93 research outputs found
A casual obsession: Inside the British Sock Fetish Council
No full textThis article interrogates the positioning of socks as a culturally transgressive garment by football casuals through a case study of the British Sock Fetish Council (BSFC). While most studies contextualize casuals within a discourse of hooliganism and violence, their use of dress as a means of negotiating shared masculine identities remains under-researched. Founded in 2011, the BSFC quickly grew to over 1000 card-carrying members, holding meets at Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and London, as well as at football matches throughout the United Kingdom. Within the BSFC, the term ‘fetish’ is not used to denote a sexual predilection by an almost entirely heterosexual community. Instead, it acknowledges the members’ obsession with clothing and highlights the sub-textual tensions inherent in their individual and collective practices. The author was an active participant within the BSFC, witnessing first-hand the community’s development through the online dissemination of highly constructed, self-generated imagery, featuring colourful, patterned socks juxtaposed with rare trainers. This article explores the self-reflexive use of social media to construct group practices and provides insights into how socks were instrumental in establishing consensus on inclusive and hybrid masculine identities within this community
Frictional Interaction between Running Sock Fabrics and Plantar Aspect of First Metatarsal Head in Different Moisture Conditions
No full textAbstractIn a pursuit to further improve the understanding of the factors influencing friction blister formation, friction between running sock textiles and the skin at the first metatarsal head (1MTH) region was investigated in three different moisture conditions (dry, low moisture and wet).Twenty-six participants were recruited and two running sock types were selected based on the variations of their fibre composition and knit structure: 1) a predominantly nylon anti-blister sock and 2) a cotton-rich sock. All friction tests were conducted in controlled room conditions with a temperature of between 20 to 22°C and a relative humidity of 40 to 60% using a bespoke rig developed at the University of Sheffield for foot friction studies. Water was applied to the inside of the plantar region of the sock textiles to different levels using a moisture control protocol. The moisture level of both the 1MTH region and the sock fabrics were monitored throughout testing using a Corneometer® device.Increasing sock moisture above the dry condition was found to increase foot-sock sliding friction for both sock materials tested. No significant correlation was found at the level p < 0.05 between foot hydration level and sliding friction over the hydration range tested. In dry conditions, the cotton-rich sock exhibited lower levels of friction compared with the anti-blister sock. However, in both low moisture and wet conditions, the anti-blister sock showed comparatively lower levels of friction than the cotton-rich sock. This suggests that for intensive athletic events where significant perspiration is likely to occur, the anti-blister sock would provide lower friction. This study offers a new approach to friction testing of sock materials and it is hoped that its outcomes will provide new insights on the preventative measures for friction blisters
Tax competition among governments and the effects on government performance: empirical evidence from local governments in New Jersey
No full textThis thesis addresses two fundamental issues highlighted in the literature on competition among governments: 1) Do local governments engage in tax competition? and 2) What are the effects of competition on government performance? In a multi-level government system, we can observe two types of competition: inter-jurisdictional competition between the same level of governments and intra-jurisdictional competition between governments sharing the same tax base. To examine the presence of competition and the effects on government performance, we estimate several equations using data on New Jersey local governments. New Jersey is an optimal location to examine both types of competition simultaneously given its diversity in political institutions, its highly fragmented local governmental structure, and the property tax base sharing between municipalities, school districts, and counties. This study contributes to the literature on government competition by examining the presence of both types of competition within a comprehensive framework and the effect of competition in terms of government efficiency. To investigate the presence of both inter- and intra-jurisdictional competition, we estimate property tax rate models which relate municipal tax rates to those of competing jurisdictions, school districts, and counties, using spatial econometric techniques. The spatial regression results provide strong evidence for the existence of both types of competition, showing that municipalities react negatively to the changes in county tax rates and positively to the changes in tax rates of school districts and competing municipalities.We also examine the effects of competition among governments on government performance. More specifically, we estimate the effect of competition on the combined tax rates of municipalities and school districts, on property values, and on DEA technical efficiency scores. We find that inter-jurisdictional competition leads to lower tax rates and enhances both allocative and technical efficiency. This confirms the beneficial effect espoused by Tiebout, the Leviathan hypothesis, and yardstick competition, but not the harmful effect of the tax competition theory. We also find that school district consolidation reduces tax rates but does not have any significant effect on allocative and technical efficiency. In addition, we find that school budget referendums lower tax rates and lead to allocative efficiency.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical references (p. 284-296)by Sock Hwan Le
Thermo-chemical conversion and hydrodynamic behaviour studies of biomass used as bio-fuel for a brickyard kiln alimentation
No full textFace à la demande énergétique de plus en plus croissante, et les problèmes environnementaux qui en découlent, la biomasse, en tant que vecteur énergétique et en association avec des techniques thermochimiques de conversion en gaz combustibles, pourrait être un vecteur énergétique intéressant s’il est produit de manière durable. En effet, accroitre le bouquet énergétique, en substituant d’avantage les énergies fossiles par des énergies renouvelables est devenu une réalité incontournable. De ce fait, les résidus agro-sylvo-pastoraux présentent un potentiel important au Sénégal en général et en particulier dans la région de Ziguinchor jadis appelée grenier du Sénégal, et des technologies de valorisation comme la pyrolyse et gazéification se trouvent parmi les voies les plus prometteuses pour la production d’énergie. Ainsi le modèle dynamique de Saeman basé sur la détermination des propriétés intrinsèques des résidus utilisés a été mis en œuvre afin de simuler l’écoulement de la charge de coques de cajou, de palme et d’arachide. Le modèle dynamique ainsi développé va permettre d'étudier l’influence des conditions opératoires et propriétés rhéologiques sur les profils de chargement, qui conduiront par la suite aux meilleurs transferts de chaleur et de masse dans les fours tournants en situation inerte comme réactive. Les meilleures conditions expérimentales retenues pour cette étude hydrodynamique sont : des vitesses de rotations comprises entre 2 - 4 tr/min, une inclinaison de 1°, et un rapport longueur sur diamètre supérieur ou égal à 0,05. La gazéification des trois résidus sous différents atmosphères (100 % -H2O, 75 % -H2O / 25 %- CO2, 50 % -H2O / 50 % -CO2, 25 % -H2O / 75 % -CO2, et 100 % -CO2) et à différentes températures comprises entre 950 - 1050 °C dans un réacteur à lit fixe ont permis de valider les résultats issus de la littérature qui mettent bien en évidence l’effet positif de la température sur la cinétique de gazéification des différents chars de résidus de biomasse. La pyrolyse de nos trois échantillons donne ainsi des rendements qui sont de 36,44 % pour la coque d’arachide, 37,28 % pour la coque de cajou et 39,97 % pour la coque de palme et quant à leur gazéification, elle conduit respectivement à des énergies d’activation comprises entre 110 - 126 kJ/mol, 104 - 125 kJ/mol et 116 - 150 kJ/mol. Les mesures expérimentales montrent aussi l’influence de la température sur la valeur du PCI des gaz obtenus (8 - 12 MJ/Nm3) et que ce PCI des gaz est inversement proportionnel à la taille des particules de biomasse. Par ailleurs la gazéification sous atmosphère mixte de vapeur d’eau et de gaz carbonique a montré que la réactivité des différents chars est fonction de l’augmentation de la concentration en vapeur d’eau. Le bilan global d’une telle étude expérimentale sur l’hydrodynamique et sur la dégradation thermique visant la maîtrise des phénomènes au sein des fours tournants permet ainsi une première analyse dans la mise en place de combustibles alternatifs pour la valorisation des potentialités locales de la région verte de la Casamance.In view of the growing energy demand and the resulting environmental problems, biomass as an energy vector and at combination with thermochemical techniques for conversion into combustible gases, could be an interesting energy vector if it is produced in a sustainable manner. Indeed, increasing the energy mix, by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies, has become an undeniable reality. As a result, agro-sylvo-pastoral residues have significant potential in Senegal in general and in particular in Ziguinchor region, formerly known as Senegal's granary, and valorisation technologies such as pyrolysis and gasification are among the most promising way for energy production. The Seaman’s dynamic model based on the determination of the intrinsic properties of the residues used has been implemented in order to simulate the flow of cashew, palm and peanut shells. Thus, the dynamic model developed will make it possible to study the influence of the operating conditions and rheological properties on the loading profiles which will conduct later of the best heat and mass transfers in the rotating furnaces in inert and reactive conditions. The best experimental conditions for this hydrodynamic study are: rotational speeds between 2 - 4 rpm, inclination of 1 °, and length to diameter ratio greater than or equal to 0.05. The gasification of the three residues under different atmospheres (100 % -H2O, 75 % -H2O / 25 %-CO2, 50 % -H2O / 50 % -CO2, 25 % -H2O / 75 % -CO2, and 100 % -CO2) and at different temperatures between 950 - 1050 °C in a fixed bed reactor enable to validate the results from the literature which clearly show the positive effect of temperature on the gasification kinetics of the various chars. The pyrolysis of our three samples gives yields of 36.44 % for the peanut shell, 37.28 % for the cashew shell and 39.97 % for the palm shell; and when gasified, it leads respectively at activation energies between 110 - 126 kJ / mol, 104 - 125 kJ / mol and 116 - 150 kJ / mol. The experimental measurements also show the influence of temperature on the Lower heating gas values (LHV) obtained (8 - 12 MJ/Nm3) and that, this LHV of gas is inversely proportional to the size of the biomass particles. Moreover, the gasification under mixed atmosphere of steam and carbon dioxide showed that the reactivity of the different chars depend on the increase of the concentration of water vapor. The overall assessment of such an experimental study on the hydrodynamic and thermal degradation of our residues aimed at controlling the phenomena within rotating furnaces (kilns) allows an initial analysis in the setting up of alternative fuels for the valorization of the local potentialities of the green region of Casamance
Automatic identification of gait events using an instrumented sock
No full textAbstract Background Textile-based transducers are an emerging technology in which piezo-resistive properties of materials are used to measure an applied strain. By incorporating these sensors into a sock, this technology offers the potential to detect critical events during the stance phase of the gait cycle. This could prove useful in several applications, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems to assist gait. Methods We investigated the output of a knitted resistive strain sensor during walking and sought to determine the degree of similarity between the sensor output and the ankle angle in the sagittal plane. In addition, we investigated whether it would be possible to predict three key gait events, heel strike, heel lift and toe off, with a relatively straight-forward algorithm. This worked by predicting gait events to occur at fixed time offsets from specific peaks in the sensor signal. Results Our results showed that, for all subjects, the sensor output exhibited the same general characteristics as the ankle joint angle. However, there were large between-subjects differences in the degree of similarity between the two curves. Despite this variability, it was possible to accurately predict gait events using a simple algorithm. This algorithm displayed high levels of trial-to-trial repeatability. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential of using textile-based transducers in future devices that provide active gait assistance.</p
New fractionation process of Neem (Azadirachta Andica A. Jussi) seed : production of bio-pesticide, oil and cake
No full textOriginaire de l'Inde, le neem (Azadirachta indica Juss.) est un arbre présent dans les zones tropicales sèches et subtropicales d'Asie, d'Amérique et d'Afrique. Au Sénégal, il produit en moyenne 50 kg par an d'un fruit sous forme de drupe ellipsoïdale, qui contient en général une graine, d'un poids moyen de 270 ± 30 à 91 % de matière sèche. La variabilité des caractéristiques des graines (45 à 48 % de coques fibreuses : cellulose 52 à 54 %, hémicelluloses 24 à 28 %, lignine 7 à 9 % ; 52 à 55 % d'amandes : lipides 45 à 58 %, protéines 20 à 23 %j) et des huiles extraites (acides palmitiques : 17 à 19 %, stéarique : 14,5 à 17,5 %, oléique : 42 à 48,5 %, linoléique : 16,5 à 20 % ; stérols totaux : 3 à 5 g/kg) est analysée pour 5 régions du Sénégal. L'extraction de l'azadirachtine, principal principe actif phytosanitaire de la graine, par différents solvants (méthanol, éthanol, eau) révèle une teneur de 2 g par kg de graine, localisée essentiellement dans l'amande (3,9 g/kg). Les conditions d'expression de l'huile de graine de neem sont étudiées en presse mono-vis OMEGA 20 et en extrudeur bi-vis CLEXTRAL BC 21. Dans les meilleures conditions, 65 et 68 % de l'huile sont exprimées, 7 à 10 % de l'azadirachtine sont entraînées avec l'huile, et le tourteau contient 14 % de lipides, 14 % de protéines et près de 2 g/kg d'azadirachtine. Le fractionnement acqueux, sous cisaillement intense des graines, conduit à l'extraction de 55 % des lipides, 50 % des protéines et 80 % de l'azadirachtine, séparés sous forme d'une émulsion stable, de composition : eau 70 %, huile 25 %, protéines 4 %, azadirachtine 6 g/kg, et d'une phase aqueuse. L'étude de la mise en œuvre du procédé d'extraction et de séparation, en extrudeur bi-vis CLEXTRAL BC 21 puis BC 45, permet de produire en continu 0,3 kg d'émulsion stable par kg de graine traitée (20 kg/h) avec un ratio eau/graine de 2 et une température de 60°C. Le tourteau ne contient plus que 0,6 g/kg d'azadirachtine, et l'émulsion stable qui en contient 5 g/kg peut être directement mise en œuvre dans les formulations d'insecticide totalement biosourcés.Originally from India, neem (Azadirachta indica Juss.) is a tree found in the dry tropics and subtropics of Asia, America and Africa. In Senegal, it produces an average of 50 kg per year of a fruit as a drupe ellipsoid, which generally contains a seed, with an average weight of 270 ± 30 to 91% dry matter. The variability of seeds (45 to 48% of capsular cellulose 52-54%, 24-28% hemicellulose, lignin 7-9% 52-55% almonds: 45 to 58% lipids, proteins 20 to 23% j) and extracted oils (palmitic acid: 17 to 19%, stearic: 14.5 to 17.5%, oleic acid: 42 to 48.5%, linoleic: 16.5 to 20% total sterols: 3 5 g / kg) was analyzed for five regions of Senegal. Extraction of azadirachtin, the main active ingredient of the plant seed by different solvents (methanol, ethanol, water) shows a content of 2 g per kg of seed, mainly localized in the kernel (3.9 g / kg ). The expression conditions of neem seed oil were studied in single-screw press OMEGA 20 and twin-screw CLEXTRAL BC 21. Under optimum conditions, 65 and 68% of the oil is expressed, from 7 to 10% of azadirachtin are entrained with the oil and meal contains 14% fat, 14% protein and about 2 g / kg azadirachtin. Watery splitting under intense shear seeds, led to the extraction of 55% lipids, 50% protein and 80% of azadirachtin, separated as a stable emulsion, composition: water 70% oil 25%, 4% protein, 6 g azadirachtin / kg, and an aqueous phase. The study of the implementation of the method of extraction and separation, twin-screw extruder and then CLEXTRAL BC 21 BC 45, produces continuous stable emulsion 0.3 kg per kg of treated seed (20 kg / h) with a ratio water / seed of 2 and a temperature of 60 ° C. The cake contains only 0.6 g / kg of azadirachtin, and stable emulsion which contains 5 g / kg can be directly implemented in the formulations of insecticide biosourced completely
Non-Invasive Monitoring and Prevention of RBD Episodes
No full textThe goal of this project was to develop a sensor system that detects Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) episodes in an early stage and brings the patient to a lighter sleep stage at the episode onset. This project was completed in close collaboration with Momo Medical, a fast-growing start-up and developer of the BedSense - a device placed under mattresses that tracks the bed posture and restlessness of residents in nursing homes. To detect RBD episodes, the BedSense was used in combination with a sock that houses the biosensors EDA, PPG and an accelerometer. The sock also contains a vibrator module, that can bring the patient to a lighter sleep stage in case of an episode.The outcomes of this project are promising, data has been recorded from both non-RBD test subjects and an RBD patient, and the vibration module has been tested.The results of this project were integrated with another project seeking to develop an algorithm to detect RBD episodes in an early stage. This project used data from the Momo BedSense and from the sock that has been created in this project.Electrical Engineering | Bioelectronic
Evaluation of foot plantar pressure changes in female athletes with a smart textile sock sensor system during functional tests
No full textFizioterapijaVeselības aprūpePhysiotherapyHealth CareDarba nosaukums. Pēdas plantārā spiediena izmaiņu izvērtējums ar viedā tekstilmateriāla zeķu sistēmu sievietēm sportistēm funkcionālo testu laikā.
Darba autors. Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes studiju programmas “Fizioterapija” 4.kursa studente Anna Januškeviča.
Aktualitāte. Palielināts pēdas plantārās virsmas mediālās puses spiediens sievietēm sportistēm ir viens no riska faktoriem traumām apakšējā ekstremitātē. Funkcionālie testi ir viens no veidiem, kā novērtēt pēdas plantārā spiediena izmaiņas. Funkcionālos testus objektīvi veic laboratorijas apstākļos, tomēr to veikšana ir dārga, laikietilpīga. Klīniski veikto funkcionālo testu galvenais trūkums ir subjektivitāte. Viedā tekstilmateriālu zeķu sensoru sistēma ir ērti pielietojama objektīvu pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena mērījumu izmaiņu noteikšanai vienkāršu funkcionālo aktivitāšu laikā. Taču trūkst informācijas par pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena mērījumu izmaiņām sievietēm sportistēm, izmantojot viedo tekstilmateriāla zeķu spiediena sensoru sistēmu, funkcionālo testu laikā.
Darba mērķis. Izvērtēt pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena centra sadalījuma izmaiņas sievietēm sportistēm, izmantojot viedo tekstilmateriāla zeķu sistēmu, funkcionālo testu izpildes laikā.
Metodes. Kvantitatīvā, šķērsgriezuma pētījumā tika iesaistīti 14 brīvprātīgie dalībnieki (14 siev.), 20.3 (SD 2.2) gadu, ĶMI: 21.1 (SD 1.8) ar vismaz 10 gadu pieredzi sporta veidā un bez sāpēm ceļā locītavā. Pēdas plantārā spiediena novērtēšanai tika izmantotas viedā tekstilmateriāla zeķes, kurām uzšūti adītie virsmas tekstila stiepes sensori, kas izveidoti RTU; “Vienas kājas pietupiens” un tā variācijas funkcionālais tests. Dati tika analizēti, izmantojot aprakstošās un secinošās statistikas metodes.
Rezultāti. Pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena centra (CoP) vērtības statistiski ticami atšķīrās visu testu laikā labajai pēdai (p<0,00) un kreisajai pēdai (p<0,00). Tika konstatēta statistiski ticama atšķirība “Vienas kājas pietupiens – priekšējais” (p=0,019) un “Vienas kājas pietupiens – mugurējais” (p=0,045) testu laikā starp labās un kreisās pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena centra mērījumiem.
Secinājumi. Sievietēm sportistēm funkcionālā testa “Vienas kājas pietupiens” un tā variāciju izpildes laikā pēdas plantārās virsmas spiediena centra sadalījums vērojams pēdas mediālajā daļā, izvērtējot ar viedo tekstilmateriālu zeķu sistēmu.
Atslēgas vārdi. Pēdas plantārais spiediens, viedā tekstilmateriāla zeķu sensoru sistēma, pēdas plantārā spiediena novērtēšana, funkcionālais tests “Vienas kājas pietupiens” un tā variācijas.The title of Bachelor Thesis. Evaluation of foot plantar pressure changes in female athletes with a smart textile sock sensor system during functional tests.
Author. Riga Stradiņš University fourth year Physiotherapy student Anna Januškeviča.
Background. Increased plantar pressure on the medial side of the plantar surface of the foot in female athletes, is one of the risk factors for lower extremity injuries. Functional tests are one way to assess changes in foot plantar pressure. Functional tests are objectively performed in laboratory conditions; however, their performance is expensive and time consuming. The main disadvantage of clinical functional tests is subjectivity. The smart textile sock pressure sensor system is objective tool and it is easily applicable to detect changes in plantar surface pressure during simple functional activities. However, there is a lack of information on changes in plantar surface pressure measurements in female athletes using the smart textile sock pressure sensor system during functional tests.
Objective. To evaluate the changes in foot plantar pressure of female athletes with the smart textile sock sensor system during the performance of functional tests.
Methods. Quantitative, cross-sectional study design. Fourteen female athletes (n=14) (age 20.3 SD 2.2), body mass index 21.1 (SD 1.8), with at least 10 years experiance in sports and with absence of pain in the knee joint were recriuted. The smart textile sock with sewn on knitted stretch sensor system, developed by the Riga Technical University, was used as the assesment tool of the foot plantar pressure; “Single leg squat” functional test and its variations. Data were analized using descriptive and deductive statistical methods.
Results. The values of the plantar surface pressure center (CoP) of the foot differed statistically significantly during the whole tests for the right foot (p <0.00) and the left foot (p <0.00). A statistically significant difference was found during the “Single leg squat – Front” (p = 0.019) and “Single leg squat – Back” (p = 0.045) tests between the right and left foot plantar surface pressure center measurements.
Conclusions. For women athletes during the performance of the functional test “Single leg squat” and its variations, the distribution of the plantar surface pressure center of the foot can be observed in the medial part of the foot, evaluated with the smart textile sock sensor system.
Key words. Foot plantar pressure, smart textile sock sensor system, foot plantar pressure measurement, “Single leg squat” functional test and its variations
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