Slit Lamp Ophthalmoscope Redesign

The slit lamp ophthalmoscope is used by ophthalmologists for diagnosis of pathologies in the eye. The device is used for identifying ocular diseases or indications of other possible systemic diseases to treat them before the diseases progress. Redesign of the ergonomics and adjustment mechanisms of the slit lamp ophthalmoscope will attempt to improve the compatibility of the device across a greater variety of patients. The wider headrest tower of 12.75 inches, the wider table cutout of 12 inches, and the 12 inches of extension of the headrest tower creates a better ergonomic fit for the patient and doctor. The wider headrest tower will decrease the proximity of the doctor’s hand when adjusting the device and give more space to the patient, while the wider table cutout and extension will allow the patient to sit comfortably for longer periods than the previous device. For a quality diagnosis, correct positioning of the ophthalmoscope is required. Deflection tests were done to ensure position of the headrest tower was not compromised during loading. All p-values were less than 0.001 meaning the device can withstand loading of a patient\u27s head without a change in eye position in the microscope view. The ergonomic capability was also tested with the headrest tower to make sure sufficient space was available for the patient to measure our specification for greater comfort in the device. The patient needs to be very still without moving their head position, which is why patient comfort is essential for a quality examination by an ophthalmologis

Analysis of Community Health Needs Assessment from Rural Kentucky

Rural Kentucky is widely known for its lack of accessible healthcare to its citizens. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 with the intent to provide better quality and more affordable healthcare to U.S. citizens, especially in places like rural Kentucky. The ACA has mandated non-profit hospitals use a tool, called the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), to fulfill their annual community benefit obligations required under section 501(r) in the ACA. To complete a CHNA we often use surveys or other assessment measures. By using CHNAs, the hospitals and other organizations gain feedback directly from patients to address the biggest problems from their patients’ views. The results of the CHNAs are required by law to be posted online at each hospital organization’s website. However, the ACA does not require any organization to compile results from CHNA surveys though there could be value in aggregating results across different hospitals. In Kentucky, the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) helped implement CHNAs in about 30 non-profit hospitals. While each hospital was able to customize their CHNA survey, many of the surveys contained similar or identical measures. The questions on the CHNA surveys used ranged from insurance coverage, to patient satisfaction, to family doctors used, and to coverage programs. For this study, data from each of the CHNA surveys were combined and analyzed to provide a more collective look at the subject of rural Kentucky healthcare. For example, this dataset allowed us to observe the overall hospital satisfaction rate for dozens of rural non-profit hospitals. Of the total respondents, the average satisfaction rate was between ‘satisfied’ and ‘very satisfied.’ As for assistance eligibility, about 33% of respondents were eligible for Medicare, 16% for Medicaid, 6% for Public Housing Assistance, and 14% for SNAP. Also, approximately 30% of respondents had, at one point, delayed healthcare due to lack of money and/or insurance. My poster will include both visual representations and numerical findings of the data. This will enable legislators of Kentucky, who are interested in rural healthcare, to view combined results of patient feedback and see their citizens’ overall viewpoints about their region’s healthcare

Genetic and Biochemical Analyses of Germ Cell Formation and Nuclear Division in Early Drosophila Embryos

Many genes in the fruit fly Drosophila show striking similarity to human genes. It is thus likely that understanding the cellular mechanisms in Drosophila will help to understand cellular processes in humans and may provide critical insight into the biological cause of human diseases. Our study focuses on the mechanisms of germ cell formation. In most organisms, germ cells are set aside from somatic cells early during development. Eventually primordial germ cells differentiate, form gonads, and become egg and sperm and thereby produce the next generation. Therefore, germ cells are the stem cells that give rise to a whole organism. To search for new genes directly involved in germ cell formation, we conducted a large mutant screen of the second chromosome\u27s right arm. As a result, we identified two alleles of a new gene involved in germline development. In addition, we isolated five alleles of another gene and showed that it acts in germ cell formation by properly distributing germ cell nuclei during their division and migration in early Drosophila embryos. Characterization of these new genes is underway and will be reported. Finally, we are in process of identifying metabolic energy-producing pathways that are mainly used for formation of germ cells. Understanding the mechanisms governing germ cell specification in Drosophila should contribute to our understanding of germline development in humans and may explain the origin of human germline disorders, namely germline cancers and infertility

Ergonomic Assessment for a Warehouse Distribution Center.

This presentation will include an analysis of ergonomic issues at a distribution center in Western Kentucky. Three members of OSH 663 Applied Workplace Ergonomics visited the site to evaluate potential ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in; Lifting/lowering of boxes and taping boxes using techniques such as the; NIOSH Lifting Equation, 2D Biomechanics, Liberty Mutual’s psychophysical manual handling tables, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, Strain Index, TLV for frequent, long duration lifting and ergonomic hand and body comfort questionnaire. An overview of the findings along with control recommendations for reducing ergonomic hazards will be presente

Using the Fruit Fly as a Model System to Understand Human Genetics of Early Embryogenesis

Many human genes associated with diseases have their counterparts in the fruit fly Drosophila. Therefore, studying genetics of Drosophila is likely to provide insights into the genetic causes of human disorders. Our study focuses on the identification and analysis of novel genes governing early events of Drosophila embryo development. These events include synchronous divisions and migration of the nuclei inside the embryos and formation of primordial germline cells. During development these cells give rise to sperm and egg and therefore ensure continuity of the life cycle. We have isolated new mutants that affect germline development and are in the process of detailed characterization of the mutant genes. In addition, our data indicate that germline development has a unique metabolic profile and we study genes and genes’ products that are responsible for the unusual metabolism in the germline. Results of our study are likely to be medically relevant and may help to better understand human genetics and development