Design and Ballistic Performance of Hybrid Plates Manufactured from Aramid Composites for Developing Multilayered Armor Systems.

In this study, the impact resistance of aramid fabric reinforced with shear thickening fluids (STFs), epoxy or polyurea elastomers is examined through ballistic tests. According to the ballistic test results, the aramid composite structure treated with polyurea elastomers absorbs the most impact energy per unit area density and has the best impact resistance. However, the occurrence of stress concentration during ballistic impact reduces the impact resistance of the aramid composite structure treated with epoxy. On the other hand, aramid fabric impregnated with STF improves structural protection, but it also increases the weight of the composite structure and reduces the specific energy absorption (SEA). The results of this study analyze the energy absorption properties, deformation characteristics, and damage modes of different aramid composites, which will be of interest to future researchers developing next-generation protective equipment.

Using a New Circular Prediction Algorithm to Design an IMM Filter for Low Update Rate Radar System.

For radar systems with low update rates; such as track-while-scan (TWS) systems using rotating phased array antennas; reducing the prediction error is a very important issue. A good interacting multiple models (IMM) hybrid filter combined with circular and linear filters that are defined in relation to three measurements has been proposed in the literature. However; the algorithm requires three previous measurements; and too much prior information will result in a reduced ability to predict the future position of a highly maneuvering target. A new circular prediction algorithm for maneuvering target tracking is proposed as a non-linear prediction filter in this paper. Based on this new predictor; we also proposed a new type of IMM filter that has good estimation performance for high maneuvering targets. The proposed hybrid filter is entirely defined in relation to two measurements in a three-dimensional space to obtain a better maneuver following capability than the three measurements hybrid filter. Two target profiles are included for a comparison of the performance of our proposed scheme with that of the conventional circular; linear and IMM filters. The simulation results show that under low update rates; the proposed filter has a faster and more stable estimation response than other filters.

The use of portable computer for information acquirement during anesthesiologist's ward round in acute pain service.

BACKGROUND: The Acute Pain Service Information Management System (APSIMS), as we coined, is the utilization of a portable computer to register the data of the patients who need acute pain management during anesthesiologist's ward round. Initially, the data of the daily acute pain assessment at the ward are recorded on a sheet of paper by the rounding anesthesiologist, which are subsequently entered into the hospital main frame computer by an anesthetic nurse. In order to save manpower in data entry, we planned to introduce the personal digital assistant (PDA) into acute pain assessment. The anesthesiologist can record a patient's data directly into the PDA device at the bedside. After acute pain assessment is finished, we can directly up load the data from the PDA to the hospital mainframe computer without the need of further manpower for doing data input. This study was to evaluate the use of PDA for acute pain assessment and compare the PDA-based method with that of the current paper-transcription method in work efficiency. METHODS: Two computer applications were developed: the APS Mobile Assistant and the Data Transformation Wizard (DTW). The APS Mobile Assistant is a PDA application running on a portable computer with Windows Mobile 2003 operation system. The anesthesiologist can use this application to perform APS assessment at the bedside. The Data Transformation Wizard is a PC application which can transfer data from the PDA device to the hospital mainframe computer, by which the data in the PDA system can be integrated into the hospital information system. The evaluation included the reckoning of the timings of two periods i.e. the time spent by the physician to perform acute pain assessment at the bedside and the time required for data management by the nurse. To compare the paper-transcription method with the PDA-based technique, the Student's t test was performed to assess the data of time of each category collected. A P value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: When the time required for assessment of acute pain was determined, no statistically significant difference was observed between the use of the paper-transcription-based system and the PDA system (P = 0.258). In comparison the PDA system was clearly shown to facilitate faster management of data (Paper-transcription method: 1.57 +/- 0.08 min per patient compared with PDA-based method: 0.24 +/- 0.01 min per patient, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of PDA device during APS assessment can provide the anesthesiologists with more time to acquire information during APS visits. Using the PDA technology in clinical settings can increase work efficiency. We can save manpower and are convinced that data collection is more complete with the use of a PDA system.

Methemoglobinemia induced by exposure to topical benzocaine for an awake nasal intubation--a case report.

Topical benzocaine and lidocaine are widely used in general anesthesia to minimize the stimulation by awake intubation and in very rare occasion they may induce methemoglobinemia. Although this complication is uncommon, it may be potentially lethal. Here we report a 29-year-old female who was scheduled to receive correction of malocclusion and developed acute methemoglobinemia soon after induction of general anesthesia. Three weeks ago, she had received open reduction for fracture of mandible with intermaxillary fixation under general anesthesia, for which awake fiberoptic intubation was smoothly performed after premedication with 2% topical lidocaine and intravenous fentanyl. This time, trachomucosal block with 4 mL of 4% topical lidocaine and spray of 20% topical benzocaine over the oral cavity and nostrils were carried out before intubation. Awake blind intubation was performed because she could not open her mouth for more than 1 cm. A 6.5 mm-sized nasal endotracheal tube was smoothly placed in first attempt. About 10 min later, an unexplained cyanosis occurred and SpO2 fell to about 70%. Based on a high oxygen tension by arterial blood gas analysis (PaO2) with a contradictory fall of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2), acute methemoglobinemia was highly suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed by multiple-wavelength CO-oximetry. The methemoglobinemia was resolved gradually after methylene blue was given. In conclusion, we must always take the possibility of methemoglobinemia into consideration for differential diagnosis in case of unexplained cyanosis, particularly when patients have prior exposure to methemoglobin-inducing agents.

Hypothyroidism and cerebral infarction: a case report and literature review.

Thyroid hormone has been studied in cardiovascular disease but rarely in cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Recently, hypothyroidism has been suggested to be related to risk factors such as atherosclerosis but not directly to CVD. We reported a 52-year-old woman with acute ischemic stroke, and greatly improved general conditions after thyroid hormone replacement. Hypothyroidism is reported to be one of the causes of hypertension or elevated cholesterol levels, the established risk factors of CVD. Further studies of the possible association of thyroid hormone and CVD are warranted. Thyroid hormone might need to be surveyed in CVD patients especially if there are symptoms and signs of thyroid disorders.

Acute pain service management system. The successful experience of the hospital computerization and utilization of personal digital assistant.

Personal digital assistants (PDA) are increasingly being used in many medical fields. The object of this study is to introduce how the hospital computerization and the utilization of PDA can help to reduce the time of data processing for Acute Pain Service. After this study completed, we found that the use of PDA can dramatically reduce the time of data management and improve the quality of medical records.