Further applications of doppler radar for non-contact respiratory assessment

This paper further investigates the use of Doppler radar for detecting and identifying certain human respiratory characteristics from observed frequency and phase modulations. Specifically, we show how breathing frequencies can be determined from the demodulated signal leading to identifying abnormalities of breathing patterns using signal derivatives, optimal filtering and standard statistical measures. Specifically, we report results on a robust method for distinguishing cessation of the normal breathing cycle. The proposed approach can have potential application in the management of sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS) and sleep apnea.

Assessment of human kinematic performance with non-contact measurements for tele-rehabilitation

 Aging of population is challenging the traditional rehabilitation services for various movement disorders. In the foreseeable future, tele-rehabilitation will be a contributive factor for the well-being of the older generation. This research has tackled a series of problems in developing an automated assessment tool for human kinematic performance in tele-rehabilitation with optoelectronic bio-kinematic motion capture devices and preliminarily confirmed its applicability.

Non-contact specular microscopy in aphakic and pseudophakic dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tailoring molecule nanostructures on insulating surfaces investigated by non-contact atomic force microscopy

Self-assembled molecular structures were investigated on insulating substrate surfaces using non-contact atomic force microscopy. Both, substrate preparation and molecule deposition, took place under ultra-high vacuum conditions. First, C60 molecules were investigated on the TiO2 (110) surface. This surface exhibits parallel running troughs at the nanometer scale, which strongly steer the assembly of the molecules. This is in contrast to the second investigated surface. The CaF2 (111) surface is atomically flat and the molecular assemblyrnwas observed to be far less affected by the surface. Basically different island structures were observed to what is typically know. Based on extensive experimental studies and theoretical considerations, a comprehensive picture of the processes responsible for the island formation of C60 molecules on this insulating surfaces was developed. The key process for the emergence of the observed novel island structures was made out to be the dewetting of molecules from the substrate. This new knowledge allows to further understand andrnexploit self-assembly techniques in structure fabrication on insulating substrate surfaces. To alter island formation and island structure, C60 molecules were codeposited with second molecule species (PTCDI and SubPc) on the CaF2 (111) surface. Depending on the order of deposition, quiet different structures were observed to arise. Thus, these are the first steps towards more complex functional arrangements consisting of two molecule species on insulating surfaces.

Non-invasive measurement of steroids in fish-holding water: important considerations when applying the procedure to behaviour studies

Fish behaviourists are increasingly turning to non-invasive measurement of steroid hormones in holding water, as opposed to blood plasma. When some of us met at a workshop in Faro, Portugal, in September, 2007, we realised that there were still many issues concerning the application of this procedure that needed resolution, including: Why do we measure release rates rather than just concentrations of steroids in the water? How does one interpret steroid release rates when dealing with fish of different sizes? What are the merits of measuring conjugated as well as free steroids in water? In the ‘static’ sampling procedure, where fish are placed in a separate container for a short period of time, does this affect steroid release—and, if so, how can it be minimised? After exposing a fish to a behavioural stimulus, when is the optimal time to sample? What is the minimum amount of validation when applying the procedure to a new species? The purpose of this review is to attempt to answer these questions and, in doing so, to emphasize that application of the non-invasive procedure requires more planning and validation than conventional plasma sampling. However, we consider that the rewards justify the extra effort.

Non-Contact Documentation of Physical Characteristics of Ecstasy Tablets, Hemp Coins, and Imprint Punches by using 3D Optical Surface Scanning

The description of seized illicit ecstasy tablets and other pressed drug products is an important step in casework. The physical and visual analysis and the description of the characteristics can be employed for intelligence purposes. Besides photography and manual measurements of dimensions, some optical instruments are employed for detailed measurements of physical characteristics. In this work, the method of 3D surface digitizing is introduced as a suitable tool for highly accurate documentation of small objects, especially for pressed drug products. The resulting detailed information about the geometry, and the results of an automatic comparison of apparently uniform tablets and coins with punches, can support drug intelligence.

Non-destructive measurement techniques for taper equation development: a study case in the Spanish Northern Iberian Range

In recent years, the technology for measuring the diameter and height of standing trees has improved significantly. These enhancements allow estimation of the volume of standing trees using stem taper equations, which traditionally have been constructed with data from felled trees, in an accurate and economically feasible way. A nondestructive method was evaluated with data from 38 pines and was validated with data from another 38 pines, both in the Northern Iberian Range (Spain). The electronic dendrometer Criterion RD1000 (Laser Technology Inc.) and the laser hypsometer TruPulse (Laser Technology Inc.) were used due to their accuracy and interoperability. The methodology was valid (unbiased and precise) measuring from a distance similar to the height of the tree. In this distance, statistical criteria and plots based on the residuals showed no clear advantage in volume estimation with models fitted with data from destructive methods against models fitted with data from the proposed non-destructive technique. This methodology can be considered useful for individual volume estimation and for developing taper equations.

Non contact inspection of the fatigue damage state of carbon fiber reinforced polymer by optical surface roughness measurements

This work presents the evaluation of a new non-contact technique to assess the fatigue damage state of CFRP structures by measuring surface roughness parameters. Surface roughness and stiffness degradation have been measured in CFRP coupons cycled with constant amplitude loads, and a Pearson?s correlation of 0.79 was obtained between both variables. Results suggest that changes on the surface roughness measured in strategic zones of components made of the evaluated CFRP, could be indicative of the level of damage due to fatigue loads. This methodology could be useful for other FRP due to similarities in the fatigue damage process.

Coupled Biomechanical Response of the Cornea Assessed by Non-Contact Tonometry. A Simulation Study

The mechanical response of the cornea subjected to a non-contact air-jet tonometry diagnostic test represents an interplay between its geometry, the corneal material behavior and the loading. The objective is to study this interplay to better understand and interpret the results obtained with a non-contact tonometry test. A patient-specific finite element model of a healthy eye, accounting for the load free configuration, was used. The corneal tissue was modeled as an anisotropic hyperelastic material with two preferential directions. Three different sets of parameters within the human experimental range obtained from inflation tests were considered. The influence of the IOP was studied by considering four pressure levels (10–28 mmHg) whereas the influence of corneal thickness was studied by inducing a uniform variation (300–600 microns). A Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) air-jet simulation determined pressure loading exerted on the anterior corneal surface. The maximum apex displacement showed a linear variation with IOP for all materials examined. On the contrary, the maximum apex displacement followed a cubic relation with corneal thickness. In addition, a significant sensitivity of the apical displacement to the corneal stiffness was also obtained. Explanation to this behavior was found in the fact that the cornea experiences bending when subjected to an air-puff loading, causing the anterior surface to work in compression whereas the posterior surface works in tension. Hence, collagen fibers located at the anterior surface do not contribute to load bearing. Non-contact tonometry devices give useful information that could be misleading since the corneal deformation is the result of the interaction between the mechanical properties, IOP, and geometry. Therefore, a non-contact tonometry test is not sufficient to evaluate their individual contribution and a complete in-vivo characterization would require more than one test to independently determine the membrane and bending corneal behavior.