scholarly journals Poly-ε-Caprolactone/Halloysite Nanotube Composites for Resorbable Scaffolds: Effect of Processing Technology on Homogeneity and Electrospinning

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3772
Author(s):  
Muriel Józó ◽  
Róbert Várdai ◽  
Nóra Hegyesi ◽  
János Móczó ◽  
Béla Pukánszky
Keyword(s):  
Electrospun Fiber ◽  
Fiber Spinning ◽  
Film Casting ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Nanotube Composites ◽  
Simple Compression ◽  
Fiber Scaffolds ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods

Polycaprolactone (PCL)/halloysite composites were prepared to compare the effect of homogenization technology on the structure and properties of the composites. Halloysite content changed from 0 to 10 vol% in six steps and homogeneity was characterized by various direct and indirect methods. The results showed that the extent of aggregation depends on technology and on halloysite content; the size and number of aggregates increase with increasing halloysite content. Melt mixing results in more homogeneous composites than the simple compression of the component powders or homogenization in solution and film casting. Homogeneity and the extent of aggregation determines all properties, including functionality. The mechanical properties of the polymer deteriorate with increasing aggregation; even stiffness depends on homogeneity. Strength and deformability decreases drastically as the number and size of aggregates increase. Not only dispersed structure, but also the physical state and crystalline structure of the polymer influence homogeneity and properties. The presence of the filler affects the preparation of electrospun fiber scaffolds as well. A part of the filler is excluded from the fibers while another part forms aggregates that complicates fiber spinning and deteriorates properties. The results indicate that spinning is easier and the quality of the fibers is better if a material homogenized previously by melt mixing is used for the production of the fibers.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF METHODS AND MEASURES OF MEASUREMENT OF HEAT OF COMBUSTION OF NATURAL GAS IN UKRAINE AND ABROAD

2019 ◽  
pp. 78-87
Author(s):  
K. M. Shynkaruk
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Heat Of Combustion ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

In connection with the increase in prices for natural gas, the urgent issue is to calculate not only the amount of gas consumed, but also its quality precisely with the consumer. The quality of gas is the compliance of its physicochemical parameters with established regulatory documents. With the current gas accounting and payment system in Ukraine, consumers using the same number of cubic meters receive different heat of combustion. The paper analyzes the regulatory framework for assessing the energy performance of natural gas. The necessity of the transition to accounting for natural gas in energy units is substantiated. Existing methods and means for determining the calorific value of natural gas that are used in Ukraine and abroad are considered. Currently, direct and indirect methods are used to determine the calorific value of natural value of natural gas. The most common is the calculation method based on chromatographic analysis, the implementation of which requires expensive equipment. Other methods for determining the calorific value of natural gas is correlation. The essence of which is to establish the relationship between a certain physicochemical property of natural gas and calorific value, which can be established by experimental observations and based on theoretical analysis, which makes it possible to draw a conclusion about the calorific value of natural gas. Based on the analysis, it was found that currently there are no simple in design and not expensive means of controlling the qualitative characteristics of natural gas commercially available. Therefore, it is relevant to solve the problem of operational control of the quality of natural gas, through scientific justification, development and improvement of tools that enable the indirect accounting of the energy value of natural gas in accordance with global trends in energy accounting. A correlation analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between the thermal conductivity and the calorific value of natural gas. The use of the thermocatalytic method for determining the calorific value of gas is proposed, which will allow designing a relatively cheap and easy-to-use device for monitoring the quality of natural gas specifically for the consumer.

scholarly journals An overview of the common methods used to measure treatment adherence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Alexandra Anghel ◽  
Andreea Maria Farcas ◽  
Radu Nicolae Oprean
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Medication Regimen ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Concise Information ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods

Background and aims. The success of a treatment depends on the effectiveness of the medication regimen, provided that patients take the medicines as prescribed. A low rate of adherence in chronic conditions is associated with poor outcome and decreased quality of life, which constitutes an additional burden for the healthcare systems. To correctly identify the dimension of this problem may be a challenge, as there are numerous methods, definitions, patient settings and factors, each with their specific roles. Our aim was to give an appropriate overview of the most common validated methods that can be used to identify non-adherent patients. Methods. This overview is based on an online search of PubMed database and includes the relevant articles in this field. Results. We included both direct and indirect methods for measuring treatment adherence and presented concise information that can help researchers and clinicians when choosing an appropriate method. Both subjective and objective methods have advantages and disadvantages that should be fully understood and taken into consideration. Conclusions. Choosing a simple, accurate and inexpensive method that can give supplementary information about the patterns, beliefs and barriers of adherence would be desirable. But because this perfect method to measure treatment adherence does not exist, the best solution seems to be the combined use of at least two methods.

scholarly journals Direct and Indirect vSLAM Fusion for Augmented Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Mohamed Outahar ◽  
Guillaume Moreau ◽  
Jean-Marie Normand
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Virtual Object ◽  
Fusion Algorithm ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Mapping Algorithms ◽  
Localization And Mapping ◽  
Video Feed ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods

Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that is applied in many fields. One of the limitations that still prevents AR to be even more widely used relates to the accessibility of devices. Indeed, the devices currently used are usually high end, expensive glasses or mobile devices. vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping) algorithms circumvent this problem by requiring relatively cheap cameras for AR. vSLAM algorithms can be classified as direct or indirect methods based on the type of data used. Each class of algorithms works optimally on a type of scene (e.g., textured or untextured) but unfortunately with little overlap. In this work, a method is proposed to fuse a direct and an indirect methods in order to have a higher robustness and to offer the possibility for AR to move seamlessly between different types of scenes. Our method is tested on three datasets against state-of-the-art direct (LSD-SLAM), semi-direct (LCSD) and indirect (ORBSLAM2) algorithms in two different scenarios: a trajectory planning and an AR scenario where a virtual object is displayed on top of the video feed; furthermore, a similar method (LCSD SLAM) is also compared to our proposal. Results show that our fusion algorithm is generally as efficient as the best algorithm both in terms of trajectory (mean errors with respect to ground truth trajectory measurements) as well as in terms of quality of the augmentation (robustness and stability). In short, we can propose a fusion algorithm that, in our tests, takes the best of both the direct and indirect methods.

Aspects of orthodontic protocol in cleft lip and palate patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
O. V. Dudnik ◽  
Ad. A. Mamedov ◽  
O. I. Admakin ◽  
A. A. Skakodub ◽  
Y. O. Volkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
Maxillofacial Region ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Indirect Bonding ◽  
The Face ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods

Relevance. Cleft lip and palate is one of the severe malformations of the face and jaw, requiring a comprehensive approach to the rehabilitation of the patients, including doctors of various specialties, one of which is orthodontists. A feature of orthodontic treatment is difficulty of fixing bracket systems, as well as lowering the level of oral hygiene, caused by deformation and displacement of fragments of the maxillofacial region.Purpose. Improving the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment and hygiene of the oral caviti in patients with cleft lip and palate in permanent bite period.Materials and methods. A comparison was made of the effetctiveness of fixing brackets systmes with direct and indirect bonding techniques and the effectiveness of oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment using irrigators.Results. The results of the study showed a difference in the effectiveness of using direct and indirect methods of fixing bracket systems in patients with cleft and palate. The use of irrigators as additional means of oral hygiene has demonstrated a positive dynamic of hygiene indices.Conclusions. Results of the study demonstrate the advantages of fixation the brackets by indirect bonding and use additional hygiene products irrigator for improving of oral hygiene.

scholarly journals A diet high in sugar and fat influences neurotransmitter metabolism and then affects brain function by altering the gut microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinrui Guo ◽  
Xiangxiang Zhu ◽  
Miao Zeng ◽  
Longkai Qi ◽  
Xiaocui Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Strain ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Neurotransmitter Secretion ◽  
Direct And Indirect Methods ◽  
Neurotransmitter Metabolism ◽  
Host Brain

AbstractGut microbiota (GM) metabolites can modulate the physiology of the host brain through the gut–brain axis. We wished to discover connections between the GM, neurotransmitters, and brain function using direct and indirect methods. A diet with increased amounts of sugar and fat (high-sugar and high-fat (HSHF) diet) was employed to disturb the host GM. Then, we monitored the effect on pathology, neurotransmitter metabolism, transcription, and brain circularRNAs (circRNAs) profiles in mice. Administration of a HSHF diet-induced dysbacteriosis, damaged the intestinal tract, changed the neurotransmitter metabolism in the intestine and brain, and then caused changes in brain function and circRNA profiles. The GM byproduct trimethylamine-n-oxide could degrade some circRNAs. The basal level of the GM decided the conversion rate of choline to trimethylamine-n-oxide. A change in the abundance of a single bacterial strain could influence neurotransmitter secretion. These findings suggest that a new link between metabolism, brain circRNAs, and GM. Our data could enlarge the “microbiome–transcriptome” linkage library and provide more information on the gut–brain axis. Hence, our findings could provide more information on the interplay between the gut and brain to aid the identification of potential therapeutic markers and mechanistic solutions to complex problems encountered in studies of pathology, toxicology, diet, and nutrition development.

scholarly journals Electrospun Fiber Scaffolds for Engineering Glial Cell Behavior to Promote Neural Regeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Devan L. Puhl ◽  
Jessica L. Funnell ◽  
Derek W. Nelson ◽  
Manoj K. Gottipati ◽  
Ryan J. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cell ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Electrospun Fiber ◽  
Neural Regeneration ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Fiber Alignment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fiber Scaffolds

Electrospinning is a fabrication technique used to produce nano- or micro- diameter fibers to generate biocompatible, biodegradable scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Electrospun fiber scaffolds are advantageous for neural regeneration because they mimic the structure of the nervous system extracellular matrix and provide contact guidance for regenerating axons. Glia are non-neuronal regulatory cells that maintain homeostasis in the healthy nervous system and regulate regeneration in the injured nervous system. Electrospun fiber scaffolds offer a wide range of characteristics, such as fiber alignment, diameter, surface nanotopography, and surface chemistry that can be engineered to achieve a desired glial cell response to injury. Further, electrospun fibers can be loaded with drugs, nucleic acids, or proteins to provide the local, sustained release of such therapeutics to alter glial cell phenotype to better support regeneration. This review provides the first comprehensive overview of how electrospun fiber alignment, diameter, surface nanotopography, surface functionalization, and therapeutic delivery affect Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia in the central nervous system both in vitro and in vivo. The information presented can be used to design and optimize electrospun fiber scaffolds to target glial cell response to mitigate nervous system injury and improve regeneration.

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