A Smart Remote Monitoring System for Prenatal Care in Rural Areas

The complications in maternity especially the women lives in rural sector can be reduced through regular monitoring of their vitals like blood pressure, SpO2 and fetal growth. The internet of things (IoT) is the modern technology bridges the gap between the traditional clinical setting with its consumers as well promotes the telemedicine industry into great levels of accessing proactive healthcare facilities. The predominant aim of this work is to bring a remote monitoring device which assesses the significant health indicators of the pregnant women and their fetus status cost effectively. In order to build such kit, the biosensors like heart rate, SpO2, pressure, temperature and load cell which gives the weight of the fetus are integrated into Arudino board. The sensor readings are processed through ThingSpeak. The timely medical attention is proposed upon observing abnormal physiological vitals of the women which is implemented through a buzzer system in this device. Like such devices in realism help to predict the pregnancy risk and decrease the mortality rate

Patterns of healthcare utilisation in children and young people: a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected healthcare data in Northwest London

Objectives With a growing role for health services in managing population health, there is a need for early identification of populations with high need. Segmentation approaches partition the population based on demographics, long-term conditions (LTCs) or healthcare utilisation but have mostly been applied to adults. Our study uses segmentation methods to distinguish patterns of healthcare utilisation in children and young people (CYP) and to explore predictors of segment membership. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Routinely collected primary and secondary healthcare data in Northwest London from the Discover database. Participants 378,309 CYP aged 0-15 years registered to a general practice in Northwest London with one full year of follow-up. Primary and secondary outcome measures Assignment of each participant to a segment defined by seven healthcare variables representing primary and secondary care attendances, and description of utilisation patterns by segment. Predictors of segment membership described by age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation and LTCs. Results Participants were grouped into six segments based on healthcare utilisation. Three segments predominantly used primary care; two moderate utilisation segments differed in use of emergency or elective care, and a high utilisation segment, representing 16,632 (4.4%) children accounted for the highest mean presentations across all service types. The two smallest segments, representing 13.3% of the population, accounted for 62.5% of total costs. Younger age, residence in areas of higher deprivation, and presence of one or more LTCs were associated with membership of higher utilisation segments, but 75.0% of those in the highest utilisation segment had no LTC. Conclusions This article identifies six segments of healthcare utilisation in CYP and predictors of segment membership. Demographics and LTCs may not explain utilisation patterns as strongly as in adults which may limit the use of routine data in predicting utilisation and suggests children have less well-defined trajectories of service use than adults

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF STABILITY-INDICATING RP-UPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF TEZACAFTOR AND IVACAFTOR IN FORMULATIONS

Objective: Aim of the present research work was to develop a sensitive, rapid and accurate, stability-indicating RP-UPLC method for the simultaneous estimation of tezacaftor and ivacaftor in formulations. Methods: The chromatographic separation of the mixture of tezacaftor and ivacaftor was attained in isocratic method utilizing a mobile phase of 0.1 % orthophosphoric acid and acetonitrile in the proportion of 50:50%v/v utilizing a HSS C18 column which has dimensions of 100×2.1 mm, 1.7 m particle size and the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The detection system was monitored at 292 nm wavelength maximum with 1.5 ml injection volume. The present method was validated as per the guidelines given by the ICH for specificity, accuracy, sensitivity, linearity and precision. Results: The retaining time for tezacaftor and ivacaftor were achieved at 1.071 min and 0.530 min, respectively. Tezacaftor, ivacaftor and their combined drug formulation were exposed to thermal, acidic, oxidative, photolytic, and alkaline conditions. The developed method was highly sensitive, rapid, precise and accurate than the earlier reported methods. The total run time was decreased to 2.0 min; hence, the technique was more precise and economical. Stability studies directed for the suitability of the technique for degradation studies of tezacaftor and ivacaftor. Conclusion: The projected method can be utilized for routine analysis in the quality control department in pharmaceutical trades

Study on drug profile used in common pregnancy influenced issues and its complications

Background: Pregnancy influenced issues are common among pregnant women treated by medications that causes complication in mother and fetus. The study aims to identify patients with pregnancy influenced issues like gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease and anaemia. To assess the drug used pattern along with antibiotic therapy and to observe the above disease related complications.Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted at department of obstetrics and gynecology in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital. Totally 100 patients enrolled and data was collected using data collection form.Results: Out of 100 patients, high prevalence occurred in 26-30 years of age. Primarily gestational hypertension (39%), treated with Tab. Labetatol and complications were premature delivery, low birth weight. Anaemia (25%) cases treated with Tab. Ferrous sulphate, Iron sucrose and Folic Acid, Preterm delivery as complication. Gestational diabetes mellitus (18%) treated with Metformin and Human Insulin and complications were preterm delivery, maternal obesity, increased child weight. GERD (8%) treated with Pantoprazole, Ondansetron, Bifilac and complications were weight loss, dehydration, low birth weight. In pre-operative cases, 79% received antibiotics as monotherapy and 21% as dual therapy. In post-operative cases, 41% received antibiotics as monotherapy and 59% as dual therapy. Metronidazole (95%) given in both post and pre- operative conditions.Conclusions: The present study provides valuable insight about the overall drugs used in pregnancy related diseases and complications arise. We hope our data will make necessary recommendations to all health care professionals and pregnant women to ensure all pregnancy related safety measures were taken

Origin of Ferroelectricity in Orthorhombic LuFeO3_3

We demonstrate that small but finite ferroelectric polarization ($\sim$0.01 $\mu$C/cm$^2$) emerges in orthorhombic LuFeO$_3$ ($Pnma$) at $T_N$ ($\sim$600 K) because of commensurate (k = 0) and collinear magnetic structure. The synchrotron x-ray and neutron diffraction data suggest that the polarization could originate from enhanced bond covalency together with subtle contribution from lattice. The theoretical calculations indicate enhancement of bond covalency as well as the possibility of structural transition to the polar $Pna2_1$ phase below $T_N$. The $Pna2_1$ phase, in fact, is found to be energetically favorable below $T_N$ in orthorhombic LuFeO$_3$ ($albeit$ with very small energy difference) than in isostructural and nonferroelectric LaFeO$_3$ or NdFeO$_3$. Application of electric field induces finite piezostriction in LuFeO$_3$ via electrostriction resulting in clear domain contrast images in piezoresponse force microscopy.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Operation and modelling of an updraft long-stick wood gasifier

Even though biomass gasification technology has come up in the past with impressive applications, the exact details of the gasification process are yet to be completely understood quantitatively. On the basis of the experience of gasifier users with regard to the efforts and energy needed for wood chip preparation in a typical gasifier, we have embarked on the development of a gasifier suitable to work with long-stick woody biomass as the feed material to avoid major fuel preparation problems in rural settings. With this concept, a 25m 3 /hr capacity updraft gasifier was designed and constructed. Since the interest here is in exploring and validating this concept, an updraft gasifier was designed. This gasifier attains a high-energy release rate per unit area due to high inlet air velocity and activated reaction in the combustion zone. The temperature ranged from 922º C in the combustion zone to 128º C in the drying zone. In all the zones, the heat balance equations show a good fit between the theoretical and experimental values. The gasifier was operated in a batch mode, both bottom-lit (conventional) and top-lit, and the air flow and gas outflow were measured. The temperature of the raw gas was measured. The gas and air flows can be converted to the air/fuel ratio (A/F), the most important aspect of gasifier operation. A/F shows operation in a combustion mode at start-up, a gasification mode for the middle part of the run and a charcoal gasification mode at the end of the run. For modelling, the gasifier was divided into a drying zone, a pyrolysis zone, a combustion zone and a reduction zone

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and air-water CO2 exchange in the tropical semidiurnal estuarine system

Time-series observations of the Vellar estuary between May 2013 and December 2019 showed clear variability with respect to space and time in the distribution of nutrients, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and air-water CO2 exchange. Lower and higher salinities revealed significant seasonality in estuarine pCO2, as well as variations in the seasonal pattern due to the freshwater discharges during monsoon rainfall. The pCO2 attained the highest levels (8457 µatm) during monsoon which coincided with the lowest pH (7.498) and the undersaturation of pCO2 (322 µatm) was observed with maximum pH (8.182) during pre-monsoon. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified four components that accounted for 77.28 % of the total variance and explained the significant influence of nutrients, chlorophyll and temperature on pCO2 distribution. Similarly, the multiple linear regression analysis showed significant influence of environmental variables on pCO2 variability with a R2 of 0.957, SEE±230.816, p < 0.001. The surveyed area of the Vellar estuary had an overall pCO2 of 1068 µatm and was supersaturated with regard to the atmospheric pCO2 throughout the year, with an average CO2 flux of 4.13±5.59 mmol C m-2 d-1 to the atmosphere. During the study period, the Vellar estuary actively supplied 650.2 mol C m-2 Y-1 to the atmosphere. Hence, the metabolic balance of the estuarine ecosystem is aided by land derived organic carbon accompanied with freshwater flows from the Vellar river, constituting the estuary as a substantial source of atmospheric CO2

Spatial and temporal variation of salinity stratification in a tropical estuary

Longitudinal and vertical distribution of salinity field in the Vellar River Estuary (VRE) was investigated across the lower, mid and upper estuarine zone, monthly from January to December 2011. The hydrological survey of VRE revealed shallow bathymetry with a complex topography and a mean tidal amplitude of around 0.9 to 1 m. The depth-averaged tidal velocity had a magnitude that was observed with a maximum value of 0.56 m/s at the estuarine mouth and was indirectly proportional to the increasing distance from the mouth. The wind speed fluctuated from 1 to 4.1 km h-1 with a mean of 2.5±0.82 km h-1. The temperature ranged from 25.32 °C to 32.93 °C with a mean of 28.89±2.26 °C while salinity varied between 0 to 34 psu with a mean of 13±12.77 psu and negatively correlated with rainfall (r = -0.69; p = 0.04). A higher stratification number, i.e. ns ~ 1 at the lower estuarine zone indicated the formation of the salt wedge in the monsoon while during the rest of the year the estuarine water column was observed to be homogeneous. Wave height, tide and currents were estimated through 2D hydrodynamic models and they were significantly correlated with in-situ data. Recorded seasonal variation in salinity stratification of VRE from the present work reflected on shaping the primary governing factors on estuarine circulation at spatial and temporal scales

Spatial and temporal variation of salinity stratification in a tropical estuary

997-1008Longitudinal and vertical distribution of salinity field in the Vellar River Estuary (VRE) was investigated across the lower, mid and upper estuarine zone, monthly from January to December 2011. The hydrological survey of VRE revealed shallow bathymetry with a complex topography and a mean tidal amplitude of around 0.9 to 1 m. The depth-averaged tidal velocity had a magnitude that was observed with a maximum value of 0.56 m/s at the estuarine mouth and was indirectly proportional to the increasing distance from the mouth. The wind speed fluctuated from 1 to 4.1 km h-1 with a mean of 2.5±0.82 km h-1. The temperature ranged from 25.32 °C to 32.93 °C with a mean of 28.89±2.26 °C while salinity varied between 0 to 34 psu with a mean of 13±12.77 psu and negatively correlated with rainfall (r = -0.69; p = 0.04). A higher stratification number, i.e. ns ~ 1 at the lower estuarine zone indicated the formation of the salt wedge in the monsoon while during the rest of the year the estuarine water column was observed to be homogeneous. Wave height, tide and currents were estimated through 2D hydrodynamic models and they were significantly correlated with in-situ data. Recorded seasonal variation in salinity stratification of VRE from the present work reflected on shaping the primary governing factors on estuarine circulation at spatial and temporal scales