Preparing IR for COVID-19: The Singapore Experience

This paper describes country-wide special measures undertaken for interventional radiology staff during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although each interventional radiology service around the world faces unique challenges, the principles outlined in this article will be useful when designing or strengthening individual practices and integrating them within wider hospital and national measures. Moving beyond the current outbreak, these measures will be useful for any future infectious diseases which are likely to arise.     

双歧杆菌QJ 405和乳酸杆菌QJ 405的生物学特征及鉴定

目的：观察从健康核潜艇艇员正常粪便中分离出的双歧杆菌QJ405和乳酸杆菌QJ405的生物学特征,判定其是否符合益生菌要求。方法：分析细菌的形态学和生理生化特征。采用数值分类法（API20A）的化学分类法（气相色谱分析）进行种属鉴定。抗生素敏感试验采用ATB法。结果：两株菌分别鉴定为长双杆菌和唾液乳酸杆菌唾液亚种,两菌代谢发酵碳水化合物均可产生大量乙酸、乳酸,对多种抗生素表现敏感。结论：双歧杆菌QJ405和乳酸杆菌QJ405的来源和部分生物活性符合益生菌的要求。     

强制循环蒸发器的设备设计及制造

蒸发器产品在医药、化工等生产中应用广泛,是各种溶液的蒸发、浓缩、提纯的关键设备.介绍了一种强制循环蒸发器的设备参数和整体结构,针对设计和制造过程中的实际问题进行了阐述.     

Goal satisfaction improves with individualized powered wheelchair skills training

Purpose: To determine improvements in goal satisfaction following individualized mobility-related powered wheelchair skills training and whether changes in satisfaction are maintained 3 months post-training.

Materials and methods: Seventeen powered wheelchair users, from two centres, who were randomized to the training intervention from a larger multicentre study, were included in this secondary analysis. The intervention consisted of five 30-min individualized Wheelchair Skills Training Program sessions. Participants rated their current satisfaction with each of their goals from 0 to 10 (10 being the highest) prior to training, immediately after the intervention, and approximately 3 months following the intervention. Themes relating to the participants’ goals were also explored.

Results: Goal satisfaction scores improved statistically (p?r?=?0.387, n?=?17, p?=?.125). The majority of goals set fell into the broader “manoeuvring” category.

Conclusion: Goal satisfaction following the Wheelchair Skills Training Program improved years after initially learning how to operate a powered wheelchair. The five training sessions were effective in improving goal satisfaction. The quantification of goal satisfaction appears to be a sensitive outcome for powered wheelchair users undergoing mobility-related training.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Goal satisfaction improved following the Wheelchair Skills Training Program.

• Even with years of powered wheelchair experience, the majority of goals set fell into the broader “manoeuvring” category.

• An individual’s goal satisfaction may not correlate with whether they have attained their goal as determined by a trainer.

     

Six-Minute Walk Test Performance in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis While Using Passive or Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses

Objective

To determine whether a powered ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that provides dorsiflexor and plantar flexor assistance at the ankle can improve walking endurance of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

便携式给氧复苏呼吸器的设计

目的：设计一款具有复苏和吸氧双重功能的便携式呼吸器。方法采用正压式、气动气控的设计方案,对关键部件进行了理论计算,利用三维设计软件 Solidedge 进行了虚拟样机的构建、结构的校核,最后对样机进行了加工装配和测试。结果经过实验测试,所研制的呼吸器在3～5．5 bar 气源压力下能实现急救复苏和辅助吸氧功能,给氧流量10～12 L／min,达到预期技术指标。结论便携式给氧复苏呼吸器具有体积小、重量轻、操作简单、便于携带、无需电源等特点,具有广阔的应用前景。     

Comparison of new and 3-month-old brush heads in the removal of plaque using a powered toothbrush

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of new and 3-month-old worn brush heads in plaque removal using a rotation-oscillation-powered toothbrush. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single examiner blinded, randomized, cross-over study was conducted in which 34 adults attended the clinic on two occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene. Following plaque scoring, subjects brushed for 2 min. with either a new brush or a brush they had used for 3 months and plaque was then re-scored. Bristle wear was assessed by measuring brushing surface areas on digital images. RESULTS: The mean plaque score percentage reductions with new brush heads were not significantly different from those achieved with 3-month-old heads for total surfaces (new=38.1%; worn=37.1%; p=0.83) and approximal surfaces (new=31.3%; worn=30.8%; p=0.9). Brushing surface area increases of the 3-month-old heads ranged from 0% to 135% (mean 26.9%). Compared with new brush heads, no significant differences were found for plaque score reductions for heads with minor, moderate or marked wear. CONCLUSION: Rotation-oscillation-powered toothbrushes with 3-month-old brush heads exhibiting various degrees of wear were as effective as new brush heads in plaque removal. Bristle age and wear on a powered toothbrush may not impede the effectiveness of plaque removal.     

Robotic gait trainer in water: Development of an underwater gait-training orthosis

Purpose.?To develop a robotic gait trainer that can be used in water (RGTW) and achieve repetitive physiological gait patterns to improve the movement dysfunctions.

Method.?The RGTW is a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis with pneumatic actuators; the control software was developed on the basis of the angular motions of the hip and knee joint of a healthy subject as he walked in water. Three-dimensional motions and electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded in nine healthy subjects to evaluate the efficacy of using the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Results.?The device could preserve the angular displacement patterns of the hip and knee and foot trajectories under all experimental conditions. The tibialis anterior EMG activities in the late swing phase and the biceps femoris throughout the stance phase were reduced whose joint torques were assisted by the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Conclusion.?Using the RGTW could expect not only the effect of the hydrotherapy but also the standard treadmill gait training, in particular, and may be particularly effective for treating individuals with hip joint movement dysfunction.     

Battery powered neuromuscular stimulator circuit for use during simultaneous recording of myoelectric signals

Surface Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) requires high stimulation voltages. A step-up transformer in the output stage of the stimulation circuit is often used. In the present technical paper a voltage controlled current source (VCCS) is presented as an alternative to the transformer coupling. Two (master–slave) coupled transconductance amplifiers (TAs)—in series with pre-charged capacitors—are used to drive the output current. After each stimulation pulse the capacitors are recharged to a high voltage by a switch mode power supply (SMPS). A multiplexer in the output stage is used to provide biphasic output. Output rise-time (10–90%) was less than 2 μs at 100 mA output. Biphasic charge balanced stimulation current can be produced with a net current to ground of less than 20 nA, thus virtually separated from ground. The circuit permits recording of the volitional myoelectric signal from the stimulated muscle. It is part of a portable myoelectrically controlled FES system powered by 2 AA batteries and currently used in clinical trials.