Biosignal and context monitoring: Distributed multimedia applications of body area networks in healthcare

We are investigating the use of Body Area Networks (BANs), wearable sensors and wireless communications for measuring, processing, transmission, interpretation and display of biosignals. The goal is to provide telemonitoring and teletreatment services for patients. The remote health professional can view a multimedia display which includes graphical and numerical representation of patients’ biosignals. Addition of feedback-control enables teletreatment services; teletreatment can be delivered to the patient via multiple modalities including tactile, text, auditory and visual. We describe the health BAN and a generic mobile health service platform and two context aware applications. The epilepsy application illustrates processing and interpretation of multi-source, multimedia BAN data. The chronic pain application illustrates multi-modal feedback and treatment, with patients able to view their own biosignals on their handheld device

Electron microscopy and positron annihilation study of CdSe nanoclusters embedded in MgO

CdSe nanoclusters are created in MgO by means of co-implantation of 280 keV, 1 x 10(16) Cd ions cm(-2) and 210 keV, 1 x 10(16) Se ions cm(-2) in single crystals of MgO(001) and subsequent thermal annealing at a temperature of 1300 K, The structural properties and the orientation relationship between the CdSe and the MgO are investigated using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM). The crystal structure of the nanoclusters depends on their size. The smallest nanoclusters with a size below 5 nm have the cubic rocksalt crystal structure. The larger nanoclusters have a different (most likely the cubic sphalerite) crystal structure. The defect evolution in the sample after ion implantation and during thermal annealing is investigated using Doppler broadening positron beam analysis (PBA). The defect evolution in samples co-implanted with Cd and Se is compared to the defect evolution in samples implanted with only Cd or only Se ions. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p

Oriënterende meting van ammoniakemissie Holcim Sleufvloer type B = Explorative ammonia emission measurements on the Holcim grooved floor type B

This report describes open flux chamber measurements on the Holcim grooved floor type B for dairy cattle compared to a slatted concrete floor as references. Results show that ammonia emission was 39% compared to the slatted floor. However it should be noticed that this are only explorative measurements that need validation at full scale

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF BRUCHIDS (COL.: BRUCHIDAE) IN STORED PULSES BY USING EGG PARASITOIDS OF THE GENUS USCANA (HYM.: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE): A REVIEW

ABSTRACT Because small-scale farmers in the tropics tolerate some insect damage and hardly use insecticides, there is scope for alternative methods of insect pest control such as the use of natural enemies. The scarce literature on Uscana spp. is reviewed. For the biological control of bruchids in stored pulses several strategies can be considered. The first strategy, classical biological control, has only been attempted a few times. Currently under investigation is the introduction of the European egg paraSiloid Uscana senex for the control of Bruchus pisorum in Australia and ChilI. The second strategy, releasing laboratory-bred natural enemies for inoculation and inundation, requires a high level of technology and IS only appropriate for large-scale storage facilities. The third strategy of enhancing existing natural enemies by manipulation of the storage environment has not yet received much attention. Laboratory and field studies In the Netherlands and in Niger aim to achieve more effective control by the parasltoid Uscana lariophaga of the cowpea bruchid pests Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchidlus atrolineatus in the field and in tradlbonal granaries. The paper discusses the results of studies on the effects of abiotic factors and nutrition on the development and performance of the parasitol

Thermal stability and electronic and magnetic properties of atomically thin 2D transition metal oxides

© The Author(s) 2019. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal oxides (TMOs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials. Using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, we carried out a systematic study of atomically thin metal oxide phases with compositions MO, M2O3, and MO2, for transition metal elements Sc, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn. We identified nine thermally stable structures that may be realized as free-standing nanosheets: hexagonal h-Sc2O3, h-V2O3, and h-Mn2O3; hexagonal t-VO, t-CrO, and t-MnO; and square sq-TiO, sq-VO, and sq-MnO. The t-MO phases are novel hexagonal structures which emerged naturally from phase transformations observed during AIMD simulations. The 2D TMOs were found to exhibit a wide range of remarkable electronic and magnetic properties, indicating that they are bright candidates for electronic and spintronic applications. Most exceptional in this regard is h-V2O3, that is the only phase that has been experimentally realized so far, and was found to be a ferromagnetic half-metal with Dirac-cone-like bands.This project is financially supported by the Dutch science foundation NWO via a VIDI grant (grant no. 723.012.006) and by the European Research Council through an ERC Consolidator Grant (grant no. 683076). This work was carried out on the Dutch national e-infrastructure with the support of SURF Cooperative and NWO Rekentijd (grant no. 16905)

Structural tale of two novel (Cr, Mn)C carbides in steel

Chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and carbon (C) are well known alloying elements used in technologically important alloy steels and advanced high strength steels. It is known that binary CrCx and MnCx carbides can be formed in steels, but in this study we reveal for the first time that Cr and Mn were found combined in novel ternary cementite type (Cr, Mn)C carbides. Electron diffraction experiments showed that Cr, Mn and C formed two distinct carbide phases possessing orthorhombic and monoclinic crystal structures. Density functional theory calculations were performed on these phases and excellent agreement was found between calculations and experiments on the lattice parameters and relative atomic positions. The calculations showed that the combination of Mn and Cr resulted in a very high thermodynamic stability of the (Cr, Mn)C carbides, and that local structural relaxations are associated with carbon additions. Possible implications of these ternary carbides for novel applications in steel design and manufacturing are discussed

Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security

This book draws on a wide range of scientific research on the contribution that insects make to ecosystems, diets, food security and livelihoods in both developed and developing countries

Effects of de-implementation strategies aimed at reducing low-value nursing procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: In the last decade, there is an increasing focus on detecting and compiling lists of low-value nursing procedures. However, less is known about effective de-implementation strategie