http://hdl.handle.net/10468/389 Sat, 02 Sep 2017 13:46:55 GMT 2017-09-02T13:46:55Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3687 Mobile cloud healthcare systems using the concept of point–of–care Alshareef, Hazzaa Naif Recent years have witnessed a rapid growth in delivering/accessing healthcare services on mobile devices. An example of a health practice/application that is benefiting from the mobile evolution is m–health, which is aimed at providing health services to mobile devices on the move. However, mobile devices have restricted computational and storage capacity, and run on batteries that have limited power. These limitations render m–health unable to run the demanding tasks that may be required for accessing/providing health services. The mobile cloud has recently been proposed as a solution for dealing with some of the limitations of mobile devices, such as low storage and computing capacity. However, introducing this solution into the m–health field is not straightforward, as the integration of this technology has specific limitations, such as disconnection issues and concerns over privacy and security. This thesis presents research work investigating the ability to introduce mobile cloud computing technology into the health field (e.g., m–health) to increase the chances of survival in cases of emergencies. This work focuses on providing help to people in emergencies by allowing them to seek/access help via mobile devices reliably and confidently, as well as the ability to build a communication platform between people who require help and professionals who are trusted and qualified to provide it. The concept of point–of–care has been used here, which means providing as much medical support to the public as possible where and when it is needed. This thesis proposes a mobile cloud middleware solution that enhances connectivity aspects by allowing users to create/join a mobile ad–hoc network (MANET) to seek help in the case of emergencies. On the other side, the cloud can reach users who do not have a direct link to the cloud or an Internet connection. The most important advantage of combining a MANET and a mobile cloud is that management tasks such as IP allocation and split/merge operations are shifted to the cloud, which means resources are saved on the mobile side. In addition, two mobile cloud services were designed which have the aim of interacting with users to facilitate help to be provided swiftly in the case of emergencies. The system was deployed and tested on Amazon EC2 cloud and Android–based mobile devices. Experimental results and the reference architecture show that the proposed middleware is feasible and meets pre–defined requirements, such as enhancing the robustness and reliability of the system. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3687 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3815 Rapid molecular signature analysis of pseudomonas aeruginosa by direct nanomolar detection of quorum sensing and biomarker molecules at a boron-doped diamond electrode Buzid, Alyah The thesis investigates a direct and sensitive method for the detection of biomolecules as indicators of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. This is of significant clinical importance for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) of which Ireland has one of the highest rates in the world per head of population. Cell-to-cell communication (quorum sensing, QS) in P. aeruginosa is an important pathway to triggering biofilms which create added complications for patients. Different conventional analytical methods for the analysis and detection of P. aeruginosa QS signaling molecules exist. An overview of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and the boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode are given. In this thesis, new approaches to separation and sensing these signaling molecules are developed. A method for the simultaneous separation of signaling molecules PYO, HHQ, and PQS using bare CE coupled with ultraviolet (UV) detection is an example. An optimized method on a bare CE is further applied to the analysis of P. aeruginosa PAO1 cell-free culture. Another solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the signaling molecules PYO, HHQ, and PQS using mixed mode cation exchange (MCX) SPE is developed. Monitoring the production of signaling molecules of PA14 bacterial cultures was performed using CE-UV after MCX SPE. Instant feedback and detection is important in a clinical setting which is a challenging objective. Investigations into the simultaneous electrochemical detection of these microbial metabolites PYO, HHQ, and PQS using the BDD electrode are investigated. The detection limits obtained using the BDD electrode were 50 nM for PYO, and 250 nM for both HHQ and PQS. The direct detection of the three signaling molecules in bacterial cultures and spiked CF sputum samples through in situ membrane disruption using a cationic surfactant are also presented with success. Significantly this direct detection method avoids the need for biomarker enrichment using liquid-liquid extraction or SPE. The electroanalysis behavior at glassy carbon (GC) and BDD electrodes is compared for the detection of another biomolecule of P. aeruginosa specifically the synthesized ruminal biomarker “barakacin”. At pH 2.0, the detection limit (S/N = 3) on the BDD electrode is 5 nM, 100-fold lower than that obtained on the GC electrode (500 nM). An optimized method using the BDD electrode was successfully extended to both spiked bovine fecal matter and human sputum samples of a CF patient. The detection sensitivity for barakacin was improved using Nafion or poly (diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to modify the BDD electrode through a layer-by-layer assembly technique. Also, the performance of the modified BDD electrode for the detection of barakacin was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified BDD electrode offers remarkable sensitivity, providing a limit of detection of 250 pM compared to 5 nM on the bare BDD electrode. The results presented represent a significant advance in the separation and sensing of biomarkers in diseases where outcomes can be greatly improved with early clinical intervention and where turnaround in analysis times is critical. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3815 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3685 Novel luminescent oxygen sensor systems for smart food packaging Kelly, Caroline Ann For industrial applications, solid-state O2 sensors based on the quenching of photoluminescence, should be accurate, robust, easy-to-use in a calibration-free manner. These sensors generally consist of an O2 sensitive luminescent dye in a polymer matrix. The properties of this matrix such as dye compatibility, O2 permeability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance have a significant influence on the sensors final operating parameters. Although used in many applications, the existing solid-state sensing materials and manufacturing processes remain complex, rigid and expensive for large scale fabrication while incurring a substantial extra cost. Currently, as few sensors fit these ideals, there is a need for new sensor materials, fabrication techniques and integration technologies. We created and evaluated five new solid-state O2 sensitive materials: four based on microporous polypropylene fabric materials and one on polyphenylene sulphide films. The onus was on simplifying composition of sensors and ergo reduction in material consumption and manufacturing cost. The sensors exhibited lifetime signals and working characteristics suitable for use in food packaging. When tested in food simulants and in direct contact with food, the sensor based on ungrafted polypropylene membrane fabricated by the swelling method, outperformed the other sensors. This sensor is cheaper than commercial sensors, is easily incorporated into current packaging materials by means of heat-sealing or lamination and has a storage shelf-life of at least 12 months when stored in normal atmospheric conditions. Proof-of-concept tests, using commercial sensors, were carried out for industry customers. Sensors were used to track oxygen levels in meat packaging and also to select optimum packaging for a beverage product. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3685 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3533 Development and deployment of wireless sensor networks O'Flynn, Brendan Since the late 1990's researchers in both academia and industry have been exploring ways to exploit the potential for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to revolutionise our understanding of, and interaction with, the world around us. WSNs have therefore been a major focus of research over the past 20 years. While WSNs offer a persuasive solution for accurate real-time sensing of the physical world, they are yet to be as ubiquitous as originally predicted when the technology was first envisaged. Technical difficulties exist which have inhibited the anticipated uptake in WSN technologies, the most challenging of these have been identified as system reliability, battery lifetime, maintenance requirements, node size and ease of use. Over the past decade the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) group at the Tyndall National institute has been at the forefront of driving the vision of ubiquitously deployed, extended lifetime, low power consumption embedded systems. These systems are required to provide information rich data streams wirelessly in (close to) real-time, be deployed in the world around us, and address the technical challenges associated with ensuring robust and reliable sensor streams and datasets. The work in this thesis is focused on investigating and addressing these challenges through the development of the new technologies and system integration methodologies required to facilitate and implement WSNs and validate these in real deployments. Specifically, this thesis describes the development and deployment of novel WSN systems in the built environment, in environmental monitoring and in fitness and health monitoring systems. The key research challenges identified and discussed are: a) The development of resource-constrained, extremely low power consumption systems incorporating energy-efficient hardware and software algorithms. b) The development of highly reliable extremely long duration deployments which through the use of appropriate energy harvesting solutions facilitate (near) zero maintenance sensor networks. c) The development of low power consumption miniaturised wearable microsystems. This thesis deals with each of these topics through a selection of peer reviewed publications addressing the theme of long-term, ‘zero maintenance’, low power consumption sensor networks. In this thesis the development of proposed systems and solutions to the key technology barriers to be overcome in the scaled deployment of sensor network systems is described which will enable WSNs to “be invisible, last forever, cost nothing and work out of the box”. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10468/3533 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z