Usage of Augmented Reality for Improved Human-Machine Interaction and Real-Time Error Correction of Laboratory Units

For future innovations, complex Industry 4.0-technologies need to improve the interaction of humans and technology. Augmented Reality (AR) has a significant potential for this task by introducing more interactivity into modern technical assistance systems. However, AR systems are usually very expensive and thus unsuitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the machine's reliable data transfer to the AR applications and the user activity indication appear to be problematic. This work proposes a solution to these problems. A simple and scalable data transfer from industrial systems to Android applications has been developed.The suggested prototype demonstrates an AR application for troubleshooting and error correction in real-time, even on mobile or wearable devices, while working in a laboratory unit to simulate and solve various errors. The unit components (small garage doors) are equipped with sensors. The information about the state of the system is available in real-time at any given moment and is transmitted to a mobile or wearable device (tablet or smart glass) equipped with AR application. The operator is enabled to preview the required information in a graphical form (marks and cursors). Potential errors are shown and solved with an interactive manual. The system can be used for training purposes to achieve more efficient error correction and faster repairing.

Synthesis and Characterization of New nano catalyst Mo-Ni /TiO2- γAl2O3 for Hydrodesulphurization of Iraqi Gas Oil

A new nano-sized NiMo/TiO2-γ-Al2O3 was prepared as a Hydrodesulphurization catalyst for Iraqi gas oil with sulfur content of 8980 ppm, supplied from Al-Dura Refinery. Sol-gel method was used to prepare TiO2- γ-Al2O3 nano catalyst support with 64% TiO2, 32% Al2O3, Ni-Mo/TiO-γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared under vacuum impregnation conditions to loading metals with percentage 3.8 wt.% and 14 wt.% for nickel and molybdenum respectively while the percentage for alumina, and titanium became 21.7, and 58.61 respectively. The synthesized TiO2- γ-Al2O3 nanocomposites and Ni-Mo /TiO2- γ-Al2O3 Nano catalyst were then characterized by XRD, AFM, and BET surface area, SEM, XRF, and FTIR. The performance of the synthesized catalyst for removing sulfur compounds was conducted through the pilot HDS laboratory unit, various temperatures range 275oC to 375°C, LHSV 1 h-1 were studied; moreover, the effect of LHSV 1 to 4 h-1 on the percentage of sulfur removal was also studied at the temperature of the best removal with constant pressure 35 bar and H2/HC ratio 200cm3/200cm3. The sulfur content results generally revealed that there was a substantial decrease at all operating conditions used, while the maximum sulfur removal was 87.75% in gas oil on Ni-Mo/TiO2-γ-Al2O3 catalyst at temperature 375˚C and LHSV 1h-1.

Quality of Sample Testing in the Laboratory Unit: Current Situation and Strategies for Improvement

The purpose of this study was to understand the status quo of quality sample testing in the laboratory unit. A quantitative research method was used. An extensive laboratory documents (protocol, worksheets, laboratory analytical plan, standard operating procedures and manuals) review was performed and a networking approach to both management and lab staff at all levels was reviewed in order to identify all non-conformities occurred in the past three years. Results identified 36 number of results deviated from reference standards among different test performed, 400 number of samples lost, the number of laboratory personnel who were not sufficiently trained to take the task properly decreased from 16 in 2016 to 6 in 2018 after conducting training on laboratory quality management system, 36 controlled documents including sample management standard operating procedure, bench job aids were missing and 8 customer complains about the delay of results and quality laboratory of services have been identified.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and ESBL Prevalence of Bacteria Isolated from Street Vended Snacks

Aims: The objective of the study was to ascertain the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and ESBL prevalence of bacteria isolated from snacks. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology (Laboratory Unit) Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. Methodology: The snacks were mashed aseptically, serially diluted and inoculated onto nutrient agar and MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified using standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates and ESBL detection was done using disk diffusion method. ESBL production was confirmed using Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) method following CLSI recommendations. Results: Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the bacteria isolated with Escherichia coli as the most prevalent isolate with 42% occurrence in the samples screened. There was significant difference in the sensitivity of the bacteria isolates to the different antibiotics used at P=0.05. Salmonella Typhi isolates exhibited highest resistance to an antibiotic with 86% resistance to ciprofloxacin while Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates exhibited the lowest resistance to an antibiotic with 10% resistance to cefotaxime. Among the Gram-negative bacteria, 36% of suspected ESBL producing E. coli isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers indicating the highest occurrence. Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of bacteria in street vended snacks which exhibited high resistance to antibiotics that could be attributed to the presence of ESBL producers among the isolates.

Real-Time Longitudinal Evaluation of Tumor Blood Vessels Using a Compact Preclinical Fluorescence Imaging System

Tumor angiogenesis is enhanced in all types of tumors to supply oxygen and nutrients for their growth and metastasis. With the development of anti-angiogenic drugs, the importance of technology that closely monitors tumor angiogenesis has also been emerging. However, to date, the technology for observing blood vessels requires specialized skills with expensive equipment, thereby limiting its applicability only to the laboratory setting. Here, we used a preclinical optical imaging system for small animals and, for the first time, observed, in real time, the entire process of blood vessel development in tumor-bearing mice injected with indocyanine green. Time-lapse sequential imaging revealed blood vessel volume and blood flow dynamics on a microscopic scale. Upon analyzing fluorescence dynamics at each stage of tumor progression, vessel volume and blood flow were found to increase as the tumor developed. Conversely, these vascular parameters decreased when the mice were treated with angiogenesis inhibitors, which suggests that the effects of drugs targeting angiogenesis can be rapidly and easily screened. The results of this study may help evaluate the efficacy of angiogenesis-targeting drugs by facilitating the observation of tumor blood vessels easily in a laboratory unit without large and complex equipment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Healthcare Personnel: A University Hospital Experience

Healthcare workers are among risk groups in the COVID-19. Even if they are not infected with the disease, they witness the effects of the pandemic. The aim of the study is to determine the factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination status and reasons for vaccine hesitancy of healthcare personnel in our hospital. Firstly, the vaccination status and demographic characteristics of all healthcare personnel was evaluated. After that, a survey was applied to 408 vaccinated and 297 nonvaccinated personnel. Within the first month after the beginning of vaccination, 66% of 3937 healthcare personnel received a COVID-19 vaccine. The number of vaccinated personnel was higher among doctors, master graduates or higher educational levels and basic science-laboratory unit workers. In the surveyed group, being under the age of 50 (OR:1.85), being nondoctor healthcare personnel (nurse/midwife OR:1.78, administrative personnel OR:3.42, patient attendant/cleaning staff OR:4.11, security guard/other OR:2.96), having had the disease before (OR:2.36), not having the flu vaccine (OR:3.24) and hesitancy about other vaccines (OR:6.61) were found to be independent risk factors for not having a COVID-19 vaccine or having it late. The three most common reasons for not getting vaccinated were doubt on the efficacy of the vaccine, distrust of its content, and fear of side effects. Taking steps by considering the main factors of hesitancy among healthcare personnel will increase the vaccine acceptance.

Ureum Levels Before and After Hemodialization in Renal Failure Patients

Of chronic kidney failure is a state of decreased kidney function, where the kidneys are no longer able to excrete the rest of the body's metabolism. In end-stage chronic kidney failure hemodialysis is needed to eliminate the rest of the body's metabolism that accumulates in the blood and reduce the risk of death. The effectiveness of hemodialysis can be seen from the decrease in urea levels after hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of urea levels before and after hemodialysis in kidney failure patients. This research method uses descriptive observational data collection with URR (Urea Reduction Ratio) involving 130 patients with kidney failure who undergo hemodialysis. This research was conducted in July and October 2019 in the laboratory unit of the Klaten Islamic Hospital. The results There was a decrease in urea levels before and after hemodialysis. Where ureum levels before hemodialysis averaged 133.19 mg / dl and after hemodialysi s averaged 39.74 mg / dl . Conclusions Urea levels in patients with renal failure before hemodialysis increase / height can be 2 times or more than normal levels, an average of 133.19 mg / dl. Increased urea level increases influenced by several factors, including sex, age, indications such as supplements, medications and diabetes mellitus. Urea levels after hemodialysis average 39.74 mg / dl resulting in a decrease in urea levels before and after hemodialysis 70,16%.

End-to-End Quality Control of Downhole Samples from the Sampling Point to the Laboratory Unit: This is Possible and Necessary

The services and downhole sampling technologies market in Russia is in deep stagnation. The objective conditions have emerged, wherein the responsibility and leadership in the development and recovery of this area is a prerogative task of major oil and gas companies, rather than the equipment manufacturers. The paper shares the authors’ experience in the development, pilot testing and implementation of novel regulatory and technical approaches and technologies of sampling, transportation, field, end-to-end and laboratory assessment of samples quality in PJSC «Gazprom Neft».

Járvány, vírus, Virológiai Nemzeti Laboratórium

Összefoglaló. A fertőző betegségek világméretű fenyegetettsége és terjedése komoly társadalmi, egészségügyi kockázatot jelent minden nemzet számára. A lokális problémák megoldása mellett minden esetben közös nemzeti és nemzetközi összefogás szükséges. Az elmúlt években hazánkban is egyre nagyobb számban jelentek, illetve erősödtek meg új fertőző betegségek, amelyek szignifikáns társadalmi fenyegetést jelentenek. Éppen ezért a Virológiai Nemzeti Laboratórium (VNL) létrehozásának célja a Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Szentágothai János Kutatóközpont (PTE SzKK) kötelékén belül működő komplex virológiai laboratóriumi egység kutatási teljesítményének és kutatás-fejlesztési tevékenységének növelése, és ezzel párhuzamosan részvétel a hazai és nemzetközi szintű kutatási hálózatok munkájában. A VNL-hez tartozó komplex virológiai kutatási egység egyedüli hazánkban, hiszen minden biológiai biztonsági szintű laboratóriumi facilitással rendelkezik. Ennek megfelelően lehetőség van a 2-es (BSL-2), 3-as (BSL-3) és egyetlen egyetemi fenntartású laboratóriumként 4-es biológiai biztonsági szintű (BSL-4) laboratóriumi tevékenység elvégzésére. Ezzel egyedülálló lehetőséget nyit hazánkban is a fertőző betegségek leküzdésében vívott harcban. Hazánkban a PTE rendelkezik az egyetlen ilyen komplex virológiai kutatólaboratóriummal, amelyet tisztán kutatási és nem járványügyi feladatok elvégzésére hoztak létre. Ennek megfelelően az itt munkát végző fiatal kollégák az egyetemi prioritásoknak megfelelően a nemzetközileg elismert, kimagasló tudományos eredmények elérését tűzték ki célul. Mivel a laboratóriumi egység egyedülálló hazánkban, így a virológia területén nemcsak a kutatást, de az oktatást is kiválóan szolgálja. A PTE SzKK Virológia Kutatócsoportjának elsődleges kutatási területe az állatokról emberekre terjedő, úgynevezett virális zoonózisok vizsgálata. Ezen kórokozók a legtöbb esetben súlyos, akár halálos kimenetelű fertőzéseket is képesek okozni, éppen ezért a vizsgálatok igen magas szakmai kompetenciát és megfelelő laboratóriumi infrastruktúrát igényelnek. Mindazonáltal az ilyen irányú vizsgálatok száma nemzetközi szinten is igen megnőtt, hiszen az új betegségek megjelenése is gyakoribbá vált, amit elsősorban a környezeti és emberi tényezők együttes hatása eredményezhet. A kutatócsoport az alapkutatásokon kívül számos alkalmazott kutatási projektben is részt vesz, amelyek célja a humán diagnosztikában, betegellátási gyakorlatban is alkalmazható tesztek, potenciálisan antivirális hatóanyagok fejlesztése, tesztelése. Mivel a laboratórium egyedülálló biológiai biztonsági szinttel rendelkezik az ilyen irányú alkalmazott kutatásokban, kutatás-fejlesztési és innovációs (K+F+I) tevékenységekben is részt tud venni, ezzel emelve a hazai kutatás-fejlesztési irányokat a mikrobiológia területén. A virológiai laboratórium nemcsak alap- és alkalmazott kutatásokat folytat, de szükség esetén részt tud venni a hazai védelmi, biztonsági szervek munkájában is. A VNL fő célja egy hazai, magas színvonalú nemzeti virológiai kutatási centrum létrehozása, amely elősegíti a hazai virológiai kutatások tudományos fejlesztését, valamint a szakterület K+F+I tevékenységének növelését. Summary. Today, the global threat and spread of infectious diseases pose serious social and health risks for every nation of the world. In addition to local challenges, there is a sustained need for national and international collaborations. In recent years, numerous new infectious diseases have emerged and grown into significant social threats also in Hungary. Therefore, in collaboration with national and international research networks, the ultimate goal of the National Laboratory of Virology (NLV) is to boost the performance and R&D activities of the Virology Laboratory complex of the Szentágothai János Research Centre (PTE-SzKK) at the University of Pécs. Due to its specific, high level facilities, our virology research unit has a unique asset in Hungary. Accordingly, it is capable of conducting experiments requiring Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2), Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and as the only academically supported unit in Hungary, it is also capable of covering Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) standards to uniquely combat infectious diseases in the area. Our laboratory is a distinctive research facility not only nationally, but internationally as well. Currently, the University of Pécs possesses the only virological research laboratory in Hungary that was established purely for research purposes and not for performing epidemiological tasks. Accordingly, aligned with their academic priorities, our young investigators set their horizons towards achieving internationally recognized, outstanding scientific results. Notably, because our renowned laboratory unit is unparalleled throughout the country, colleagues are wishing to pursue research and training in the field of virology. The primary research field of the PTE-SzKK Virology Research Group is studying the so-called viral zoonoses; infectious transmissions from animals to humans. In most cases, these pathogens may cause serious, or even fatal infections requiring high level professional competence and corresponding laboratory infrastructure. Nevertheless, the number of international studies has recently surged as new diseases evolve and become more common due to the combined effects of environmental and human factors. In addition to basic science, our team is also conducting a number of applied research projects such as development of potential antiviral agents and tests for human diagnostics and medical care. Since our laboratory possesses a particularly high level of biosafety, it may be equally utilized in clinical practice and by providing novel directions for the national microbiology research and R&D field. Moreover, NLV not only implements basic and applied research, but also collaborates with various organizations of the Homeland Security of Hungary. The primary goal to establish an NLV was to utilize a National research facility in the field of virology in Hungary in order to increase both research and R&D activity in the country.

Good Practices For Managing A Safe Chemical Laboratory Part 4: Records, Documents And Regulations

Documenting lab activity promotes safety, provides data useful in safety analysis and planning and creates a paper trail that can be used as evidence of compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Whether in academia or industry, the chemical laboratory must operate in compliance with a large number of regulations. Laboratory records play a large part in incident and accident investigation. Records and documents should be created with very specific goals in mind. They should be designed to meet these goals, preferably by those who ultimately will use them and be “standardized,” as much as possible. They should be subject to change control and retained for a prescribed period of time under conditions that will maintain their integrity. Having approved, written standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place for routine laboratory unit operations provides lab management with another way to leverage safety at the bench level.