Towards wireless technology for safety critical systems.

Wireless technology provides an unprecedented level of design flexibility for new system designs and legacy system updates. However, there are several challenges which present themselves when adopting wireless technologies for use in safety systems. This paper elaborates on available design techniques which can resolve the implementation issues for a given application, to ensure data communication between nodes is safe (deterministic), secure, reliable and available.N/

Optical fiber relative humidity sensor based on a FBG with a di-ureasil coating

In this work we proposed a relative humidity (RH) sensor based on a Bragg grating written in an optical fiber, associated with a coating of organo-silica hybrid material prepared by the sol-gel method. The organo-silica-based coating has a strong adhesion to the optical fiber and its expansion is reversibly affected by the change in the RH values (15.0–95.0%) of the surrounding environment, allowing an increased sensitivity (22.2 pm/%RH) and durability due to the presence of a siliceous-based inorganic component. The developed sensor was tested in a real structure health monitoring essay, in which the RH inside two concrete blocks with different porosity values was measured over 1 year. The results demonstrated the potential of the proposed optical sensor in the monitoring of civil engineering structures

Identification of Equid herpesvirus 2 in tissue-engineered equine tendon

Background: Incidental findings of virus-like particles were identified following electron microscopy of tissue-engineered tendon constructs (TETC) derived from equine tenocytes. We set out to determine the nature of these particles, as there are few studies which identify virus in tendons per se, and their presence could have implications for tissue-engineering using allogenic grafts. Methods: Virus particles were identified in electron microscopy of TETCs. Virion morphology was used to initially hypothesise the virus identity.  Next generation sequencing was implemented to identify the virus. A pan herpesvirus PCR was used to validate the RNASeq findings using an independent platform. Histological analysis and biochemical analysis was undertaken on the TETCs. Results: Morphological features suggested the virus to be either a retrovirus or herpesvirus. Subsequent next generation sequencing mapped reads to Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV2). Histological examination and biochemical testing for collagen content revealed no significant differences between virally affected TETCs and non-affected TETCs. An independent set of equine superficial digital flexor tendon tissue (n=10) examined using designed primers for specific EHV2 contigs identified at sequencing were negative. These data suggest that EHV is resident in some equine tendon. Conclusions: EHV2 was demonstrated in equine tenocytes for the first time; likely from in vivo infection. The presence of EHV2 could have implications to both tissue-engineering and tendinopathy

An experimental study of the elastic rebound of spheres

Accurate measurements have been made of the impact and rebound behaviour of 5-mm aluminium oxide spheres impacting a thick soda–lime glass anvil, for impact angles from normal to very near glancing incidence. Speed, angle and rotation before and after impact have been measured with a strobe and single-frame digital camera. Reproducibility and precision are considerably better than in any previously published work, and have been achieved by careful attention to all aspects of the experiment, including the mechanical and optical systems, illumination, electronic control, computer-based image measurement, and the geometry and condition of the impacting surfaces. All aspects of the rebound dynamics of the elastic spheres, including the motion of the centre of mass and of the contact patch, the spin and the partition of energy, are fully described by the measured variation of the normal and tangential restitution coefficients over the range of impact angles. These measurements show very close agreement with the numerical work of Maw et al. which takes into account the effects of sticking, microslip and tangential compliance. For impacts with a greater obliqueness than about 308 from the normal, the results also agree closely with the classical theory of rigid body sliding

Reliability of a close-range photogrammetry technique to measure ankle kinematics during active range of motion in place

Background As the risk of ankle turn during daily activity is very high, studying ankle kinematics in place is important for ankle sprain prevention. The close-range photogrammetry (CRP) technique is used to measure ankle kinematics during active range of motion (AROM) in place. The purpose of the study was to assess the reliability of CRP to measure ankle kinematics. Methods Twenty adults were recruited and fourteen retro-reflective targets were mounted on the skin of their right feet. Imaging sensors were self-calibrated using a bundle adjustment technique, and the images were downloaded with Australis photogrammetric software. Three trials were conducted and reliability coefficients were used to assess agreement between them. Results Reliability was almost perfect and the results show that the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of ankle angle values were (dorsiflexion = 0.96), (plantarflexion = 0.81), (inversion = 0.92), (eversion = 0.95),(internal rotation = 0.92), and (external rotation = 0.78). The overall intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.89 and the standard error of the measurement (SEM) values ranged from (0.37◦ to 6.18◦). Conclusions The results indicate that the CRP technique was able to reliably measure ankle kinematics. The results may support and enhance knowledge related to ankle AROM in the clinical arena

Gender differences in foot morphology of Middle Eastern adults using close-range photogrammetry technique

Foot morphology is essential for forensics, orthotic design and the manufacturing of footwear. Race, body mass index and environmental factors influence the length, breadth, girth and height of both male and female feet. This study aimed to measure the differences in foot dimensions between Middle Eastern men and women using close-range photogrammetry. A total of 14 dimensions of the right foot were measured in 18 males and 15 females. The results (length (foot, truncated foot, arch and height at 50% foot), breadth (foot, heel, mid-foot and bimalleolar), height (navicular and ankle joint) and girth (ball and heel)) showed significant gender differences. However, there were no significant differences in outside ball-of-foot length and instep length. These gender differences in the shape characteristics of Middle Eastern adults should be taken into account when designing orthotics and manufacturing footwear

Analysis of Gender Related Foot Morphology in Iraqi Adults Using Videogrammetry During Gait

Foot morphology is fundamental for both footwear design and forensic investigations. The aim of the study was to analyze gender with regard to differences in foot morphology during gait. 14-Iraqi adults (7 females and 7 males) were recruited. Eleven reference points on the right foot and twelve anthropometric foot dimensions were measured and captured using 7-smartphone camera videos and videogrammetry. They were used to measure the 3-dimensional coordinates of points on a foot that are captured by measurements made in seven video images taken from various angles. The mean differences of the length of the medial ball, foot breadth, instep breadth, malleolus breadth and medial malleolus height between females and males are 4.710, 2.682, 2.402, 2.011, 0.135 respectively, indicating that the males have greater foot breadth, instep breadth, malleolus breadth, length of medial ball and medial malleolus height than the females. This study may add knowledge about the characteristics of Iraqi feet, which may be useful in the fields of shoe manufacturing, medical issues and investigation of crimes