67 research outputs found

    Study of behaviour of Biomechanical System in indented Articular Cartilage on a cellular level

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    The study of biomechanical systems is of great interest to researches due to diverse applications in the medical sector. This study focuses on design and implementation of a mechanical device, a novel dual axis construct simulator (DACS) for in vitro studies on immortalised chondrocytes. DACS will help with experimental measurements of mechanical properties of Articular Cartilage (AC) on a cellular level and the relationship among cellular, pericellular and extracellular deformation in AC. Details provided in this research mainly focuses on software and hardware development processes and challenges involved. There will a brief introduction about biomechanical behaviour of the cartilage and DACS impact on future studies. This will be followed by description of LCMPilot, an experimental software and challenges involved to develop and control DACS in an automated setup

    PhytoCloud: A gamified Mobile Web Application to modulate diet and physical activity of women with breast cancer

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    Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates vary geographically reflecting factors including regional and cultural differences in diet and lifestyle. There are numerous successful commercial mobile apps to help people control their diet and manage weight. However, such products are not suitable for people with special medical conditions that may require targeted dietary as well as motivational support. The paper presents a user centered approach of developing a Mobile Web App that focuses on breast cancer patients looking at their specific dietary, physical and mental requirements depending on the stage of their medical treatment. The paper explores the effect of incorporating gamification and social media as motivational drive to engage and motivate people to achieve their goals of adopting healthier eating habits while increasing physical activity in order ensure lasting lifestyle behavioural change. The design of “PhytoCloud” is being described, a gamified Mobile Web App that enables users to record their dietary habits and physical activity and motivate their consumption of food with oestrogen-like properties (phytoestrogens) which are linked to the prevention of reappearance of breast cancer. The paper concludes with a discussion of future directions and adaptations to the current design to suite a Mobile Native Application design

    Improving formaldehyde removal from water and wastewater by fenton, photo-fenton and ozonation/fenton processes through optimization and modeling

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    This study aimed to assess, optimize and model the efficiencies of Fenton, photo-Fenton and ozonation/Fenton processes in formaldehyde elimination from water and wastewater using the response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). A sensitivity analysis was used to determine the importance of the independent variables. The influences of different variables, including H2O2 concentration, initial formaldehyde concentration, Fe dosage, pH, contact time, UV and ozonation, on formaldehyde removal efficiency were studied. The optimized Fenton process demonstrated 75% formaldehyde removal from water. The best performance with 80% formaldehyde removal from wastewater was achieved using the combined ozonation/Fenton process. The developed ANN model demonstrated better adequacy and goodness of fit with a R2 of 0.9454 than the RSM model with a R2 of 0. 9186. The sensitivity analysis showed pH as the most important factor (31%) affecting the Fenton process, followed by the H2O2 concentration (23%), Fe dosage (21%), contact time (14%) and formaldehyde concentration (12%). The findings demonstrated that these treatment processes and models are important tools for formaldehyde elimination from wastewater

    The multi-objective assembly line worker integration and balancing problem of type-2

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    [EN] The consideration of worker heterogeneity in assembly lines has received a fair amount of attention in the literature in the past decade. Most of this exploration uses as motivation the example of assembly lines in sheltered work centers for the disabled. Only recently has the community started looking at the situation faced in assembly lines in the general industrial park, when in the presence of worker heterogeneity. This step raises a number of questions around the best way to incorporate heterogeneous workers in the line, maximizing their integration while maintaining productivity levels. In this paper we propose the use of Miltenburg's regularity criterion and cycle time as metrics for integration of workers and productivity, respectively. We then define, model and develop heuristics for a line balancing problem with these two goals. Results obtained through an extensive set of computational experiments indicate that a good planning can obtain trade-off solutions that perform well in both objectives.This research was supported by CAPES -Brazil and MEC-Spain (coordinated project CAPES DGU 258-12/PHB2011-0012-PC ) and by FAPESP -Brazil (grant number: 2010/19983-6 ).Moreira, MC.; Pastor, R.; Costa, A.; Miralles Insa, CJ. (2017). The multi-objective assembly line worker integration and balancing problem of type-2. Computers & Operations Research. 82:114-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2017.01.003S1141258

    Dynamic temporary blood facility location-allocation during and post-disaster periods

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    The key objective of this study is to develop a tool (hybridization or integration of different techniques) for locating the temporary blood banks during and post-disaster conditions that could serve the hospitals with minimum response time. We have used temporary blood centers, which must be located in such a way that it is able to serve the demand of hospitals in nearby region within a shorter duration. We are locating the temporary blood centres for which we are minimizing the maximum distance with hospitals. We have used Tabu search heuristic method to calculate the optimal number of temporary blood centres considering cost components. In addition, we employ Bayesian belief network to prioritize the factors for locating the temporary blood facilities. Workability of our model and methodology is illustrated using a case study including blood centres and hospitals surrounding Jamshedpur city. Our results shows that at-least 6 temporary blood facilities are required to satisfy the demand of blood during and post-disaster periods in Jamshedpur. The results also show that that past disaster conditions, response time and convenience for access are the most important factors for locating the temporary blood facilities during and post-disaster periods

    An Assessment of Infection in Third Molar Surgery without Antibiotic Therapy

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    Mandibular impacted third molar surgery is one of the most common surgeries in dental"noffice. Also, antibiotic therapy is one of the most common post-operative procedures after this surgery."nHowever, this is yet controversial. 25 patients were entered in a double blind clinical research. The"npatients divided into two groups. Group A were received 500 mg Ampicillin (34 patients) and group B"n(II patients) were given placebo. The package of both groups was similar. In order to consider the"ninfection, trismus, inflammation, were recorded before and after surgery. The data was analyzed. Our"nresults showed that antibiotic therapy before surgery does not seem necessary, if the non-traumatic"nsurgery will be in an aseptic condition

    An assessment on the effects of mandibular impacted third molar surgery on the periodontium of the adjacent molar

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    Statement of Problem: One of the important indications for the extraction of mandibular impacted third"nmolar is to preserve the periodontal health of the adjacent second molar from the destructive effects of"nplaque accumulation, acute and chronic inflammation."nAim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mandibular third molar surgery on the"nPDL of the adjacent molar."nMaterials and Methods: Thirty patients, referred to the department of maxillofacial surgery, Tehran"nUniversity of Medical Sciences, were selected, based on the desirable conditions. They had no history of"nsystemic diseases and their adjacent molar was healthy. Probing depth (PD) at seven points and"nattachment level (AL) at three points were measured preoperatively. Standardized periapical"nradiographics were taken regularly for all patients. All the above-mentioned procedures repeated after"nthree months of surgery. Findings were analyzed by Paired t-test."nResults: A significant difference in probing depth (PD) was observed before and after surgery, meaning"nthat probing depth decreased after mandibular third molar surgery. Attachment level was also decreased"npost operatively; moreover. Intrabony defects (IBD) showed healing after surgery."nConclusion: Considering the limitations of the present study, impacted third molar surgery is suggested"nto prevent periodontal problems of the adjacent molar

    Evaluation of the reasons for the extraction among patients referred to the Oral Surgery Department,Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

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    Statement of Problem: Tooth extraction is always considered as the final treatment option in dentistry."nConsidering the numerous advances in dentistry, nowadays the preservation of the permanent teeth until old"nage is common. However, in most economically poor countries or those without security service insurance,"nthe high rate of extraction, particularly among restorable teeth, is regrettable."nPurpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the reasons for tooth extraction among patients"nreferred to the faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2002."nMaterials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 patients. The"ninformation about patient's general knowledge, oral health status, tooth location and causes of extraction were"ncollected and recorded in a questionnaire. The data were submitted to statistical Chi-Square test."nResults: No statistically significant difference was found between two genders in their mentioned causes for"nextraction. The most prevalent reasons were as follows: Caries (50%), Periodontal diseases (16.6%). Absence"nof an acceptable occlusion, prosthetic problems, patient's request, etc... make up the remaining 33.4% of the"nreasons."nConclusion: According to this study, it is suggested to investigate extraction etiology at the society level and"nif similar results are obtained, necessary steps should be taken to prevent caries and periodontal problems as"nthe major mentioned causes for tooth extraction
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