Polyaniline/poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) modified cellulose as promising material for sensors design.

A material based on cellulose coated with polyaniline/poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (Cell/PANI-PAMPSA) was synthesized in a simple way starting from cellulose fibres, aniline and using PAMPSA as dopant. The morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity were investigated by means of several complementary techniques. The obtained results highlight the excellent features of the Cell/PANI-PAMPSA composite with respect to the Cell/PANI one. Based on the promising performance of this material, novel device functions and wearable applications have been tested. We focused on its possible single use as: i) humidity sensors and ii) disposable biomedical sensors to provide immediate diagnostic services as close to the patient as possible for heart rate or respiration activity monitoring. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Cell/PANI-PAMPSA system has been used for such applications.

A simple and industrially scalable method for making a PANI-modified cellulose touch sensor.

In this work we present a simple, inexpensive, and easily scalable industrial paper process to prepare sheets of conductive cellulose fibers coated with polyanilines. First, bare fibers were coated by in situ oxidative polymerization of polyaniline then, the resulting composite fibers were used to fabricate electroactive sheets. The resistivity of the sheets is 14 ± 1 Ω sq-1, a value around 1000 times lower than those reported in literature. The superior electronic proprieties of the sheets were demonstrated by assembling a capacitive touch sensor device with optimized geometry. The touch sensor shows an increase of 3-4 % of the starting electric capacity after compression and a fast response time of 52 ms. To our knowledge this is the first time that a device is prepared in this way and therefore, the herein presented results can bring an significant improvement in the development of low-cost, green and high-tech electronic devices.

Relative cardiac cost and physical, mental and psychological work load among a group of post-operative care personnel.

Continuous registration of heart rate and careful minute-by-minute observation of all physical, mental and psychological job-related events was carried out in a group of nine post-operative care personnel. The relative cardiac cost (RCC) correlated significantly with the observed work events. The magnitude of participation of physical, mental and psychological work elements in the changes in RCC varied in the investigated subjects according to the type and magnitude of the different work events. However, collective data on the group indicated that changes in RCC were related mainly to physical effort and to a lesser, albeit significant, extent to psychological reaction. The results indicate the possibility of using the heart rate in monitoring working conditions and, probably, in guiding their improvement.

[Rokitansky syndrome. Description of a case in childhood]. / La sindrome di Rokitansky. Descrizione di un caso in età pediatrica.

A case of Rokitansky syndrome is reported in association with total agenesis of the uterus and vagina. All pathogenic, clinic, diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints are mentioned. The Authors emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis and careful psychological training of patients and their families since a successful reconstructive treatment depends upon an absolute and lasting cooperation.