Conventional Pen Research Articles

Usability of an at-home tablet-based cognitive test in older adults with and without cognitive impairment

BackgroundMobile device-based cognitive screening has the potential to overcome the limitations in diagnostic precision and efficiency that characterize conventional pen and paper cognitive screening. Several mobile device-based cognitive testing platforms have demonstrated usability, but the usability of take-home mobile device-based cognitive screening in typical adult primary care patients requires further investigation.MethodsThis study set out to test the usability of a prototype mobile device-based cognitive screening test in older adult primary care patients across a range of cognitive performance. Participants completed the St. Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS) and then used a study-supplied mobile device application at home for 5 days. The application presented 7 modules lasting approximately 15 min. Participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) after using the application.ResultsA total of 51 individuals participated, with a median (IQR) age of 81 (74–85) years. Cognitive impairment (SLUMS score < 27) was present in 30 (59%) of participants. The mean (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) SUS score was 76 (71–81), which indicates good usability. Usability scores were similar across ranges of cognitive impairment. A Lower SLUMS score predicted early withdrawal from the study with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI) of 0.78 (0.58–0.97).ConclusionTake-home mobile device-based cognitive testing is a usable strategy for many older adult primary care patients. Depending on patient preferences and abilities, it could be part of a flexible cognitive testing and follow-up strategy that includes mobile device-based testing in healthcare settings and pen-and-paper cognitive testing.

1972 A scoping review of remotely delivered cognitive assessment tools that could be used in comprehensive geriatric assessment

Abstract Introduction Community-based comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) reduces hospital admissions but the optimal way in which CGA can be delivered is not well understood. Digital and Remote Enhancements for the Assessment and Management of older people living with frailty (DREAM) is a programme of research seeking to develop an enhanced community CGA intervention. We aimed to identify candidate cognitive assessment tools (CATs) that could be undertaken remotely and enhance CGA. Methods Searches were carried out on Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Papers published since 2008 were included if they analysed the validity, reliability or acceptability of CATs that could be undertaken remotely in a domestic setting and were tested on older people. Results Of 4286 papers identified, 56 were included. Four types of CAT were identified: computer/tablet/smartphone applications (23tools/27papers), telephone (16tools/23papers), video (2tools/2papers) and specialist equipment (4tools/4 papers). 14 tools demonstrated excellent accuracy for identifying mild cognitive impairment or dementia (specified as AUC &amp;gt;0.80 or sensitivity/specificity&amp;gt;80%). 42 papers presented concurrent/convergent validity, 14 reliability and 16 acceptability data. Time taken to perform tests ranged between 2-30 mins. Of the 23 computer/tablet/smartphone applications, 7 tools are currently available to download. Conclusions Remote CATs could be used in CGA. Computer/tablet/smartphone applications and some specialist equipment could enhance assessment by quickly and accurately identifying cognitive impairment, in some cases with greater accuracy than traditional tests. Tools that use ‘games’ may be more appealing than conventional pen and paper tools. However, many of the computer/tablet/smartphone applications tested are not available for clinical use.

Decentralized Voting System Using Blockchain Technology

Blockchain verifies security using a distributed mechanism. For several new and developing products and services, blockchain technology is touted as a game-changer. Providing a distributed architecture to manage and sustain an open voting system would be the aim of such a plan. A system called blockchain stores data in a way that makes it difficult or almost impossible to make changes to it. The sharing economy may be benefited by a very wide variety of applications made possible by blockchain technology. That will be used to quantify how blockchain technology may be used to facilitate distributed electronic voting. The suggested solution implements a voting mechanism using the Aadhar API on an Ethereum network on a blockchain platform. Electronic voting is expected to promote openness, and voters are required to lessen dishonesty and irregularities in the voting procedures. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from home by using this technology. The technology seeks to improve voting process transparency and strengthen fraud prevention by supplanting the conventional pen and paper method. Key Words: Blockchain, Distributed General Ledger, Ethereum, Smart Contracts, P2P network, Consensus Algorithm, PoW Algorithm, Cryptography, Voter Privacy, Trustless Environment, Electrical integrity.

Evaluating and quantifying the variations and sensitivity in asphalt-filler interaction indices

The interaction within an asphalt-filler blend is usually defined by its volume filling and interfacial reciprocation tendencies. This interplay between a reinforcing solid filler within liquid asphalt thus ends up dictating the blend's transition point from a “diluted region” to a “concentrated region”, and the glass transitioning state of the asphalt itself. While prior studies focused on distinguishing asphalt-filler interactions based on composite reinforcement models, describing the definitive behaviour of its suffusing phase reciprocation has proved elusive. Hence, this study aims at redefining asphalt-filler interaction by evaluating and quantifying the varying distinctions in each established mastic composite model. Asphalt mastics composed of three distinct fillers of dolomite powder (DP), lime kiln dust (LKD), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC), along with a conventional PEN 60/70 binder, were blended together at 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 filler to binder ratios (F/B) based on the Superpave mix dust to binder specification. The OPC mastic was regarded as the control mastic sample for all tests performed. A temperature sweep test was conducted on all prepared mastic test samples using dynamic shear rheometer equipment at varying temperatures of 46 °C, 52 °C, 58 °C, 64 °C, 70 °C, 76 °C, and 82 °C, for a controlled strain value of 5%, and an angular velocity of 10 rad/s. Asphalt-filler interaction was further analysed using evaluation index coefficients based on rheological performances, i.e., ΔG*, L-A-δ, K-B-δ, K-B-G*, and KE respectively. Variations in the evaluation coefficients obtained were also determined via statistical normality tests of skewness and kurtosis. Results obtained indicated a strong asphalt-filler interaction response for coefficients ΔG*, L-A-δ, K-B-G*, and KE, while K-B-δ exhibited inconsistent interaction responses. Similarly, the normality test results also inferred that ΔG*, L-A-δ, K-B-G*, and KE portrayed better skewness values compared to K-B-δ.

Relationship between the physicochemical and electrostatic charge characteristics of filler materials on the morphological and adhesive Pull-Off tensile strength of asphalt mastics

• This paper assesses the viability of using mineral fillers from industrial by-products. • Lime kiln dust and dolomite powder were studied and compared to cement powder. • Changes in asphalt binder phases occur as a result of asphalt-filler interactions. • The pH conditions dictate mastics adhesive tendencies due to electrostatic ionic exchange. • Thus, impacting pull-off strengths within asphalt-aggregate interfaces. The influence of filler particle mineralogy, pH and electrostatic charge on the adhesive tensile strength and morphological structure of asphalt mastic composites were assessed in this study. Three different fillers i.e., dolomite powder (DP), lime kiln dust (LKD), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) together with a conventional PEN 60/70 binder were used for the asphalt mastic preparation. The mastics were mixed at dosages of (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2) filler to binder concentration (F/B) by volume as per the dust to binder specifications of Superpave mix designs. OPC mastic was utilised as the control mastic sample for all conducted tests, while the DP and LKD mastics were tested as sustainable alternatives to the OPC. The impact of filler inclusions in asphalt liquid phases was investigated via optical microscope assessments. Similarly, physicochemical tests of the elemental and mineralogical composition of each filler were accounted for using x-ray diffraction tests. The surface charge characteristics of each test filler was analysed relative to its mastic pH conditions through the application of zeta potential tests. Adhesive pull-off tensile strengths of the mastics on granite and limestone interfaces were also assessed for both dry and moisture conditions. The incorporation of fillers in asphalt binders highlighted the effect of filler reactivity and inert tendency on binders’ morphological phase modification wherein the OPC and LKD were reactive with the asphaltene while the DP was less reactive and inert. Results obtained from both the x-ray diffraction and zeta potential tests also infer the calcium based OPC and LKD to exhibit better surface ionic attraction compatibility with the PEN 60/70 binder than the DP at high F/B. Meanwhile, the relationship between the filler surface charge and mastic pH condition was observed to be significant and reliant upon the mastics adhesive pull-off tensile characteristics.

Evaluation of the Diet Tracking Smartphone Application Keenoa™: A Qualitative Analysis.

Keenoa™ is a novel Canadian diet application (app) currently used by Canadian dietitians to collect diet-related data from clients. The goal of this study was to evaluate Keenoa™ based on user feedback and compare it to a conventional pen and paper method. One hundred and two participants were recruited and randomly assigned to record their diets using this application for 3 nonconsecutive days. Following this, participants were invited to complete an online "exit" survey. Seventy-two subjects responded, with 50 completing an open-ended question asking for general feedback about the app. Data were reviewed and 3 main themes emerged: strengths, challenges, and future recommendations. Strengths associated with the app consisted of picture recognition software, the additional commentary feature, and the overall pleasant data collection process. Challenges that were identified included inconsistencies with the barcode scanning features, the limited food database, time to enter food details, and software issues. Future recommendations included using a larger food database, pairing dietary intake with physical activity monitoring, and having accessible nutritional data. Despite these limitations, participants preferred using mobile apps to record diet compared with traditional written food diaries.

Online Handwriting, Signature and Touch Dynamics: Tasks and Potential Applications in the Field of Security and Health

Background: An advantageous property of behavioural signals ,e.g. handwriting, in contrast to morphological ones, such as iris, fingerprint, hand geometry, etc., is the possibility to ask a user for a very rich amount of different tasks. Methods: This article summarises recent findings and applications of different handwriting and drawing tasks in the field of security and health. More specifically, it is focused on on-line handwriting and hand-based interaction, i.e. signals that utilise a digitizing device (specific devoted or general-purpose tablet/smartphone) during the realization of the tasks. Such devices permit the acquisition of on-surface dynamics as well as in-air movements in time, thus providing complex and richer information when compared to the conventional pen and paper method. Conclusions: Although the scientific literature reports a wide range of tasks and applications, in this paper, we summarize only those providing competitive results (e.g. in terms of discrimination power) and having a significant impact in the field.

Convergence of the turkey gut microbiota following cohabitation under commercial settings

BackgroundMicrobiota development is a critical aspect of turkey poult maturation, and the succession of microbes in the turkey gut has been shown to correlate with poult performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the fate of the microbiota in turkey poults after movement of birds first raised in an isolated hatch brood system into a more traditional commercial brood facility with pre-existing birds. Turkey poults were first divided into groups raised in conventional brood pens from day-of-hatch and those raised in an experimental hatch brood system. After 11 days of growth, hatch brood birds were moved into pens within the conventional brood barn and monitored for an additional 18 days. Sampling of both hatch brood and conventional pen birds was performed at multiple timepoints throughout the study, and cecal content was used to analyze the bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.ResultsAlpha diversity tended to be higher in samples from conventional pen birds compared to those from hatch brood birds prior to the day 11 move, but the difference between systems was not observed post-move. Using beta diversity metrics, bacterial community succession appeared delayed in the hatch brood system birds pre-move, but post-move community composition quickly converged with that of the conventional pen birds. This was validated through assessment of significantly different genera between hatch brood system and conventional pen birds, where numbers of significantly different taxa quickly decreased following the move. Some key taxa previously associated with poult performance were delayed in their appearance and relative abundance in hatch brood birds.ConclusionsOverall, this study demonstrates that the use of isolated hatch brood systems has an impact on the poult gut microbiota, but its impact is resolved quickly once the birds are introduced into a conventional brood environment. Therefore, the benefits of pathogen reduction with hatch brood systems may outweigh negative microbiota impacts due to isolation.

Patient-Reported Preference and Clinical Efficacy of Insulin Pen Devices With Safety Needles in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Study

PurposeCurrent evidence indicates that diabetic patients' preference and medication adherence can be affected by the type of insulin pen needles. We aimed to assess the impact of insulin pen devices with safety needles (SPN) on the usability, behavioral, lifestyle, and emotional aspects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in adolescents and young adults.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective single-center study on adolescent T1DM patients treated with multiple insulin doses using basal-bolus therapy for at least one year. Patients were followed for 12 weeks to compare the changes in the baseline usability and insulin fear of self-injection scales between SPN and conventional needles.ResultsIn this 12-week study, we included 72 participants with a mean age of 15.5 ± 1.3 years. The mean disease duration was 5.1 ± 2.2 years. At 12 weeks, substantial improvement was evident in the SPN group, compared to the conventional group, in terms of the overall satisfaction score with a mean difference (MD) of 4.1 ± 1.9 (p < 0.01). Participants in the SPN group reported significant reduction in all aspect of fear from self-injection, such as being restless (MD = -1.4 ± 0.9), tense (MD = -1.8 ± 0.9), afraid (MD = -1.9 ± 0.9), worried (MD = -1.9 ± 0.9), nervous (MD = -1.7 ± 0.9), and brood using the SPN needles (MD = -1.6 ± 0.9), as compared to the conventional needles group. The glycemic control parameters, as determined by HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, exhibited significant improvements in the SPN group compared to the conventional group (p < 0.05).ConclusionSPN significantly improved usability, glycemic parameters, and reduced the fear of insulin self-injections amongst T1DM patients compared to conventional pen therapy.

Diagnostic automated algorithms in neurodevelopmental disorders: Focus on automatic motor assessment

Difficulties in motor development are frequent and impairing. However, the assessment of these motor learning skills is difficult and limits early stage rehabilitation. Electronic sensors and algorithms can help to measure motor difficulties more easily and objectively. We will present a systematic review detailing these methods and challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Electronic tablets, give access to handwriting features that are not usually evaluated in classical assessments. We describe how such digital features (in static, dynamic, pressure, and tilt domains) allow diagnosing dysgraphia and how they evolve during children development. From a finer analysis, three different clusters of dysgraphia emerge, longitudinal studies will allow to underline different patterns of development that seemingly require tailored remediation strategies. However, those digital features are not used in the context of conventional pen and paper therapies. It is possible to engage children with typical development in handwriting exercises by asking them to teach a robot to write. We implemented a long-term case study (20 sessions, 500 minutes in total) observing a child with severe Developmental Co-ordination Disorder who did not progress anymore with a classic pen and paper approach by enriching this setup with various training activities using real-time feedback loops (on tilt, pressure, dynamic, pauses). We show how this new method tackles previous child’s behaviour avoidances, boosting his motivation, and improving his motor and writing skills. This talk demonstrates how new motor digital features allow the implementation of innovative motor remediation interventions, which rely on fostering children’s personal characteristics and adaptation skills.DisclosureThe work presented in this talk was conducted during a PhD in computer science (funded by APHP and Paris 8 University, France). A company was funded by a PhD collaborator, dynamico.ch. The presenter does not have consultancy or financial connection with d

РАЦИОНАЛЬНЫЙ СПОСОБ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ЕСТЕСТВЕННЫХ ПАСТБИЩ В ВЕРБЛЮДОВОДСТВЕ

The aim of the research is to develop a rational way of using natural pasture areas in productive camel breeding. The conducted studies showed that when grazing Arvana camels on each experimental field of pastures for one day (group I), the grazing capacity of these types of pastures was high and amounted to an average of 4.75 and 4.95 c/ha dry fodder mass during the spring-summer grazing season with the output of the eaten fodder reserve of 2.07 c/ha and 2.52 c/ha respectively. Similar indicators of grazing capacity of pastures when using each field of pastures in a row for 3 days (group II) and traditional grazing without dividing the territory into conditional experimental fields (control group) were significantly low and amounted to 3.80 (1.70) c/ha and 3.90 (2.05) c/ha; 2.60 (1.15) c/ha and 2.85 (1.54) c/ha of dry fodder mass according to the types of pastures respectively. The mode of pasture utilization with different loads had a noticeable impact on the feeding value of the grass stand of the main types of desert pastures. So, compared with the feeding value of pasture herbs, when using one day of each conventional pen (0.67 and 0.77 fodder units, 68.9 and 75.0 g of digestible protein) female camels for three days in a row on each experimental field (0.38 and 0.43 fodder units, 59.1 and 66.6 g of digestible protein) and traditional unsystematic utilization (0.31 and 0.35 fodder units, 48 and 53 g of digestible protein) significantly low, which ultimately affected the total grazing capacity and, consequently, the forage capacity of the main types of desert pastures. Generally, with a rational mode of use (with a conventional pen grazing method), the grazing capacity of shrubby-ephemeral sandy and half-shrubby-ephemeral pastures on loamy sierozem soils is 1.90 and 2.90 centners respectively of conventional fodder protein units per hectare, which is significantly higher compared to the control control (81.58% and 80.35%) and the II experimental group (60.0% and 59.65%). Milking camels of all experimental groups on seasonal saltwort pastures eat almost the same amount of pasture forage (22.80-23.95). In autumn (September-October), the average daily milk yield of female camels of the I, II and III experimental groups averaged 9.32 kg, 10.0 kg and 11.50 kg, respectively, this indicates a non-positive effect of normalized feeding of milking camels on their milking capacity in conditions of grazing maintenance.

Comparison of glucose variability in patients with type 2 diabetes administrated glargine with needle-free jet injector and conventional insulin pen

ABSTRACT Background The effects of insulin delivered by needle-free jet injector on glycemic variations (GV) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) which remains largely unknown. Research design and methods We aimed to compare the glucose variability in Chinese T2D patients administrated glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) with a needle-free jet injector and conventional insulin pen. This was a self-comparative, observational study of 26 patients who were subjected to a flash glucose monitoring system (FGM) for 14 consecutive days. During the study period, all subjects received Gla-100 daily before breakfast using a conventional insulin pen, with the exception of day 3 and day 7, when insulin was delivered by needle-free jet injection. We analyzed FGM data of day 3, day 5, day 7, and day 9 at the endpoint. Results There were no differences in the glycemic variability between the jet injector group and the conventional pen group. However, patients with needle-free jet injection had a lower 24 hr mean glucose (MG) and lower incremental area under the curve (AUC) of 1 hr, 12 hr, and 24 hr, compared to the conventional pen group (p = 0.001). Conclusions Gla-100 delivered by needle-free jet injection potentially lowered MG in patients with T2D in the Chinese population.

Structure–property relationship of poly(cyclohexane 1,4‐dimethylene terephthalate) modified with high trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol and 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylicacid

ABSTRACTA series of novel poly(1,4‐cyclohexanedimthylene terephthalate‐co‐1,4‐cyclohxylenedimethylene 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate) (PCTN) copolyesters were successfully melt polymerized using different content of trans‐ or cis‐isomers. Before evaluations, the performance properties, their actual chemical composition, chemical structure, and molecular weight were determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and intrinsic viscosity (IV) measurements. Thermal studies of obtained copolyesters were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal degradation behaviors were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Randomly oriented film specimens were developed using a hot‐press and their thermal, barrier, dimensional stability, and optical properties were analyzed and compared with conventional poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN). The results revealed that glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and crystallinity (Xc) of the synthesized copolyesters are increased in a linear trend by increasing the trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (trans‐CHDM) isomers. It was also found that synthesized films had better thermal, barrier, optical, and dimensional stability properties than conventional PET and PEN films. Results clearly indicated that high trans‐CHDM isomers significantly improve the performance properties of the fabricated films. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48950.

Incorporating Nearpod in undergraduate financial accounting classes in Egypt

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the results of a Classroom Action Research (CAR) on the use of Nearpod, an online platform that facilitates the use of interactive teaching material using mobile devices, to conduct a formative assessment in the classroom. There are two aims of this study. First, exploring the effectiveness of using Nearpod to conduct in-class Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) quizzes in an introductory undergraduate financial accounting class. Second, exploring its influence on the teaching and learning experiences at one of the top private universities in Egypt. In addition, the research attempted to find out how the instructor’s use of Nearpod in the classroom affected students’ interest in the subject matter and course material when compared to conventional paper and pen quizzes. Results from students’ survey and focus groups indicated that using Nearpod heightened students’ interest in the class and positively affected their learning.

1080-P: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Clinical Trial Comparing Patient Satisfaction and Compliance with a Needle-Free Insulin Injector vs. Conventional Insulin Pen Injections in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using insulin is still very low and often is initiated relatively late. The needle-free insulin injector is designed for diabetic patients who fear injections or are reluctant to initiate insulin therapy when it is clearly indicated. Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction and compliance with a needle-free insulin injector versus conventional insulin pen injections in patients with T2DM treated for 16 weeks. Methods: A total of 427 patients with T2DM were enrolled in a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study, and were randomized 1:1 to receive basal insulin or premixed insulin via a needle-free injector or via conventional insulin pen injections. Patients’ quality-of-life (determined by the SF-36 questionnaire), the insulin dose administered, compliance with insulin therapy (as evaluated by missing injections), and patients’ satisfaction with their injection device (scored on a scale of 0 to 10) were evaluated. Results: In the 412 patients who completed the study, mean SF-36 questionnaire scores were increased significantly in both the needle-free injector and conventional insulin pen groups (123.21 ± 16.64 vs. 122.11 ± 16.82, respectively), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was also no significant difference between the groups in compliance. However, subjects in the needle-free injector group showed significantly higher treatment satisfaction scores than those in the conventional insulin pen group after 16 weeks of treatment (mean scores, 8.17 ± 1.78 vs. 7.21 ± 2.22, respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: The needle-free injector improved the quality-of-life of T2DM patients and significantly enhanced their satisfaction with insulin treatment compared with conventional insulin pen injections. Disclosure Y. Wang: None. L. Ji: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche Pharma, Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Roche Pharma, Sanofi. L. Guo: None. X. Ran: None. L. Chen: Research Support; Self; Becton, Dickinson and Company. Z. Ma: None. Z. Sun: None. Z. Shan: None. X. Xu: None. G. Wang: None.

1072-P: Comparison of the Efficacy between a Needle-Free Insulin Injector and Conventional Insulin Pen in Glycemic Control in Insulin-treated Type 2 Diabetic Patients in China

Background: Needle free insulin injector is designed for diabetics with needle anxiety or fear of injection pain resulting in reluctance to initiate insulin therapy when it is actually indicated. This device has faster absorption of insulin and has better glycemic control compared with conventional insulin pen. But the efficacy of glycemic control was only evaluated by postprandial blood glucose or the area under blood glucose curve. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of needle free insulin injector by HbA1c level compared with conventional insulin pen in insulin treated type 2 diabetic patients in multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label trial. Methods: A total of 427 patients with HbA1c levels of ≥7.5% to ≤11% while receiving basal or premixed insulin were randomized 1:1 to needle free insulin injector group (NFII) or conventional insulin pen group (CIP). The primary efficacy endpoint was change of HbA1c leve after 16 weeks treatment. The change of 7-point blood glucose profile and the percentage of patients with HbA1c level &amp;lt;7% were also observed. Results: Of the 412 patients (mean age 57.92±10.03ys; BMI 28.33±2.96kg/m2; HbA1c 8.25±1.00%) who completed the study, 206 patients were insulin treated via NFII and 206 via CIP. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (P&amp;gt; 0.05). The HbA1c reduction 0.55% (95% CI: -0.71, -0.39) at week 16 in NFII group was non-inferior and statistically superior compared with that of 0.26% (95% CI: -0.42, -0.11) in CIP group. There were no differences between two groups in the percentages of patients achieving the HbA1c target (27.32% vs. 24.26%; P&amp;gt; 0.05) or in the change of 7-point blood glucose profile at week 16. Conclusions: The device non-inferior and statistically superior efficacy in glycemic control compared to conventional insulin pen in insulin-treated type 2 diabetic Patients in China. Disclosure L. Gao: None. L. Ji: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche Pharma, Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Roche Pharma, Sanofi. L. Guo: None. Y. Wang: None. L. Chen: Research Support; Self; Becton, Dickinson and Company. G. Wang: None. X. Ran: None. X. Xu: None. Z. Sun: None. Z. Ma: None. Z. Shan: None.

1068-P: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Clinical Trial Comparing the Safety Profile of a Needle-Free Insulin Injector with Conventional Insulin Pen Injections in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Needle-free insulin delivery has been shown to accelerate the absorption and the action of insulin, and to be well tolerated. Objective: To determine the safety profile of a needle-free injector with that of conventional insulin pen injections in patients with T2DM. Methods: A total of 427 patients with T2DM were enrolled in a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial, and were randomized 1:1 to receive basal or premixed insulin via a needle-free injector or via conventional insulin pen injections. Adverse events occurring during the study were recorded in the 2 groups, and the incidences of hypoglycemia and injection site reactions were compared. Result: The adverse events rates in the needle-free injector and insulin pen groups were 5.31% and 3.35%, respectively, but no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.3468). Rates of hypoglycemia (25.60% vs. 18.18%, respectively; P = 0.0671), and local injection-site reactions (bleeding/ecchymosis and redness) were also similar in the 2 groups. However, the incidence of skin scratches was decreased significantly in the needle-free injector group (15.53% vs. 23.92%; P = 0.0319). There was no new indurations observed in needle-free injector group compared 4.00% in the conventional insulin pen group (P = 0.006). Patients in the needle-free injector group also showed lower overall VAS pain scores than those in the conventional insulin pen group (mean scores, 1.11 ± 1.21 vs. 1.98 ± 1.99; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: Administration of insulin by a needle-free injector could provide a better safety profile than insulin pen injections, by reducing skin scratches, indurations, and pain. Disclosure L. Chen: Research Support; Self; Becton, Dickinson and Company. L. Ji: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche Pharma, Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Novartis AG, Roche Pharma, Sanofi. Y. Wang: None. Z. Ma: None. X. Ran: None. Z. Sun: None. X. Xu: None. G. Wang: None. L. Guo: None. Z. Shan: None.

Clinical Evaluation of a Low-pain Long Microneedle for Subcutaneous Insulin Injection

Microneedles (MNs) are being developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional hypodermic needle, e.g. the injection pain. In this study, we conducted an analysis of clinical pain and bleeding at the site of MN insertion and evaluated the insulin pharmacodynamic profile compared with parameters obtained with a conventional pen needle. MN insertion into the skin of 25 healthy adults or 15 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) revealed significantly less pain relative to a conventional hypodermic pen needle, thus reducing pain scores from 2.1±1.9 to 1.3±1.4 (mean±standard deviation [SD]). Besides, no bleeding was observed when the MN was used. In the insulin pharmacodynamic assay, no significant differences were observed in the blood glucose-lowering effect between the pen needle and MN. Based on these results, the MN is expected to be a good substitute for conventional hypodermic pen needles and improve the quality of life of patients by significantly reducing the pain associated with insulin treatment.

Evaluating the Rheological Properties of Waste Natural Rubber Latex Modified Binder

Road surface is designed to be the durable surface material to sustain the traffic loading. However, due to physical and mechanical stress, pavement deterioration is accelerated. Thus, modifying conventional bitumen by improving its properties is seen as the best method to prolong pavement in-service life. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of waste natural rubber (NR) latex on rheological properties of bitumen. Conventional bitumen PEN 80/100 was modified with different content of waste NR latex using a high shear mixer at temperature of 150°C. The modified binder properties were characterized by conducting physical test (i.e. softening point, penetration and penetration index) and rheological test (i.e. dynamic shear rheometer, DSR). Results showed that, the addition of waste NR latex improved the rheology properties, which indicates by improving of rutting factor (G*/sin δ). This properties improvement has also shows a potential to resist deformation on road surface despite of high traffic loading.

Single-step self-assembly of multilayer graphene based dielectric nanostructures

We present high performance multilayer organic/inorganic nanostructured dielectric films including well dispersed chemically modified graphene (CMG) charge polarization layers based on single step solution self-assembly. Multilayer film structures of alternating aluminosilicate and amphiphilic block copolymer (BCP) lamellar layers intercalated with CMG in the hydrophilic aluminosilicate domains are prepared by simple solution casting process. The resultant composite dielectric film attains a high dielectric constant (∼30) along with low dielectric loss (<0.3). The increase of dielectric constant originates from the space charge polarization effect by high aspect ratio CMG, which is also precisely adjustable with the CMG composition in the composite films. Significantly, the dielectric loss rarely increased even with the injection of a large amount of conductive CMG fillers, as CMG plates are exclusively distributed in the hydrophilic lamellar domains without forming conductive connection in the film normal direction across hydrophobic domains. The composite dielectric film also demonstrates mechanically flexible and highly stable features while deposited on conventional flexible PEN substrates.