Abstract: In the field of fashion design, 3D Mannequin is a kind
of assisting tool which could rapidly realize the design concepts.
While the concept of 3D Mannequin is applied to the computer added
fashion design, it will connect with the development and the
application of design platform and system. Thus, the situation
mentioned above revealed a truth that it is very critical to develop a
module of 3D Mannequin which would correspond with the necessity
of fashion design. This research proposes a concrete plan that
developing and constructing a system of 3D Mannequin with Kinect.
In the content, ergonomic measurements of objective human features
could be attained real-time through the implement with depth camera
of Kinect, and then the mesh morphing can be implemented through
transformed the locations of the control-points on the model by
inputting those ergonomic data to get an exclusive 3D mannequin
model. In the proposed methodology, after the scanned points from the
Kinect are revised for accuracy and smoothening, a complete human
feature would be reconstructed by the ICP algorithm with the method
of image processing. Also, the objective human feature could be
recognized to analyze and get real measurements. Furthermore, the
data of ergonomic measurements could be applied to shape morphing
for the division of 3D Mannequin reconstructed by feature curves. Due
to a standardized and customer-oriented 3D Mannequin would be
generated by the implement of subdivision, the research could be
applied to the fashion design or the presentation and display of 3D
virtual clothes. In order to examine the practicality of research
structure, a system of 3D Mannequin would be constructed with JAVA
program in this study. Through the revision of experiments the
practicability-contained research result would come out.
Abstract: The numerical simulation has made tremendous
advances in investigating the blood flow phenomenon through elastic
arteries. Such study can be useful in demonstrating the disease
progression and hemodynamics of cardiovascular diseases such as
atherosclerosis. In the present study, patient specific case diagnosed
with partially stenosed complete right ICA and normal left carotid
bifurcation without any atherosclerotic plaque formation is
considered. 3D patient specific carotid bifurcation model is generated
based on CT scan data using MIMICS-4.0 and numerical analysis is
performed using FSI solver in ANSYS-14.5. The blood flow is
assumed to be incompressible, homogenous and Newtonian, while
the artery wall is assumed to be linearly elastic. The two-way
sequentially coupled transient FSI analysis is performed using FSI
solver for three pulse cycles. The hemodynamic parameters such as
flow pattern, Wall Shear Stress, pressure contours and arterial wall
deformation are studied at the bifurcation and critical zones such as
stenosis. The variation in flow behavior is studied throughout the
pulse cycle. Also, the simulation results reveal that there is a
considerable increase in the flow behavior in stenosed carotid in
contrast to the normal carotid bifurcation system. The investigation
also demonstrates the disturbed flow pattern especially at the
bifurcation and stenosed zone elevating the hemodynamics,
particularly during peak systole and later part of the pulse cycle. The
results obtained agree well with the clinical observation and
demonstrates the potential of patient specific numerical studies in
prognosis of disease progression and plaque rupture.
Abstract: In the immunologic sense, clinical infection is a state
of failure of the immune system to combat the pathogenic weapon of
the bacteria invading the host. A motile gram negative vibroid
organism associated with marked mono and poly nuclear cell
responses was traced during the examination of a clinical material
from an infected common carp Cyprinus carpio. On primary plate
culture, growth was shown to be pure, dense population of an
Aeromonas-like colony morphotype. The pure isolate was found to
be; Aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, non-halophilic, grew at 0C, and
37C, oxidase positive utilizes glucose through fermentative pathway,
resist 0/129 and novobiocin, produces alanine and lysine
decarboxylases but non-producing ornithine dehydrolases. Tests for
the in vitro determinants of pathogenicity has shown to be; Betahaemolytic
onto blood agar, gelatinase, casienase and amylase
producer. Three in vivo determinants of pathogenicity were tested as,
the lethal dose fifty, the pathogenesis and pathogenicity. It was
evident that 0.1 milliliter of the causal bacterial cell suspension of a
density 1 x 107 CFU/ml injected intramuscularly into an average of
100gms fish toke five days incubation period, then at the day six
morbidity and mortality were initiated. LD50 was recorded at the day
12 post-infection. Use of an LD50 doses to study the pathogenicity,
reveals mononuclear and polynuclear cell responses, on examining
the stained direct films of the clinical materials from the
experimentally infected fish. Re-isolation tests confirm that the reisolant
is same. The course of the infection in natural case was shown
manifestation of; skin ulceration, haemorrhage and descaling. On
evisceration, the internal organs were shown; congestion in the
intestines, spleen and, air sacs. The induced infection showed a
milder form of these manifestations. The grading of the virulence of
this organism was virulent causing chronic course of infections as
indicated from the pathogenesis and pathogenicity studies. Thus the
infectious bacteria were consistent with Aeromonas hydrophila, and
the infection was chronic.
Abstract: Methicillin/multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) are infectious bacteria that are resistant to common
antibiotics. A previous in silico study in our group has identified a
hypothetical protein SAV1226 as one of the potential drug targets. In
this study, we reported the bioinformatics characterization, as well as
cloning, expression, purification and kinetic assays of hypothetical
protein SAV1226 from methicillin/vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus Mu50 strain. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis
revealed a low degree of structural similarity with known proteins.
Kinetic assays demonstrated that hypothetical protein SAV1226 is
neither a domain of an ATP dependent dihydroxyacetone kinase nor
of a phosphotransferase system (PTS) dihydroxyacetone kinase,
suggesting that the function of hypothetical protein SAV1226 might
be misannotated on public databases such as UniProt and
InterProScan 5.
Abstract: When neck pain is associated with pain, numbness, or
weakness in the arm, shoulder, or hand, further investigation is
needed as these are symptoms indicating pressure on one or more
nerve roots. Evaluation necessitates a neurologic examination and
imaging using an MRI/CT scan. A degenerating disc loses some
thickness and is less flexible, causing inter-vertebrae space to narrow.
A radiologist diagnoses an Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) by
localizing every inter-vertebral disc and identifying the pathology in
a disc based on its geometry and appearance. Accurate localizing is
necessary to diagnose IDD pathology. But, the underlying image
signal is ambiguous: a disc’s intensity overlaps the spinal nerve
fibres. Even the structure changes from case to case, with possible
spinal column bending (scoliosis). The inter-vertebral disc
pathology’s quantitative assessment needs accurate localization of the
cervical region discs. In this work, the efficacy of multilevel set
segmentation model, to segment cervical discs is investigated. The
segmented images are annotated using a simple distance matrix.
Abstract: Roles of the vegetation to mitigate the erosion of the
stream bed or to facilitate the deposition of the fine sediments by the
species of the aquatic plants were presented. Field investigation on the
estimation of the change of the bed level and the estimation of the flow
characteristics were performed. The results showed that Phragmites
japonica has the mitigation function of 0.3m-0.4m of the erosion in the
range of higher than 1.0m/s of flow velocity at the vegetated region.
Phragmites communis has the mitigation function of 0.2m-0.3m of the
erosion in the range of higher than 0.7m/s of flow velocity at the
vegetated region. Salix gracilistyla has greater role than Phragmites
japonica and Phragmites communis to sustain the stable channel. It
has the mitigation function of 0.4m-0.5m of the erosion in the range of
higher than 1.4m/s of flow velocity. Miscanthus sacchariflorus has a
weak role compared with that of Phragmites japonica and Salix
gracilistyla, but it has still function for sustaining the stable bed. From
these results, the vegetation has effective roles to mitigate the erosion
or to facilitate the deposition of the stream bed.
Abstract: Intermetallic materials are among advanced
technology materials that have outstanding mechanical and physical
properties for high temperature applications. Especially creep
resistance, low density and high hardness properties stand out in such
intermetallics. The microstructure, mechanical properties of %88Ni-
%10Cr and %2Mn powders were investigated using specimens
produced by tube furnace sintering at 900-1300°C temperature. A
composite consisting of ternary additions, a metallic phase, Fe, Cr
and Mn have been prepared under Ar shroud and then tube furnace
sintered. XRD, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), were
investigated to characterize the properties of the specimens.
Experimental results carried out for composition %88Ni-%10Cr and
%2Mn at 1300°C suggest that the best properties as 138,80HV and
6,269/cm3 density were obtained at 1300°C.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate formability of
Al based closed cell metallic foams at high temperature. The foam
specimens with rectangular section were produced from
AlMg1Si0.6TiH20.8 alloy preform material. Bending and free
bending tests based on gravity effect were applied to foam specimens
at high temperatures. During the tests, the time-angular deformation
relationships with various temperatures were determined.
Deformation types formed in cell walls were investigated by means
of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy.
Bending deformation about 90° was achieved without any defect at
high temperatures. The importance of a critical temperature and
deformation rate was emphasized in maintaining the deformation.
Significant slip lines on surface of cell walls at tensile zones of
bending specimen were observed. At high strain rates, the microcrack
formation in boundaries of elongated grains was determined.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the magnetic resonance
(MR) signal enhancement ratio (ER) of contrast-enhanced MR
angiography (CE-MRA) in normal rats with gadobenate dimeglumine
(Gd-BOPTA) using a clinical 3T scanner and an extremity coil. The
relaxivities of Gd-BOPTA with saline only and with 4.5% human
serum albumin (HSA) were also measured. Compared with
Gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA),
Gd-BOPTA had higher relaxivities. The maximum ER of aorta (ERa),
kidney, liver and muscle with Gd-BOPTA were higher than those with
Gd-DTPA. The maximum ERa appeared at 1.2 min and decayed to half
at 10 min after Gd-BOPTA injection. This information is helpful for
the design of CE-MRA study of rats.
Abstract: This paper reports a novel actuating design that uses
the shear deformation of a piezoelectric actuator to deflect a
bulge-diaphragm for driving an array microdroplet ejector. In essence,
we employed a circular-shaped actuator poled radial direction with
remnant polarization normal to the actuating electric field for inducing
the piezoelectric shear effect. The array microdroplet ejector consists
of a shear type piezoelectric actuator, a vibration plate, two chamber
plates, two channel plates and a nozzle plate. The vibration, chamber
and nozzle plate components are fabricated using nickel
electroforming technology, whereas the channel plate is fabricated by
etching of stainless steel. The diaphragm displacement was measured
by the laser two-dimensional scanning vibrometer. The ejected
droplets of the microejector were also observed via an optic
visualization system.
Abstract: The secondary alloy A226 is used for many
automotive casting produced by mould casting and high pressure die
casting. This alloy has excellent castability, good mechanical
properties and cost-effectiveness. Production of primary aluminium
alloys belong to heavy source fouling of life environs. The European
Union calls for the emission reduction and reduction in energy
consumption therefore increase production of recycled (secondary)
aluminium cast alloys. The contribution is deal with influence of
recycling on the quality of the casting made from A226 in automotive
industry. The properties of the casting made from secondary
aluminium alloys were compared with the required properties of
primary aluminium alloys. The effect of recycling on microstructure
was observed using combination different analytical techniques (light
microscopy upon black-white etching, scanning electron microscopy
- SEM upon deep etching and energy dispersive X-ray analysis -
EDX). These techniques were used for the identification of the
various structure parameters, which was used to compare secondary
alloy microstructure with primary alloy microstructure.
Abstract: In this work, we explore the capability of the mean
shift algorithm as a powerful preprocessing tool for improving the
quality of spatial data, acquired from airborne scanners, from densely
built urban areas. On one hand, high resolution image data corrupted
by noise caused by lossy compression techniques are appropriately
smoothed while at the same time preserving the optical edges and, on
the other, low resolution LiDAR data in the form of normalized
Digital Surface Map (nDSM) is upsampled through the joint mean
shift algorithm. Experiments on both the edge-preserving smoothing
and upsampling capabilities using synthetic RGB-z data show that the
mean shift algorithm is superior to bilateral filtering as well as to
other classical smoothing and upsampling algorithms. Application of
the proposed methodology for 3D reconstruction of buildings of a
pilot region of Athens, Greece results in a significant visual
improvement of the 3D building block model.
Abstract: We report the microstructural and magnetic properties
of Ni50Mn39Sn11 and Ni50Mn36Sn14 ribbon Heusler alloys.
Experimental results were obtained by differential scanning
calorymetry, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry
techniques. The Ni-Mn-Sn system undergoes a martensitic structural
transformation in a wide temperature range. For example, for
Ni50Mn39Sn11 the start and finish temperatures of the martensitic and
austenite phase transformation for ribbon alloy were Ms=336K,
Mf=328K, As=335K and Af=343K whereas no structural
transformation is observed for Ni50Mn36Sn14 alloys. Magnetic
measurements show the typical ferromagnetic behavior with Curie
temperature 207 K at low applied field of 50 Oe. The complex
behavior exhibited by these Heusler alloys should be ascribed to the
strong coupling between magnetism and structure, being their
magnetic behavior determined by the distance between Mn atoms.
Abstract: Introduction: Researchers globally have strived to explore diverse factors that augment the continuation and uptake of family planning methods. Clients’ satisfaction is one of the core determinants facilitating continuation of family planning methods. There is a major debate yet scanty evidence to contrast public and private sectors with respect to client satisfaction. The objective of this study is to compare quality-of-care provided by public and private sectors of Pakistan through a client satisfaction lens. Methods: We used Pakistan Demographic Heath Survey 2012-13 dataset on 3133 women. Ten different multivariate models were made. to explore the relationship between client satisfaction and dependent outcome after adjusting for all known confounding factors and results are presented as OR and AOR (95% CI). Results: Multivariate analyses showed that clients were less satisfied in contraceptive provision from private sector as compared to public sector (AOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.63-1.68) even though the result was not statistically significant. Clients were more satisfied from private sector as compared to the public sector with respect to other determinants of quality-of-care follow-up care (AOR 3.29, 95% CI 1.95-5.55), infection prevention (AOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.60-3.62), counseling services (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.27-3.18, timely treatment (AOR 3.37, 95% CI 2.20-5.15), attitude of staff (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.50-3.33), punctuality of staff (AOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.92-4.13), timely referring (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.63-3.35), staff cooperation (AOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22-2.51) and complications handling (AOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.56-3.29). Discussion: Public sector has successfully attained substantial satisfaction levels with respect to provision of contraceptives, but it contrasts previous literature from a multi country studies. Our study though in is concordance with a study from Tanzania where public sector was more likely to offer family planning services to clients as compared to private facilities. Conclusion: In majority of the developing countries, public sector is more involved in FP service provision; however, in Pakistan clients’ satisfaction in private sector is more, which opens doors for public-private partnerships and collaboration in the near future.
Abstract: A chromium-loaded ash originating from incineration of tannery sludge under anoxic conditions was mixed with low grade soda-lime glass powder coming from commercial glass bottles. The relative weight proportions of ash over glass powder tested were 30/70, 40/60 and 50/50. The solid mixtures, formed in green state compacts, were sintered at the temperature range of 800o C up to 1200o C. The resulting products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS) and micro-indentation. The above methods were employed to characterize the various phases, microstructure and hardness of the produced materials. Thermal treatment at 800o C and 1000o C produced opaque ceramic products composed of a variety of chromium-containing and chromium-free crystalline phases. Thermal treatment at 1200o C gave rise to composite products, where only chromium-containing crystalline phases were detected. Hardness results suggest that specific products are serious candidates for structural applications.
Abstract: Dental porcelain composites reinforced and toughened
by 20 wt.% tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) were processed by hot
pressing at 1000°C. Two types of particles were tested: yttriastabilized
zirconia (ZrO2–3%Y2O3) agglomerates and pre-sintered
yttria-stabilized zirconia (ZrO2–3%Y2O3) particles. The composites
as well as the reinforcing particles were analyzed by the means of
optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion
Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The mechanical
properties were obtained by the transverse rupture strength test. Wear
tests were also performed on the composites and monolithic
porcelain. The best mechanical results were displayed by the
porcelain reinforced with the pre-sintered ZrO2–3%Y2O3
agglomerates.
Abstract: In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) was dissolved
in chloroform:ethanol solvent system at a concentration of 18 w/v %.
1, 2, 4, and 6 droplets of formic acid were added to the prepared 10ml
PCL-chloroform:ethanol solutions separately. Fibrous webs were
produced by electrospinning technique based on the horizontal
working principle. Morphology of the webs was investigated by
using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) whereas fiber diameters
were measured by Image J Software System. The effect of formic
acid addition to the mostly used chloroform solvent on fiber
morphology was examined.
Results indicate that there is a distinct fall in fiber diameter with
the addition of formic acid drops. The average fiber diameter was
measured as 2.22μm in PCL /chloroform:ethanol solution system. On
the other hand, 328nm and 256 nm average fiber diameters were
measured for the samples of 4 drops and 6 drops formic acid added.
This study offers alternative solvent systems to produce nanoscaled,
nontoxic PCL fibrous webs by electrospinning technique.
Abstract: Co-crystal is believed to improve the solubility and
dissolution rates and thus, enhanced the bioavailability of poor water
soluble drugs particularly during the oral route of administration.
With the existing of poorly soluble drugs in pharmaceutical industry,
the screening of co-crystal formation using carbamazepine (CBZ) as
a model drug compound with dicarboxylic acids co-crystal formers
(CCF) namely fumaric (FA) and succinic (SA) acids in ethanol has
been studied. The co-crystal formations were studied by varying the
mol ratio values of CCF to CBZ to access the effect of CCF
concentration on the formation of the co-crystal. Solvent evaporation,
slurry and cooling crystallization which representing the solution
based method co-crystal screening were used. Based on the
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the melting point of
CBZ-SA in different ratio was in the range between 188oC-189oC.
For CBZ-FA form A and CBZ-FA form B the melting point in
different ratio were in the range of 174oC-175oC and 185oC-186oC
respectively. The product crystal from the screening was also
characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The XRPD
pattern profile analysis has shown that the CBZ co-crystals with FA
and SA were successfully formed for all ratios studied. The findings
revealed that CBZ-FA co-crystal were formed in two different
polymorphs. It was found that CBZ-FA form A and form B were
formed from evaporation and slurry crystallization methods
respectively. On the other hand, in cooling crystallization method,
CBZ-FA form A was formed at lower mol ratio of CCF to CBZ and
vice versa. This study disclosed that different methods and mol ratios
during the co-crystal screening can affect the outcome of co-crystal
produced such as polymorphic forms of co-crystal and thereof. Thus,
it was suggested that careful attentions is needed during the screening
since the co-crystal formation is currently one of the promising
approach to be considered in research and development for
pharmaceutical industry to improve the poorly soluble drugs.
Abstract: Rice husk and kenaf filled with calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite were
prepared separately using twin-screw extruder at 50rpm. Different
filler loading up to 30 parts of rice husk particulate and kenaf fiber
were mixed with the fixed 30% amount of CaCO3 mineral filler to
produce rice husk/CaCO3/HDPE and kenaf/CaCO3/HDPE hybrid
composites. In this study, the effects of natural fiber for both rice
husk and kenaf in CaCO3/HDPE composite on physical, mechanical
and morphology properties were investigated. Field Emission
Scanning Microscope (FeSEM) was used to investigate the impact
fracture surfaces of the hybrid composite. The property analyses
showed that water absorption increased with the presence of kenaf
and rice husk fillers. Natural fibers in composite significantly
influence water absorption properties due to natural characters of
fibers which contain cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin structures.
The result showed that 10% of additional natural fibers into hybrid
composite had caused decreased flexural strength, however additional
of high natural fiber (>10%) filler loading has proved to increase its
flexural strength.
Abstract: Considering palm oil as non-drying oil owing to its
low iodine value, an attempt was taken to increase the unsaturation in
the fatty acid chains of palm oil for the preparation of alkyds. To
increase the unsaturation in the palm oil, sulphuric acid (SA) and
para-toluene sulphonic acid (PTSA) was used prior to alcoholysis for
the dehydration process. The iodine number of the oil samples was
checked for the unsaturation measurement by Wijs method. Alkyd
resin was prepared using the dehydrated palm oil by following
alcoholysis and esterification reaction. To improve the film properties
0.5wt.% multi-wall carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) were used to
manufacture polymeric film. The properties of the resins were
characterized by various physico-chemical properties such as density,
viscosity, iodine value, saponification value, etc. Structural
elucidation was confirmed by Fourier transform of infrared
spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance; surfaces of the
films were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscope.
In addition, pencil hardness and chemical resistivity was also
measured by using standard methods. The effect of enhancement of
the unsaturation in the fatty acid chain found significant and
motivational. The resin prepared with dehydrated palm oil showed
improved properties regarding hardness and chemical resistivity
testing. The incorporation of MWCNTs enhanced the thermal
stability and hardness of the films as well.