Design and Fabrication of an Automated Low-Cost Non-Contact Temperature Scanner and Sanitizer for Covid-19 Prevention

The rate at which the novel virus Covid-19 spread across the world in an alarming rate with high rate of death of the infected persons is quite disturbing, hence the need to checkmate its spread by quickly identifying persons with the symptoms of this viral infection. This paper discusses the development of an automated low-cost non-contact temperature scanner and sanitizer. The system automatically detects a human being, scans for temperature, and sanitizes the person with no interference required. The circuit for the system comprises an Arduino microcontroller, LCD display, relays, ultrasonic sensors, temperature sensor, 12v DC pump motion sensor and a high pressure 12v DC pump. The temperature sensor (MLX90614) senses the temperature, certifies that the value is within the specified range as controlled by its ultrasonic sensor and displays the temperature on the LCD. Thereafter, an ultrasonic sensor activates the 12V DC pump to dispense the sanitizer. At the disinfectant chamber, the motion sensor will trigger the high-pressured DC pump when it senses movement, it dispenses the body sanitizer through the nozzles. C++ was used to program the Arduino in Arduino user interface. The entire process takes 60seconds and it helps to maintain personal preventive measures as well as detecting a possible symptomatic person as fever with high temperature which is one of the major symptoms of Covid-19. The device has been tested and works effectively, and it will be very useful for any organization with one or more buildings. It can be positioned at the entrance of buildings to sanitize and scan all staff and visitors against Covid-19

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Prediction of Gaseous Attenuation of Satellite Signal in Nigeria

It would be noticed that the rate at which people are demanding for satellite services has drastically increased due to increment in population. However, one of the apprehensions of satellite telecommunication engineer is the effects imposed on the earth-to space path link by gaseous attenuation. The research conducted in this paper bordered about investigation with comparison of prediction models for gas attenuation in the six locations in Nigeria, with each of the location taken from six geopolitical within the country. The cities considered for the analysis are: Kaduna (), Lagos (), Abuja (), Portharcort (), Enugu () and Bauchi (). Five-year radiosonde data were used in predicting gas attenuation in the cities selected which represent the geographical characteristics of each zone. Monthly variation of tropospheric components for each zone were computed. Influence of gas attenuation at different frequency bands for each zone were analysed. The results indicated that at clear-sky scenario, gas attenuation effects are still seen on satellite communication. Therefore, this research work would provide the needed statistical data of gas attenuation which would be of tremendous advantage for the link designers for their subsequent planning and design of good telecommunication systems in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

Abstract TMP81: Regional, Race-Ethnic and Sex Disparities in Lifestyle Interventions: Data from the Florida Puerto Rico Collaboration to Reduce Stroke Disparities (FL-PR CReSD) Study - the NINDS Stroke Prevention Intervention Research Program

Background: As key components of the AHA Life’s Simple 7 campaign, lifestyle modifications play an integral role in the prevention of vascular disease. Little is known about the prevalence of lifestyle modification counseling in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to investigate disparities in the delivery of lifestyle interventions to AIS patients in the large NINDS-funded FL-PR CReSD Registry of Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-S) data. Methods: GWTG-S collects data on the provision of several lifestyle interventions including counseling on exercise/weight loss, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, diabetes (DM) education and antihypertensive (low sodium) diet. 80,598 AIS cases were prospectively included from 82 sites (69 FL; 13 PR) from 2010-2016. Multilevel logistic regression models adjusted for age, race, and aphasia were used to evaluate differences in the provision of lifestyle interventions as indicated for patients prior to hospital discharge. Results: Among AIS cases, 51% were men, 62% non-Hispanic White (NHW), 18% NH-Black (NHB), 13% FL-Hispanic (FLH), and 6% PR-Hispanic (PRH). Mean age was 71±14 years. The highest mean BMI was in PRH (29±7 kg/m 2 ), with the lowest in NHW (27±6 kg/m 2 ) and FLH (28±6 kg/m 2 ). Despite this, PRH were less likely to receive exercise/weight loss counseling compared to NHW (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.90) and FLH (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.97). PRH also had lower odds of receiving TLC diet counseling compared to NHW and FLH (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15-0.68). Though NHB presented with higher rates of DM compared to NHW (38% vs. 25%), they were less likely to receive DM education (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99). Women were less likely to receive TLC diet counseling (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.98) and DM education (OR 0.94, CI 0.92-0.97) compared to men. Despite higher HTN frequency in women and NHB (67% and 69%), both were less likely to receive low sodium diet recommendations as compared to men (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.97) and NHW (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99). Conclusion: Overall, disparities were identified in the provision of several lifestyle interventions in AIS patients. These interventions can benefit all and providers should continue counseling patients regarding modifiable risk factors to prevent future stroke

Abstract TP311: Does Age Affect Race/Ethnic Differences in Discharge Ambulation Status? Data From the Florida Puerto Collaboration to Reduce Stroke Disparities (FL-PR CReSD) Study - The NINDS Stroke Prevention Intervention Research Program

Background: Among stroke survivors, worse functional outcomes have been reported in race/ethnic minority groups. Race/ethnic differences in post-stroke independent ambulation may be evident early and largely influenced by age. Independent ambulation is defined as the ability to walk without supervision or assistance from another person. Discharge ambulation status may have implications for long term rehabilitation after stroke. We sought to determine the impact of age on race/ethnic differences in discharge ambulation status in the large NINDS-funded FL-PR CReSD Registry of Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-S) data. Methods: Discharge ambulation status was analyzed for 51,859 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) survivors from 69 FL and 13 PR sites. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to test whether age modifies the relationship between race/ethnicity and independent ambulation at discharge (IAD). Stratified analyses were performed in 3 age groups: 18-64, 65-79, 80+. Models were adjusted for sex, vascular risk factors, independent ambulation status at admission and hospital characteristics. Results: IAD was achieved in 52%, of which 71% were non-Hispanic White (NHW), 13% NH Black (NHB), 12% FL Hispanic (FLH), and 4% PR Hispanic (PRH). IAD was most common in NHW (57%), followed by FLH (53%), NHB (47%), and PRH (40%). Older age was associated with lower odds of IAD (18-64: 68%, 65-79: 54%, 80+: 32%). After full adjustment, IAD was less likely in older [65-79 vs 18-64: OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.63-0.73; 80+: OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.32-0.39] and NHB vs. NHW patients [OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92]. In age-stratified analyses, NHBs were less likely than NHWs to achieve IAD among those age 65-79 (47% vs. 57%) and 80+ (29% vs 34%) [OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.90; OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.88]. This association was not seen in the 18-64 age group (66% vs 69%), [OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88-1.06]. Conclusions: About half of AIS survivors are unable to ambulate independently after stroke at discharge. Elderly NHB are less likely to IAD, though the disparity is not observed in working age adults. Post-stroke ambulation is a public health issue that substantially contributes to the economic burden of US healthcare. Further studies are warranted to identify causes of race/ethnic disparities in IAD