Distributed, multi-sensor tracking of multiple participants within immersive environments using a 2-cohort camera setup

Vision-based human motion tracking has gained significant interest in recent years, as the need for more intuitive human–computer interaction paradigms are sought after. Immersive environments, such as large-scale displays and virtual reality systems are particularly suitable for such interaction mechanisms, as they provide a controlled basis for experimentation and evaluation. However, despite the growing interest, human-motion tracking within immersive environments is still in its infancy. The lack of visible light and the presence of multiple people within such environments pose several challenges to the problem. In this research a robust framework for real-time, multi-camera human-motion tracking within an immersive environment is presented. The static nature of the environment is exploited to utilise a novel 2-cohort camera layout. This layout proves to be highly useful for tracking, providing several benefits over existing techniques, which treat all cameras as the same.     

Refolding of β-galactosidase: microfluidic device for reagent metering and mixing and quantification of refolding yield

We have developed a device that uses microfluidic valves and pumps to meter reagents for subsequent mixing with application to refolding of the protein β-galactosidase. The microfluidic approach offers the potential advantages of automation, cost-effectiveness, compatibility with optical detection, and reduction in sample volumes as opposed to conventional techniques of hand-pipetting or using robotic systems. The device is a multi-layered poly(dimethylsiloxane) on glass device with automated controls for reagent aliquoting and mixing. Refolding experiments have been performed off-chip using existing protocols on the protein β-galactosidase and the refolding yield has been quantified on-chip using fluorescein di-β-d-galactopyranoside, a caged-fluorescent molecule. This work provides the potential to reduce the cost of drug discovery and realization of protein pharmaceuticals.     

Non-linear impedance characterization of blood cells-derived microparticle biomarkers suspensions

This paper examines the application of higher harmonic Non-Linear Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (NLEIS) to characterization of colloidal suspensions of clinically relevant microparticle biomarkers derived from monocytes (white blood cells). This study expands on previous linear EIS investigations of microparticle biomarkers’ suspensions and NLEIS studies of non-aqueous colloidal systems. Numerical minimization analysis allowed to develop a more accurate equivalent circuit model for the low frequency region (<1 kHz) and provided qualitative insight into the kinetic and physiological parameters of the system. The developed NLEIS characterization method permitted to resolve several remaining ambiguities in interpretation of low-frequency linear impedance experimental results for microparticles’ suspensions. These results support continued development of the NLEIS method validation and instrumentation for microparticle biomarkers’ analysis, further expanding its clinical diagnostic capabilities.     

Chitin scaffolds in tissue engineering

Tissue engineering/regeneration is based on the hypothesis that healthy stem/progenitor cells either recruited or delivered to an injured site, can eventually regenerate lost or damaged tissue. Most of the researchers working in tissue engineering and regenerative technology attempt to create tissue replacements by culturing cells onto synthetic porous three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds, which is currently regarded as an ideal approach to enhance functional tissue regeneration by creating and maintaining channels that facilitate progenitor cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. The requirements that must be satisfied by such scaffolds include providing a space with the proper size, shape and porosity for tissue development and permitting cells from the surrounding tissue to migrate into the matrix. Recently, chitin scaffolds have been widely used in tissue engineering due to their non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible nature. The advantage of chitin as a tissue engineering biomaterial lies in that it can be easily processed into gel and scaffold forms for a variety of biomedical applications. Moreover, chitin has been shown to enhance some biological activities such as immunological, antibacterial, drug delivery and have been shown to promote better healing at a faster rate and exhibit greater compatibility with humans. This review provides an overview of the current status of tissue engineering/regenerative medicine research using chitin scaffolds for bone, cartilage and wound healing applications. We also outline the key challenges in this field and the most likely directions for future development and we hope that this review will be helpful to the researchers working in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.     

Integrated microfluidic preconcentrator and immunobiosensor

We present a microfluidic biosensor that integrates membrane-based preconcentration with fluorescence detection. The concentration membrane was fabricated in polyacrylamide by an in situ photopolymerization technique at the junction of glass microchannels. Liposomes entrapping sulforhodamine B dye molecules were used for signal amplification. The biotin–streptavidin binding system was a model system for evaluating device performance. Biotinylated liposomes were preconcentrated at the membrane by applying an electric field across the membrane. The electric field causes the liposomes to migrate toward the membrane where they are concentrated by a sieving effect. Two orders of magnitude concentration was achieved after applying the electric field for only 2 min. The concentrated bolus was then eluted toward the detection unit, where the biotinylated liposomes were captured by immobilized streptavidin. The integrated system with the preconcentration module shows a 14-fold improvement in signal as opposed to a system that does not include preconcentration.     

Investigation of Relationship Between Blend Ratio and Yarn Twist on Yarn Properties of Bamboo,Cotton, Polyester,and its Blends

In this study, a series of blended yarns consisting of 80:20 bamboo/cotton, 67:33 bamboo/cotton, 50:50 bamboo/cotton, 33:67 bamboo/cotton, 20:80 bamboo/cotton, 80:20 bamboo/polyester, 67:33 bamboo/polyester, 50:50 bamboo/polyester, 33:67 bamboo/polyester, and 20:80 bamboo/polyester were produced from blends consisting of bamboo/cotton and bamboo/polyester. Besides these, 100% bamboo, 100% cotton, and 100% polyester were also produced. All the yarns were produced with two levels of twist per meter (TPM) 76 and 90. It can be found that the yarn unevenness characteristic was affected by the blended ratio of cotton, polyester, and regenerated bamboo fiber. The drop in tenacity of blended yarns in comparison to the constituents is generally lower which is attributed to the elongation at break of the yarns. The variability in tenacity in respect of 100% polyester yarn is quite high in comparison with other yarns. The yarn elongation at break of bamboo/cotton-blended yarns is found to be lower than those of bamboo/polyester-blended yarns. The variability in the work of rupture is found to be lower for bamboo/cotton-blended yarns. Yarn friction values of the yarns noticed that polyester exhibits the highest value at the TPM of 76. The yarn torque values from which it is noticed that 100% polyester yarns spun with the TPM of 76 have a higher torque in both the wet and dry states. The quality characters of yarn depend upon the ratio of bamboo, cotton, and polyester in the blend ratio.