scholarly journals COVID-Anosmia Checker: A rapid and low-cost alternative tool for mass screening of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Budhaditya Basu ◽  
Paul Ann Riya ◽  
Joby Issac ◽  
Surendran Parvathy ◽  
Biju Surendran Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Screening ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Odor Concentration ◽  
Testing Frequency ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Reliable Marker ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
Input Response

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 curve can be flattened by adopting mass screening protocols with aggressive testing and isolating infected populations. The current approach largely depends on RT-PCR/rapid antigen tests that require expert personnel resulting in higher costs and reduced testing frequency. Loss of smell is reported as a major symptom of COVID-19, however, a precise olfactory testing tool to identify COVID-19 patient is still lacking.MethodsTo quantitatively check for the loss of smell, we developed an odor strip, “COVID-Anosmia checker”, spotted with gradients of coffee and lemon grass oil. We validated its efficiency in healthy and COVID-19 positive subjects. A trial screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 infected persons was also carried out to check the sensitivity and specificity of our screening tool.FindingsIt was observed that COVID positive participants were hyposmic instead of being anosmic when they were subjected to smelling higher odor concentration. Our tool identified 97% of symptomatic and 94% of asymptomatic COVID-19 positive subjects after excluding most confounding factors like concurrent chronic sinusitis. Further, it was possible to reliably predict COVID-19 infection by calculating a loss of smell score with 100% specificity. We coupled this tool with a mobile application, which takes the input response from the user, and can readily categorize the user in the appropriate risk groups.ConclusionLoss of smell can be used as a reliable marker for screening for COVID-19. Our tool can be used for first-line screening to trace out COVID-19 infection effectively. It can be used in difficult to reach geographical locations.

PROSPECTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CARRYING OUT THE ONCOLOGICAL COMPONENT OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE POPULATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-237
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Cherenkov ◽  
A. Petrov ◽  
I. Gulkov ◽  
A. Kostyukov
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Mass Screening ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Pilot Program ◽  
Urgent Problem ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Group Version

Diagnosis of malignant tumors is an urgent problem of the modern world. Early diagnosis depends on General practitioners. The doctor should conduct a systematic examination of the patient regularly, taking into account the risk groups, gender and age. With mass screening, signs of dysplasia or an early focus, developing cancer can «slip away» [1]. Optimization of analysis and examination algorithms is required, which is not always possible for one person. Positive application of the digital program with elements of imaging in Oncology, we were able to create such a class of tasks for the preliminary subjective-objective survey of patients in three versions: with a widescreen screen and consoles for patients (group version up to 15 or more patients), interactive (touch) and tablet. The results of the survey are sent through the accepted channels to the doctor with recommendations for further examination, and the patient is given a coupon. The pilot program showed that the system of such robotic technologies in the future can replace the oncologist in its development to artificial intelligence at the stage of the primary link.

scholarly journals O acesso vertiginoso na aquisição de máscaras faciais e suas repercussões na saúde pública e de populações vulneráveis/The vertiginous access in the acquisition of face masks and their repercussions on pubic health and vulnerable populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-388
Author(s):  
Andreia Faranha Da Conceição ◽  
Alan Patricio Da Silva ◽  
Luana Dias De Vargas ◽  
Marjorie Heloise Maruchi ◽  
Andreia Zarzour Abou Hala Corrêa
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Natural Rubber ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Social Vulnerability ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Introdução: A infeção por COVID-19, ocasionou um colapso nas relações cotidianas, principalmente aos maiores de 60 anos e pessoas com doenças pré-existentes. Foram necessárias intervenções não farmacêuticas à toda população. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um recurso de baixo custo para grupos em situação de vulnerabilidade social da região do ABC Paulista, São Paulo. Método: Foi desenvolvido um modelo de máscara com materiais acessíveis e de fácil confecção: TNT, amarilho e elástico de borracha natural. Resultados: O processo para confecção foi realizado em 8 etapas: marcação, corte, fixados os arames e os elásticos, feita as pregas, costuradas e embaladas. Foram confeccionadas 100 máscaras. Conclusão: A confecção de máscaras para compartilhamento com pessoas em situação de vulnerabilidade social é uma alternativa para minimizar os riscos de infecção e promover algum tipo de assistência, portanto uma alternativa viável no combate a propagação da pandemia de COVID-19. AbstractIntroduction: The infection by COVID-19, caused a breakdown in everyday relationships, especially for those over 60 and people with pre-existing diseases. Non-pharmaceutical interventions were required for the entire population. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a low-cost resource for groups in situations of social vulnerability in the ABC Paulista region, São Paulo. Method: A mask model was developed with accessible and easy-to-manufacture materials: TNT, yellowing and natural rubber elastic. Results: The process for making was carried out in 8 stages: marking, cutting, the wires and elastics were fixed, the pleats were made, sewn and packed. 100 masks were made. Conclusion: The making of masks for sharing with people in a situation of social vulnerability is an alternative to minimize the risks of infection and promote some type of assistance, therefore a viable alternative in combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.Key words: occupational therapy, facial masks, low cost technology, pandemic, risk groups, Coronavirus. ResumenIntroducción: La infección por COVID-19 causó un colapso en las relaciones cotidianas, especialmente para las personas mayores de 60 años y las personas con enfermedades preexistentes. Se requirieron intervenciones no farmacéuticas para toda la población. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un recurso de bajo costo para grupos en situaciones de vulnerabilidad social en la región del ABC Paulista. Método: Se desarrolló un modelo de máscara con materiales accesibles y fáciles de fabricar: TNT, amarillamiento y goma elástica natural. Resultados: El proceso de fabricación se llevó a cabo en 8 etapas: se marcaron, cortaron, se fijaron los alambres y los elásticos, se fabricaron, cosieron y empaquetaron los pliegues. Se hicieron 100 máscaras. Conclusión: la creación de máscaras para compartir con personas en situación de vulnerabilidad social es una alternativa para minimizar los riesgos de infección y promover algún tipo de asistencia, por lo tanto, una alternativa viable para combatir la propagación de la pandemia de COVID-19.Palabras clave: terapia ocupacional, mascarillas, tecnología de bajo costo, pandemias, grupos de riesgo, coronavirus. 

scholarly journals Tuning Dielectric Loss of SiO2@CNTs for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2636
Author(s):  
Fenghui Cao ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
Xinci Zhang ◽  
Bei Li ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Wave ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Impedance Matching ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Carbon Matrix ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Matrix Composites ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Absorption Performance

We developed a simple method to fabricate SiO2-sphere-supported N-doped CNTs (NCNTs) for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. EMW absorption was tuned by adsorption of the organic agent on the precursor of the catalysts. The experimental results show that the conductivity loss and polarization loss of the sample are improved. Meanwhile, the impedance matching characteristics can also be adjusted. When the matching thickness was only 1.5 mm, the optimal 3D structure shows excellent EMW absorption performance, which is better than most magnetic carbon matrix composites. Our current approach opens up an effective way to develop low-cost, high-performance EMW absorbers.

scholarly journals Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Mustafa Özcürümez ◽  
Antonios Katsounas ◽  
Stefan Holdenrieder ◽  
Alexander von Meyer ◽  
Harald Renz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Package Inserts ◽  
Evaluation Of Performance ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Performance Specifications ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
Minimum Criteria ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Objectives Point-of-care antigen tests (PoC-AgTs) for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection enable screening of additional populations with less effort, independent of laboratories and at a low cost. PoC-AgTs have therefore been included in national testing strategies with additional quality requirements to address limitations in specificity and sensitivity. Information given in the package inserts of the test providers should enable the user to evaluate the performance of a PoC-AgT in advance. The quality of this information has been independently assessed since the Corona Test Ordinance came into force in Germany in October 2020. Methods The completeness of analytical and diagnostic performance specifications was assessed for all package inserts publicly available via the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI). It was ascertained whether the minimum criteria, recommendations, and extended criteria of the PEI were comprehensibly fulfilled. The number of tests removed from the list by March 2021 was determined. Results By the closing date of the survey (17.11.2020), the PEI had listed 165 PoC-AgTs that formally fulfilled the minimum criteria and were thus reimbursed. A total of 78 identical systems were identified. Almost all providers were found to have gaps in the information on the validation results of their tests, meaning that an evaluation of performance is only possible to a limited extent. Until March 2021, 25 non-identical PoC-AgTs have been removed from the list. Conclusions Many PoC-AgTs could not be comprehensively evaluated based on the information provided by the provider. Users are therefore dependent on provider-independent sources of information.

Use of Low Cost, Low Fidelity Mockups for Preproduction Testing

1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 589-591
Author(s):  
Carole A. Bohn
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Operating Modes ◽  
Test And Evaluation ◽  
Methods Development ◽  
Display Technology ◽  
And Control

The new technologies proposed and/or retrofitted into Navy crewstations have demonstrated increasing sophistication and flexibility. Additionally, the crewstation technologies have shown very rapid development cycles. The current approach of reliance solely on flight testing has proven inadequate because of the multitude of equipment operating modes, lack of experimental control of situational variables, possible location/placement of components, variety of operational environments, dynamic crew tasking, and control/display technology unique characteristics. Test methods and relevent criteria are lacking. A quick fix is the use of low fidelity mockups for rapid testing and methods development. Such an approach can be both effective with respect to test dollars and responsive to the dynamics of the control/display development cycle. The present paper discusses the use of the low fidelity simulation in two specific developments. The first example presents the design of formats for a universal control/display layout to be used as a replacement for conventional pushbutton technology. The second example presents testing designed to determine the amount and type of control/display required for a crewstation functional upgrade. Both examples are from the test and evaluation work being performed on Navy patrol aircraft. Finally, a laboratory will be described which is being developed to permit this approach to testing.

scholarly journals Essential Oil Olfactory Test: Comparison of Affordable Rapid Olfaction Measurement Array (AROMA) to Sniffin’ Sticks 12

OTO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473974X2096246
Author(s):  
Jennifer Li ◽  
Gracie Palmer ◽  
Suraj Shankar ◽  
Mark R. Villwock ◽  
Alexander G. Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Percent Correct ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Snot 22

Objectives To further demonstrate the validity of Affordable Rapid Olfaction Measurement Array (AROMA), an essential oil−based smell test, and compare it to the Sniffin’ Sticks 12 Test (SST12). Study Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Setting Academic medical center. Methods Fifty healthy individuals without sinonasal disease were recruited to the study. AROMA has been previously validated against the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. The current study tests 2 additional higher concentrations to increase the ability to detect olfactory reserve. Healthy participants completed AROMA, SST12, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QoD). Spearman correlations were used to evaluate AROMA, SST, SNOT-22, and QoD. Results AROMA demonstrated strong test-retest reliability ( r = 0.757, P < .01). AROMA showed a moderate correlation to SST12 (ρ = 0.412, P < .01). Age and SNOT-22 were significantly correlated ( P < .05) with AROMA (ρ = −0.547, −0.331, respectively), and age was weakly correlated with SST (ρ = −0.377, P < .01). Median percent correct scores were as follows: SST12 identification, 92%; AROMA detection, 90%; and AROMA identification, 81%. Median correct odor identification of AROMA concentrations at 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× were 64%, 75%, 92%, and 92%, respectively. Conclusion AROMA has a moderate correlation with SST12. AROMA is more strongly correlated than SST12 to age and SNOT-22. AROMA’s stronger correlation with subjective olfactory status, low cost, and adaptability may help remove barriers to routine olfactory testing in the clinic.

scholarly journals A Rapid, Simple, Inexpensive, and Mobile Colorimetric Assay COVID-19-LAMP for Mass On-Site Screening of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Wang-Ngai Chow ◽  
Tony Tat-Yin Chan ◽  
Anthony Raymond Tam ◽  
Suhui Zhao ◽  
Weiming Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Screening ◽  
Color Change ◽  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lamp Assay ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Amplification Assay ◽  
Rapid Deployment

To control the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent its resurgence in areas preparing for a return of economic activities, a method for a rapid, simple, and inexpensive point-of-care diagnosis and mass screening is urgently needed. We developed and evaluated a one-step colorimetric reverse-transcriptional loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (COVID-19-LAMP) for detection of SARS-CoV-2, using SARS-CoV-2 isolate and respiratory samples from patients with COVID-19 (n = 223) and other respiratory virus infections (n = 143). The assay involves simple equipment and techniques and low cost, without the need for expensive qPCR machines, and the result, indicated by color change, is easily interpreted by naked eyes. COVID-19-LAMP can detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA with detection limit of 42 copies/reaction. Of 223 respiratory samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR, 212 and 219 were positive by COVID-19-LAMP at 60 and 90 min (sensitivities of 95.07% and 98.21%) respectively, with the highest sensitivities among nasopharyngeal swabs (96.88% and 98.96%), compared to sputum/deep throat saliva samples (94.03% and 97.02%), and throat swab samples (93.33% and 98.33%). None of the 143 samples with other respiratory viruses were positive by COVID-19-LAMP, showing 100% specificity. Samples with higher viral load showed shorter detection time, some as early as 30 min. This inexpensive, highly sensitive and specific COVID-19-LAMP assay can be useful for rapid deployment as mobile diagnostic units to resource-limiting areas for point-of-care diagnosis, and for unlimited high-throughput mass screening at borders to reduce cross-regional transmission.

Design of Thin Films Removal on Solar-Cells Silicon-Wafers Surface

2011 ◽  
Vol 121-126 ◽  
pp. 805-809
Author(s):  
P.S Pa
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Feed Rate ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Strong Acid ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Silicon Wafers ◽  
Machining Performance ◽  
Si3n4 Layer

In this study, the design of the mechanism of a recycling system using composite electrochemical and chemical machining for removing the surface layers from silicon wafers of solar cells is studied. The reason for constructing a new engineering technology and developing a clean production approach to perform the removal of surface thin film layers from silicon wafers is to develop a mass production system for recycling defective or discarded silicon wafers of solar cells that can reduce pollution. The goal of the development is to replace the current approach, which uses strong acid and grinding and may cause damage to the physical structure of silicon wafers and cause pollution to the environment, to efficiently meet the requirements of industry for low cost. It can not only perform highly efficient recycling of silicon wafers from discarded solar cells to facilitate the following remelting and crystal pulling process, but can also recycle defective silicon wafers during the fabrication process of solar cells for rework. A small gap width between cathode and workpiece, higher temperature, higher concentration, or higher flow rate of machining fluid corresponds to a higher removal rate for Si3N4 layer and epoxy film. Pulsed direct current can improve the effect of dregs discharge and is advantageous to associate with the fast feed rate of workpiece, but raises the current rating. A higher feed rate of silicon wafers of solar cells combine with enough electric power produces fast machining performance. The electrochemical and chemical machining just needs quite short time to make the Si3N4 layer and epoxy film remove easily and cleanly. An effective and low-cost recycle process for silicon wafers of solar cells is presented.

scholarly journals A Novel Olfactory Self-Test Effectively Screens for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
kobi snitz ◽  
Danielle Honigstein ◽  
Reut Weisgross ◽  
Aharon Ravia ◽  
Eva Mishor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Olfactory Test ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Olfactory Impairment ◽  
Self Test ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
The Individual

Key to curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic are wide-scale testing strategies 1,2 . An ideal test is one that would not rely on transporting, distributing, and collecting physical specimens. Given the olfactory impairment associated with COVID-19 3-7 , we developed a novel measure of olfactory perception that relies on smelling household odorants and rating them online. We tested the performance of this real-time tool in 12,020 participants from 134 countries who provided 171,500 perceptual ratings of 60 different household odorants. We observed that olfactory ratings were indicative of COVID-19 status in a country, significantly correlating with national infection rates over time. More importantly, we observed remarkable indicative power at the individual level (90% sensitivity and 80% specificity). Critically, olfactory testing remained highly effective in participants with COVID-19 but without symptoms, and in participants with symptoms but without COVID-19. In this, the current odorant-based olfactory test stands apart from symptom-checkers (including olfactory symptom-checkers) 3 , and even from antigen tests 8 , to potentially provide a first line of screening that can help halt disease progression at the population level.

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