The Effect of Inkjet Ink Composition on Rheology And Jetting Behaviour

This work presents recent results on the way linear and non linear viscoelastic properties of the fluids affect the jetting mechanism. Recent progress on quantitative characterising both high frequency linear (LVE) and non-linear (NLVE) viscoelasticity of fluids allows fluids to be assessed for their jettability before using such materials in a DoD print head. In term of linear viscoelastic measurements, the Piezo Axial Vibrator (PAV) was used to probe the rheology of the fluids on a frequency range between 10Hz and 10000Hz. A filament stretching apparatus, called the “Cambridge Trimaster”, was used in combination with high speed cinematography, to characterize the fluids high speed stretching and break-up behaviour. The series of fluids investigated here consist in dilutions of mono disperse polystyrene with different molecular weight (110, 210, 306 and 488 kg/mol respectively) diluted in diethyl phthalate. The choice of polymer weights and concentrations were chosen to match both the complex viscosity and the LVE. However, non linear rheological data experiments exhibit differences in the fluid relaxation time and filament break-up mechanism. Ultra-high speed cinematography of DoD jetting events were correlated with filament break-up experiments and demonstrated that fluid rheology provides valuable information on the jetting quality of the fluids

Scheduled feeding improves behavioral outcomes and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a leading inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, is frequently accompanied by sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances. In this study, we comprehensively characterized these disruptions and evaluated the therapeutic potential of a circadian-based intervention in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) knockout (KO) mouse. The Fmr1 KO mice exhibited fragmented sleep, impaired locomotor rhythmicity, and attenuated behavioral responses to light, linked to an abnormal retinal innervation and reduction of light-evoked neuronal activation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Behavioral testing revealed significant deficits in social memory and increased repetitive behaviors in the mutants, which correlated with sleep fragmentation. Remarkably, a scheduled feeding paradigm (6 hr feeding/18 hr fasting) significantly enhanced circadian rhythmicity, consolidated sleep, and improved social deficits and repetitive behaviors in the Fmr1 KO mice. This intervention also normalized the elevated levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-12 and IFN-γ, in the mutants’ blood, suggesting that its benefits extend to inflammatory pathways. These findings highlight the interplay between circadian disruption, behavior and an inflammatory response in FXS, and provide compelling evidence that time-restricted feeding may serve as a promising non-pharmacological approach for improving core symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders

Reliability of Achilles Tendon Resting Angle and Calf Circumference measurement techniques.

BACKGROUND:The resting angle of the ankle joint may be altered following apparently successful management of Achilles tendon rupture. The reliability of the Achilles Tendon Resting Angle and Calf Circumference measurements was determined. METHODS: Three test-retest measurements for reliability assessment were performed on 16 healthy subjects: 10 males and 6 females. RESULTS: The mean left Achilles Tendon Resting Angle was mean 50.1° (range [26-61]), ICC 0.92 (CI [0.83-0.97]), SEM 2.4°. The mean right Achilles tendon resting angle was mean 49.9° (range [26-60]), ICC 0.91 (CI [0.80-0.96]), SEM 2.6°. The mean left calf circumference was mean 38.5cm (range [33.3-44.2]), ICC 0.97 (CI [0.94-0.98]), SEM 0.6cm, and the mean right calf circumference was mean 38.4cm (range [33.3-43.6]), ICC 0.97 (CI [0.94-0.99]), SEM 0.5cm. CONCLUSIONS: The Achilles Tendon Resting Angle and Calf Circumference at 15cm from the antero-medial joint line had excellent test-retest reliability. These are simple, quick and inexpensive measurements, which have the potential to correlate with tendon elongation and functional outcome. The Achilles tendon resting angle may be used as a guide to tendon length during intra-operative repair and rehabilitation