Search results

1 – 10 of 22
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 August 2024

Miguel Araya-Calvo, Antti Järvenpää, Timo Rautio, Johan Enrique Morales-Sanchez and Teodolito Guillen-Girón

This study compares the fatigue performance and biocompatibility of as-built and chemically etched Ti-6Al-4V alloys in TPMS-gyroid and stochastic structures fabricated via Powder…

532

Abstract

Purpose

This study compares the fatigue performance and biocompatibility of as-built and chemically etched Ti-6Al-4V alloys in TPMS-gyroid and stochastic structures fabricated via Powder Bed Fusion Laser Beam (PBF-LB). This study aims to understand how complex lattice structures and post-manufacturing treatment, particularly chemical etching, affect the mechanical properties, surface morphology, fatigue resistance and biocompatibility of these metamaterials for biomedical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology was used to fabricate TPMS-gyroid and Voronoi stochastic designs with three different relative densities (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) in Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy. The as-built samples underwent a chemical etching process to enhance surface quality. Mechanical characterization included static compression and dynamic fatigue testing, complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface and failure analysis. The biocompatibility of the samples was assessed through in-vitro cell viability assays using the Alamar Blue assay and cell proliferation studies.

Findings

Chemical etching significantly improves the surface morphology, mechanical properties and fatigue resistance of both TPMS-gyroid and stochastic structures. Gyroid structures demonstrated superior mechanical performance and fatigue resistance compared to stochastic structures, with etching providing more pronounced benefits in these aspects. In-vitro biocompatibility tests showed high cytocompatibility for both as-built and etched samples, with etched samples exhibiting notably improved cell viability. The study also highlights the importance of design and post-processing in optimizing the performance of Ti64 components for biomedical applications.

Originality/value

The comparative analysis between as-built and etched conditions, alongside considering different lattice designs, provides valuable information for developing advanced biomedical implants. The demonstration of enhanced fatigue resistance and biocompatibility through etching adds significant value to the field of additive manufacturing, suggesting new avenues for designing and post-processing implantable devices.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 1 July 2024

Rita Moura, Daniel Fidalgo, Dulce Oliveira, Ana Rita Reis, Bruno Areias, Luísa Sousa, João M. Gonçalves, Henrique Sousa, R.N. Natal Jorge and Marco Parente

During a fall, a significant part of the major forces is absorbed by the dorsolumbar column area. When the applied stresses exceed the yield strength of the bone tissue, fractures…

270

Abstract

Purpose

During a fall, a significant part of the major forces is absorbed by the dorsolumbar column area. When the applied stresses exceed the yield strength of the bone tissue, fractures can occur in the vertebrae. Vertebral fractures constitute one of the leading causes of trauma-related hospitalizations, accounting for 15% of all admissions. Posterior pedicle screw fixation has become a common method for treating burst fractures. However, physicians remain divided on the number of fixed segments that are needed to improve clinical outcomes. The present work aims to understand the biomechanical impact of different fixation methods, improving surgical treatments.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite element model of the dorsolumbar spine (T11–L3) section, including cartilages, discs and ligaments, was created. The dorsolumbar stability was tested by comparing two different surgical orthopedic treatments for a fractured first lumbar vertebra on the L1 vertebra: the posterior short segment fixation with intermediate screws (PSS) and the posterior long segment fixation (PL). Distinct loads were applied to represent daily activities.

Findings

Results show that both procedures provide acceptable segment fixation, with the PL offering less freedom of movement, making it more stable than the PSS. The PL approach can be the best choice for an unstable fracture as it leads to a stiffer spine segment.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel computational model designed for the biomechanical analysis of dorsolumbar injuries, aiming to identify the optimal treatment approaches within both clinical and surgical contexts.

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 January 2025

Manuel Sardinha, Luís Ferreira, Hermínio Diogo, Tânia R.P. Ramos, Luís Reis and M. Fátima Vaz

This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and…

123

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and Reciflex (recycled).

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile strength and compressive behaviour are assessed. The influence of extrusion temperature and infill pattern on these properties is examined, supported by thermal characterization, surface morphology analyses and a comprehensive comparison with existing literature. An analytical method is presented for estimating the solid ratio of ME parts, using an ellipse model to describe the material bead geometry.

Findings

Reciflex is generally stiffer than TPU 95A in both tensile and compressive tests. Specimens loaded orthogonally in compression tests exhibited stiffer behaviour than those loaded parallelly, and higher tensile properties were typically observed when material beads were deposited parallel to the load direction. Unlike TPU 95A, Reciflex is sensitive to extrusion temperature variations.

Social implications

By comparing recycled and virgin TPU filaments, this research addresses waste management concerns and advocates for environmentally sustainable production practices in the broadly used filament/based ME technique.

Originality/value

This study provides an extensive comparison of computed values with existing literature, offering insights into how different materials may behave under similar processing conditions. Given ongoing challenges in controlling melt flow during extrusion, these results may offer insights for optimizing the production of ME parts made with thermoplastic elastomers.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 31 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 July 2024

Zhenhua Qin and Xiao-Lin Li

This paper explores whether fintech paves the way for the transition to carbon neutrality in the context of China’s climate policy uncertainty (CCPU) and the influence of the…

185

Abstract

Purpose

This paper explores whether fintech paves the way for the transition to carbon neutrality in the context of China’s climate policy uncertainty (CCPU) and the influence of the ocean carbon sink market.

Design/methodology/approach

We apply a novel wavelet analysis technique to investigate the time-frequency dependence between the CCPU index, the CSI (China Securities Index) Fintech Theme Index (CFTI) and the Carbon Neutral Concept Index (CNCI).

Findings

The empirical results show that CCPU and CFTI have a detrimental effect on CNCI in high-frequency bands. Furthermore, in low-frequency domains, the development of CFTI can effectively promote the realization of carbon neutrality.

Practical implications

Our findings show that information from the CCPU and CFTI can be utilized to forecast the movement of CNCI. Therefore, the government should strike a balance between fintech development and environmental regulation and, hence, promote the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, facilitating the orderly and regular development of the ocean carbon sink market.

Originality/value

The development of high-quality fintech and positive climate policy reforms are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality targets and promoting the growth of the marine carbon sink market.

Details

Marine Economics and Management, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-158X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 23 October 2023

Halla Falih Bakheit, Sebastien Taurin, Elwaleed Mohamed Elamin and Moiz Bakhiet

Monocytes are a leukocytes’ subset that plays an important role in immunity. Protein kinase B (AKT) is involved in monocytes' survival, proliferation and differentiation. Using…

773

Abstract

Purpose

Monocytes are a leukocytes’ subset that plays an important role in immunity. Protein kinase B (AKT) is involved in monocytes' survival, proliferation and differentiation. Using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as an inducer for cell line U937 differentiation into macrophage-like cells may be used as a model for cancer cell therapy or other biomedical research studies. The authors investigated the Akt1 signaling pathway's involvement with PMA as a differentiating agent and survival in the U937 cell line.

Design/methodology/approach

PMA was utilized to stimulate the differentiation of the U937 cell line into macrophage-like cells at a concentration of 10 nM. Akt1-phosphorylated Serine 473, Bad-phosphorylated Serine 136 and Caspase9-phosphorylated Serine 196 were tested by flow cytometry for the involvement of the Akt1 signaling pathway during differentiation in addition to the expression of CD14, CD206 and CD83. DNA cell cycle variation analysis was done using PI staining and cell viability and apoptosis detection using Annexin V and PI flow cytometry.

Findings

There was a decrease in phosphorylated Akt1 and Bad activation and an increase in Caspase9 activation, with an increase in surface markers CD14, CD206 and CD83 acquired by PMA-differentiated cells. DNA cell cycle analysis revealed cell accumulation in the G2/M phase and fewer cells in the S phase of PMA-induced U937. Apoptosis induction for Ly294002 or Wortmannin-inhibited cells and part of PMA-induced cells were detected.

Originality/value

These results may be used to create a model for biomedical research studies and advance the understanding of the mechanism involving differentiation of the U937 cell line.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 October 2018

Chander Prakash, Sunpreet Singh, Ilenia Farina, Fernando Fraternali and Luciano Feo

Porous implant surface is shown to facilitate bone in-growth and cell attachment, improving overall osteointegration, while providing adequate mechanical integrity. Recently…

1219

Abstract

Purpose

Porous implant surface is shown to facilitate bone in-growth and cell attachment, improving overall osteointegration, while providing adequate mechanical integrity. Recently, biodegradable material possessing such superior properties has been the focus with an aim of revolutionizing implant’s design, material and performance. This paper aims to present a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (MA-SPS) technique.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by MA-SPS technique. As the key alloying elements, HA powders with an appropriate proportion weight 5 and 10 are mixed with the base elemental magnesium (Mg) particles to form the composites of potentially variable porosity and mechanical property. The aim is to investigate the performance of the synthesized composites of Mg-3Si together with HA in terms of mechanical integrity hardness and Young’s moduli corrosion resistance and in-vitro bioactivity.

Findings

Mechanical and surface characterization results indicate that alloying of Si leads to the formation of fine Mg2 Si eutectic dense structure, hence increasing hardness while reducing the ductility of the composite. On the other hand, the allying of HA in Mg-3Si matrix leads to the formation of structural porosity (5-13 per cent), thus resulting in low Young’s moduli. It is hypothesized that biocompatible phases formed within the composite enhanced the corrosion performance and bio-mechanical integrity of the composite. The degradation rate of Mg-3Si composite was reduced from 2.05 mm/year to 1.19 mm/year by the alloying of HA elements. Moreover, the fabricated composites showed an excellent bioactivity and offered a channel/interface to MG-63 cells for attachment, proliferation and differentiation.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings suggest that the Mg-3Si-HA composite fabricated by MA and plasma sintering may be considered as a potential biodegradable material for orthopedic application.

Details

PSU Research Review, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2399-1747

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Sergio de la Rosa, Pedro F. Mayuet, Cátia S. Silva, Álvaro M. Sampaio and Lucía Rodríguez-Parada

This papers aims to study lattice structures in terms of geometric variables, manufacturing variables and material-based variants and their correlation with compressive behaviour…

1222

Abstract

Purpose

This papers aims to study lattice structures in terms of geometric variables, manufacturing variables and material-based variants and their correlation with compressive behaviour for their application in a methodology for the design and development of personalized elastic therapeutic products.

Design/methodology/approach

Lattice samples were designed and manufactured using extrusion-based additive manufacturing technologies. Mechanical tests were carried out on lattice samples for elasticity characterization purposes. The relationships between sample stiffness and key geometric and manufacturing variables were subsequently used in the case study on the design of a pressure cushion model for validation purposes. Differentiated areas were established according to patient’s pressure map to subsequently make a correlation between the patient’s pressure needs and lattice samples stiffness.

Findings

A substantial and wide variation in lattice compressive behaviour was found depending on the key study variables. The proposed methodology made it possible to efficiently identify and adjust the pressure of the different areas of the product to adapt them to the elastic needs of the patient. In this sense, the characterization lattice samples turned out to provide an effective and flexible response to the pressure requirements.

Originality/value

This study provides a generalized foundation of lattice structural design and adjustable stiffness in application of pressure cushions, which can be equally applied to other designs with similar purposes. The relevance and contribution of this work lie in the proposed methodology for the design of personalized therapeutic products based on the use of individual lattice structures that function as independent customizable cells.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 January 2024

Alessandra Da Ros, Francesca Pennucci and Sabina De Rosis

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, presenting unforeseen challenges that necessitated the implementation of change management…

1524

Abstract

Purpose

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, presenting unforeseen challenges that necessitated the implementation of change management strategies to adapt to the new contextual conditions. This study aims to analyze organizational changes within the total hip replacement (THR) surgery pathway at multiple levels, including macro, meso and micro. It employs data triangulation from various sources to gauge the complexity of the change process and comprehend how multi-level decision-making influenced an unexpected shift.

Design/methodology/approach

A multicentric, single in-depth case study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Data sources included patient-reported outcome measures specific to the THR pathway and carefully structured in-depth interviews administered to managers and clinicians in two healthcare organizations serving the same population.

Findings

Decisions made at the macro level resulted in an overall reduction in surgical activities. Organizational changes at the meso level led to a complete cessation or partial reorganization of activities. Micro-level actions for change and adaptation revealed diverse and fragmented change management strategies.

Practical implications

Organizations with segmented structures may require a robust and structured department for coordinating change management responses to prevent the entire system from becoming stuck in the absorptive phase of change. However, it is important to recognize that absorptive solutions can serve as a starting point for genuine innovations in change management.

Originality/value

The utilization of data triangulation enables the authors to visualize how specific changes implemented in response to the pandemic have influenced the observed outcomes. From a managerial perspective, it provides insights into how future innovations could be introduced.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 March 2023

Solomon O. Obadimu and Kyriakos I. Kourousis

Honeycombs enjoy wide use in various engineering applications. The emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) as a method of customisable of parts has enabled the reinvention of the…

1649

Abstract

Purpose

Honeycombs enjoy wide use in various engineering applications. The emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) as a method of customisable of parts has enabled the reinvention of the honeycomb structure. However, research on in-plane compressive performance of both classical and new types of honeycombs fabricated via AM is still ongoing. Several important findings have emerged over the past years, with significance for the AM community and a review is considered necessary and timely. This paper aims to review the in-plane compressive performance of AM honeycomb structures.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a state-of-the-art review focussing on the in-plane compressive performance of AM honeycomb structures, covering both polymers and metals. Recently published studies, over the past six years, have been reviewed under the specific theme of in-plane compression properties.

Findings

The key factors influencing the AM honeycombs' in-plane compressive performance are identified, namely the geometrical features, such as topology shape, cell wall thickness, cell size and manufacturing parameters. Moreover, the techniques and configurations commonly used for geometry optimisation toward improving mechanical performance are discussed in detail. Current AM limitations applicable to AM honeycomb structures are identified and potential future directions are also discussed in this paper.

Originality/value

This work evaluates critically the primary results and findings from the published research literature associated with the in-plane compressive mechanical performance of AM honeycombs.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 June 2021

Marjan Hocevar and Tomaz Bartol

The purpose of this study is to identify research perspectives/clusters in the field of urban tourism (city tourism) in narrow sense and tourism cities (cities and tourism) in the…

3782

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify research perspectives/clusters in the field of urban tourism (city tourism) in narrow sense and tourism cities (cities and tourism) in the broader sense to examine the complex relationship through the optics of science mapping. This paper believes that the existing qualitative assessments of this field can be experimentally verified and visualized.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the key conceptual dilemmas of research perspectives in urban tourism are highlighted. Based on the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection and the VOSviewer (computer program for visualizing bibliometric networks), the data will be analyzed. Clustering is used to evaluate information retrieval (inclusivity or selectivity of the search query), publication patterns (journal articles), author keywords, terminology and to identify the respective cities and author collaborations between countries.

Findings

Terminological specificities and their contextuality (authors’ preferences) are elaborated, as the topic is studied by authors from different disciplinary fields. Compared to other specific tourisms, urban tourism includes geographic terms (variations of city names) and terms with different connotations (travelers, visitors). Recent Spanish (also Portuguese) linguistic/geographic contexts are noticeable and a strong presence of WOS Emerging Sources Citation Index papers. Research perspectives are represented in the network of clusters of connected terms. If the search is based on a narrower sense of strict urban tourism, then tourism-business topics predominate. If tourism and cities are less closely linked, socio-cultural and environmental-spatial perspectives emerge, as does tourism/cities vulnerability (climate change and health issues).

Research limitations/implications

The construction of a search syntax for the purpose of retrieval is always marked by compromises, given different terminological usages. A narrow search query will miss many relevant documents. On the other hand, if the query is too general, it returns less relevant documents. To this end, this paper tested queries on three different levels of inclusivity or selectivity. More consistent use of terms would benefit authors in the field of urban tourism when searching for references (information retrieval) and, as a consequence, would allow better integration of the field.

Practical implications

This study provides a practical method for evaluating cities and tourism in combining the expertise of an information scientist and a sociologist. It points out numerous caveats in information retrieval. It offers an overview of publishing just prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, thus providing an opportunity for further comparative studies.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine urban tourism using such a method and can serve as a complement to the existing systematization of qualitative approaches. The findings are consistent with numerous qualitative assessments of weak the research interconnection between the specifics of cities and tourism in terms of broader socio-spatial processes. However, the study suggests that such research linkage is increasing, which is noticeable in relation to issues of social sustainability (e.g. overtourism, Airbnb and touristification).

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

1 – 10 of 22
Per page
102050