Effect of Post-Processing on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-Low Carbon Steel Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

In this study, the effects of heat treatments and hot-isotactic pressing (HIP) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ultra-low carbon steel produced using selective laser melting (SLM) were investigated. Powder and prototypes characterizations including XRD phase analysis, microstructural observations, and hardness were performed. It was found that heat treatments at 1000 ºC and HIP process improved inter-particle bonding very slightly. Significant increases in the grain size were observed for the annealed specimens at 600ºC and above as well as after HIP due to recrystallization and further grain growth, which coincide with the drop in hardness.Mechanical Engineerin

Effect of Scanning Methods in the Selective Laser Melting of 316L/TiC Nanocomposites

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a promising additive manufacturing process that allows for the fabrication of complex functional components by the selective layer-by-layer melting of particles on a powder bed using a high-energy laser beam. In this study, the SLM process was used to fabricate components of TiC/ 316L stainless steel nanocomposite using various laser scanning methods. The results showed that the laser-scanning method used for the SLM process affects the degree of densification, microstructure, and the hardness of the components produced. We believe that the alternative fabrication route presented in this study should significantly increase the use of nanocomposites.Mechanical Engineerin

In-Situ TiC Particle Reinforced 316L Stainless Steel Matrix Nanocomposites: Powder Preparation by Mechanical Alloying and Selective Laser Melting Behavior

Mechanical Engineerin

Effectiveness and complications of percutaneous needle tenotomy with a large gauge needle for muscle contractures: A cadaver study

ObjectivesTwenty-two percent of institutionalised elderly persons have muscle contractures. Contractures have important functional consequences, rendering hygiene and positioning in bed or in a chair difficult. Medical treatment (such as botulinum toxin injections, physiotherapy or positioning) is not very effective and surgery may be required. Surgery is carried out in the operating theatre, under local or general anaesthesia but is often not possible in fragile patients. Micro-invasive tenotomy could be a useful alternative as it can be carried out in ambulatory care, under local anaesthesia. To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous needle tenotomy and the risks of damage to adjacent structures in cadavers.MethodsThirty-two doctors who had never practiced the technique (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, geriatricians and orthopaedic surgeons) carried out 401 tenotomies on the upper and lower limbs of 8 fresh cadavers. A 16G needle was used percutaneous following location of the tendons. After each tenotomy, a neuro-orthopaedic surgeon and an anatomist dissected the area in order to evaluate the success of the tenotomy and any adjacent lesions which had occurred.ResultsOf the 401 tenotomies, 72% were complete, 24.9% partial and 2.7% failed. Eight adjacent lesions occurred (2%): 4 (1%) in tendons or muscles, 3 (0.7%) in nerves and 1 (0.2%) in a vessel.DiscussionPercutaneous needle tenotomy is an effective, low risk technique. Although this study was carried out on cadavers, the results suggest that it is safe to carry out on patients

The impact of Saudi Arabia – United States clinical pharmacy post-graduate training programs agreements on clinical pharmacy faculty in Saudi universities: A retrospective descriptive study focused on history and future recommendations

Background: There has been a growing demand for clinical pharmacy services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the past 3 decades. The Ministry of Education has established agreements with several institutions in the United States to secure clinical pharmacy residency and research fellowship programs opportunities for Saudi scholars. The aims of this study were to describe the Saudi scholars’ clinical pharmacy training pathways and their contribution to the pharmacy profession in KSA. Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study conducted on clinical pharmacy faculty in governmental Saudi universities who graduated from the US until 2023. The study outcomes included the post-graduate year-1 (PGY-1) residency match rate, post-graduate year-2 (PGY-2) acceptance rate, the PGY-2 specialties of Saudi scholars, and the number of clinical pharmacy programs established in KSA. Results: In total, 115 Saudi scholars have pursued clinical pharmacy pathway in the US. The PGY-1 residency match rate was 80 % (92/115). In contrast, the PGY-2 acceptance rate was 60.9 % (70/115). The most common PGY-2 specialty was in infectious diseases (N = 17; 24 %). Two pharmacy colleges had established residency programs and 1 pharmacy college had established a research fellowship. Conclusion: The Ministry of Education's efforts for clinical pharmacy program agreements were fundamental for advancing clinical pharmacy in Saudi universities. A significant number of Saudi scholars returned to KSA with clinical pharmacy degrees. There are more opportunities for further development, including expanding the clinical pharmacy program collaboration in the US and increasing the number of residency and research fellowship positions in KSA