In this paper a tunable multi-wavelength erbium doped fiber laser, based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, is presented. Here the interferometer is achieved by splicing a piece of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) between two segments of a single-mode fiber. The laser can emit a single, double, triple or quadruple line, which can be tuned from 1530 to 1556 nm by controlling the polarization state. Finally it is shown, by experimental results, that the laser has high stability at room temperature.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, being globally one of the most deadly diseases. This disease requires continually monitoring of the body’s glucose levels. There are different types of sensors for measuring glucose, most of them invasive to the patient. Fiber optic sensors have been proven to have advantages compared to conventional sensors and they have great potential for various applications, especially in the biomedical area. Compared to other sensors, they are smaller, easy to handle, mostly non-invasive, thus leading to a lower risk of infection, high precision, well correlated and inexpensive. The objective of this review article is to compare different types of fiber optic sensors made with different experimental techniques applied to biomedicine, especially for glucose sensing. Observations are made on the way of elaboration, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that each one could have in real applications.
Background
Serious games have been used as supportive therapy for traditional rehabilitation. However, most are designed without a systematic process to guide their development from the phases of requirement identification, planning, design, construction, and evaluation, which reflect the lack of adaptation of rehabilitation requirements and thus the patient’s needs.
Objective
The aim of this study was to propose a conceptual framework with standardized elements for the development of information systems by using a flexible and an adaptable process centered on the patient’s needs and focused on the creation of serious games for physical rehabilitation.
Methods
The conceptual framework is based on 3 fundamental concepts: (1) user-centered design, which is an iterative design process focused on users and their needs at each phase of the process, (2) generic structural activities of software engineering, which guides the independent development process regardless of the complexity or size of the problem, and (3) gamification elements, which allow the transformation of obstacles into positive and fun reinforcements, thereby encouraging patients in their rehabilitation process.
Results
We propose a conceptual framework to guide the development of serious games through a systematic process by using an iterative and incremental process applying the phases of context identification, user requirements, planning, design, construction of the interaction devices and video game, and evaluation.
Conclusions
This proposed framework will provide developers of serious games a systematic process with standardized elements for the development of flexible and adaptable software with a high level of patient commitment, which will effectively contribute to their rehabilitation process.
A method for obtaining nanosized LaCoO3crystals from calcination of a precursor powder synthesized by a hydrothermal route is reported. Details concerning the evolution of the microstructure and formation mechanism of the perovskite phase were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It was found that the morphology of the sample progressively turns from a mix of fibers and rods to interconnected nanocrystals. It is determined that LaCoO3phase is produced by a reaction of cobalt and lanthanum oxides, the latter produced by a two-step dehydration process of La(OH)3. Finally, it was found that nearly stoichiometric LaCoO3nanocrystals can be obtained at temperatures as low as 850°C. Nevertheless, whether higher calcination temperatures are used, appropriate reaction times and a controlled atmosphere are required in order to avoid formation of lanthanum carbonates and high density of lattice defects.
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