Medical and safety monitoring system over an in-cabin optical wireless network

An integrated health and safety monitoring system for aircraft environments using commercially available medical sensor modules and custom made safety sensors in conjunction with an appropriate database supervised through a human–machine interface is implemented. The application described aims at preventing critical health- or safety-related situations during the flight. The health monitoring part of the system is capable of collecting all relevant data, essential in analysing a passenger's health profile. These data, comprising of body temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry and electrocardiogram, are throughput and transmitted over a wireless optical intra-cabin link to a server. Furthermore, and in order to reduce the cabin crew workload, along with the health data from a specific passenger group, seat-embedded safety sensors provide information for all passengers' flight safety parameters (such as table upright, seat-belt closed, etc.). The data gathered by the system in a central server can, in its entirety, be stored, processed or acted upon in real time.     

Macromolecular architectures by living and controlled/living polymerizations

The discovery of living anionic polymerization by Szwarc 50 years ago opened the way to the synthesis of model polymers. This ground-breaking discovery inspired many researchers to develop controlled/living routes for a plethora of monomers including those not compatible with anionic polymerization. These methods and their combinations serve as an arsenal for the synthesis of well-defined polymeric materials with predetermined properties and a rich variety of applications. A few representative examples of living and controlled/living methodologies for the synthesis of polymers with different macromolecular architectures are presented in this review.     

Use of natural clinoptilolite for the removal of lead, copper and zinc in fixed bed column

This work deals with the removal of lead, copper and zinc from aqueous solutions by using natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). Fixed bed experiments were performed, using three different volumetric flow rates of 5, 7 and 10bed volume/h, under a total normality of 0.01N, at initial pH of 4 and ambient temperature (25 degrees C). The removal efficiency increased when decreasing the flow rate and the following selectivity series was found: Pb(2+)>Zn(2+)> or =Cu(2+). Conductivity measurements showed that lead removal follows mainly ion exchange mechanism, while copper and zinc removal follows ion exchange and sorption mechanism as well.     

Design Optimization of a Portable Thermophoretic Precipitator Nanoparticle Sampler

Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are developing methods for characterizing diesel particulate matter in mines. Introduction of novel engine and exhaust aftertreatment technologies in underground mines is changing the nature of diesel emissions, and metrics alternative to the traditional mass-based measurements are being investigated with respect to their ability to capture changes in the properties of diesel aerosols. The emphasis is given to metrics based on measurement of number and surface area concentrations, but analysis of collected particles using electron microscopy (EM) is also employed for detailed particle characterization. To collect samples for EM analysis at remote workplaces, including mining and manufacturing facilities, NIOSH is developing portable particle samplers capable of collecting airborne nano-scale particles. This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of a prototype thermophoretic precipitator (TP) particle sampler optimized for collection of particles in the size range of 1–300 nm. The device comprises heated and cooled metal plates separated by a 0.8 mm channel through which aerosol is drawn by a pump. It weighs about 2 kg, has a total footprint of 27 × 22 cm, and the collection plate size is approximately 4 × 8 cm. Low power consumption and enhanced portability were achieved by using moderate flow rates (50–150 cm³/min) and temperature gradients (10–50 K/mm with ΔT between 8 K and 40 K). The collection efficiency of the prototype, measured with a condensation particle counter using laboratory-generated polydisperse submicrometer NaCl aerosols, ranged from 14–99%, depending on temperature gradient and flow rate. Analysis of transmission electron microscopy images of samples collected with the TP confirmed that the size distributions of collected particles determined using EM are in good agreement with those determined using a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer.

Copyright 2012 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers containing poly(N‐hexylisocyanate): Monolayer behavior at the air–water interface

The behavior of amphiphilic diblock copolymers containing 80–89% of poly(N‐hexylisocyanate) (PHIC) with different hydrophobic segments spread at the air–water interface has been studied. Surface pressure‐area isotherms (π‐A) at the air–water interface were determined. It was found that these diblock copolymers form stable monolayers and the isotherms present a pseudoplateau region at low surface pressure, irrespective of the nature of the partner block: poly(styrene) (PS) or poly(isoprene). Surface pressure variation at the semidilute region of the monolayer was expressed in terms of the scaling laws as power function of the surface concentration. The critical exponents of the excluded volume ν obtained for copolymers with PHIC and PS blocks are 0.58 for the copolymer with 85% of PHIC and 15% of PS, and 0.63 for the copolymer with 89% of PHIC and 11% of PS. The hydrophobicity degree of the diblock copolymers was estimated from the determination of the surface energy values by wettability measurements. The morphology of the monolayers was determined by means of Brewster angle microscopy. Molecular dynamic simulation was performed to explain the experimental behavior of diblock copolymers at the air–water interface. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Tunnel behaviour and support associated with the weak rock masses of flysch

Flysch formations are generally characterised by evident heterogeneity in the presence of low strength and tectonically disturbed structures. The complexity of these geological materials demands a more specialized geoengineering characterisation. In this regard, the paper tries to discuss the standardization of the engineering geological characteristics, the assessment of the behaviour in underground excava- tions, and the instructions-guidelines for the primary support measures for flysch layer qualitatively. In order to investigate the properties of flysch rock mass, 12 tunnels of Egnatia Highway, constructed in Northern Greece, were examined considering the data obtained from the design and construction records. Flysch formations are classified thereafter in 11 rock mass types （I-XI）, according to the siltstone -sandstone proportion and their tectonic disturbance. A special geological strength index （GSI） chart for heterogeneous rock masses is used and a range of geotechnical parameters for every flysch type is presented. Standardization tunnel behaviour for every rock mass type of flysch is also presented, based on its site-specific geotechnical characteristics such as structure, intact rock strength, persistence and complexity of discontinuities. Flysch, depending on its types, can be stable even under noticeable overburden depth, and exhibit wedge sliding and wider chimney type failures or cause serious deformation even under thin cover. Squeezing can be observed under high overburden depth. The magnitude of squeezing and tunnel support requirements are also discussed for various flysch rock mass types under different overburdens. Detailed principles and guidelines for selecting immediate support mea- sures are proposed based on the principal tunnel behaviour mode and the experiences obtained from these 12 tunnels. Finally, the cost for tunnel support from these experiences is also presented.     

On the anisotropy of the athenian schist and its relation to weathering

The influence of schistosity on the strength of the “Athenian schist” when considering the anisotropy index as derived from point load testing, is examined. Furthermore, the influence of the degree of weathering upon the anisotropic characteristics of the schist is also investigated. Anisotropy index values are found to range between just below 1 and 3 approximately. Low anisotropy values correspond to rock in its very weathered state, higher values are related to less weathered material and there is also a trend for anisotropy to decrease towards sound rock conditions. Point load testing proved a reasonable means for assessing those rock characteristics associated with strength, anisotropy and weathering state, while slake durability testing showed considerable insensitivity towards the latter.     

On the Performance and Scalability of Web Services for Monitoring MPLS-based Networks

Web Services is an XML-based technology that has attracted significant attention for building distributed Internet services. Considerable research efforts have been trying to extend it to become a unifying management technology; initial evaluation efforts have demonstrated promising application potential in the domain of network and service management. This paper analyzes the monitoring requirements of a management system used in architectures for providing quality of service, and shows how Web Services can be used effectively to fulfill these requirements. In order to achieve this, a WS-based framework was designed and a query tool was developed to support distributed, optimized retrieval of management information exposed as Web Services. The query tool supports selective and bulk retrieval from MPLS-capable routers. Management information retrieval is demonstrated through three monitoring scenarios, and the measured performance in terms of latency and bandwidth is compared against a conventional approach based on SNMP.     

Determinants of Enterprise System Adoption Across the System Lifecycle: Exploring the Role of Economic Development

The authors studied enterprise systems adoption in transition and less-developed economies within the European Union in search of determinants (critical success factors and barriers) across the system lifecycle. They found 14 determinants drawing from interviews with practitioners whose experience exceeds 280 projects. The authors compared their data with prior results from well-developed countries and concluded that determinants and their criticality across the lifecycle depend on the level of economic development. The authors discussed implications and provided recommendations.