Review of in-situ process monitoring and in-situ metrology for metal additive manufacturing

Lack of assurance of quality with additively manufactured (AM) parts is a key technological barrier that prevents manufacturers from adopting AM technologies, especially for high-value applications where component failure cannot be tolerated. Developments in process control have allowed significant enhancement of AM techniques and marked improvements in surface roughness and material properties, along with a reduction in inter-build variation and the occurrence of embedded material discontinuities. As a result, the exploitation of AM processes continues to accelerate. Unlike established subtractive processes, where in-process monitoring is now commonplace, factory-ready AM processes have not yet incorporated monitoring technologies that allow discontinuities to be detected in process. Researchers have investigated new forms of instrumentation and adaptive approaches which, when integrated, will allow further enhancement to the assurance that can be offered when producing AM components. The state-of-the-art with respect to inspection methodologies compatible with AM processes is explored here. Their suitability for the inspection and identification of typical material discontinuities and failure modes is discussed with the intention of identifying new avenues for research and proposing approaches to integration into future generations of AM systems

A written self-help intervention for depressed adults comparing behavioural activation combined with physical activity promotion with a self-help intervention based upon behavioural activation alone: study protocol for a parallel group pilot randomised controlled trial (BAcPAc)

notes: PMCID: PMC4061537types: Journal Article© 2014 Farrand et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Challenges remain to find ways to support patients with depression who have low levels of physical activity (PA) to overcome perceived barriers and enhance the perceived value of PA for preventing future relapse. There is an evidence-base for behavioural activation (BA) for depression, which focuses on supporting patients to restore activities that have been avoided, but practitioners have no specific training in promoting PA. We aimed to design and evaluate an integrated BA and PA (BAcPAc) practitioner-led, written, self-help intervention to enhance both physical and mental health.NPRI-

Does Bariatric Surgery Improve Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes in Obese Infertile Women?

Background: Little is known about the impact of bariatric surgery on obese infertile women seeking an assisted reproductive technology. Methods: All obese women with a history of assisted reproductive technology (ART) failure that underwent ART treatment cycles both prior to and following bariatric surgery were included. ART outcomes were compared evaluating the duration and dose of gonadotrophins used; the measurement of day 3 FSH; the anti-mullerian hormone dosage; the number of follicles >15 mm; the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes; the number of metaphase II, metaphase I and germinal vesicle oocytes; the number of embryos obtained; the number of top-quality oocytes and embryos; the number of transferred embryo; the pregnancy rate and the live birth rate. Results: Forty women were included. The total number of gonadotropin units required and in the length of stimulation following bariatric surgery decreased (p = .001), with an increase of the number of follicles ≥15 mm (p = .005), of retrieved oocytes (p = .004), of top-quality oocytes (p = .001) and metaphase II oocytes (p = .008). More oocytes were fertilized (4.2 ± 1.7 vs 5.3 ± 2.4; p = .02). After surgery, we have registered also a better number of top-quality embryos (0.5 ± 0.6 vs 1.1 ± 0.9; p = .003). Pregnancy rate following the bariatric surgery increased to 15/40 (37.5%) (p < .001), and live birth rate (LBR) increased to 14/40 (35%) in the post-surgery group (p<. 001). Conclusions: Although additional research would be useful to draw definitive conclusion, our results appear to be encouraging enough to suggest the use of bariatric surgery in obese infertile women seeking an ART treatment