Successful transition from fed-batch to continuous manufacturing within a mAb process development cycle

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Evaluation of nine pilot obstetric ultrasound education workshops for Australian rural and remote doctors

Introduction: This article describes the evaluation of nine pilot obstetric ultrasound education workshops for Australian rural and remote doctors developed in response to an educational needs assessment that showed a large unmet need in this area.\ud \ud Method: Data from pre- and post-knowledge tests were analysed in SPSS. Data from the follow-up sonographer assessment visits were analysed in an EXCEL spreadsheet.\ud \ud Results: In all, 141 doctors attended one of the nine pilot obstetric ultrasound workshops and reported an increase in their confidence in obstetric ultrasound. The overall workshop pre- and post-knowledge test mean improved from a score of 13.9 to 15.5 (p=0.001) and the RANZCOG pre- and post-knowledge test mean improved from 9.56 to 15.12 (p=<0.001). Data from the follow-up competency assessment visits showed doctors were competent in some areas but required further practice in others.\ud \ud Conclusion: An intensive educational intervention can successfully address the pre-determined needs of rural and remote doctors. However, this intervention should be followed by ongoing practice-based education and assessment

Analysis, characterization, and effects of heavy metal chealating agents in water

Students supported: 5 Student Assistants"The term 'chelating agents' refers to chemical ligands which bind to an element with more than one site. It is a ubiquitous term, since there are multitudes of compounds which fulfill the requirements for being called chelating agents. Their origin is both synthetic and natural, and the manner and fashion in which they bind is quite varied. Many of the vitamins and hormones essential to life are chelating agents. Chlorophyll, which is required for photosynthesis, consists of a porphyrin ring structure bound to magnesium. Hemoglobin binds iron in a similar pattern, and vitamin B-12 utilizes cobalt in the same fashion. In addition to these, there are quite a number of similar compounds in both plants and animals. Most metals transport and usage inside living things involve a chelation process. In natural water systems, the presence of chelating agents can have significant impact on the transport and toxicity of metals."--IntroductionProject # B-095-MO Agreement # 14-31-0001-409

An ultrashort pulse ultra-violet radiation undulator source driven by a laser plasma wakefield accelerator

Narrow band undulator radiation tuneable over the wavelength range of 150–260 nm has been produced by short electron bunches from a 2 mm long laser plasma wakefield accelerator based on a 20 TW femtosecond laser system. The number of photons measured is up to 9 × 106 per shot for a 100 period undulator, with a mean peak brilliance of 1 × 1018 photons/s/mrad2/mm2/0.1% bandwidth. Simulations estimate that the driving electron bunch r.m.s. duration is as short as 3 fs when the electron beam has energy of 120–130 MeV with the radiation pulse duration in the range of 50–100 fs

Development and test of the ITER SC conductor joints

Joints for the ITER superconducting Central Solenoid should perform in rapidly varying magnetic field with low losses and low DC resistance. This paper describes the design of the ITER joint and presents its assembly process. Two joints were built and tested at the PTF facility at MIT. Test results are presented; losses in transverse and parallel field and the DC performance are discussed. The developed joint demonstrates sufficient margin for baseline ITRR operating scenarios

Development and Field Testing of a Narrative-Centered Digital Game for English Comprehension

This paper describes the development and field testing of Learning Likha: Rangers to the Rescue, a narrative-centered, mobile-based digital game for practicing English comprehension. Twenty-seven (27) student participants from Grades 4, 5, and 6 were invited to play the game and answer a comprehension test to determine their level of understanding of the game’s contents. Self-report questionnaires were also used to assess the extent to which they enjoyed playing the game. Three (3) teachers were likewise invited for a focus group discussion (FGD) to gather their insights about the game and how they may use it in their classes. Student’s self-reported feedback indicated they found the game fun, interesting, and sufficiently challenging. Post-test comprehension scores were generally good. Younger participants scored lower than their older peers but the differences were found to be not significant. Teachers indicated the game has the potential to be used as a supplement for their classes and that their students would enjoy playing it

Development and Field Testing of a MALL for Filipino with a Reusable Framework for Mobile-Based Drills

This paper describes the development and field testing of Ibigkas! Filipino, a mobile game that exercises learners’ fluency in identifying synonyms (kasingkahulugan) and antonyms (kasalungat) in the Filipino language. Twenty-four students from Grades 4, 5, and 6 were invited to play and answer comprehension tests to determine whether the game helped them improve their understanding of the content. Self-report questionnaires assessed the extent to which they enjoyed it. Additionally, three teachers were invited to a focus group discussion (FGD) to gather their insights about the game and how they may use it in their classes. Self-report feedback from students showed the game was fun, interesting, and sufficiently challenging. A significant increase in the post-test comprehension scores of the Grade 4 participants was found. This shows the potential of the game to make learning fun while helping realize learning goals. Teachers indicated they can use the game to supplement their Filipino classes and that the students will be receptive to the idea of utilizing a game for learning

Progress Towards Laser Wakefield Acceleration and Applications at the Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA)

Abstract Laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) are promising sources of high brightness particle and radiation beams with many possible applications, ranging from scientific research to medicine, industry and border security. The Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA) is a university-based facility employing the use of two high-power, ultrashort pulse lasers to advance research, development and application of laser-plasma accelerators. Here we report on recent advancements in LWFA research at SCAPA and upcoming research programmes to demonstrate proof-of-concept applications of the LWFA.</jats:p

Factors Affecting Retention in the Philippine National Rural Physician Deployment Program From 2012 to 2019: A Mixed Methods Study

Background To address the maldistribution of healthcare providers and the shortage of physicians in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the Philippines, the Philippine National Rural Physician Deployment Program, or more commonly known as the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program was established in 1993. However, as of 2011, only 18% of the DTTBs chose to stay in their assigned municipalities after their two-year deployment, termed retention. This study aims to identify the individual, local, work, national, and international factors affecting the retention of DTTBs in their assigned communities after their two-year deployment. Methods A descriptive, mixed-methods, explanatory design was used. For the quantitative part, the modified and updated Stayers Questionnaire was given to all current DTTBs present in a Continuing Medical Education session in the Development Academy of the Philippines. Descriptive statistics were then presented. For the qualitative part, individual, semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted in-person or via phone with current and alumni DTTBs from 2012 to 2019. Proceedings of the interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed thematically. Results 102 current DTTBs participated in the quantitative part of our study, while 10 current and former DTTBs participated in the interviews. Demographic factors and location, personal beliefs, well-being, friends and family dynamics, and perceptions about work were the individual factors identified to affect retention. Social working conditions, career development, and infrastructure, medical equipment, and supplies were among the work factors identified to affect retention. Geography, living conditions, local social needs, and technology were among the local factors identified to affect retention. Compensation, the recently signed Universal Healthcare Law, and Safety and Security were identified as national factors that could affect retention. International factors did not seem to discourage DTTBs from staying in their communities. Conclusions A host of individual, work-related, local, national, and international factors influence the DTTB’s decision to be retained in different, complex, interconnected, and dynamic ways. We also identified implementation issues in the DTTB program and suggested interventions to encourage retention