Development of an Artificial Nose Using 3D Printing Technology for Patients with Tumors

A prosthetic nose is an option where the patient can gain an artificial organ for aesthetics. Thus, this study includes the 3D scan and reconstruction of the 3D model of an artificial nose and analyzes different material properties, which are thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and nylon 6 (PA). This research aims to fabricate an artificial nose model using 3D printing technology. A 3D scanner can scan the human head before reconstructing the nose. The analysis of different materials on the artificial nose model is to determine the appropriate material for the artificial nose to fit perfectly into the patient’s face. The artificial nose will use TPU material with a deformation value of 0.00413mm and a maximum stress value of 0.4930 MPa. This prosthesis nose enables people to interact in their social and family lives, making them happier and more comfortable

Sustainability of TVET TE programme: an exploratory sequential mixed method design

Like any other teacher education (or training) institutions, TVET Teacher-Education (TVET TE) institutions also aim to produce quality TVET educators. As a matter of fact, the development of the human resources in TVET system had been highlighted in national policies and strategic planning of every nation across the world. However, due to the development of technology and the rapid life changes , the suitability and relevancy of current TVET TE programme in producing a quality TVET educator has become questionable in the development of human resource. This problem has called for a review for the existing TVET TE programme in order to cater for the needs of the stakeholders. Therefore, this study aims to produce a framework for sustainable TVET TE programme that is capable of dealing with challenges in the 21st century. This study will take up an exploratory sequential mixed method which consists of Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and Survey Method. FDM, which involves 12 experts in TVET TE, will be used to explore the domains and elements that are required in the framework for sustainability of TVET TE programme. The consensus of ideas among the participating experts will be analysed through the use of Triangular Fuzzy Number and Defuzzification. The drafted framework will then be validated by means of a survey method which will be involving TVET educators from several higher learning institutions in Malaysia. The data will be analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The analysis will be expected to produce a validated framework for sustainable TVET TE programme

Effects of Stem Mal-alignment in The Primary Stability of Total Hip Arthroplasty / Shahrul Hisyam Marwan ...[et al.]

Total hip arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to reform the hip joint by replacing the joint with femoral components. Issue of stem malalignment at varus and retroversion degree angles during the procedure had influenced the performance of the arthroplasty especially in revision surgery. Thus, the purposes of the study are to develop the finite element models of total hip arthroplasty and to investigate the effects of stem malalignment in the primary stability of the femur and hip prosthesis. Two cases of malalignment stems at varus +3 degree and varus -3 degree were reconstructed while proper aligned or straight stem was set as reference. The static analysis presenting walking and stair climbing activities is conducted using commercial computational design and analysis software. The effects of stem malalignment in the femur are discussed on the resulting stress distributions and total deformation. Higher stress magnitude was predicted in both malalignment cases as compared to the straight case. The malalignment conditions also contribute to larger displacement at the distal end of the prosthesis which can lead to implant loosening

Effects of varus and sagittal implant positioning to the stress adaptation in cementless hip arthroplasty

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most common procedures in orthopedic surgery to treat the later stage of osteoarthritis. Implant mal-positioning is one of the risks that may lead to implant instability after surgery. The objective of this study to predict the effects of varus and sagittal positioning implant in promoting implant stability in cementless hip arthroplasty. Methods: Femoral bone (E=17 GPa, v=0.33) and titanium alloy (E=110 GPa, v=0.3) implant was considered in the analysis to represent the total hip arthroplasty. Various implant positions in varus and sagittal plane from -3° to 3° were modeled and analyzed for stair climbing activity. Results: The findings are discussed on the resulting maximum principal stress at the femoral bone and the implant. The stress variation in varus and sagittal cases are increased in the proximal and distal region where the cortical bone is bonded with the implant. The varus orientations show the severe stress concentration than sagittal orientations where the percentage increased up to 75% compared to normal conditions. Conclusion: The variation of implant position in varus and sagittal plane had influenced the stress distribution and contribute to bone adaptation and stress shielding effects. The effects of varus positioning were more significant compared to sagittal position in predicting the stress adaptation

Sovereignty of a nation: a lesson learnt from the case of Batu Puteh Island (Pedra Branca)

This paper discusses on the issues related to Batu Puteh Island (Pedra Branca) which is a topic of discussion in relation to the sovereignty of a country and its implications in the future. Losing territories will undermine the sovereignty of a country and is an insult to them. The reality is a bitter truth. Sovereignty is a symbol of power to many countries. The corresponding letter by the Acting Secretary of Johore dated 21st September 1953 stated that Johore does not claim ownership of Pedra Branca. The letter was seen by ICJ as a sign that Johore had handed over its sovereignty on Batu Puteh Island over to the British. Therefore, the court concluded that the letter clearly indicates that since 1953, Johore has declared that it no longer had sovereignty over Pedra Branca. Various questions arise regarding the letter. Where is the authority and sovereign of the Sultan of Johore who ruled over Johore and its territories? Can an Acting Secretary of State legitimately decide on matters of sovereignty, land and territorial rights? Or, should it be decided by the Sultan as head of a sovereign state? These are some of the questions which are yet to be answered and documentation is vital. It will determine the future and the road to success. Learn from history, learn from the administrative weaknesses and individual mistakes, and remember that history repeats itself in the future. Our own mistakes cost us an island which was originally ours for centuries. Our absent mindedness led us in losing the island’s sovereignty to other nation. Everyone knows that the island belongs to Johore with all related documents are complete and history has proven it. Always be careful when making any decisions or be sorry for life

Effects of Hysteresis on the Dynamic Deformation of Artificial Polymeric Heart Valve

The deformation behavior of an artificial heart valve was analyzed using the explicit dynamic finite element method. Time variations of the left ventricle and the aortic pressure were considered as the mechanical boundary conditions in order to reproduce the opening and closing movements of the valve under the full cardiac cycle. The valve was assumed to be made from a medical polymer and hence, a hyperelastic Mooney–Rivlin model was assigned as the material model. A simple formula of the damage mechanics was also introduced into the theoretical material model to express the hysteresis response under the unloading state. Effects of the hysteresis on the valve deformation were characterized by the delay of response and the enlargement of displacement. Most importantly, the elastic vibration observed in the pure elastic response under the full close state was dramatically reduced by the conversion of a part of elastic energy to the dissipated energy due to hysteresis

Effects of pentagonal pore sizes in the zinc hydroxyapatite parietal-temporal implant

To reconstruct the fractured skull, affected patients are advised to undergo cranioplasty, which is a surgical procedure to repair the cranial defect by implanting materials such as autologous bone grafts or synthetic alloplastic materials. The use of synthetic alloplastic materials such as hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely accepted due to their biocompatibility and suitability for larger cranial defects. The zinc hydroxyapatite (ZnHA) material is favourable as HA mimics 60% of the actual human bone, whereas zinc helps to improve its biomechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to construct the ZnHA cranial implant with different pore sizes of 600, 900, and 1200 µm in pentagonal shapes and to study its mechanical performance. At the end of the research, it was found that the implant with a pore size of 900 µm is the most appropriate implant to be utilized without affecting its mechanical performance. Aspects such as the deformation and von Mises stress are discussed to assist on the development of the ZnHA cranial implant