Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Magnesium-based biomaterials might provide an innovative therapeutic potential to substantially enhance regeneration of dental tissues. In previous work, magnesium oxide (MgO) has been studied for its potential ability to enhance cell attachment, proliferation rate and dentin matrix protein expression of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). However, to date, dentinogenic effect of magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) on cell viability and expression of extracellular matrix proteins in HDPCs has not been investigated. This study was designed to compare the stimulatory effect of different concentrations of MgCl₂ on dentinogenesis of HDPCs. HDPCs were cultured with 0.5 mM, 1 mM, 2 mM, 4 mM, 8 mM concentrations of supplemental MgCl₂, 0 mM as negative control group. Stimulatory effect of MgCl₂ was assessed by evaluating cell viability, and expression of dentin matrix proteins: dentin sialoprotein (DSP), dentin matrix protein1 (DMP-1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and type I collagen (COL-I). Statistical analysis was carried by Multi-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Wilks’ lambda test. Supplemental MgCl₂ concentration groups between 0.5 mM - 4 mM elicited a significantly higher expression of DSP and DMP-1, while 0.5 mM - 2 mM supplemental MgCl₂ concentrations showed highest stimulatory effect on cell viability and, expression of DSPP, and COL-I, compared to the negative control group at all-time points (P<0.0001). However, 8 mM MgCl₂ group had an inhibitory effect on HDPCs with significant lower cell viability and expression levels of DSP, DMP-1, DSPP, and COL-I compared to the control (P<0.0001). In conclusion, optimal (0.5 mM-2 mM) supplemental MgCl₂ concentration groups significantly upregulated odontogenic differentiation with enhanced expression of dentin matrix proteins. This is the first study to reveal the dentinogenic effect of MgCl₂ on dentin matrix protein expression in HDPCs. Magnesium-containing biomaterials may serve as a potential material for pulp repair and dentin regeneration.

Ln₂O₃ doped PbO-NaF-B₂O₃ glasses were prepared and characterized through spectroscopic technique such as photoluminescence at room temperature to derive luminescence properties of Ln3+ ions in these glasses. Radiative properties which include radiative transition possibilities, branching ratios, radiative lifetime and stimulated emission cross sections of the fluorescent degree of Ln3+ ions in titled glasses are determined. In the present work all our systematic analysis has been presented with an example of results obtained in PbO-NaF-B₂O₃-Ln₂O₃ glasses. These results are used to access the gain media and in turn useful not only to write waveguides but also to modify the fluorescence properties through laser irradiation.

Organizations have been thrust into a VUCA1 world as an outcome of the global COVID-19 pandemic challenges. VUCA is a worldview that is founded upon environments that are volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). Having the ability to be fast, agile and adaptable are the core competencies for VUCA survival, thus making innovation a critical success factor in business sustainability in this new world we are challenged with. Despite this value proposition argument the age-old question of “how can we effectively measure innovation impact?” within a company still exists.

Methodology: This common dilemma presents an opportunity to further critique what innovation metrics and assumptions are more relevant in a new environment such as the VUCA world? Through surveying workforce professionals confirmed that the workforce at large, are also searching for more compelling and systematic metrics that can create and sustain innovation within organizations. In addition to compiling eight years of research that systematically evaluates innovation as it relates to four organizational dimensions (Governance, Culture, Process and Design) in the VUCA world. This real-world case study based on longitudinal actionbased research (N=3567) analyzes how investing and sustaining intellectual human capital through critical systems thinking, mentor-matching and ecosystem development is critical for successful design, development and deployment of innovation within organizations.

Outcome: The outcome of this longitudinal case study is the construction of a meta-framework and algorithm. In applying the combined methodologies of Total Systems Intervention (TSI) through the organizational dimensions of culture and design (soft systems), process and governance (hard systems); a factor analysis algorithm was developed so that organizations can also apply this systematic methodology to position innovation as a business driver and strategic imperative. Therefore, such research outcomes have contributed towards the development of an integrated meta-framework and proposed metric the maturity innovation ecosystem conceptual algorithm which is the business application of GIDE.

Conclusion: Furthermore, an action plan based upon validation research, machine learning simulations and industry case studies is the logical progression of this research work. The objective is to further investigate how GIDE provides a significant knowledge and business contribution for organizations, small-medium enterprises (SME) and startups collectively.

For circulating molten lead in compact in-pile and ex-pile test loops at 773.15 K this work developed a multi-physics methodology to optimize the designs of miniature axial-centrifugal flow pumps with impeller blades diameters of 55.0, 60.0 and 66.8 mm for maximizing the pumping power, the pump efficiency, and the pressure head. Increasing the diameter of the optimized impeller blades and/or the shaft rotation speed from 1,500 to 3,000 RPM increases the pump characteristics and efficiency, but also increases the dissipated thermal power. The molten lead flow rate at the peak efficiency increases with increased impeller shaft rotation speed and /or the blades outer diameter. The performed CFD analysis shows that rounding the tips of the blades and/or decreasing their clearance from 1.5 to 2.0 mm limit the formation of the flow vortices and the pressure losses and increases the pump efficiency. Results also show that increasing the molten lead temperature from 673.15 to 873.13 K slightly decreases the pump pressure head and negligibly affects the pump efficiency. This work successfully demonstrated the use of additive manufacturing of an impeller design with 60.0 mm diameter blades.

Metastable β titanium alloys with twinning and/or martensite transformation have been exploited as biomedical and structural materials owing to their biocompatibility and excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. The dispersed ω phase is an important precipitation strengthening phase, which plays an important role in improving the strength of titanium alloys and assisting the transformation of α-phase. Therefore, the research of ω phase transitions in titanium alloys has become one of the hot topics for decades. In this work, the latest related research reports are reviewed, including ω phase transition mechanism, classification, and model evolution. The advantages and disadvantages of related models are compared and finally, some scientific issues are put forward.