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Infectious diseases remain one of the leading causes of deaths in developing countries because of a lack of basic sanitation, healthcare clinics, and centralized laboratories. Paper-based rapid diagnostic tests, such as the lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA), provide a promising alternative to the traditional laboratory-based tests; however, they typically suffer from having a poor sensitivity. Biomarker preconcentration and signal enhancement are two common methods to improve the sensitivity of paper-based assays. While effective, these methods often require multiple liquid handling steps which are not ideal for use by untrained personnel in a point-of-care setting. Our lab previously discovered the phenomenon of an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) separating on paper, which allowed for the seamless integration of concentration and detection of biomarkers on the LFA. In this work, we have extended the functionality of an ATPS separating on paper to automate the sequential delivery of signal enhancement reagents in addition to concentrating biomarkers. The timing of reagent delivery was controlled by changing the initial composition of the ATPS. We applied this technology to automate biomarker concentration and nanozyme signal enhancement on the LFA, resulting in a 30-fold improvement in detection limit over the conventional LFA when detecting Escherichia coli , all while maintaining a single application step.

Paper based assays are paving the way to automated, simplified, robust and cost-effective point of care testing (POCT). We propose a method for fabricating three dimensional (3D) microfluidic paper based analytical devices (μPADs) via combining thin adhesive films and paper folding, which avoids the use of cellulose powders and the complex folding sequence and simultaneously permits assays in several layers. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a 3DμPADs was designed to conduct more assays on a small footprint, allowing dual colorimetric and electrochemical detections. More importantly, we further developed a 3D platform for implementing automated and multiplexed ELISA in parallel, since ELISA, a routine and standard laboratory method, has rarely been used in practical analyses outside of the laboratory. In this configuration, complex and multistep diagnostic assays can be carried out with the addition of the sample and buffer in a simple fashion. Using Troponin I as model, the device showed a broad dynamic range of detection with a detection limit of 0.35 ng/mL. Thus, the developed platforms allow for various assays to be cost-effectively carried out on a single 3D device, showing great potential in an academic setting and point of care testing under resource-poor conditions., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Digital automation in reconstruction of apictorial hand torn paper document increases efficacy and reduces human effort. Reconstruction of torn document has importance in various fields like archaeology, art conservation and forensic sciences. The devised novel technique for hand torn paper document, consists of pre-processing, feature extraction and reconstruction phase. Torn fragment's boundaries are simplified as polygons using douglas peucker polyline simplification algorithm. Features such as Euclidean distance and number of sudden changes in contour orientation are extracted. Our matching criteria identify the matching counterparts. Proposed features curtail ambiguity and enriches efficacy in reconstruction. Reconstructed results of hand torn paper document favour the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the affinity of quadratic fractional functions and the gradient of pseudolinear quadratic fractional functions are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we study stability and -gain for a class of switched systems with time-varying delays. Sufficient conditions for exponential stability and weighted -gain are developed for a class of switching signals with average dwell time. These conditions are delay-dependent and are given in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). As a special case of such switching signals, we can obtain exponential stability and normal -gain under arbitrary switching signals. The state decay estimate is explicitly given. Two examples illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

4 workers developed hand dermatitis in an automated starch modification process plant, 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (EPTMAC), a quaternary ammonium compound used as a cationizing chemical, produced allergic reactions an all 4 patients, They had only been in contact with EPTMAC for a short time before developing dermatitis, which indicates that EPTMAC is a strong sensitizer. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy showed the feature of an allergic patch test. An industrial hygiene project was initiated at the factory to prevent new cases. It revealed many risks of skin contact with the process chemicals. Thus an automated process does not guarantee protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the several recycling methods adopted in the hospital facility. It states that they are reusing the team members' plastic grocery bags, to pack medicine for clients to take home. To save paper, they scan all their paperwork and filed in such a way, that they can search it easily. The patient records are all saved in their own software program. In order to reduce wastage of disposable cups, every individual is provided with coffee mugs.