Field performance of a low-cost and fully-automated blood counting system operated by trained and untrained users (Conference Presentation)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dengling Xie ◽  
Yanjun Xie ◽  
Peng Liu ◽  
Lieshu Tong ◽  
Kaiqin Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Counting System

Field Performance of a Constructed Litter Trap with Oil and Grease Filter using Low-cost Materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Nazahiyah Rahmat ◽  
◽  
Algheethi Adel Ali Saeed Abduh ◽  
Ahmad Zurisman Mohd Ali ◽  
Mohd Adib Mohammad Razi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Oil And Grease

scholarly journals “Mass Centre” Vectorization Algorithm for Vehicle’s Counting Portable Video System

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-297
Author(s):  
Vladislav Gaidash ◽  
Alexander Grakovski
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Intelligent Transport Systems ◽  
Basic Algorithm ◽  
Counting System ◽  
Object A ◽  
Intelligent Transport ◽  
Mass Centre ◽  
Mobile Vehicle

Abstract Vehicle counting is one of the most basic challenges during the development and establishment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). The main reason for vehicle counting is the necessity of monitoring and maintaining the transport infrastructure, preventing different kind of faults such as traffic jams. The main applied solution to this problem is video surveillance, which is presented by different kind of systems. Some of these systems use a network of static traffic cameras, expensive for establish and maintain, or mobile units, fast for redeployment, but fewer in diversity. In this paper, one particular concept of a low-cost mobile vehicle counting system is investigated, which uses an object detection method based on calculating “mass centre” of detected features of possible object. A hypothesis of improvement of the basic algorithm was formulated and a modification was proposed. In order to prove the hypothesis, both basic and modified algorithms were tested and evaluated.

scholarly journals Field Performance of Three-way Cross Yellow and White Maize Hybrids in Nepal

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Mahendra Prasad Tripathi ◽  
Keshab Babu Koirala ◽  
Damodar Gautam ◽  
Subash Subedi ◽  
Jharana Upadhyay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Experimental Plot ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Maize Hybrids ◽  
Lattice Design ◽  
Wheat Improvement ◽  
Resource Poor

Maize hybrids can increase production, bridge the yield gap, and boost up domestic production in Nepal. Three-way cross hybrid introduces an alternative to produce low cost hybrid seed for resource poor farmers. A study was performed to identify promising yellow and white maize hybrids developed by International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), Mexico in Rampur, Nepal. Nineteen three-way cross white maize hybrids with two checks and seventeen yellow maize hybrids with one check were tested in field experiments on 2017 and 2018. Treatments were replicated twice in α-lattice design with each experimental plot of 9.6-m2 (4-m × 2.4-m). AF17A-426-13/14, AF17A-426-1/2, AF17A-426-28/39, and AF17A-426-15/16 were the three-way cross white hybrids produced grain yield of more than 9000 kg ha-1. Similarly, AF17A-473-20/29 and AF17A-473-18/27 yielded about 9000 kg ha-1 among the three-way cross yellow maize hybrids. These hybrids have commercial potentials to increase maize yield in Nepal if the provided parents are successful in the seed production.

scholarly journals Field performance of NowCheck Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 in Kisumu County, western Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon N Onsongo ◽  
Kephas Otieno ◽  
Shannen van Duijn ◽  
Hellen Barsosio ◽  
Emily R Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly adopting low-cost Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid antigen tests to meet the high demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Whilst testing using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the current gold standard, its widespread use in LMICs is limited by high costs, turnaround times and is not readily available in most places. COVID-19 antigen tests (Ag-RDT) provide a suitable alternative due to their low cost, rapid turnaround time and easy to set up and use. This study aimed to assess the field performance of the NowCheck COVID-19 antigen kit (Ag-RDT) as a point of care test (POCT) in select healthcare facilities in western Kenya. Methods We conducted a prospective multi-facility field evaluation study of the NowCheck COVID-19 rapid antigen test (Ag-RDT) compared to SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR (RT-PCR). After obtaining informed consent, trained laboratory technicians collected two pairs of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs, both antigen and RT-PCR testing, first for Ag-RDT and next for RT-PCR. We performed Ag-RDTs on-site and shared the results with both the study participants and their healthcare providers within 15-30 minutes. We carried out all RT-PCR tests in a central referral laboratory. The turnaround time for RT-PCR results was typically 24-48 hours. We captured the results of both methods using an electronic digital application. Findings Between December 2020 and March 2021, we enrolled 997 participants who met the Kenyan Ministry of Health COVID-19 case definition. The median age of study participants was 39 years (range one to 80 years), with 54% male. Ag-RDT had a sensitivity of 84.5% (76.0-90.8) and a specificity of 94.4% (95% CI: 92.7-95.8) with an accuracy of 94.2% (92.5- 95.6) when a cycle threshold value (Ct value) of ≤35 was used. The highest sensitivity of 87.7% (77.2-94.5) was observed in samples with Ct values ≤ 30 and the highest specificity of 97.5% (96.2-98.5) at Ct value of <40. Interpretation The NowCheck COVID-19 Ag-RDT showed good performance in field evaluation in multiple healthcare facilities in a developing country. The sensitivity of the kit exceeded the minimum recommended cut-off of 80% as recommended by WHO1. The high specificity of this kit at 94.4% at Ct values ≤33 and 97.5% at Ct values <40 matched that of real-time PCR, making it a good rule-out test for symptomatic patients with COVID-19- like symptoms. The faster turnaround time to results, lower cost, simple analytical steps requiring no equipment or infrastructure makes antigen testing an attractive field-screening method to meet the high demand for COVID-19 testing.

scholarly journals Development and validation of a data logger for thermal characterization in laying hen facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 787-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia C. da S. R. Freitas ◽  
Ilda de F. F. Tinôco ◽  
Richard S. Gates ◽  
Matteo Barbari ◽  
Márcia G. L. Cândido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Relative Error ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Calibration Equations

ABSTRACT The environmental monitoring in animal facilities that includes collected data storage in a robust, practical and feasible way is a constant challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable data logger for monitoring the air temperature and air relative humidity of aviaries and to assess the adequacy of the design using commercially available reference standard instruments. The experimental data logger was installed together with a commercial data logger, a mercury thermometer and a calibrated Vaisala HMP110 air relative humidity probe in a meteorological shelter. Linear regression analysis was performed with the collected air temperature and air relative humidity to develop calibration equations. The Nash-Sutcliffe Index and the relative error were calculated to validate the experimental data logger. The air temperature and the air relative humidity calibration equations presented Nash-Sutcliffe of 0.993 and -0.281 for the commercial data logger, and 0.913 and 0.932 for the experimental data. The mean relative error of the air temperature readings was 3 and 1% and for air relative humidity 5 and 20%, for the experimental and commercial logger, respectively. The experimental data logger reliably stored all collected data without error to the micro-SD card. The experimental data logger can be considered low-cost and sufficiently accurate for monitoring air temperature and air relative humidity in aviaries, presenting field performance very close to the commercial data logger for air temperature measurement, and better performance than the commercial data logger for the measurement of air relative humidity.

scholarly journals Sustainable Polymers from Recycled Waste Plastics and Their Virgin Counterparts as Bitumen Modifiers: A Comprehensive Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 3242
Author(s):  
Sabzoi Nizamuddin ◽  
Yeong Jia Boom ◽  
Filippo Giustozzi
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
Polymer Modification ◽  
Chemical Companies ◽  
Recycled Plastics ◽  
Bitumen Modification

The failure of bituminous pavements takes place due to heavy traffic loads and weather-related conditions, such as moisture, temperature, and UV radiation. To overcome or minimize such failures, a great effort has been put in recent years to enhance the material properties of bitumen, ultimately improving field performance and increasing the pavement service life. Polymer modification is considered one of the most suitable and by far the most popular approach. Elastomers, chemically functionalised thermoplastics and plastomers * (* Note: notwithstanding the fact that in Polymer Science the word ‘plastomer’ indicates a polymer with the simultaneous behaviour of an elastomer and plastics (thermoplastics), this paper uses the term ‘plastomer’ to indicate a thermoplastic polymer as it is more commonly found in Civil and Pavement Engineering.) are the most commonly used polymers for bitumen modification. Plastomers provide several advantages and are commonly acknowledged to improve high-temperature stiffness, although some of them are more prone to phase separation and consequent storage instability. Nowadays, due to the recent push for recycling, many road authorities are looking at the use of recycled plastics in roads. Hence, some of the available plastomers—in pellet, flakes, or powder form—are coming from materials recycling facilities rather than chemical companies. This review article describes the details of using plastomers as bitumen modifiers—with a specific focus on recycled plastics—and how these can potentially be used to enhance bitumen performance and the road durability. Chemical modifiers for improving the compatibility between plastomers and bitumen are also addressed in this review. Plastomers, either individual or in combination of two or three polymers, are found to offer great stiffness at high temperature. Different polymers including HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, PP, PS, PET, EMA, and EVA have been successfully employed for bitumen modification. However, each of them has its own merit and demerit as thoroughly discussed in the paper. The recent push in using recycled materials in roads has brought new light to the use of virgin and recycled plastomers for bitumen modification as a low-cost and somehow environmental beneficial solution for roads and pavements.

Diamond Enhanced Shear Cutting Elements on Roller Cone Bits

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan E. Scott ◽  
Marc R. Skeem
Keyword(s):  
Tungsten Carbide ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Polycrystalline Diamond ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Drill Bits ◽  
Carbide Inserts ◽  
Carbide Insert ◽  
Breakthrough Invention

Abstract Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutters and drag bit designs have been substantially improved since their 1972 introduction, and PCD drill bits now are approaching the rolling cone tungsten carbide insert (TCI) market is terms of revenue size and have surpassed it in terms of economic impact on the drilling industry.1,2 These performance improvements have lead to a significant encroachment into the drill bit market built upon the breakthrough invention of the rolling cone bit by Howard Hughes Sr. Material and design improvements in the last decade, however, have now led to the successful application of patented shear cutting PCD elements as well as conventional diamond enhanced crushing style inserts on rolling cone bits. Diamond enhanced rolling cone bits are also a growth market for diamond elements in drilling. Failing rock in shear is a more efficient process than by crushing, but most cutting materials can not stand up to the forces generated in the shearing process as rock strength increases. To take advantage of the unique ability of the PCD cutter to shear rock efficiently, a concerted R&D effort supported by laboratory and field-testing led to the application of diamond as a shear cutting element on roller cone bits. A variety of rolling cone shear cutting elements have been developed and successfully commercialized in the last decade. This paper will discuss laboratory results and increased field performance achieved relative to conventional crushing style diamond and tungsten carbide inserts. The authors will document through case studies increases in rate of penetration (ROP), footage, overall durability, and gauge holding ability in addition to bearing/seal effectiveness that have further reduced drilling costs and served to increase usage of polycrystalline diamond elements on roller cone bits. These applications range from such diverse markets as high cost offshore North Sea, to low cost North American land operations.

scholarly journals Field Performance and Diagnostic Accuracy of a Low-Cost Instrument-Free Point-of-Care CD4 Test (Visitect CD4) Performed by Different Health Worker Cadres among Pregnant Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Luchters ◽  
Karl Technau ◽  
Yasmin Mohamed ◽  
Matthew F. Chersich ◽  
Paul A. Agius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Finger Prick

ABSTRACT Measuring CD4 counts remains an important component of HIV care. The Visitect CD4 is the first instrument-free low-cost point-of-care CD4 test with results interpreted visually after 40 min, providing a result of ≥350 CD4 cells/mm3. The field performance and diagnostic accuracy of the test was assessed among HIV-infected pregnant women in South Africa. A nurse performed testing at the point-of-care using both venous and finger-prick blood, and a counselor and laboratory staff tested venous blood in the clinic laboratory (four Visitect CD4 tests/participant). Performance was compared to the mean CD4 count from duplicate flow cytometry tests on venous blood (FACSCalibur Trucount). In 2017, 156 patients were enrolled, providing a total of 624 Visitect CD4 tests (468 venous and 156 finger-prick samples). Of 624 tests, 28 (4.5%) were inconclusive. Generalized linear mixed modeling showed better performance of the test on venous blood (sensitivity = 81.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 72.3 to 91.1]; specificity = 82.6%, 95% CI = 77.1 to 88.1) than on finger-prick specimens (sensitivity = 60.7%; 95% CI = 45.0 to 76.3; specificity = 89.5%, 95% CI = 83.2 to 95.8; P = 0.001). No difference in performance was detected by cadre of health worker (P = 0.113) or between point-of-care versus laboratory-based testing (P = 0.108). Adequate performance of Visitect CD4 with different operators and at the point of care, with no need of electricity or instrument, shows the potential utility of this device, especially for facilitating decentralization of CD4 testing services in rural areas.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document