Modeling Iced Bio-Bandage Design for Skin Burns

Over the years, many designs for biobandage were introduced for different types of burns but in most cases these designs are introduced as a protection means to cover and protect the burned tissue from the bacterial infection not as a treatment means. In this paper a new model for a burns biobandage is introduced not only as a protective means but also as a treatment technique by helping the tissue to rebuild itself as fast as possible. The main objective of this research is to develop a simple cryotherapeutic system to reduce the temperature of the burned tissues to normal temperature of the human body in order to facilitate the tissue healing and regeneration process. A biobandage is proposed to include an iced layer as a cooling source, a cotton layer and a water gel layer for comfort and temperature control, and a plastic layer to seal the ice layer. The optimal combination of these four layers physically work together to reduce inflammation, which in turn makes the heeling or recovery time shorter and reduces pain as a result of decreasing the nerve conductivity. The COMSOL Multiphysics was used to model the cooling process on burned tissue using the proposed iced-biobandage. The calculated temperature profiles along the depth biobandage and burned skin provide a clear vision of the heat flow within each layers. The history of temperature and heat transfer rate at the burned skin surface are monitored for an effective cooling and healing process. A modeling analysis was performed to examine the changes of temperature over a predetermined time and to help in identifying the optimal period for ice cooling process, the analysis shows that the ice layer is effective within a certain period of time and after this period it doesn't add any beneficial effect

ENTRE MODERNITE ET TRADITION: LE ROLE DES COOPERATIVES AYMARA DANS LA GESTION DE LA BIODIVERSITE DE QUINUA A COLCHANES (CHILI)

N° ISBN - 978-2-7380-1284-5International audienceIn this paper we explore the tensions that Aymara Quinoa producers must resolve between the logic of their ancestral culture and of new forms of collective action at their disposal: association and cooperatives. Colchanes county perched on the Aymara altiplano is the main Quinoa production area in Chile, The main activity is agriculture, mainly quinoa crop and vegetables, camelid livestock and tourism (accommodation, crafts ...). Much of the production is self-consumed and surplus is marketed in local markets especially in Bolivia. The difficult economic situation, lack of opportunities has led to a temporary or permanent migration of a large portion of the population; the younger generations move to town. To benefit from an advantageous market (high prices), local farmers have established a quinoa cooperative (Quinacoop) and an association (Jura Marka), to commercialize their production. Inside these organizations appear tensions between "tradition" and "modernity". We rely on the B. Latour's work on modernity to try to understand both the tension and the way that the Aymara, in cooperatives and association, are trying to solve them. Our observations show that the hybridization processes are around three types: i) linking labour organizational forms (shared (ayne) and individual), ii) linking quinoa cropping systems (in the altiplano) and systems of activities most of which are conducted in the coastal zone and iii) linking generations, young people and tata

Iced Bio-Bandage Design for Skin Burns

In this paper a new model for a burns biobandage is introduced not only as a protective means but also as a treatment technique by helping the tissue to rebuild itself as fast as possible. The main objective of this research is to develop a simple cryotherapeutic system to reduce the temperature of the burned tissues to normal temperature of the human body in order to facilitate the tissue healing and regeneration process. A biobandage is proposed to include an iced layer as a cooling source, a cotton layer and a water gel layer for comfort and temperature control, and a plastic layer to seal the ice layer. The optimal combination of these four layers physically work together to reduce inflammation, which in turn makes the heeling or recovery time shorter and reduces pain as a result of decreasing the nerve conductivity. The COMSOL Multiphysics was used to model the cooling process on burned tissue using the proposed iced-biobandage. A modeling analysis was performed to examine the changes of temperature over a predetermined time and to help in identifying the optimal period for ice cooling process

Increased Habitat Connectivity Homogenizes Freshwater Communities: Historical and Landscape Perspectives

Increases in habitat connectivity can have consequences for taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of communities. Previously isolated aquatic habitats were connected with canals and pipelines in the largest water development project in the US history, the Columbia Basin Project (CBP; eastern Washington, USA), which also altered environmental conditions; however, the ecological consequences are largely unknown. Using a historical dataset, we examined long-term patterns in zooplankton communities, water chemistry and clarity, testing the hypothesis that increased connectivity will result in taxonomic homogenization. Further, we tested contemporary drivers of communities using a comprehensive set of environmental and landscape variables. Waterbodies were sampled for zooplankton community composition as well as physical and chemical variables inside and outside the CBP using methods consistent with historical studies. We found significant declines in salinity inside the CBP, whereas changes in water clarity were prevalent across all waterbodies. Increased connectivity via canals homogenized zooplankton communities over time, as well as increasing regional richness. Other long-term changes in zooplankton communities may be related to climate change, invasive species, and land-use changes. Synthesis and applications. Though canals may offer species spatial refugia, homogenization may decrease resilience to environmental stressors. These new hybrid aquatic landscapes, or hydroscapes, should be considered carefully in future water development, including specific plans for monitoring of species and environmental conditions, as well as mitigation of undesirable conditions and/or non-native species