Automatic Compensation of the Positional Error Utilizing Localization Method in Pipe

Since 1965, a numerous number of cities implementing sewerage systems have increased rapidly throughout Japan, and sewerage development is considered to be becoming more widespread in various regions. However, with the increase of management facilities, the aging of facilities for long-term use is becoming more and more apparent. The standard expected durability of these pipes is approximately 50 years, but there is a tendency and a risk that the number of collapsed roads will increase rapidly 30 years after the pipes are laid. Against this background, maintenance of drainage and sewage pipes is critical and must be carried out continuously. Therefore, in recent years, investigation using robots have been actively conducted in order to reduce manual workload of the workers. However, these robots have a large-scale system as a whole, and as a result, they are poorly maintainable and expensive. Therefore, in this research, I have developed an autonomous and portable pipe inspection robot through the know-how on rescue robots which I have studied so far. However, for inspections using a pipe inspection robot, there is always the risk that the robot itself will tip over due to steps or small gaps at the joints of the pipes or slips caused by sludge. Therefore, to prevent tumbles and rollovers of the robot, I propose a localization method only by straight-driving control without relying on hardware. In addition, taking possible slips inside pipes into account, this method utilizes only acceleration sensor. In this study, localization method using only accelerometer mounted on the robot, which focuses on the relation between the pipe and the contact point of the tires, was shown as well as presenting a method using numerical analysis to derive the estimated values. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the estimation was stable as a result of an estimation experiment using autonomous small pipe inspection robot with and without a gradient (approx. 4/100) of a pipe, with a diameter of 189mm.

COVID-19 Antibodies and Outcomes Among Outpatient Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Maintenance hemodialysis patients are particularly vulnerable to infection and hospitalization with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Due to immunocompromise and clustering in outpatient dialysis units, the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in this population is unknown and has significant implications for public health. Little is also known about their risk factors for hospitalization. Methods: Three outpatient maintenance hemodialysis units affiliated with a major teaching hospital in the New York area were studied. We determined rates of SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity, SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity, hospitalization, and mortality. Results: Of 367 patients, 28.3% had either SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity or PCR positivity. Prevalence across the three units was 6.7%, 32.3%, and 69.6%. Those who were either antibody or PCR positive were significantly younger (65 vs 69 years, p=0.046), and had higher prevalence of black race (43.3% vs 29.7%, p = 0.001) and Hispanic ethnicity (31.7% vs 11.8%, p < 0.001) compared to those who tested negative. Higher positivity rates were also observed among those who took taxis and ambulettes to and from dialysis, relative to those who used personal transportation. Antibodies were detected in all PCR positive patients testing who underwent serologic testing. Of those that were seropositive, 31.8% were asymptomatic. The hospitalization rate based on either antibody or PCR positivity was 34.6%, with a hospital mortality rate of 33.3%. Aside from COPD, no other variables were more prevalent in hospitalized patients. Conclusions: We observed significant differences in rates of COVID-19 infection within three outpatient dialysis units, with universal seroconversion. Among patients with ESRD, rates of asymptomatic infection appear to be high, as do hospitalization and mortality rates.

A Survey Based Study on Maintenance of Certification Programs during Grand Rounds at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Background: Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a recertification program required by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). The program was created because continuing medical education (CME) was viewed as inadequate in keeping physicians’ knowledge up to date. In July 2016, UTSW incorporated MOC content into Grand Rounds.Objective: To identify whether dermatologists at UTSW find MOC Grand Rounds to be useful and whether this process could be utilized in other institutions.Methods: A five question survey was piloted by a few dermatologists at UTSW. The survey was emailed to dermatologists who attended the MOC Grand Rounds. Three questions were scored on a scale of 1-6 (1= strongly disagree, 2=moderately disagree, 3= neutral, 4= mildly agree, 5= moderately agree, 6=strongly agree) with 2 free response questions.Results: 13/20 dermatologists responded to the survey (65% response rate). 11/13 dermatologists (84.6%) reported that MOC at Grand Rounds is valuable to them. 11/13 dermatologists (84.6%) reported that other dermatology programs should incorporate this method of obtaining MOC credit. 9/13 dermatologists (69.2%) reported audience response sessions improve the Grand Rounds experience.Conclusion: Dermatologists found the MOC content to be useful when incorporated into Grand Rounds.

Preventive Maintain of Ventilators and its Cost Consideration

Background: Maintenance is the core function of biomedical engineering and is essential for the optimum functioning of equipment. This study was undertaken to understand the current maintenance practices of ventilator and its cost implications from administrative point of view. Methodology: 179 Ventilators supplied and installed by one vendor in different wards of the hospital were studied. It was a retrospective, descriptive study. Equipment related data was taken from various service reports. This data was used to calculate spares failure and their costs implication. Results: A total of 692 maintenance visits were undertaken for 179 ventilators of 5 different modals over 27 months by 6 Bio- Medical Engineers (BME). The mean number of spare changed throughout the study was 2.73. The uptime was within satisfactory limits. The yearly repair to cost ratio was 3.50 %. The cost of spare changed was a factor of modal under consideration and the status of equipment concerning its coverage under maintenance contact. Conclusion: The findings of the study should enable researchers in the future to formulate an effective equipment maintenance policy for the hospital.

EFEKTIFITAS MIKROORGANISME LOKAL (MOL) REBUNG BAMBU SEBAGAI AKTIVATOR PEMBUATAN KOMPOS TAHUN 2014

Background : Maintenance and preservation of the environment can not be separated from some problems, such as environmental disruption caused by the use of fertilizers that contain chemicals. Another issue that is often complained of by the farmers are shortages of fertilizer. Subsidized fertilizer in Bengkulu city often experienced shortages caused by the allotment reduction come from central government. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of MOL as an alternative bamboo shoots in composting.Methods: The type of experimental research with only posttest design with control group design. With four treatments, namely the addition of a dose of 15 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 30 ml and four repetitions. Analysis of the data used univariate and bivariate analysis, followed by Bonferonni test.Results: no difference in the length of time composting with the addition of bamboo shoots MOL activator dose of 15 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml and 30 ml, with a dose of 30 ml was the most effective dose in accelerating the composting. Suggestion: expected for people to be able to utilize bamboo shoots as a new alternative in the making composting activator.

Adverse Effects of Conventional Thrice-Weekly Hemodialysis: Is It Time to Avoid 3-Day Interdialytic Intervals?

Background: Maintenance hemodialysis is typically scheduled thrice weekly due to simple logistic reasons; thus, the vast majority of hemodialysis patients receive renal replacement therapy for two shorter 2-day intervals and a longer 3-day interval. As compared to the 2-day interval, we review the ill effects of the longer 3-day interdialytic interval in this report. Summary: Large-scale observational studies show that both cardiovascular-related hospital admissions and mortality occur more frequently on the day following the long interdialytic interval than on any other day of the week. Although the reasons for excess mortality are obscure, several pathophysiologic mechanisms may be involved, such as a greater magnitude of change during the long interdialytic interval in the following parameters: volume status, electrolyte and acid-base status, arterial wall and left ventricle mechanics. These data raise the need for re-examining the issue of timing and frequency of prescribed dialysis regimens in an attempt to improve patient outcomes. Although enhanced-frequency and/or extended-time dialysis schedules may mitigate the risks of the long interdialytic interval, the benefit of such dialytic modalities on survival is not yet proven. Key Message: This article summarizes currently available epidemiologic and pathophysiologic evidence on the adverse effects related to the long interdialytic interval of thrice-weekly hemodialysis and discusses the need to research further alternative dialysis practices that could mitigate these risks.