188 research outputs found
Forget the flâneur
This paper discusses the connections between the ‘flâneur’, Baudelaire's symbol of modernity, the anonymous man on the streets of nineteenth century Paris, and his contemporary digital incarnation, the ‘cyberflâneur’. It is argued that, although the fl neur could be successfully re-imagined as the cyberfl neur in the early days of the web, this nineteenth century model of male privilege no longer fits the purpose. It is suggested that it is time to forget the flâneur and search for a new model to consider the peripatetic nature of location-aware networked devices in the digitally augmented city
Health scares: professional priorities
Currently, many health scholars are concerned about health scares. But what do they mean by the term ‘health scare’ – are health scares an identifiable phenomenon, and how do we currently understand their causation and consequences? By collecting and analyzing published articles about events considered to be health scares, this paper maps the current views of scholars on their characteristics and causes. Results show that health scares are generally understood as events characterized by fears of catastrophic consequences but little actual mortality. However, the social and economic impacts of these events have often been severe. This survey shows that health scares can be usefully sorted into 6 categories, each with identifiable internal dynamics, suggesting different communications strategies to achieve resolution in each category. Using the social amplification of risk framework, the conditions under which risk signals were amplified were traced in general terms among major stakeholders. Simple causes for health scare events could not be identified, though some triggers did emerge. Importantly, public ignorance of real risk, media scaremongering, and political inaction could be dismissed as primary explanations, though they were sometimes factors in scare events. Implications for risk communication and for future research on risk and public health are discussed.
Keywords:
Health scare, Social amplification of risk, Expert, Media, Risk controversyfunded by the Sidney Sax Travelling Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Public Health, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
Design and Topology Optimisation of Tissue Scaffolds
Tissue restoration by tissue scaffolding is an emerging technique with many potential applications. While it is well-known that the structural properties of tissue scaffolds play a critical role in cell regrowth, it is usually unclear how optimal tissue regeneration can be achieved. This thesis hereby presents a computational investigation of tissue scaffold design and optimisation. This study proposes an isosurface-based characterisation and optimisation technique for the design of microscopic architecture, and a porosity-based approach for the design of macroscopic structure. The goal of this study is to physically define the optimal tissue scaffold construct, and to establish any link between cell viability and scaffold architecture. Single-objective and multi-objective topology optimisation was conducted at both microscopic and macroscopic scales to determine the ideal scaffold design. A high quality isosurface modelling technique was formulated and automated to define the microstructure in stereolithography format. Periodic structures with maximised permeability, and theoretically maximum diffusivity and bulk modulus were found using a modified level set method. Microstructures with specific effective diffusivity were also created by means of inverse homogenisation. Cell viability simulation was subsequently conducted to show that the optimised microstructures offered a more viable environment than those with random microstructure. The cell proliferation outcome in terms of cell number and survival rate was also improved through the optimisation of the macroscopic porosity profile. Additionally artificial vascular systems were created and optimised to enhance diffusive nutrient transport. The formation of vasculature in the optimisation process suggests that natural vascular systems acquire their fractal shapes through self-optimisation
Revision surgery is overestimated in hip replacement
Analysis and Stochastic
Total hip arthroplasty for primary osteoarthroses in younger patients in the Finnish arthroplasty register.
Contains fulltext :
47703.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access
Larger bone graft size and washing of bone grafts prior to impaction enhances the initial stability of cemented cups: experiments using a synthetic acetabular model.
Contains fulltext :
50741.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Bone defects after failed total hip arthroplasty can be reconstructed with impacted morselized bone grafts and a cemented cup. On the acetabular side, the effects on initial cup stability of washing bone grafts prior to impaction and bone graft size remain unclear. Related to these variables, cement penetration and inter-particle shear resistance have been suggested to be critical factors to ensure initial cup stability. METHODS: Using a synthetic acetabular model, we studied the effects of (1) washing bone grafts prior to impaction, and (2) bone graft size on the initial stability of cemented cups. In addition, cement penetration was measured using CT scans. RESULTS: Reconstructions with large, washed bone grafts provided the highest stability during mechanical compression and in a lever-out situation. Washing of the bone grafts had a positive effect on initial cup stability, but the size of the bone grafts appeared to be more important. Cement penetration was affected by bone graft size but not by washing. INTERPRETATION: From a mechanical standpoint, large bone grafts that have been washed prior to impaction may be preferable in order to obtain optimal cup stability using the bone impaction grafting technique
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