A controllable simple method for production of polymeric nanofiberous composite via single nozzle jet electrospinning

A special Micro-Nano fiberous composite structure composed of nano- and micro-scale fiber of Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Gelatin produced by using single nozzle electrospinning instrument. By controlling the solution (polymer concentration and polymer composition percent) and processing parameters of electrospinning (feed rate and electrostatic field), different portion of nano and micro fibers in the structure is achieved. This method can result a one-stage method of fabrication of Micro-Nano fiberous composite structure instead of previously used twostage process or using additional facility to produce structure near-similar to this composite structure. The resulting materials finely mingle nano- and micro fibers together, rather than simply juxtaposing them, as is commonly found in the literature. The results obtained from SEM, Flow Porosimetry, and DMA led the authors to confirm that the structure has very versatile and improved properties for many applications like cell culture scaffolds. These favourable mechanical and structural properties can provide easier opening of spaces for cell penetration to deeper levels of the scaffold and withstand to tensions during to clinical handling.

An accessible survey method: increasing the participation of people with a disability in large sample social research

The 1 in 4 Poll project seeks to increase understanding of the views and needs of people with a disability by developing an accessible survey method. It is being conducted by Deakin University in partnership with the Victorian disability service provider, Scope. To address this goal, the 1 in 4 Poll method has focused on three key strategies: an accessible Internet-based survey; use of an assisted and proxy report; and a ‘standard’ and Easy English version of the survey. A bespoke online survey design seeks to overcome the limitations in accessibility of available online survey tools. Positive evaluative comments, from respondents across a wide-range of disabilities, suggests that the combination of the three major strategies used in the 1 in 4 Poll has resulted in a valuable and accessible method of large scale surveying of people with a disability.

A computerized method for objective measurement of muscle tone

This article is concentrated on the objective computerizing method of measuring of muscle tone using compressive and decompressive deformation of superficial skeletal muscle of wrist in vivo. Four indices were highly recommended for complex analysis of muscle tone.

Improving communication when seeking informed consent: a randomised controlled study of a computer-based method for providing information to prospective clinical trial participants

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, with respect to participant understanding of information, of a computer-based approach to communication about complex, technical issues that commonly arise when seeking informed consent for clinical research trials. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: An open, randomised controlled study of 60 patients with diabetes mellitus, aged 27-70 years, recruited between August 2006 and October 2007 from the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Alfred Hospital and Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne. INTERVENTION: Participants were asked to read information about a mock study via a computer-based presentation (n = 30) or a conventional paper-based information statement (n = 30). The computer-based presentation contained visual aids, including diagrams, video, hyperlinks and quiz pages. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Understanding of information as assessed by quantitative and qualitative means. RESULTS: Assessment scores used to measure level of understanding were significantly higher in the group that completed the computer-based task than the group that completed the paper-based task (82% v 73%; P = 0.005). More participants in the group that completed the computer-based task expressed interest in taking part in the mock study (23 v 17 participants; P = 0.01). Most participants from both groups preferred the idea of a computer-based presentation to the paper-based statement (21 in the computer-based task group, 18 in the paper-based task group). CONCLUSIONS: A computer-based method of providing information may help overcome existing deficiencies in communication about clinical research, and may reduce costs and improve efficiency in recruiting participants for clinical trials.