Three dimensional optofluidic devices for manipulation of particles and cells

Optical forces offer a powerful tool for manipulating single cells noninvasively. Integration of optical functions within microfluidic devices provides a new freedom for manipulating and studying biological samples at the micro scale. In the pursuit to realise such microfluidic devices with integrated optical components, Ultrafast Laser Inscription (ULI) fabrication technology shows great potential. The uniqueness and versatility of the technique in rapid prototyping of 3D complex microfluidic and optical elements as well as the ability to perform one step integration of these elements provides exciting opportunities in fabricating novel devices for biophotonics applications. The work described in this thesis details the development of three dimensional optofluidic devices that can be used for biophotonics applications, in particular for performing cell manipulation and particle separation. Firstly, the potential of optical forces to manipulate cells and particles in ULI microfluidic channels is investigated. The ability to controllably displace particles within a ULI microchannel using a waveguide positioned orthogonal to it is explored in detail. We then prototype a more complex 3D device with multiple functionalities in which a 3D optofluidic device containing a complex microchannel network and waveguides was used for further investigations into optical manipulation and particle separation. The microfluidic channel network and the waveguides within the device possess the capability to manipulate the injected sample fluid through hydrodynamic focusing and optically manipulate the individual particles, respectively. This geometry provided a more efficient way of investigating optical manipulation within the device. Finally, work towards developing a fully optimised 3D cell separator device is presented. Initial functional validation was performed by investigating the capability of the device to route particles through different outlet channels using optical forces. A proof of concept study demonstrates the potential of the device to use for cell separation based on the size of the cells. It was shown that both passive and active cell separation is possible using this device

Development of Corrosion Resistance Coatings for Sea Water Pipeline

The pipelines that are used for transporting sea water to desalination plants are made of expensive steel alloys. However because of the salt content in water and also other atmospheric factors this pipe undergoes severe corrosion problem. This causes pits and holes in pipe surface making it useless and lead to huge replacement cost of pipes. Hence a way to control corrosion is needed.In this project use of different coatings to overcome corrosion is tested experimentally. Five types of coatings namely epoxy, aluminum, enamel, rubber, and chrome are coated on the samples prepared from actual pipeline used in the plant and the experimental results and analysis are summarized for finding the best coating for reducing corrosion of pipes. Among the five different coatings tested the rubber and epoxy coatings resulted with minimum corrosion rate and weight loss

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF WEIGHT SENSING SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTION LINE

Most of industries in our area are still using old techniques to measure the quality of their products. These old ways of measuring the quality are not applicable for every product and the checking is only by random samples. This method may affect the company if more products are out of production tolerance. So, this project is to design and fabricate weight sensing system that can be used in a production line in which the system can accept a specific weight to go in production line and reject others. The idea of this project comes after seeing the effects of going out of weight tolerance for some products that require quality. So, this report will screen the previous works and technologies which are related to the topic in literature review chapter to get benefits from them and avoid mistakes. No specific literature was identified with complete design of automatic weight sensing system. Personal interaction with the Reem batteries and power appliances results in the generation of the idea for designing and developing light weight sensing system. This project has faced some challenges which are: To identify a sensor that is having more sensitivity for the light weight and the method to amplify its low signal. These challenges have been solved by searching from different sources to get the best weight sensor and the suitable amplifier

Hydraulic Jack operated Hose Crimping Machine

The present paper deals with developing of a crimping machine that can crimp hydraulic hoses with its fitting without the use of electricity. Detailed literature review indicates the fabrication of crimping machine that operates with electricity that inspired the authors to develop a hydraulic crimping machine that works without electrical power. Such a crimping machine is very useful when the rig is in movement and suitable for emergency crimping work in order to avoid shutdown time.The author has used Autodesk inventor software for designing critical components of the machine and obtained safety factor more than one for all the critical components. Safety factor less than one leads to the unsafe working condition of the critical parts. Fabrication of the whole assembly has been completed successfully for the required crimping for a hose size of 19.05 mm. The crimping machine has been tested successfully for crimping the required hose size. The design of the machine can be altered so that it can accommodate different die sizes in order to crimp hoses of different sizes

Formoterol versus montelukast as add on therapy to low dose budesonide in persistent asthma: effect on lung function

Background: Choice between LABAs and LTRAs as add on drugs to low dose ICS in persistent asthma remains unclear due to limited data on the comparative efficacy of these two groups of drugs. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of formoterol and montelukast on lung function, when added to low dose Budesonide in persistent asthma.Methods: This was an institution based randomized open label study. 72 asthmatics satisfying selection criteria of the study were randomized to receive either inhaled budesonide and formoterol (FB group) or inhaled budesonide and oral montelukast (MB group) for 12 weeks. PEF value at end point was primary efficacy measure. Secondary efficacy measures were PEF values measured at the end of 1, 4 and 8 weeks and the end point value of FEV1.Results: Both the groups showed significant improvement in the lung function tests. However inter-group comparison showed that PEF value at end point of FB group was significantly greater than that of MB group (81.94%vs 63.82%, p<0.05). Notable observation was that the superiority of the FB group with respect to PEF values was maintained from the first week itself. FB group also had significantly better results than MB group for FEV1 (67.88% vs 64.88%, p<0.05).Conclusions: In the present study, formoterol was found to be superior to montelukast in improving lung function when added to low dose budesonide in persistent asthma

Pantoprazole induced black hairy tongue: a case report

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is characterized by abnormally hypertrophied and elongated filiform papillae, appearing as blackish discoloration on the dorsal surface of the tongue. BHT has been reported as an adverse drug reaction to different categories of drugs. However, pantoprazole induced BHT has been rarely reported. We present the case of a 42-year-old female, admitted in the surgery ward with postoperative wound infection, for which she was prescribed oral clarithromycin and pantoprazole. On the third day of starting medications, she complained of blackish discoloration on the dorsal surface of the tongue with an alteration of taste sensation, which was clinically and microscopically diagnosed as BHT. Suspecting BHT as an adverse drug reaction to pantoprazole, it was stopped, while clarithromycin was continued for the full course. She was also advised to scrape her tongue thrice daily, drink adequate fluids and maintain good oral hygiene. On the third day after stopping pantoprazole, black discoloration and alteration of taste sensation resolved completely. WHO-UMC causality assessment scale showed a ‘probable’ association of the adverse drug reaction with pantoprazole. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of BHT with the use of pantoprazole and that it completely resolves on stoppage of the drug, mechanical debridement and good oral hygiene

フォトニック結晶ナノファイバー共振器の開発

電気通信大学201

IMPLEMENTATION AND STUDY ON INNOVATIVE NEW TEACHING METHODS TO ENHANCE LEARNING OF MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES MODULE AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL

This paper is an outcome of the motivation and need to address wide spectrum of teaching and learning styles that are recognized by the students.&nbsp; It is the order of the day that the student’s are encouraged in self-learning, engaged learning, peer to peer learning etc., forproviding better exposure and ambience for easy understanding of the basic concepts. In this context, Mechanical Principles module that is taught at undergraduate level at the Department of Mechanical engineering at Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman is considered for implementing new teaching tools.&nbsp; This is a core module in mechanical engineering where the teaching involves a large group of students which require addressing pedagogical teaching and resource challenges. Various strategies are developed in order to enhance the teaching and learning experience of students such as change in layout of their seating arrangements inside the class room, use of soft tools for wider learning, open ended lab to improve the practical skills, use of CCE learn for online access of course documents, online quizzes for more interactive learning as well as access for students to video lectures &amp;EBrary sources in addition to the traditional teaching. Survey conducted towards the level of satisfaction of students indicates that a majority of students appreciate different teaching and learning methods other than the traditional ones. The present work that is carried out for Mechanical principles module can be extended to other related modules. Definitely any useful teaching learning tools used in addition to the conventional methods of teaching creates attention to student community and enhances their theoretical and practical exposure

A questionnaire based study to assess the interns’ knowledge about the brand names of drugs routinely prescribed in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, India

Background: The gap in the knowledge of interns between brand names, generic name and indication of a drug can lead to unwanted clinical consequences. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of interns at a tertiary care hospital regarding the generic name and indications of the routinely prescribed brand names of drugs.Methods: In this study, interns were required to write whether they prescribed the brand names mentioned in the questionnaire in the preceding six months, their generic name and the indication for their use. Results were expressed using descriptive statistics.Results: All brands except Zovobact SB was prescribed by more than 50% of interns in the preceding six months. The generic equivalents were correctly identified by good percentage of interns for Hicet (100%), Asthalin (95%), Cifran (90%) but the percentage of correct answers was low for other brands. For combination brands, correct generic names of all components were identified by more than 50% of interns for oflox TZ (93%), Septid D (68%) and Losar H (68%). The percentage of correct response for the indication of the brands was satisfactory for Hicet (100%), Asthalin (98%), Cifran (98%), Zerodol P (100%), Cyclopam (100%), oflox TZ (100%), Losar H (98%), Septid D (98%) but was inadequate for Taxim O (48%), Betaloc (33%), Valium (23%), Diamox (0%), Quadriderm (31%) and Zovobact SB (31%).Conclusions: This study identified lacunas in the knowledge of interns regarding generic equivalents and indications of brand names. Strategies to overcome the problem should be devised to ensure patient safety