Support Structure Research Articles

The dynamics of peer-to-peer care: Peers as radical care practitioners

Hi‘ilei Julia Kawehipuaakahaopulani Hobart and Tamara Kneese (2020) define radical care as ‘as a set of vital but underappreciated strategies for enduring precarious worlds’ (16). Yet they sound a note of caution when they argue that ‘because radical care is inseparable from systemic inequality and power structures, it can be used to coerce subjects into new forms of surveillance and unpaid labor’ (16). This article explores scaffolded peer-to-peer programmes as a form of radical care. In these programmes and approaches people are connected in non-hierarchical structures of mutual support and care that locate lived experience, rather than solely professional accreditation, as powerful, inclusive and collaborative expertise. The often implicit and traditional hierarchies of care are challenged in this structuring; we argue that the dynamic and horizontal structure of peer care practices can subvert and ultimately enrich circulating discourses of self-care, commodified care and the neoliberal devolution of responsibility for health and well-being to individuals.

Effect of septoplasty on physical performance

The nasal septum is a key component of the nasal structure, affecting proper airflow and providing support for the nasal structures. A deviated septum (DSN) can lead to breathing disorders, impaired nasal patency, recurrent nosebleeds, olfactory disorders and frequent upper respiratory tract infections. In competitive sports, where ventilation performance is critical, septal deviation can adversely affect athletic performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of septoplasty on patients' physical performance. Methodes This article is based on the available literature found in the Google Scholar, PubMed database with the use of key words such as ,,septoplasty'', ,,nasal septal deviation'', ,,septoplasty quality of life'', ,,nasal septal deviation athletes'', ,,septoplasty sport'', ,,nasal obstruction sport''. Results Conducted studies show that surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum improves physical performance as well as respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Restoring proper airflow through the nose after surgery leads to a noticeable improvement in physical performance, highlighting the significance of septoplasty in enhancing patient comfort and improving athletic outcomes.

Experiences and Perceptions of Medication Management Communication During Transitions of Care for Residents in Aged Care Homes and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

To explore the experiences and perceptions of communication about managing medication across transitions of care for residents living in aged care homes and their family caregivers. Effective medication communication across transitions of care involves exchanging information, resident, and family caregiver's participation in decision-making, and shared responsibility. A qualitative meta-synthesis. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the accompanying 27-item checklist. A systematic search of seven electronic databases (Embase, PsycINFO, Medline Ovid, Scopus, CINAHL, EmCare and Web of Science) was performed from inception to December 2023. Studies eligible for inclusion in this review were required to be published in peer-reviewed English journals and focus on medication communication among healthcare providers, residents and family caregivers during transitions of care for aged care residents. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was employed for the critical appraisal of the studies, and the COREQ checklist was used to evaluate their quality. Of the 2610 studies identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. No study was excluded based on quality. Two main themes were generated: (1) Medication information exchange involving residents and families, and (2) resident and family factors influencing medication communication engagement. The findings revealed a lack of supportive structure for effective communication and collaboration among residents, family caregivers and healthcare providers during transitions of care, marked by one-way interactions and limited evidence of shared decision-making or family caregiver engagement in medication management communication, despite varying individual needs and preferences. Communication about medication management during transitions of care focused on sharing details rather than active engagement. Residents and their family caregivers have individual needs and perspectives regarding communication about medication management, which are not well addressed by healthcare providers during transitions of care. Healthcare providers' communication remains limited, and family caregivers are underutilised.

Research on Decision-Making and Control Technology for Hydraulic Supports Based on Digital Twins

To further enhance the intelligent construction of coal mines and improve the control accuracy of hydraulic support displacement straightness, a digital twin control method for hydraulic support displacement has been proposed. First, a dataset related to hydraulic support is established, and a ridge regression prediction model is developed to achieve digital twin-based displacement decision analysis. Next, by analyzing the mechanical structure and displacement principles of the hydraulic supports, a hydraulic cylinder mathematics model is established, leading to the state-space representation of the controlled object. This study focuses on error control during the multi-agent operation of the hydraulic supports, designing a corresponding controller and using discretization methods to verify the consistency of output displacement between followers and leaders. Finally, simulation experiments based on the digital twin model of hydraulic supports are conducted, validating that the hydraulic supports can be controlled in formation according to actual production requirements. The digital twin control method enables the precise adaptive displacement control of hydraulic supports and provides valuable insights for the intelligent construction of mining faces.

Mechanical Characteristics of Deep Excavation Support Structure with Asymmetric Load on Ground Surface

The purpose of this paper is to capture the mechanical response of the support structure of deep excavation subject asymmetric load. A two-dimensional (2D) numerical analysis model was established by taking a pipe gallery deep excavation subject to asymmetric load as an example. The numerical analysis results were in good agreement with the measured data, thus verified the validity of the numerical model. On this basis, the stress and displacement of support structure caused by the change in foundation asymmetric load were studied. According to the numerical results, horizontal displacement of the diaphragm wall (DW) was dominant, and the maximum horizontal displacement of the DW was 7.54 mm when the deep excavation was completed. With the increase in asymmetric load, the left wall displacement continued to increase, while the displacement of the right DW continued to decrease, and the maximum horizontal wall displacement occurred near the excavation face. The DW was the main bending component, and the maximum wall bending moment when the deep excavation was completed was 173.5 kN·m. The maximum wall bending moment increased with the increase in asymmetric load, and the maximum wall bending moment on the left of the deep excavation was greater than that on the right. The inner support sustained the main component of axial force, with the axial force peaking at 1051.8 kN when the deep excavation was completed. The axial force of the inner support increased with increasing the asymmetric load, and the axial force of the second inner support was obviously greater than that of the first inner support. This research has a positive effect on the design and optimization of deep excavation support structure subject to asymmetric load on ground surface.

Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biopolymer Fibers: Fabrication Techniques and Characterization Methods.

Hybrid nanocomposites combining biopolymer fibers incorporated with nanoparticles (NPs) have received increasing attention due to their remarkable characteristics. Inorganic NPs are typically chosen for their properties, such as magnetism and thermal or electrical conductivity, for example. Meanwhile, the biopolymer fiber component is a backbone, and could act as a support structure for the NPs. This shift towards biopolymers over traditional synthetic polymers is motivated by their sustainability, compatibility with biological systems, non-toxic nature, and natural decomposition. This study employed the solution blow spinning (SBS) method to obtain a nanocomposite comprising poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVA, and gelatin biodegradable polymer fibers incorporated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with poly(acrylic acid), PAA2k, coded as γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. The fiber production process entailed a preliminary investigation to determine suitable solvents, polymer concentrations, and spinning parameters. γ-Fe2O3-NPs were synthesized via chemical co-precipitation as maghemite and coated with PAA2k through the precipitation-redispersion protocol in order to prepare γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. Biopolymeric fibers containing coated NPs with sub-micrometer diameters were obtained, with NP concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 1.7% wt. The synthesized NPs underwent characterization via dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and infrared spectroscopy, while the biopolymer fibers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the successful implementation of SBS for producing biopolymeric fibers incorporating iron oxide NPs, where the amalgamation of materials demonstrated superior thermal behavior to the plain polymers. The thorough characterization of the NPs and fibers provided valuable insights into their properties, paving the way for their potential applications in various fields such as biomedical engineering, environmental remediation, and functional materials.

Navigating the Academic Gap: A Phenomenological Inquiry on the Experiences of Teachers in DepEd’s Catch-Up Fridays

This research examines the implementation of DepEd Catch-Up Friday, a strategic initiative introduced by the Department of Education in the Philippines to address academic disruptions caused by the pandemic. The study investigates how this initiative has affected teachers’ practices, workload, and overall well-being. A qualitative study, particularly phenomenological inquiry, was used. Through purposive sampling, 22 secondary public-school teachers served as participants in this phenomenological study. The results yielded three themes with regard to the experiences in Catch-Up Friday: challenges in the preparation, gaps in educational resources, and barriers in student motivation. Regarding the coping mechanisms of teachers in Catch-Up Fridays, four themes emerged: strategic intervention, diverse expertise, systematic evaluation, and technology-enhanced instruction. Moreover, three themes emerged as the insights of teachers in the implementation of Catch-Up Fridays: an inclusive learning environment, addressing struggling learners, and requiring tailored instructional approaches. Recommendations include strengthening support structures for teachers, promoting student-centered approaches, and implementing structured feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the initiative. The research underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and adjustments to ensure that DepEd Catch-Up Friday effectively supports students and educators, fostering a more resilient and adaptive educational environment.

Design of 3D vapor chamber for thermal management of permanent magnet synchronous motors

The vapor chamber is a high thermal conductivity device with significant potential for enhancing the power density of permanent magnet synchronous motors. Practical installation requirements and the heat curing process of thermal conductive adhesive impose strict demands on vapor chambers, such as precise 3D profiles and resistance to expansion. This paper presents a novel 3D wave vapor chamber with high thermal conductivity, a design not previously reported. Special internal support structures are engineered to ensure the vapor chamber with performances of thermal conductivity, anti-expansion, and bendability. Simulation results show an anti-expansion deformation of 6.28 % at 125 °C. Heat transfer experiments demonstrate that the 3D vapor chamber achieves an effective thermal conductivity of 4426.73 W/m·K and a thermal resistance of 0.136 °C/W under a 100 W heating load. Furthermore, the 3D vapor chamber-based cooling strategy manages a heat load of 143.93 W at a cutoff temperature of 90 °C, marking an 82.1 % improvement over traditional cooling methods.

Gain improvement of conformal circularly polarized Fabry-Perot resonator antenna based on metasurface

Conformal antenna can keep consistent with the shape of the carrier perfectly, which greatly saves the space of the carrier, so it is widely used in military, aerospace and other fields. In this paper, a cylindrical conformal circular polarization Fabry-Perot resonator antenna is designed, and the adverse effect of conformal on antenna gain is overcome by transmission phase compensation. Firstly, a linear to circular polarization conversion metasurface with adjustable transmission phase is designed. The main reason for choosing the metasurface here is to take advantage of its excellent electromagnetic control ability. The metal structures of the metasurface are printed on the ultra-thin dielectric plates, and then attached to the support structure machined by 3D printing, so as to achieve the conformal design of the metasurface. Secondly, the proposed metasurface is used as the superstructure and is combined with a conformal feed to form a cylindrical conformal circularly polarized Fabry Perot resonator antenna. The conformal feed is a patch antenna which is conformal designed in the same way as the metasurface. The conformal feeder is placed under the conformal metasurface to ensure that the electromagnetic wave radiated by the feeder can enter the resonant cavity composed of the feeder and the metasurface. The curvature of the cylindrical conformal of feed and metasurface is the same, which can ensure the high unity of the different positions in the resonator. Next, by adjusting the transmission phase of the unit on the metaurface, the phase compensation of the transmitted electromagnetic wave is realized, so that the electromagnetic wave radiated by the conformal antenna still presents the characteristic of plane wave. Finally, the conformal Fabry-Perot resonator antenna obtains the same high-gain radiation characteristics as the planar resonator antenna. The designed antenna achieves a maximum gain of 13.1dBic at 10 GHz. The size of the antenna is 2.9λ × 2.9λ, so the aperture efficiency is about 19.9 %. The antenna proposed in this paper overcomes the influence of conformal design on the gain of the antenna, so that it can be conformal on the surface of a cylindrical object and obtain better gain characteristics.

Unraveling the ion transport through top and wall coated polyelectrolyte membrane pores

Polyelectrolyte-based nanofiltration membranes are obtained through a layer-by-layer sequential deposition of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) onto a porous support structure. The resulting polyelectrolyte membrane offers tailored salt rejections for nanofiltration applications. However, little is known about the exact location of the deposited PEs on top or inside a membrane pore. Also, scarce information is available on the contribution of the different potential PE locations that affect the salt rejection of the overall membrane. Hence, research challenges, such as the influence of (a) an adsorbed PE layer inside the support membrane or (b) the bridging of the original pores and the position of the bridging layer, can only be unraveled through rigorous simulations. We present a significant extension of our previously published model into a two-dimensional modeling framework pEnPEnS (pressure p driven transport through n electrolyte layers En, n polyelectrolyte layers PEn, and the support structure S) capable of addressing the selective layer additionally formed on the walls of the support capillary structure. The model solves a set of two-dimensional nonlinear Extended Nernst-Planck-Poisson and Navier-Stokes-Brinkman equations, enabling the prediction of ionic rejections from the top coating, wall coating, and a PE bridging forming inside the capillary. The proposed model framework systematically identifies and quantifies the influence of the capillary coating beneath the top layer on NaCl rejection and addresses the challenge of improving rejection rates. The model reveals that PEs deposited inside the support structure contribute significantly to NaCl rejection. It enables the predictions of differences in the rejection rates depending on the location of the PE coating, the diameter of the support capillary, and the transmembrane pressure. The model gives insight into PE bridging forming inside the support capillary and explains how its position and fixed charge density change ion rejection rates. As such, the model unravels insightful details on the rejection characteristics of coated capillaries, making it a powerful tool for designing polyelectrolyte membranes.

Modal Analysis and Optimization of Fluid-Structure Coupling for Rotor and Inner Cylinder of Vertical Condensate Pump

Background: Low-frequency resonance is one of the common issues encountered during the variable-frequency operation of condensate water pumps. There have been numerous patents and papers proposing solutions to address the low-frequency resonance problem in condensate water pumps. However, the solutions for resonance problems often need to be tailored to specific circumstances. Methods: Based on the acoustic method, the dynamic model of the rotor and inner cylinder of Jiangsu Guohua Chenjiagang Power Plant 2B condensate pump is established to compare the difference between dry modal and fluid-structure coupling modal, the influence of perpendicularity, concentricity and bearing wear on the natural frequency of rotor is studied. Results: The rotor is rigid under normal conditions. When the bearing is worn, the frequency of the rotor will be greatly reduced and may fall into the frequency conversion operation range to excite resonance. The deviation of perpendicularity and concentricity will not directly lead to the decrease of rotor modal but will lead to the increase of bearing stress, aggravate bearing wear, and then affect the rotor modal. As the inner cylinder only relies on the fixed support at the top, the structure stiffness is low, which may lead to low-frequency resonance. By adding two support structures at the guide vane, the first-order modal frequency of the inner cylinder can be increased from 3.29 Hz to 28.88 Hz, effectively avoiding the operating frequency range of the system. Conclusion: This study can guide the optimization of similar pump structures.

The Modified Caldwell-Luc Approach for Treating Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis Without Need for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundOdontogenic maxillary sinusitis is a common inflammatory condition resulting from the violation of the Schneiderian membrane by conditions arising from the dentoalveolar unit, which includes teeth, their supporting structures, and adjacent tissues. This study aims to evaluate a modified surgical approach for treating this condition. PurposeThe purpose of this study is to measure the frequency of re-treatment of maxillary sinusitis of odontogenic origin following treatment with a modified Caldwell-Luc approach, which involves accessing the maxillary sinus through the canine fossa without creating a counter-opening in the inferior nasal meatus. Study DesignThis retrospective cohort study included 82 cases (83 sinuses) with odontogenic sinusitis treated surgically with the modified Caldwell-Luc technique at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Poriya Medical Center, between 2014 and 2021. Patients with non-odontogenic sinusitis were excluded. Predictor VariablesAnatomic findings defined as the presence or absence of ostiomeatal complex abnormalities and oroantral communication, as identified through clinical examination and CT imaging. Main Outcome VariablesThe need for retreatment, defined as the requirement for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) due to persistent signs and symptoms of maxillary sinusitis after the modified Caldwell-Luc procedure, including facial pain/pressure, nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, or radiographic evidence of persistent sinus opacification on CT scan, lasting more than 4 weeks despite appropriate medical management. CovariatesCovariates included demographic data (age, sex [male/female as identified at birth]), smoking status, etiologies of odontogenic sinusitis, and surgical conditions. AnalysesDescriptive statistics, Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute hazard ratios. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to estimate the probability of remaining FESS-free over time. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe sample was composed of 82 patients (83 sinuses) with a mean age of 52.3 years (SD 13.5), and 47 (56.6%) were male. Dental implantation and sinus augmentation procedures were the most common etiologies of odontogenic sinusitis (50.6%). The median follow-up time was 6.03 months (IQR: 2.57 - 10.93 months). The incidence rate of FESS requirement was 2.64 per 100 person-months of follow-up. The FESS-free frequency was 89.2% (95% CI: 80.4% - 94.4%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the probability of remaining FESS-free at 12 months to be 89.1% (95% CI: 79.8% - 94.4%). Patients with OMC abnormalities had a hazard ratio of 2.25 (95% CI: 0.47-10.84, p = 0.31) for requiring FESS, while those with OAC had a hazard ratio of 1.85 (95% CI: 0.46-7.39, p = 0.38). Conclusions and RelevanceThe modified Caldwell-Luc procedure was effective in treating the majority of odontogenic sinusitis cases. FESS may be necessary in a small percentage of cases with persistent symptoms. Further research is needed to identify predictors for FESS requirement. Of note, we recommend that oral and maxillofacial surgery surgeons review sinusitis cases with a FESS surgeon before performing the modified Caldwell-Luc procedure creating the opportunity for simultaneous or closely timed procedures when necessary

Electrochemical additive manufacturing of interdigitated structures using a multi-anode system with independently-controlled anodes

Interdigitated parts are used across a multitude of engineering applications. The overlapping, intertwined structures pose a challenge for fabrication using conventional additive manufacturing techniques, especially at small size scales. Electrochemical additive manufacturing (ECAM) has been shown to successfully create overhanging parts at the small scale without reliance on support structures. This study extends the ECAM capabilities into demonstration of the fabrication of interdigitated parts by the use of a multi-anode electrochemical additive manufacturing system. The ECAM process is operated by a tool head consisting of multiple anodes independently controlled by individual channels on an in-house-built multipotentiostatic system. Each anode is independently switched into active (anodic) or inactive (open-circuit) mode using a predefined, coded pattern controlling the custom electronics. While each tool is in anodic mode, its current contribution into the overall deposition process is tracked independently as well. Each independent tool can deposit material extending from regions deposited by itself or neighboring tools. The entire multi-head tool is controllably moved by a 3-axis translation system. An interdigitated comb geometry relevant to practical engineering applications is fabricated using this system. This geometry is built using a parallelized voxel-by-voxel tool path with characteristic electrode activation patterns at each position of the tool head. It was found that a purely closed-loop control with no time limit yielded a qualitatively better geometry than a control system with a 10-minute time limit applied. This study overall demonstrates the working principle of a multi-anode system and its ability to fabricate parts interdigitated structures. This study therefore advances the capabilities of ECAM as a valuable additive manufacturing process that can fabricate a variety of challenging parts for relevant engineering applications.

Evaluating Effectiveness and Challenges in B.Ed. Student Teacher Internships

The B.Ed. internship program is essential for teacher preparation, but its effectiveness in preparing future educators for diverse classrooms requires ongoing evaluation. The school internship programme in teacher education is changing from a pre-specified practice-teaching approach to a more comprehensive approach, as emphasized by the NCTE Regulations, 2009 and 2014 respectively. The 2009 regulations expanded the scope of practice-teaching by emphasizing the importance of student-teachers experiencing all school activities and programs. The 2014 regulations further strengthened the component of ‘Field Engagement’ by prescribing a longer duration of 15 weeks. In the present paper researchers has made an attempt to examines the effectiveness and challenges of B.Ed. student teacher internships, focusing on skill development, support structures, and resource availability. It also investigates the program’s impact on student teachers’ confidence in managing diverse classrooms and fostering student success with varying needs and abilities perception of student teachers about the engagement of 15weeks (15+2 weeks) with the field in B.Ed. 3 rd. semester. Internship Programme as per the curriculum of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Punjab. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges faced by student teachers during their internship. The sample consisted of 180 student-teachers selected from B.Ed. colleges of Amritsar district through random sampling. The study, utilizing an open-ended questionnaire, revealed that student-teachers encountered numerous challenges during their internship in the 3rd semester of B.Ed., highlighting the challenges faced by both students and educators.

Build orientation optimization considering thermal distortion in additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology enables the fabrication of three-dimensional objects with complex shapes and has been extensively applied in various industries. AM is a layer-wise fabrication process where a variety of factors affect manufacturing performance and product quality. One of the most important factor is the thermal distortion, which is caused by the high temperature gradients in the fabrication process. The thermal distortion is also influenced by the support structure of the printing object, and this distortion varies depending on the chosen build orientation. Additionally, for the overhang regions, extra supports are required for printing and will be removed in the post-processing. For the 3D printing process, the thermal distortion and support requirements are interconnected and linked to build orientation. To investigate suitable build orientation, the thermal distortion and support are quantified, and a multi-objective build orientation optimization method is proposed to obtain representative orientations. Based on the proposed method, 9 typical 3D shapes are evaluated. In addition, the single-objective build orientation optimization problem is studied and compared, and the influence of slicing layers per stage on the simulation accuracy and efficiency is discussed. The effectiveness and applicability of the method are verified, and representative directions can be obtained for different fabrication purposes.

Analyzing AI adoption in European SMEs: A study of digital capabilities, innovation, and external environment

This study investigates the effects of digital capabilities, innovation capabilities, and business environmental support on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Utilizing dynamic capabilities and resource dependency theories, we provide a comprehensive and integral analysis of the drivers that facilitate AI adoption in SMEs. We conducted an empirical study encompassing 12,108 SMEs, based on survey data of the Flash Eurobarometer database from the European Union. Our analysis employed a combination of classical regression methods and advanced machine learning techniques, including artificial neural networks and tree regression. Our findings highlight the importance of digital capabilities in driving AI adoption, where complementing innovation capabilities exhibit synergistic effects. Contrary to prevailing literature, business environmental support alone demonstrates limited impact, emphasizing its contingent effectiveness within a well-elaborated institutional framework. Furthermore, the synergy between business environmental support and digital and innovation capabilities has a significant impact on AI adoption in SMEs. However, internal capabilities exert a greater influence on AI adoption in SMEs compared to business environmental support. This study contributes to dynamic capabilities theory by elucidating the interplay of digital and innovation capabilities, offering a nuanced understanding of their combined influence on AI adoption. It also enriches resource dependency theory by highlighting the dynamic nature of business environmental support. For practitioners, our results underscore the need for a balanced investment in digital and innovation capabilities. Policymakers should consider these insights when designing support structures for SMEs, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to foster internal capabilities alongside creating an enabling external environment.

Trial by fire: The qualitative essence of interns’ baptism into medical responsibility

BACKGROUND: The transition from medical student to intern represents a challenging period of professional and personal development. This study aimed to explore junior doctors’ experiences navigating this critical passage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted on a junior intern doctor working in a tertiary care hospital, in Gujarat. About 40 junior doctors participated in semi-structured interviews reflecting on their internship transition. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Perceived deficits in preparedness for clinical work and emotional readiness were a major theme. Interns felt underprepared in skills like clinical reasoning and procedures. The abrupt onset of patient care responsibility provoked anxiety and eroded confidence. Difficulty adapting to workplace culture and hierarchies was another challenge. Long work hours, unfamiliar team dynamics, and new professional relationships were demanding. The intensity of workload and patient care duties provoked overwhelming stress, fatigue, and burnout risk during the junior doctor transition. Peer support and mentoring facilitated adaptation. Enhanced undergraduate training in practical skills and professional competencies was advised to improve preparedness. CONCLUSION: Junior doctors face major challenges to their well-being, confidence, and competence as they transition into clinical practice. Support structures to ease this demanding passage of professional development are needed. Medical schools must strengthen curricula to address preparedness gaps. Improved onboarding and supervised orientation may also benefit new interns. Facilitating an optimal student-to-doctor transition has important implications for physician training, satisfaction, and retention.

Performance of a RuCs/MgO catalyst coated on additive manufactured support structures via electrophoretic deposition for ammonia synthesis

This work investigates the electrophoretic deposition of a catalytic coating on so-called fluid guiding elements (FGE) with a ruthenium-based catalyst for use in ammonia synthesis reactors. FGE are additive manufactured metallic pipe inserts that have shown to enhance the heat transfer compared to empty pipes by dividing the fluid flow and alternately guiding the partial flows to the wall. Consequently, they could improve the performance of temperature sensitive structured catalytic systems. To be able to demonstrate the degree of process intensification, the required steps to enable the deposition of a reference catalyst for ammonia synthesis are developed. Further, the distribution of catalytically active compounds is characterized. The catalytic activity is assessed in a plug flow reactor under pressures up to 5MPa and compared against a fixed bed from the same batch. The expected activity from the reference catalyst is calculated by a kinetic rate expression. The coating process does not affect catalytic activity, but a steady deactivation and high sensitivity to feed gas impurities are observed. Possible mechanisms for the deactivation are examined and discussed.

Towards gradient design of TPMS lattices and laser powder bed fusion processing– Role of laser strategies and lattice thickness

The ability to manufacture complex design geometries via Additive Manufacturing (AM) has led to a rapid growth in advancing the design methods, fabrication, and application of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) lattices with minimal surface topologies. Due to its zero-mean curvature, TPMS lattices can be additively manufactured without any sacrificial support structures and offer both design and manufacturing engineers, unprecedented control over the local physical properties (surface area, relative density, etc.) and local mechanical properties (flexural strength, Young’s modulus, etc.). TPMS lattices are of high interest for a wide range of applications such as biomedical implants, energy absorption, and surface fluidic applications such as heat exchangers, and energy storage. Recent advancements in functionally graded TPMS lattice design by varying local lattice geometry has shown to result in different mechanical performance. However, there have been limited studies in understanding the functional grading of AM process conditions (e.g., Laser-Powder Bed Fusion in this study) and lattice sheet thickness to better map the design-processing conditions-properties. The goal of this study is to achieve similar mechanical properties in TPMS sheet lattices with two different TPMS sheet thicknesses by varying laser processing conditions (e.g., contour and hatch conditions in this study). Quasi-static tensile testing of solid samples with corresponding AM conditions and 3-point bending tests of TPMS lattices were performed in accordance with ASTM E8 and ASTM E290, respectively. It was observed that the flexural properties of the 0.75 mm and 0.25 mm TPMS lattices are similar and exhibit different properties with different scan strategies and speed variations under contour-only and hatch-only laser scanning strategies. Also, the 0.75 mm TPMS sheet lattices exhibited 79 % higher flexural stiffness than the 0.25 mm sheet lattices. It was also observed that this observed trend was reversed in the case of tensile properties. Findings from this study can provide new directions towards achieving gradient TPMS lattice designs with varying local mechanical performance by grading the laser scanning strategies to achieve desired mechanical properties and surface topologies.

Reducing the overpotential of overall water spitting by micro-pump-like electrode engineering

Electrolyzing water for hydrogen generation consumes a significant amount of electricity. Minimizing bubble accumulation on the electrodes can reduce the overpotential, thereby enhancing the efficiency of water electrolysis. In this work, Co1.8Mn1.2S4 as the catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) was optimized from 54 compounds of oxides and sulfides of Ni, Co, and Mn, then designed a three-dimensional electrode with a pump-like function to expel bubbles from the electrodes. Using laser-assisted curing 3D printing technology, a capillary array with side holes was fabricated and utilized as a support structure for the Co1.8Mn1.2S catalyst. During water electrolysis, the electrolyte enters the interior of the capillary through the side holes, and the bubbles inside the capillary are released from both ends of the capillary. The optimized electrode achieved 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 345 mV during the OER, and reached 100 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 435 mV. In-situ optical microscopy observations and fluid dynamics simulations demonstrated that bubbles were effectively released through the main outlet of the capillary. In overall water splitting, the current density reached 10 mA cm−2 at 1.646 V, without significant current decay after 60 h continuous operation. The electrode design presented holds promise for broader applications in catalytic reactions, such as CO2 reduction, electrochemical ammonia synthesis, and electrochemical treatment of water pollutants.