An Integrated Design and Simulation Environment for Rapid Prototyping of Laminate Robotic Mechanisms

Laminate mechanisms are a reliable concept in producing lowcost robots for educational and commercial purposes. These mechanisms are produced using low-cost manufacturing techniques which have improved significantly during recent years and are more accessible to novices and hobbyists. However, iterating through the design space to come up with the best design for a robot is still a time consuming and rather expensive task and therefore, there is still a need for model-based analysis before manufacturing. Until now, there has been no integrated design and analysis software for laminate robots. This paper addresses some of the issues surrounding laminate analysis by introducing a companion to an existing laminate design tool that automates the generation of dynamic equations and produces simulation results via rendered plots and videos. We have validated the accuracy of the software by comparing the position, velocity and acceleration of the simulated mechanisms with the measurements taken from physical laminate prototypes using a motion capture system

The Impact of Monetary Policy on the Equity Market

The problem is that prior studies examining the impact of monetary policy instruments on the equity market have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of changes in money supply (M2), federal funds rate (FFR), and federal funds futures on the expected rate of returns of publicly traded companies. We developed and tested a multifactor capital asset pricing model and applied regression methodologies suitable for panel data analysis to analyze the data. The multiple regression results showed positive moderation effect of M2, and negative moderation and mediation effects of FFR and federal funds futures on the expected rate of returns of publicly traded companies. The socioeconomic implication of these findings is that the Federal Reserve decisions on changing M2 is not influenced by changes in the equity prices, but changes in the equity prices are a signal for the Federal Reserve to adjust its decision on changing the FFR

A methodology for geomechanical modelling of in situ recovery (ISR) in fractured hard rocks

The extraction of geothermal energy, in situ minerals, liquid and gas hydrocarbons, and subsurface water are all constrained by the flow of fluid through fractured media in the earth’s crust, as is the viability of projects involving CO2 sequestration, nuclear and hazardous waste storage, hydrocarbon storage, and subsurface cavities. Subsurface fractures are the main fluid pathways as the matrix permeability is negligible in most rocks. In situ recovery (ISR) or in situ leaching (ISL), particularly in hard rock, poses some challenges currently. One of the main problems is the modelling of fluid flow in fractured rock masses, and this was the primary focus of this project. Modelling fluid flow in fractures can be done in many ways. The modelling showed that ISL in hard rock demonstrates potential. However, the modelling also exhibited the need for advancements in the fluid flow in fractures modelling area. In this paper comprehensive review of developed approaches for subsurface fracture mapping, processing and characterisation to build a fractured rock mass geometry and fluid flow simulation and mineral leachability along with examples were illustrated

Evaluation of Microbial Contamination and Chemical Qualities of Cream-filled Pastries in Confectioneries of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province (Southwestern Iran)

Objectives High consumption of bakery products such as cream-filled pastries may cause serious health risks and food poisoning to humans. Therefore, investigation of the microbial and chemical qualities of bakery products containing cream is necessary. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the chemical qualities and microbial contaminations of cream-filled pastries collected from confectioneries located in six cities in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province (Southwestern Iran). Methods Microbial tests and chemical characteristics (fat and acidity level) were done on 228 cream-filled pastries samples that were collected randomly from various confectioneries. Results After microbial tests, it was found that 33.33% of all samples were contaminated by microbial agents. The microbial tests showed that Shahrekord (10.09%) and Broujen (9.21%) cities had high levels of contamination and in Koohrang (1.31%) it was low compared with the other four cities. High contamination of coliforms (61.84%), staphylococci (48.68%), and yeast (27.63%) were observed in almost all samples. The chemical analysis showed maximum amounts of fat content and titratable acidity in cream-filled pastry samples obtained from Lordegan and Shahrekord cities, respectively. Conclusion The findings of the present work demonstrated that the microbial contamination and chemical quality of cream-filled pastries produced in confectionaries of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province were not in acceptable ranges. These problems may be related to fecal contamination of cream samples or lack of hygiene by handlers and it is necessary to observe the standards of hygiene and to develop safe food handling techniques and aseptic pastry manufacturing systems in some confectioneries of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province

Comparison of total and activity energy expenditure estimates from physical activity questionnaires and doubly labelled water : a systematic review and meta-analysis

**Published VOR can be deposited with 12 month embargo**Peer reviewedPostprin

Matrixyl Patch vs Matrixyl Cream: A Comparative In Vivo Investigation of Matrixyl (MTI) Effect on Wound Healing

[Image: see text] Wound healing is one of the most complex biological processes. Studies show that Matrixyl (MTI), known as a cosmetic peptide, can lead to a faster healing process. The contribution of MTI to collagen formation during wound healing also depends on its mode of delivery and its release over time. Here, we investigate two modes of MTI-delivery system, the influence of MTI patch for wound healing application in comparison with MTI cream. In this study, animals were randomly divided into seven groups and studied for 21 days: patches containing two different concentrations of MTI (P-MTI-0.1 mg and P-MTI-1 mg), a cream containing MTI (C-MTI-1 mg), a patch (P-MTI-0), a cream with no MTI (C-MTI-0), a positive control (Comfeel), and a negative control (sham) group. To study the wound healing process, the change in collagen density, angiogenesis, epitheliogenesis, histopathology, immunohistochemical analysis, and wound area through imaging was monitored and measured. The macroscopic results showed that wound healing was improved from 63.5 up to 81.81% in treatment groups compared to that in the negative control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In addition, C-MTI-1 and P-MTI-1 had a larger impact on wound healing compared to that in the positive control group (Comfeel, P < 0.05). In hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining analysis, the rejuvenation of skin appendage was visible in both groups of cream and patches with MTI. According to the obtained results, the re-epithelialization had a higher range for the patch with MTI in comparison with cream containing MTI and positive control

Evaluation of the Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Coagulation in Patients with Haemorrhagic Stroke; A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Introduction: Considering that hemorrhagic stroke patients are at higher risk for bleeding, administration of higher doses of melatonin with a controversial coagulation profile is a serious concern.&nbsp;Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of high doses of melatonin on bleeding parameters and blood hemostasis in hemorrhagic stroke patients.&nbsp;Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, prospective, controlled trial. Confirmed hemorrhagic stroke patients were divided into two groups. Participants were randomly assigned into the melatonin group (30 mg daily via gastric tube gavage for 5 consecutive days) or the control group. Each patient was monitored for 5 days, and 2 blood samples were taken and the effect of the intervention on coagulation factors and blood hemostasis were investigated.&nbsp;Result: In total, 30 patients were randomly assigned to melatonin (n=15) or control groups (n=15). there was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic and clinical characteristics. There was a significant decline in prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen levels in the melatonin group (p=0.011 &amp; p&lt;0.001, respectively). P-values for VII and VWB factors showed a significant increment in these two factors in the melatonin group after the intervention (p=0.035 &amp; p=0.002, respectively). No significant changes in serum levels of D-dimer factor, APACHE II, and GCS scores were evident in the two groups after the intervention (p&gt;0.05).&nbsp;Conclusion: Considering the favorable changes in coagulation parameters observed in this study, it could be concluded that melatonin can have both procoagulant and antithrombin properties

Metabolic Modeling-Based Drug Repurposing in Statin: An Overview of Mechanistic Approaches in the Management of Craniocerebral Trauma

Drug repurposing, known as drug repositioning, is considered a method for redeveloping a compound to utilize in a distinctive illness, which is now becoming a progressively critical procedure for industrial researchers and the scholarly community. A large number of repurposed medicines have been discovered by chance in the lab or through the careful monitoring of drug action in the clinic and retrospective analysis of clinical findings. Additionally, statins are broadly used to treat hyperlipidemia and prevent cardiovascular disease although their application as the neuroprotective agents weakening secondary neurological harm is yet limited in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Their other non-cholesterol-mediated (i.e., pleiotropic) mechanisms of action include upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, and enhancing neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, as well as anti-apoptotic effects, increased angiogenesis, and various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Almost all studies have supported the potential role of statins in neuroprotection, and a few have particularly focused on their effects in traumatic brain injury models. The sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) protein is a regulatory component linked with pore-forming ion channels. Thus, ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are created, which can be demonstrated in pancreatic islet cells and certain neurons. Further, transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) is the second pore-forming subunit of SUR1. Upregulating SUR1 and opening SUR1-TRPM4 opening have been observed in the different models related to central nervous system (CNS) injuries such as TBI. Sulfonylurea drugs may prevent neuronal degeneration and improve post-TBI cognitive results by inhibiting the SUR1-TRPM4 channel