scholarly journals Devising a cost-effective method to improve the specificity and sensitivity of malaria detection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanders Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Tube ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Capillary Tubes ◽  
Easy Method ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Oil Immersion ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Negative Controls

Abstract Background: It has always been a challenge to increase the concentration of malaria parasites in blood without compromising on specificity. The conventional thick smear method is a good sensitive tool. But the disadvantage is that a lot of expertise and experience is needed to perform this. A pilot study was undertaken to improvise the quantitative buffy coat (QBC) method so that the advantages of both thick and thin smears could be combined. Methods: Used QBC capillary tubes were washed off the blood and the dye and thoroughly cleaned and dried. The floats were preserved. Blood samples of ten malaria positive patients collected already in EDTA bottles were drawn onto the washed and dried QBC capillaries. The float was re-inserted and centrifugation done as recommended by the QBC manufacturers. The capillary tubes were broken with the aid of a diamond pencil at the area were parasites infested cells were most likely to be seen ie just below the buffy coat area. Smears were made onto a slide with this material and stained using the conventional Romanowsky method of staining. Ordinary microscopy was carried out and parasitaemia were quantified as number per oil immersion field and the results were compared with the recorded thin film reports. Five known negative controls were treated similarly. Results: Parasites’ number was found to be on an average ten times higher per oil immersion field compared to the conventional methods. Negative controls yielded valid outcomes. Conclusion: This preliminary study promises to be a useful tool in screening for malaria in endemic areas where resources are limited. It also adds to the specificity compared with the original QBC method. Larger study involving more samples is required to further validate the results. Any easy method (preferably automated) to cut the capillary tube thereby eliminating the risk of infection to the operator would help a long way in making the method more user friendly.

scholarly journals Preprocedural Pool Testing Strategy for Dentistry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442198969
Author(s):  
F. Umer ◽  
A. Arif
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Testing Strategy ◽  
Rubber Dam ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Control And Prevention

Introduction: Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) put the dental health care professionals (DHCPs) at a greater risk for acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In late June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised elective dental procedures provision to asymptomatic patients while mandating strict infection control protocol and suggested the use of preprocedural testing as an adjunct. A cost-effective method for mass preprocedural testing is pool testing, which has specificity and sensitivity similar to polymerase chain reaction. This article aims to assess the outcomes and utility of incorporating preprocedural testing protocol for SARS-CoV-2 in dental clinics before providing AGPs. Method: The patients who were recommended AGPs where rubber dam placement was not possible were advised to undergo preprocedural testing for SARS-CoV-2. Pool testing strategy was employed, and patients were asked to get tested 48 h before the day of the procedure. Results: Out of a total of 1,000 patients, who presented from June 2020 to late July 2020, 464 were recommended dental procedures. In 194 of 464, AGPs could not be performed under rubber dam isolation; therefore, the patients were advised to get a preprocedural pool test. In total, 111 patients deferred the procedure and testing. Out of 83 who got tested, 7 were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 of whom were tested in early June 2020 and 2 in late July 2020. Conclusion: Pool testing within its limitations can be a useful preprocedure test in asymptomatic low-risk patients for AGP in dentistry, especially when the disease prevalence is low or moderate (<10%). It has the potential of reducing testing costs significantly while conserving reagent and other resources. Preprocedure testing, however, also gives rise to certain ethical concerns that also need to be addressed. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians when deciding which preprocedure testing approach they wish to use when performing aerosol-generating procedures in asymptomatic patients with consideration of cost sensitivity and specificity values.

Inhibitor Selection for Internal Corrosion Control of Pipelines

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Papavinasam ◽  
R. W. Revie
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Internal Corrosion ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Selection For ◽  
User Friendly

Addition of inhibitors can provide a cost-effective method for controlling internal corrosion of pipelines. To select appropriate inhibitors and their concentrations, several laboratory experiments are usually performed. Test methodologies to evaluate inhibitors for a particular field should be carried out to simulate the conditions in the pipeline. Because several interacting parameters influence corrosion, and hence inhibitor performance, simulation of field operating conditions in the laboratory is often difficult. In this paper, user-friendly software to optimize the laboratory experimental conditions to simulate field operating conditions is discussed. The merits of the program in selecting commercial inhibitors and in designing cost-effective inhibitors for future application are described.

scholarly journals Assessment of weight gain and biological parameters of Rhipicephalus sanguineus females fed artificially via capillary tubes

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 928-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Costa da Cunha ◽  
Charles Passos Rangel ◽  
Eliane Mattos Piranda ◽  
Jania de Rezende ◽  
Rafaella Câmara Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Capillary Tube ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Biological Parameters ◽  
Parasitic Stage ◽  
Capillary Tubes ◽  
Easy Method

This study assesses the weight gain of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed via capillary tubes and the influence of capillary tube feeding on the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the species. The ticks were sorted into four groups, each containing ten females of a homogeneous weight. The groups were each treated for different feeding times, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The weight gain of the artificially fed females was measured, and the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the tick were observed for each treatment group. The statistical non-parametrical Dunn and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the results. The mean weights (mg) were 0.2±2.4; 4.3±5.8; 7.4±5.8 and 12.0±11.2 for the 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours feeding groups, respectively. The weight of the fed groups increased as the capillary feeding time increased, and this relationship was highly significant (P<0.05) between the groups fed for 2 and 24 hours. No statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the parameters of the non-parasitic stage for the artificially fed groups. It can be concluded that artificial feeding via capillary tubes provides an efficient and easy method for the artificial intake of blood by R. sanguineus. Furthermore, it was noted that the ticks fed in vitro were able to establish a new generation. The experimental method shows great promise in studies that aim to investigate biological disease agents.

A Review of 21 iPad Applications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Purposes

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Alliano ◽  
Kimberly Herriger ◽  
Anthony D. Koutsoftas ◽  
Theresa E. Bartolotta
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Text To Speech ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Expressive Communication ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Ipad Applications

Abstract Using the iPad tablet for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) purposes can facilitate many communicative needs, is cost-effective, and is socially acceptable. Many individuals with communication difficulties can use iPad applications (apps) to augment communication, provide an alternative form of communication, or target receptive and expressive language goals. In this paper, we will review a collection of iPad apps that can be used to address a variety of receptive and expressive communication needs. Based on recommendations from Gosnell, Costello, and Shane (2011), we describe the features of 21 apps that can serve as a reference guide for speech-language pathologists. We systematically identified 21 apps that use symbols only, symbols and text-to-speech, and text-to-speech only. We provide descriptions of the purpose of each app, along with the following feature descriptions: speech settings, representation, display, feedback features, rate enhancement, access, motor competencies, and cost. In this review, we describe these apps and how individuals with complex communication needs can use them for a variety of communication purposes and to target a variety of treatment goals. We present information in a user-friendly table format that clinicians can use as a reference guide.

CAD Of Anticorrosive Protection Of Steel Structures

2019 ◽  
pp. 18-23
Keyword(s):  
Protective Coating ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Computational Tool ◽  
Protection Method ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Aided Design

The choice of cost-effective method of anticorrosive protection of steel structures is an urgent and time consuming task, considering the significant number of protection ways, differing from each other in the complex of technological, physical, chemical and economic characteristics. To reduce the complexity of solving this problem, the author proposes a computational tool that can be considered as a subsystem of computer-aided design and used at the stage of variant and detailed design of steel structures. As a criterion of the effectiveness of the anti-corrosion protection method, the cost of the protective coating during the service life is accepted. The analysis of existing methods of steel protection against corrosion is performed, the possibility of their use for the protection of the most common steel structures is established, as well as the estimated period of effective operation of the coating. The developed computational tool makes it possible to choose the best method of protection of steel structures against corrosion, taking into account the operating conditions of the protected structure and the possibility of using a protective coating.

Monitoring effluent quality in hypertrophic wastewater reservoirs using remote sensing

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Dor ◽  
N. Ben-Yosef
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Optical Images ◽  
Routine Monitoring ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Wastewater Quality

About one hundred and fifty wastewater reservoirs store effluents for irrigation in Israel. Effluent qualities differ according to the inflowing wastewater quality, the degree of pretreatment and the operational parameters. Certain aspects of water quality like concentration of organic matter, suspended solids and chlorophyll are significantly correlated with the water column transparency and colour. Accordingly optical images of the reservoirs obtained from the SPOT satellite demonstrate pronounced differences correlated with the water quality. The analysis of satellite multispectral images is based on a theoretical model. The model calculates, using the radiation transfer equation, the volume reflectance of the water body. Satellite images of 99 reservoirs were analyzed in the chromacity space in order to classify them according to water quality. Principal Component Analysis backed by the theoretical model increases the method sensitivity. Further elaboration of this approach will lead to the establishment of a time and cost effective method for the routine monitoring of these hypertrophic wastewater reservoirs.

A Cost-Effective Method to Prepare Pure Vildagliptin

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Peng ◽  
Yue Feng ◽  
Zhu Tao ◽  
Yingjie Chen ◽  
Xiangnan Hu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Effective Method
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