Skin Phantom for Biowearable Device Testing

The biowearable industry currently utilizes animals, humans, and cadavers for testing skin mounted bio-devices. There is a need for a sustainable skin phantom that is capable of simulating the properties of skin. We proposed a skin phantom educational kit that emulates the perspiration and electrical properties (i.e. impedance spectrum) of skin. This kit can mimic the effects of different sweat concentrations and geometrical structures and allows students to visualize how these properties change electrical measurements. We designed a three-layered model composed of silicone rubber sandwiched between agar, which is similar to the skin\u27s elastomeric and porous texture. We used simple and safe equipment such as a digital multimeter and a low-voltage power source for testing our educational model. We also constructed a computational model using COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate important skin phantom properties. Our COMSOL model is more complex than the agar-silicone layered model in the sense that it allows analysis of the impedance spectrum as a function of the perspiration mechanics. Through our COMSOL model, we achieved simulation of perspiration and studies on the effects of electrode distance, and material conductivity and relative permittivity in relation to impedance. From these tests, the simulation proves viable for scaling up to a realistic size, as our final model is sized-down for improved model development and testing purposes. Our COMSOL model serves as the groundwork for future improvements on replicating the skin’s mechanical, fluid, and electrical properties in a computer simulation

Evaluating Potential for Large Releases from CO2 StorageReservoirs: Analogs, Scenarios, and Modeling Needs

While the purpose of geologic storage of CO{sub 2} in deep saline formations is to trap greenhouse gases underground, the potential exists for CO{sub 2} to escape from the target reservoir, migrate upward along permeable pathways, and discharge at the land surface. Such discharge is not necessarily a serious concern, as CO{sub 2} is a naturally abundant and relatively benign gas in low concentrations. However, there is a potential risk to health, safety and environment (HSE) in the event that large localized fluxes of CO{sub 2} were to occur at the land surface, especially where CO{sub 2} could accumulate. In this paper, we develop possible scenarios for large CO{sub 2} fluxes based on the analysis of natural analogues, where large releases of gas have been observed. We are particularly interested in scenarios which could generate sudden, possibly self-enhancing, or even eruptive release events. The probability for such events may be low, but the circumstances under which they might occur and potential consequences need to be evaluated in order to design appropriate site selection and risk management strategies. Numerical modeling of hypothetical test cases is needed to determine critical conditions for such events, to evaluate whether such conditions may be possible at designated storage sites, and, if applicable, to evaluate the potential HSE impacts of such events and design appropriate mitigation strategies

Latent tuberculosis among pregnant mothers in a resource poor setting in Northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Untreated latent TB infection (LTBI) is a significant risk factor for active pulmonary tuberculosis, hence predisposing to adverse pregnancy outcomes and mother to child transmission. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis in pregnancy and its association, if any, with various socio-demographic, obstetric and clinical characteristics was evaluated. Northern Tanzania was chosen as the study site. In a cross-sectional study, a total of 286 pregnant women from 12 weeks gestational age to term were assessed. Screening was undertaken using an algorithm involving tuberculin skin testing, symptom screening in the form of a questionnaire, sputum testing for acid fast bacilli followed by shielded chest X-rays if indicated. HIV serology was also performed on consenting participants.\ud Prevalence of latent infection ranged between 26.2% and 37.4% while HIV sero prevalence was 4.5%. After multivariate logistic analysis it was found that age, parity, body mass index, gestational age, and HIV sero status did not have any significant association with tuberculin skin test results. However certain ethnic groups were found to be less vulnerable to LTBI as compared to others (Chi square = 10.55, p = 0.03). All sputum smears for acid fast bacilli were negative. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis in pregnant women was found to be relatively high compared to that of the general population. In endemic areas, socio-demographic parameters alone are rarely adequate in identifying women susceptible to TB infection; therefore targeted screening should be conducted for all pregnant women at high risk for activation (especially HIV positive women). As opposed to the current policy of passive case detection, there appears to be an imminent need to move towards active screening. Ethnicity may provide important clues into genetic and cultural differences which predispose to latent tuberculosis, and is worth exploring further

Large releases from CO2 storage reservoirs: Analogs, scenarios,and modeling needs

While the purpose of geologic storage in deep salineformations is to trap greenhouse gases underground, the potential existsfor CO2 to escape from the target reservoir, migrate upward alongpermeable pathways, and discharge at the land surface. In this paper, weevaluate the potential for such CO2 discharges based on the analysis ofnatural analogs, where large releases of gas have been observed. We areparticularly interested in circumstances that could generate sudden,possibly self enhancing release events. The probability for such eventsmay be low, but the circumstances under which they occur and thepotential consequences need to be evaluated in order to designappropriate site-selection and risk-managementstrategies. Numericalmodeling of hypothetical test cases is suggested to determine criticalconditions for large CO2 releases, to evaluate whether such conditionsmay be possible at designated storage sites, and, if applicable, toevaluate the potential impacts of such events as well as designappropriate mitigation strategies

Large Releases from CO2 Storage Reservoirs: A Discussion ofNatural Analogs, FEPS, and Modeling Needs

While the purpose of geologic storage in deep saline formations is to trap greenhouse gases underground, the potential exists for CO{sub 2} to escape from the target reservoir, migrate upward along permeable pathways, and discharge at the land surface. In this paper, we evaluate the potential for such CO{sub 2} discharges based on the analysis of natural analogs, where large releases of gas have been observed. We are particularly interested in circumstances that could generate sudden, possibly self-enhancing release events. The probability for such events may be low, but the circumstances under which they occur and the potential consequences need to be evaluated in order to design appropriate site-selection and risk-management strategies. Numerical modeling of hypothetical test cases is suggested to determine critical conditions for large CO{sub 2} releases, to evaluate whether such conditions may be possible at designated storage sites, and, if applicable, to evaluate the potential impacts of such events as well as design appropriate mitigation strategies

Probabilistic assessment of investment options in honey value chains in Lamu county, Kenya

How to approve and prioritize among projects that aim at biodiversity conservation has been highlighted as one of the most critical decisions that conservation planners face [1]. This is not surprising, because conservation outcomes are often achieved through complex mechanisms, and the success of conservation actions is rarely guaranteed, with many uncertainties preventing precise impact prediction. Success is even harder to predict, when conservation agencies aim to strengthen biodiversity indirectly, e.g., by supporting livelihoods and economies of local people as an incentive for them to conserve biodiversity outcomes [2]. Investing in biodiversity based value chains does not necessarily result in positive biodiversity outcomes. Negative impacts can arise, when value chain development results in depletion of the biodiversity that forms the resource base, on which the value chain depends (e.g. fisheries or non-timber forest products). The production of honey is an example of a biodiversity based value chain that strengthens rather than erodes the conservation of biodiversity [3]. This is because honey producers have an interest to conserve the vegetation and plant species that produce the nectar and pollen that supports the value chain. The development of honey value chains typically revolves around a combination of introducing improved bee keeping and honey production techniques and improved access to markets for honey [4]. Yet, while attractive at first sight, such improved techniques are not always easily adopted [5]. An important reason for this is uncertainty among farmers about the financial outcomes of their investment in improved honey production techniques. A detailed cost-benefit analysis on beekeeping projects can be considered to reduce the perceived uncertainty. However, there are rarely sufficient data on all relevant aspects of an investment decision to allow precise, purely data-driven projections to support decision-making [6]. Given such a lack of perfect knowledge, decision-makers need appropriate tools for handling uncertainties, and for identifying and prioritizing knowledge gaps, whose narrowing would reduce their chance of selecting a suboptimal decision option [7, 8]. Furthermore, decision-makers need improved capabilities to quantify risks surrounding proposed interventions, because failure to adequately account for risk can lead to high chances of project failure [9]. The Stochastic Impact Evaluation (SIE) approach allows for a structured decision analysis that incorporates all relevant variables, even those with uncertain and missing information [10]. It considers risk factors that may compromise project success or affect project performance. The approach incorporates Value of Information analysis that prioritizes critical uncertainties in a project, where further research has the greatest potential of enhancing clarity on the decisions. The present study uses the SIE approach to assess investment decisions in honey value chains for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its program on Biodiversity Management (BMP)

Reconstrcuted Instructors: The Future of Holograms in the Learning Environment

Holographic Projection is a kind of 3D technology in which users can see a three-dimensional virtual character without the use of visual technological aids such as glasses or headsets. Current applications of this technology are being used mostly in the entertainment industry, but unrealized potential exists in the education industry for its translation. The adoption of holograms will transform educational instruction, and make a new form of communication possible. The purpose of this investigation is to explore the implications of holograms in education, instruction, and learning and how they will affect the classroom spaces of the future. Specifically, this research looked at what holographic projection is, how it is constructed, technology in education, and how the Gates Foundation is interested in incorporating technology into the classroom.Architecture and Design, Gerald D. Hines College ofHonors Colleg

A memory based method for computing robot-arm configuration

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Bibliography: leaves 94-95.Not availabl