Damage detection based on strain transmissibility for beam structure by using distributed fiber optics

Structural damage identification is a coral and challenging research topic. Research mainly focuses on identification and detection of linear damage in structures by using modal parameters such as change of natural frequency, frequency response function, mode shape, etc. Transmissibility is conventionally defined as the spectra ratio of two measurement points, which has been utilized for damage identification as a powerful damage indicator. In this paper, strain transmissibility, defined as ratio of strain response spectra, is proposed as a new damage indicator. In order to achieve more precise sensing information, distributed fiber optics has been applied to damage detection on a beam structure, which adds new capability of sensing with its combination of high spatial density sensing and dynamic acquisition over a single optical fiber sensor. A numerical simulation has been conducted to investigate the feasibility of strain transmissibility for damage detection which has revealed a better performance compared to traditional transmissibility. The applicability of the proposed method has been confirmed by applying distributed fiber optics on a clamped-clamped beam. Both simulation and experiment validate the effectiveness of damage detection approach based on strain transmissibility by using distributed fiber optics

Neurological assessment with validated tools in general ICU : multicenter, randomized, before and after, pragmatic study to evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning platform for continuous medical education

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend systematic assessment of pain, agitation/sedation and delirium with validated scales for all ICU patients. However, these evaluations are often not done. We have created an e-learning training platform for the continuous medical education, and assessed its efficacy in increasing the use of validated tools by all medical and nursing staff of the participating ICUs during their daily practice. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, before and after study. The eight participating centers were randomized in two groups, and received training at different times. The use of validated tools (Verbal Numeric Rating or Behavioral Pain Scale for pain; Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale for agitation; Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU for delirium) was evaluated from clinical data recorded in medical charts during a week, with follow-up up to six months after the training. All the operators were invited to complete a questionnaire, at baseline and after the training. RESULTS : Among the 374 nurses and physicians involved, 140 (37.4%) completed at least one of the three courses. The assessment of pain (38.1 vs. 92.9%, P<0.01) and delirium (0 vs. 78.6%, P<0.01) using validated tools significantly increased after training. Observation in the follow-up showed further improvement in delirium monitoring, with no signs of extinction for pain and sedation/agitation measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This e-learning program shows encouraging effectiveness, and the increase in the use of validated tools for neurological monitoring in critically ill patients lasts over time.BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend systematic assessment of pain, agitation/sedation and delirium with validated scales for all ICU patients. However, these evaluations are often not done. We have created an e-learning training platform for the continuous medical education, and assessed its efficacy in increasing the use of validated tools by all medical and nursing staff of the participating ICUs during their daily practice. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, before and after study. The eight participating centers were randomized in two groups, and received training at different times. The use of validated tools (Verbal Numeric Rating or Behavioral Pain Scale for pain; Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale for agitation; Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU for delirium) was evaluated from clinical data recorded in medical charts during a week, with follow-up up to six months after the training. All the operators were invited to complete a questionnaire, at baseline and after the training. RESULTS : Among the 374 nurses and physicians involved, 140 (37.4%) completed at least one of the three courses. The assessment of pain (38.1 vs. 92.9%, P<0.01) and delirium (0 vs. 78.6%, P<0.01) using validated tools significantly increased after training. Observation in the follow-up showed further improvement in delirium monitoring, with no signs of extinction for pain and sedation/agitation measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This e-learning program shows encouraging effectiveness, and the increase in the use of validated tools for neurological monitoring in critically ill patients lasts over time

Antibacterial refrigerator for removing contaminants e.g. odor, has air circulation path that is configured to circulate filtered air into storage compartment through activated filter that is placed in air circulation path

NOVELTY - The refrigerator (10) has a cabinet (14) that is provided with doors (18a, 18b) forming a storage compartment (22) are coupled. A first fan assembly (26) is positioned on an interior surface (30) of a first cabinet wall (34). A second fan assembly (38) is positioned on the interior surface of a second cabinet wall (42). The first and second fan assemblies comprise a circulation fans, and a filter is coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated filter. Multiple LEDs are positioned to project light onto activated filter. An air circulation path is configured to direct airborne bacteria (66) and particulate matter within the storage compartment contemporaneously into the first and second fan assemblies using the circulation fans and circulate filtered air into the storage compartment through the activated filter placed in the air circulation path. USE - Antibacterial refrigerator for removing contaminants such as odor, toxic particle, and pathogen. ADVANTAGE - The construction and wiring allows the assembled rear panel assembly to be achieved using only six tin solders. The assembled rear assembly panel is simplified by able to weld both an external power supply cable and device wiring to LED conductive tracks of the LED panel and the circulation fans

Antibacterial refrigerator for removing contaminants e.g. odor, has air circulation path that is configured to circulate filtered air into storage compartment through activated filter that is placed in air circulation path

NOVELTY - The refrigerator (10) has a cabinet (14) that is provided with doors (18a, 18b) forming a storage compartment (22) are coupled. A first fan assembly (26) is positioned on an interior surface (30) of a first cabinet wall (34). A second fan assembly (38) is positioned on the interior surface of a second cabinet wall (42). The first and second fan assemblies comprise a circulation fans, and a filter is coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated filter. Multiple LEDs are positioned to project light onto activated filter. An air circulation path is configured to direct airborne bacteria (66) and particulate matter within the storage compartment contemporaneously into the first and second fan assemblies using the circulation fans and circulate filtered air into the storage compartment through the activated filter placed in the air circulation path. USE - Antibacterial refrigerator for removing contaminants such as odor, toxic particle, and pathogen. ADVANTAGE - The construction and wiring allows the assembled rear panel assembly to be achieved using only six tin solders. The assembled rear assembly panel is simplified by able to weld both an external power supply cable and device wiring to LED conductive tracks of the LED panel and the circulation fans