A method to Formalise the Rapid Prototyping Process

Facing the increasing complexity of the product design area, (reduction of cycle times, introduction of simultaneous engineering, introduction of digital mock-up, ... ) a research department which wants to define a rapid prototyping process is confronted to the problem of the tools’ choice. Therefore, we will propose in this article, a method allowing to conceive such a process. In a first chapter, we present the rapid prototyping area in the product design environment, in a second chapter we will propose our method illustrated by an industrial case

The integration of new technologies : the stakes of knowledge

In order to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive international context, French companies are forced to follow one or more of various possible routes: relocating some of the activities, optimizing the design and / or production process, or innovate technologically. When they choose to develop new technologies, it is advisable to seek outside expertise in different areas. Thus they must exchange and create knowledge in partnership with other companies. But in order to control and integrate this future technology, we support that the acquisition and the capitalization of the technical training, during the process of innovation, are of primary importance. This article demonstrates that the construction of this knowledge base can be achieved only by formalizing close and rigorous collaboration. To do this, we propose a model of the collaborative process, meant for the leaders of innovative projects to support design.Cifr

Prototypage rapide, généralités

Mondialisation des marchés, concurrence de plus en plus vive, réactivité de plus en plus grande de la part des entreprises... Dans ce contexte, une entreprise qui souhaite conserver et/ou acquérir de nouvelles parts de marché doit : — maîtriser ses coûts ; — améliorer la qualité des produits et des études ; — réduire ses délais de développement. Pour répondre à ces critères essentiels de réussite, les entreprises ont dû adapter leur processus de conception, mais aussi tenir compte de l’émergence de nouvelles technologies. Ainsi, il devient crucial pour les entreprises de disposer d’outils permettant de matérialiser rapidement les produits en cours de développement, afin de détecter au plus tôt les erreurs de conception, de tester et de valider par l’ensemble des acteurs les différentes solutions techniques retenues. C’est le champ de recherche du prototypage rapide

A method to Formalise the Rapid Prototyping Process

Facing the increasing complexity of the product design area, (reduction of cycle times, introduction of simultaneous engineering, introduction of digital mock-up, ... ) a research department which wants to define a rapid prototyping process is confronted to the problem of the tools’ choice. Therefore, we will propose in this article, a method allowing to conceive such a process. In a first chapter, we present the rapid prototyping area in the product design environment, in a second chapter we will propose our method illustrated by an industrial case

The Aids policy cycle in Western Europe: From exceptionalism to normalization

In every Western European country the occurrence of Aids has led to exceptional innovations in prevention, patient care, health policy and questions of civil rights. This exception can be explained not only by the fact that a health catastrophe was feared, but also civilizational harm in the field of civil rights. Despite national differences, this brought about similar exceptionalist alliances consisting of health professionals, social movements and those affected. With the failure of a catastrophe to arise signs of fatigue in the exceptionalist alliance and increasing possibilities of medical treatment, exceptionalism in Europe is drawing to a close. The paper elucidates specific aspects of each of the four roughly distinguishable phases in this process: Approx. 1981 - 1986: emergence of exceptionalism. The underlying reasons for exceptionalism are investigated in this paper. Approx. 1986 - 1991: consolidation and performance of exceptionalism. The paper investigates the exceptionalist policy model, more specifically some nationally different factors in the polity and politics that help to explain the different forms of policies. Approx. 1991 - 1996: exceptionalism crumbling, steps toward normalization. The forces driving the process of normalization are investigated. Since 1996: normalization, normality. The changes made in the management of HIV and Aids are elucidated using examples from the fields of health care, primary prevention and drug policies. Aids health-policy innovations, and their risks and opportunities in the course of normalization are investigated. Three possible paths of development are identified: stabilization, generalization and retreat. The chances of utilizing innovations developed in connection with Aids for the modernization of health policy in other fields of prevention and patient care vary from country to country with the degree to which Aids exceptionalism has been institutionalized and the distance of these innovations from medical/therapeutic events. The contribution made by European countries to containing the global Aids crisis is inadequate. --

Ceftazidime/avibactam alone or in combination with aztreonam against colistin-resistant and carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

The spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major public health concern since such isolates are basically resistant to most available antibiotics, including β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides.1 Infections due to carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae are therefore commonly treated with a regimen containing colistin.1 However, acquired resistance to colistin now occurs frequently and has few therapeutic options.2 Outbreaks with colistin-resistant and carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates have been reported worldwide2 and mortality rates are high owing to limited treatment options.3...Recently, a new therapeutic option, namely ceftazidime/avibactam, combining a broad-spectrum cephalosporin and a novel β-lactamase inhibitor, has been marketed. The addition of avibactam expands the spectrum of activity of ceftazidime to many MDR Enterobacteriaceae including producers of ESBLs and carbapenemases.4..

Comparison of methods for detection of plasmid-mediated and chromosomally encoded colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae

Objectives: Because of the emergence of plasmid-mediated (mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes) and chromosomally encoded colistin resistance, reliable methods for detecting colistin resistance/susceptibility in routine laboratories are required. We evaluated the respective performances of the BD Phoenix automated system, the newly developed Rapid Polymyxin NP test and the broth microdilution (BMD) reference method to detect colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, and particularly those producing mcr-1 and mcr-2.Methods: Colistin susceptibility of 123 enterobacterial clinical isolates (40 colistin-susceptible and 83 colistin-resistant isolates) was tested with the BD Phoenix automated system, the Rapid Polymyxin NP test and the BMD method. Molecular mechanisms responsible for plasmid-mediated and chromosomally encoded colistin resistance mechanisms were investigated by PCR and sequencing.Results: Considering BMD as a reference method, the BD Phoenix system failed to detect ten colistin-resistant isolates (one Escherichia coli, one Klebsiella pneumoniae, seven Enterobacter species and one Salmonella enterica). The Rapid Polymyxin NP test failed to detect the same single E. coli isolate. Those two latter methods detected the 16 E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. enterica isolates producing the plasmid-encoded mcr-1 and mcr-2.Conclusions: The BD Phoenix system and the Rapid Polymyxin NP test are reliable techniques for detecting plasmid-mediated mcr-1 and mcr-2-related colistin resistance. However, a high rate of false susceptibility was observed with the BD Phoenix system, indicating that susceptibility results obtained with that system should be confirmed by BMD method. By contrast, the Rapid Polymyxin NP test showed a good agreement with the BMD method, and results were obtained rapidly (within 2 hours). The BMD method should be performed if minimum inhibitory concentration values are neede

Evaluation of three broth microdilution systems to determine colistin susceptibility of Gram-negative bacilli

The broth microdilution (BMD) method is currently the recommended technique to determine susceptibility to colistin.Objectives: We evaluated the accuracy of three commercialized BMD panels [Sensititre (ThermoFisher Diagnostics), UMIC (Biocentric) and MicroScan (Beckman Coulter)] to determine colistin susceptibility.Methods: A collection of 185 isolates of Gram-negative bacilli (133 colistin resistant and 52 colistin susceptible) was tested. Manual BMD according to EUCAST guidelines was used as the reference method, and EUCAST 2017 breakpoints were used for susceptibility categorization.Results:The UMIC system gave the highest rate of very major errors (11.3%) compared with the Sensititre and MicroScan systems (3% and 0.8%, respectively). A high rate of major errors (26.9%) was found with the MicroScan system due to an overestimation of the MICs for the non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli, whereas no major errors were found with the Sensititre and UMIC systems.Conclusions: The UMIC system was easy to use, but failed to detect >10% of colistin-resistant isolates. The MicroScan system showed excellent results for enterobacterial isolates, but non-susceptible results for non- fermenters should be confirmed by another method and the range of MICs tested was narrow. The Sensititre system was the most reliable marketed BMD panel with a categorical agreement of 97.8%

Hafnia, an enterobacterial genus naturally resistant to colistin revealed by three susceptibility testing methods

ObjectivesTo determine the susceptibility to colistin of Hafnia alvei and Hafnia paralvei, and to compare methods for colistin resistance detection in the Hafnia genus.MethodsA collection of 25 Hafnia isolates was studied. Species were identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with subsequent phylogeny analysis. Susceptibility to colistin was determined using the broth microdilution (BMD) reference method, the Phoenix automated system, the Rapid Polymyxin NP test, the Etest system and the disc diffusion method.ResultsThe collection consisted of 15 H. alvei and 10 H. paralvei isolates. Based on the 16S rRNA analysis, a close relationship of the Hafnia genus with naturally colistin-resistant enterobacterial genera (Proteus, Morganella, Providencia and Serratia) was identified. Susceptibility testing performed using the BMD method, the Phoenix automated system and the Rapid Polymyxin NP test revealed a high rate of colistin resistance (96%). Underestimation of colistin resistance using Etest strips (72%) and the disc diffusion method (0%) was observed.ConclusionsThe high rate of colistin resistance observed within the Hafnia genus and its close phylogenetic relationship with naturally colistin-resistant genera suggest that Hafnia is a naturally colistin-resistant enterobacterial genus