Manual Transfer Research Articles

Design of Microplate-Compatible Illumination Panels for a Semiautomated Benchtop Pipetting System.

Microplates are an essential tool used in laboratories for storing research materials and performing assays. Many types of laboratory automation exist that greatly reduce the effort needed to utilize microplates; however, there are cases where the use of such automation is not feasible or practical. In these instances, researchers must work in an environment where liquid handling operations are performed manually with handheld pipetting devices. This type of work is tedious and error-prone as it relies on researchers to manually track a significant amount of metadata, including transfer volumes, plate barcodes, well contents, and well locations. To address this challenge, we have developed an open-source, semiautomated benchtop system that facilitates manual pipetting using visual indicators. This device streamlines the process of identifying the location of wells so that the researcher can perform manual transfers in a more efficient, reliable, and accurate manner. This system utilizes a graphical user interface that allows the user to load worklists and then issues commands to illuminate wells of interest, providing a visual indicator for users to follow in real time. The software and hardware tools utilized for development, along with the implementation techniques used to produce this system, are described within.

Feasibility of 2D‑conformal radiotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma

The purpose of the present study was to propose an optimized 2D technique (2D-conformal) for radiotherapy (RT) of pancreatic cancer (CaP). This technique is based on double simulation which resolves the problems of radiographic image distortion. Five patients with locally advanced CaP were identified and enrolled. Treatment planning was simulated in 3 different ways: Two dimensional-standard (2D-SRT), 2D-conformal (2D-CRT), and three dimensional-conformal (3D-CRT) techniques for 10 MV LINAC. Simulation for a cobalt machine was also performed using only the 2D techniques. 2D-SRT technique was planned with fields definition based on anatomical landmarks (bone and duodenum). 3D-CRT was planned with standard virtual simulation technique, and 3D dose evaluation and optimization. 2D-CRT technique was based on manual information transfer from a diagnostic CT-scan to simulation radiograms. To eliminate the X-ray image distortion, a double simulation was employed and the profile of the GTV was delineated on radiographs bearing the simulator isocenter into the target center. Concerning target irradiation of either LINAC (10 MV) or cobalt source, the PTV constraints (ICRU 62) were met in all patients (Dmin >95%, Dmax <107%) with all techniques (2D-SRT, 3D-CRT, 2D-CRT). For organs at risk irradiation, in terms of Dmax to both duodenum and spinal cord, similar results were recorded with all techniques using the LINAC (10 MV). Liver and kidneys Dmean gradually improved from 2D-SRT to 2D-CRT and 3D-CRT. The 2D-CRT compared to 2D-SRT technique, halved the average dose to the liver and reduced to about 1/3 the average dose to the kidneys. With the cobalt source, using the 2D-CRT produced a reduction of Dmean to the kidneys (median from 30.7 to 16.9%) and liver (median from 33.4 to 22.3%) compared to 2D-SRT. This analysis showed better planning results in RT treatment of CaP while using a 2D-CRT compared to 2D-SRT technique and therefore presents an example for optimized 2D RT use.

CREATION OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE ACTIVITIES OF TESTING LABORATORIES OF AN EXPERT INSTITUTION IN THE SPHERE OF MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CIRCULATION

This article describes the results of Laboratory Information Management System implementation in an expert institution dealing with medicines evaluation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of providing digital support to the laboratories of the Federal State Budgetary Institution «Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and to assess the functionality of the information system in terms of coverage of functional capabilities of various classes of laboratory software. The implementation of laboratory automation systems is required by the current regulations and is in line with international approaches to organisation of the quality management. The information system implementation made it possible to computerize management of drug samples, distribution of assignments among responsible employees, storage and management of documents, and reporting of test results. It created opportunities for direct integration with laboratory equipment allowing for creation of analytical protocols without manual data transfer. The implemented solution meets all requirements and standards for the functional capabilities of laboratory information systems. A similar system could be used in chemical, pharmacological, medical and biochemical laboratories, its implementation will make it possible to meet both national and international standards. These innovations are part of the concept of CALS/PLM technologies integration into institutions management programmes.

Automated Reporting of DXA Studies Using a Custom-Built Computer Program.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are a critical population health tool and relatively simple to interpret but can be time consuming to report, often requiring manual transfer of bone mineral density and associated statistics into commercially available dictation systems. We describe here a custom-built computer program for automated reporting of DXA scans using Pydicom, an open-source package built in the Python computer language, and regular expressions to mine DICOM tags for patient information and bone mineral density statistics. This program, easy to emulate by any novice computer programmer, has doubled our efficiency at reporting DXA scans and has eliminated dictation errors.

Shoulder muscular activity in individuals with low back pain and spinal cord injury during seated manual load transfer tasks

This study aimed to compare the activity of four shoulder muscles in individuals with low back pain (LBP), spinal cord injuries (SCI) and a control group, during one-handed load transfer trials. Nine individuals with minimum one-year of LBP, eleven with thoracic/lumbar SCI and nine healthy controls participated in this study. The activations of anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, infraspinatus and pectoralis major were recorded by surface EMG during one-handed transferring of a cylinder from a home shelve to six spatially distributed target shelves. The integrated EMG values were compared using repeated measure ANOVA. Both LBPs and SCIs had higher anterior deltoid activation and LBPs required more upper trapezius activation than controls (p < 0.05). The spatial position of the targets also significantly influenced demands for these two muscles. The anterior deltoid and upper trapezius in LBP and SCI individuals are under higher demand during occupational load transfer tasks.Practitioner Summary: This study aimed to compare the activation of four shoulder muscles in individuals with low back pain, spinal cord injuries and healthy condition. EMG analysis showed that the injured groups required more upper trapezius and anterior deltoid activation during load transfer tasks, which may predispose them to muscle overexertion.

Biomechanical Evaluations of Bed-to-Wheelchair Transfer: Gait Belt Versus Walking Belt.

Nursing personnel, particularly caregivers who frequently perform manual patient transfer tasks, are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The purpose of this study was to perform biomechanical evaluations of bed-to-wheelchair transfer using two low-cost assistive devices: walking belt and gait belt. Twenty-eight college students, serving as caregivers, transferred 14 students, serving as patients. "Caregiver" spinal loading and strength requirements at major joints were measured using a 3D Static Strength Prediction Model. "Caregiver"-perceived stresses were assessed using the Borg CR-10 Scale. "Patient" safety and comfort ratings were determined using Likert-type scales. The findings indicated that transferring "patients" using walking belts with a pulling technique produced significantly lower biomechanical stress than using gait belts. "Patients" also felt more comfortable and safer during walking belt transfers. It is recommended that health care facilities should consider use of walking belts in place of gait belts to transfer partially weight-bearing patients.

Ergonomic evaluation of slide boards used by home care aides to assist client transfers

Home care aides risk musculoskeletal injury because they lift and move clients; the body weight of most adults exceeds the NIOSH recommended limit for lifting. Methods to reduce manual patient lifting in institutional settings are often technically or economically infeasible in home care. Our goal was to identify suitable, safe, low-technology transfer devices for home care use. Sixteen experienced home care aides performed client transfers from wheelchair to bed (upward) and bed to wheelchair (downward) in a simulated home care environment (laboratory), using four different slide boards and by hand without a device. Aides’ hand forces were measured during client transfers; aides also evaluated usability of each board. Hand forces exerted while using slide boards were mostly lower than in manual transfer, and forces were lower in downward versus upward transfers. Aides judged a board with a sliding mechanism easier to use than boards without a sliding mechanism.Practitioner Summary: This paper provides quantitative biomechanical measurements showing that slide boards reduced the hand forces needed by home care aides to transfer clients from bed to wheel chair and vice versa, compared to manual lifting. Using a semi-quantitative usability survey, aides identified boards with a sliding mechanism easiest to use.

Lessons Learned from Protection and Control Schemes Testing: The Results of Multiple Trials Using IEC 61850 Goose Messaging at an Oil Refinery

Several Trials for Protection and Control Schemes based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 standard were recently implemented for the new electrical system at a U.S. oil refinery. IEC 61850, generic object-oriented substation event (GOOSE) messaging, was used for several schemes, including transfer tripping, breaker failure, islanding detection, remote synchronizing, automatic restoration, manual transfer, and load shedding. Site acceptance tests validated the operation of the protection and control schemes. Bench testing was also performed for the load-shedding scheme using a power-system simulator. All of the testing focused on verifying scheme operations during normal operation and failure modes. The experience gained during early project trials influenced the design and testing of subsequent schemes. This article describes the bench and site acceptance testing approaches used and presents example tests along with their relevant results and the lessons learned.

Does Joystick Training Facilitate Relational Learning?

Thirteen naïve capuchin monkeys (Cebus [Sapajus] apella) were manually tested with the Transfer Index procedure, a species-fair paradigm for assessing the capacity to learn and to transfer learning. The animals were then trained to manipulate a joystick to control a cursor and to respond to stimuli on a computer screen. After the animals had mastered the remote cause-effect relations required by the computerized test system, they were returned to manual Transfer Index testing to determine whether the joystick-training intervention had affected the monkeys’ capacity for efficient and relational learning. Transfer Index scores and overall accuracy was higher following the joystick intervention, but these differences were not statistically significant. Two-choice discrimination learning and reversal appeared to be associative in nature, and there was no evidence that joystick training made the monkeys more rule-like or relational in their learning. Despite the absence of significant differences, the patterns of results encourage further study of the ways that changes in the cognitive competencies of nonhuman animals might be catalyzed by significant learning experiences.

Physical Training to Improve Transfer Techniques and Strengthen the Musculoskeletal System of Nurses Caring for Chronically Sick Patients

Aim: The focus of the study is on the stresses affecting the musculoskeletal system of nurses transferring heavy patients to a standing position, which is regarded as a major cause of back pain. As mechanical aids like patient lifts are only available in isolated cases, the use of physical training courses and workouts to improve manual transfer techniques and strengthen the relevant musculature should be encouraged as a viable alternative. Volunteer group, methodology: The study was performed in a group of 10 nurses (female participants only) caring for 20 heavy patients in an intensive care unit. The training course completed by the volunteers (lasting 5 months, 2 trainings per week) was designed to improve transfer techniques and reduce stresses caused by the heavy loads. Two computerized tests were used to evaluate the results: the MFT S3 - Body Stability Test and the Core Stability Test to determine balance capability and to determine strength profiles of the muscles stabilizing the spinal cord. Results: Evaluation of the Body Stability Test results showed that a majority of volunteers completing the course (For simplicity’s sake no gender differentiation is stated for nursing staff or patients) experienced improvement in transfer techniques and muscle function. The only values showing little or no improvement were those for symmetry and uniformity in activation of the passive musculoskeletal system. A review of the exercises used for this purpose would be useful. Evaluation of the Trunk Stability Test showed that participation in the course had resulted in functional improvements in excess of target value for the extensor muscles (to the rear of the trunk) and the flexor muscles (to the front). The before/after results for the muscles governing lateral inclination also showed improvements. Conclusions: Although training courses to improve transfer techniques and muscle strength are a useful alternative for nurses transferring heavy patients in cases where mechanical aids are not available, they are rarely used by or for nurses. Furthermore, they are inadequate for long-term health maintenance, which normally requires comprehensive ergonomic training to eliminate ergonomically incorrect transfer practices. Ergonomic transfer training creates consciousness of the need for a minimum-stress approach to heavy dynamic work and development of a routine for ergonomically correct performance of this type of work. Also of great importance for enhancement and maintenance of nurses’ health is good job organization.

Fully digital data processing during cardiovascular implantable electronic device follow-up in a high-volume tertiary center

BackgroundIncreasing numbers of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and limited follow-up capacities highlight unmet challenges in clinical electrophysiology. Integrated software (MediConnect®) enabling fully digital processing of device interrogation data has been commercially developed to facilitate follow-up visits. We sought to assess feasibility of fully digital data processing (FDDP) during ambulatory device follow-up in a high-volume tertiary hospital to provide guidance for future users of FDDP software.MethodsA total of 391 patients (mean age, 70 years) presenting to the outpatient department for routine device follow-up were analyzed (pacemaker, 44%; implantable cardioverter defibrillator, 39%; cardiac resynchronization therapy device, 16%).ResultsQuality of data transfer and follow-up duration were compared between digital (n = 265) and manual processing of device data (n = 126). Digital data import was successful, complete and correct in 82% of cases when early software versions were used. When using the most recent software version the rate of successful digital data import increased to 100%. Software-based import of interrogation data was complete and without failure in 97% of cases. The mean duration of a follow-up visit did not differ between the two groups (digital 18.7 min vs. manual data transfer 18.2 min).ConclusionsFDDP software was successfully implemented into the ambulatory follow-up of patients with implanted pacemakers and defibrillators. Digital data import into electronic patient management software was feasible and supported the physician’s workflow. The total duration of follow-up visits comprising technical device interrogation and clinical actions was not affected in the present tertiary center outpatient cohort.

Redesign process of a semi-powered patient transfer device

Intra-facility patient transfer poses substantial risks of patient falls and care-giver’s musculoskeletal injuries. Several patient lifters and aid devices have been introduced but they have not been widely used due to their bulky size and slow operation. A prototype of new patient transfer aid device has been developed to help care-givers transfer patients safely and more efficiently than conventional manual transferring or the use of powered patient lifters. This study was aimed to explain how the new patient transfer aid device has been developed, evaluated and redesigned to improve its safety, functionality and usability. Both laboratory experiment using a quantitative assessment method and field user research by interview and shadowing have been conducted to evaluate ergonomic advantages and to identify usability issues when transferring patients using the new aid device. Then, the initial prototype has been redesigned to address the issues and improve overall usability.

Building Information Modeling data interoperability for Cloud-based collaboration: Limitations and opportunities

Collaboration within Building Information Modeling process is mainly based on the manual transfer of document files in either vendor-specific formats or neutral format using Industry Foundation Classes. However, since the web enables Cloud-based Building Information Modeling services, it provides an opportunity to exchange data with web technologies. Alternative data sharing solutions include the federation of Building Information Modeling models and an interchange hub for data exchange in real time. These solutions face several challenges, are vendor locked, and integrate Building Information Modeling applications to a third new system. The main objective of this article is to investigate current limitations as well as opportunities of Cloud interoperability to outline a framework for a loosely coupled network-based Building Information Modeling data interoperability. This study explains that Cloud-Building Information Modeling data exchange needs to deploy major components of Cloud interoperability such as Cloud application programming interfaces, data transfer protocols, data formats, and standardization to redefine Building Information Modeling data flow in Cloud-based applications and to reshape collaboration process.

Using Beta-Version mHealth Technology for Team-Based Care Management to Support Stroke Prevention: An Assessment of Utility and Challenges.

BackgroundBeta versions of health information technology tools are needed in service delivery models with health care and community partnerships to confirm the key components and to assess the performance of the tools and their impact on users. We developed a care management technology (CMT) for use by community health workers (CHWs) and care managers (CMs) working collaboratively to improve risk factor control among recent stroke survivors. The CMT was expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the CHW-CM team.ObjectiveThe primary objective was to describe the Secondary Stroke Prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic Care Model Teams Early to End Disparities (SUCCEED) CMT and investigate CM and CHW perceptions of the CMT’s usefulness and challenges for team-based care management.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with all users of the beta-version SUCCEED CMT, namely two CMs and three CHWs. They were asked to demonstrate and describe their perceptions of the CMT’s ease of use and usefulness for completing predefined key care management activities. They were also probed about their general perceptions of the CMT’s information quality, ease of use, usefulness, and impact on CM and CHW roles. Interview transcripts were coded using a priori codes. Coded excerpts were grouped into broader themes and then related in a conceptual model of how the CMT facilitated care management. We also conducted a survey with 14 patients to obtain their perspective on CHW tablet use during CHW-patient interactions.ResultsCare managers and community health workers expressed that the CMT helped them keep track of patient interactions and plan their work. It guided CMs in developing and sharing care plans with CHWs. For CHWs, the CMT enabled electronic collection of clinical assessment data, provided decision support, and provided remote access to patients’ risk factor values. Long loading times and downtimes due to outages were the most significant challenges encountered. Additional issues included extensive use of free-text responses and manual data transfer from the electronic medical record. Despite these challenges, patients overall did not perceive the tablet as interfering with CHW-patient interactions.ConclusionsOur findings suggest useful functionalities of CMTs supporting health care and community partners in collaborative chronic care management. However, usability issues need to be addressed during the development process. The SUCCEED CMT is an initial step toward the development of effective health information technology tools to support collaborative, team-based models of care and will need to be modified as the evidence base grows. Future research should assess the CMT’s effects on team performance.

ENABLE (Exportable Notation and Bookmark List Engine): an Interface to Manage Tumor Measurement Data from PACS to Cancer Databases.

Oncologists evaluate therapeutic response in cancer trials based on tumor quantification following selected "target" lesions over time. At our cancer center, a majority of oncologists use Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 quantifying tumor progression based on lesion measurements on imaging. Currently, our oncologists handwrite tumor measurements, followed by multiple manual data transfers; however, our Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) has the ability to export tumor measurements, making it possible to manage tumor metadata digitally. We developed an interface, "Exportable Notation and Bookmark List Engine" (ENABLE), which produces prepopulated RECIST v1.1 worksheets and compiles cohort data and data models from PACS measurement data, thus eliminating handwriting and manual data transcription. We compared RECIST v1.1 data from eight patients (16 computed tomography exams) enrolled in an IRB-approved therapeutic trial with ENABLE outputs: 10 data fields with a total of 194 data points. All data in ENABLE's output matched with the existing data. Seven staff were taught how to use the interface with a 5-min explanatory instructional video. All were able to use ENABLE successfully without additional guidance. We additionally assessed 42 metastatic genitourinary cancer patients with available RECIST data within PACS to produce a best response waterfall plot. ENABLE manages tumor measurements and associated metadata exported from PACS, producing forms and data models compatible with cancer databases, obviating handwriting and the manual re-entry of data. Automation should reduce transcription errors and improve efficiency and the auditing process.

High-Level Synthesis for Semi-Global Matching: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

High-level synthesis (HLS)-based design methodologies are extremely viable for industries that are sensitive to production costs. In order to have competitive advantage, the ability to have several different implementations of the same algorithm satisfying a diverse range of resolution, cost, and performance constraints is highly desirable. In this paper, we present multiple hardware implementations of the semi-global matching (SGM) algorithm, which is used in stereo vision systems, e.g., for automotive applications. The hardware platform considered in this paper is a Xilinx Zynq system-on-chip. A performance comparison of both HLS-based design and a manual register transfer level (RTL) design in terms of quality of results, flexibility, and design time is also presented. SGM mainly includes a sequence of three processing steps, i.e., the “cost cube calculation” followed by the “path cost computation” and finally the “disparity approximation and minimization”. The path cost processor further performs a pixel-wise processing of the cost cube data along eight distinct path orientations. The baseline algorithmic model usually called the “golden” model utilizes considerably large arrays that are required to be mapped to an external DRAM and brought into the on-chip RAM when required. This necessitates adding both the memory transfer loops as well as insertion of calls to the AXI transactors for accessing the DRAM through the on-chip DDR slave. Furthermore, the initial algorithm (typically single-threaded) must be parallelized to fully exploit the concurrency offered by the target hardware platform. The design space exploration was thus performed by making several considerably different micro-architectural choices. Eventually, we were able to obtain an implementation comparable with the manual RTL design. Both the manual RTL and the HLS designs achieved the target real-time performance of 30 frames/s for the image resolution of $640\times 480$ with a disparity depth of 128 pixels per frame.

Broad ion beam serial section tomography

Here we examine the potential of serial Broad Ion Beam (BIB) Ar+ ion polishing as an advanced serial section tomography (SST) technique for destructive 3D material characterisation for collecting data from volumes with lateral dimensions significantly greater than 100µm and potentially over millimetre sized areas. Further, the associated low level of damage introduced makes BIB milling very well suited to 3D EBSD acquisition with very high indexing rates. Block face serial sectioning data registration schemes usually assume that the data comprises a series of parallel, planar slices. We quantify the variations in slice thickness and parallelity which can arise when using BIB systems comparing Gatan PECS and Ilion BIB systems for large volume serial sectioning and 3D-EBSD data acquisition. As a test case we obtain 3D morphologies and grain orientations for both phases of a WC-11%wt. Co hardmetal. In our case we have carried out the data acquisition through the manual transfer of the sample between SEM and BIB which is a very slow process (1–2 slice per day), however forthcoming automated procedures will markedly speed up the process. We show that irrespective of the sectioning method raw large area 2D-EBSD maps are affected by distortions and artefacts which affect 3D-EBSD such that quantitative analyses and visualisation can give misleading and erroneous results. Addressing and correcting these issues will offer real benefits when large area (millimetre sized) automated serial section BIBS is developed.

SU8 etch mask for patterning PDMS and its application to flexible fluidic microactuators.

Over the past few decades, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has become the material of choice for a variety of microsystem applications, including microfluidics, imprint lithography, and soft microrobotics. For most of these applications, PDMS is processed by replication molding; however, new applications would greatly benefit from the ability to pattern PDMS films using lithography and etching. Metal hardmasks, in conjunction with reactive ion etching (RIE), have been reported as a method for patterning PDMS; however, this approach suffers from a high surface roughness because of metal redeposition and limited etch thickness due to poor etch selectivity. We found that a combination of LOR and SU8 photoresists enables the patterning of thick PDMS layers by RIE without redeposition problems. We demonstrate the ability to etch 1.5-μm pillars in PDMS with a selectivity of 3.4. Furthermore, we use this process to lithographically process flexible fluidic microactuators without any manual transfer or cutting step. The actuator achieves a bidirectional rotation of 50° at a pressure of 200 kPa. This process provides a unique opportunity to scale down these actuators as well as other PDMS-based devices.

Self-Assembled Monolayer-Based Gate Dielectrics for MoS2 FETs

In this study, self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-based gate dielectrics is applied to the fabrication of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistors (FETs). A fabrication process of MoS2 FETs involves the selective formation of a SAM on aluminum oxides and the manual transfer of MoS2 flakes. A subthreshold slope (SS) of 69 mV/dec and no hysteresis were attained with the ultrathin SAM-based gate dielectrics. These results indicate the superior interfacial properties of the MoS2/SAM structure. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed a flat and abrupt interface of the MoS2/SAM structure. It is found that the SAM-based gate dielectrics is applicable to the fabrication of low-voltage MoS2 FETs. This study opens up intriguing possibilities of SAM-based gate dielectrics in functional electronic devices.

Constructive Synthesis of Memory-Intensive Accelerators for FPGA From Nested Loop Kernels

Field-programmable gate arrays are ideal hosts to custom accelerators for signal, image, and data processing but demand manual register transfer level design if high performance and low cost are desired. High-level synthesis reduces this design burden but requires manual design of complex on-chip and off-chip memory architectures, a major limitation in applications such as video processing. This paper presents an approach to resolve this shortcoming. A constructive process is described that can derive such accelerators, including on- and off-chip memory storage from a C description such that a user-defined throughput constraint is met. By employing a novel statement-oriented approach, dataflow intermediate models are derived and used to support simple approaches for on-/off-chip buffer partitioning, derivation of custom on-chip memory hierarchies and architecture transformation to ensure user-defined throughput constraints are met with minimum cost. When applied to accelerators for full search motion estimation, matrix multiplication, Sobel edge detection, and fast Fourier transform, it is shown how real-time performance up to an order of magnitude in advance of existing commercial HLS tools is enabled whilst including all requisite memory infrastructure. Further, optimizations are presented that reduce the on-chip buffer capacity and physical resource cost by up to 96% and 75%, respectively, whilst maintaining real-time performance.