Low-Cost Inventions and Patents

Laparoscopic surgery has the potential to improve care in resource-deprived low- and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to analyse the barriers to training in laparoscopic surgery in LMICs. Medline, Embase, Global Health and Web of Science were searched using ‘LMIC’, ‘Laparoscopy’ and ‘Training’. Two researchers screened results with mutual agreement. Included papers were in English, focused on abdominal laparoscopy and training in LMICs. PRISMA guidelines were followed; 2992 records were screened, and 86 full-text articles reviewed to give 26 key papers. Thematic grouping identified seven key barriers: funding; availability and maintenance of equipment; local access to experienced laparoscopic trainers; stakeholder dynamics; lack of knowledge on effective training curricula; surgical departmental structure and practical opportunities for trainees. In low-resource settings, technological advances may offer low-cost solutions in the successful implementation of laparoscopic training and improve access to surgical care.

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Cone-Beam Three-Dimensional Dental Volumetric Tomography in Dental Practice

International Dental Research ◽

10.5577/intdentres.2017.vol7.no3.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 62 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Suzan Cangul ◽

Ozkan Adiguzel

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissues ◽

Low Cost ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Cone Beam ◽

Imaging Method ◽

Dental Practice ◽

3 Dimensional ◽

Scanning Time ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Native Speakers Of English

Imaging methods are of great importance for diagnosis and treatment in dentistry. With technological advances, great progress has been made in these methods. Over time, 3-dimensional (3-D) imaging has replaced 2-dimensional, thereby providing examination of objects in all directions. Of these methods, which play an important role in the clinical evaluation of patients, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is the newest and most advanced imaging method. This method will revolutionize dental in comparison with conventional CT, it has several advantages, including a shorter scanning time, low radiation dose, low cost and the acquisition of high-resolution images. With 3-D imaging technology, this method has introduced the possibility of applying several procedures from diagnosis in the maxillofacial region to operative and surgical procedures. Although very clear results are not obtained from the imaging of soft tissues, the most important advantage of this technology is the capability of imaging hard and soft tissues together. How to cite this article: Cangul S, Adiguzel O. Cone-Beam Three-Dimensional Dental Volumetric Tomography in Dental Practice. Int Dent Res 2017;7:62-70. Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

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Ethical Issues in Global Supply Chains

Symphonya Emerging Issues in Management ◽

10.4468/2007.2.03schlegelmilch.oberseder ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

Bodo B. Schlegelmilch ◽

Magdalena Öberseder

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Low Cost ◽

Global Supply Chains ◽

Unethical Conduct ◽

Production Methods ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Consumer Demands

Despite all technological advances, global supply chains are always based on the interaction of people. And wherever people interact, a kaleidoscope of ethical issues emerges. While consumer demands and concerns have undoubtedly led to an increased awareness of unethical conduct in the supply chain, contravening forces, such as the relentless pressures for low cost products and the ease by which consumers are purchasing non-deceptive counterfeits, should also not be ignored. Many retailers are now embracing ethical issues by emphasising, for example, that they take care of the production methods and working conditions pertaining to the goods they offer.

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Basic Concepts of Wireless Sensor Networks

Encyclopedia of Networked and Virtual Organizations ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-885-7.ch008 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 57-64

Author(s):

Lina M. Pestana Leão de Brito ◽

Laura M. Rodríguez Peralta

Keyword(s):

Wireless Sensor Networks ◽

Sensor Networks ◽

Low Cost ◽

Sensor Nodes ◽

Wireless Sensor ◽

Distributed Sensor Networks ◽

Distributed Sensor ◽

Technological Advances ◽

The Cost ◽

Communication Equipment

As with many technologies, defense applications have been a driver for research in sensor networks, which started around 1980 due to two important programs of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): the distributed sensor networks (DSN) and the sensor information technology (SensIT) (Chong & Kumar, 2003). However, the development of sensor networks requires advances in several areas: sensing, communication, and computing. The explosive growth of the personal communications market has driven the cost of radio devices down and has increased the quality. At the same time, technological advances in wireless communications and electronic devices (such as low-cost, low-power, small, simple yet efficient wireless communication equipment) have enabled the manufacturing of sensor nodes and, consequently, the development of wireless sensor networks (WSNs).

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Business Innovation and Information Management

Information Technology Strategy and Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-802-4.ch010 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 356-391

Author(s):

Eng K. Chew ◽

Petter Gottschalk

Keyword(s):

Information Management ◽

Low Cost ◽

Global Business ◽

Business Innovation ◽

Customer Expectations ◽

Business Executives ◽

Regulatory Changes ◽

Technological Advances ◽

The Status ◽

Key Driver

The Global CEO Survey by IBM (2006) shows that two thirds of the CEOs anticipate significant change to their companies over the next two years. The inevitable change is attributed to changing market forces caused by intensifying competition and increasing customer expectations, which are further compounded by globalization, technological advances, regulatory changes, and workforce changes. The CEOs see innovation as the only way to survive and thrive in this rapidly changing industry landscape. Firms can no longer be satisfied with their current market performance, however superior they may be. They must constantly challenge the status quo and reinvent themselves to stay ahead of the curve to avoid being made obsolete by the competition. The 2005 McKensey Survey of Global Business Executives (Marwaha, Seth, & Tanner, 2005) also “identifies the increasing pace of technological innovation, the growing affluence of emerging economies and the low-cost offshore manufacturing (and now services) as the most important trends of global business.” Both the business and technology executives see innovation as the number one driver for growth. The Gartner (2007) Survey of Global CIOs show that 63% of enterprises expect to grow at a faster rate than the market, twice the percentage from 2006. Innovation is also rated as the key driver for growth.

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Low-Cost Microfabrication Tool Box

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi11020135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 135 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Charmet ◽

Rodrigues ◽

Yildirim ◽

Challa ◽

Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Production ◽

Screen Printing ◽

Low Cost ◽

Unit Cost ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Vitro Diagnostic ◽

Key Enabling Technologies

Microsystems are key enabling technologies, with applications found in almost every industrial field, including in vitro diagnostic, energy harvesting, automotive, telecommunication, drug screening, etc. Microsystems, such as microsensors and actuators, are typically made up of components below 1000 microns in size that can be manufactured at low unit cost through mass-production. Yet, their development for commercial or educational purposes has typically been limited to specialized laboratories in upper-income countries due to the initial investment costs associated with the microfabrication equipment and processes. However, recent technological advances have enabled the development of low-cost microfabrication tools. In this paper, we describe a range of low-cost approaches and equipment (below £1000), developed or adapted and implemented in our laboratories. We describe processes including photolithography, micromilling, 3D printing, xurography and screen-printing used for the microfabrication of structural and functional materials. The processes that can be used to shape a range of materials with sub-millimetre feature sizes are demonstrated here in the context of lab-on-chips, but they can be adapted for other applications. We anticipate that this paper, which will enable researchers to build a low-cost microfabrication toolbox in a wide range of settings, will spark a new interest in microsystems.

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Development of a Pneumatically Driven Cell for Low Cost Automation

Journal of Industrial Engineering ◽

10.1155/2016/8431893 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Antonio Carlos Valdiero ◽

Ivan Jr. Mantovani ◽

Andrei Fiegenbaum ◽

Giovani P. B. Dambroz ◽

Luiz A. Rasia

Keyword(s):

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

Control Logic ◽

Manufacturing Cell ◽

Technological Advances ◽

High Acceleration ◽

Sequential Logic ◽

And Performance ◽

Strategy Design ◽

Fast Acting

The present work addresses the development of a pneumatically driven manufacturing cell for low cost automation applications. This cell can be used in innovative applications as a low cost alternative to increase production and quality in industry. The state of the art shows that technological advances in computing have made possible a drop in equipment prices, making them more accessible. The aim of this work is to develop automation through a classic methodology for a manufacturing cell to minimize errors and facilitate the sequential logic conception. This experimental prototype has been developed at the UNIJUI with financial support by public organizations and companies. Pneumatic actuator used in bench driven has the following advantages: its maintenance is easy and simple, is of relatively low cost, self-cooling properties, and good power density (power/dimension rate), and is fast acting with high acceleration and installation flexibility. However, there are difficulties of control logic due to the complex systems. The sequential controller strategy design considers the pneumatic system, experimental results, and performance of the proposed control strategy.

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Technical and Economic Evaluation of Hybrid wind/PV/Battery Systems for Off-Grid Areas using HOMER Software

International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS) ◽

10.11591/ijpeds.v7.i1.pp134-143 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 134 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alireza Gheiratmand ◽

Reza Effatnejad ◽

Mahdi Hedayati

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Power Systems ◽

Hybrid Systems ◽

Hybrid System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Petroleum Products ◽

Medical Emergency ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Economical Consideration

Incremental consumption of electrical energy, reduction of fossil fuel resources and environmental pollution problems caused by them are the main reasons, which tend the managers and officials in countries energy sector to develop use of renewable systems. In the not-too-distant future the use of renewable energy such as wind and solar will be very important and will play predominant role in economic indices of power systems. In recent years, technological advances in renewable energy and increasing price of petroleum products promote system managers to use low-cost and low-emission energy resources in form of hybrid systems and widespread propagation of electricity generation have been developed in remote areas. In Hybrid systems two or more sources of renewable energy is typically adopted, which increases the reliability of these systems. In this paper, the technical and economical consideration of a wind and solar hybrid system to supply electrical energy for a number of remote users (aid and medical emergency Shelter in Yazd) is provided. In order to investigate optimization and economic analysis of the proposed hybrid system, the HOMER software is used. The results of Simulation in HOMER software show that Solar cells and wind systems with average generation power of 896 kWh/yr. and 343 kWh/yr., consist proportion of 72 and 28 percent of the total generated energy respectively, which are dedicated to satisfy the loads

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A comprehensive review of otorhinolaryngological global health concerns

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s002221511900197x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 133 (11) ◽

pp. 930-935 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Declan C Murphy

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Disease Prevention ◽

Care Setting ◽

Local Community ◽

Low Cost ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Multifaceted Approach ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Local Healthcare

AbstractBackgroundENT disease prevalence, risk factors and treatment vary between developed and developing countries. Health provision, particularly disease prevention strategies and surgery, in developing countries is poor, manifesting as a high frequency of common and preventable diseases. Healthcare systems in developing countries are unsustainable, and the technological advances that provide ENT surgery with novel diagnostic and treatment opportunities are inaccessible.ConclusionA multifaceted approach is essential to improve the care of patients with ENT diseases in developing countries. Public health efforts must focus on educating the local community, reducing high-risk behaviours and decreasing the frequency of preventable diseases. Governments must be pressured to prioritise the funding of long-term, sustainable efforts with effective disease prevention strategies. Providing local healthcare professionals with high-quality ENT training so that self-sustaining and low-cost care can be delivered, mainly in a primary care setting, is key.

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The scholar seismic network of Tenerife: technical and scientific issues

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-4796 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vidal Domínguez ◽

José Barrancos ◽

Luca D'Auria ◽

Nemesio M. Peréz

Keyword(s):

Canary Islands ◽

Seismic Station ◽

Low Cost ◽

Seismic Network ◽

Lower Sensitivity ◽

Mems Sensors ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Reduced Dimensions ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Didactic Material

Currently thousands of seismic sensors, managed by different national and international institutions, are deployed throughout the planet. In the last decades, thanks to scientific and technological advances, broadband sensors are being produced at costs affordable for most institutions that operate a seismic network. At the same time, advances in nanotechnology led to the development of MEMS sensors which allowed the development of accelerometers of very reduced dimensions and low costs. The seismic data obtained by the commercial MEMS sensors, can be sampled, synchronized, stored and transmitted through low cost microcontrollers such as RaspberryPi or Arduino. This allows the development of a complete seismic station of very small size and cost with respect to the traditional ones, although of lower sensitivity and quality.Since 2019, Instituto Volcanol&#243;gico de Canaria (INVOLCAN) is developing a low cost seismic network: the Red S&#237;smica Escolar Canaria (RESECAN, Scholar Canarian Seismic Network) with multiple purposes. The main aims of RESECAN are:<ul><li>supporting the teaching of geosciences</li> <li>promoting the scientific vocation</li> <li>strengthening the resilience of the Canarian communities by improving awareness of the Canary volcanism and the associated hazards.</li> </ul>The project aims at realizing and distributing low-cost stations in various educational institutions of the Canary Islands, complementing them with didactic material on the topics of seismology and volcanology. Each school will be able to access the data of its own station, as well as other centers, being able to locate some of the recorded earthquakes. The data recorded by RESECAN will be fully integrated with the data of the Red S&#237;smica Canaria (C7), a permanent broadband seismic network operated by INVOLCAN. This will make RESECAN also an instrument of scientific interest able to contribute effectively to the volcanic monitoring of the Canary Islands, strengthening its resilience in facing future volcanic emergencies.

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