Uncovering three-dimensional gradients in fibrillar orientation in an impact-resistant biological armour

The complex hierarchical structure in biological and synthetic fibrous nanocomposites entails considerable difficulties in the interpretation of the crystallographic texture from diffraction data. Here, we present a novel reconstruction method to obtain the 3D distribution of fibres in such systems. An analytical expression is derived for the diffraction intensity from fibres, explaining the azimuthal intensity distribution in terms of the angles of the three dimensional fibre orientation distributions. The telson of stomatopod (mantis shrimp) serves as an example of natural biological armour whose high impact resistance property is believed to arise from the hierarchical organization of alpha chitin nanofibrils into fibres and twisted plywood (Bouligand) structures at the sub-micron and micron scale. Synchrotron microfocus scanning X-ray diffraction data on stomatopod telson were used as a test case to map the 3D fibre orientation across the entire tissue section. The method is applicable to a range of biological and biomimetic structures with graded 3D fibre texture at the sub-micron and micron length scales

Burden of disease in Thailand: changes in health gap between 1999 and 2004

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Continuing comprehensive assessment of population health gap is essential for effective health planning. This paper assessed changes in the magnitude and pattern of disease burden in Thailand between 1999 and 2004. It further drew lessons learned from applying the global burden of disease (GBD) methods to the Thai context for other developing country settings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Multiple sources of mortality and morbidity data for both years were assessed and used to estimate Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) loss for 110 specific diseases and conditions relevant to the country's health problems. Causes of death from national vital registration were adjusted for misclassification from a verbal autopsy study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Between 1999 and 2004, DALYs loss per 1,000 population in 2004 slightly decreased in men but a minor increase in women was observed. HIV/AIDS maintained the highest burden for men in both 1999 and 2004 while in 2004, stroke took over the 1999 first rank of HIV/AIDS in women. Among the top twenty diseases, there was a slight increase of the proportion of non-communicable diseases and two out of three infectious diseases revealed a decrease burden except for lower respiratory tract infections.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study highlights unique pattern of disease burden in Thailand whereby epidemiological transition have occurred as non-communicable diseases were on the rise but burden from HIV/AIDS resulting from the epidemic in the 1990s remains high and injuries show negligent change. Lessons point that assessing DALY over time critically requires continuing improvement in data sources particularly on cause of death statistics, institutional capacity and long term commitments.</p

Progress towards achieving the recommendations of the commission on ending childhood obesity: A comprehensive review and analysis of current policies, actions and implementation gaps in Thailand

Despite a significant commitment to tackling childhood overweight and obesity, questions remain about the progress the Thai Government has made in implementing childhood obesity prevention policies and actions. This study aimed to review and assess the implementation of the government’s policies and actions for childhood obesity prevention in Thailand compared with the recommendations of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and to identify the implementation gaps. Policy data were collected from governmental and NGO websites and publications and via direct contact with government officials. Stakeholder meetings were held to seek further information and advice on implementation gaps and to give recommendations. The analysis of each policy was conducted against pre-determined criteria formulated from literature assessments and stakeholder consultations. The policies and actions that were implemented by the Government were consistent with 33 broad policy actions and 55 specific policy actions. Preconception and pregnancy care was the policy area that was most implemented. Six broad policy actions were assessed as ‘high’ performance, these were: sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, nutrient labeling, nutrition guidance for preconception and pregnancy care, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, regulatory measures for supporting maternal breastfeeding, and regulations on the marketing of complementary foods and beverages. Policy coherence and monitoring and evaluation (M&amp;E) were identified as major implementation gaps. Increasing the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention in Thailand will require national immediate attention towards building infrastructure to enhance coherence among the policies and to put in place M&amp;E mechanisms for each policy.</jats:p

Perpendicular orientation between dispersed rubber and polypropylene molecules in an oriented sheet

An immiscible blend of isotactic polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-butene-1 copolymer (EB) (PP/EB = 70/30) containing a small amount of N,N’-dicyclohexyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide as a nucleating agent for β-form crystals was prepared by T-die extrusion. We successfully prepared an extruded sheet, in which the orientation of the PP molecules is perpendicular to the deformation of the EB particles; i.e., the β-form crystals of PP are predominantly oriented perpendicular to the flow direction of the sheet plane (the transverse direction, TD), whereas the EB droplets are strongly deformed in the flow direction. It should be noted that the EB barely affects the crystalline form and orientation of PP. This extraordinary structure provides unique mechanical anisotropy. The tear strength in the TD sample is significantly enhanced with the anomalous crack propagation in the machine direction (MD). Moreover, the anisotropy in tensile properties such as Young’s modulus, yield stress, strain at break, and dynamic tensile modulus becomes reduced