Flight service evaluation of PRD-49/epoxy composite panels in wide-bodied commercial transport aircraft

Fairing panels were fabricated to evaluate the fabrication characteristics and flight service performance of PRD-49 (Kevlar-49) a composite reinforcing material and to compare it with the fiberglass which is currently in use. Panel configurations were selected to evaluate the PRD-49 with two resin matrix materials in sandwich and solid laminate construction. Left and right hand versions of these configurations were installed on L-1011's which will accumulate approximately 3000 flight hours per year per aircraft. The direct substitution of PRD-49 for fiberglass produced a twenty-six percent weight reduction on the panel configurations. Examination of these panels revealed that there was no visible difference between the PRD-49 and adjacent fiberglass panels

Near-optimal mean value estimates for multidimensional Weyl sums

We obtain sharp estimates for multidimensional generalisations of Vinogradov's mean value theorem for arbitrary translation-dilation invariant systems, achieving constraints on the number of variables approaching those conjectured to be the best possible. Several applications of our bounds are discussed

Biocompatibility of Poly-ε-caprolactone-hydroxyapatite composite on mouse bone marrow-derived osteoblasts and endothelial cells

Open Access. Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publisher's website, or download /view it on SOAR.Background. Tissue-engineered bone may be developed by seeding the cells capable of both osteogenesis and vascularization on biocompatible composite scaffolds. The current study investigated the performance of mice bone marrow-derived osteogenic cells and endothelial cells as seeded on hydroxyapatite (HA) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) composite scaffolds. Methods Mononuclear cells were induced to osteoblasts and endothelial cells respectively, which were defined by the expression of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and deposits of calcium-containing crystal for osteoblasts, or by the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and von Willebrand factor (vWF), and the formation of a capillary network in Matrigel™ for endothelial cells. Both types of cell were seeded respectively on PCL-HA scaffolds at HA to PCL weight ratio of 1:1, 1:4, or 0:1 and were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, ALP activity (of osteoblasts) and nitric oxide production (of endothelial cells) plus the assessment of cell viability. Results The results indicated that HA led to a positive stimulation of osteoblasts viability and ALP activity, while HA showed less influence on endothelial cells viability. An elevated nitric oxide production of endothelial cells was observed in HA-containing group. Conclusion Supplement of HA into PCL improved biocompatible for bone marrow-derived osteoblasts and endothelial cells. The PCL-HA composite integrating with two types of cells may provide a useful system for tissue-engineered bone grafts with vascularization.Peer reviewe

Intra-Operative Experience using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Based Patient Specific Cutting Guides during Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background. The incidence of malalignment in total knee arthroplasty(TKA) using conventional instrument has beenreported as high as 25%. A relatively new TKA system involvesthe use of a preoperative magnetic resonance image(MRI) to obtain accurate implant placement more consistently.For broad acceptance of this new technique, it iscrucial to analyze the initial intra-operative experience. Thespecific aim of this study was to evaluate the initial intra-operativeexperience of a single surgeon using this new technique. Methods. A total of 15 knees (12 patients: 6 female and 6male) were reviewed from TKA procedures using the selectedmanufacturer’s patient specific cutting guides between January2011 and April 2013 at a single institution. Patient demographicand specific parameters and intra-operative alterationsof component positioning were recorded and evaluated.Results. The preoperative plan was able to predict correctly thesize of the implanted femoral component in 87% (n = 13) andtibial component in 80% (n = 12) of the cases. However, 60% (n= 9) of cases required additional intra-operative corrections onfemoral resection, and 73% (n = 11) required an additional 2 - 4mm correction on the tibial proximal resection. Twenty percent(n = 3) required additional tibial varus/valgus correction, butthere were no tibial slope corrections for any of the 15 cases. Conclusions. The initial intra-operative experience of a singlesurgeon using current patient specific cutting guides for a selectedmanufacturer to align femoral and tibial components duringTKA has raised some concerns. We agreed with previous studiesthat caution should be taken when using patient specific cuttingguides without supportive data. The findings of this study providedadditional evidence to contest the accuracy of patient specificcutting guides with respect to the initial experience of an orthopaedicsurgeon who is trained in total joint replacement. Theresults provided more evidence to assist orthopaedic surgeonsin the decision of whether to use these patient specific systemsversus conventional TKA methods. KS J Med 2016;9(2):22-26

Let’s splash: Children’s active and passive water play in constructed and natural water features in urban green spaces in Sheffield

Children’s outdoor experiences have been explored for many years but little research has specifically highlighted the role of water in children’s outdoor play. In this paper we present findings from an innovative study which focussed on children’s play with water in three urban green spaces: two neighbourhood parks and one civic space. We define constructed and natural water features and explore children’s play with water by gender, age and the affordances of the two types of water features. Experiences were gathered from children aged 8-11 in one primary school within 1.5 km of each urban green space with a total of 273 completed questionnaires. Additional data was gathered by the observation and mapping of 3,399 children aged 0-18 across all three spaces. Children most frequently used the urban green space closest to where they live and although play with water was the second and third most mentioned activity. Our findings reveal that younger children are more attracted to play with water than older children; females are more attracted to play with water than males, on two sites; children are more attracted to play with constructed than natural water features; constructed water features which are not specifically designed for children’s play can provide perceived affordances which children actualize. Constructed and natural water features in urban green spaces, provided affordances for children to play with water, whether those features were designed for this purpose or not. Play with water was both active and passive and providing opportunities for play with water in urban green spaces in new developments could help ameliorate the concern about childhood health and obesity which is of increasing concern in some parts of the world

Sums of two squares and a power

We extend results of Jagy and Kaplansky and the present authors and show that for all $k\geq 3$ there are infinitely many positive integers $n$, which cannot be written as $x^2+y^2+z^k=n$ for positive integers $x,y,z$, where for $k\not\equiv 0 \bmod 4$ a congruence condition is imposed on $z$. These examples are of interest as there is no congruence obstruction itself for the representation of these $n$. This way we provide a new family of counterexamples to the Hasse principle or strong approximation.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in the memorial volume "From Arithmetic to Zeta-Functions - Number Theory in Memory of Wolfgang Schwarz

Therapeutic potentials of naringin on polymethylmethacrylate induced osteoclastogenesis and osteolysis, in vitro and in vivo assessments

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author’s publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Wear debris associated periprosthetic osteolysis represents a major pathological process associated with the aseptic loosening of joint prostheses. Naringin is a major flavonoid identified in grapefruit. Studies have shown that naringin possesses many pharmacological properties including effects on bone metabolism. The current study evaluated the influence of naringin on wear debris induced osteoclastic bone resorption both in vitro and in vivo. The osteoclast precursor cell line RAW 264.7 was cultured and stimulated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles followed by treatment with naringin at several doses. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), calcium release, and gene expression profiles of TRAP, cathepsin K, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B were sequentially evaluated. PMMA challenged murine air pouch and the load bearing tibia titanium pin-implantation mouse models were used to evaluate the effects of naringin in controlling PMMA induced bone resorption. Histological analyses and biomechanical pullout tests were performed following the animal experimentation. The in vitro data clearly demonstrated the inhibitory effects of naringin in PMMA induced osteoclastogenesis. The naringin dose of 10 µg/mL exhibited the most significant influence on the suppression of TRAP activities. Naringin treatment also markedly decreased calcium release in the stimulated cell culture medium. The short-term air pouch mouse study revealed that local injection of naringin ameliorated the PMMA induced inflammatory tissue response and subsequent bone resorption. The long-term tibia pin-implantation mouse model study suggested that daily oral gavage of naringin at 300 mg/kg dosage for 30 days significantly alleviated the periprosthetic bone resorption. A significant increase of periprosthetic bone volume and regaining of the pin stability were found in naringin treated mice. Overall, this study suggests that naringin may serve as a potential therapeutic agent to treat wear debris associated osteolysis

High VEGF with Rapid Growth and Early Metastasis in a Mouse Osteosarcoma Model

A murine model of osteosarcoma was developed to investigate the association between the expression of VEGF and the progression of osteosarcoma. Two human osteosarcoma cell lines with distinct VEGF expressions were introduced into proximal tibiae of immuno-deficient SCID mice, either by direct injection through the cortical bone or surgical exposing and drilling on the tibial metaphysis to seed tumor cells. Bone tumors were obvious on microCT within 4 weeks following osteosarcoma cell inoculation through surgical delivery. In contrast, direct injection without drilling often resulted in periosteal tumors. Although neoplasms were developed regardless of VEGF levels, orthotopic tumors derived from high VEGF-expressing cells were detected 2 weeks earlier on CT images than the ones from VEGF negative cells. At sacrifice, high VEGF tumors were distinctively larger in size and more frequently invaded the adjacent bone tissue. Multiple metastatic lesions were found in all the lung tissues at 8 weeks from high VEGF group, whereas only 1 of 7 VEGF negative tumors exhibited pulmonary metastasis. Overall, this model developed with the surgical tumor cell delivery results in histological and radiographic features more consistent with primary osteosarcoma. Interestingly, VEGF expression correlates with the early establishment, rapid tumor growth, and the development of pulmonary metastasis

Characterization of the inflammatory response to four commercial bone graft substitutes using a murine biocompatibility model

Bone grafting is utilized in nearly all orthopedic subspecialties and in most anatomic regions. Bone graft substitutes have the potential to offer similar efficacy as autogenous grafts without the morbidity of harvest. Several studies have noted the efficacy of new-generation bone substitute products, but few studies have evaluated their safety. This study characterizes and quantifies the inflammatory reaction to four different commercially available bone graft substitutes, which were examined using the in vivo murine air pouch biocompatibility model. One coralline hydroxyapatite product was chosen as an example of a purely osteoconductive material. Three demineralized bone matrix products were chosen to represent products that are both osteoconductive and osteoinductive. Samples were implanted in a murine air pouch and harvested after 14 days in situ. Pouch fluid was extracted, mRNA isolated, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions carried out to detect interleukin-1 gene expression as a marker for inflammation. In addition, multiple histological characteristics were examined to quantify cellular responses to the implanted materials. All bone graft substitutes induced a significant inflammatory response compared with negative controls. Histology and polymerase chain reaction data indicated that the level of inflammatory reaction was elevated in materials with a higher demineralized bone matrix to carrier proportion. The hydroxyapatite product generated a low inflammatory reaction. In conclusion, this study used an in vivo model of biocompatibility to demonstrate that a significant inflammatory reaction occurs when using implanted bone graft substitutes. When choosing a bone grafting method, surgeons should consider both the efficacy and safety of methods and materials used. Further studies are necessary to determine the ideal bone graft material to maximize efficacy while minimizing morbidity