Assessing the market and financial potential of selfmed pill dispenser: a start-up aiming to eradicate medication non-adherence in Portugal

Mestrado em IPB-ESTGNon-adherence to medication is a global problem that affect half of the prescription users, resulting in suboptimal therapy outcomes and premature death. The complexity of medication is one of the primary contributing factors for it. To assist with the complex medication regimen, an automatic pill dispenser, SelfMed has been created. This study focuses on studying a future start-up company, SelfMed Lda. The company will operate in the Portuguese market and aims to increase adherence to taking medication according to medical prescription by adults over the age of 60. The aim of this research is to evaluate the market and the financial viability of a project in Portugal called "SelfMed, your medicating partner," which aims to manufacture and market an automatic pill dispenser to healthcare organizations, companies in this sector of activity, and pharmacies (Business to Business). Thus, it is intended to demonstrate to what extent the implementation of the project is possible and capable of replacing the need for personalized care in older individuals for the purpose of managing the taking of medicines. The research was conducted using primary data collected through a questionnaire distributed to users and care institutions/companies in the referenced area. According to the analysis, ~36% of users and 40% of care companies are interested in obtaining SelfMed to simplify the complex medication management and prescription regimen for the end user. Considering an assessment of the 6-year financial plan, a total investment of approximately €239,000 is required to launch the project, consisting mainly of basic equipment and transport, as well as supporting buildings and infrastructure, software, among others. Based on the established assumptions, the project is commercially and financially viable, with positive results from the third year onwards and an NPV of €185,051, IRR of 23.8% and a payback period of approximately 4.47 years.A não adesão à medicação, ou a sua toma de forma errónea traduz um problema global que afeta metade dos utilizadores com prescrições médicas, resultando em consideráveis malefícios para os cidadãos, de onde se destaca a morte prematura. A complexidade da medicação é um dos principais fatores que contribui para esta realidade. Foi face a esta problemática e com o objetivo de contribuir para a sua mitigação que foi proposto um doseador automático de comprimidos, designado por SelfMed. Assim, este estudo centra-se no estudo de uma futura empresa start-up, a SelfMed Lda. A empresa irá operar no mercado português e visa aumentar a adesão à correta toma de medicamentos, de acordo com a prescrição médica, por adultos com mais de 60 anos de idade. O objectivo da presente pesquisa consiste em avaliar o mercado e a viabilidade financeira de um projeto em Portugal denominado "SelfMed, o seu parceiro médico", que pretende fabricar e comercializar um doseador automático de comprimidos destinado a organizações prestadoras de cuidados de saúde, empresas deste setor de atividade, e farmácias (Business to Business). Assim, pretende-se demonstrar até que ponto a implementação do projeto é possível e capaz de substituir a necessidade de cuidados personalizados em indivíduos mais velhos para efeitos de gestão da toma de medicamentos. A investigação foi realizada utilizando dados primários recolhidos através de um inquérito por questionário distribuído a utilizadores e instituições/empresas de prestação de cuidados na área referenciada. De acordo com a análise, ~36% dos utilizadores e 40% das empresas de prestação de cuidados estão interessados em obterem a SelfMed, a fim de simplificar o complexo regime de gestão e toma de medicação do utilizador final. Considerando uma avaliação do plano financeiro quinquenal, é necessário um investimento total de aproximadamente 239.000 euros para lançar o projeto, que consiste, principalmente, em equipamento básico e transporte, bem como edifícios e infraestruturas de apoio, software, entre outros. Com base nos pressupostos estabelecidos, o projeto é comercial e financeiramente viável, com resultados positivos a partir do terceiro ano, um VAL de €185,051, uma TIR de 23.8% e um período de recuperação do investimento de 4.47 anos

A Review on Impact of Different Nitrogen Management Techniques on Maize (Zea mays L.) Crop Performance

Nitrogen (N), as a primary nutrient requirement of maize (Zea mays L.), plays a critical role in its development and productivity. Proper nitrogen management practices involve a delicate balance between providing an adequate amount of this nutrient and mitigating potential environmental impacts. When implemented effectively, these practices can significantly improve corn production. An adequate nitrogen supply promotes vigorous vegetative growth, contributing to strong stalks and an abundance of leaves, which are essential for maximizing the plant\u27s photosynthetic capacity. This lush foliage, in turn, leads to increased photosynthesis and carbohydrate production, providing the energy maize needs throughout the reproductive stage to develop and fill its kernels. In addition, nitrogen is closely linked to kernel development. Well-timed and dosed nitrogen applications can result in larger, well-filled ears with plump kernels, ultimately increasing both the quantity and quality of the maize yield. Environmental considerations, such as reducing nitrogen runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, are important for maintaining ecosystems and mitigating climate change. Thus, this review article highlights the need for a holistic approach to nitrogen management, combining innovative techniques with sustainable agricultural practices, to ensure food security and environmental conservation in maize production systems

A Non-catalytic Deep Desulphurization Process using Hydrodynamic Cavitation

A novel approach is developed for desulphurization of fuels or organics without use of catalyst. In this process, organic and aqueous phases are mixed in a predefined manner under ambient conditions and passed through a cavitating device. Vapor cavities formed in the cavitating device are then collapsed which generate (in-situ) oxidizing species which react with the sulphur moiety resulting in the removal of sulphur from the organic phase. In this work, vortex diode was used as a cavitating device. Three organic solvents (n-octane, toluene and n-octanol) containing known amount of a model sulphur compound (thiophene) up to initial concentrations of 500 ppm were used to verify the proposed method. A very high removal of sulphur content to the extent of 100% was demonstrated. The nature of organic phase and the ratio of aqueous to organic phase were found to be the most important process parameters. The results were also verified and substantiated using commercial diesel as a solvent. The developed process has great potential for deep of various organics, in general, and for transportation fuels, in particular

Risk Factors for Obesity in Nepalese Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. It ison the rise worldwide, not sparing developing countries. Both demographic and socioeconomic factors playan important part in its causation. Body mass index is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonlyused to classify overweight and obesity in adults. This study was done with objectives of assessing the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its associated factors among adult women attending selected outpatient departments of tertiary care center in western region of Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectionalthe study was conducted for six months. A total of 160 female respondents aged more than 20 years attending outpatient departments were included in the study using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data on socio-demographic status, dietary pattern, health risk behavior and presence of chronic illness were collected and anthropometric measurements were taken for all the respondents. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 31.8% and 3.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and overweight with age (p=0.044), educational status (p=0.017), frequency of consumption of fruits (p=0.029), dietary pattern (p=0.023), frequency of consumption of dairy products (p=0.019), marital status (p=0.020) and drinking alcohol (p=0.022). Conclusion: Age, educational status, frequency of consumption of dairy products, dietary habits, marital status and drinking habits were strongly associated with obesity and overweight among adult women

Infectious sources of Histoplasmosis and molecular techniques for its identification

Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum), acquired from contaminated soil with droppings of chicken or birds and found to be distributed in many parts of the world. The prevalence of histoplasmosis has not well studied in Nepal. The common symptoms of acute and epidemic histoplasmosis include high fever, cough, and asthenia and weight loss. Most of the infections associated with histoplasmosis are asymptomatic. People with compromised immune systems such as HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), cancer, and organ transplant recipients are at risk of developing this disease. In this review, we have summarised the current status of histoplasmosis in Nepal and molecular techniques available for its identification. To date, the significant outbreak is not reported in Nepal, but the risk of infection for the vulnerable population cannot be undermined. Appropriate preventive measures and treatment on time can reduce the burden of this fungal disease. Further, this review is also focused on molecular identification of H. capsulatum. Hence, careful considerations by concerned stakeholders for national surveillance programs and the treatment of patients on time after proper diagnosis is highly recommended

Perception of Community and Hospital Personnel on Burn Treatment and Outcome in Nepal

Introduction: Globally, eleven million people sustain burn injuries every year enough to require medical attention. WHO has estimated Disability associated limited years of 84,000 per year just due to deformities and 2100 people die every year due to burn injuries in Nepal. The overall objective of the study is to explore the effectiveness of burn injuries treatment and management approach of hospitals. Methods: This qualitative study approached to 40 Health Personnel for Key Informants Interviews and 18 Focus Group Discussions with community people at the ten referral hospitals of eight district from May-June 2016. Qualitative data were analyzed using At.Lasti Software. Results: Female burn victims are brought late to the hospital compared to male patients and false reporting about incident is usually done by her attendants. More than three-fourth (80%) of the hospitals and about one-third male and female from FGD reported that the community people seek home remedy first rather than medical treatment. Majority of the medical doctors and nursing chiefs reported that first degree cases accounts for 50% of the total burn cases with a success rate of 80%. Medical and Nursing staff reported that deformities like hypertrophic scar, keloids, joint stiffness and compartment syndrome are mostly observed during the treatment. Hypothermia and sepsis were the major causes of death in most of the burn patients. Conclusions: Usually, people who engaged in house and agriculture works, have visited public health posts/hospitals more frequently due to financial constraints and transportation issues where quality of burn care services are unavailable

ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF BARK AND LEAVES OF FICUS RELIGIOSA L. FROM NEPAL

Objective: Because of adverse side effects, caused by NSAIDs, tolerance, and dependence induced by opiates, the use of these analgesic agents has not been successful in all cases. Therefore, alternative analgesic drugs from plant sources are the new target now days. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of ethanolic extracts of stem barks and leaves of Ficus religiosa. Methods: The analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of stem barks and leaves was evaluated in the Swiss albino mice model using acetic acid-induced writing response and Eddy’s hot plate method. Analgesic activity was demonstrated with the percentage inhibition of acetic acid induced writings and the percentage increased in latency time of paw licking. The potency of test extracts was compared with standard drug, Diclofenac. Results: Ethanolic extract of leaves and bark of F. religiosa showed potential analgesic activity from both methods. From Eddy’s hot plate model, it was observed that the percentage of increased latency time at 90 min by ethanolic extract of leaves and stem bark was found to be 70.81 % (8.54 min) and 70.78 % (8.53 min) respectively at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Both of these results are statistically significant (p<0.05) as compared to the test group. Furthermore, both of these extracts showed the dose-dependent and time-dependent increased in latency time and these results are compared to that of standard drug Diclofenac. Similarly, ethanolic extract of leaves and stem at 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited the number of writhings induced by acetic acid. The percentage inhibition of writhings by ethanolic extract of leaves at a dose of 400 mg/kg was 68.47 % which was similar to that of standard drug Diclofenac (68.47 %). However, ethanolic extract of bark showed relatively lower percentage inhibition (60.79 %) as compared to leaf extract and standard, but the result was significant as compared to that of the test group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of F. religiosa stem bark and leaf possess both central and peripheral analgesic properties and these effects may be beneficial for the management of pain

Linkages among forest, water, and wildlife: a case study from Kalapani community forest in Lamahi bottleneck area in Terai Arc Landscape.

Forest and water are important entities for sustaining life on earth. In a terrestrial ecosystem, linkages between the entities creates a mosaic benefiting the wildlife by creating the suitable habitat. In turn, communities get benefits stemming up from ecosystem services such as fodder, fuelwood, and water. We present a case study from a forest restoration project to assess the linkages between forest, water and wildlife across Lamahi bottleneck area in Terai Arc Landscape. We used combination of surveys such as forest area and canopy cover change (2001-2016) analysis followed by household questionnaire, water hole, camera trapping including process documentation. Forest area has increased by ~20 km2 in last 16 yrs. followed by number of water spouts along the identified tributaries. Water spouts are conserved in the form of conservation pond by the communities living downstream and utilized in the vegetable farming. Communities have benefited financially (~ US$ 1,252) contributing to their income level from the sale of fresh season vegetables in nearby market. Camera trap survey including the assessment of historical records showed presence of wildlife including elephant, hyena and other small carnivores in and around bottleneck forest. Both, motivation and enthusiastic support from local communities followed by the conducive government policies led to improve condition of natural resources over the period. This has also created a mosaic habitat for wildlife forming functional connectivity along the linear Terai Arc Landscape

Debt/Equity Ratio and Expected Common Stock Returns: Empirical Evidence.

The expected common stock returns are positively related to the ratio of debt (noncommon equity liabil ities) to equity, controlling for the beta and firm size and includin g as well as excluding January, though the relation is much larger in January. This relationship is not sensitive to variations in the mar ket proxy, estimation technique, etc. The evidence suggests that the "premium" associated with the debt/equity ratio is not likely to be just some kind of "risk premium." Copyright 1988 by American Finance Association.