Fracture load in double keyhole notch PLA-CuO nanocomposites manufactured via compression molding and 3D printing: An experimental and numerical study.

Polylactic acid (PLA) polymer has garnered significant attention due to its biocompatibility. The incorporation of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles into this polymer is expected to enhance its antibacterial, electrical, and thermal properties. This modification can potentially improve the performance of PLA in the fields of prosthetics manufacturing or printed circuit fabrication.

Using a Delphi Method Approach to Select Theoretical Underpinnings of Crowdsourcing and Rank Their Application to a Crowdsourcing App.

Introduction: Since the catapult of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, most simulation laboratories are now completed virtually, leaving a gap in skills training and potential for technical skills decay. Acquiring standard, commercially available simulators is prohibitively expensive, but three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide an alternative. This project aimed to develop the theoretical foundations of a crowdsourcing Web-based application (Web app) to fill the gap in health professions simulation training equipment via community-based 3D printing.

Applying and Testing a Crowdsourcing Platform to Support Home-Based Simulation.

The purpose of this report is to: (1) highlight challenges of transitioning the delivery of simulation from centralized, in-person laboratory to decentralized, home-based, online format; (2) suggest a solution that involves the use of crowdsourcing community-based 3-dimensional printers to produce affordable simulators; and (3) present exploratory research and a test case aiming to identify crowdsourcing frameworks to accomplish this. We present a test case that shows the potential of the proposed solution to scale up the decentralized simulation practices during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. As a largely uncharted territory, the test case highlighted successes and areas for improvement that need to be addressed through both theoretical and empirical research and testing before full implementation and scale-up.

Coordinated control for path-following of an autonomous four in-wheel motor drive electric vehicle.

Coordination of Active Front Steering (AFS) and Direct Yaw Moment Control (DYC) has been widely used for non-autonomous vehicle lateral stability control. Recently, some researchers used it (AFS/DYC) for path-following of autonomous vehicles. However, current controllers are not robust enough with respect to uncertainties and different road conditions to guarantee lateral stability of Autonomous Four In-wheel Motor Drive Electric Vehicles.

Preliminary Design and Development of a Mechanical Ventilator Using Industrial Automation Components for Rapid Deployment During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) created a shortage of mechanical ventilators in the healthcare sector, resulting in rationed distribution, ethical dilemmas, and high mortalities. This technical report outlines the design and product outcome of a mechanical ventilator based on readily available off-the-shelf components, minimizing the dependence on manufacturing facilities. The ventilator was designed to operate in both hospitals and remote locations, having the ability to operate off various gas pressures and low voltage supplies.

The effect of eight weeks of moderate and high intensity aerobic training on the gene expression of Mir-145, Wnt3a and Dab2 in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.

Purpose: Pathological hypertrophy of heart tissue has been attributed to changes in some microRNAs and their target genes in heart tissue. This study intended to study the effects of eight weeks of moderate and high intensity aerobic training (MIT&HIT) on the mRNA of Mir-145, Wnt3a, and Dab2 in heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods: To implement this experimental research, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including Healthy-control (HC), Diabetic-control (DC), Moderate intensity training (MIT), Diabetes-MIT (DMIT), high intensity training (HIT) and Diabetes-HIT (DHIT).

Overcoming the Tumor Microenvironmental Barriers of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas for Achieving Better Treatment Outcomes.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with the lowest survival rate among all solid tumors. The lethality of PDAC arises from late detection and propensity of the tumor to metastasize and develop resistance against chemo and radiation therapy. A highly complex tumor microenvironment composed of dense stroma, immune cells, fibroblast, and disorganized blood vessels, is the main obstacle to current PDAC therapy.

The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment Design and Donning and Doffing Technique in Mitigating Infectious Disease Spread: A Technical Report.

During the current coronavirus pandemic, significant emphasis has been placed on the importance of mitigating nosocomial spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One important consideration involves the appropriate use of effective personal protective equipment (PPE), which may reduce a healthcare provider's likelihood of becoming infected while simultaneously minimizing exposure to other patients that they care for. This may reduce demands placed on the healthcare system and help to preserve the workforce.

Effects of Six Weeks Endurance Training and Aloe Vera Supplementation on COX-2 and VEGF Levels in Mice with Breast Cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of six weeks endurance training and Aloe Vera supplementation on COX-2 and VEGF levels in mice with breast cancer. For this purpose, 35 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control (healthy) and 4 cancer groups: control (cancer only), training, Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera + training. Breast cancer tumors were generated in mice by implantind.

Experimental investigation on performance and exhaust emissions of castor oil biodiesel from a diesel engine.

Biodiesel, produced from plant and animal oils, is an important alternative to fossil fuels because, apart from dwindling supply, the latter are a major source of air pollution. In this investigation, effects of castor oil biodiesel blends have been examined on diesel engine performance and emissions. After producing castor methyl ester by the transesterification method and measuring its characteristics, the experiments were performed on a four cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection, diesel engine.

Effects of a prebiotic, Immunogen®, on feed utilization, body composition, immunity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) fingerlings.

This study evaluated the effects of a commercial prebiotic, Immunogen, on feed utilization, growth rate, immunity promotion and carcass composition of the common carp Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. The fingerlings were adopted for 2 weeks and then reared in triplicate groups in 250-l tanks (n = 15 per tank with average initial weights of 11.12 ± 0.