Advanced and Secure Laboratory Management System

Advanced & Secure Laboratory Information Management System, TRLIMS is the management system which has live tracking system for all the testing and research conducted at the laboratory. This system is developed to achieve diverse functionality for the disciplines such as mechanical, chemical, environmental, microbiology and non-destructive fields. The basic features of this application are that it can manage the data related to client, employees and testing results of the laboratory. Apart from that since the application is fully hosted on server which offers flexibility, providing future scope for more hardware and operating system configuration. This application provides very enhanced turn-around-time (TAT) for the material testing laboratory It aims to manage the employees, clients and associated testing data to improve the lab productivity. The application allows clients to track their improvement in sample testing from time to time, the data is updated on server by employees who perform tests at the premises. This paper could provide guidance to understanding the operation mechanism of Laboratory Information Management System.

IgG and IgA Antibodies Post SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in the Breast Milk and Sera of Breastfeeding Women

The COVID-19 pandemic has carried massive global health and economic burden that is currently counteracted by a challenging anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Indeed, mass vaccination against COVID-19 is expected to be the most efficacious intervention to mitigate the pandemic successfully. The primary objective of the present study is to test the presence of neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgA and IgG) in the breast milk and sera samples from vaccinated women at least 20 days after the complete vaccine cycle. A secondary aim is to compare the IgG antibodies level in maternal serum and breast milk. The third target is to evaluate the presence of the IgG antibodies in breast milk after several weeks from the vaccination. Finally, we collected information on the health status of infants in the days following maternal vaccination. Forty-two mothers were enrolled in the study. Thirty-six received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, four the Astra Zeneca vaccine, one the Moderna vaccine and another woman Astra Zeneca in the first dose and Pfizer/BioNTech in the second dose. All 42 milk samples confirmed the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and none showed IgA presence. Regarding the matched 42 sera samples, 41 samples detected IgG presence, with one sample testing negative and only one positive for seric IgA. None of the 42 infants had fever or changes in sleep or appetite in the seven days following the maternal vaccination. The level of IgG antibodies in milk was, on average, lower than that in maternal serum. According to our analysis, the absence of IgA could suggest a rapid decrease after vaccination even if frequent breastfeeding could favour its persistence. IgG were present in breast milk even 4 months after the second vaccine dose. Information on the immunological characteristics of breast milk could change mothers’ choices regarding breastfeeding.

Comparative Analysis of Abrasive Materials and Polishing System on the Surface Roughness of Heat-Polymerized Acrylic Resins

Objective The aim of this in vitro experiment was to see how the operator's manual skills, polishing equipment, and abrasive materials affected the surface roughness of denture base resins. Materials and Methods Forty polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) specimens were created and polished by using two different polishing systems, namely hand and automatic polishing machines. Three operators hand-polished 30 of specimens with eggshell powder and pumice, while 10 were automatically polished (n = 5). A profilometer was used to determine the average surface roughness (Ra) after polishing. The Ra values for the specimens hand-polished were analyzed by using paired sample testing. The Ra values for all polished specimens were analyzed by using a one-way ANOVA. Differences between the two abrasive materials as well as the polishing system were determined by using the Bonferonni tests (p = 0.05). Results and Conclusion For the PMMA specimens hand-polished, there was a strong connection in the Ra values. There were also significant variations in the Ra values across the three operators (p < 0.001). The automated technique created a substantially smoother surface than the traditional technique (p = 0.001). The greatest Ra values (0.20 µm) were found in specimens polished traditionally by using pumice, whereas the lowest Ra values (0.04 µm) were found in specimens polished mechanically with eggshell powder. The automated polishing system was the most effective polishing method when the Ra values were connected to the level of smoothness.

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.

A Mobile Semi-Autonomous Robot For Soil Sampling

For agrarian economies such as India, the quality of the soil is critical for maximized yield sustainable cultivation. When a large area is utilized, sample testing of soil is essential. The use of a robotic system for sampling is vital for saving time and replacing manual laborious work. This work represents a robotic system that was deployed for soil sample collection. A mechanical soil sampling and storage system based on augers and turntable storage is used in the system. Using a GPS-driven algorithm, the robot navigates autonomously to desired sampling locations. It collects data from the sampling area using sensors connected to an Arduino board. A proof-of-concept demonstrator proved that such a solution can be successfully scaled and deployed, which will aid in more efficient cultivation and sustainable agriculture.

A Mobile Semi-Autonomous Robot For Soil Sampling

For agrarian economies such as India, the quality of the soil is critical for maximized yield sustainable cultivation. When a large area is utilized, sample testing of soil is essential. The use of a robotic system for sampling is vital for saving time and replacing manual laborious work. This work represents a robotic system that was deployed for soil sample collection. A mechanical soil sampling and storage system based on augers and turntable storage is used in the system. Using a GPS-driven algorithm, the robot navigates autonomously to desired sampling locations. It collects data from the sampling area using sensors connected to an Arduino board. A proof-of-concept demonstrator proved that such a solution can be successfully scaled and deployed, which will aid in more efficient cultivation and sustainable agriculture.

Positivity Rate as a Performance Indicator for COVID-19 Response in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Positivity rate is a very reliable indicator in determining the effectiveness of public health interventions of infectious disease magnitude. Aim: To use positivity rate as performance indicator of effectiveness of COVID-19 Control measures in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Laboratory based record review of 20,220 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based laboratory results from COVID-19 line-list analysed from the four (4) NCDC accredited molecular laboratory within Edo State. The weekly COVID-19 test positivity was computed in relation to the total samples tested between 23rd March to 30th November, 2020. Data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 software with statistical significance set at p˂0.050 and 95% Confidence Interval. Results: A total of 20,220 PCR results reviewed with 2696 (13.3%) COVID-19 cases identified while 17,524 (86.7%) were negative. The average weekly sample collection and testing was 552.28 ± 369.98, with average weekly COVID-19 case yield and positivity rate (%) of 77.89 ±106.23 and 12.20±13.75% respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between sample tested and COVID-19 case yield (R = 0.569; < 0.01). The first wave of the COVID-19 in Edo State witnessed a consistent and progressive decline in test positivity rate till it deepened at 0.6 % by the end of November, 2020. Conclusion: Increasing sample testing has significant positive correlation with COVID-19 case detection in Edo State. Positivity rate was a good indicator to monitor COVID-19 outbreak response in Edo State. Targeted surveillance and sample collection for testing can significantly help improve the quality and case yield during epidemic outbreak response. Bridging the gap in sample collection for testing can greatly influence how quickly an epidemic outbreak response and control is achieved.

Effect compressive strength and split tensile strength of concrete using aggregate from Tana Toraja district with fly ash substitution

Development in Indonesia is increasing day by day. This has resulted in the construction sector from year to year experiencing a lot of progress both in terms of planning/design and in terms of updating the construction methods used. Tana Toraja regency is precise in Saluputti districts. the Maulu river is a source of a lot of coarse and fine aggregates that can be used as a material for mixing concrete. Because this area is the meeting point between the largest rivers. especially in Tana Toraja. Therefore. in this study. coarse and fine aggregates from Tana Toraja. Saluputti district are used as research objects with fly ash as an additional ingredient. The research objective was to determine the effect of fly ash substitution on compressive strength and split tensile in concrete with Tana Toraja aggregate and to determine the characteristics of the concrete produced using the aggregate from Tana Toraja with fly ash substitution. The research method is a sample testing method. in which 72 samples were tested consisting of 36 samples of compressive strength and 36 samples of split tensile strength. The test was carried out at the Concrete Structure and Material Laboratory. Department of Civil Engineering. Universitas Kristen Indonesia Paulus – Makassar South Sulawesi. The results showed that the use of fly ash as a partial substitute for cement would reduce the strength of concrete compared to concrete without the use of fly ash. The greater the level of fly ash given. the strength of the concrete will be reduced by using the aggregate from Tana Toraja district.

A comparison of consumer response using paper and digital ballots for eating quality assessment of beef steaks

A consumer study was conducted to determine if consumers scored beef palatability traits differently on paper vs. digital ballots. Beef subprimals were collected to represent four treatments with inherent variation in eating quality: USDA Select eye round aged 7 d postmortem, USDA Select strip loin aged 7 d postmortem, USDA Choice tenderloin aged 21 d postmortem, and USDA Prime strip loin aged 21 d postmortem. Accessory muscles, external fat, and connective tissue were removed from subprimals. Muscles were fabricated into 2.5 cm steaks and further divided into 2 equal halves for consumer testing. Consumers (n = 360) were served eight samples divided into two blocks representing the two ballot types. Select longissimus lumborum samples were always served in the first and fifth position to start each ballot block, with the remaining three treatments served in a randomized order between the latter three positions within each ballot block. Consumers rated each steak sample for tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking on either a paper or digital ballot, and then rated the paired steak halves on the opposite ballot during the second block of sample testing. Ballot type influenced (P &lt; 0.02) all traits, as consumers scored tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking greater (P &lt; 0.05) on paper ballots compared to digital ballots, regardless of treatment. The smallest margin between paper and digital ballots was observed for tenderness, where scores only differed by 1.8 units. However, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking all differed by 3.4 units in favor of paper ballots. Consumers scored palatability traits greater on paper ballots compared to digital ballots, and these findings were consistent across a range of eating quality outcomes. These results should be considered when comparing past consumer testing results using paper balloting systems to those where digital ballots were used.