scholarly journals Engineering Microneedle Patches for Improved Penetration: Analysis, Skin Models and Factors Affecting Needle Insertion

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooyan Makvandi ◽  
Melissa Kirkby ◽  
Aaron R. J. Hutton ◽  
Majid Shabani ◽  
Cynthia K. Y. Yiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Penetration ◽  
Needle Insertion ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Current Review ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Pain Signal

AbstractTransdermal microneedle (MN) patches are a promising tool used to transport a wide variety of active compounds into the skin. To serve as a substitute for common hypodermic needles, MNs must pierce the human stratum corneum (~ 10 to 20 µm), without rupturing or bending during penetration. This ensures that the cargo is released at the predetermined place and time. Therefore, the ability of MN patches to sufficiently pierce the skin is a crucial requirement. In the current review, the pain signal and its management during application of MNs and typical hypodermic needles are presented and compared. This is followed by a discussion on mechanical analysis and skin models used for insertion tests before application to clinical practice. Factors that affect insertion (e.g., geometry, material composition and cross-linking of MNs), along with recent advancements in developed strategies (e.g., insertion responsive patches and 3D printed biomimetic MNs using two-photon lithography) to improve the skin penetration are highlighted to provide a backdrop for future research.

scholarly journals The sights and insights of examiners in objective structured clinical examinations

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Chong ◽  
Silas Taylor ◽  
Matthew Haywood ◽  
Barbara-Ann Adelstein ◽  
Boaz Shulruf
Keyword(s):  
Medical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Robust Methods ◽  
Contrast Effects ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Salient Points ◽  
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations

Purpose: The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is considered to be one of the most robust methods of clinical assessment. One of its strengths lies in its ability to minimise the effects of examiner bias due to the standardisation of items and tasks for each candidate. However, OSCE examiners’ assessment scores are influenced by several factors that may jeopardise the assumed objectivity of OSCEs. To better understand this phenomenon, the current review aims to determine and describe important sources of examiner bias and the factors affecting examiners’ assessments. Methods: We performed a narrative review of the medical literature using Medline. All articles meeting the selection criteria were reviewed, with salient points extracted and synthesised into a clear and comprehensive summary of the knowledge in this area. Results: OSCE examiners’ assessment scores are influenced by factors belonging to 4 different domains: examination context, examinee characteristics, examinee-examiner interactions, and examiner characteristics. These domains are composed of several factors including halo, hawk/dove and OSCE contrast effects; the examiner’s gender and ethnicity; training; lifetime experience in assessing; leadership and familiarity with students; station type; and site effects. Conclusion: Several factors may influence the presumed objectivity of examiners’ assessments, and these factors need to be addressed to ensure the objectivity of OSCEs. We offer insights into directions for future research to better understand and address the phenomenon of examiner bias.

Cut Flowers Being Sold as Impulse Items: A Look at Factors Affecting Impulse Product Merchandising

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 558c-558
Author(s):  
Jennifer B. Neujahr ◽  
Karen L.B. Gast
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
New Type ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
The Way

Consumer behavior research seems to play an big role in determining the wants and needs of an industry. This research helps to shape the way we market to the consumers and helps make marketing strategies more effective. In the 1950s grocery stores began to sell horticulture products in order to alleviate the growers' surplus. Supermarkets now have seem to found their niche in this market due to the fact that they can influence their consumers to buy their flowers right along with their bread, and get all of their shopping done at once. This new type of sale, commonly referred to as the impulse sale, can relate directly to how well the store is merchandised and maintained. A study was conducted at a local supermarket, to determine the following: good locations for impulse sales items, special conditions affecting impulse sales items, and what types of things could affect demand for impulse items. It was discovered that certain locations make better sales than other locations. Locations that were front and center and allowed easy access to seeing the mixed flower bouquet without having to touch it yielded the best results. The variables used to show a change in demand showed little to some variability and has raised some questions which may be used to conduct future research.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Phytocannabinoids in Epilepsy Treatment: Novel Approaches and Recent Advances

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3993
Author(s):  
Aaron M. Farrelly ◽  
Styliani Vlachou ◽  
Konstantinos Grintzalis
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Undesirable Side Effect ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Epilepsy Treatment ◽  
Clinical Environments

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder mainly characterised by recurrent seizures that affect the entire population diagnosed with the condition. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and a significant proportion of patients have been deemed to have treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE). A patient is deemed to have TRE if two or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) fail to bring about seizure remission. This inefficacy of traditional AEDs, coupled with their undesirable side effect profile, has led to researchers considering alternative forms of treatment. Phytocannabinoids have long served as therapeutics with delta-9-THC (Δ9-THC) receiving extensive focus to determine its therapeutic potential. This focus on Δ9-THC has been to the detriment of analysing the plethora of other phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The overall aim of this review is to explore other novel phytocannabinoids and their place in epilepsy treatment. The current review intends to achieve this aim via an exploration of the molecular targets underlying the anticonvulsant capabilities of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidavarin (CBDV), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG). Further, this review will provide an exploration of current pre-clinical and clinical data as it relates to the aforementioned phytocannabinoids and the treatment of epilepsy symptoms. With specific reference to epilepsy in young adult and adolescent populations, the exploration of CBD, CBDV, Δ9-THCV and CBG in both preclinical and clinical environments can guide future research and aid in the further understanding of the role of phytocannabinoids in epilepsy treatment. Currently, much more research is warranted in this area to be conclusive.

scholarly journals Combining Virtual Reality and Organizational Neuroscience for Leadership Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5956
Author(s):  
Elena Parra ◽  
Irene Alice Chicchi Giglioli ◽  
Jestine Philip ◽  
Lucia Amalia Carrasco-Ribelles ◽  
Javier Marín-Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Future Research Agenda

In this article, we introduce three-dimensional Serious Games (3DSGs) under an evidence-centered design (ECD) framework and use an organizational neuroscience-based eye-tracking measure to capture implicit behavioral signals associated with leadership skills. While ECD is a well-established framework used in the design and development of assessments, it has rarely been utilized in organizational research. The study proposes a novel 3DSG combined with organizational neuroscience methods as a promising tool to assess and recognize leadership-related behavioral patterns that manifest during complex and realistic social situations. We offer a research protocol for assessing task- and relationship-oriented leadership skills that uses ECD, eye-tracking measures, and machine learning. Seamlessly embedding biological measures into 3DSGs enables objective assessment methods that are based on machine learning techniques to achieve high ecological validity. We conclude by describing a future research agenda for the combined use of 3DSGs and organizational neuroscience methods for leadership and human resources.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Nanotechnology with Nano-Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Cancer Progression

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3571
Author(s):  
Bonglee Kim ◽  
Ji-Eon Park ◽  
Eunji Im ◽  
Yongmin Cho ◽  
Jinjoo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Research Perspectives ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Gold Silver ◽  
Significant Efficacy ◽  
Rapid Clearance

Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) containing polymers, lipids (liposomes and micelles), dendrimers, ferritin, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, ceramic, magnetic materials, and gold/silver have contributed to imaging diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy. However, only some NP drugs, including Doxil® (liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin), Abraxane® (albumin-bound paclitaxel), and Oncaspar® (PEG-Asparaginase), have emerged on the pharmaceutical market to date. By contrast, several phytochemicals that were found to be effective in cultured cancer cells and animal studies have not shown significant efficacy in humans due to poor bioavailability and absorption, rapid clearance, resistance, and toxicity. Research to overcome these drawbacks by using phytochemical NPs remains in the early stages of clinical translation. Thus, in the current review, we discuss the progress in nanotechnology, research milestones, the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals encapsulated in NPs, and clinical implications. Several challenges that must be overcome and future research perspectives are also described.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Fetal Electrocardiogram Monitoring Techniques: Potential and Future Research Opportunities in Smart Textiles

Signals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-412
Author(s):  
Geetika Aggarwal ◽  
Yang Wei
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Skin Penetration ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fetal Electrocardiogram ◽  
Smart Textiles ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Electrocardiogram Monitoring

During the pregnancy, fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) is deployed to analyze fetal heart rate (FHR) of the fetus to indicate the growth and health of the fetus to determine any abnormalities and prevent diseases. The fetal electrocardiogram monitoring can be carried out either invasively by placing the electrodes on the scalp of the fetus, involving the skin penetration and the risk of infection, or non-invasively by recording the fetal heart rate signal from the mother’s abdomen through a placement of electrodes deploying portable, wearable devices. Non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram (NIFECG) is an evolving technology in fetal surveillance because of the comfort to the pregnant women and being achieved remotely, specifically in the unprecedented circumstances such as pandemic or COVID-19. Textiles have been at the heart of human technological progress for thousands of years, with textile developments closely tied to key inventions that have shaped societies. The relatively recent invention of smart textiles is set to push boundaries again and has already opened the potential for garments relevant to medicine, and health monitoring. This paper aims to discuss the different technologies and methods used in non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram (NIFECG) monitoring as well as the potential and future research directions of NIFECG in the smart textiles area.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Bleeding Resistance in Chip Seal and Asphalt Emulsion Residue Rheology

Coatings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 670
Author(s):  
Preeda Chaturabong
Keyword(s):  
Influence Factors ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Asphalt Emulsion ◽  
Aggregate Gradation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Chip Seal ◽  
Asphalt Emulsions

Chip seal bleeding is influenced by many factors, including design inputs, material properties, and project-specific conditions. It reduces the surface texture of the pavement and thus compromises the safety of the traveling public. Even though factors that bring about premature bleeding are known, currently, no laboratory test methods for evaluating bleeding in chip seals have been specified. The objective of this paper is to present the results of an investigation of the influence factors of asphalt emulsion residue properties measured by the ASTM D7405 multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test, as well as other factors related to chip seal bleeding resistance as measured by the modified loaded wheel test (MLWT). In this study, the MSCR test was used as a tool for evaluating the performance of asphalt emulsions because it has been identified as a potential test related to bleeding in the field. In addition, MLWT was selected as a tool for evaluating chip seal bleeding performance in the laboratory. The results of the MLWT showed that the emulsion application rate (EAR), aggregate gradation, and emulsion properties were significant factors affecting bleeding. The MSCR test was found to be a promising tool for the performance evaluation of asphalt emulsion residue, as the test was able to differentiate between emulsion chemistries and modifications in terms of sensitivity to both temperature and stress. In relation to chip seal bleeding resistance, only the creep compliance (Jnr) obtained from the MSCR test results was identified as a significant property affecting potential for bleeding.

Mechanical Analysis of Warm Extrusion Precision Forming on 42CrMo Steel Cutting Pick

2012 ◽  
Vol 538-541 ◽  
pp. 1061-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Jian Su ◽  
Quan Lan Li ◽  
Lin Jing Xiao ◽  
Su Min Guo
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Extrusion Force ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
42Crmo Steel ◽  
Pick Body ◽  
Mining Tool ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Warm Extrusion

Cutting pick is a kind of widely-used consumptive mining tool. The traditional producing technics of cutting pick body is foundry, or machining after roughly forging, or machining directly from metal bar. By former technics, the property of products is poor, and by latter, the material availability is low and the cost is high. The patent technology for cutting pick body warm extrusion introduced in this paper can overcome all the disadvantages mentioned above. In this paper, by analyzing the characteristic of cutting pick body warm extrusion, adopting the principle of power balance to solve the approximate solution of strain forces, the approximate calculating formulas of extruding power are deduced. The main factors affecting on extrusion force are determined theoretically. This research can be used as basis to design tooling and choose proper equipment for this new technology.

Second language structural priming: A critical review and directions for future research

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie N. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Priming ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
Current State ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
State Of Research

The last 15 years has seen a tremendous growth in research on structural priming among second language (L2) speakers. Structural priming is the phenomenon whereby speakers are more likely to repeat a structure they have recently heard or produced. Research on L2 structural priming speaks to key issues regarding the underlying linguistic and cognitive mechanisms that support L2 acquisition and use, and the extent to which lexical and grammatical information are shared across an L2 speaker’s languages. As the number of researchers investigating L2 priming and its implications for L2 learning continues to grow, it is important to assess the current state of research in this area and establish directions for continued inquiry. The goal of the current review is to provide an overview of recent research on within-language L2 structural priming, with an eye towards the open questions that remain.

Mechanical Analysis of the Factors Affecting Dynamization of the Orthofix Dynamic Axial Fixator

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey L. Ralston ◽  
Thomas D. Brown ◽  
James V. Nepola ◽  
Diana R. Williams ◽  
J. Lawrence Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Factors Affecting
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