scholarly journals Le Fort Partial Colpocleisis: A Low-Cost Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 238212051880158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Gupta ◽  
Silvia Herrera ◽  
Stephanie Kanitsch ◽  
Laurie Kane
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Le Fort ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
The Cost

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a simulation model for the Le Fort partial colpocleisis. Introduction: One in 9 women will undergo surgery for incontinence or prolapse by age 80 with 30% of these requiring an additional prolapse surgery. With a success rate of over 90% and recurrence rate of 4.2%, obliterative procedures hold a significant place in the management of pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women who are no longer sexually active. For new trainees, the Le Fort colpocleisis may be difficult to conceptually visualize, requiring the need to develop models as teaching tools. Method: A low-cost model was developed using easily available craft supplies to simulate the Le Fort partial colpocleisis with the uterus in situ to treat procidentia. The cost of each model was under US $14 and time to make was approximately 1 hour. The video presents the construction and use of this model. Conclusions: The Le Fort partial colpocleisis technique has been in use for over a century. The aging population as well as the high risk of recurrence after prolapse repairs makes colpocleisis an important technique for trainees to master. Simulation models have proven their efficacy as a training tool. This simple model will allow trainees to fully comprehend the steps of this procedure. Using this video, educators can construct a model and use it to orient trainees to the Le Fort partial colpocleisis procedure.

scholarly journals Development and initial validation of a cost-effective, re-usable, ultrasound-compatible suprapubic catheter insertion training simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harkanwal Randhawa ◽  
Yuding Wang ◽  
Jen Hoogenes ◽  
Michael Uy ◽  
Bobby Shayegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Validity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Boot Camp ◽  
First Year ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Training Simulator ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Technical Performance

Introduction: Suprapubic catheterization (SPC) is a fundamental skill required of urology trainees. A lack of affordable simulation models and unpredictability of bedside SPCs limit experiential learning opportunities. Our objective was to develop and initially validate a re-usable, low-cost, ultrasound (US)-compatible SPC simulator for acquiring skills that transfer to the bedside. Methods: The model was constructed using six components. Staff urologists and interventional radiologists (IRs) conducted a SPC and rated the model on three domains with multiple subcategories on a five-point Likert scale: anatomic realism; usefulness as a training tool; and global/overall reaction. Participants in our first-year urology “boot camp” received SPC training, practiced, and were evaluated via an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Staff ratings and OSCE scores determined the model’s initial face and content validity. Results: Twelve staff physicians participated in the study. The mean scores for urologists and IRs, respectively, were: anatomical realism: 4.10 and 3.70; usefulness as a training tool: 4.23 and 4.24; and overall reaction: 4.40 and 4.44. Staff strongly agreed that the model should be incorporated into the residency curriculum. Over the past four years, 25 boot camp participants scored a mean of 99.7% (±1.8) on the OSCE, with high technical performance and entrustment scores (4.8 and 4.7, respectively). The model cost $55 CAD. Conclusions: This novel, multiple-use, low-cost, easily reproducible US-compatible SPC simulator demonstrated initial face and content validity via high staff urologist and IR ratings and OSCE scores of first-year urology residents. Additional research is required for construct validation.

scholarly journals Terrain changes from images acquired on opportunistic flights by SfM photogrammetry

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 827-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Girod ◽  
Christopher Nuth ◽  
Andreas Kääb ◽  
Bernd Etzelmüller ◽  
Jack Kohler
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Light Transport ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Gnss Data

Abstract. Acquiring data to analyse change in topography is often a costly endeavour requiring either extensive, potentially risky, fieldwork and/or expensive equipment or commercial data. Bringing the cost down while keeping the precision and accuracy has been a focus in geoscience in recent years. Structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques are emerging as powerful tools for surveying, with modern algorithm and large computing power allowing for the production of accurate and detailed data from low-cost, informal surveys. The high spatial and temporal resolution permits the monitoring of geomorphological features undergoing relatively rapid change, such as glaciers, moraines, or landslides. We present a method that takes advantage of light-transport flights conducting other missions to opportunistically collect imagery for geomorphological analysis. We test and validate an approach in which we attach a consumer-grade camera and a simple code-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to a helicopter to collect data when the flight path covers an area of interest. Our method is based and builds upon Welty et al. (2013), showing the ability to link GNSS data to images without a complex physical or electronic link, even with imprecise camera clocks and irregular time lapses. As a proof of concept, we conducted two test surveys, in September 2014 and 2015, over the glacier Midtre Lovénbreen and its forefield, in northwestern Svalbard. We were able to derive elevation change estimates comparable to in situ mass balance stake measurements. The accuracy and precision of our DEMs allow detection and analysis of a number of processes in the proglacial area, including the presence of thermokarst and the evolution of water channels.

scholarly journals An IoT Smart Broiler Farming Model for Low Income Farmers

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Hazael Phiri ◽  
Douglas Kunda ◽  
Jackson Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Climate Control ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Zigbee Protocol ◽  
Gsm Network ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Broiler House

<p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">The coming of Internet of things (IoT) brings opportunities for the deploying of wireless sensor networks. One area of deployment is smart poultry farming to improve the quality and security of chicken varieties that include broilers. The quality of broilers produced is dependent on the environment in which the broilers are kept. In addition, the revenue of the farmer is guaranteed if theft of stock is prevented. The current methods farmers use are labour intensive and time consuming as they are manual. Leveraging the features of IoT and sensors can help to monitor the environment and ensure adverse conditions are reported for farmers to take action before they harm the livestock. Incorporating intruder detection when monitoring conditions in the environment can also prevent stock theft and that can increase the income obtained by farmers. For such a system to be widely adopted by low income farmers, the cost should be low compared commercially available climate control systems that are meant for commercial farmers. The system should also provide ease of use for less technically skilled farmers, reduce the time taken by farmers to take action in controlling theft and conditions in the environment and be accessible from any location other than the broiler house. In this paper, we propose a low-cost model that can be used to monitor conditions in the environment of a broiler house and send the values to the farmer in real-time. The proposed model is based on open source microcontrollers, ZigBee protocol, GSM network, mobile applications and cloud computing. </span></p>

scholarly journals In situ recombination junction between p-Si and TiO2enables high-efficiency monolithic perovskite/Si tandem cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. eaau9711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heping Shen ◽  
Stefan T. Omelchenko ◽  
Daniel A. Jacobs ◽  
Sisir Yalamanchili ◽  
Yimao Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Atomic Layer ◽  
Optical Losses ◽  
Layer Deposition ◽  
Solar Electricity ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Recombination Junction ◽  
Processing Steps

Increasing the power conversion efficiency of silicon (Si) photovoltaics is a key enabler for continued reductions in the cost of solar electricity. Here, we describe a two-terminal perovskite/Si tandem design that increases the Si cell’s output in the simplest possible manner: by placing a perovskite cell directly on top of the Si bottom cell. The advantageous omission of a conventional interlayer eliminates both optical losses and processing steps and is enabled by the low contact resistivity attainable between n-type TiO2and Si, established here using atomic layer deposition. We fabricated proof-of-concept perovskite/Si tandems on both homojunction and passivating contact heterojunction Si cells to demonstrate the broad applicability of the interlayer-free concept. Stabilized efficiencies of 22.9 and 24.1% were obtained for the homojunction and passivating contact heterojunction tandems, respectively, which could be readily improved by reducing optical losses elsewhere in the device. This work highlights the potential of emerging perovskite photovoltaics to enable low-cost, high-efficiency tandem devices through straightforward integration with commercially relevant Si solar cells.

A Low-Cost, Flexible, Lightweight Video Recording System for Task Analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Timothy R. Coles ◽  
Cedric Dumas
Keyword(s):  
Task Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Computer Hardware ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Video Systems ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Cost

The authors report their experience from various task analysis projects in which users have been observed in situ. Solutions for simultaneous video recording, often needed to adequately observe and analyze a workspace, are discussed. Of the various analog- and digital-based solutions, the authors deem a low-cost solution using entry-level computer hardware to produce sufficiently high-fidelity feedback for most task analysis purposes. Such systems can be acquired and set up by novice computer users for a fraction of the cost of broadcast video systems. A case study demonstrates the application of one such inexpensive solution.

scholarly journals Economics of an Additive Manufactured Heat Exchanger for Concentrating Solar Power

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Ziev ◽  
Erfan Rasouli ◽  
Ines Noelly-Tano ◽  
Ziheng Wu ◽  
Srujana Yarasi Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Future Technologies ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Alternative Current ◽  
The Impact

Developing low cost, high efficiency heat exchangers (HX) for application in concentrated solar power (CSP) is critical to reducing CSP costs. However, the extreme operating conditions in CSP systems present a challenge for typical high efficiency HX manufacturing processes. We describe a process-based cost model (PBCM) to estimate the cost of fabricating an HX for this application using additive manufacturing (AM). The PBCM is designed to assess the effectiveness of different designs, processes choices, and manufacturing innovations to reduce HX cost. We describe HX design and AM process modifications that reduce HX cost from a baseline of$780/kW-thto$570/kW-th. We further evaluate the impact of alternative current and potential future technologies on HX cost, and identify a pathway to further reduce HX cost to$270/kW-th.

scholarly journals Improving Access to Refractive Services in Adults: A Health Examination Center-Based Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haishuang Lin ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
Nathan Congdon ◽  
Meiping Xu ◽  
Shanshan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

Purpose: To assess the potential of a health examination center-based screening model in improving service for uncorrected refractive error.Methods: Individuals aged ≥18 years undergoing the routine physical examinations at a tertiary hospital in the northeast China were invited. Presenting visual acuity, noncycloplegic autorefraction, noncontact tonometry, fundus photography, and slit-lamp examination were performed. Refractive error was defined as having spherical equivalent ≤ -0.75 D or ≥ +1 D and uncorrected refractive error was considered as refractive error combined with presenting visual acuity &lt; 6/12 in the better eye. Costs for the screening were assessed.Results: A total of 5,284 participants (61 ± 14 years) were included. The overall prevalence of myopia and hyperopia was 38.7% (95% CI, 37.4–40.0%) and 23.5% (95% CI, 22.3–24.6%), respectively. The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error was 7.85% (95% CI, 7.13–8.58%). Women (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.003), those with age ≥ 70 years (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.003), and myopia (p &lt; 0.001 and p &lt; 0.001) were at higher risk of uncorrected refractive error and uncorrected refractive error-related visual impairment. Spectacle coverage rate was 70.6% (95% CI, 68.2–73.0%). The cost to identify a single case of refractive error and uncorrected refractive error was US$3.2 and US$25.2, respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error is high in the urban Chinese adults. Health examination center-based refractive error screening is able to provide an efficient and low-cost model to improve the refractive services in China.

A Methodology for the Comprehensive Assessment of International Procurement Costs

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Johnson ◽  
William J. Sawaya ◽  
Malini Natarajarathinam
Keyword(s):  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Location Decisions ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Manufacturing Costs ◽  
Holding Costs ◽  
Illustrative Case Study ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Inventory Holding

As the economy becomes more globalized and competitive, firms are manufacturing goods in a wider variety of locations. This may be to reduce costs by moving to a low cost country or to place production closer to potential customers. What is often lacking in these decisions is a holistic assessment of the costs associated with production location decisions. Too often the assessment is focused only on a limited set of cost factors (e.g., direct manufacturing and shipping) and does not take into account the dynamic nature of some costs. To address these limitations a comprehensive cost model to assess the cost of procuring goods from alternative locations is presented. A methodology is detailed for monetizing the numerous costs associated with international procurement. An illustrative case study analyzing the procurement of goods from two locations in Mexico and one in the US is detailed. Results of the case show that the non-direct manufacturing costs associated with procurement (e.g., inventory holding costs and shipping) can be greater than direct manufacturing costs. The effects of fuel and labor cost sensitively on the alternative locations is also detailed.

scholarly journals Hydrogen refueling station cost model applied to five real case studies for fuel cell buses

2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 07010
Author(s):  
Roberta Caponi ◽  
Andrea Monforti Ferrario ◽  
Luca Del Zotto ◽  
Enrico Bocci
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Operational Strategies ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Performance Requirements ◽  
Hydrogen Supply ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Components

Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) are a key infrastructure to the successful deployment of hydrogen mobility. Their cost-effectiveness will represent an increasingly crucial issue considering the foreseen growth of vehicle fleets, from few captive fleets to large-scale penetration of hydrogen vehicles. In this context a detailed, component-oriented cost model is important to assess HRS costs for different design concepts, layout schemes and possible customizations, respect to aggregate tools which are mostly available in literature. In this work an improved version of a previously developed component-oriented, scale-sensitive HRS cost model is applied to 5 different European HRS developed within the 3Emotion project with different refueling capacities (kgH2/day), hydrogen supply schemes (in-situ production or delivery), storage volumes and pressures and operational strategies. The model output allows to assess the upfront investment cost (CAPEX), the annual operational cost (OPEX) and the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) at the dispenser and identify the most crucial cost components. The results for the five analyzed HRS sites show an LCOH at the nozzle of around 8-9 €/kg for delivery based HRSs, which are mainly dominated by the H2 retail price and transport service price and around 11-12 €/kg for on-site producing HRS, for which the electrolyzer CAPEX and electricity price plays a key role in the cost structure. The compression, storage, and dispensing sections account for between 1-3 €/kg according to the specific design & performance requirements of the HRS. The total LCOH values are comparable with literature, standard market prices for similar scale HRSs and with the 3Emotion project targets.

scholarly journals Low-Cost Model for Battlefield Wound and Hemorrhage Training

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T Bates ◽  
Christopher W Kelly ◽  
Joshua E Lane
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Massive Hemorrhage ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Cost Models ◽  
Combat Casualty ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Life Saving

ABSTRACT Introduction Exsanguination is the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield and in austere environments. Multiple courses have been developed to save lives by stopping hemorrhage. Training for this requires simulation models; however, many models are expensive, preventing the further expansion of this life-saving training. We present a low-cost model for hemorrhage training and realistic moulage based on simple medical supplies and grocery store meats. Materials and Methods Wound packing training was completed by use of a block of pork shoulder roast with an incision simulating a wound and IV tubing connected to a syringe with fake blood. Hemostasis was obtained with proper wound packing by the student, causing the bleeding to be tamponaded. Wound moulage utilized remaining supplies of pork roast being attached to patient actors or mannequins and adorned with fake blood creating wounds with the appearance and feel of real tissues. Results Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training was completed at a small military medical facility with a start-up cost of less than $70 and a single course as cheap as $15. These methods have been utilized to establish other TCCC training centers while keeping costs low. Conclusions We present low-cost models for simulating massive hemorrhage for wound packing with pork roast and realistic moulage. These methods can be utilized for other hemorrhage training courses such as TCCC, Advanced Wilderness Life Support, and Stop the Bleed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document