4 research outputs found
Instruments of RT-2 Experiment onboard CORONAS-PHOTON and their test and evaluation II: RT-2/CZT payload
Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors are high sensitivity and high
resolution devices for hard X-ray imaging and spectroscopic studies. The new
series of CZT detector modules (OMS40G256) manufactured by Orbotech Medical
Solutions (OMS), Israel, are used in the RT-2/CZT payload onboard the
CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. The CZT detectors, sensitive in the energy range of
20 keV to 150 keV, are used to image solar flares in hard X-rays. Since these
modules are essentially manufactured for commercial applications, we have
carried out a series of comprehensive tests on these modules so that they can
be confidently used in space-borne systems. These tests lead us to select the
best three pieces of the 'Gold' modules for the RT-2/CZT payload. This paper
presents the characterization of CZT modules and the criteria followed for
selecting the ones for the RT-2/CZT payload. The RT-2/CZT payload carries,
along with three CZT modules, a high spatial resolution CMOS detector for high
resolution imaging of transient X-ray events. Therefore, we discuss the
characterization of the CMOS detector as well.Comment: 26 pages, 19 figures, Accepted for publication in Experimental
Astronomy (in press
Design, Synthesis of Novel, Potent, Selective, Orally Bioavailable Adenosine A<sub>2A</sub> Receptor Antagonists and Their Biological Evaluation
Our initial structure–activity
relationship studies on 7-methoxy-4-morpholino-benzothiazole
derivatives featured by aryloxy-2-methylpropanamide moieties at the
2-position led to identification of compound <b>25</b> as a
potent and selective A<sub>2A</sub> adenosine receptor (A<sub>2A</sub>AdoR) antagonist with reasonable ADME and pharmacokinetic properties.
However, poor intrinsic solubility and low to moderate oral bioavailability
made this series unsuitable for further development. Further optimization
using structure-based drug design approach resulted in discovery of
potent and selective adenosine A<sub>2A</sub> receptor antagonists
bearing substituted 1-methylcyclohexyl-carboxamide groups at position
2 of the benzothiazole scaffold and endowed with better solubility
and oral bioavailability. Compounds <b>41</b> and <b>49</b> demonstrated a number of positive attributes with respect to in
vitro ADME properties. Both compounds displayed good pharmacokinetic
properties with 63% and 61% oral bioavailability, respectively, in
rat. Further, compound <b>49</b> displayed oral efficacy in
6-OHDA lesioned rat model of Parkinson diseases
Active case finding among marginalised and vulnerable populations reduces catastrophic costs due to tuberculosis diagnosis
Background: There is limited evidence on whether active case finding (ACF) among marginalised and vulnerable populations mitigates the financial burden during tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Objectives: To determine the effect of ACF among marginalised and vulnerable populations on prevalence and inequity of catastrophic costs due to TB diagnosis among TB-affected households when compared with passive case finding (PCF). Methods: In 18 randomly sampled ACF districts in India, during March 2016 to February 2017, we enrolled all new sputum-smear-positive TB patients detected through ACF and an equal number of randomly selected patients detected through PCF. Direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect costs due to TB diagnosis were collected through patient interviews at their residence. We defined costs due to TB diagnosis as ‘catastrophic’ if the total costs (direct and indirect) due to TB diagnosis exceeded 20% of annual pre-TB household income. We used concentration curves and indices to assess the extent of inequity. Results: When compared with patients detected through PCF (n = 231), ACF patients (n = 234) incurred lower median total costs (US$ 4.6 and 20.4, p < 0.001). The prevalence of catastrophic costs in ACF and PCF was 10.3 and 11.5% respectively. Adjusted analysis showed that patients detected through ACF had a 32% lower prevalence of catastrophic costs relative to PCF [adjusted prevalence ratio (95% CI): 0.68 (0.69, 0.97)]. The concentration indices (95% CI) for total costs in both ACF [−0.15 (−0.32, 0.11)] and PCF [−0.06 (−0.20, 0.08)] were not significantly different from the line of equality and each other. The concentration indices (95% CI) for catastrophic costs in both ACF [−0.60 (−0.81, –0.39)] and PCF [−0.58 (−0.78, –0.38)] were not significantly different from each other: however, both the curves had a significant distribution among the poorest quintiles. Conclusion: ACF among marginalised and vulnerable populations reduced total costs and prevalence of catastrophic costs due to TB diagnosis, but could not address inequity
Patient characteristics, health seeking and delays among new sputum smear positive TB patients identified through active case finding when compared to passive case finding in India.
BackgroundAxshya SAMVAD is an active tuberculosis (TB) case finding (ACF) strategy under project Axshya (Axshya meaning 'free of TB' and SAMVAD meaning 'conversation') among marginalized and vulnerable populations in 285 districts of India.ObjectivesTo compare patient characteristics, health seeking, delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation among new sputum smear positive TB patients detected through ACF and passive case finding (PCF) under the national TB programme in marginalized and vulnerable populations between March 2016 and February 2017.MethodsThis observational analytic study was conducted in 18 randomly sampled Axshya districts. We enrolled all TB patients detected through ACF and an equal number of randomly selected patients detected through PCF in the same settings. Data on patient characteristics, health seeking and delays were collected through record review and patient interviews (at their residence). Delays included patient level delay (from eligibility for sputum examination to first contact with any health care provider (HCP)), health system level diagnosis delay (from contact with first HCP to TB diagnosis) and treatment initiation delays (from diagnosis to treatment initiation). Total delay was the sum of patient level, health system level diagnosis delay and treatment initiation delays.ResultsWe included 234 ACF-diagnosed and 231 PCF-diagnosed patients. When compared to PCF, ACF patients were relatively older (≥65 years, 14% versus 8%, p = 0.041), had no formal education (57% versus 36%, pConclusionAxshya SAMVAD linked the most impoverished communities to TB care and resulted in reduction of health system level diagnosis delay