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Leveraging antibacterial efficacy of silver loaded chitosan nanoparticles on layer-by-layer self-assembled coated cotton fabric
No full textThe present study relates to forma self-assembled coating on cotton fabric using layer-by-layer (L-B-L) technique to impart antimicrobial property. Poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and synthesised silver loaded chitosan (CS-Ag) nanoparticles were used as anionic and cationic agents, respectively, for the L-B-L electrostatic assembly of polyelectrolytes. The alternate L B-L deposition of PSS and CS-Ag nanoparticles on fabric was done up to 15 bi-layers, which was confirmed by measuring the change in depth of colour of fabric after each single layer deposition. Scanning electron micrographs showed the successful deposition of CS-Ag nanoparticles as the topmost surface layer of coated fabric, which was further reaffirmed by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Results of both qualitative and quantitative analysis showed enhancement in the antibacterial activity of fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles (using minimal loading of silver) with respect to that of fabric coated L-B-L with chitosan (CS) nanoparticles. This was further substantiated by sustained release of Ag+ from fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles, as observed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Besides, no adverse effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the fabric, such as air-permeability, tensile strength and bending (flexural) rigidity, was observed after L-B-L coating of nanoparticles
The importance of grounded assessments and interventions: Towards a new framework for Developmental Coordination Disorder
No full textThe overarching purpose of this Thesis is to evaluate assessments and interventions for sensorimotor therapy according to the method Retraining for Balance. The purpose of the first study (Paper I) was to compile instruments based on the 46 diagnostic tools according to the method Retraining for Balance (RB) in order to be able to analyse previously collected data and thereby examine whether future studies would be of interest. Results showed that further studies were of interest and that RB could be a complement to existing treatment methods for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The aim of the second study (Paper II) was to gain increased understanding of the effects of sensorimotor therapy on the physical and psychological development of children and young people when using RB. As the qualitative analyses proceeded three themes emerged, (a) Introductions, (b) Regressions and (c) Transformations. The process involved in RB can thus be described as a flow in which Introductions, Regressions and Transformations jointly pushed the individual toward an increased physical and psychological maturity. The main purpose of study three (Paper III) was to investigate if a group of primary reflexes are to be found in adults showing symptoms of sensorimotor disorders, and, if so, is it possible to integrate these reflexes through sensorimotor therapy (SMT). Results showed that the same diagnostic instruments and treatment methods can be used for both children and adults with sensorimotor difficulties and that the difficulties can’t be out grown. The aims of study four (Paper IV) were to (a) compare healthy children in terms of sensorimotor maturity to untreated children diagnosed with DCD and (b) compare healthy children to diagnosed children following completed treatment with sensorimotor therapy. The results showed, in accordance with the first hypothesis of the study that the Norm group performed better on all sensorimotor tests as compared to the untreated children from the DCD group, with the exception of an audiometric test where both groups performed at the same level. Results also showed, after controls for natural maturing effects, that the participants from the DCD group, after sensorimotor therapy did catch up with the healthy children, which led to that the second hypothesis was rejected.In Paper V, which was an invited Focused Review, our central theme was the importance of grounded assessments and interventions in regard to DCD. The paper had two aims, (a) to follow-up Paper III and (b) to fill a gap in literature regarding assessments and interventions of DCD. Our previous results had indicated that sensorimotor problems could be treated within all age groups through the method RB. It was therefore concluded that the importance of primary reflex suppression and vestibular stimulation as well as a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches have to be considered in order to develop effective methods for assessment and intervention of DCD. The method RB underlines not only the importance of gravity and its influence on the vestibular system but also the importance of parental (or spouse) guidance during training. Therefore a Brain Body World Interaction (BBWI) perspective including both a vertical connection (i.e., interactions between the person and gravity) and a horizontal connection (i.e., the person who socializes, learns and acts in the world) is proposed as a starting point for a new theoretical framework regarding DCD
Impacts of industry 4.0 in sustainable food manufacturing and supply chain
No full textIntegration of Sustainability and sustainable practices have been of paramount importance within most manufacturers' supply chain environment globally. Apart from the fact that every organisation now use this to improve on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), this is also used as an opportunity to manage production and services within most firms efficiently. This sustainability is now a strategy adopted by most businesses to meet their customers' expectation considering the sustainable society awareness of which food manufacturing is not an exception. The use of several innovative strategies and incorporation of Industry 4.0 has been employed by some food manufacturers to meet up with this sustainability. This paper through a qualitative research study seeks to bridge the interconnection between Industry 4.0 and sustainable practices within food manufacturing supply chain
A mighty capital under threat: the environmental history of London 1800-2000
No full textA Mighty Capital Under Threat is a synoptic overview of the environmental history of London from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the new millennium. This comprehensive collection is essential reading for London historians, scholars concerned with world cities in historical context, environmental historians and environmentalists, and all who are interested in the multiple processes of mass urbanization in the early twenty-first century
The impact of Smart Data on Business efficiency and competitive advantage for durable consumer goods companies in Germany.
No full textSmart Data is defined as data that has been transformed into information for decision making and action cycle. This suggests that Smart Data is related to information, which enable the companies to act and decide rather than to be overwhelmed with a large volume of data.As the volume of available data has significantly increased during the recent years, discussions about how data can be used efficiently for business has attracted the attention of business community and marketers to exploit business potentials based on data knowledge. The available data can provide companies to develop further understanding and knowledge of key factors that have an impact on business performance such as the market trends, consumer behaviour, trade partners and suppliers, and competition. In fact, the majority of companies are overwhelmed with data and finding it challenging to efficiently use the same for meeting business objectives. However, the existent frameworks do not cover a strategic approach towards Smart Data which is the research gap. Based on a survey of 4000 (N=406) professionals working in the durable consumer good and ten semi structured interviews with various professionals from the industry in Germany, the study found that, whilst the data is now considered as a business asset, companies are keen to benefit from the opportunities provided by accurate, reliable and timely data, however, they are not fully aware of the importance and contribution of Smart Data. The process of this study started with and extensive literature review on which base the Conceptual framework was designed and developed. As a next step, the quantitative study was carried out which was followed by the qualitative study. On the basis of all those findings, the Smart Data framework has been developed. This framework has been verified by five Data Analytics experts and five professionals of the industry.The aim of the study is the design and development of a Smart Data framework for durable consumer goods companies in Germany. The design and development of this framework contributes to knowledge and practice
Integrated temperature and current controller for high power LEDs using luminescent lighting
No full textThe usage of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for lighting applications is significantly increasing. White light is the standard for these applications, it is divided in different types of light: cold white, neutral white and warm white depending on the application. Currently, there is no semiconductor material available emitting white light directly. Thus, other coloured LEDs are used and the emitted light of them is mixed to white light. As blue light emitting LEDs have the best efficiency today, they are the most promising base for white light. A part of the blue emitted light is converted into yellow light by a colour conversion layer placed on top of the semiconductor structure. The resulting mixture of both; the blue and the yellow light is recognised as white light by the human eye. By using this technique, a high efficient white LED can be realised. Nevertheless, LEDs still convert about 30 % to 90 % of power into heat. This power loss increases the LED device temperature which often results in a significant decrease of the lifetime of the LED and a colour shift or lumen reduction. Common design criteria of lights integrating LEDs lead to small size and low thermal conductivity, which enhances overheating of lighting systems. Therefore, a thermal management for LEDs is mandatory to ensure long life with constant light quality of the LED, which is the scope of this thesis. Part of this management is the determination of temperatures at different parts of the LED device. The sophisticated, complex and compact LED structures prevent a direct temperature measurement at key spots. A thermalphysical model of the LED is needed to determine temperatures at key points. Multiphysics simulations of typical LED structures are performed to develop a model of the thermal behaviour inside the LED. Results of the simulation are taken as basis for the development of a thermal measurement. The forward voltage of a pn junction changes over temperature and can thus be used as an existing temperature sensor in the LED. Beside the semiconductor temperature, the temperature of the colour conversion layer need to be tracked too. Usually, the layer consist of phosphor embedded into silicone. Overheating changes the emitted colour of the phosphor and lumen loss can increase. For all these reasons a thermal management including temperature determination is developed. It is integrated into the LED driver and tested in a discreet development. Different approaches have been tested, evaluated and optimized using the discrete structure.The optimized approach was transferred in an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design combining LED driver, temperature measurement and thermal management in a single chip to achieve a small size, low cost highly integrated solution. The resulting chip controls the current of the LED while determining and controlling the LED temperature even at critical operation regions, which minimises risks of thermal hotspots