Application of New Conformal Cooling Layouts to the Green Injection Molding of Complex Slender Polymeric Parts with High Dimensional Specifications.

Eliminating warpage in injection molded polymeric parts is one of the most important problems in the injection molding industry today. This situation is critical in geometries that are particularly susceptible to warping due to their geometric features, and this occurs with topologies of great length and slenderness with high changes in thickness. These features are, in these special geometries, impossible to manufacture with traditional technologies to meet the dimensional and sustainable requirements of the industry. This paper presents an innovative green conformal cooling system that is specifically designed for parts with slender geometric shapes that are highly susceptible to warping. Additionally, the work presented by the authors investigates the importance of using highly conductive inserts made of steel alloys in combination with the use of additively manufactured conformal channels for reducing influential parameters, such as warpage, cooling time, and residual stresses in the complex manufacturing of long and slender parts. The results of this real industrial case study indicated that the use of conformal cooling layouts decreased the cycle time by 175.1 s-66% below the current cooling time; the temperature gradient by 78.5%-specifically, 18.16 °C; the residual stress by 39.78 MPa-or 81.88%; and the warpage by 6.9 mm-or 90.5%. In this way, it was possible to achieve a final warping in the complex geometry studied of 0.72 mm, which was under the maximum value required at the industrial level of 1 mm. The resulting values obtained by the researchers present a turning point from which the manufacturing and sustainability in the injection molding of said plastic geometries is possible, and they take into account that the geometric manufacturing features analyzed will present a great demand in the coming years in the auto parts manufacturing industry.

A Hybrid Cooling Model Based on the Use of Newly Designed Fluted Conformal Cooling Channels and Fastcool Inserts for Green Molds.

The paper presents a hybrid cooling model based on the use of newly designed fluted conformal cooling channels in combination with inserts manufactured with Fastcool material. The hybrid cooling design was applied to an industrial part with complex geometry, high rates of thickness, and deep internal concavities. The geometry of the industrial part, besides the ejection system requirements of the mold, makes it impossible to cool it adequately using traditional or conformal standard methods. The addition of helical flutes in the circular conformal cooling channel surfaces generates a high number of vortexes and turbulences in the coolant flow, fostering the thermal exchange between the flow and the plastic part. The use of a Fastcool insert allows an optimal transfer of the heat flow in the slender core of the plastic part. An additional conformal cooling channel layout was required, not for the cooling of the plastic part, but for cooling the Fastcool insert, improving the thermal exchange between the Fastcool insert and the coolant flow. In this way, it is possible to maintain a constant heat exchange throughout the manufacturing cycle of the plastic part. A transient numerical analysis validated the improvements of the hybrid design presented, obtaining reductions in cycle time for the analyzed part by 27.442% in comparison with traditional cooling systems. The design of the 1 mm helical fluted conformal cooling channels and the use of the Fastcool insert cooled by a conformal cooling channel improves by 4334.9% the thermal exchange between the cooling elements and the plastic part. Additionally, it improves by 51.666% the uniformity and the gradient of the temperature map in comparison with the traditional cooling solution. The results obtained in this paper are in line with the sustainability criteria of green molds, centered on reducing the cycle time and improving the quality of the complex molded parts.

Application of New Triple Hook-Shaped Conformal Cooling Channels for Cores and Sliders in Injection Molding to Reduce Residual Stress and Warping in Complex Plastic Optical Parts.

The paper presents a new design of a triple hook-shaped conformal cooling channels for application in optical parts of great thickness, deep cores, and high dimensional and optical requirements. In these cases, the small dimensions of the core and the high requirements regarding warping and residual stresses prevent the use of traditional and standard conformal cooling channels. The research combines the use of a new triple hook-shaped conformal cooling system with the use of three independent conformal cooling sub-systems adapted to the complex geometric conditions of the sliders that completely surround the optical part under study. Finally, the new proposed conformal cooling design is complemented with a small insert manufactured with a new Fastcool material located in the internal area of the optical part beside the optical facets. A transient numerical analysis validates the set of improvements of the new proposed conformal cooling system presented. The results show an upgrade in thermal efficiency of 267.10% in comparison with the traditional solution. The increase in uniformity in the temperature gradient of the surface of the plastic part causes an enhancement in the field of displacement and in the map of residual stresses reducing the total maximum displacements by 36.343% and the Von-Mises maximum residual stress by 69.280% in comparison with the results obtained for the traditional cooling system. Additionally, the new design of cooling presented in this paper reduces the cycle time of the plastic part under study by 32.61%, compared to the traditional cooling geometry. This fact causes a very high economic and energy saving in line with the sustainability of a green mold. The improvement obtained in the technological parameters will make it possible to achieve the optical and functional requirements established for the correct operation of complex optical parts, where it is not possible to use traditional cooling channels or standard conformal cooling layouts.

Phylogenetic inference enables reconstruction of a long-overlooked outbreak of almond leaf scorch disease (Xylella fastidiosa) in Europe.

The recent introductions of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) into Europe are linked to the international plant trade. However, both how and when these entries occurred remains poorly understood. Here, we show how almond scorch leaf disease, which affects ~79% of almond trees in Majorca (Spain) and was previously attributed to fungal pathogens, was in fact triggered by the introduction of Xf around 1993 and subsequently spread to grapevines (Pierce's disease). We reconstructed the progression of almond leaf scorch disease by using broad phylogenetic evidence supported by epidemiological data. Bayesian phylogenetic inference predicted that both Xf subspecies found in Majorca, fastidiosa ST1 (95% highest posterior density, HPD: 1990-1997) and multiplex ST81 (95% HPD: 1991-1998), shared their most recent common ancestors with Californian Xf populations associated with almonds and grapevines. Consistent with this chronology, Xf-DNA infections were identified in tree rings dating to 1998. Our findings uncover a previously unknown scenario in Europe and reveal how Pierce's disease reached the continent.

Tumor de células de la granulosa de tipo adulto. Un caso raro de tumor testicular. Presentación de un caso / Adult type granulosa cell tumor: a rare testicular neoplasm. A case report

Los tumores de células de la granulosa (TCG) pertenecen al grupo de tumores del estroma y cordones sexuales de las gónadas. Se distinguen 2 tipos: juvenil y adulto. Los TCG de tipo adulto testicular son extremadamente raros, y solo un pequeño número de casos han sido publicados. Su comportamiento biológico es incierto, con casos descritos de metástasis a distancia años después de su presentación inicial. Su diagnóstico se basa en el reconocimiento de las características citológicas y arquitecturales descritas en su homólogo ovárico, ya que ambos son morfológicamente indistinguibles. Describimos un nuevo caso de TCG de tipo adulto testicular en un varón de 23 años, haciendo hincapié en su comportamiento clínico, así como en las características inmunofenotípicas de este raro tumor (AU)

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) belong to the group of sex cord-gonadal stromal tumours. Two types can be differentiated: juvenile and adult. Adult testicular GCT are extremely rare with only a small number of published cases. Their biological behaviour is not completely clear with cases of distant metastasis appearing years after the initial diagnosis. Diagnosis is based on the cytological and architectural characteristics described in its ovarian counterpart, since both are morphologically indistinguishable. We present a further case of GCT of the adult type in a 23 year old man. We discuss the clinical behavior and immunophenotypical characteristics of this rare tumour (AU)

Tratamiento quirúrgico de una úlcera vulvar aguda de Lipschütz / Surgical treatment of an acute vulvar ulcer of Lipschütz

La úlcera de Lipschütz es un proceso ulcerativo vulvar agudo, considerado dentro del grupo de las aftosis. Suele darse en niñas o en mujeres jóvenes. No está en relación con enfermedades venéreas. Sí se ha considerado el antecedente de infección reciente por el virus de Epstein-Barr.El proceso, que cursa como una úlcera de aparición brusca, es sumamente doloroso y suele responder bien al tratamiento local y sistémico con corticoides. Presentamos en este trabajo un caso en el que el fracaso del tratamiento médico nos obliga a ensayar la opción quirúrgica (AU)

Lipschütz ulcer is an acute vulvar ulcerative process, considered to belong to the group of aphthous ulcers. It usually occurs in female children or young women. This ulcer is not associated with venereal disease but has been associated with a recent history of the Epstein-Barr virus. The process, which presents as an ulcer flare-ups, is extremely painful and usually responds well to local and systemic steroid therapy. If medical therapy is unsuccessful, surgical treatment is required (AU)

Nodular and diffuse fibrous proliferation of the penis and tunica vaginalis.

Fibrous benign proliferations of the testis and paratesticular tissues are an uncommon and heterogeneous group of lesions that can mimic true neoplasms. Among them, those considered to be reactive proliferations have been included in the category of fibrous pseudotumors and are often associated with trauma, hydrocele, or infection. We report 2 cases of nodular and diffuse fibrous proliferation. This condition is part of the spectrum of reactive benign fibrous lesions and has previously been described in the testicular tunics and paratesticular region only. One of our 2 cases had the peculiarity of being located in the penile shaft, whereas the other involved the tunica vaginalis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a diffuse and nodular fibrous tumor involving the penis.

Acantosis nigricans como manifestación inicial paraneoplásica de adenocarcinoma gástrico / Acanthosis nigricans as the initial paraneoplastic manifestation of gastric adenocarcinoma

Presentamos el caso clínico de un varón de 29 años de edad con hiperpigmentación cutánea localizada especialmente en las zonas de las flexuras. Eran lesiones aterciopeladas, rugosas y muy pruriginosas. Se diagnosticó de acantosis nigricans. Tras la ineficacia del tratamiento inicial con corticoides tópicos y antihistamínicos orales, y ante la sospecha de afección cutánea paraneoplásica, se realizó una endoscopia oral con toma de muestras para biopsia y tomografía computarizada abdominal, que revelaron la presencia de un adenocarcinoma gástrico infiltrante y adenopatías subyacentes, motivo por el que se sometió al paciente a una gastrectomía total ampliada al bazo y la cola pancreática, y una resección D2 ganglionar. Se completó el tratamiento con radioterapia y quimioterapia por positividad ganglionar

We report the case of a 29-year-old man with cutaneous hyperpigmentation located especially in intertriginous areas. The lesions were velvety, rugose and highly pruriginous. The patient was diagnosed with acanthosis nigricans. Initial treatment with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines was unsuccessful and, due to suspicion of a paraneoplastic cutaneous syndrome, gastroscopy with sampling for biopsy and abdominal CT were carried out, revealing the existence of an infiltrating gastric adenocarcinoma and underlying adenopathies. The patient underwent total gastrectomy extended to spleen and pancreatic tail and D2 lymph node dissection. Treatment was completed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat lymph node involvement

[Association between non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs intake and decompensation of heart failure]. / Asociación entre consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos e insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to estimate the association between the intake of non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hospitalization due to heart failure (HF) and to assess the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a case-control study, including 982 patients with HF, and 788 controls, with a history of HF who were hospitalized in 10 hospitals of the community of Madrid. RESULTS: The use of NSAIDs (other than aspirine at low doses) was associated with an increase in the risk of hospitalization due to HF (OR crude = 1.59; 95% interval confidence, 1.20-2.09; OR adjusted, 1.40; 95% interval confidence, 1.03-1.90). CONCLUSIONS: Intake of NSAIDs is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization due to HF, in susceptible patients.

Asociación entre consumo de antiinflamatorios noesteroideos e insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva / Association between non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs intake and decompensation of heart failure

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Estimar la asociación entre el consumo previo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE) y el ingreso hospitalario debido a insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva (ICC), y evaluar el efecto de los inhibidores selectivos de la ciclooxigenasa 2 (COX-2) en esta descompensación. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles: 982 casos de ICC y 788 controles con antecedentes de ICC, que ingresaron en 10 hospitales de Madrid. RESULTADOS: El uso de AINE (distintos de aspirina a dosis bajas) se asoció con un aumento del riesgo de ingreso hospitalario por ICC (odds ratio [OR] bruta = 1,59; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 por ciento, 1,20-2,09; OR ajustada = 1,40; IC del 95 por ciento, 1,03-1,90). CONCLUSIONES: En individuos susceptibles, el consumo de AINE supone un aumento del riesgo de ingreso por ICC (AU)