Effects of Material Properties in Fabricating the Assistive Headrest Orthosis

- These days, numerous decisions and efforts are contributing to cerebral palsy (CP) cases. Patient with spastic or dyskinetic CP has to survive independently, where most of the time is spent in a wheelchair. An extension headrest must be applied to maximize independence and functionality in the sitting position for routine activities. This study aims to investigate the effects of material selection in fabricating the 3D-printed adjustable headrest. Expected headrest users would be children (age seven to nine years old). There are five materials in this research: Polycarbonate (PC), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyamide (Nylon), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG). In the designing process, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software focuses on designing the structure and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to analyze various parts. To conclude this study, PLA is chosen as the best material based on the best stress, deformation, and safety factors. Keywords-- Adjustable headrest; finite element analysis; material selection; 3D printing

Automated Detection and Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy using ConvNets

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in diabetic patients. Screening of diabetic retinopathy using fundus image is the most effective way. As the time increases this DR leads to permanent loss of vision. At present, Diabetic retinopathy is still being treated by hand by an ophthalmologist which is a time-consuming process. Computer aided and fully automatic diagnosis of DR plays an important role in now a day. Data-set containing a collection of fundus images of different severity scale is used to analyze the fundus image of DR patients. Here the deep neural network model is trained by using this fundus image and five-degree classification task is performed. We were able to produce an sensitivity of 90%. Keywords: Confusion matrix, Deep convolutional Neural Network, Diabetic Retinopathy, Fundus image, OCT

TNF-α Inhibitors from natural compounds: An overview, CADD approaches, and their exploration for anti-inflammatory agents

: Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in the organism in response to harmful external agents. Despite being considered beneficial, exaggerated cases can cause severe problems for the body. The main inflammatory manifestations are pain, increased temperature, edema, decreased mobility, and quality of life for affected individuals. Diseases such as arthritis, cancer, allergies, infections, arteriosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic problems are mainly characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response. Inflammation is related to two categories of substances: pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Among the pro-inflammatory mediators is tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). It is associated with immune diseases, cancer, and psychiatric disorders that increase its excretion. Thus, it becomes a target widely used in discovering new anti-inflammatory drugs. In this context, secondary metabolites biosynthesized by plants have been used for thousands of years and continue to be one of the primary sources of new drug scaffolds against inflammatory diseases. To minimize costs related to the drug discovery process, computer-aided drug design (CADD) techniques are broadly explored to increase the chances of success. In this review, the main natural compounds that are derived from alkaloids, flavonoids, terpene, and polyphenols as promising TNF-α inhibitors will be discussed. Finally, we applied a molecular modeling protocol involving all compounds described here, suggesting that their interactions with Tyr59, Tyr119, Tyr151, Leu57, and Gly121 residues are essential for the activity. Such findings may prove useful for research groups worldwide to design new anti-inflammatory TNF-α inhibitors.

Using Computers to Discover Materials That Generate Non-polluting Fuels

Non-polluting fuels, such as hydrogen, are widely considered to be a promising way to decrease the environmental problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Finding materials that can help us to generate these “clean” fuels is a difficult and time-consuming process. Computer simulation technology is the most important tool in this area, because it helps scientists to understand existing materials and can also help them to design new types of materials. In this article, we explain how certain materials can help us to produce hydrogen, a clean fuel, from water, and we also describe how computer simulation technology can offer a route for the discovery of new efficient materials.

Nano- and Mesoscale Structures of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Indicate Nanoscale Assembly Processes

<div>Here, we approach the issue of ACC ultrastructure by applying a method for determining atomically resolved structures of amorphous materials using Monte Carlo simulations constrained by both X-ray and neutron scattering data. This structural analysis approach allows us to develop a detailed model for ACC at the atomic level. Our findings reveal that synthetic ACC, rapidly precipitated at high pH, consists of two-nanometer sized units containing a high degree of near range order similar to partially disordered nano-crystals. Small-angle scattering analyses show a multi-scale hierarchical organisation of the structure, supportive of a multi-step colloid self-assembly process. Computer simulations and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show that the mesostructure of ACC resembles that of a glassy gel with crystalline material in domains. Our findings support the formation of ACC by a nanoparticle aggregation process that likely starts from prenucleation clusters in solution.</div>

Nano- and Mesoscale Structures of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Indicate Nanoscale Assembly Processes

<div>Here, we approach the issue of ACC ultrastructure by applying a method for determining atomically resolved structures of amorphous materials using Monte Carlo simulations constrained by both X-ray and neutron scattering data. This structural analysis approach allows us to develop a detailed model for ACC at the atomic level. Our findings reveal that synthetic ACC, rapidly precipitated at high pH, consists of two-nanometer sized units containing a high degree of near range order similar to partially disordered nano-crystals. Small-angle scattering analyses show a multi-scale hierarchical organisation of the structure, supportive of a multi-step colloid self-assembly process. Computer simulations and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show that the mesostructure of ACC resembles that of a glassy gel with crystalline material in domains. Our findings support the formation of ACC by a nanoparticle aggregation process that likely starts from prenucleation clusters in solution.</div>

The Impact of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Use of English Vocabulary Enhancement

This study aims at improving students’ comprehension on English vocabulary using computer and finding out the effectiveness, efficiency and the attractiveness of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in English learning. It was carried out at SMP Sunan Giri Gresik by using proactive action research method and intervention action model. The participants belonged to 3 different class groups. Thirty of them were from 7th grade (Amanah class) and thirty-two of them from (Hidayah class). The other 30 participants from (Inayah class). The data were collected and analyzed by using mixed method approach. Instruments used for collecting data in this study are questionnaires, documents, observation check list, interview, and achievement tests. The results showed that the treatments give affect positively for students especially treatment on cycle 2. It also can be seen by the students’ involvement actively during learning process. Computer assisted learning especially using software gave students chance to explore their English skill especially the vocabulary through interacting directly with computer by doing exercises given individually in pair or group. From the explanation above it can be concluded that English learning in junior high school can be improved with the help of computer assistance in this matter called Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) mainly to improve English vocabulary. Keywords: Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), English vocabulary, Students’ comprehension

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation of Mass Transfer During Deep-Fat Frying of Plantain (Musa paradisiacal AAB) Chips (ipekere)

This study developed a mathematical model following the fundamental principles of mass transfer for the simulation of the oil and moisture content change during the Deep-Fat Frying of plantain (ipekere) chip. The explicit Finite Difference Technique (FDT) was used to conduct a numerical solution to the consequential governing equation (partial differential equation) that was used to describe the mass transfer rate during the process. Computer codes that were computed in MATLAB were used for the implementation of FDT at diverse frying conditions. Samples of the plantain were cut into portions of 2 mm thickness, and these sliced portions were fried at separate frying oil temperatures (170, 180 and 190°C) between 0.5 and 4 minutes. The experimental data and the predicted outcomes were compared for the validation of the model, and the juxtaposition revealed a plausible agreement. The predicted values and the experimental values of oil and moisture transfer models produced correlation coefficients that range from 0.96 to 0.99 and 0.94 to 0.99, respectively. The predicted outcomes could be utilized for the control and design of the DFF.

Technological approach in training a future specialist on online math classes in a technical university

This article is devoted to the design and construction of technology for teaching future specialists in online mathematics classes. The relevance, advantages and ways of introducing into the educational process computer tools for teaching mathematics, global Internet services and their role in online education are shown. The materials of the article can be used to improve the qualifications of the teaching staff and to establish requirements for the threshold of knowledge and skills of future specialists sufficient for working with computer training tools, while developing computer training tools for academic disciplines.