A prescription event monitoring study to assess safety and health outcomes of Airtec SF® (salmeterol fluticasone propionate combination) in Indian population

Background: Asthma management has been fraught with several challenges especially for partly or uncontrolled cases. Incremental dosage strategy with salmeterol, fluticasone propionate combination offers stable yet effective control of symptoms preventing further exacerbations. However, there is limited evidence available on the need and safety profile of this incremental dosage strategy with the combination especially in Indian settings. To examine the safety and adverse clinical outcomes of Airtec SF when prescribed in patients with well- or poorly controlled persistent asthma.Methods: Based on the principle of prescription event monitoring (PEM) for safety reporting, this study was conducted at 20 centers across India. PEM study booklets with study questionnaire were provided to capture information related to adverse “events” during the observation period of 30 days.Results: Data of 384 patients were analyzed, with a mean age 44.5 years. 39% (n=150) were newly diagnosed and 61% (n=234) being in poorly controlled asthma status (i.e., partly or uncontrolled asthma). Of them, 42% (161), 44% (n=169) and 14% (54) patients were diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma, respectively. These were prescribed with metered-dose inhaler (n=187) or dry powder inhaler (n=197) formulations. 56% (n=216) patients suffered from concomitant allergic rhinitis. Among newly diagnosed patients with moderate to severe asthma dosage were tapered in 5.5% (n=3) cases. Dosage consistency was well-maintained in 98.2% (n=155) among partial or uncontrolled asthmatics with moderate to severe asthma with exacerbation rate of 1.9% (n=3). Adverse events including infective pneumonitis and upper respiratory tract infection were transient with none requiring treatment withdrawal.Conclusion: Use of Airtec SF was safe and well-tolerated with a negligible rate of exacerbations in Indian population especially amongst poorly controlled asthma patients

Hydrodynamic studies of aqueous two-phase systems in millichannels

Liquid-liquid segmented flows in microchannels have been extensively investigated in the context of nanoparticle synthesis. The enhanced mixing in the slugs results in monodispersed particles. Earlier studies have focused on Organic-Aqueous Systems (OAS). The nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of organic solutions have limited applications. An alternative green route for the synthesis can be developed using an Aqueous Two-Phase System (ATPS). These systems are characterized by interfacial tensions, which are two orders of magnitude lower than typical organic aqueous systems. In this work, flow patterns and hydrodynamics of ATPS are investigated as a first step. Polyethylene glycol -trisodium citrate system was chosen as ATPS. The objective of this work is to see if any new physics arises in an ATPS system. The low interfacial tension results in high Capillary numbers (Ca >> 3) in a microfluidic system. Consequently, the flow observed here is parallel or core-annular. However, in a millichannel, the capillary number becomes lower (Ca << 1) for an ATPS system. In this work, experiments were carried out in a millichannel to span different flow patterns. The pattern formation was analyzed and classified into three categories, i.e., slug flow (interfacial tension dominated), transition flow, and core annular flow (inertia dominated). Flow regime maps based on the Reynolds number, Capillary number, and Weber number of each phase were found to be qualitatively similar to those of OAS. Simulations were performed for various interfacial tension values. An interfacial tension value of 1.25x10-4 N/m was found to yield slug sizes which fitted well with the experimental data. Film thickness was measured experimentally and with simulations compared favorably with the correlations available in the literature for OAS

A Proposed Model

Rocha-Penedo, R., Cruz-Jesus, F., & Oliveira, T. (2021). Opposite Outcomes of Social Media Use: A Proposed Model. In S. K. Sharma, Y. K. Dwivedi, B. Metri, & N. P. Rana (Eds.), Re-imagining Diffusion and Adoption of Information Technology and Systems: A Continuing Conversation - IFIP WG 8.6 International Conference on Transfer and Diffusion of IT, TDIT 2020, Proceedings (pp. 524-537). (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; Vol. 618). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64861-9_46Social media are probably one of the most influential and disruptive technology of the present times. It is ubiquitous and has the capability to influence virtually every aspect of one’s life while, at the same time, also influence the way firms and public organizations operate and communicate with individuals. Although there is a plethora of studies in the IS literature focused on SM adoption and outcomes, studies hypothesizing positive and negative outcomes together are scarce. We propose a comprehensive research model to shed light on SM positive and negative outcomes, and how these affect one’s happiness. We also explore how personality traits can influence these relationships.authorsversionpublishe

Judgment of the Humanness of an Interlocutor Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Despite tremendous advances in artificial language synthesis, no machine has so far succeeded in deceiving a human. Most research focused on analyzing the behavior of “good” machine. We here choose an opposite strategy, by analyzing the behavior of “bad” humans, i.e., humans perceived as machine. The Loebner Prize in Artificial Intelligence features humans and artificial agents trying to convince judges on their humanness via computer-mediated communication. Using this setting as a model, we investigated here whether the linguistic behavior of human subjects perceived as non-human would enable us to identify some of the core parameters involved in the judgment of an agents' humanness. We analyzed descriptive and semantic aspects of dialogues in which subjects succeeded or failed to convince judges of their humanness. Using cognitive and emotional dimensions in a global behavioral characterization, we demonstrate important differences in the patterns of behavioral expressiveness of the judges whether they perceived their interlocutor as being human or machine. Furthermore, the indicators of interest displayed by the judges were predictive of the final judgment of humanness. Thus, we show that the judgment of an interlocutor's humanness during a social interaction depends not only on his behavior, but also on the judge himself. Our results thus demonstrate that the judgment of humanness is in the eye of the beholder

Analysing the Prospects of Perovskite Solar Cells within the Purview of Recent Scientific Advancements

For any given technology to be successful, its ability to compete with the other existing technologies is the key. Over the last five years, perovskite solar cells have entered the research spectrum with tremendous market prospects. These cells provide easy and low cost processability and are an efficient alternative to the existing solar cell technologies in the market. In this review article, we first go over the innovation and the scientific findings that have been going on in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and then present a short case study of perovskite solar cells based on their energy payback time. Our review aims to be comprehensive, considering the cost, the efficiency, and the stability of the PSCs. Later, we suggest areas for improvement in the field, and how the future might be shaped

Translating electronic health record-based patient safety algorithms from research to clinical practice at multiple sites

Introduction Researchers are increasingly developing algorithms that impact patient care, but algorithms must also be implemented in practice to improve quality and safety.Objective We worked with clinical operations personnel at two US health systems to implement algorithms to proactively identify patients without timely follow-up of abnormal test results that warrant diagnostic evaluation for colorectal or lung cancer. We summarise the steps involved and lessons learned.Methods Twelve sites were involved across two health systems. Implementation involved extensive software documentation, frequent communication with sites and local validation of results. Additionally, we used automated edits of existing code to adapt it to sites’ local contexts.Results All sites successfully implemented the algorithms. Automated edits saved sites significant work in direct code modification. Documentation and communication of changes further aided sites in implementation.Conclusion Patient safety algorithms developed in research projects were implemented at multiple sites to monitor for missed diagnostic opportunities. Automated algorithm translation procedures can produce more consistent results across sites

Experimental Studies on PV Module Cooling With Radiation Source PCM Matrix

Rise in PV module temperature ( $\text{T}_{\mathrm {PV}}$ ) majorly drops the electrical output of the PV system. This research presents a novel cylindrical tube PCM matrix that is not in physical contact with the PV module back surface unlike the existing PCM based PV module cooling techniques. This contactless PCM matrix prevents the PV module from thermal and physical stress, also it blocks thermal energy re-conduction from PCM to PV module. While stored thermal energy from PCM retransferred to the PV module during off-sunshine hours and also when the PCM turns to liquid $\text{T}_{\mathrm {PV}}$ starts to rise abruptly, this contactless PCM matrix minimizes these issues as PCM matrix receives thermal energy by the mode of radiation and convection; Besides, PCM matrix surface area is not enclosed with the PV module back surface area that reduces the thermal stress and re-conduction. Developed PCM matrix is integrated beneath the PV module at particular distances of 6 mm, 9 mm and 12 mm to optimize the spacing between PV module and PCM matrix. It is found that 6 mm spacing PCM matrix reduced the $\text{T}_{\mathrm {PV}}$ maximum of 2.5 &#x00B0;C compared to 9 mm and 12 mm spacing. This $\text{T}_{\mathrm {PV}}$ reduction enhanced the PV module electrical output by 0.2 &#x0025; than PV without PCM and it is observed that 6 mm is an optimal spacing for the radiation source PCM matrix