OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of lubricin gene dosage and cyclic loading on whole joint coefficient of friction and articular cartilage surface integrity in mouse knee joints. METHODS Joints from mice with 2 (Prg4(+/+)), 1 (Prg4(+/-)), or no (Prg4(-/-)) functioning lubricin alleles were subjected to 26 hours of cyclic loading using a custom-built pendulum. Coefficient of friction value...

Vertebral fractures associated with osteoporosis are often the result of tissue damage accumulated over time. Microscopic tissue damage (microdamage) generated in vivo is believed to be a mechanically relevant aspect of bone quality that may contribute to fracture risk. Although the presence of microdamage in bone tissue has been documented, the relationship between loading, microdamage accumul...

The aim is to present a new data distribution of triangular matrices that provides steady distribution of blocks among processes and reduces memory wasting compared to the standard block-cyclic data layout used in the ScaLAPACK library for dense matrix computations. A new algorithm for solving triangular systems of linear equations is also introduced. The results of experiments performed on a c...

Repetitive strain or 'overuse' is thought to be a major factor contributing to the development of tendinopathy. The aims of our study were to develop a novel cyclic loading system, and use it to investigate the effect of defined loading conditions on the mechanical properties and gene expression of isolated tendon fascicles. Tendon fascicles were dissected from bovine-foot extensors and subject...

It is well established that mechanical loading is important to homeostasis of cartilage tissue, and growing evidence suggests that it influences cartilage differentiation as well. Whereas the effect of mechanical forces on chondrocyte biosynthesis and gene expression has been vigorously investigated, the effect of the mechanical environment on chondrocyte differentiation has received little att...

A study is made of fracture from cyclic loading of WC spheres on the top surfaces of thick (1 mm) brittle layers on polymeric substrates, as representative of repetitive occlusal contact on dental crown structures. The advantage of glass layers is that internal cracks can be followed in situ during the entire cyclic loading process. The glass surfaces are first given a surface-abrasion treatmen...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the interface accuracy of computer-assisted designed and manufactured (CAD/CAM) titanium abutments and implant fixture compared to gold-cast UCLA abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS An external connection implant system (Mark III, n=10) and an internal connection implant system (Replace Select, n=10) were used, 5 of each group were connected to mille...

New configuration of multiband / broadband Planar inverted FAntenna (PIFA) is investigated. The antenna is a V-shaped patch with unequal arms coupled electromagnetically to single feed triangular PIFA thorough two unequal slots' dimensions. The six multiband operations are achieved due to the different lengths and widths of the V-shaped patch as well as the two coupling slots. Two more modes ca...

Although growth plate response to mechanical stress has been increasingly studied, our understanding of mechanical modulation of neonatal growth plate is incomplete, especially concerning biochemical changes. This study was designed to explore the cellular and biochemical responses of the cranial base growth plate (CBGP) explant upon cyclic loading. The growth plate with subchondral bone was as...