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SbstractThis research is focused on the effect of porosity on the friction-wear properties of automotive brake pads. Waste Tire Dust (WTD) was used as a new friction material in brake pads. Newly formulated brake pad materials with five different components have been produced by conventional techniques. In the experimental studies, the change of the friction coefficient, the temperature of the friction surface, the specific wear rate, and the hardness, density and porosity were measured. In addition, the micro-structural characterizations of brake pads are determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The mean coefficient of friction, porosity and specific wear are increased due to a WTD rate increases, on the other hand, hardness and density are decreased. As a result, WTD can be considered as an alternative to revalorize this kind of waste products in the brake pads and the amount of porosity of the brake pad affected the friction coefficient and wear behavior of the pad.

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Introduction: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) occurs due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is most commonly encountered in obese women, and may lead to loss of vision. This study aimed to determine the demographic features, clinical signs and symptoms, and radiological findings of patients with IIH, and to investigate the factors associated with the prognosis. Methods: Patients with IIH who were examined and followed-up between January 1992-January 2012 in the Neuro-ophthalmology Unit were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were diagnosed based on the modified Dandy criteria. Results: The mean age of 59 patients included in the study (female, 88.1%) was 30.25±13.12 years. Reported complaints were headache (78.0%), transient visual obscuration (45.8%), nausea (32.2%), dizziness (16.9%), and diplopia (13.6%). Of the patients 69.4% had visual field deficits, and 71% had papilledema (66.1% were bilateral). The rate of obesity was 20.3%. The prognosis was good in 64.7% of the patients, and 35.3% of the patients clinically worsened. Recurrence of symptoms was observed in 33% of the patients and 4 patients had severe permanent vision loss. Demographic features, initial complaints, mean ICP, and pathological magnetic resonance imaging findings were not associated with the prognosis. Delay in treatment and generalized constriction in the visual field were associated with the poor prognosis. Conclusion: Compared to patients with IIH in the western population, obesity was less frequent in the present study. Initial visual field defects, especially the generalized constriction and delay to treatment were related to poor prognosis. Cessation of medical treatment was a factor for recurrence. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment may subside the severity of permanent vision loss in fulminant IIH.

In this study, the effects of tall oil biodiesel with cobalt (Co)-based additive on engine performance and exhaust emissions have been experimentally investigated. Co-based additive at the rate of 4, 8, and 12 mol/l was added to mixtures of 60% tall oil methyl ester and 40% diesel fuel (T60). The engine tests were performed at full load condition in a single-cylinder diesel engine. Biodiesel fuels had no noteworthy influence on engine torque and the power output values. Catalyst effects of Cobased additive improved specific fuel consumption values, CO emissions, and smoke emissions. On the other hand, higher NO x emissions were measured at low engine speed.

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Following a generalized tonic–clonic seizure, a previously healthy 27‐year‐old pregnant woman (18‐week pregnancy) was admitted to our emergency department. She experienced lethargy, forgetfulness and persecutory hallucinations the day before hospitalization. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed moderate pleocytosis, and abdominal ultrasonography did not detect neoplasia. Orofacial dyskinesia, catatonia and central hypoventilation gradually developed despite medical intervention to ameliorate the symptoms. At 32 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding and hypotension occurred. Further, owing to septic shock due to fetal demise, the patient died. N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate antibody test results obtained after the patient's death were positive (2++). Currently, no consensus exists on the appropriate treatment and follow‐up for pregnant women with anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor encephalitis; however, immunomodulators and teratoma resection may be helpful. Second line immunotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide) and teratoma resection may be necessary in pregnant patients with high N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antibody titers and inadequate response to first‐line treatment.

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The two major neuropathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are extracellular Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). A number of additional pathogenic mechanisms, possibly overlapping with Aβ plaques and NFTs formation, have been described, including inflammation, oxidative damage, iron dysregulation, cholesterol metabolism. To date, only symptomatic treatments exist for this disease, all trying to counterbalance the neurotransmitter disturbance. To block the progression of the disease they have to interfere with the pathogenic steps responsible for the clinical symptoms, including the deposition of extracellular amyloid β plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangle formation, inflammation and stem cell. In this review, we discuss new potential disease-modifying therapies for AD that are currently being studied in phase I-III trials.