Mobile, wearable and ingestible health technologies : towards a critical research agenda

In this article, we review critical research on mobile and wearable health technologies focused on the promotion of ‘healthy lifestyles’. We begin by discussing key governmental and policy interests which indicate a shift towards greater digital integration in health care. Subsequently, we review relevant research literature, which highlights concerns about inclusion, social justice, and ownership of mobile health data, which we argue, provoke a series of key sociological questions that are in need of additional investigation. We examine the expansion of what counts as health data, as a basis for advocating the need for greater research into this area. Finally, we consider how digital devices raise questions about the reconfiguration of relationships, behaviours, and concepts of individuality

Modeling and simulation of a spray column for NO<SUB>x</SUB> absorption

Absorption of nitrogen oxides was studied in a spray column of 1.25 m i.d. and 11.5 m height. Mixed-acid solutions of nitric and sulfuric acid were used as absorbents. Specific rates of absorption were measured using a stirred cell with a flat interface. The mathematical model for the adiabatic absorption included: the gas phase reaction and equilibria, gas phase mass transfer, equilibria at interface, liquid phase reactions and associated heat effects. The following outstanding features were also incorporated: heterogeneous equilibria and its role in computing the volumetric absorption rates, formation of HNO3, HNO2 in the gas phase and their mass transfer to/from liquid phase, dependence of H(kD)1/2 on the concentration of HNO3 with/without other electrolytes and complete energy balance. The spray column has been modeled as a countercurrently operating mass transfer equipment with known initial conditions. Concentrations and flow of the gas stream at the inlet (bottom) of the column were known. Values of the concentration and the temperature of the liquid phase being withdrawn from the bottom of the column were also specified. To begin computing a temperature and concentration profile, a differential element along the height of the column is considered. Equilibrium in the bulk of the gas phase of this differential volume were computed by the Newton-Raphson iterative method. Interfacial partial pressures of water and nitric acid were interpreted from a database by a Newton-Gregory forward-backward difference method. Volumetric mass transfer rates in the gas and the liquid phases were computed by solving two film theory model equations. These rates are used in evaluating derivatives with respect to height and then integrated numerically by using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method, establishing mass balance across the differential height. Heat changes due to equilibria in the gas phase, absorption and desorption of nitrogen oxides and evaporation of water were computed to estimate the temperature of the incoming liquid phase. Gas phase equilibria are computed for the next element. These computations were repeated for subsequent differential elements until they added up to the desired height. A favorable agreement has been shown between the model predictions and the experimental observations

An assessment of the interpupillary distance, the inner and outer intercanthal distances in the normal Indian population from early neonatal period upto over 70 years of age: a study of 3500 subjects.

Background and aim: The normal range for anthropometric assessment of intercanthal, interpupillary and outer orbital dimensions is important and changes with age. This study was undertaken for setting a reference range for interpupillary distance, the inner and outer intercanthal distances in the normal Indian population, to observe the variation of these parameters with age, any differences in these parameters observed in male & female population and to find correlation with the refractive errors if any. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 3500 subjects of both sexes from birth till over 70 years of age, which presented to us in the outpatient department of M & J institute of Ophthalmology and Dr. Thakorbhai V Patel Eye Institute in the period ranging from August 2008 to January 2010. Results: A correlation with refractive errors has not been studied in previous literature. In our study, the range of IPDD in males was found to be 51.87-64.23mm & in females it was 51.16-62.23 mm, range of IPDN was 51.22 – 61.75 mm in males & 47.73-59.93 mm in females. The range of IICD was 18-36.09 mm in males & in females it was 19.38-34.89 mm. The range of OICD in males was 58- 92.8 mm & in females it was 56.63-88.56mm. Conclusion: We present the data for the neonatal children to the older age groups from the same population group. The standards based on local data reflect the potentially different patterns of craniofacial growth resulting from racial, ethnic & sexual differences. These could be relied upon in diagnosis of craniofacial syndromes and orbito-facial trauma or for planning reconstructive surgeries for the same

Modeling and simulation of NO<SUB>x</SUB> absorption in pilot-scale packed columns

Absorption of nitrogen oxides was studied in three packed columns in series. Two were 254 mm ID and 6 m tall, the third was 800 mm ID and 3 m tall. Absorption was also studied in two packed columns of 800 mm ID, 7 and 10 m tall, operated in series. Solutions of mixed nitric and sulfuric acids were used as absorbents. Specific rates of absorption were measured using a stirred cell with a flat interface. A mathematical model is developed for an adiabatic operation. The gas phase reactions and equilibria, gas phase mass transfer, interface equilibria, and liquid phase reactions are included in the model. Heterogeneous gas-liquid equilibria are included in the model for the first time. The variation in the rates of absorption with chemical reaction (of NO2, N2O3, and N2O4) with respect to acid concentration is considered. The formation of nitric acid in the gas phase is also considered in the model. Favorable agreement is shown between the model predictions and the experimental observations

Absorption of nitrogen oxides in alkaline solutions: selective manufacture of sodium nitrite

Absorption of nitrogen oxides was studied in a pilot-scale 150-mm-i.d., 3000-mm-long packed column. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (5% w/w) was used as a solvent. Superficial liquid velocity was varied in the range 2.0-7.0 mm/s, and the inlet solvent temperature was varied in the range 50-90°C. The conversion of NaOH, the selectivity of sodium nitrite, and the temperature were monitored along the length of the column. A mathematical model has been developed for an adiabatic operation. The gas-phase reactions and equilibra, gas-phase mass transfer, interface equilibria, and liquid-phase reactions were included in the mathematical model. The parametric sensitivity was investigated. The gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient was found to play a significant role on the selectivity in addition to the temperature, the total partial pressure of NOx, and the radio of divalent to tetravalent nitrogen oxides. A comparison has been presented between the model predictions and the experimental observations

Comparison of blur and magnification effects on stereopsis: overall and meridional, monocularly‐ and binocularly‐induced

Purpose: To determine whether monocularly- and binocularly-induced spherical and meridional blur and aniseikonia had similar effects on stereopsis thresholds. Methods: Twelve participants with normal binocular vision viewed McGill modified random dot stereograms to determine stereoacuities in a four-alternative forced-choice procedure. Astigmatism was induced by placing trial lenses in front of the eyes. Twenty-three conditions were used, consisting of zero (no lens), +1 D and +2 D spheres and cylinders at axes 180, 45 and 90 in front of the right eye, and the following binocular combinations of both lens powers: R × 180/L × 180, R × 45/L × 45, R × 90/L × 90, R sphere/L sphere, R × 180/L × 90, R × 45/L × 135, R × 90/L × 180. Aniseikonia was induced by placing magnifying lenses in front of the eyes. Twenty-three conditions were used, consisting of zero, 6% and 12% overall magnification and both magnifications at axes 180, 45 and 90 in front of the right eye only, and the following binocular combinations using 3% and 6% lenses: R × 90/L × 90, R × 45/L × 45, R × 180/L × 180, R overall/L overall, R × 90/L × 180, R × 45/L × 135, and R × 180/L × 90. Results: Stereopsis losses for binocular blur effects with parallel axes (non-anisometropic) were the same as for monocular blur effects of the same axes, and these were strongly dependent on axis (spherical blur and ×90 had the greatest effects). Binocular blur effects with orthogonal axes had greater effects than with parallel axes, with the axis combination of the former having no effect (e.g. R × 90/L × 180 was similar to R × 45/L × 135). For induced aniseikonia, splitting the magnifications between the eyes improved stereopsis slightly, and the effects were not dependent on axis. Conclusion: Binocular blur affects stereopsis similarly to monocular meridional blur if axes in the two eyes are parallel, whereas the effect is greater if the axes are orthogonal. In meridional aniseikonia, splitting magnification between the right and left lenses produces a small improvement in stereopsis that is independent of axis direction and right/left combination.</p