Patients using antifungals following laryngectomy : a qualitative study of community pharmacists in the North of England

Objective: To explore community pharmacists’ understanding and opinions in relation to prevention of fungal colonisation of voice prostheses amongst laryngectomy patients. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a purposive sample of 12 community pharmacists from the North of England. Interviews were undertaken until data saturation was reached and responses were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. Key findings: Six themes emerged from the data analysis. These were: terminology confusion about laryngectomy, stoma and voice prostheses; smoking as a risk factor for the development of laryngeal cancer; using nystatin to prevent biofilm formation; counselling information related to nystatin; prescription intervention and additional education in relation to laryngectomy. The theme of counselling information related to nystatin use and additional education was a key finding: our data show that when dispensing nystatin to patients with a voice prosthesis, community pharmacists would either give no advice related to medication use or would give incorrect advice that may lead to premature prosthesis failure amongst this patient group. Conclusion: This study highlights that community pharmacists lack understanding in relation to laryngectomy and are unaware of the off-label doses and administration methods of the drugs (specifically nystatin) used to prevent fungal colonisation on voice prostheses. Additional information sources – possibly obtained through the local Speech and Language Therapy Department – in the form of an educational leaflet would be perceived as a valuable resource to support community pharmacists who are required to manage these patients in the community

Open-source high-performance software packages for direct and inverse solving of horizontal capillary flow

This work introduces Fronts, a set of open-source numerical software packages for nonlinear horizontal capillary-driven flow problems in unsaturated porous media governed by the Richards equation. The software uses the Boltzmann transformation to solve such problems in semi-infinite domains. The scheme adopted by Fronts allows it to be faster and easier to use than other tools, and provide continuous functions for all involved fields. The software is capable of solving problems that appear in hydrology, but also in other particular domains of interest such as paper-based microfluidics. As the first known open-source implementation to adopt this approach, Fronts has been validated against analytical solutions as well as existing software achieving remarkable results in terms of computational costs and numerical precision, and is meant to aid the study and modeling of capillary flow. Fronts can be freely downloaded and installed, and offers a friendly environment for new users with its complete documentation and tutorial cases.Cited as: Gerlero, G. S., Berli, C. L. A., Kler, P. A. Open-source high-performance software packages for direct and inverse solving of horizontal capillary flow. Capillarity, 2023, 6(2): 31-40. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2023.02.0

Phase-selective growth of κ\kappa- vs β\beta-Ga2_2O3_3 and (Inx_xGa1−x_{1-x})2_2O3_3 by In-mediated metal exchange catalysis in plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

Its piezo- and potentially ferroelectric properties make the metastable kappa polymorph of Ga$_2$O$_3$ an interesting material for multiple applications, while In-incorporation into any polymorphs of Ga$_2$O$_3$ allows to lower their bandgap. In this work, we provide a guideline to achieve single phase $\kappa$-, $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ as well as their (In$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$)$_2$O$_3$ alloys up to x = 0.14 and x = 0.17 respectively, using In-mediated metal exchange catalysis in plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MEXCAT-MBE). The polymorph transition from $\kappa$ to $\beta$ is also addressed, highlighting the fundamental role played by the thermal stability of the $\kappa$-Ga$_2$O$_3$. Additionally, we also demonstrate the possibility to grow ($\bar{2}$01) $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ on top of $\alpha$-Al$_2$O$_3$ (0001) at temperatures at least 100 {\deg}C above those achievable with conventional non-catalyzed MBE, opening the road for increased crystal quality in heteroepitaxy. The role of the substrate, as well as strain and structural defects in the growth of $\kappa$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ is also investigated by growing simultaneously on three different materials: (i) $\alpha$-Al$_2$O$_3$ (0001), (ii) 20 nm of ($\bar{2}$01) $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ on $\alpha$-Al$_2$O$_3$ (0001) and (iii) ($\bar{2}$01) $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ single crystal.Comment: Main text: 7 pages, 4 figures; Supplementary: 6 pages, 9 figure

Simulación numérica de procesos electroosmóticos y electroforéticos mediante una plataforma modular basada en el método de volúmenes finitos

Los procesos electroosmóticos y electroforéticos consisten en procesos de transporte de solutos y solvente, y de reacción entre diferentes electrolitos, mediante la aplicación controlada de campos eléctricos. La microescala se convierte en un escenario donde estos fenómenos, fuertemente interfaciales, se aprovechanrse de manera mas eficiente en la implementación de procesos y dispositivos, fundamentalmente en química analítica y bioanalítica: es así que en las últimas dos décadas, las plataformas microfluídicas para análisis (más conocidas como Lab-on-a-chip), han sido el principal escenario para el desarrollo de métodos y tecnologías relacionadas a los procesos electroosmóticos y electroforéticos. El desarrollo de modelos y simulaciones numéricas de estos procesos permite una mayor comprensión y un mejor aprovechamiento de las características de los Lab-on-a-chip, para mejorar sus diseños, aumentar su rendimiento y también poder expandir así su aplicabilidad. En este trabajo se presenta la implementación de la simulación numérica de procesos electroosmóticos y electroforéticos a través del acople de las diferentes ecuaciones que modelan el campo eléctrico, el campo de velocidades y presiones, el campo de concentraciones de solutos y electrolitos y el equilibrio ácido-base. Se consideran también de manera especial las heterogeneidades de concentraciones de cargas en las paredes que dan origen a la doble capa eléctrica, que en definitiva permite el flujo electroosmótico. La implementación se llevó a cabo mediante el método de volúmenes finitos utilizando la plataforma OpenFOAMR . La herramienta de simulación, ya presentada en un trabajo anterior, resulta novedosa, desde el punto de vista de las herramientas utilizadas para la resolución de casos complejos. Justamente a partir de estos casos se presentarán las innovaciones recientes en el código que permitieron resolver situaciones experimentales computacionalmente demandantes. Se pondrá énfasis en las nuevas características que ofrece la herramienta como las diferentes condiciones de borde implementadas para la simulación del transporte de electrolitos, y la optimización de las estrategias de acoplamiento entre campos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 27.Facultad de Ingenierí

Incremento de la eficiencia de los análisis de flujo lateral a través de campos eléctricos

Los análisis de flujo lateral (AFL) representan un grupo de dispositivos portables y autónomos para la detección rápida y sencilla de diversos indicadores bioquímicos de agentes patógenos y enfermedades. Además de las aplicaciones en salud, el uso de los AFL se ha extiendido al control ambiental, fitosanitario y bromatológico, entre otros campos requiriendo de la tecnología límites de detección muy ambiciosos. Recientemente, se ha demostrado que los límites de detección de los AFL pueden incrementarse al menos dos órdenes de magnitud, si se combinan con la aplicación de campos eléctricos para el transporte electroforético de especies. Es sabido que el desarrollo de dispositivos de AFL implica importantes esfuerzos experimentales dada la necesidad de explorar diseños, caracterizar los materiales utilizados y controlar los parámetros cinéticos de las reacciones. Si a esto sumamos la aplicación de campos eléctricos a soluciones de electrolitos con conductividades eléctricas heterogéneas, el escenario para el diseño empírico se vuelve demasiado complejo. De esta manera, contar con herramientas que permitan reducir los costos y tiempos de experimentación resulta clave para la implementación efectiva de esta tecnología. Para ello el desarrollo de prototipos numéricos que permitan simular eficientemente nuevos diseños de AFL sometidos a campos eléctricos resulta de gran utilidad tecnológica y científica. En este trabajo se presenta la implementación de un prototipo numérico de un AFL sometido a campos eléctricos. El modelo consiste en la solución acoplada de: (i) un modelo fluidodinámico de imbibición capilar, (ii) un modelo de transporte de materia que incluye términos electromigrativos, (iii) un modelo de conductividad eléctrica y conservación de cargas, y (iv) un modelo reactivo de tipo antígeno-anticuerpo. El dominio completo se resuelve utilizando el método de elementos finitos utilizando PETSc-FEM, tanto para los fenómenos de transporte y reacción como para el modelo de flujo por imbibición capilar, que se resuelve con un enfoque tipo Darcy basado en permeabilidades heterogéneas. Se concluye que la realización de ensayos virtuales permite determinar la ventana de trabajo apropiada (en términos de parámetros operativos) para lograr mejorar el límite de detección y el rendimiento global de los dispositivos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 28.Facultad de Ingenierí

Simulación de la dispersión transversal en dispositivos de microfluídica basados en papel

El desarrollo de plataformas microfluídicas que integran papel y otros derivados de la celulosa ha tenido un notable crecimiento en los últimos cinco años. En efecto, estos soportes son de gran disponibilidad y bajo costo, permiten el transporte de fluidos mediante capilaridad, son compatibles con los sistemas biológicos y permiten la adsorción/desorción de moléculas para implementar diversas reacciones químicas. Estas ventajas hacen que la microfluídica basada en papel se aplique a sistemas de análisis cada vez más diversos, y por lo tanto se vuelve cada vez más necesaria la optimización de las diferentes operaciones unitarias que se realizan en los dispositivos. Varias de esas operaciones, notablemente el mezclado, dilución, separación por tamaños y formación de gradientes, tienen un factor común que es el transporte advectivo-difusivo de especies químicas en la matriz porosa. En este marco, el presente trabajo aborda el modelado y la simulación numérica de la dispersión transversal de especies químicas en un medio poroso. Este estudio básico está dirigido a obtener reglas de escala para el mejor diseño de las operaciones mencionadas en microdispositivos basados en papel a través de diferentes aproximaciones para el término de flujo difusivo en la ecuación de transporte. La idea central es apartarse del modelo Fickiano clásico de difusión, regido por un coeficiente constante tanto en espacio como en tiempo, propio de la naturaleza química de la sustancia transportada y del solvente, para incluir modelos extraídos de literatura reciente. Estos modelos, son esencialmente sensibles (además de la naturaleza química ya mencionada) a las características del medio poroso (permeabilidad, porosidad y ángulo de contacto) y a las características del campo de fluidos para el solvente utilizado. Los modelos se implementarán a través de la herramienta OpenFOAM (R) y se utilizarán a los fines de evaluar diseños de generadores de gradientes microfluídicos en papel y estimar sus potenciales ventajas frente a generadores desarrollados en microcanales clásicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 28.Facultad de Ingenierí

The impact of Mn nonstoichiometry on the oxygen mass transport properties of La0.8Sr0.2MnyO3±δ thin films

Oxygen mass transport in perovskite oxides is relevant for a variety of energy and information technologies. In oxide thin films, cation nonstoichiometry is often found but its impact on the oxygen transport properties is not well understood. Here, we used oxygen isotope exchange depth profile technique coupled with secondary ion mass spectrometry to study oxygen mass transport and the defect compensation mechanism of Mn-deficient La0.8Sr0.2Mn (y) O-3 +/-delta epitaxial thin films. Oxygen diffusivity and surface exchange coefficients were observed to be consistent with literature measurements and to be independent on the degree of Mn deficiency in the layers. Defect chemistry modeling, together with a collection of different experimental techniques, suggests that the Mn-deficiency is mainly compensated by the formation of La-x(Mn) antisite defects. The results highlight the importance of antisite defects in perovskite thin films for mitigating cationic nonstoichiometry effects on oxygen mass transport properties

The Study of Customer Satisfaction of Shopee Customers In Malaysia

The main objective of this study is to investigate the factors affect customer satisfaction level among Shopee customers in Malaysia. A set of self-administered questionnaires has been distributed to 200 targeted Shopee users in three states of Malaysia which are Johor, Melaka and Selangor. The five independent variables, which are price, trust, electronic word of mouth, website quality and security have been tested on their relationship towards the dependent variable, which is consumer satisfaction towards online shopping platform, Shopee in Malaysia. The collected data were keyed into SPSS version 25 and followed by using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM 3.2.8) to assess the hypothesis. The result of this research given the feedbacks where trust, electronic word of mouth and website quality have significant effect towards consumers satisfaction on Shopee in Malaysia. However, price and security does not show a significant relationship with Shopee’s consumer satisfaction. In conclusion, this study helps to better understand the consumer satisfaction of Shopee’s online shopping services in Malaysia

Study design and baseline characteristics of patients on dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial

BACKGROUND: The Anemia Studies in chronic kidney disease (CKD): Erythropoiesis via a Novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (PHI) Daprodustat-Dialysis (ASCEND-D) trial will test the hypothesis that daprodustat is non-inferior to comparator epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa for two co-primary endpoints: haemoglobin efficacy and cardiovascular safety. METHODS: We report the trial design, key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, and baseline therapies of 2964 patients randomised in the open-label (sponsor-blinded) active-controlled, parallel-group, randomised ASCEND-D clinical trial. We also compare baseline characteristics of ASCEND-D patients with patients who are on dialysis (CKD G5D) enrolled in other large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) and in the most relevant registries. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 58 years, 43% were female; 67% were white and 16% were black. The median haemoglobin at baseline was 10.4 g/dL. Among randomised patients, 89% were receiving haemodialysis and 11% peritoneal dialysis. Among key co-morbidities, 42% reported a history of diabetes mellitus, and 45% a history of cardiovascular disease. Median blood pressure was 134/74 mmHg. The median weekly dose of epoetin was 5751 units. Intravenous and oral iron use was noted in 64% and 11% of patients, respectively. Baseline demographics were similar to patients with CKD G5D enrolled in other CVOTs and renal patient registries. CONCLUSION: ASCEND-D will evaluate the efficacy and safety of daprodustat compared with epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with anaemia with CKD G5D

The ASCEND-ND trial: Study design and participant characteristics

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and assessment of the risks and benefits of new therapies is important. METHODS: The Anaemia Study in CKD: Erythropoiesis via a Novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor Daprodustat-Non-Dialysis (ASCEND-ND) trial includes adult patients with CKD Stages 3-5, not using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) with screening haemoglobin (Hb) 8-10 g/dL, or receiving ESAs with screening Hb of 8-12 g/dL. Participants were randomised to daprodustat or darbepoetin alfa (1:1) in an open- label trial (steering committee- and sponsor-blinded), with blinded endpoint assessment. The co-primary endpoints are mean change in Hb between baseline and evaluation period (average over Weeks 28 to 52) and time to first adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular (CV) event. Baseline characteristics were compared with those of participants in similar anaemia trials. RESULTS: Overall, 3872 patients were randomised from 39 countries (median age 67 years, 56% female; 56% White, 27% Asian, and 10% Black). Median baseline Hb was 9.9 g/dL, blood pressure was 135/74 mmHg and eGFR was 18 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among randomised patients, 53% were ESA non-users, 57% had diabetes and 37% had a history of CV disease. At baseline, 61% of participants were using renin- angiotensin system blockers, 55% were taking statin and 49% oral iron. Baseline demographics were similar to those in other large non-dialysis anaemia trials. CONCLUSION: ASCEND-ND will define the efficacy and safety of daprodustat compared with darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with anaemia associated with CKD not on dialysis