A synchrotron computed tomography dataset for validation of longitudinal tensile failure models based on fibre break and cluster development.

We performed in-situ tensile tests on two carbon fibre/epoxy composites with continuous scanning using synchrotron computed tomography (CT). Both composites were cross-ply laminates, and two specimens were tested for each composite. The voxel size was sufficiently small to recognize individual fibres and fibre breaks. For each test, 16-19 volumes were reconstructed, cropped down to the 0° plies and analysed to track fibre break and cluster development. This dataset provides the last CT volume before failure for each of the four specimens as well as the individual fibre break locations in all reconstructed volumes. These data are then plotted against predictions from six state-of-the-art strength models. The target is that these data become a benchmark for the development of new models, inspiring researchers to set up refined experiments and develop improved models.

Fabrication of chitosan-coated porous polycaprolactone/strontium-substituted bioactive glass nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

In the present study, porous (about 70 vol%) nanocomposite scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and different amounts (0 to 15 wt%) of 45S bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticles (with a particle size of about 40 nm) containing 7 wt% strontium (Sr) were fabricated by solvent casting technique for bone tissue engineering. Then, a selected optimum scaffold was coated with a thin layer of chitosan containing 15 wt% Sr-substituted BG nanoparticles. Several techniques such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile test, and water contact angle measurement were used to characterize the fabricated samples. In vitro experiments including degradation, bioactivity, and biocompatibility (i.e., cytotoxicity, alkaline phosphate activity, and cell adhesion) tests of the fabricated scaffold were performed. The biomedical behavior of the fabricated PCL-based composite scaffold was interpreted by considering the presence of the porosity, Sr-substituted BG nanoparticles, and the chitosan coating. In conclusion, the fabricated chitosan-coated porous PCL/BG nanocomposite containing 15 wt% BG nanoparticles could be utilized as a good candidate for bone tissue engineering.

The psychosexual and psychosocial profile of male genitourinary medicine patients with a history of sexual abuse/assault or unwanted sexual experiences.

One hundred and forty-one male patients who attended a District General Hospital's department of genitourinary medicine completed a questionnaire including demographic indices, history of sexual abuse/assault, anxiety and depression, and sexual concerns and attitudes. Of these, 52 (36.9%) reported past unwanted sexual experiences (USE). A significantly higher proportion of the USE group consisted of homosexual men than the non-USE majority. The prevalence rate for USE involving other men was 15.6%, which is comparable to previous studies. Hospital Anxiety and Depression scores were significantly greater for patients with a history of USE (t = -2.82, P = 0.006, for anxiety and t = -3.01, P = 0.003 for depression). Patients with a history of USE also scored significantly higher on a measure of sexual concerns. However, there were no significant differences between the USE and non-USE groups on two brief measures of alcohol and drug consumption. Clinicians in sexual health settings need to be sensitive to the fact that a significant proportion of male patients may have an undisclosed history of USE.