scholarly journals Pre-Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study of a Bladder Irrigation Feedback System for Gross Haematuria in a Lab Setup

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Yun Hol Chan ◽  
Kelven Weijing Chen ◽  
Qinghui Wu ◽  
Edmund Chiong ◽  
Hongliang Ren
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Blood Concentration ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Drainage Fluid ◽  
Bladder Irrigation ◽  
Inter Observer Variability ◽  
Gross Haematuria ◽  
Sensor Probe

Conventional continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) systems used in Urology have been labor-intensive and challenging for healthcare workers to manage consistently due to inter-observer variability in interpreting the blood concentration in the drainage fluid. The team has come up with a feedback system to control the saline flow-rate. It consists of a sensor probe that measures blood concentration in drainage fluid by measuring the light intensity absorbed by the samples. The other component is a gripper that adjusts the saline flow-rate based on the blood concentration detected. Results have shown that probe utilizing green color LED light can measure blood concentration between 0 and 18 percent. Besides, the gripper actuates to the blood concentration values detected accordingly. The quantification process reduces or even eradicates human error due to the subjective assessment of individual medical professionals.

scholarly journals SMART BIOFEEDBACK EXPECTORANT SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE LUNG CAPACITIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Anandh ◽  
R. Vasuki ◽  
Raid Saleem Al Baradie
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Sampled Data ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
The Status ◽  
Forced Expiratory Flow ◽  
Expiratory Flow

The Biofeedback Expectorant is a device which is designed for patients sufferingfrom various lung disorders, associated with the production and secretion of excessivequantities of mucus within the airways and help to loosen the mucous so that it tendsto be hacked from the lungs. Meanwhile, the mucous in the lungs becomes thick anddifficult to wash out from the air routes. When this mucous remain in the air routes, itblocks airways and becomes hard to relax. The disease is likely to be conceivable ifthe mucous remains permanently in the air routes. When one breathes out through thisdevice, it bounces the ball inside to it. This action produces signals around 15 Hz andforward the vibration via the air ways. This amalgamation of enhanced intensity andvibration aids the mucous in moving into the air ways where it remains. Some patientscan’t blow for a longer duration, therefore a feedback system is designed in such away that the pressure is measured using a pressure sensor. If the value goes below thecertain threshold limit the beep sound is heard and a light indication is provided sothat we can find whether the patient should blow effectively. The Blowing time (howmuch time duration the patient is blowing) was measured and display in the LCDscreen. The forced expiratory flow volume (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate(PEFR) was calculated that gives an idea about the status of the lungs. The MannWhitney U Test was conducted with α = 0.05 for the sampled data, the results showthat the data is statistically significant. This device is small, portable, and easy to usewith no side effects.

Direct analysis of the effector mechanism of the tubuloglomerular feedback system

1982 ◽  
Vol 243 (5) ◽  
pp. F447-F455 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ichikawa
Keyword(s):  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Feedback Regulation ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Ringer Solution ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Hydraulic Pressure ◽  
Effector Mechanism

The determinants of single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) were examined in Munich-Wistar rats by direct glomerular micropuncture during orthograde perfusion of the same nephron's loop of Henle with isotonic Ringer solution at O and 40 nl/min. At the higher loop flow rate, SNGFR decreased significantly by approximately 35% relative to the nonperfused condition. Whereas indirect stop-flow estimates of mean glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure (PGC) also decreased significantly by approximately 8 mmHg, directly measured PGC values were found to be unaffected by the change in loop flow rate. Instead, both glomerular plasma flow rate (QA) and the ultrafiltration coefficient were found to decrease significantly at the higher loop flow rate, thereby accounting for the measured reduction in SNGFR. Given the observed near constancy of directly measured PGC and significant reduction in QA, both afferent and effect arteriolar resistances were calculated to increase in response to the higher loop perfusion rate. In a separate set of experiments, it was demonstrated that cessation of glomerular filtration increased directly measured PGC in the condition of zero loop perfusion but not when the loop was perfused at a high flow rate. These results indicate 1) that tubuloglomerular feedback-induced changes in SNGFR are not accompanied by changes in PGC; and 2) that tubuloglomerular feedback regulation of GFR is mediated by alterations in vasomotor tone of preglomerular, glomerular, and postglomerular microvessels. 3) Based on the close anatomical contact between mesangial cells and these vessels, a single effector mechanism channeled through mesangial contractility is suggested.

scholarly journals Water Jet Automation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
Michael Paszczuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Traverse Speed ◽  
Water Jet ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Tolerance Zone ◽  
Helpful Tool ◽  
Water Jet Cutting

Water jet cutting has been an extremely helpful tool that creates flawless parts with tolerances up to 0.1 mm. During the cutting process, it is important to note that each step must be optimized to create the best finish or maintain the correct tolerance zone. These steps are composed of abrasive mass flow rate, traverse speed, and standoff distance. In order for these optimization techniques to be followed a strict set of rules must be followed to ensure consistent progression. Programs such as MATLAB can be utilized to reduce human error in the calculations. MATLAB files can then be saved to use with other materials and thickness combinations.

scholarly journals Oral Health in Elders with Parkinson's Disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giselle Rodrigues Ribeiro ◽  
Camila Heitor Campos ◽  
Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Salivary Flow ◽  
Salivary Flow Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Removable Prosthesis

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate objectively and subjectively the oral health of elders with Parkinson's disease (PD), using clinical oral assessments and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Subjects included 37 removable prosthesis wearers, 17 with PD (mean age 69.59±5.09 years) and 20 without PD (mean age 72.00±5.69 years). The objective assessment included an evaluation of oral characteristics, including the number of remaining teeth, decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT), visible plaque index (VPI), salivary flow rate and removable prosthesis conditions. The subjective assessment included self-perception of oral health collected using the GOHAI index. The number of remaining teeth, DMFT, VPI, salivary flow rate and GOHAI data were compared between the groups using t-tests. Removable prosthesis conditions were analyzed using χ2 tests (p<0.05). There were no group differences in the number of remaining teeth, DMFT, VPI or salivary flow rate (p>0.05). Greater maxillary prosthesis defects were observed in the control group (p=0.037). GOHAI scores were low for the PD group and moderate for controls, yielding a group difference (p=0.04). In conclusion, elders with PD have similar oral health to controls. Although all elders had few remaining teeth, high DMFT and high VPI, PD elders had more negative self-perceptions of their oral health than did the controls.

A Novel Reconstitution Method for Inducing the Formation of Regular 2-Dimensional Arrays of Membrane Proteins and Lipids

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 152-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Engel ◽  
A. Holzenburg ◽  
K. Stauffer ◽  
J. Rosenbusch ◽  
U. Aebi
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Electron Crystallography ◽  
Peltier Element ◽  
Protein Ratio ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
3 Dimensional

Reconstitution of solubilized and purified membrane proteins in the presence of phospholipids into vesicles allows their functions to be studied by simple bulk measurements (e.g. diffusion of differently sized solutes) or by conductance measurements after transformation into planar membranes. On the other hand, reconstitution into regular protein-lipid arrays, usually forming at a specific lipid-to-protein ratio, provides the basis for determining the 3-dimensional structure of membrane proteins employing the tools of electron crystallography.To refine reconstitution conditions for reproducibly inducing formation of large and highly ordered protein-lipid membranes that are suitable for both electron crystallography and patch clamping experiments aimed at their functional characterization, we built a flow-dialysis device that allows precise control of temperature and flow-rate (Fig. 1). The flow rate is generated by a peristaltic pump and can be adjusted from 1 to 500 ml/h. The dialysis buffer is brought to a preselected temperature during its travel through a meandering path before it enters the dialysis reservoir. A Z-80 based computer controls a Peltier element allowing the temperature profile to be programmed as function of time.

Experiments with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) mounted in a scanning electron microscope (SEM)

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 636-639
Author(s):  
Oliver C. Wells ◽  
Mark E. Welland
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscope ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Tunneling Current ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Surface Profiling ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Metal Tip ◽  
Scanning Electron

Scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) exist in two versions. In both of these, a pointed metal tip is scanned in close proximity to the specimen surface by means of three piezos. The distance of the tip from the sample is controlled by a feedback system to give a constant tunneling current between the tip and the sample. In the low-end STM, the system has a mechanical stability and a noise level to give a vertical resolution of between 0.1 nm and 1.0 nm. The atomic resolution STM can show individual atoms on the surface of the specimen.A low-end STM has been put into the specimen chamber of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The first objective was to investigate technological problems such as surface profiling. The second objective was for exploratory studies. This second objective has already been achieved by showing that the STM can be used to study trapping sites in SiO2.

Novel epoxy/anhydride alternatives for biological electron microscopy: Physical and performance characteristis of embed 812 and LX 112 in combination with NSA/NMA/DMAE

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 1000-1001
Author(s):  
Joe A. Mascorro ◽  
Gerald S. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Succinic Anhydride ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Volume Flow ◽  
Base Resin ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Acid Anhydrides

Embedding media based upon an epoxy resin of choice and the acid anhydrides dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), nadic methyl anhydride (NMA), and catalyzed by the tertiary amine 2,4,6-Tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol (DMP-30) are widely used in biological electron microscopy. These media possess a viscosity character that can impair tissue infiltration, particularly if original Epon 812 is utilized as the base resin. Other resins that are considerably less viscous than Epon 812 now are available as replacements. Likewise, nonenyl succinic anhydride (NSA) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) are more fluid than their counterparts DDSA and DMP- 30 commonly used in earlier formulations. This work utilizes novel epoxy and anhydride combinations in order to produce embedding media with desirable flow rate and viscosity parameters that, in turn, would allow the medium to optimally infiltrate tissues. Specifically, embeding media based on EmBed 812 or LX 112 with NSA (in place of DDSA) and DMAE (replacing DMP-30), with NMA remaining constant, are formulated and offered as alternatives for routine biological work.Individual epoxy resins (Table I) or complete embedding media (Tables II-III) were tested for flow rate and viscosity. The novel media were further examined for their ability to infilftrate tissues, polymerize, sectioning and staining character, as well as strength and stability to the electron beam and column vacuum. For physical comparisons, a volume (9 ml) of either resin or media was aspirated into a capillary viscocimeter oriented vertically. The material was then allowed to flow out freely under the influence of gravity and the flow time necessary for the volume to exit was recored (Col B,C; Tables). In addition, the volume flow rate (ml flowing/second; Col D, Tables) was measured. Viscosity (n) could then be determined by using the Hagen-Poiseville relation for laminar flow, n = c.p/Q, where c = a geometric constant from an instrument calibration with water, p = mass density, and Q = volume flow rate. Mass weight and density of the materials were determined as well (Col F,G; Tables). Infiltration schedules utilized were short (1/2 hr 1:1, 3 hrs full resin), intermediate (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) , or long (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) in total time. Polymerization schedules ranging from 15 hrs (overnight) through 24, 36, or 48 hrs were tested. Sections demonstrating gold interference colors were collected on unsupported 200- 300 mesh grids and stained sequentially with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.

Severe Drooling and Treatment With Botulinum Toxin

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Merete Bakke ◽  
Allan Bardow ◽  
Eigild Møller
Keyword(s):  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Acetylcholine Release ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Rate Reduction ◽  
Local Inhibition ◽  
Surgical Treatments

Severe drooling is associated with discomfort and psychosocial problems and may constitute a health risk. A variety of different surgical and non-surgical treatments have been used to diminish drooling, some of them with little or uncertain effect and others more effective but irreversible or with side effects. Based on clinical evidence, injection with botulinum toxin (BTX) into the parotid and submandibular glands is a useful treatment option, because it is local, reversible, and with few side effects, although it has to be repeated. The mechanism of BTX is a local inhibition of acetylcholine release, which diminishes receptor-coupled secretion and results in a flow rate reduction of 25–50% for 2–7 months.

An Alternative Method for Identifying a Failed Engine in Twin-Engine Propeller Aircraft

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111
Author(s):  
Andrey K. Babin ◽  
Andrew R. Dattel ◽  
Margaret F. Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
Flight Simulator ◽  
Traditional Group ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Alternative Method ◽  
Indicator Group ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Engine Failure ◽  
And Performance

Abstract. Twin-engine propeller aircraft accidents occur due to mechanical reasons as well as human error, such as misidentifying a failed engine. This paper proposes a visual indicator as an alternative method to the dead leg–dead engine procedure to identify a failed engine. In total, 50 pilots without a multi-engine rating were randomly assigned to a traditional (dead leg–dead engine) or an alternative (visual indicator) group. Participants performed three takeoffs in a flight simulator with a simulated engine failure after rotation. Participants in the alternative group identified the failed engine faster than the traditional group. A visual indicator may improve pilot accuracy and performance during engine-out emergencies and is recommended as a possible alternative for twin-engine propeller aircraft.

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