In a public hospital, primary care patients were less likely to be referred for PSG compared to mammogram and endoscopy. Uninsured patients were more likely to be referred for PSG than those with private insurance. Further studies are needed to address the low PSG referral rates in high-risk populations.

Reinforcement in technological applications, hybrid materials gained a lot of interest. Nowadays, much attention is being paid on ionic liquid-based hybrid materials due to exceptional properties of ionic liquids including thermal stability, non-flammability, and insignificant vapor pressure combined with varied electrochemical stability window and high ionic conductivity. Ionic liquid-based hybrid materials that are ionogels with special emphasis on polymer-based ionogels are mainly emphasized in this review article. These hybrid systems are held together by a combined effect of numerous possible intermolecular interactions including electrostatic, Vander Waals, solvophobic, structural, steric, and hydrogen bonding. Therefore the complex chemo-mechanical interaction between the polymer network and the ionic liquid may induce remarkable properties to design ionogels for versatile applications. Moreover, to further enhance the compatibility of IL with polymers, nanofillers are being used which may play a role as compatibilzer or as plastisizer to overcome the plastisizing effect of IL. In the last section, impact of addition of various nanofillers (carbon and metal/ metal oxide) on the stability of polymer ionogels is being reviewed with the examples quoted from literature. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E11-E23, 2019.

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The impetus of this study was to evaluate the current HVAC related energy demands of select classroom at The University of Texas at Tyler at present thermal set points and compare the current energy demands with energy demands based on operating the system at the preferred temperature range of occupants. To determine the preferred temperature range of the students at The University of Texas at Tyler, a subjective assessment was performed by questionnaire survey in a selected classroom along with objective measurements of thermal comfort parameters (air velocity, operative temperature and relative humidity). The questionnaire survey included questions about thermal sensation, perception, acceptability, and relevant demographic and clothing data. Using the Fanger’s thermal comfort model, the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Percentage People Dissatisfied (PPD) was calculated from the objective measurements. Regression analysis performed on the survey data provided the range of neutral, preferred and acceptable temperatures in the classroom. The key contributions of this study were: 1) successful implementation of the on field methodology to access thermal comfort in the hot and humid climate of Tyler, Texas, 2) evaluation of the thermal comfort level of the students and faculty at The University of Texas at Tyler, 3) data acquisition of neutral and preferred temperature ranges which can be used as a reference for HVAC design engineers, and 4) comparison of the relationship between thermal comfort level and energy consumption.