Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen responsible for causing several human diseases including pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. Pneumococcus is also a major cause of human ocular infections and is commonly isolated in cases of bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea. The ocular pathology that occurs during pneumococcal keratitis is partly...

It is well known that for laminated composite plates a Levy-type solution exists only for cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply laminates. Numerous investigators have used the Levy method to solve the governing equations of various equivalent single-layer plate theories. It is the intension of the present study to introduce a method for analytical solutions of laminated composite plates with ar...

Complex composite parts, and especially curved laminated composites, are more subject to defects than flat laminates. One of the most common is presence wrinkles, which can occur in radius curvature. Wrinkle effects must be studied evaluate their influence on mechanical properties composites. In this study, a numerical model was developed take wrinkle local delamination into consideration asses...

The contemporary Formula 1 racing car makes extensive use of advanced composite materials in its construction. The design, manufacture, and ultimate performance under compression of composite suspension push-rods that typically could be used in a Grand Prix racing car are described in this present paper. An aerofoil cross section has been used based on different lay-ups of carbon/epoxy composit...

This paper describes an optimization procedure to design thermoplastic composite panels under axial compressive load conditions. Minimum weight is the goal. The panel design is subject to buckling constraints. The presence of the bending-twisting coupling and of particular boundary conditions does not allow an analytical solution for the critical buckling load. Surrogate models are used to appr...

Postactivation potentiation is referred to as an acute and temporary enhancement of muscle performance resulting from previous muscle contraction. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of plyometric exercise (PLY) and heavy-resistance exercise (RES) on the blood lactate level (BLa) and physical performance. Fourteen male collegiate soccer players were randomized to perform e...

The complement system is an essential component of the immune response, providing a critical line of defense against different pathogens including S. pneumoniae. Complement is activated via three distinct pathways: the classical (CP), the alternative (AP) and the lectin pathway (LP). The role of Pneumolysin (PLY), a bacterial toxin released by S. pneumoniae, in triggering complement activation ...