An Investigative Study of the Snapthrough, Snapback and the Stiffness Properties of a Kirigami Unit Cell

Until recently, Carbon Fiber was considered to be a space-age material because of its applications. However, due to the advancements in the synthesis of these materials and manufacturing carbon fiber on a large scale, it has now become possible to use carbon fiber in day-to-day applications. Components which were traditionally being made out of steel or aluminum are now being redesigned and made using carbon fiber composites. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner fuselage is an excellent example where carbon fiber has been used as the major component. This is due to the fact that carbon fiber components are much lighter and have a higher strength to weight ratio. Moreover, carbon fiber can be synthesized according to the requirements of the application for possessing any custom-tailored properties. In the 1980’s, an important phenomenon termed as Bistability in composites was observed in unsymmetric CFRP laminates.[1] Bistability in composites is the existence of two stable states in the same composite structure. It is possible to transition between these two stable states by a snap-through or a snap-back process. The composite samples experience a large deformation while snapping-through or snapping-back and thus, a bistable composite can find an application as a part of an Adaptive Structure. The phenomenon of Bistability is observed due to the unsymmetric stacking sequence of the laminates and the thermal stresses developed during the curing process of these composite laminates. While a lot of work has been done on Bistable composites, this research aims at combining the concept of Kirigami with Bistable Composite structures. According to this method, the Bistable laminates are fabricated in a Kirigami pattern. The concept of Kirigami is very similar to Origami. The only difference is that Kirigami allows cutting in addition to folding along the creases of a 2-dimensional pattern. This results in the creation of complex 3-dimensional structures. Thus, the Kirigami pattern is used to lay the individual laminae in such a way that individually bistable laminates are connected to each other with the help of a tab. In this research, the curing process and the snap-through and the snap-back processes of a Kirigami unit cell are simulated using ABAQUS™. Further, the same tests are recreated using a Universal Testing Machine setup for qualitative validation of the FEA model. A separate testing procedure has also been developed to investigate the strength and the snapping phenomenon due to the presence of the tab in the structure. This procedure is again used to validate the FEA results obtained from ABAQUS™. In doing so, this research aims to answer some of the questions concerned with the snapping behavior and stiffness of Kirigami composites

Journal of International Dental and Medical Research ISSN 1309-100X TMJ Symptoms in Patients with Psychosocial Disorders http://www.ektodermaldisplazi.com/journal.htm Amita Aditya, and et al Volume • 5 • Number • 1 • 2012 Page 26 PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMS AS

Abstract The identification of an unambiguous universal cause for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) is still lacking. It is considered as a multifactorial disorder that results from existence of various contributing factors; psychosocial factors being one of them. Some studies have reported that in a significant number of patients, psychosocial factors play a role in causation and maintenance of temporomandibular disorders. However, whether the symptoms related to TMD are more prevalent in patients with psychosocial disorders, still needs to be explored. This study is expected not only to provide a baseline data about the prevalence, but also throw some light on the complex inter-relationship between TMD and psychosocial disorders. Two hundred adult individuals diagnosed with some psychosocial disorder, either institutionalized or under out-patient care, were included in the study. Based on direct interviews and standard clinical examination methods, subjective and objective TMJ symptoms were evaluated. The results were then, post-hoc compared to prevalence of the same symptoms in hundred normal individuals. Analysis of the results showed prevalence of subjective TMJ symptoms to be 12%, where as objective TMJ symptoms were present in 19.5% of participants with psychosocial disorders. Compared to this, prevalence of these subjective and objective symptoms in normal individuals was 32% and 27% respectively. The prevalence of symptoms related to TMJ disorders does not appear to be unusually high in patients with psychosocial disorder. Though some comorbidity between both these conditions is present, no clear relationship could be established

Ecdysoneless Overexpression Drives Mammary Tumorigenesis through Upregulation of C-MYC and Glucose Metabolism

Ecdysoneless (ECD) protein is essential for embryogenesis, cell-cycle progression, and cellular stress mitigation with an emerging role in mRNA biogenesis. We have previously shown that ECD protein as well as its mRNA are overexpressed in breast cancer and ECD overexpression predicts shorter survival in patients with breast cancer. However, the genetic evidence for an oncogenic role of ECD has not been established. Here, we generated transgenic mice with mammary epithelium-targeted overexpression of an inducible human ECD transgene (ECDTg). Significantly, ECDTg mice develop mammary hyperplasia, preneoplastic lesions, and heterogeneous tumors with occasional lung metastasis. ECDTg tumors exhibit epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell characteristics. Organoid cultures of ECDTg tumors showed ECD dependency for in vitro oncogenic phenotype and in vivo growth when implanted in mice. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of ECDTg tumors showed a c-MYC signature, and alterations in ECD levels regulated c-MYC mRNA and protein levels as well as glucose metabolism. ECD knockdown-induced decrease in glucose uptake was rescued by overexpression of mouse ECD as well as c-MYC. Publicly available expression data analyses showed a significant correlation of ECD and c-MYC overexpression in breast cancer, and ECD and c-MYC coexpression exhibits worse survival in patients with breast cancer. Taken together, we establish a novel role of overexpressed ECD as an oncogenesis driver in the mouse mammary gland through upregulation of c-MYC-mediated glucose metabolism. IMPLICATIONS: We demonstrate ECD overexpression in the mammary gland of mice led to the development of a tumor progression model through upregulation of c-MYC signaling and glucose metabolism

Oral health and treatment needs of patients with psychosocial disorders in Pune, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Despite of the fact that good oral health is essential to maintain a good overall health and quality of life; it generally gets low priority in patients with psychosocial disorders. Very little data are available to estimate the current oral health status of patients with psychosocial disorders and their treatment needs. Hence this study was conducted to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Two hundred patients who were above 18 years of age; diagnosed with psychosocial disorders, and either institutionalized or under out-patient care in three rehabilitation centers of Pune participated in this study. To determine their caries experience; decay-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index was used where as screening of periodontal problems was done using Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) index. Presence of any oral mucosal lesion was also recorded. Results: Mean DMFT score for all 200 participants of this study was 5.52. Among the particular psychosocial diagnosis groups, mean DMFT was relatively higher in schizophrenic (6.71) and depressive patients (5.82). BPE index showed considerable periodontal treatment needs. Mucosal lesions associated with tissue abuse habits were present in 24 (12.0%) participants, with a majority of them occurring in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, schizophrenia and depression. Three (1.5%) patients were found to have self inflicted mucosal lesions where as 9 (4.5%) patients had other mucosal lesions viz. lichen planus, glossitis etc. Conclusion: Although the caries experience of the participants of this study was not on the higher side, large unmet dental treatment need was identified in this population. Awareness as well as practice of oral hygiene methods was also poor. This calls for integrated efforts on the behalf of psychiatrists, care takers and dentists towards providing a better oral health care to this often neglected group of patients

Need and availability of dentists and specialists in oral medicine and radiology: A survey

Introduction: The gap between the integration of medical and dental care in our country is quite evident, and requires the attention of both the faculties. Postgraduate training in Oral Medicine and Radiology is available in our country since many years. However, unlike other specialists in dentistry, it is not routine for a medical practitioner to refer patients to a specialist in Oral Medicine and Radiology. An introspection regarding the present situation is essential to improve the accessibility and availability of comprehensive oral healthcare. Objective: This survey was conducted to assess the perceived need and availability of dentists and specialists in Oral Medicine and Radiology by medical practitioners in Pune, Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent by post to 200 randomly selected medical practitioners. Personal interviews were conducted among 41 medical practitioners in private practice and 25 working at a local teaching hospital. Hence, a total of 266 medical practitioners were approached for participation in the study. Results: Ninety-six percent of the practitioners have mentioned seeing patients with oral complaint(s) other than toothache in their practice. Thirty-four percent of the medical practitioners referred patients with dental or other oral problems directly to the dentists, 60% referred them after prescribing medicines, whereas, 6% of the medical practitioners treated such patients on their own. Sixty percent referrals were made to a general dental practitioner rather than a dental specialist. Seventy-two percent of them were not even aware of the presence of any Oral Medicine and Radiology specialists in their vicinity or city. Conclusion: Medical practitioners do perceive a need of dental practitioners for referring various oral problems. However, there seems to be little awareness among the medical practitioners regarding the expertise and availability of specialists in Oral Medicine and Radiology. Very few referrals of oral mucosal lesions are done to the dentists, as a majority of them are done to general dental practitioners rather than to an Oral Medicine and Radiology specialist

Current status of knowledge, attitude, and perspective of dental practitioners toward cone beam computed tomography: A survey

Context of the Study: In India, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has lately gained popularity as preferred imaging modality by the dental practitioners in recent times. However, CBCT is included neither in the undergraduate nor the Postgraduate dental curriculum. There is also a lack of any standardized training modules on CBCT. Many CBCT imaging centers are being established in various cities of India lately; however optimal use of this technique cannot be assured without assessing the attitude and present status of knowledge of the dental practitioners in this field. This shall warranty some remedial steps; in case a gap in knowledge is identified. Hence, this study was designed to analyze the current status of the knowledge, attitude and perspective of the dental practitioners in Pune, Maharashtra toward the use of CBCT. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted among dental specialists, using a structured questionnaire. This was complemented with the opinion of the experts in the field of Oral Radiology. Results: The study results indicate that there is a definite gap in knowledge of CBCT applications among the dental specialists. The dental specialists themselves feel that there is a lack of awareness as well as training in this field, and strongly perceive a need for the same. Even the experts in the field of oral radiology strongly agree educational strategies must be developed for training in CBCT. Introduction of training in CBCT at undergraduate as well as Postgraduate level, and developing well-structured training modules shall ensure that dental specialists use this technique in an efficient way to improve the accuracy and reliability of Oral and Maxillo-facial diagnosis, treatment planning and outcomes

Association between psychosocial disorders and oral health

It is a fact that mind and body share an intimate relationship. There are many ways in which mental and physical health impact each other. Psychosocial factors play a part in the pathogenesis of physical health, and oral health is no exception. Chronic and painful oral symptoms lead to psychosocial disorder and at the same time, some patients with psychosocial disorders experience painful oral and facial symptoms. Several investigators have concluded that psychosocial factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of an array of oral problems, ranging from poor oral hygiene to chronic pain disorders, such as temporomandibular joint disorders, burning mouth syndrome, and atypical pain. This review aims at the in-depth analysis of the correlation between psychosocial disorders and various oral symptoms