Overview of building information modelling in healthcare projects

In this paper, we explore how BIM functionalities together with novel management concepts and methods have been utilized in thirteen hospital projects in the United States and the United Kingdom. Secondary data collection and analysis were used as the method. Initial findings indicate that the utilization of BIM enables a holistic view of project delivery and helps to integrate project parties into a collaborative process. The initiative to implement BIM must come from the top down to enable early involvement of all key stakeholders. It seems that it is rather resistance from people to adapt to the new way of working and thinking than immaturity of technology that hinders the utilization of BIM

Universal features of Thermopower in High Tc systems and Quantum Criticality

In high Tc superconductors a wide ranging connection between the doping dependence of the transition temperature Tc and the room temperature thermopower Q has been observed. A "universal correlation" between these two quantities exists with the thermopower vanishing at optimum doping as noted by OCTHH (Obertelli, Cooper, Tallon, Honma and Hor). In this work we provide an interpretation of this OCTHH universality in terms of a possible underlying quantum critical point (QCP) at Tc. Central to our viewpoint is the recently noted Kelvin formula relating the thermopower to the density derivative of the entropy. Perspective on this formula is gained through a model calculation of the various Kubo formulas in an exactly solved 1-dimensional model with various limiting procedures of wave vector and frequency.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Safeguarding IoMT: Semi-automated Intrusion Detection System (SAIDS) for detecting multilayer attacks

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) plays a significant role in the healthcare system as it improves effectiveness and efficiency of treatment by continuously monitoring patients using smart home sensor and wearables (Fig. 1). IoMT devices are vulnerable to Multi-layer attacks that are exploiting multiple layers of IoMT architecture (Fig. 2). Denial-of-service (DoS) and Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks, for instance, can target the three layers of the IoMT system and lead to serious consequences, such as theft of patients’ sensitive data and reputational damages [2]. This project aims to create a robust detection system for multilayer attacks using a Semi-automated Intrusion Detection System (SAIDS) for IoT devices. To achieve this aim, we have focused on the following objectives: • Explore a variety of feature selection algorithms. • Apply feature weighting. • Integrating human and machine learning approaches to work together. • Increase detection efficiency by utilizing significant features

Investigating the security issues of multi-layer IoMT attacks using machine learning techniques

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) plays a significant role in the healthcare system as it improves effectiveness and efficiency of treatment by continuously monitoring patients using smart home sensor and wearables (Fig. 1), early disease diagnosis using data collected from the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices and assisting doctors in deciding the best treatment and acting immediately if necessary. Additionally, it helps to reduce the number of hospital visits, limiting carbon footprint.IoMT devices are vulnerable to Multi-layer attacks because most of these devices are resource-constrained and portable, which is why there is not that much implementation of security features in these devices and making them a prime target for intruders looking to steal patients’ sensitive information and healthcare records. Multi-layer attacks are a group of attacksexploiting multiple layers of IoMT architecture. Denial-of-service (DoS) and Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks, for instance, can target the three layers of the IoMT system and lead to serious consequences, such as theft of patients’ sensitive data and reputational damages. The main aim of the project is to create a robust IDS for IoT devices

Emerging technologies for the non-invasive characterization of physical-mechanical properties of tablets

The density, porosity, breaking force, viscoelastic properties, and the presence or absence of any structural defects or irregularities are important physical-mechanical quality attributes of popular solid dosage forms like tablets. The irregularities associated with these attributes may influence the drug product functionality. Thus, an accurate and efficient characterization of these properties is critical for successful development and manufacturing of a robust tablets. These properties are mainly analyzed and monitored with traditional pharmacopeial and non-pharmacopeial methods. Such methods are associated with several challenges such as lack of spatial resolution, efficiency, or sample-sparing attributes. Recent advances in technology, design, instrumentation, and software have led to the emergence of newer techniques for non-invasive characterization of physical-mechanical properties of tablets. These techniques include near infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray microtomography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging, terahertz pulsed imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and various acoustic- and thermal-based techniques. Such state-of-the-art techniques are currently applied at various stages of development and manufacturing of tablets at industrial scale. Each technique has specific advantages or challenges with respect to operational efficiency and cost, compared to traditional analytical methods. Currently, most of these techniques are used as secondary analytical tools to support the traditional methods in characterizing or monitoring tablet quality attributes. Therefore, further development in the instrumentation and software, and studies on the applications are necessary for their adoption in routine analysis and monitoring of tablet physical-mechanical properties

Physical properties and solubility studies of Nifedipine-PEG 1450/HPMCAS-HF solid dispersions

Low-order high-energy nifedipine (NIF) solid dispersions (SDs) were generated by melt solvent amorphization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1450 and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS-HF) to increase NIF solubility while achieving acceptable physical stability. HPMCAS-HF was used as a crystallization inhibitor. Individual formulation components, their physical mixtures (PMs), and SDs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). NIF solubility and percent crystallinity (PC) were determined at the initial time and after 5 days stored at 25 °C and 60% RH. FTIR indicated that hydrogen bonding was involved with the amorphization process. FTIR showed that NIF:HPMCAS-HF intermolecular interactions were weaker than NIF:PEG 1450 interactions. NIF:PEG 1450 SD solubilities were significantly higher than their PM counterparts (p \u3c 0.0001). The solubilities of NIF:PEG 1450:HPMCAS-HF SDs were significantly higher than their corresponding NIF:PEG 1450 SDs (p \u3c 0.0001-0.043). All the SD solubilities showed a statistically significant decrease (p \u3c 0.0001) after storage for 5 days. SDs PC were statistically lower than their comparable PMs (p \u3c 0.0001). The PCs of SDs with HPMCAS-HF were significantly lower than SDs not containing only PEG 1450. All SDs exhibited a significant increase in PC (p \u3c 0.0001–0.0089) on storage. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that HPMCAS-HF bound water at higher temperatures than PEG 1450 (p \u3c 0.0001–0.0039). HPMCAS-HF slowed the crystallization process of SDs, although it did not completely inhibit NIF crystal growth

Glucosamine HCl-based solid dispersions to enhance the biopharmaceutical properties of acyclovir

The objective of the work presented here was to assess the feasibility of using glucosamine HCl as a solid-dispersion (SD) carrier to enhance the biopharmaceutical properties of a BCS class III/IV drug, acyclovir (ACV). The solid-dispersions of acyclovir and glucosamine HCl were prepared by an ethanol-based solvent evaporation method. The prepared formulations characterized by photomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and drug content analysis. The functional characterization of ACV-SD was performed by aqueous solubility evaluation, dissolution studies, fasted versus fed state dissolution comparison, ex vivo permeability, and stability studies. Photomicroscopy and SEM analysis showed different surface morphologies for pure ACV, glucosamine HCl and ACV-SD. The physical-chemical characterization studies supported the formation of ACV-SD. A 12-fold enhancement in the aqueous solubility of ACV was observed in the prepared solid dispersions, compared to pure ACV. Results from in vitro dissolution demonstrated a significant increase in the rate and extent of ACV dissolution from the prepared ACV-SD formulations, compared to pure ACV. The rate and extent of ACV permeability across everted rat intestinal membrane were also found to be significantly increased in the ACV-SD formulations. Under fed conditions, the rate and extent of the in vitro dissolution of ACV from the formulation was appreciably greater compared to fasted conditions. Overall, the results from the study suggest the feasibility of utilizing glucosamine HCl as a solid dispersion carrier/excipient for enhancement of biopharmaceutical properties of acyclovir, and similar drugs with low solubility/permeability characteristics