Promoting RAPID Vaccine Science Education at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

At the onset of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, it was clear that we needed to support public education on the science of vaccines. This project was born of that need and led to the development of comprehensive educational materials that addressed the process of science, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 biology, vaccine development, and science communication and outreach. Called the "Online Vaccine Science Resources for COVID-19 Education," the materials generated were designed to be implemented by educators and community groups in various contexts. They took the form of four modules and general audience informational videos available on a YouTube channel. Each module was assembled as a toolkit with instructional videos, assessments, discussion questions, assignments, synthesis activities, and guides for constructing infographics and dual poster (science and general public audience) presentations. The materials were piloted and tested in various educational settings, including 2-year and 4-year colleges. Data gathered from surveys of faculty and student participants suggested that exposure to the materials promoted student trust in vaccination and the scientific process of vaccine development, and increased the likelihood of their getting a freely available vaccine. Assessment data indicated that the materials were successful in helping students achieve the learning objectives for the modules. Our results underscored the continued need for science education strategies that address the critical problem of vaccine hesitancy as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining the relations between spatial skills and mathematical performance: A meta-analysis.

Much recent research has focused on the relation between spatial skills and mathematical skills, which has resulted in widely reported links between these two skill sets. However, the magnitude of this relation is unclear. Furthermore, it is of interest whether this relation differs in size based on key demographic variables, such as gender and grade-level, and the extent to which this relation can be accounted for by shared domain-general reasoning skills across the two domains. Here we present the results of two meta-analytic studies synthesizing the findings from 45 articles to identify the magnitude of the relation, as well as potential moderators and mediators. The first meta-analysis employed correlated and hierarchical effects meta-regression models to examine the magnitude of the relation between spatial and mathematical skills, and to understand the effect of gender and grade-level on the association. The second meta-analysis employed meta-analytic structural equation modeling to determine how domain-general reasoning skills, specifically fluid reasoning and verbal skills, influence the relationship. Results revealed a positive moderate association between spatial and mathematical skills (r = .36, robust standard error = 0.035, τ2 = 0.039). However, no significant effect of gender or grade-level on the association was found. Additionally, we found that fluid reasoning and verbal skills mediated the relationship between spatial skills and mathematical skills, but a unique relation between the spatial and mathematical skills remained. Implications of these findings include advancing our understanding for how to leverage and bolster students' spatial skills as a mechanism for improving mathematical outcomes.

CAD/CAE of Jaipur foot for standardized and contemporary manufacturing.

Objective: Despite immense popularity of Jaipur foot as low cost prosthetic, not much work has been reported on its design for manufacturing standardization. Without manufacturing standardization, it cannot be mass produced using contemporary manufacturing technologies. The objective of this work is to carry out its computer aided design (CAD) followed by computer aided engineering (CAE) based on the material properties obtained from the previous work [1] of the authors. This may lead to the possible use of modern manufacturing processes for the Jaipur foot design.Design: After modelling using CAD tool including its organic surfaces, the designed foot was analysed using a CAE tool for balanced standing load conditions to determine maximum stresses and deformation in its various parts. The bending analysis was done to check the dorsiflexion movement so that the strained sections could be identified for more reliable and durable prosthetic foot. For the static load analysis, base of the foot was constrained and 300-500 N load was applied through the bolt whereas for bending, the part near the bolt was fixed and pressure was applied at junction of front foot and toes.Results: The results show that the maximum stress and deformation occur at the bolt, while the skin undergoes maximum strain. CAE analysis also proves the robustness of the Jaipur foot design and a well manufactured Jaipur foot as per standardized design should be able to withstand the real life conditions without failure. The CAD model is also used for FDM based printing for a nonfunctional prototype of Jaipur foot.Implications for rehabilitationThe results of this study will serve as an important guideline for further research regarding equivalent material replacement, material optimization and obtaining an optimized design after studying the foot for dynamic analysis.

Assessment of the compressive and tensile mechanical properties of materials used in the Jaipur Foot prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Designed by Dr. Sethi, the Jaipur Foot prosthesis is ideally suited for amputees in developing countries as it utilizes locally sourced, biodegradable, inexpensive materials and is focused on affordability and functionality. To date, however, no data have been reported on the material properties of the foot components. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this work was to evaluate mechanical properties of the Jaipur Foot components to guide foot design and manufacturing and reduce weight. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. METHODS: Mechanical testing was conducted on two types of woods (ardu and cheed), microcellular rubber, tire cord, cushion compound, tread compound, and skin-colored rubber. Each material was subjected to testing in either tension or compression based on its location and function in the foot. Samples were tested before and after vulcanization. Two-sample t-tests were used to assess statistical differences. RESULTS: Cheed compressed perpendicular to the grain had a significantly higher modulus of elasticity than ardu ( p < 0.05); however, cheed had a higher density. Vulcanization significantly increased the modulus of skin-colored rubber, cushion compound, and tread compound ( p < 0.05) and decreased the moduli of both microcellular rubber and tire cord ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The material property results from this study provide information for computer modeling to assess material construction on overall foot mechanics for design optimization. Ardu wood was ideal based on the desire to reduce weight, and the tire cord properties serve well to hold the foot together. Clinical relevance With new knowledge on the material properties of the components of the Jaipur Foot, future design modifications and standardized fabrication can be realized, making the Jaipur Foot more available on a global scale.

Epidemiological study of failures of the Jaipur Foot.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of usage and demographics on damage to the Jaipur Foot prosthesis as well as the epidemiology and etiology of amputations performed at Santokba Durlabjhi Memorial Hospital (SDMH) in Jaipur, India. DESIGN: Total time spent standing, total time spent wearing and total distance walked were compared against severity and location of damage to the prosthesis. Time between initial fitting and follow-up visit for damaged prosthetic was also considered in this analysis. A novel damage severity scale based on prosthesis functionality is presented along with a damage location legend. RESULTS: Patients from 10 different states and two territories throughout India were included in the study. No main effects were found to be statistically significant in predicting severity or location of damage. Only the interaction between a patient's total time spent standing and their total time spent wearing the prosthesis as well as the interaction between a patient's total time spent standing and total distance walked was significant in predicting location of damage to the Jaipur Foot (p = .0327, p = .0278, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of significant usage factor effect on damage severity or location could support previous findings that lack standardization in materials and manufacturing processes, which is the major drawback of the Jaipur Foot. Implications for Rehabilitation The Jaipur Foot is a safe, reliable and stable product as no abrupt breakage or sudden falls causing injury to the patient were noted. Hence, it is a safe rehabilitation device for lost limbs. The population can squat and sit cross-legged while wearing the prosthetic foot and it does not affect damage severity or location of damage, allowing for these activities to be performed while rehabilitating. The manufacturing of the foot needs to be standardized to improve life of foot. Total time spent standing, total time spent wearing and total distance walked were not predictive of severity or location of damage to the prosthesis, hence providing patient guidelines for activity during rehabilitation.

Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline.

A case is made for growth of a new metadiscipline of sustainability science and engineering. This new field integrates industrial, social, and environmental processes in a global context. The skills required for this higher level discipline represent a metadisciplinary endeavor, combining information and insights across multiple disciplines and perspectives with the common goal of achieving a desired balance among economic, environmental, and societal objectives. Skills and capabilities that are required to support the new metadiscipline are summarized. Examples of integrative projects are discussed in the areas of sustainability metrics and integration of industrial, societal, and environmental impacts. It is clear that a focus on green engineering that employs pollution prevention and industrial ecology alone are not sufficient to achieve sustainability, because even systems with efficient material and energy use can overwhelm the carrying capacity of a region or lead to other socially unacceptable outcomes. To meet the educational and human resource needs required for this new discipline, the technological and environmental awareness of society must be elevated and a sufficient and diverse pool of human talent must be attracted to this discipline.