNT’s on basic physical properties of modified asphalt binder. Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) is used for evaluating the rheological properties of the base and modified bitumen, for both aged and unaged bitumen. Based on the conventional and basic rheological tests, it was seen that the addition of MWCNT’s improved the high-temperature performance of modified bitumen. Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) test results revealed that the addition of MWCNT’s improved the creep and recovery of modified binders for both stress intensities (0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa) which confirms that the modified binder is more rut resistant. Moreover, it was observed that there was a significant improvement in the aging resistance of the asphalt binder due to addition of MWCNTs. However low temperature performance of MWCNTs was not encouraging. Also, MWCNTs addition to asphalt binder was found to be stable under high-temperature storage condition. Overall, there is a significant amount of improvement using MWCNTs in the base asphalt binder.

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Immunoglobulin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: A narrative review

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211004714 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110047

Author(s):

Ibrahim Almaghlouth ◽

Sindhu R Johnson ◽

Eleanor Pullenayegum ◽

Dafna Gladman ◽

Murray Urowitz

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Special Focus ◽

Immunoglobulin Level ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

External Threats ◽

Self Tolerance ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Impact

Immunoglobulins play a fundamental role in the protection of the human body against internal and external threats. They also contribute to the immune system homeostasis and maintenance of self-tolerance. Hypogammaglobulinemia is occasionally encountered in routine clinical practice by rheumatologists. Low levels of immunoglobulins can occur as primary or secondary issues and may predispose patients to various forms of infection. However, the impact of the low immunoglobulin level abnormality varies with the underlying condition. In this narrative review, we shed light on the overall types and functions of immunoglobulins for clinicians. We discuss important principles of immunoglobulin measurements. We then consider the primary and secondary causes of low immunoglobulins with a special focus on hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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An Effective Method for Preparation of Liquid Phosphoric Anhydride and Its Application in Flame Retardant Epoxy Resin

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14092205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 2205

Author(s):

Qian Li ◽

Yujie Li ◽

Yifan Chen ◽

Qiang Wu ◽

Siqun Wang

Keyword(s):

Flame Retardant ◽

Epoxy Resin ◽

Epoxy Resins ◽

Oxygen Index ◽

Decomposition Temperature ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Limiting Oxygen Index ◽

Good Thermal Stability ◽

Low Viscosity ◽

The Impact

A novel liquid phosphorous-containing flame retardant anhydride (LPFA) with low viscosity was synthesized from 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MeTHPA) and further cured with bisphenol-A epoxy resin E-51 for the preparation of the flame retardant epoxy resins. Both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements revealed the successful incorporation of DOPO on the molecular chains of MeTHPA through chemical reaction. The oxygen index analysis showed that the LPFA-cured epoxy resin exhibited excellent flame retardant performance, and the corresponding limiting oxygen index (LOI) value could reach 31.2%. The UL-94V-0 rating was achieved for the flame retardant epoxy resin with the phosphorus content of 2.7%. With the addition of LPFA, the impact strength of the cured epoxy resins remained almost unchanged, but the flexural strength gradually increased. Meanwhile, all the epoxy resins showed good thermal stability. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal decomposition temperature (Td) of epoxy resin cured by LPFA decreased slightly compared with that of MeTHPA-cured epoxy resin. Based on such excellent flame retardancy, low viscosity at room temperature and ease of use, LPFA showed potential as an appropriate curing agent in the field of electrical insulation materials.

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Entrepreneurs and Burnout. How Hardy Pesonality works in this process

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294121996978 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003329412199697

Author(s):

Laura Quiun ◽

Marta Herrero ◽

Maria del Carmen Yeo Ayala ◽

Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez

Keyword(s):

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Working Hours ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Occupational Factors ◽

Low Levels ◽

And Performance ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Background Considering the importance of entrepreneurship and the impact of burnout on workers’ health, this study aims to explore the presence of burnout in entrepreneurs and the interaction of hardy personality (HP) in this process. Method The sample included 255 Spanish entrepreneurs. Occupational factors, working hours, labour immersion, HP, burnout syndrome (i.e. Emotional exhaustion, Depersonalization and Lack of accomplishment) and burnout consequences were assessed. Results Descriptive analysis showed that entrepreneurs had low levels of occupational factors, burnout syndrome and consequences. Hierarchical regression exploratory results indicated that working hours, labour immersion, and Emotional exhaustion were the most relevant predictors of the consequences. Besides, mediation models with PROCESS macro (v.3.0) highlighted the indirect effect of occupational factors and showed that emotional exhaustion was the only component of burnout that mediated in between the predictors and the consequences. As well, HP moderated the relationship between occupational factors and emotional exhaustion. Conclusions Occupational factors are the main predictor of burnout in entrepreneurs and HP could prevent their effect on Emotional exhaustion. The results suggest the importance of training to promote HP for better health and performance of entrepreneurs.

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