Utility of silver‐coated fabrics as electrodes in electrotherapy applications

The present study deals with the deposition of silver particles onto knitted fabrics for possible applications in electrotherapy. The performance of silver‐coated fabrics was evaluated based on number of properties such as electrical conductivity, physiological comfort, antibacterial, and durability. Furthermore, the conductive fabrics were subjected to various repeated extensions and change in electrical resistivity was examined to simulate the performance of electrodes under various movements of human body. With increase in extension till 80%, very small change in volume electrical resistance was observed and after 90% extension, the electrical resistance was found to increase significantly. The volume resistance was found to remain constant for repeated extensions of over 100 cycles and also there was insignificant change in electrical resistivity when constant current was applied over prolonged time. The utility of silver‐coated fabrics can be expected as flexible textile electrodes in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrotherapy applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46357.     

Accurate micro-computed tomography imaging of pore spaces in collagen-based scaffold

In this work we have used X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) as a method to observe the morphology of 3D porous pure collagen and collagen-composite scaffolds useful in tissue engineering. Two aspects of visualizations were taken into consideration: improvement of the scan and investigation of its sensitivity to the scan parameters. Due to the low material density some parts of collagen scaffolds are invisible in a μCT scan. Therefore, here we present different contrast agents, which increase the contrast of the scanned biopolymeric sample for μCT visualization. The increase of contrast of collagenous scaffolds was performed with ceramic hydroxyapatite microparticles (HAp), silver ions (Ag⁺) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Since a relatively small change in imaging parameters (e.g. in 3D volume rendering, threshold value and μCT acquisition conditions) leads to a completely different visualized pattern, we have optimized these parameters to obtain the most realistic picture for visual and qualitative evaluation of the biopolymeric scaffold. Moreover, scaffold images were stereoscopically visualized in order to better see the 3D biopolymer composite scaffold morphology. However, the optimized visualization has some discontinuities in zoomed view, which can be problematic for further analysis of interconnected pores by commonly used numerical methods. Therefore, we applied the locally adaptive method to solve discontinuities issue. The combination of contrast agent and imaging techniques presented in this paper help us to better understand the structure and morphology of the biopolymeric scaffold that is crucial in the design of new biomaterials useful in tissue engineering.     

Operationalising resilience for disaster medicine practitioners: capability development through training,simulation and reflection

Cognition, Technology & Work - Resilience has in recent decades been introduced as a term describing a new perspective within the domains of disaster management and safety management. Several...     

The coloration of polypropylene fibres with acid dyes

Modified polypropylene fibre has been prepared by incorporating a polymeric additive into the polypropylene, followed by melt spinning. Fibres with various additive concentrations were dyed with acid dyes, and the amount of dye adsorbed by the fibre was compared with the concentration of dye sites supplied to the fibre by the additive. A diffusion mechanism of dye molecules through interconnected additive particles to the fibre matrix is proposed. Colour yield was assessed by reflectance spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectroscopy. The latter was shown to be particularly suitable for measuring very dark colours. Photoacoustics can also used to detect ring dyeing of fibres at lower additive concentration.     

The Atlas of Physiology and Pathophysiology: Web-based multimedia enabled interactive simulations

The paper is a presentation of the current state of development for the Atlas of Physiology and Pathophysiology (Atlas). Our main aim is to provide a novel interactive multimedia application that can be used for biomedical education where (a) simulations are combined with tutorials and (b) the presentation layer is simplified while the underlying complexity of the model is retained. The development of the Atlas required the cooperation of many professionals including teachers, system analysts, artists, and programmers. During the design of the Atlas, tools were developed that allow for component-based creation of simulation models, creation of interactive multimedia and their final coordination into a compact unit based on the given design. The Atlas is a freely available online application, which can help to explain the function of individual physiological systems and the causes and symptoms of their disorders.     

Random decrement based method for modal parameter identification of a dynamic system using acceleration responses

This paper proposes a random decrement (RD) based method to identify the modal parameters of a linear dynamic system, when only forced acceleration responses are available for use. The RD based method evaluates response data in the time and, then, frequency domains by correlating the RD technique with fast Fourier transform based algorithms and a linear least square procedure. However, the effect of the RD signatures of input forces that is added in the RD signatures of the acceleration responses must be addressed. In response to this need, a novel frequency response function (FRF) approach for the acceleration responses, with a modification of the traditional one, is verified as a first step. Subsequently, the derivation of the RD based method follows the concept of the FRF approach to achieve the theoretical basis of the FRF defined for the RD signatures. Numerical simulations of a 2DOF linear dynamic system loaded by white noise forces and simulated wind forces foster applicability of the RD based method. Applications of the Ibrahim time domain algorithm and the vector RD technique to the forced acceleration responses are also discussed.     

Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Biomass/Oil Mixture

Investigation was focussed to application of waste POX （partial oxidation）, e.g., meal rape in form of suspension in high boiling hydrocarbons from crude oil distillation. There is an opportunity for utilization of biomass waste resulted from fuels bio-components production. A decrease of oxygen and water steam demand in feed for POX process was observed in this variant. Catalytic effect of iron nanoparticles or nickel nitrate as catalysts in improvement of the pilot plant biomass/oil partial oxidation was investigated as well. Presence of catalyst in the feed supports formation of carbon monoxide and suppression content of methane in the gas product. Experimental data were well compared with process simulation based on eauilibrium reactor model.     

Empirical evaluation of a calibration chart detector

In this paper, we systematically assess the performance of an automatic calibration chart detector. Through simulation we establish the optimal set of control parameters and the rate of successful detection as a function of pose. We validate the simulation results on real images taken from a camera mounted on a robot arm. The results confirm the utility of such simulation studies. The feedback obtained suggested a number of modifications for the chart detection system, which led to a significant improvement in performance. In particular, the chart design was changed to accommodate wider range and better stability in detection. Received: 16 December 1999 / Accepted: 15 October 2000