Design and Modification of a Material Extrusion 3D Printer to Manufacture Functional Gradient PEEK Components.

In recent years, the creative use of polymers has been expanded as the range of achievable material properties and options for manufacturing and post-processing continually grows. The main goal of this research was to design and develop a fully-functioning material extrusion additive manufacturing device with the capability to produce functionally graded high-temperature thermoplastic PEEK (polyether ether ketone) materials through the manipulation of microstructure during manufacturing. Five different strategies to control the chamber temperature and crystallinity were investigated, and concepts of thermal control were introduced to govern the crystallisation and cooling mechanics during the extrusion process. The interaction of individually deposited beads of material during the printing process was investigated using scanning electron microscopy to observe and quantify the porosity levels and interlayer bonding strength, which affect the quality of the final part. Functional testing of the printed parts was carried out to identify crystallinity, boundary layer adhesion, and mechanical behaviour. Furnace cooling and annealing were found to be the most effective methods, resulting in the highest crystallinity of the part. Finally, a functionally graded material cylindrical part was printed successfully, incorporating both low and high crystalline regions.

Advancements in Functionally Graded Polyether Ether Ketone Components: Design, Manufacturing, and Characterisation Using a Modified 3D Printer.

Functionally Graded Materials represent the next generation of engineering design for metal and plastic components. In this research, a specifically modified and optimised 3D printer was used to manufacture functionally graded polyether ether ketone components. This paper details the design and manufacturing methodologies used in the development of a polyether ether ketone printer capable of producing functionally graded materials through the manipulation of microstructure. The interaction of individually deposited beads of material during the printing process was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, to observe and quantify the porosity levels and interlayer bonding strength, which affects the quality of the final parts. Specimens were produced under varying process conditions and tested to characterise the influence of the process conditions on the resulting material properties. The specimens printed at high enclosure temperatures exhibited greater strength than parts printed without the active addition of heat, due to improved bond formation between individual layers of the print and a large degree of crystallinity through maintenance at these elevated temperatures.

Empirically Derived Patterns of Posttraumatic Stress and Growth: A Systematic Review.

The relationship between posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) has been extensively studied; however, the nature of the relationship remains unclear. Inconsistencies in the literature could be, in part, due to the use of variable level approaches. Person centered methods may further our understanding of this relationship, as they enable the identification of clinically meaningful subgroups based on PTS/PTG scores. This review aimed to identify commonly found subgroups of PTS and PTG, clinically relevant factors that distinguish the subgroups and to critically appraise the utility of categorizing individuals into subgroups based on PTS/PTG scores. Five databases (Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PILOTS, and PsycINFO) were searched. Seven studies (with a total of eight study samples; n = 6,776) met the eligibility criteria. A narrative synthesis of the findings revealed that the majority of the analyses (n = 6) found three patterns of PTS/PTG. These were categorized as: (1) low PTS/PTG (representing 26.89% of the entire sample), (2) high PTS/PTG (weighted mean percentage = 20.05%), and (3) low PTS/high PTG (weighted mean percentage = 43.1%). The role of social support was examined in five studies and higher social support was consistently found to predict membership in the low PTS/high PTG class. All five studies that examined the role of trauma characteristics found that it was a significant predictor of class membership. These findings could inform the developments of tailored interventions. The utility of person-centered approaches was discussed and recommendations to improve the application and reporting of such methods were made.

Psychological support for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study involving support providers.

Background: Healthcare staff represent a high-risk group for mental health difficulties as a result of their role during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of wellbeing initiatives have been implemented to support this population, but remain largely untested in terms of their impact on both the recipients and providers of supports.Objective: To examine the experience of staff support providers in delivering psychological initiatives to healthcare staff, as well as obtain feedback on their perceptions of the effectiveness of different forms of support.Method: A mixed methods design employing a quantitative survey and qualitative focus group methodologies. An opportunity sample of 84 psychological therapists providing psychological supports to Northern Ireland healthcare staff participated in an online survey. Fourteen providers took part in two focus groups.Results: The majority of providers rated a number of supports as useful (e.g. staff wellbeing helplines, Hospital In-reach) and found the role motivating and satisfying. Thematic analysis yielded five themes related to provision of support: (1) Learning as we go, applying and altering the response; (2) The 'call to arms', identity and trauma in the collective response; (3) Finding the value; (4) The experience of the new role; and (5) Moving forward.Conclusions: While delivering supports was generally a positive experience for providers, adaptation to the demands of this role was dependent upon important factors (e.g. clinical experience) that need to be considered in the planning phase. Robust guidance should be developed that incorporates such findings to ensure effective evidence-based psychological supports are available for healthcare staff during and after the pandemic.

Providers of wellbeing supports to healthcare staff during COVID-19 viewed them as useful and the role satisfying.Key factors (e.g. clinical experience) should be considered to make the role manageable.Guidance should be developed to ensure appropriate supports are delivered.

Reaching consensus on the principles of trauma-informed care in early intervention psychosis services: A Delphi study.

AIM: The current study sought to conceptualize and reach consensus on the principles of trauma-informed care in early intervention psychosis services. METHODS: A three-phase Delphi method was employed in this study. Experts included researchers, service providers and Experts by Experience in the area of early intervention in psychosis. In the initial qualitative phase, an expert panel (n = 57) shared their views on the constituents of trauma-informed care in early intervention psychosis services. Thematic analysis led to the generation of statement items. The expert panel was asked to rate the extent to which each statement item was an essential principle of trauma-informed care, leading to consensus of endorsed principles. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of the first phase data led to the identification of 185 distinct statements which were compiled into an online questionnaire for the panel to rate in Phase 2. The Phase 2 questionnaire was completed by 42 experts, with the endorsement of seven principles. In Phase 3, the panel were invited to re-rate 24 statements. This phase was completed by 39 panel members, with the acceptance of a further nine principles. Consensus was achieved resulting in the endorsement of 16 essential principles of trauma-informed care. CONCLUSIONS: The study offers novel understanding of the conceptualisation of trauma-informed care in early intervention services and suggests principles which are widely agreed by experts in the field. The recommendations may inform the adoption of consistently delivered trauma-informed care in early interventions in psychosis and facilitate the evaluation and development of services.