Sister Robots - food and medicine carriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-202
Author(s):  
Bikash Gurung ◽  
Anil Singh ◽  
Pankaj Japrel ◽  
Rishan Joshi ◽  
Prithvi Chaudhary

Sister Robots - ‘Food and Medicine Carrier Robot’ are manually controlled robots which can be used in Corona Testing Hospital where health representatives or medical professionals need to carry food and medicine from the kitchen of the hospital to the patient isolation room. Robotics Association of Nepal [RAN] along with Team Robonauts, Team Kantibir and Team Oztec have developed the different versions of Sister Robots. The first version of the Robot - Sister V.1 is now working at the provincial hospital of Province no. 3, Hetauda Hospital. The Robot was built in support of Nepal Engineers’ Association [NEA] and handed over to Honorable Chief Minister, Province No.3 Dormani Poudel. Sister V.1 can help frontline health professionals communicate with COVID-19 suspected/infected patients in the isolation room, deliver essential foods and medicines as well. Sister V.1 took 20 days for its completion. The development team further developed second version of Sister Robot [Sister V.2]. First piece of Sister V.2 has been completed and 5 more are on the verge of development. Armed Police Force [APF] Hospital has made a trial of Sister V.2. Sister V.2 has been upgraded with a double 12V 8000MAH battery system for higher power performance, dual FPV camera system for Top 90 degree rotation back view and Front 180 degree bottom view. Food and Medicine can be easily delivered and COVID-19 can sanitize their hands with automatic sanitizer as well. Phase 1 product development has been completed and Phase 2 small scale production is currently running. The phases are defined based on the upgrade of the Robots as the team believes in iteration of the robot and customization as well. Mass scale production of Sister Robots on phase 3 Version 3 [Sister V.3] will consist of different lines of Robots with different specifications. More cost effective technologies will be introduced and automation will be a priority of Robot development. Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) and Sagarmatha Engineering College collaborated with RAN for 6 more robots to develop financially. Phase 3 focuses in bringing Sister V.3 at each and every hospital in Nepal through collaborative partnerships and safety campaigns.

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa R. Grasswitz

Small-scale farms are an important component of agricultural production even in developed economies, and have an acknowledged role in providing other biological and societal benefits, including the conservation of agricultural biodiversity and enhancement of local food security. Despite this, the small-farm sector is currently underserved in relation to the development and implementation of scale-appropriate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that could help increase such benefits. This review details some of the characteristics of the small farm sectors in developed economies (with an emphasis on the USA and Europe), and identifies some of the characteristics of small farms and their operators that may favor the implementation of IPM. Some of the challenges and opportunities associated with increasing the uptake of IPM in the small-farm sector are discussed. For example, while some IPM tactics are equally applicable to virtually any scale of production, there are others that may be easier (or more cost-effective) to implement on a smaller scale. Conversely, there are approaches that have not been widely applied in small-scale production, but which nevertheless have potential for use in this sector. Examples of such tactics are discussed. Knowledge gaps and opportunities for increasing IPM outreach to small-scale producers are also identified.


2015 ◽  
Vol 761 ◽  
pp. 273-276
Author(s):  
Abu Bakar Mohd Hadzley ◽  
Muhammad Hafiz Samsudin ◽  
Mohd Najib Zamri ◽  
Raja Izamshah Raja Abdullah ◽  
Mohd Shahir Kasim ◽  
...  

This paper presents the processes to develop a cost-effective small scale 3-axis CNC milling machine. The designed machine tool consisted of stepper motors, bearing, linear guide, ball screw mounting systems, inverter and electronic controller, in which all of these are assembled together in a form of 3-axis operating system. The machine has a built up with the size of 1000 mm (length) × 1000 mm (width) × 650 mm (long) accompanied with a worktable with a dimension of 300 mm (length) × 300 mm (width) × 20 mm (long), and 24,000 rpm maximum spindle speed. To control the movement of the machine, open source software was utilized with the aid of G-Codes to assign the movement of the CNC axes. From the machining test, the machine was found to be capable to machine a metal work piece with high cutting speed and reasonable accuracy. The machine developed in this study offers efficiency and flexibility in the manufacturing production which enables to reduce capital cost due to the small-scale facility.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanjun Hu ◽  
Lorna Taylor ◽  
Adrian Sherman ◽  
Christian Keambou Tiambo ◽  
Steven J Kemp ◽  
...  

Chickens are an important resource for smallholder farmers who raise locally adapted, genetically distinct breeds for eggs and meat. The development of efficient reproductive technologies to conserve and regenerate chicken breeds safeguards existing biodiversity and secures poultry genetic resources for climate resilience, biosecurity, and future food production. The majority of the over 1600 breeds of chicken are raised in low and lower to middle income countries (LMICs) under resource limited, small scale production systems, which necessitates a low tech, cost effective means of conserving diversity is needed. Here, we validate a simple biobanking technique using cryopreserved embryonic chicken gonads. The gonads are quickly isolated, visually sexed, pooled by sex, and cryopreserved. Subsequently, the stored material is thawed and dissociated before injection into sterile host chicken embryos. By using pooled GFP and RFP-labelled donor gonadal cells and Sire Dam Surrogate (SDS) mating, we demonstrate that chicks deriving entirely from male and female donor germ cells are hatched. This technology will enable ongoing efforts to conserve chicken genetic diversity for both commercial and small holder farmers, and to preserve existing genetic resources at poultry research facilities.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Smalley ◽  
Slobodan Markovic ◽  
Ken O’Hara-Dhand

AbstractThe International Union of Quaternary Research (INQUA) organized the study and consideration of the Quaternary Period (the last 2.6 million years in Earth’s history) via a set of commissions, sub-commissions, working groups, projects and programmes. One of the most successful and best records was the Loess Commission (LC) which functioned assub-commission and then commission from 1961 to 2003, resulting in 40 years of useful activity. The history of the LC can be divided into three phases: 1, from 1961–1977 when the President was Julius Fink; 2, from 1977–1991, with President Marton Pecsi; 3, from 1991–2003 with Presidents An Zhi-Sheng and Ian Smalley.Fink, from Vienna, and Pecsi, from Budapest, gave the LC a distinctly Central European aspect. The nature of loess in Central Europe influenced the nature of the LC but the settings for phases 1 and 2 were quite distinct. Phase 1 was a small scale academic operation, carried out in German. As phase 2 began in 1977 the scope expanded and Central Europe became a base for worldwide loess studies. where the LC language changed to English. Phase 2 was run from a National Geographical Institute and demonstrated a different approach to loess research, although the basic programmes of continent-wide mapping and stratigraphy remained the same. The Commission benefited from this change of style and emphasis. In phase 3 the administration moved away from Central Europe but the Finkian ethos remained solid.


Author(s):  
C. Ferreras ◽  
B. Pascual-Miguel ◽  
C. Mestre-Durán ◽  
A. Navarro-Zapata ◽  
L. Clares-Villa ◽  
...  

Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is causing a second outbreak significantly delaying the hope for the virus’ complete eradication. In the absence of effective vaccines, we need effective treatments with low adverse effects that can treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease. In this study, we determined the existence of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells within CD45RA– memory T cells in the blood of convalescent donors. Memory T cells can respond quickly to infection and provide long-term immune protection to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Also, CD45RA– memory T cells confer protection from other pathogens encountered by the donors throughout their life. It is of vital importance to resolve other secondary infections that usually develop in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. We found SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells in all of the CD45RA– subsets (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and in the central memory and effector memory subpopulations. The procedure for obtaining these cells is feasible, easy to implement for small-scale manufacture, quick and cost-effective, involves minimal manipulation, and has no GMP requirements. This biobank of specific SARS-CoV-2 memory T cells would be immediately available “off-the-shelf” to treat moderate/severe cases of COVID-19, thereby increasing the therapeutic options available for these patients.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Haroon-Ur Rashid ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Mahidur R. Sarker ◽  
Sawal Hamid Md Ali ◽  
Naseem Akhtar ◽  
...  

The promising chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties of silver from nano scale to bulk level make it useful to be used in a variety of applications in the biomedical and electronic fields. Recently, several methods have been proposed and applied for the small-scale and mass production of silver in the form of nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanofibers. In this research, we have proposed a novel method for the fabrication of silver nano fibers (AgNFs) that is environmentally friendly and can be easily deployed for large-scale production. Moreover, the proposed technique is easy for device fabrication in different applications. To validate the properties, the synthesized silver nanofibers have been examined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Further, the synthesized silver nanofibers have been deposited over sensors for Relative humidity (RH), Ammonia (NH3), and temperature sensing applications. The sensor was of a resistive type, and found 4.3 kΩ for relative humidity (RH %) 30–90%, 400 kΩ for NH3 (40000 ppm), and 5 MΩ for temperature sensing (69 °C). The durability and speed of the sensor verified through repetitive, response, and recovery tests of the sensor in a humidity and gas chamber. It was observed that the sensor took 13 s to respond, 27 s to measure the maximum value, and took 33 s to regain its minimum value. Furthermore, it was observed that at lower frequencies and higher concentration of NH3, the response of the device was excellent. Furthermore, the device has linear and repetitive responses, is cost-effective, and is easy to fabricate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-479
Author(s):  
Mohammed H. Aldosari ◽  
Marcel den Hartog ◽  
Hubertina Ganizada ◽  
Martijn J.W. Evers ◽  
Enrico Mastrobattista ◽  
...  

Objective: The high cost of orphan drugs limits their access by many patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Many orphan drugs are off-patent without alternative generic or biosimilar versions available. Production of these drugs at the point-of-care, when feasible, could be a cost-effective alternative. Methods: The financial feasibility of this approach was estimated by setting up a small-scale production of recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase (rhGAA). The commercial version of rhGAA is Myozyme™, and Lumizyme™ in the United States, which is used to treat Pompe disease. The rhGAA was produced in CHO-K1 mammalian cells and purified using multiple purification steps to obtain a protein profile comparable to Myozyme™. Results: The established small-scale production of rhGAA was used to obtain a realistic cost estimation for the magistral production of this biological drug. The treatment cost of rhGAA using bedside production was estimated at $3,484/gram, which is 71% lower than the commercial price of Myozyme ™. Conclusion: This study shows that bedside production might be a cost-effective approach to increase the access of patients to particular life-saving drugs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Ferreras ◽  
B Pascual-Miguel ◽  
C Mestre-Durán ◽  
A Navarro-Zapata ◽  
L Clares-Villa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 is causing a second outbreak so the hope for its complete eradication is far from happening. In the absence of effective vaccines, it is mandatory to find effective treatments with low adverse effects able to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease. In this work, we determined the existence of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells within the CD45RA− T memory cells from the blood of convalescent donors. Memory T cells can respond quickly to the infection and provide long-term immune protection to reduce the severity of the COVID-19 symptoms. Also, CD45RA− memory T cells confer protection from other pathogens the donors encountered in their life. This is vital to clear other secondary infections usually developed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 specific memory T cells were found within all the CD45RA− subsets CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and in the central memory and effector memory subpopulations. The procedure to obtain the cells is feasible, easy to implement for small scale manufacture, quick and cost-effective involving minimal manipulation, and without GMP condition requirements. This biobank of specific SARS-CoV-2 memory T cells would be immediately available ‘off-the-shelf’ to treat moderate/severe cases of COVID-19 increasing the therapeutic options available for these patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 266-271
Author(s):  
M.V. Zlokazov ◽  
V.A. Korotkov

Laser and plasma hardening practically do not damage the surface, so the parts after their execution are sent to the assembly without finishing machining, which reduces the complexity and logistics of the process. In conditions of dry friction hardened steel discs 45 and 40Kh increase wear resistance up to 100 times. The service life of parts strengthened by laser and plasma hardening is repeatedly increased. Laser hardening differs from plasma hardening by higher cost of equipment, therefore it is preferable in large-scale production. Plasma installation UDGZ-200, thanks to manual operation, it is possible to temper the surfaces inaccessible or inaccessible to other hardening methods. This, together with the low cost of equipment, makes plasma hardening cost-effective in conditions of single-unit and small-scale productions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Hamad ◽  
Hany Ezzat ◽  
Tarek Abdel Latif Ghonimi ◽  
Rania Ibrahim ◽  
Fatma Ramadan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Anemia management in dialysis is challenging. Keeping hemoglobin levels within a tight range is difficult. A new program (anemia nurse manager [ANM]) was started for better anemia management. This study aimed to compare traditional anemia management with the new ANM model regarding the achievement of better hemoglobin targets (range, 10–12 g/dL), avoidance of extreme hemoglobin levels ( < 9 or >13 g/dL), and evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of the new model. Methods: This retrospective observational study compared traditional anemia management with management involving our new ANM model. Patients on hemodialysis in all ambulatory dialysis clinics in Qatar were included. The study included three phases: phase 1 (observation): June 2015 to August 2015, 460 patients; phase 2 (pilot): September 2015 to May 2016, 211 patients; and phase 3 (expansion in two phases): June 2016 to February 2017 and October 2017 to June 2018, 610 patients. Hemoglobin, iron saturation, and ferritin were evaluated according to the protocol. Results: In this study, 55% of the patients achieved the target hemoglobin in phase 1 compared with 75% in phase 2 (p = 0.0007). The hemoglobin level within the target range was sustained at 72% ± 5% of patients in phase 3. The achievement rate of the target hemoglobin level increased from 56% (May 2015) to 72% (July 2018) (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with extreme hemoglobin declined from 10.7% in phase 1 to 6.4% in phase 2 and sustained at 8% afterward. Reducing the doses of erythropoietin stimulating agents, owing to the use of the ANM model, saved costs by approximately 11%. Conclusions: The ANM model was able to achieve and maintain hemoglobin levels within the target range and decrease extreme hemoglobin levels. These outcomes improved patient care by avoiding high hemoglobin (increase thrombosis, cancer recurrence, stroke, and death) and low hemoglobin (weakness, poor quality of life, and need for transfusion) levels. The ANM model was cost effective even after including the salaries of nurses. This model can be considered in other aspects of patient care in dialysis.


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