Workflow Optimization of World Micro, Inc. Quality Department

Our group member Nick is currently an intern at World Micro, which is an electronic components distributor for companies manufacturing a variety of commercial, aerospace and military products. When electrical components are purchased from the open market, they need to be traced back to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or have a series of tests performed to verify that the parts are authentic and work. The current process time for World Micro’s quality testing and inspection is not efficient causing long lead times, extra work hours, and extra expenses in outsourcing services

Targeting and Recognition of Toll-Like Receptors by Plant and Pathogen Lectins.

We have reported that some lectins act as agonists of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and have immunomodulatory properties. The plant lectin ArtinM, for example, interacts with N-glycans of TLR2, whereas other lectins of microbial origin interact with TLR2 and TLR4. Expression of the receptors on the surface of antigen-presenting cells exposes N-glycans that may be targeted by lectins of different structures, specificities, and origins. In vitro, these interactions trigger cell signaling that leads to NF-κB activation and production of the Th1 polarizing cytokine IL-12. In vivo, a same sequence of events follows the administration of an active lectin to mice infected with an intracellular pathogen, conferring resistance to the pathogen. The lectins of the human pathogens Toxoplasma gondii (TgMIC1 and TgMIC4) and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Paracoccin), by recognition and activation of TLR2 and TLR4, induce cell events and in vivo effects comparable to the promoted by the plant lectin ArtinM. In this article, we highlight these two distinct mechanisms for activating antigen-presenting cells. On the one hand, TLRs act as sensors for the presence of conventional pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as microbial lipids. On the other hand, we showed that TLR-mediated cell activation might be triggered by an alternative way, in which lectins bind to TLRs N-glycans and stimulate cells to increase the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This process may lead to the development of new pharmaceutical tools that promote protective immune responses directed against intracellular pathogens and tumors

Showing the dynamics of student thinking as measured by the FMCE

Using data from over 14,000 student responses we create item response curves, fitted to the polytomous item response theory model for nominal responses, to evaluate the relative correctness of various incorrect responses to questions on the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE). Based on this ranking of incorrect responses, we examine individual students\u27 pairs of responses to FMCE questions, using transition matrices and consistency plots, to show how student ideas develop over the span of an introductory mechanics course. Using data from two different schools (N ~= 200 each), we explore how these representations can show student learning even when individuals do not choose the correct answer. Comparing response pairs provides a rich picture of student learning that is unavailable in many traditional analyses

Asymmetric dynamics of DNA entering and exiting a strongly confining nanopore.

In nanopore sensing, changes in ionic current are used to analyse single molecules in solution. The translocation dynamics of polyelectrolytes is of particular interest given potential applications such as DNA sequencing. In this paper, we determine how the dynamics of voltage driven DNA translocation can be affected by the nanopore geometry and hence the available configurational space for the DNA. Using the inherent geometrical asymmetry of a conically shaped nanopore, we examine how DNA dynamics depends on the directionality of transport. The total translocation time of DNA when exiting the extended conical confinement is significantly larger compared to the configuration where the DNA enters the pore from the open reservoir. By using specially designed DNA molecules with positional markers, we demonstrate that the translocation velocity progressively increases as the DNA exits from confinement. We show that a hydrodynamic model can account for these observations.Translocation of a charged polymer through confined nanoenvironments is highly dependent on their geometrical parameters. Here, the authors investigate experimentally the translocation dynamics of DNA through conical nanopores and provide a quantitative model for the translocation into and out of confinement

Comparative analysis of the medicinal compounds of the ship’s “medicine chests” in European Union maritime countries. Need for improvement and harmonization

Background: The contents of the ship pharmacy, namely “medicine chest” and its compliance with the respective regulations concerning the type of drugs to be provided for merchant vessels involved in long distance voyages and without a doctor on board were analysed. The current existing disparity between regulations can make medical assistance more complicated, and more often of low quality, due to frequent off-label use of supplied drugs. This study may represent a starting point leading to a model high-quality medicine chest on board ships.  Materials and methods: A comparative analysis between the medicine chest requirements of 12 European countries and the CEE Directive 31 March 1992 n.92/29 was made. Prescriptions of the aforementioned Directive were compared with the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (third Edition).  Results: The investigation showed a lack of homogeneity of contents. It emerged that some medicine chests lack of several pharmaceutical categories required by the reference standards. The subsequent comparison of the European Directive with the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines has highlighted the absence of some therapeutic categories that in the ship environment can be of important to ensure adequate therapy in many situations.  Conclusions: There are disparities regarding regulations concerning the ship medicine chests. It is crucial to harmonize these and create a single medicine chest for all the ships without a doctor on board, undergoing periodic updates and revisions, based on epidemiological analysis that will ensure high-quality healthcare to seafarers around the world.

Mobile technologies to support healthcare provider to healthcare provider communication and management of care

Background: The widespread use of mobile technologies can potentially expand the use of telemedicine approaches to facilitate communication between healthcare providers, this might increase access to specialist advice and improve patient health outcomes. Objectives: To assess the effects of mobile technologies versus usual care for supporting communication and consultations between healthcare providers on healthcare providers' performance, acceptability and satisfaction, healthcare use, patient health outcomes, acceptability and satisfaction, costs, and technical difficulties. Search methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and three other databases from 1 January 2000 to 22 July 2019. We searched clinical trials registries, checked references of relevant systematic reviews and included studies, and contacted topic experts. Selection criteria: Randomised trials comparing mobile technologies to support healthcare provider to healthcare provider communication and consultations compared with usual care. Data collection and analysis: We followed standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane and EPOC. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. Main results: We included 19 trials (5766 participants when reported), most were conducted in high-income countries. The most frequently used mobile technology was a mobile phone, often accompanied by training if it was used to transfer digital images. Trials recruited participants with different conditions, and interventions varied in delivery, components, and frequency of contact. We judged most trials to have high risk of performance bias, and approximately half had a high risk of detection, attrition, and reporting biases. Two studies reported data on technical problems, reporting few difficulties. Mobile technologies used by primary care providers to consult with hospital specialists. We assessed the certainty of evidence for this group of trials as moderate to low. Mobile technologies:. - probably make little or no difference to primary care providers following guidelines for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD; 1 trial, 47 general practices, 3004 participants);. - probably reduce the time between presentation and management of individuals with skin conditions, people with symptoms requiring an ultrasound, or being referred for an appointment with a specialist after attending primary care (4 trials, 656 participants);. - may reduce referrals and clinic visits among people with some skin conditions, and increase the likelihood of receiving retinopathy screening among people with diabetes, or an ultrasound in those referred with symptoms (9 trials, 4810 participants when reported);. - probably make little or no difference to patient-reported quality of life and health-related quality of life (2 trials, 622 participants) or to clinician-assessed clinical recovery (2 trials, 769 participants) among individuals with skin conditions;. - may make little or no difference to healthcare provider (2 trials, 378 participants) or participant acceptability and satisfaction (4 trials, 972 participants) when primary care providers consult with dermatologists;. - may make little or no difference for total or expected costs per participant for adults with some skin conditions or CKD (6 trials, 5423 participants). Mobile technologies used by emergency physicians to consult with hospital specialists about people attending the emergency department. We assessed the certainty of evidence for this group of trials as moderate. Mobile technologies:. - probably slightly reduce the consultation time between emergency physicians and hospital specialists (median difference −12 minutes, 95% CI −19 to −7; 1 trial, 345 participants);. - probably reduce participants’ length of stay in the emergency department by a few minutes (median difference −30 minutes, 95% CI −37 to −25; 1 trial, 345 participants). We did not identify trials that reported on providers' adherence, participants’ health status and well-being, healthcare provider and participant acceptability and satisfaction, or costs. Mobile technologies used by community health workers or home-care workers to consult with clinic staff. We assessed the certainty of evidence for this group of trials as moderate to low. Mobile technologies:. - probably make little or no difference in the number of outpatient clinic and community nurse consultations for participants with diabetes or older individuals treated with home enteral nutrition (2 trials, 370 participants) or hospitalisation of older individuals treated with home enteral nutrition (1 trial, 188 participants);. - may lead to little or no difference in mortality among people living with HIV (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.22) or diabetes (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.28 to 3.12) (2 trials, 1152 participants);. - may make little or no difference to participants' disease activity or health-related quality of life in participants with rheumatoid arthritis (1 trial, 85 participants);. - probably make little or no difference for participant acceptability and satisfaction for participants with diabetes and participants with rheumatoid arthritis (2 trials, 178 participants). We did not identify any trials that reported on providers' adherence, time between presentation and management, healthcare provider acceptability and satisfaction, or costs. Authors' conclusions: Our confidence in the effect estimates is limited. Interventions including a mobile technology component to support healthcare provider to healthcare provider communication and management of care may reduce the time between presentation and management of the health condition when primary care providers or emergency physicians use them to consult with specialists, and may increase the likelihood of receiving a clinical examination among participants with diabetes and those who required an ultrasound. They may decrease the number of people attending primary care who are referred to secondary or tertiary care in some conditions, such as some skin conditions and CKD. There was little evidence of effects on participants' health status and well-being, satisfaction, or costs.publishersversionpublishe

Quinta-Gamelin Community Center: Architectural Design

The new facility will add meeting space for many of community organizations and sport leagues as well as people interested in renting the gymnasium and meeting rooms. Last year our community center gymnasium was given out 192 times on an average of two hours each, our meeting room was given out 68 times. Similar towns rent these facilities at approximately $15.00 an hour