Integrative and multi-disciplinary framework for the 3D rehabilitation of large mandibular defects

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology - The restoration of mandibular defects, especially large deformities is regarded as the most challenging surgical procedure owing to...     

The microstructure of buccal cavity and alimentary canal of Siganus rivulatus: Scanning electron microscope study

The microstructure of the oral cavity and alimentary canal of herbivorous fish Siganus rivulatus collected from the Red Sea were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that S. rivulatus has three types of teeth, tri‐cusped, bi‐cusped, and papilliform. A taste bud (Type I) was recorded in the oropharyngeal cavity. Characteristic styles of microridges on the cell's surface inside the buccal cavity were recorded. Also, the distribution of the mucous cells in the lining of the mouth cavity, alimentary canal was observed. Mucosal folds along the distinct parts of alimentary canal, showed characteristic pattern which was complex in the intestinal mucosa. The results concluded that there are characteristic microstructures according to feeding habitat compared with other bony fishes.     

Numerical simulation of the effects of elastic anisotropy and grain size upon the machining of AA2024

Turning modeling and simulation of different metallic materials using the commercially available Finite Element (FE) softwares is getting prime importance because of saving of time and money in comparison to the costly experiments. Mostly, the numerical analysis of machining process considers a purely isotropic behavior of metallic materials; however, the literature shows that the elastic crystal anisotropy is present in most of the ‘so-called’ isotropic materials. In the present work, the elastic anisotropy is incorporated in the FE simulations along with the effect of grain size. A modified Johnson-Cook ductile material model based on coupled plasticity and damage evolution has been proposed to model the cutting process. The simulation results were compared with experimental data on the turning process of Aluminum alloy (AA2024). It was found that the elastic anisotropy influences the average cutting force up to 5% as compared to the isotropic models while the effect of grain size was more pronounced up to 20%.     

Controlling the material removal and roughness of Inconel 718 in laser machining

Nickel alloys including Inconel 718 are considered as challenging materials for machining. Laser beam machining could be a promising choice to deal with such materials for simple to complex machining features. The machining accuracy is mainly dependent on the rate of material removal per laser scan. Because of the involvement of many laser parameters and complexity of the machining mechanism it is not always simple to achieve machining with desired accuracy. Actual machining depth extremely varies from very low to aggressively high values with reference to the designed depth. Thus, a research is needed to be carried out to control the process parameters to get actual material removal rate (MRR_act) equals to the theoretical material removal rate (MRR_th) with minimum surface roughness (SR) of the machined surfaces. In this study, five important laser parameters have been used to investigate their effects on MRR and SR. Statistical analysis are performed to identify the significant parameters with their strength of effects. Mathematical models have been developed and validated to predict the machining responses. Optimal set of laser parameters have also been proposed and confirmed to achieve the actual MRR close to the designed MRR (MRR_% = 100.1%) with minimum surface roughness (R_a = 2.67 µm).     

Screening of anionic-modified polymers in terms of stability,disintegration, and swelling behavior

This study aimed to screen the stability, disintegration, and swelling behavior of chemically modified anionic polymers. Investigated polymers were well-known and widely used staples of the pharmaceutical and medical field, namely, alginate (AL), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polycarbophil (PC), and hyaluronic acid (HA). On the basis of amide bond formation between the carboxylic acid moieties of anionic polymers and the primary amino group of the modification ligand cysteine (CYS), the modified polymers were obtained. Unmodified polymers served as controls throughout all studies. With the Ellman’s assay, modification degrees were determined of synthesized polymeric excipients. Stability assay in terms of erosion study at physiological conditions were performed. Moreover, water uptake of compressed polymeric discs were evaluated and further disintegration studies according to the USP were carried out to define the potential ranking. Results ranking figured out PCCYS?>?CMCCYS?>?HACYS?>?ALCYS in terms of water uptake capacity compared to respective controls. Cell viability assays on Caco-2 cell line as well as on RPMI 2650 (ATTC CCL30) proved modification not being harmful to those. Due to the results of this study, an intense screening of prominent anionic polymer derivate was performed in order to help the pharmaceutical research for the best choice of polymeric excipients for developments of controlled drug release systems.     

Quantitative morphometry of renal biopsies prior to cyclosporine in nephrotic syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Occupational therapy practitioners must meet ever-increasing accountability demands in all service delivery environments. Accountability is made possible through the ongoing development of continued competence throughout a practitioner's career. Behaviors that demonstrate accountability and reflect competence include commitment, leadership, and professional knowledge. This article discusses issues related to accountability and competence, presents findings from focus group discussions with occupational therapy practitioners regarding professional competence, and identifies actions that will bring about greater understanding of this topic. METHOD: Thirty-nine randomly selected occupational therapy practitioners attended one of two focus groups. Participants responded to a structured discussion guide, including questions addressing the definition, process for sustaining, and outcomes of continued competence. RESULTS: Several themes emerged from these discussions. Views about what constitutes and contributes to continued competence in occupational therapy were diverse, and perceptions of occupational therapy "practice" were broad. Participants believed that the "outcomes" of a practitioner's continued competence were best defined as autonomy in executing the occupational therapy process. CONCLUSIONS: Findings offer potential language to articulate competence in occupational therapy and facilitate a discipline-wide conversation. The findings likewise challenge practitioners to assume new professional behaviors that require both personal and interpersonal skills. Such behaviors are critical to demonstrating accountability and competence.     

Reservoir Inflow Prediction by Ensembling Wavelet and Bootstrap Techniques to Multiple Linear Regression Model

In this study, a new hybrid model, bootstrap multiple linear regression (BMLR) is suggested to investigate the potential of bootstrap resampling technique for daily reservoir inflow prediction. The proposed model compares with three other models: Multiple linear regression (MLR), wavelet multiple linear regression (WMLR) and wavelet bootstrap multiple linear regression (WBMLR). River stage data of monsoon season (1st July 2010 to 30 September 2010) from three gauging stations of Chenab river basin are used. In wavelet transformation, input vectors are decomposed using discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) into discrete wavelet components (DWCs). Then suitable DWCs are used to provide input to MLR model to develop WMLR model. Bootstrap technique coupled with MLR model to build up BMLR model. While WBMLR model is the conjunction of suitable DWCs and bootstrap technique to MLR model. Performance indices namely root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (NSC), and persistence index (CP) are used in study to evaluate the performance of model. Results showed that hybrid model BMLR produce significantly better results on performance indices than other models MLR, WMLR and WBMLR.