CNC Retrofits

The Boxford CNC Lathe is a machine used for educational purposes. The goal of the CNC Retrofits project is to improve the Boxford MT2’s performance and functionality to enable Mr. Lonczak to manufacture customized ballpoint pens. Within this Final Design Review (FDR) document, we present design updates since the CDR and implementation/assembly techniques. This work culminates in a solution to Mr. Lonczak’s needs which is analyzed in three subsystems: main control, spindle position tracking, and user interface. Within this report, we show the results of each subsystem’s verification process. These results prove that the design concept was met by describing test results that verify project specifications. Tests described within this FDR conclude in statistical analysis of process capability. Process capability analysis revealed that our project approaches a pre-determined process capability of 1.3. After discussing the results of our project, we clearly present the manufacturing methods that could be used by a trained professional to recreate our project. The conclusion of the FDR is an important milestone in the CNC Retrofits project because it represents a transition from verification prototyping to the early stages of industry implementation

Impact of pre-transplant anaemia correction and erythropoietin resistance on long-term graft survival

n/

Development of a Clinical Guide to Enhance Care for Suicidal Patients

Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common among mental health patients and are a source of stress for clinicians, who typically receive limited formal training on suicide. The U.S. Air Force initiated a project to enhance care and increase practitioner confidence when working with suicidal patients. A clinical guide was developed containing 18 recommendations for assessing and managing suicidality, strategies for meeting the recommendations, and clinical tools to facilitate quality care. Training opportunities and marketing efforts accompanied distribution of the guide. This initial article reviews the guide\u27s development, content, and evaluation plan as a model that other health care systems, clinics, or training programs can follow to enhance care for suicidal patients. Outcome data will be presented in a follow-up article

Influencia de los defectos, entrelazamientos y parámetros estructurales en las propiedades viscolásticas poliméricas modelo

La estructura de redes poliméricas está caracterizada por la densidad de puntos de entrecruzamiento, la fracción en volumen del material elásticamente activo, los defectos topológicos, y los efectos de entrelazamiento. La estructura y la respuesta viscoelástica de redes poliméricas entrecruzadas son altamente sensibles a la presencia de defectos estructurales. Estas no idealidades reducen la densidad de entrecruzamientos, y con ello reducen la respuesta elástica, incrementan el hinchamiento por solvente y controlan la dinámica disipativa de los elastómeros. En esta tesis, se estudió la relación entre la estructura de redes modelo de polidimetilsiloxano y sus propiedades macroscópicas a partir de experimentos de Resonancia Magnética Nuclear (RMN). Modelos de Campo Medio basados en la estructura de las redes, el modelo del tubo y el modelo phantom fueron utilizados para analizar los resultados en términos del contenido de defectos y entrelazamientos, así como también de otros parámetros estructurales

An analysis of the requirements for computer controlled decisions in production scheduling

The problem of utilizing an electronic computer to perform the function of making the low-order, routine decisions required in scheduling manufacturing operations in a metal fabricating job shop employing over three-thousand employees and utilizing over four-hundred machine tools was investigated. Data were gathered from a large operating machine shop, however the development of a hypothetical system is general and intended to be representative of a large class of job shop manufacturing facilities. A specific case is covered in the appendix shoring the data which were compiled from the plant in which the study was made. From these data the hypothesis that the routine decisions required for production scheduling and inventory control can be made economically by an electronic conputer is validated for the specific case studied and it is felt that the hypothesis is strengthened for the general case. No mathematical formulation of the problem is presented, however mathematical formulation of some of the decision processes is implied through the programming logic required, and upon which time estimates for computer operations were based. Considerable detail is presented in data flow schematic diagrams and in tables of volumes, frequency, and content of data files. The computer characteristics required by the system exist in commercially available machines at present. Tangible cost reductions are conservatively estimated to be in excess of $200.00 per year per production worker for the plant studied, provided an investment of about$35.00 per production worker is made during the year prior to installation. This investment would be required for systems development and programming effort and for nonrecurring equipment installation costs. These costs should be recovered completely within three months after installation with a rate of return approaching six-hundred percent. In addition to the tangible savings involved it is pointed out that many intangible benefits should accrue through the application of a computer to the decision making processes for scheduling and inventory control. One major example is the potential benefits inherent in simulation of shop operations which would be possible through relatively minor modifications of the operating computer programs required for the proposed system.Industrial Engineering, Department o

Production of the myxosporean parasite, Ceratomyxa shasta, in fall-run Chinook salmon carcasses in the Klamath river

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Fisheries, 2014Three experiments were performed to investigate Ceratomyxa shasta myxospore production by post-spawned Chinook salmon carcasses in the Klamath River watershed. Post-spawned Chinook salmon carcasses presumably infected with C. shasta were placed in flow-through plywood boxes submersed in the main-stem channel of the Klamath River, California. Parasites were molecularly quantified in water samples collected daily from the boxes to determine timing of parasite release into the environment. No parasites were detected in samples at any point in time. Myxospore densities in intestinal contents collected from infected Chinook salmon were monitored through time using phase microscopy to identify timing of myxospore development and proliferation in fish carcasses. No significant changes in parasite density were observed in incubating samples. Myxospore prevalence and abundance was measured in intestinal contents collected from 242 Fall-run, post-spawned Chinook salmon carcasses. Carcasses were sampled in October through December of 2011 from four tributaries of the Klamath River: Salmon River, Shasta River, Scott River and Bogus Creek. The probability of Ceratomyxa shasta myxospore detection in post-spawned Chinook salmon carcasses was estimated by fitting candidate binary logistic regressions to myxospore presence-absence data. Myxospore infection severity in post-spawned Chinook salmon carcasses was estimated by fitting candidate linear regressions to myxospore abundance data collected from spore-bearing carcasses. Candidate models were constructed from varying combinations of five explanatory variables: geographic sampling location, date of sampling, carcass fork length, carcass sex and degree of carcass decomposition at the time of sampling. AICc model selection determined that myxospore prevalence was specific to sampling site and was positively related to level of carcass decomposition. Log-transformed myxospore abundance was positively related to carcass fork length. These relationships in connection with age and site-specific Chinook salmon run size estimates are likely responsible for vast differences in regional myxospore production throughout the Klamath River watershed

Clinical Outcomes of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Plasmapheresis in Adult Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients With Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

OBJECTIVES: High recurrence and inferior graft survival rates have been reported for kidney transplant recipients with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Plasmapheresis is widely used to treat posttransplant relapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, but the effectiveness of prophylactic plasmapheresis remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 21 adult deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients who received prophylactic plasmapheresis were analyzed. Of these, 10 received posttransplant prophylactic plasmapheresis only (less-intensive regimen) and 11 received pre- and posttransplant prophylactic plasmapheresis (more-intensive regimen). Patients with recurrence were treated with steroids and plasmapheresis. Median follow-up was 45 months (interquartile range, 30-107 mo). RESULTS: At last visit, 20/21 patients (95%) were alive and 17/21 (81%) had functioning grafts. Cumulative focal segmental glomerulosclerosis recurrence rate was 38% (8/21): 30% (3/10) in the less-intensive and 45% (5/11) in the more-intensive group (P = .6594). Four of 8 patients (50%) with relapse eventually had graft loss due to recurrence: 100% (3/3) in the less-intensive and 20% (1/5) in the more-intensive group (P = .1429). Complete remission was observed in 25% (2/8) of recipients with recurrence: 0% (0/3) in the less-intensive and 40% (2/5) in the more-intensive group (P = .4643). Two of 8 patients (25%) remained plasmapheresis dependant: 0% (0/3) in the less-intensive and 40% (2/5) in the more-intensive group (P = .4643). Response rate (complete/partial) was higher in the more-intensive group (80% [4/5] vs 0% [0/3]; P = .1429); however, overall, the 2 regimens did not show significantly different outcomes. Comparison between this series and a historical control group of 52 patients with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis transplanted at our center and not receiving plasmapheresis prophylaxis did not demonstrate any advantages. CONCLUSIONS: No benefits from prophylactic plasmapheresis in deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were shown. Prospective randomized studies comparing alternative preemptive strategies are warranted

Pregnancies in women receiving renal transplant for lupus nephritis: Description of nine pregnancies and review of the literature

Background Few data are available on pregnancy in renal transplanted women for lupus nephritis (LN). Methods Among 38 women with LN who received a renal transplant in our Unit, three had nine pregnancies. During the pregnancies, patients were followed by a multidisciplinary team including gynecologists and nephrologists. Results Two patients received a living related and one a deceased kidney transplant. The immunosuppressive therapy consisted of steroids calcinurin inhibithors and mycophenolate mofetil. The last drug was substituted with azathioprine in prevision of pregnancy. All patients had normal renal function and urinalysis. In two patients some signs of immunological activity persisted after transplantation. Five pregnancies ended in miscarriage and four in live births. Two pregnancies were uneventful. Pre-eclampsia occurred in a hypertensive patient in two pregnancies that ended in preterm delivery in one case and in a small for gestation age in both cases. And finally, follow-up graft function and urinalysis continued to be normal in all patients. Conclusions After renal transplantation our LN women continue to have frequent miscarriages. The other pregnancies ended in live births and, with the exception of pre-eclampsia in a hypertensive patient, no renal or extra-renal complications occurred during or after pregnancy, even in cases with active immunological tests