Developing a Durable Prosthetic Knee Joint

Developing a Durable Prosthetic Knee Joint Developing a Durable Prosthetic Knee Joint Developing a Durable Prosthetic Knee JointMillions of amputees across the worldmany of them in low-income countriesare in need of prosthetic devices. This is especially true for those who are missing legs and feet, because walking is often the main mode of travel in these regions. Because these countries are often impoverished and plagued by war, landmines, and poor medical care, there continues to be a significant unmet need for prosthetic devices.Roger V. Gonzalez, a mechanical and biomedical engineering prof at the University of Texas-El Paso, has set out to change this. He founded LIMBS International, a nonprofit that is committed to restoring mobility to millions of amputees around the world. Assisted by engineering students, LIMBS designs highly functional, innovative, ultra low-cost prosthetic devices.The initiative grew from a senior biomedical engineering project that challenged students to design and build a durable, low-cost knee joint that would be part of an above-the-knee prosthesis. Another objective was making it simple enough that it could be fabricated locally in developing countries. Their design became the first prototype of what is known today as the Relief Knee.The injection-molded LIMBS Relief Knee. Image LIMBS InternationalHow the Relief Knee Is DifferentThe biggest difference between the Relief Knee and other knees on the market is its functionality. Field tests have shown the knee is more functional than single-axis and hinge designs. The Relief Knee is a four-bar, polycentric knee that is lightweight and stable, combining sophisticated design with low-cost, durable materials that are available in developing countries.The knee is totally mechanical, yet provides a stable stance environment when properly fitted, says Gonzalez. Polycentric knees have been around for a long time. The key is designing the knee so that inexpensive materials can be used and that it can repaired in the field. Being able to take apart and reassemble the knee if a part needs to be replaced is important. The knee can be easily be repaired in the field with materials available at a local hardware store and with the skill sets available in the developing world, many times by the patients themselves. This keeps the knee functional for years to come.Future PlansIn 2012, LIMBS established a research partnership with the University of Texas-El Paso. This provides qualified engineering students with opportunities to design, test, and implement new prosthetic components in these countries. An injection-molded Relief Knee will soon be available that enhances the durability and functionality of the current model, at lower cost.We are also working on various feet and arm designs, states Gonzalez. We take on the challenges from various approaches so we can hopefully have a multifaceted solution. Not one solution can meet the needs of the entire developing world. We a im to give the poorest of the poor some options that we take for granted here in the U.S.As LIMBS expands its product line, it will continue to improve functionalityand reduce costs.There are times when certain parts of the world would like components with more bells and whistles and we are looking at options to provide these, while leise keeping costs very low, says Gonzalez. We are also working with other academic and industrial partners to develop joint programs to accelerate technological development and expand into areas that go beyond prosthetics, and even orthodics.For Gonzalez, the biggest surprise in designing prosthetics is the amount of attention that goes into working out the details, even with ultra-simple designs.It is the details that can kill a project, says Gonzalez. We have also learned that technology, as important as it is, is not enough. You have to couple it with a holistic approach to solving these vexing problems. We as engineers need to move beyond technolog y to make a difference.Mark Crawford is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThe knee can be easily repaired in the field with locally available materials and the skill sets available in the developing world- many times by the patients themselves.Roger V. Gonzalez, University of Texas-El Paso

3 Things To Give Up For A Successful Job Search (Pt 3)

3 Things To Give Up For A Successful Job Search (Pt 3)3 Things To Give Up For A Successful Job Search (Pt 3)Ive changed jobs about every 7 years, but it has never taken me mora than three and a half months to find a job before. Im job-hunting now and this job search is much harder than the others. Ive been looking full-time for almost eight months. Employers dont respond to my applications. I have 20 years of experience and a track record of mora responsible flecks over time, but I cant get to first base.Its normal and natural to compare the job search youre in right now to the job searches you successfully conducted before. The differences can be frustrating, though youre bringing more experience to the table, so it seems like youd be a more desirable candidate. In most cases, you have more personal and professional contacts in your network now than in years prior, but the network doesnt seem to be working for you this time around. And since you found a job the way you did last time , of course you take the same approach this time. Right? Well, no.Previously in this series, we talked about the importance of giving up compartmentalizing your search, giving up your need for someone elses permission, and giving up ignoring your vision for your future. I also laid out the importance of giving up the distractions you thought sounded good, but actually they dont work. I dont want you position yourself as being all things to all people. And get rid of the self-congratulatory resume fluff, in order to zoom in on what it is you actually do. There are a few more mindset shifts it will behoove you to make today so that you can have a successful job searchGive Up Presenting Every Blessed Thought You Have On Social MediaSocial media posts can get you fired. Weve seen it in the news time and again. And guess what your social media can also get you notlage hired. I dont care how private you think your account settings are. Just.Stop.Talking.Whatever you posted and deleted lat er was still seen by somebody. Not only was it seen if it was really offensive racially, sexually, or politically, I guarantee someone grabbed a screen shot. The Twitterverse is a real thing and its not something you want to find yourself caught up in.If someone posts something you feel you just cant resist firing back at, RESIST. Do you want to argue with someone, make your point heard, and be right? Or do you want to get employed? The choice really is that simple. So, familiarize yourself quickly with the following terms unfollow, snooze, and hide. On top of that, just scroll on by.Give Up Presenting What You Think You Should Present On Your ResumeTheres this magical thing that has the instant effect of lulling recruiters into a deep sleep your 20-line description of your job. I mean, it is almost literally the job description the company wrote, or the ad for the position you saw in the first place.Heres what that looks like, for example, for an operations manager, Lead team memb ers through strategic thought and operating processes across multiple locations. Ensure every depot in the portfolio meets organization standards in people leadership, customer service, safety, quality, operational excellence and financial performance. Responsible for developing and coaching general managers to high performance andIm not going on after the and. Pretend I would have written 15 more lines of a lot of words that said nothing. The moral of the story is no one cares what the job is. Furthermore, in most cases, no one needs to have the job described to them. Fundamentally, we know what an operations manager does.The purpose of your resume is to showcase not the job, but YOU in the job big, big difference. After presenting a scope of responsibility of no more than 5-6 lines, get to every specific, quantified accomplishment and achievement you can muster.Give Up Presenting Your Job Search Story Like Every Step Is On The Road To HellI recently had a candidate say to me (cue the woe is me) tone of voice, I just cant believe theres so little going on. Im still looking. I had a phone interview on Tuesday, an in-person second interview with a different organization on Wednesday, and earlier today a recruiter reached out to me about a role, so well see how that goes.Were the candidate and I in the same conversation? I heard three wins in one breath. But he was talking like his face was on the floor.Pick up your face off the floor. Not leveraging every small win you get is an attitude from which you need to divest yourself pronto. If youre interviewing, something is going right. Build on that make sure your follow-ups add value by showcasing what you know about what the organization is working on right now. Get connected and/or follow all the relevant people on LinkedIn, comment on their posts, and jump into their conversations. You have to stay top of mind with them.And when a recruiter or decision maker reaches out to you, dont treat it like it will prob ably go nowhere. Capitalize on that. If that position didnt initially strike you as a perfect match, proceed with the interaction anyway. You have no idea where a conversation or interview can lead it can very likely result in some other position in the company you wouldnt have ever known about otherwise.You know what youre in control of? Your thoughts. Therefore, turn those into the positive actions that will bring your job search to a successful conclusion sooner, not later. What you think does not have to be all over social media, and what you think the employer needs to know about the job itself actually doesnt matter all that much. Most importantly, what you think and the attitude you adopt throughout your search will absolutely make a difference.I continually endeavor to not just point out mindset shifts, but also map out specific action steps you can take today to move your job search in the direction you need. Make sure to join us for 5 Secret Job Search Hacks For The Age 5 0+ Job-Hunter, so you can find out how to directly reach the decision makers, and how to let them know that your experience means you know more than the millennials they can hire for $10-$12/hour. You can come in and immediately know how the company can not lose money, not waste time, and actually capture more customers and revenue. Register to see the job search hacks today.

Comfort from the Cold

Comfort from the Cold Comfort from the Cold Comfort from the ColdThree freshman engineers at Rice University who call themselves Team Comfortably Numb have been tasked with making a needle puncture much less painful, especially for children. They have come up with the idea of applying the same endothermic reaction used in cold compress packs to numb skin before the needle punctures it.The device is currently external. The next step is to incorporate the endothermic device inside the cap of a needle for more convenient use.The gruppe is made up of computer science major Greg Allison, bioengineering major Andy Zhang, and mechanical engineering major Mike Hua. They currently have a functioning prototype that has been shown to produce a measurable numbing effect in 60 seconds, which in turn reduces the pain from an injection.The team got started on the project by taking a class called Introduction to Engineering Design, taught by Ann Saterbak and Matthew Wettergreen. Students elect to en roll in this class and are placed into interdisciplinary design teams to work on one of the offered projects, which include design for disabilities, enrichment devices for the Houston Zoo, medical devices, and solutions for low-resource settings.In the course, the student teams learn and apply engineering design to solve a challenge. The teams are also eligible to compete in the annual Rice Engineering Design Showcase. The course lasts for one semester, but students can continue their work when the semester is over.The device numbs the skin by producing a rapid chemical reaction. Image Rice UniversityTeam Comfortably Numb was given the project by its sponsor and co-inventor, Mehdi Razavi, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the Texas Heart Institute. The students were asked to design and make a low-cost, easy-to-use numbing system that would be compatible with existing hypodermic syringes.Our device is 3D printed and consists of two sealed chambers containing the chemical ammonium nitr ate and water, said Mike Hua, the mechanical engineering major. A simple twisting motion moves the chambers into alignment to allow the chemicals to flow through the chamber to produce a rapid endothermic reaction. We then numb the skin by contacting the devices metal surface to the patients skin.The team has also done further work for both prototype development and testing. For example, they are totenstill working on optimizing the temperature to numb the skin and are also working on miniaturizing the device.Currently, the team has filed for a provisional patent. The students are thinking of either starting a company around the product to commercialize it or to license their device and idea to a medical device company.The students are not authorized to actually puncture anyones skin with a needle. Razavi, their project sponsor, has experience in the area of medical testing. He said the team will need approval from an institutional review board before it can test the product on peop le.The bioengineering major, Andy Zhang, said commercialization of a product is still a bit down the line for the team, but in mass production the cost of their device will be comparable to that of a syringe and a needle. They estimate that it will cost roughly $2 if it is mass produced.Learn about the latest developments in bioengineering at ASMEs Global Congress onNanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology For Further Discussion Our device is 3D printed and consists of two sealed chambers containing the chemical ammonium nitrate and water.Mike Hua, Rice University

Hiring Trends to Be Aware of in 2019

Hiring Trends to Be Aware of in 2019Hiring Trends to Be Aware of in 2019what hiring trends are on the horizon. From increased remote work opportunities to rethinking the importance of having a college degree, learn about these hiring trends for 2019, according toFast Company.Job seekers may be tested before an interview.Imagine that you apply for a job, and after a few interviews, are asked to take a series of tests. Typical, right? Well, in 2019, mora job candidates might be asked to take tests- such as personality, functional, or writing exams- before they get to interview with a potential employer. That way, it saves both employers and candidates time, energy, and frustration to go through the entire job interview process only to find out that they lack the skills in order to do the job.Want to test out your skills? Check out free skill tests from.More candidates might be vetted virtually.Forget about multiple in-office interviews to meet with a prospective boss. Qualified candida tes might be invited to interview with companies virtually to start. For remote positions, this makes sense, but this hiring trend will also apply to in-office positions, too. This is a win-win situation for both you as a job seeker and employers as well, since it will save you time (and money) commuting in for interviews. Plus, having a virtual interview can help you determine if you really want to work for the company without investing too much emotionally in a job that might not be right for you.Social media may become the new way to recruit.By now, you probably know that your LinkedIn profile can be a key contributor to helping you attract the eye of a hiring manager. But what about your other social media profiles? The vast majority of employers research potential candidates by perusing their online profiles, so its important to make sure that yours are as professional as possible. In 2019, though, mora employers will actually be using social media as a way to attract new talen t- and not just a way to dig for some dirt on a would-be new hire. So be on the lookout for employers who use social media as a method in which to find their next new hire.Competition will likely increase.While low unemployment rates are a sign of a healthy economy, it also means that there could be greater competition in the workplace. That can be a good thing, though, as increased competition means that employers will have to think outside the box to find the best talent possible. Theyll most likely turn to the usual suspects that many job seekers are looking for, such as offering a competitive salary, great benefits, and flexible work options to attract fresh talent. A new trend for 2019 will be to also offer the non-financial factors that job candidates want, such as a strong company culture, mentorship, skills development, and other certifications that can make them more marketable in the future.Take up the tech.If you thought that you didnt have to worry about tech because you r job isnt technically a tech job, think again. Almost every job has some component of tech involved in it, and those who learn how to handle tech might fare better than others. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 69% of employers said that every job is a tech job. So being adept in a wide variety of tech skills will allow candidates to be more competitive and be able to apply for many different types of jobs.Companies might begin to care more about potential than degrees. Sure, having a sweet degree might make your resume seem a little shinier, but according to experts, it might not help you snag a job. In fact, its predicted that employers will care more about what a potential candidate could do rather than what school they graduated from (if they did at all). With a push towards competency-based training, employers will invest in employees by offering opportunities to improve skills and mentor them to bring out their best right away, rather than waiting months or years after the yve been hired.Read to Start Your Job Search?SIGN UP FOR

How to Focus on the Big Picture in Your Business

How to Focus on the Big Picture in Your Business How to Focus on the Big Picture in Your Business I believe that theres more for you in your life and career, so I wanted to share someinsights gleaned from my own experiences as the founder of Real Life E Time Coaching Training and an interview I did with Alexander Schultz,CEO of Complete Labs, on what keeps usaddicted to small tasks and how to get the big stuff done.Here are six reasons youre not getting anything important done at work even when youhave the time and what to do about them1. Cotton Candy WinsWe want a sense of achievement and accomplishment, saysSchultz. When we get a lot of things done, it feels good. But just knocking to-do itemsoff my checklist is not the progress I want to have.Only doing small tasks is theequivalent of only eating cotton candy You may end up with a quick sugar high, but you willsoon crash and need even more sugar to get you back up again. Your larger projects are like meatand vegetables They ta ke longer to chew and digest, but they leave you with a lasting sense ofsatisfaction.To more easilymake progress on these large items, cut them up into the smallest chunks possible. This could mean listing out your activities, like sending an emaille tosomeone or editing the document after writing it. By dividing a big win into smallcelebrations, youre getting something of substance completed and making it easier to progress.2. MemoryMistrustAnother reason that you jump on little itemsimmediately is becauseyou fear youll forget to do them if they arent done now. Most likely, you blame this on having a bad memory, but inreality it doesnt matter how goodor bad your memory is if you have the right systems in place.When you have a powerfulto-do list, calendar system, and email processing system, you know that youll get theright prompts at the right times to move items forward. By developing the right structure even if its as simple as a notepad where you write down and review all your current to-do items you can relax and focus on the bigger items at hand.3. Having No Idea Where to StartIf you arrive at work, take a glance at your calendar,open your email, and then just departure bouncing through the day like a ping-pong ball, hoping that youll land in the right place at the right time, youre not alone. Many peopletake this sort of reactive approach to their work. When you arent aware of your priorities or clear on when they need to get done, its incredibly hard to justify not taking care ofthe smallstuff all the time.To overcome this reactive tendency, you should review yourprojects and task lists on at least a weekly basis so that you know whats mostimportant right now. Then, if possible, slot in time to get the key items done on your calendar.Schultz also recommends writing your goals at the top of your to-do list and askingyourself, Is this task aligned with what I want to accomplish and who I want to be?4. False GuiltYes, theres a time and place to help you r colleagues, but in almost everyposition, theres also a time and place to focus on getting the work done that you need todo for yourself. Problems arise when external requests come at a faster rate or quantitythan you can handle and you start to squeeze out the other work that you need to complete.This can lead to some people especially people-pleasers feeling guilty fortaking time to do their own work before everyone else is taken care of. But the truth isthat, if you dont wrap up the projects only you can do, youre not providing the mostvalue for your company.The key to overcoming this challenge is to pace the workflow.This means setting aside some time each week to drive your key projects forward, whichthen allows forwork for others to fit into the remaining time slots available. This may mean thatyou dont move ahead as quickly on other peoples projects, but in the larger picture, thats typically okayas long as youre moving ahead on the most important goals.5. Shame at Missed DeadlinesWhen you havent done something that youknow you should do, even thinking about the task can trigger shame. So insteadof making a dent inthat big project, you answer another email.To overcome this cycle, itsimportant to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and has items theystruggle to complete. Its also helpful to talk about whats going on with someone youtrust, because shame thrives in isolation. When you notice yourself avoiding a project andgoing into numbing behaviors such asrandomly checking social media try to stop and recognize the root causes of these behaviors. This could mean sitting quietly and taking some deep breaths, journaling, orgoing on a walk and talking with a friend.The counterintuitive truth is that, when youfocus on your emotions and process them, you have the opportunity to release them. In turn, these emotions will have less impact on your behavior than they would if you just tried to avoid them.6. High Fives RequiredGetting affirmation for your work feels good for most people.Depending on your personality type, it can be almost essential for getting things done. Ifyoure one of those people, dont fight that tendency work with it. You can do so byusing ansprechbar tools where you can post your activities and have others comment on them,work with a coach, or set up a buddy system with a friend to make progress on yourbigger goals. That way you can get a Yahoofor each step along the way even when thebigger project is far from complete.If you are ready to really move forward in your career, stop letting the small stuff squelchyour success.A version of this article originally appeared on BusinessCollective.Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO ofReal Life E, a time coaching and training company, and the author of The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment How to Achieve More Success With Less Stress andHow to Invest Your Time Like Money.

The One Thing to Do for Dragon Resume

The One Thing to Do for Dragon Resume Recognizing that specific need for a remedy to everyday challenges is a significant factor of the entire Technology Design Process. Utilize your imagination and visualize what you will need to do so that it is possible to develop a remedy to your question. Not least because its a professional service that creates a candidate the middle of its focus. Ask the questions why you must develop the technology and what your aim is. And youre the protagonist. Being instantly killed is something which you will come to be very acquainted with over the class of the game. He is really a gifted resume writer and a great human being, generally. In the end, everyone retires. In the event you must ask something you simply cant do it correctly. So theres really undoubtedly that everybody has some sort of idea. Theres no doubt a good resume can generate enough interest to help you receive an interview. What to Do About Dragon Resume Before You Miss Yo ur Chance The great thing is that identifying a need is in fact the very first step to executing a wonderful idea. Rather than focusing your work aim anschauung solely on putting an emphasis on your major abilities or strengths, you also need to be particular to the work which if youre attempting to get and also, you might have to mention what you could do in order to help the company or company. If money is a problem, first try out getting guidance to help you better your resume. It might take a little time to acquire into his busy schedule, but its so worth the wait Dragonresume has a different section devoted to the services offered. When picking a CV writing service, its important to understand your individual needs. On precisely the same page, you arent going to locate any extra excellent details such as the background of the writers or the key services provided. Your writing service should give you these choices and recommend the best one based on your requirements and expectations. So I chose to investigate unique websites offering the service. There are 4 unique packages that youre able to select from, or you are able to select individual services. They dont have the instantaneous chat option, and that means you cant talk to anybody from customer services. Wonderful and speedy support The Dragon Resume Cover Up Writing a Basic Resume Template isnt a little feat as it requires time a slew of preparations. Dragon Resume promises that will help you receive a job by producing the ideal CV review for you. Sales and Marketing Youll require an assortment of skills to be effective in a sales role, and youll have to be in a position to demonstrative those skills to prospective employers. Whether youre experienced or inexperienced, its always important to get a concise Resume Format. Who Else Wants to Learn About Dragon Resume? Dragon Resume is not your very best choice, especially if youre looking for top quality at affordable prices. 1 day, Beowulf learns this dragon has destroyed his very own great hall. The Dragon provides a job for Pig. Komodo dragons eat almost any sort of meat. The Meaning of Dragon Resume For example, you are applying for five positions, additionally you will need to generate five objectives customized for each of the positions. Get into your career and create a comprehensive study first so that youre able to answer the questions properly. If youve got these general abilities, you are going to improve your marketability. Career objective affirmation is accompanied by an important role when it has to do with creating an instant great influence in the mind of the interviewer. We decided to get an exhaustive look at their site. You will discover generally two kinds of job statement. But theres an original twist. Theres no dragon resume promo code available, and that means you cannot benefit of any excellent discounts. The web site of the provider appears extremely professional. This c ompany doesnt supply the money-back guarantee or the confidentiality guarantee. It has a very poor customer service. It does not offer any special deals or extra features. Customer service is the principal engine of any company that is employed well. Customers have to watch for days until their emails will acquire an answer. If you turn into a customer of this business, you should know you will not receive too many added benefits or discounts.

Track Video Interviewing Success with Spark Hires Analytics Feature - Spark Hire

Track Video Interviewing Success with Spark Hires Analytics Feature - Spark HireSpark Hire continuously works to enhance its video interviewing solutions to better serve their customers. With the implementation of analytics into its platform, Spark Hire provides customers the ability to ensure that they are utilizing the full capabilities of video interviewing and achieving successful results.Analytics are crucial for companies that want to stay on top of their video interviewing efforts, says Spark Hire CEO, Josh Tolan. We know how important this is to our customers so were excited to provide this feature for them on our platform. We certainly want our customers to make the most of our video interviewing solutions to benefit their company.Companies will enjoy the following benefits of the analytics featureEvaluate video interviewing sttarifgiesWith analytics, Spark Hire customers can now closely monitor their video interviewing strategies for efficiency.Customers are given informati on on the total interview invitations they have sent and those that have been completed. An interview conversion rate is also available as well as a cumulative graph over time.Simplified metricsSpark Hires analytics wont overwhelm companies with a complex layout, rather, they will be treated to a simple presentation of all of their interviews. Interviews can be sorted by job and/or a custom date range for viewing.Just the beginningThis new feature release is version 1 of analytics on Spark Hire. Customers can expect many updates in the near future that will provide even more insight into their usage of Spark Hire.Contact our Customer Success Team for any assistance with our analytics feature.Analytics SummaryTrack the success of your video interviewing strategies with analytics. This feature provides you with an interview conversion rate which will help you ensure that you are utilizing the full capabilities of the Spark Hire platform. Additionally, with Spark Hires analytics featur e you can calculate ROI and experience simplified and organized talent pool management. This feature is available for Silver and Gold accounts.