Madalina Calbureanu

Investigator-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized comparative study on combined vacuum and intense pulsed light versus intense pulsed light devices in both comedonal and papulopustular acne

Abstract Introduction: The aim was to compare the treatment effectiveness of intense pulsed light (IPL) and vacuum versus IPL with placebo for mild to moderate comedonal and inflammatory acne. Patients and methods: We randomized 180 patients with mild to moderate comedonal and inflammatory acne into three groups: Group A – 60 patients treated with vacuum and IPL, Group V – 60 patients treated with IPL, and Group 0 (control group) – 60 patients who received topical treatment with Sebium H2O Micellaire Solution. We evaluated the results using the Leeds revised acne-grading system and Cardiff Acne Disability Index. Results: There was a significant reduction in the number of papules, pustules, and comedones in Groups A and V compared with those in the control group (p < 0.001) with a more rapid decrease of the papules from Group A compared with that from Group V. We found an improvement in the clinical aspect (p < 0.001) when we compared Groups A and V with controls. Patients belonging to Group A were more satisfied compared with those belonging to Group V (p = 0.004) and significantly more satisfied compared with those belonging to Group 0 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we consider that both the devices are efficient, the combination of vacuum and IPL representing a therapeutic option for the comedonal acne.

Dynamic Analysis of a Mobile Mechanical System with Deformable Elements

The paper presents a method for studying mechanisms with deformable elements, based on overlapping the solid rigid motion over the elastic solid one, in order to identify the dynamic response of the system. Modeling was based on finite element method, so the cinematic elements were meshed in bar type finite elements and the degrees of freedom per node were settled according to the motion character (planar or spatial). A Lagrange formulation of the finite element was adopted for the deformable elements connected in multibody systems. In order to define the joints constraints, the conditions for compatibility between elements were defined using a Boolean constant matrix. Computer processed results were verified by an experimental model.

Active House - A Building that Offers more than Consumes

Active House is a vision on some buildings that create a healthy and comfortable life for their occupants without influencing in a negative way the climate and environment - leading to a cleaner, healthier and safer world. Active House proposes a target framework for changing the way we build and renovate buildings in order to contribute positively to our health, safety and well-being, focusing on indoor and outdoor environment and on the effective use of energy.

F.E.M. Parametric Model Optimization of SERB-194C Device Used in Buildings Drift Limitation System

In this paper is presented a new parametric finite elements model of SERB-194C [1] device which is used in protecting the civil engineering structures during earthquakes by limitating the drifts of building stories and dissipating the energy received by the building structure during the earth surface shaking. The goal of this simulation is to determine the influence of the device components dimensions on the variation of forces-displacements device curve. Modifying the device components dimensions, the force-displacements device curve is changing the shape and the area which are related with the capacity of building drift limitation of SERB-194C device. By changing the hysteretic loop shape and dimensions this device can be optimized for different buildings and structures in order to properly diminish the story drift during ground shaking.