Reducing the Cost of Implementing Filters in LoRa Devices.

This paper presents two methods to optimize LoRa (Low-Power Long-Range) devices so that implementing multiplier-less pulse shaping filters is more economical. Basic chirp waveforms can be generated more efficiently using the method of chirp segmentation so that only a quarter of the samples needs to be stored in the ROM. Quantization can also be applied to the basic chirp samples in order to reduce the number of unique input values to the filter, which in turn reduces the size of the lookup table for multiplier-less filter implementation. Various tests were performed on a simulated LoRa system in order to evaluate the impact of the quantization error on the system performance. By examining the occupied bandwidth, fast Fourier transform used for symbol demodulation, and bit-error rates, it is shown that even performing a high level of quantization does not cause significant performance degradation. Therefore, the memory requirements of LoRa devices can be significantly reduced by using the methods of chirp segmentation and quantization so as to improve the feasibility of implementing multiplier-less filters in LoRa devices.

Structural variants of biodegradable polyesterurethane in vivo evoke a cellular and angiogenic response that is dictated by architecture.

The aim of this study was to investigate an in vivo tissue response to a biodegradable polyesterurethane, specifically the cellular and angiogenic response evoked by varying implant architectures in a subcutaneous rabbit implant model. A synthetic biodegradable polyesterurethane was synthesized and processed into three different configurations: a non-porous film, a porous mesh and a porous membrane. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine pericardium was used as a control. Sterile polyesterurethane and control samples were implanted subcutaneously in six rabbits (n=12). The rabbits were killed at 21 and 63 days and the implant sites were sectioned and histologically stained using haemotoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, picosirius red and immunostain CD31. The tissue-implant interface thickness was measured from the H&E slides. Stereological techniques were used to quantify the tissue reaction at each time point that included volume fraction of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, collagen and the degree of vascularization. Stereological analysis inferred that porous scaffolds with regular topography are better tolerated in vivo compared to non-porous scaffolds, while increasing scaffold porosity promotes angiogenesis and cellular infiltration. The results suggest that this biodegradable polyesterurethane is better tolerated in vivo than the control and that structural variants of biodegradable polyesterurethane in vivo evoke a cellular and angiogenic response that is dictated by architecture.

Using computed tomography scans to develop an ex-vivo gastric model.

The objective of this research was to use abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans to non-invasively quantify anthropometrical data of the human stomach and to concomitantly create an anatomically correct and distensible ex-vivo gastric model. Thirty-three abdominal CT scans of human subjects were obtained and were imported into reconstruction software to generate 3D models of the stomachs. Anthropometrical data such as gastric wall thickness, gastric surface area and gastric volume were subsequently quantified. A representative 3D computer model was exported into a selective laser sintering (SLS) rapid prototyping machine to create an anatomically correct solid gastric model. Subsequently, a replica wax template of the SLS model was created. A negative mould was offset around the wax template such that the offset distance was equivalent to that of the gastric wall thickness. A silicone with similar mechanical properties to the human stomach was poured into the offset. The lost wax manufacturing technique was employed to create a hollow distensible stomach model. 3D computer gastric models were generated from the CT scans. A hollow distensible silicone ex-vivo gastric model with similar compliance to that of the human stomach was created. The anthropometrical data indicated that there is no significant relationship between BMI and gastric surface area or gastric volume. There were inter- and intra-group differences between groups with respect to gastric wall thickness. This study demonstrates that abdominal CT scans can be used to both non-invasively determine gastric anthropometrical data as well as create realistic ex-vivo stomach models.

Characterization of a slowly degrading biodegradable polyester-urethane for tissue engineering scaffolds.

The purpose of this research was to develop and characterize a novel, slowly degrading polyester-urethane. In this study, a polyester-urethane with a crystalline segment of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid)-diol linked by a diisocyanate to an amorphous segment of poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide)-diol was synthesized. Porous and nonporous scaffolds were processed using electrospinning and solvent casting respectively. The morphology, pore size, and filament diameter of the mesh and film were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A degradation study was initiated to characterize the change in mechanical properties, molecular weight, and surface morphology over 12 months using tensile testing, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and SEM respectively. Concomitantly, cell morphology and viability on these variants were investigated using fibroblasts. The mechanical test data indicated a gradual decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and strain to break while the modulus of elasticity remained stable. GPC data suggested a slow decrease in the molecular weight while SEM examination revealed changed surface morphologies. The in vitro studies implied that the novel polyester-urethane was not cytotoxic and that the mesh was a more favorable scaffold towards cell viability. The summation of these results suggests that this polyester-urethane has the potential for tissue engineering applications.

Design of surgical meshes - an engineering perspective.

There is an increasing use of meshes to surgically repair or reconstruct anatomical defects. The surgical mesh firmly augments the debilitated area, provides a tension-free repair and facilitates the incorporation of fibrocollagenous tissue into the surgical mesh. However, the variant of mesh that facilitates best surgical practice is controversial. Surgical meshes have been predominantly designed with greater emphasis being placed on enhancing the biocompatibility of surgical meshes rather than on the engineering parameters. There is abundant evidence indicating a relationship between post-operative complications and the mesh design. Yet, the design of surgical meshes from an engineering perspective has to come to fruition. This article endeavours to present a synopsis of the current state of the science of surgical meshes, their clinical applications and the current trends in research.