Methodology for testing and validating knowledge bases

A test and validation toolset developed for artificial intelligence programs is described. The basic premises of this method are: (1) knowledge bases have a strongly declarative character and represent mostly structural information about different domains, (2) the conditions for integrity, consistency, and correctness can be transformed into structural properties of knowledge bases, and (3) structural information and structural properties can be uniformly represented by graphs and checked by graph algorithms. The interactive test and validation environment have been implemented on a SUN workstation

BUSINESS VALUE OF SMART CONTRACT: CASE OF INVENTORY INFORMATION DISCREPANCIES

Firms are increasingly interested in Blockchain Smart Contracts as a solution for the visibility of the digital supply chain. Blockchain can help realize the cost reductions by providing a “single version of the truth” for a firm and its trading partners. By sharing important information such as inventory levels, manufacturing performance and operations indicators, and order and shipment information, firms can eliminate the delays and uncertainties in the information that contributes to “the bullwhip effect” and inflates required buffer stock. This paper focuses on the impact of blockchain in an inventory operation to cope up with information discrepancies. We present and compare the cost differences between an existing technology (like EDI) and blockchain. Using technologies like blockchain and smart contracts will enable a more transparent, sustainable, and resilient supply chain

IBX promoted one-pot condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

Abstract An efficient and mild protocol has been developed for one-pot condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and 1,3-dicarbolyl compounds in presence of o-iodoxybenzoic acid has been found to be an excellent catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen-one, 1H-benzo[f]chromen-2-yl)-one via one-pot three-component condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. Short reaction time, ambient conditions, simple workup, and high yield with selective manner are some of the striking features of the present protocol

Preformulation Studies of Intranasal Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Mometasone Furoate

The objective of the present work was to prepare intranasal solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of mometasone furoate. Mometasone furoate is BCS class II drug having low aqueous solubility and highly sensitive to hepatic metabolism. Mometasone furoate loaded nanoparticles were prepared by high pressure homogenization technique. The preformulation studied was conducted by studying various selection criteria. Lipid was chosen on the basis of maximum solubility of the drug in lipid. Glyceryl monostearate was selected as the lipid phase which showed maximum drug solubility than other lipids. Selection of surfactant, homogenization pressure and no. of homogenization cycle was done on the basis of minimum particle size and maximum % entrapment efficiency. These results showed high entrapment efficiency and minimum particle size. Keywords: Intranasal solid lipid nanoparticles, High pressure homogenization, Glyceryl monostearate

Synthesis of novel dipodal-benzimidazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole from cyanuric chloride: Structural, photophysical and antimicrobial studies

AbstractIn the present study, new benzimidazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives were prepared and screened for antimicrobial activity. The structure of 4,4′-((6-(4-(diethylamino)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(oxy))dibenzaldehyde (DIPOD) 5 was established from p-hydroxy benzaldehyde 4 and 4-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline 3. The reaction of DIPOD 5 with different o-phenylenediamine or o-amino phenol or o-amino thiophenol in ethanol gave benzimidazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole 7. Novel heterocycles showed excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial strain (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal strain (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger) cultures. Activity data was compared with standard Streptomycin and Fluconazole drug. Photophysical and thermal properties of synthesized compounds were also studied

Effectiveness of low-dose theophylline for the management of biomass-associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: COPD is a leading cause of death globally, with the majority of morbidity and mortality occurring in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. While tobacco-smoke exposure is the most important risk factor for COPD in high-income settings, household air pollution from biomass smoke combustion is a leading risk factor for COPD in LMICs. Despite the high burden of biomass smoke-related COPD, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in this context. Currently recommended inhaler-based therapy for COPD is neither available nor affordable in most resource-limited settings. Low-dose theophylline is an oral, once-a-day therapy, long used in high-income countries (HICs), which has been proposed for the management of COPD in LMICs in the absence of inhaled steroids and/or bronchodilators. The Low-dose Theophylline for the Management of Biomass-Associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD) trial investigates the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of low-dose theophylline for the management of biomass-related COPD in a low-income setting. METHODS: LODOT-BCOPD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy of low-dose theophylline in improving respiratory symptoms in 110 participants with moderate to severe COPD in Central Uganda. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) age 40 to 80 years, (2) full-time resident of the study area, (3) daily biomass exposure, (4) post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below the 5th percentile of the Global Lung Initiative mixed ethnic reference population, and (5) GOLD Grade B-D COPD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive once daily low-dose theophylline (200 mg ER, Unicontin-E) or placebo for 52 weeks. All participants will receive education about self-management of COPD and rescue salbutamol inhalers. We will measure health status using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and quality of life using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) at baseline and every 6 months. In addition, we will assess household air pollution levels, serum inflammatory biomarkers (fibrinogen, hs-CRP), and theophylline levels at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. The primary outcome is change in SGRQ score at 12 months. Lastly, we will assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention by calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from the EQ-5D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov  NCT03984188 . Registered on June 12, 2019 TRIAL ACRONYM: Low-dose Theophylline for the Management of Biomass-Associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD)

Effectiveness of low-dose theophylline for the management of biomass-associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: COPD is a leading cause of death globally, with the majority of morbidity and mortality occurring in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. While tobacco-smoke exposure is the most important risk factor for COPD in high-income settings, household air pollution from biomass smoke combustion is a leading risk factor for COPD in LMICs. Despite the high burden of biomass smoke-related COPD, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in this context. Currently recommended inhaler-based therapy for COPD is neither available nor affordable in most resource-limited settings. Low-dose theophylline is an oral, once-a-day therapy, long used in high-income countries (HICs), which has been proposed for the management of COPD in LMICs in the absence of inhaled steroids and/or bronchodilators. The Low-dose Theophylline for the Management of Biomass-Associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD) trial investigates the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of low-dose theophylline for the management of biomass-related COPD in a low-income setting. METHODS: LODOT-BCOPD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy of low-dose theophylline in improving respiratory symptoms in 110 participants with moderate to severe COPD in Central Uganda. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) age 40 to 80 years, (2) full-time resident of the study area, (3) daily biomass exposure, (4) post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below the 5th percentile of the Global Lung Initiative mixed ethnic reference population, and (5) GOLD Grade B-D COPD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive once daily low-dose theophylline (200 mg ER, Unicontin-E) or placebo for 52 weeks. All participants will receive education about self-management of COPD and rescue salbutamol inhalers. We will measure health status using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and quality of life using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) at baseline and every 6 months. In addition, we will assess household air pollution levels, serum inflammatory biomarkers (fibrinogen, hs-CRP), and theophylline levels at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. The primary outcome is change in SGRQ score at 12 months. Lastly, we will assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention by calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from the EQ-5D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov  NCT03984188 . Registered on June 12, 2019 TRIAL ACRONYM: Low-dose Theophylline for the Management of Biomass-Associated COPD (LODOT-BCOPD)

Affordability and Access to Essential Medications for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Three Low- and Middle-Income Country Settings

INTRODUCTION: Despite the rising burden of chronic respiratory disease globally, and although many respiratory medications are included in the World Health Organization Essential Medications List (WHO-EML), there is limited information concerning the availability and affordability of treatment drugs for respiratory conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: All public and private pharmacies in catchment areas of the Global Excellence in COPD outcomes (GECo) study sites in Bhaktapur, Nepal, Lima, Peru, and Nakaseke, Uganda, were approached in 2017-2019 to assess pricing and availability of medications for the management of asthma and COPD. RESULTS: We surveyed all 63 pharmacies in respective study areas in Nepal (95.2% private), 104 pharmacies in Peru (94.2% private) and 53 pharmacies in Uganda (98.1% private). The availability of any medication for respiratory disease was higher in private (93.3%) compared to public (73.3%) pharmacies. Salbutamol (WHO-EML) monotherapy in any formulation was the most commonly available respiratory medication among the three sites (93.7% Nepal, 86.5% Peru and 79.2% Uganda) while beclomethasone (WHO-EML) was only available in Peru (33.7%) and Nepal (22%). LABA-LAMA combination therapy was only available in Nepal (14.3% of pharmacies surveyed). The monthly treatment cost of respiratory medications was lowest in Nepal according to several cost metrics: the overall monthly cost, the median price ratio comparing medication costs to international reference prices at time of survey in dollars, and in terms of days' wages of the lowest-paid government worker. For the treatment of intermittent asthma, defined as 100 mcg Salbutamol/Albuterol inhaler, days' wages ranged from 0.47 days in Nepal and Peru to 3.33 days in Uganda. CONCLUSION: The availability and pricing of respiratory medications varied across LMIC settings, with medications for acute care of respiratory diseases being more widely available than those for long-term management

“Stonks to the Moon”: Evidence from Reddit posts and Corresponding Market Manipulation

Bloomberg Businessweek is calling the $GME rally a bonkers manipulation of the stock market by small-time traders. This paper analyses more than 1.1 million Reddit comments and posts belonging to a few subreddits like r/wallstreetbets, r/stocks, r/stockmarkets, r/options about the ‘meme stocks’ on the New York stock exchange (NYSE) and Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) and evaluate their impact on stock price, volume, and volatility. We measure the Bullishness of given stocks using text mining and semantic analysis methods and utilize Wall Street Journal news stories as controls. The preliminary finding suggests strong evidence of predicting market volatility. We believe that the higher Reddit sentiment indicates higher stock volume, and the high frequency of posts (representing agreement) affects stock returns, traded volume, and volatility. We hope to show that social medial message boards, like Reddit, can be used as a reliable source to predict returns, volatility, and volume of the commodities traded on the stock market