412 research outputs found
Managing the Ethical Dimensions of Brain-Computer Interfaces in eHealth: An SDLC-based Approach
A growing range of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies is being employed for purposes of therapy and human augmentation. While much thought has been given to the ethical implications of such technologies at the âmacroâ level of social policy and âmicroâ level of individual users, little attention has been given to the unique ethical issues that arise during the process of incorporating BCIs into eHealth ecosystems. In this text a conceptual framework is developed that enables the operators of eHealth ecosystems to manage the ethical components of such processes in a more comprehensive and systematic way than has previously been possible. The frameworkâs first axis defines five ethical dimensions that must be successfully addressed by eHealth ecosystems: 1) beneficence; 2) consent; 3) privacy; 4) equity; and 5) liability. The second axis describes five stages of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) process whereby new technology is incorporated into an eHealth ecosystem: 1) analysis and planning; 2) design, development, and acquisition; 3) integration and activation; 4) operation and maintenance; and 5) disposal. Known ethical issues relating to the deployment of BCIs are mapped onto this matrix in order to demonstrate how it can be employed by the managers of eHealth ecosystems as a tool for fulfilling ethical requirements established by regulatory standards or stakeholdersâ expectations. Beyond its immediate application in the case of BCIs, we suggest that this framework may also be utilized beneficially when incorporating other innovative forms of information and communications technology (ICT) into eHealth ecosystems
Tunable Functionality and toxicity studies of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Layers
In this work, we have developed economic process to elaborate scalable
titanium dioxide nanotube layers which show a tunable functionality. The
titanium dioxide nanotube layers was prepared by electrochemical anodization of
Ti foil in 0.4 wt% hydrofluoric acid solution. The nanotube layers structure
and morphology were characterized using x-ray diffraction and scanning electron
microscopy. The surface topography and wettability was studied according to the
anodization time. The sample synthesized while the current density reached a
local minimum displayed higher contact angle. Beyond this point, the contact
angles decrease with the anodization time. Photo-degradation of acid orange 7
in aqueous solution was used as a probe to assess the photo-catalytic activity
of titanium dioxide nanotube layers under UV irradiation. We obtained better
photocatalitic activity for the sample elaborate at higher current density.
Finally we use the Ciliated Protozoan T. pyriformis, an alternative cell model
used for in vitro toxicity studies, to predict the toxicity of titanium dioxide
nanotube layers in biological system. We did not observe any characteristic
effect in the presence of the titanium dioxide nanotube layers on two
physiological parameters related to this organism, non-specific esterases
activity and population growth rate
Atomic transfers between implanted bioceramics and tissues in orthopaedics surgery
We study transfers of ions and debris from bioceramics implanted in bone
sites. A contamination of surrounding tissues may play a major role in aseptic
loosening of the implant. For these reasons, bioceramics require studies of
biocompatibility and biofunctionality . So, in addition to in vitro studies of
bioceramics, it is essential to implant them in vivo to know body reactions. We
measured the concentration of mineral elements at different time intervals
after implantation over a whole cross-section. We found a discontinuity of the
mineral elements (Ca, P, Sr, Zn, Fe) at the interface between the implant and
the receiver. The osseous attack is not global but, on the contrary,
centripetal. Moreover, the fit of the concentration time course indicates that
the kinetics of ossification is different for each atomic element and
characterizes a distinct biological phenomeno
Trophic signature of coral reef fish assemblages : towards a potential indicator of ecosystem disturbance
Face to the increasing anthropogenic disturbances that affect coral reef ecosystems, it becomes urgent to define appropriate ecological indicators for monitoring purposes. One useful approach is to search for a simplified description of the structure of biological communities that are highly diverse and complex on coral reefs. To this end, we propose to represent the trophic structure of coral reef fish assemblages by using fractional trophic levels assigned to each fish species. Fish abundance trophic spectra (i.e., the distributions of fish abundance per trophic level) were established for the fringing reefs of two bays located in the city of Noumea (New Caledonia). The comparison of these trophic spectra revealed a similar trophic structure in the two bays, in spite of contrasted levels of fish abundance due to habitat damages. The embayment degree was characterized by changes in the fish trophic structure, reflecting a decreasing influence of urban and industrial wastes discharged in the bottom of the bays. This case of study shows the interest of using fractional trophic levels for the description of highly diverse biological communities. The trophic level-based approach offers new prospects in the search for ecological indicators, by characterizing the structure of biological communities by trophic signatures which testify to the disturbance level affecting their environment
Contamination by metallic elements released from joint prostheses
When a metallic implant is in contact with human tissues, the organism reacts
and a corrosion process starts. Consequently, we might observe liberation of
metallic debris and wear. Our purpose is to measure the contamination and the
migration of these metallic elements in the surrounding tissues of the implant.
Two types of samples have been studied. First type is sample taken on
post-mortem tissues around prostheses to study contamination gradients. Second
type is sample taken on pathologic joints on periprosthetic capsular tissues in
surgical conditions. These allow estimating contamination degree. The
experiments were made on a Van de Graaff accelerator located at CERI (Centre
d'Etude et de Recherche par Irradiation, Orl\'{e}ans, France). We measure
elemental concentrations resulting from the contamination of the surface of
each sample. Results are analysed in function of the pathology and the type of
implants. According to the pathology and the location of the sampling, these
measurements show a very heterogeneous contamination by metallic elements under
particles and/or ionic species which can migrate through soft tissues by
various mechanism
Properties of two biological glasses used as metallic prosthesis coatings and after an implantation in body
présentation faite par Y. Barbottea
Persistent Correlation of Ghrelin Plasma Levels with Body Mass Index Both in Stable Weight Conditions and during Gastric-bypass-induced Weight Loss
Background: Studies done on serial changes in plasma ghrelin levels after gastric bypass (GBP) have yielded contrasting results since decreased, unchanged, or increased levels have been reported in the literature. This study investigates whether or not GBP has an inhibitory effect on fasting ghrelin levels independently of weight loss. Methods: Fasting ghrelin levels were measured in 115 stable body weight females, classified as normal body weight (NW; body mass index (BMI)â50kg/m2). Results: Each obese subgroup showed significantly lower ghrelin levels as compared to both NW (pâ<â0.0001) and OW subjects (pâ<â0.05 or 0.005); however, no significant differences were observed within the three obese subgroups. Forty-nine obese patients underwent a GBP. Plasma ghrelin, measured at 3, 6, and 12months after GBP, significantly increased from the sixth month on (pâ<â0.0001). When patients were classified, at each postoperative time point, according to their actual BMI, ghrelin was significantly (pâ=â0.0002) related to postoperative BMI and not significantly different from ghrelin measured in stable body weight conditions. Conclusions: Fasting ghrelin displays an inversely significant correlation with BMI in both stable body weight conditions and after GBP. No evidence was found that GBP had an effect on fasting ghrelin levels, independent of weight los
COASTAL MAPPING AND KITESURFING
Collecting data on aquatic biodiversity is very challenging because of the difficulty to access underwater ecosystems. Over the years, field surveys have become easier and cheaper with the development of low cost electronics. Commercial and recreational vessels, including sailboats, can now substantially complement expensive scientific surveys and arrays of observation buoys deployed across the world oceans (Pesant et al., 2015, Karsenti et al., 2011). Meanwhile, a large variety of marine animals such as birds, mammals, and fish have become data collection platforms for both biological and environmental parameters through the advent of archival tags. It becomes obvious that data collection in coastal and high seas will become more popular and that citizen will play a growing role in acquiring information on ocean dynamics (physical, chemical and biological parameters). However, currently, very few attempts have been made to use Human beings as observation platforms. In this paper we describe large datasets (more than 200,000 pictures) that have been recently collected along the coast of Mauritius by using popular and cheap platforms such as kite surf and Stand Up Paddle. We describe the characteristics of the data collected and showcase how they can be geolocated and used to complement remote sensing and mapping in order to drastically extend the current scope of âold schoolâ fieldwork. We point out some of the main limitations encountered which need to be addressed to foster this citizen science approach such as data storage and transmission, deep learning to automate image recognition. The methods are all based on open source softwares
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