The application of U-Shape assembly line system on carbonated drinks production

U-shape layout is one of the product layouts in manufacturing industries.The layout covers the arrangement of the equipments and processes in the workstations to produce the desired product.In this research, the production of carbonated drinks is being selected as the product to demonstrate the use of the U-shape layout concept.The research revealed the concepts and operation of this product besides the advantages and disadvantages of using the U-shape layout in the production of the carbonated drink.The knowledge of appropriate usage of the U-shape layout can help the interested readers in implementing this type of layout in their industries

Transdermal Maltose-Based Microneedle Patch as Adjunct to Enhance Topical Anesthetic before Intravenous Cannulation of Pediatric Thalassemic Patients Receiving Blood Transfusion: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Intravenous cannulation is experientially traumatic to children. To minimize this, EMLA® is applied on the would-be-cannulated area before IV cannula insertion. However, the time to achieve its maximum efficacy may be affected due to incomplete cutaneous absorption and the duration of application. The latter may be a limiting factor in a busy healthcare facility. The usage of dissolvable maltose microneedles may circumvent this problem by introducing micropores that will facilitate EMLA® absorption. A randomized phase II cross-over trial will be conducted to compare the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores and skin conductance algesimeter index between 4 different interventions (1 fingertip unit (FTU) of EMLA® with microneedle patch for 30 min before cannulation; 0.5 FTU of EMLA® with microneedle patch for 30 min; 1 FTU of EMLA® with microneedle for 15 min; 1 FTU of EMLA® with sham patch for 30 min). A total of 26 pediatric patients with thalassemia aged between 6 and 18 years old and requiring blood transfusion will be recruited in this trial. During the visits, the VAS scores and skin conductance algesimeter index at venous cannulation will be obtained using the VAS rulers and PainMonitor™ machine, respectively. The trial will commence in August 2021 and is anticipated to end by August 2022