ABSTRACT
Fused deposition modeling (FDM), one of the most widely used additive manufacturing (AM) processes, is used for fabrication of 3D models from computer-aided design data using various materials for a wide scope of applications. The principle of FDM or, in general, AM plays an important role in minimizing the ill effects of manufacturing on the environment. Among the various available reinforcements, short glass fiber (SGF), one of the strong reinforcement materials available, is used as a reinforcement in the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) matrix. At the outset, very limited research has been carried out till date in the analysis of the impact and flexural strength of the SGF-reinforced ABS polymer composite developed by the FDM process. In this regard, the present research investigates the impact and flexural strength of SGF-ABS polymer composites by the addition of 15 and 30 wt % SGF to ABS. The tests were conducted as per ASTM standards. Increments in flexural and impact properties were observed with the addition of SGF to ABS. The increment of 42% in impact strength was noted for the addition of 15 wt % SGF and 54% increase with the addition of 30 wt % SGF. On similar lines, flexural properties also showed improved values of 44 and 59% for the addition of 15 and 30 wt % SGF to ABS. SGF addition greatly enhanced the properties of flexural and impact strength and has paved the path for the exploration of varied values of reinforcement into the matrix.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: De novo erectile dysfunction (ED) is a known complication after urethroplasty. Incidence and natural history of de novo ED after urethroplasty is underreported. We assessed the incidence of de novo ED after urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive consenting urethroplasty (n=48) patients aged 21 to 50 years from February 2014 to July 2016 with normal preoperative erectile function as determined by an International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score ≥22 were included and interviewed at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: In patients with anterior stricture (n=40), substitution urethroplasty (SU) was performed in 22 patients (55.0%) and end-to-end anastomotic urethroplasty (EEAU) in 18 patients (45.0%). Their mean IIEF-5 score was 24.15±0.8 preoperatively, 20.10±4.2 at 3 months (p<0.001), 22.70±2.3 at 6 months (p=0.0012), and 23.70±1.7 at 12 months (p=0.03), showing a recovery of erectile function with time. All 8 patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) underwent progressive perineal urethroplasty. Their mean IIEF score was 24.0±1.2 preoperatively, 18.8±5.4 at 3 months (p=0.002), 20.9±3.5 at 6 months (p=0.37), and 22.0±1.5 at 12 months (p=0.427). The incidence of ED was similar at 1 year postoperatively between patients with anterior stricture and PFUI and between patients who underwent EEAU or SU for anterior stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of ED at 1 year after PFUI is similar to that after surgery for anterior stricture in patients with normal preoperative erectile function. Among the cases of anterior stricture, recovery was better with SU at 3 months and was similar between SU and EEAU at 1 year.