Selective and validated data processing techniques for performance improvement of automatic lines

Optimization of the data processing techniques of accelerometers and force transducers allowed to get information about actions in order to improve the behavior of a cutting stage of a converting machinery for diapers production. In particular, different mechanical configurations have been studied and compared in order to reduce the solicitations due to the impacts between knives and anvil, to get clean and accurate cuts and to reduce wear of knives themselves. Reducing the uncertainty of measurements allowed to correctly individuate the best configuration for the pneumatic system that realize the coupling between anvil and knife. The size of pipes, the working pressure and the type of the fluid used in the coupling system have been examined. Experimental results obtained by means of acceleration and force measurements allowed to identify in a reproducible and coherent way the geometry of the pushing device and the working pressure range of the hydraulic fluid. The remarkable reduction of knife and anvil vibrations is expected to strongly reduce the wear of the cutting stage components

Treatment patterns and economic burden of sickle-cell disease patients prescribed hydroxyurea: a retrospective claims-based study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate sickle-cell disease (SCD) treatment patterns and economic burden among patients prescribed hydroxyurea (HU) in the US, through claims data. Methods: SCD patients with pharmacy claims for HU were selected from the Medicaid Analytic Extracts (MAX) from January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013. The first HU prescription during the identification period was defined as the index date and patients were required to have had continuous medical and pharmacy benefits for ≥6 months baseline and 12 months follow-up periods. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, health care utilization, and costs were examined, and variables were analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 3999 SCD patients prescribed HU were included; the mean age was 19.24 years, most patients were African American (73.3%), and the mean Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was 0.6. Asthma (20.3%), acute chest syndrome (15.6%), and infectious and parasitic diseases (20%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. During the 12-month follow-up period, 58.9% (N = 2357) of patients discontinued HU medication. The mean medication possession ratio (MPR) was 0.52, and 22.3% of patients had MPR ≥80%. The average length of stay (LOS) for SCD-related hospitalization was 13.35 days; 64% of patients had ≥1 SCD-related hospitalization. The mean annual total SCD-related costs per patient were $27,779, mostly inpatient costs ($20,128). Conclusions: Overall, the study showed the patients had significant unmet needs manifest as poor medication adherence, high treatment discontinuation rates, and high economic burden

Comparing the use of meat and clay during cutting and projectile research

Diverse disciplines investigate how muscular tissue (i.e. ‘meat’) responds to being cut and deformed, however, large-scale, empirically robust investigations into these matters are often impractical and expensive. Previous research has used clay as an alternative to meat. To establish whether clay is a reliable proxy for meat, we directly compare the two materials via a series of cutting and projectile tests. Results confirm that the two materials display distinct cutting mechanics, resistance to penetration and are not comparable. Under certain conditions clay can be used as an alternative to meat, although distinctions between the two may lead to experimental limitations

Dopamine agonist monotherapy utilization in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Objectives: To characterize patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who initiated dopamine agonist (DA) monotherapy, describe medication utilization and provider types, and estimate medication adherence and discontinuation rates. Methods: Retrospective study identified patients with PD in the Optum Research Database and included those with ≥1 claim for DA or levodopa between 09/01/2012 and 12/31/2018, ≥2 PD diagnoses, commercial or Medicare Advantage Part D (MAPD) insurance, ≥40 years old, and continuous medical and pharmacy coverage ≥12 months before and after index date. A subset of patients receiving DA monotherapy was selected for this analysis. Variables were analyzed descriptively. Adherence was measured with medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC); defined as ≥0.80. Results: Patients (N = 642) had mean (SD) age of 70.2 (9.9) years, 70.6 % had MAPD coverage, and 61.7 % were male. Neurologists prescribed 64.6 % of DA monotherapy, and 56.9 % of patients had ≥2 PD diagnoses before or on the index date. Index therapy was discontinued by 44.1 % of patients, and 55.9 % persisted for 12 months without change. Mean (SD) time to discontinuation was 102 (79) days. Mean (SD) MPR for patients (n = 562) with ≥2 fills was 0.84 (0.2); 70.3 % were MPR adherent. Mean (SD) PDC for all 642 patients was 0.66 (0.3); 50.5 % were PDC adherent. Conclusion: Adherence and continuation of therapy were suboptimal, which could translate into poor patient outcomes. Future studies could provide insights on the impact of low adherence and persistence with DA monotherapy