bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodological guidelines and publications of benefit–risk assessment for health technology assessment: a scoping review protocol
Authors: De Oliveira Ascef Bruna , Gabriel Franciele Cordeiro , Suzumura Erica Aranha , Maia Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque , Bortoluzzi Aline Frossard Ribeiro , Farias Natalia Santos , Jahn Beate , Siebert Uwe , De Soarez Patricia Coelho
Published: December 2023

Background

Benefit–risk assessment (BRA) is used in multiple phases along the health technology’s life-cycle to evaluate the balance between the benefits and risks, as it is fundamental to all stakeholders. BRA and its methodological approaches have been applied primarily in the context of regulatory agencies. However, BRA’s application and extent in the context of health technology assessment (HTA) bodies remain less clear. Our goal is to perform a scoping review to identify and map methodological guidelines and publications on methods of BRA. This will be done considering the different phases of the life-cycle of health technologies to underline both the depth and extent of research concerning BRA, especially in the context of HTA.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review protocol was developed following the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, and the updated guidelines by the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will include methodological publications that provide recommendations or guidelines on methods for BRA. We will conduct electronic searches on Medline (PubMed) and EMBASE (Ovid) databases; manual searches on the main websites of HTA bodies and drug regulatory organisations; and contact experts in the field. Systematic extraction forms will be used to screen and assess the identified publications by independent assessors. We will provide a qualitative synthesis using descriptive statistics and visual tools. Results will be summarised in systematic evidence tables and comparative evidence scoping charts.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will use data publicly available and does not require ethics approval. The results of this scoping review will contribute to scientific knowledge and act as a basis for methodologists, guideline developers and researchers for the development of BRA to inform regulatory decisions, reimbursement and coverage decision making. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed articles, conferences, policy briefs and workshops.

Trial registration number

Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/69T3V).
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium after cardiac surgery: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cottuli de Cothi Elizabeth , Perry Rachel , Kota Rahul , Walker-Smith Terrie , Barnes Jonathan David , Pufulete Maria , Gibbison Ben
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Delirium is a syndrome characterised by a disturbance in attention, awareness and cognition as a result of another physical condition. It occurs in up to 50% of patients after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality, prolonged intensive care and hospital stay and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Identifying effective preventive interventions is important. We will therefore conduct a systematic review to identify all randomised controlled studies that have tested a pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention to prevent delirium.

Methods and analysis

We will search electronic databases (CDSR (Reviews), CENTRAL (Trials), MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, PsycINFO Ovid) as well as trial registers (clinicaltrials.gov and ISCRTN) for randomised controlled trials of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions designed to prevent delirium after cardiac surgery in adults. Screening of search results and data extraction from included articles will be performed by two independent reviewers using Rayyan. The primary outcome will be the incidence of delirium. Secondary outcomes include: duration of postoperative delirium, all-cause mortality, length of postoperative hospital and intensive care stay, postoperative neurological complications other than delirium, health-related quality of life and intervention-specific adverse events. Studies will be assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. A narrative synthesis of all included studies will be presented and meta-analysis (if appropriate network meta-analysis) will be undertaken where there are sufficient studies (three or more) for pooling results. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required. This review will be disseminated via peer-reviewed manuscript and conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022369068.
Acceptance of the Advocacy Core Group approach in promoting integrated social and behaviour change for MNCH+N in Nigeria: a qualitative study
Authors: Adetunji Adetayo , Adediran Mayokun , Etim Eno-Obong E , Bazzano Alessandra N
Published: December 2023

Objective

This paper examines the acceptance of the Advocacy Core Group (ACG) programme, a social and behaviour change intervention addressing maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCH+N) in Bauchi and Sokoto states, with an additional focus on the perceived endorsement of health behaviours by social networks as a potential factor influencing acceptance.

Design

This study used the qualitative social network analysis approach and used in-depth interviews to collect data from 36 participants across Bauchi and Sokoto states.

Setting

This study was conducted in selected communities across Bauchi and Sokoto states.

Participants

A purposive sample of 36 participants comprised of men and women aged 15–49 years who have been exposed to the ACG programme.

Results

Programme beneficiaries actively engaged in various ACG-related activities, including health messaging delivered through religious houses, social gatherings, home visits, community meetings and the media. As a result, they reported a perceived change in behaviour regarding exclusive breast feeding, antenatal care visits, family planning and malaria prevention. Our findings indicated consistent discussions on health behaviours between programme beneficiaries and their network partners (NPs), with a perceived endorsement of these behaviours by the NPs. However, a potential negative factor emerged, whereby NPs exhibited perceived disapproval of key behaviours, which poses a threat to behaviour adoption and, consequently, the success of the ACG model.

Conclusions

While findings suggest the successful implementation and acceptance of the model, it is important to address possible barriers and to further explore the socially determined acceptance of MNCH+N behaviours by NPs. Interventions such as the ACG model should mobilise the networks of programme participants, particularly those with decision-making power, to improve the uptake of health behaviours.
Measuring supply-side service disruption: a systematic review of the methods for measuring disruption in the context of maternal and newborn health services in low and middle-income settings
Authors: McGowan Catherine R , Gokulakrishnan Dhikshitha , Monaghan Emily , Abdelmagid Nada , Romig Laura , Gallagher Meghan C , Meyers Janet , Cummings Rachael , Cardinal Laura J
Published: December 2023

Objectives

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most essential services experienced some level of disruption. Disruption in LMICs was more severe than in HICs. Early reports suggested that services for maternal and newborn health were disproportionately affected, raising concerns about health equity. Most disruption indicators measure demand-side disruption, or they conflate demand-side and supply-side disruption. There is currently no published guidance on measuring supply-side disruption. The primary objective of this review was to identify methods and approaches used to measure supply-side service disruptions to maternal and newborn health services in the context of COVID-19.

Design

We carried out a systematic review and have created a typology of measurement methods and approaches using narrative synthesis.

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Global Health in January 2023. We also searched the grey literature.

Eligibility criteria

We included empirical studies describing the measurement of supply-side service disruption of maternal and newborn health services in LMICs in the context of COVID-19.

Data extraction and synthesis

We extracted the aim, method(s), setting, and study outcome(s) from included studies. We synthesised findings by type of measure (ie, provision or quality of services) and methodological approach (ie, qualitative or quantitative).

Results

We identified 28 studies describing 5 approaches to measuring supply-side disruption: (1) cross-sectional surveys of the nature and experience of supply-side disruption, (2) surveys to measure temporal changes in service provision or quality, (3) surveys to create composite disruption scores, (4) surveys of service users to measure receipt of services, and (5) clinical observation of the provision and quality of services.

Conclusion

Our review identified methods and approaches for measuring supply-side service disruption of maternal and newborn health services. These indicators provide important information about the causes and extent of supply-side disruption and provide a useful starting point for developing specific guidance on the measurement of service disruption in LMICs.
Potential drug–drug interaction and its determinants among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in oncology centres of Northwest Ethiopia: an institutional-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Wondm Samuel Agegnew , Tamene Fasil Bayafers , Gubae Kale , Dagnew Samuel Berihun , Worku Asres Agegnehu , Belachew Eyayaw Ashete
Published: December 2023

Objective

The study was conducted to assess potential drug–drug interactions (PDDIs) and its determinants among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Design and setting

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was used. This study was conducted from 1 June 2021 to 15 December 2021, in Northwest Ethiopia oncology centres.

Participants

All eligible patients with cancer received a combination of chemotherapy.

Outcomes

The prevalence and severity of PDDIs were evaluated using three drug interaction databases. Characteristics of participants were presented, arranged and summarised using descriptive statistics. The predictors and outcome variables were examined using logistic regression. The cut-off point was a p value of 0.05.

Results

Of 422 patients included in the study, 304 patients were exposed to at least one PDDI with a prevalence of 72.1% (95 % CI: 68% to 76%) using three drug interaction databases. There were varied reports of the severity of PDDI among databases, but the test agreement using the kappa index was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.52 to 0.62, p=0.0001) which is interpreted as a moderate agreement among three databases. Patients aged ≥50 years old had the risk to be exposed to PDDI by odds of 3.1 times (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.1, 95% CI (1.8 to 5.3); p=0.001) as compared with patients <50 years old. Similarly, patients with polypharmacy and comorbidity were more likely to be exposed to PDDI than their counterparts (AOR=2.4, 95% CI (1.4 to 4.1); p=0.002 and AOR=1.9, 95% CI (1.1 to 3.4); p=0.02, respectively).

Conclusion

The main finding of this study is the high prevalence of PDDI, signifying the need for strict patient monitoring for PDDIs among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. We suggest the use of at least three drug databases for quality screening. Patients with an age ≥50 years old, polypharmacy and comorbidity were significantly associated with PDDIs. The establishment of oncology clinical pharmacists and computerised reminder mechanisms for PDDIs through drug utilisation review is suggested.
Alpha 2 agonists for sedation to produce better outcomes from critical illness (A2B Trial): protocol for a multicentre phase 3 pragmatic clinical and cost-effectiveness randomised trial in the UK
Authors: Walsh Timothy Simon , Aitken Leanne M , McKenzie Cathrine A , Boyd Julia , Macdonald Alix , Giddings Annabel , Hope David , Norrie John , Weir Christopher , Parker Richard Anthony , Lone Nazir I , Emerson Lydia , Kydonaki Kalliopi , Creagh-Brown Benedict , Morris Stephen , McAuley Daniel Francis , Dark Paul , Wise Matt P , Gordon Anthony C , Perkins Gavin , Reade Michael , Blackwood Bronagh , MacLullich Alasdair , Glen Robert , Page Valerie J
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Almost all patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) in intensive care units (ICUs) require analgesia and sedation. The most widely used sedative drug is propofol, but there is uncertainty whether alpha2-agonists are superior. The alpha 2 agonists for sedation to produce better outcomes from critical illness (A2B) trial aims to determine whether clonidine or dexmedetomidine (or both) are clinically and cost-effective in MV ICU patients compared with usual care.

Methods and analysis

Adult ICU patients within 48 hours of starting MV, expected to require at least 24 hours further MV, are randomised in an open-label three arm trial to receive propofol (usual care) or clonidine or dexmedetomidine as primary sedative, plus analgesia according to local practice. Exclusions include patients with primary brain injury; postcardiac arrest; other neurological conditions; or bradycardia. Unless clinically contraindicated, sedation is titrated using weight-based dosing guidance to achieve a Richmond-Agitation-Sedation score of −2 or greater as early as considered safe by clinicians. The primary outcome is time to successful extubation. Secondary ICU outcomes include delirium and coma incidence/duration, sedation quality, predefined adverse events, mortality and ICU length of stay. Post-ICU outcomes include mortality, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress, cognitive function and health-related quality of life at 6-month follow-up. A process evaluation and health economic evaluation are embedded in the trial.

The analytic framework uses a hierarchical approach to maximise efficiency and control type I error. Stage 1 tests whether each alpha2-agonist is superior to propofol. If either/both interventions are superior, stages 2 and 3 testing explores which alpha2-agonist is more effective. To detect a mean difference of 2 days in MV duration, we aim to recruit 1437 patients (479 per group) in 40–50 UK ICUs.

Ethics and dissemination

The Scotland A REC approved the trial (18/SS/0085). We use a surrogate decision-maker or deferred consent model consistent with UK law. Dissemination will be via publications, presentations and updated guidelines.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03653832.
Study protocol for a prospective, multicentre, phase II trial on endoscopic treatment using two fully covered self-expandable metallic stents for benign strictures after hepaticojejunostomy
Authors: Kawasaki Yuki , Hijioka Susumu , Nagashio Yoshikuni , Ohba Akihiro , Maruki Yuta , Takeshita Kotaro , Takasaki Tetsuro , Yagi Shin , Agarie Daiki , Hagiwara Yuya , Hara Hidenobu , Okamoto Kohei , Yamashige Daiki , Fukuda Souma , Kuwada Masaru , Kondo Shunsuke , Morizane Chigusa , Ueno Hideki , Okusaka Takuji
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The current endoscopic treatment for postoperative benign hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS) has a high technical success rate and is highly effective in the short term. However, long-term results have shown a high rate of stenosis recurrence, which indicates an insufficient response to treatment. Three prospective studies on fully covered self-expandable metallic stent (FC-SEMS) treatment for benign HJAS used the stenosis resolution rate as the primary endpoint, and no study has yet used the long-term non-stenosis rate (at 12 months) as the primary endpoint.

Methods and analysis

We launched the ‘saddle-cross study’, which will be conducted as a multicentre, prospective intervention of endoscopic treatment using two modified FC-SEMSs (BONASTENT️ M-Intraductal) that have been improved for benign stenosis in patients with benign HJAS, with the long-term non-restenosis rate (at 12 months) as the primary endpoint. This study aims to evaluate the long-term non-restenosis rate (at 12 months) and safety of the saddle-cross technique for benign HJAS. We plan to enrol 50 participants.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Certified Review Board of the National Cancer Center, Japan (CRB3180009). The results will be reported at various conferences and published in international peer-reviewed journals.
Assessing health impact of COVID-19 and associated household socioeconomic factors in Papua New Guinea: evidence from the Comprehensive Health and Epidemiological Surveillance System
Authors: Pham Bang Nguyen , Aga Tess , Emori Rebecca , Manong Doris , Maraga Seri , Degemba Billiam , Gabe Vicky , Berry Noel , Kobol Michael , Kue Lydia , Ainui Nanim , Jorry Ronny , Silas Vinson D , Abori Nora , Jaukae Gasowo S , Gende Guise , Ha Toan H , Okely Anthony D , Pomat William
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the health and well-being of populations worldwide. Few studies have used household data to explore the health risks associated with COVID-19 in low-income and middle-income countries. This study assessed population vulnerability to COVID-19 by examining household socioeconomic factors related to COVID-19 health risks in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Methods

Using household socioeconomic surveillance data from 2020, encompassing 37 880 residents living within the catchment areas of the Comprehensive Health and Epidemiological Surveillance System, the study assessed COVID-19 health risks based on the socioeconomic demographic characteristics of the surveillance population. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associated factors and to estimate predictors of COVID-19 health risks.

Results

Among the surveillance population, more than 9% reported experiencing COVID-19 health risks, including home-based quarantine (9.6%), centre-based quarantine (0.5%), positive COVID-19 test (0.1%), hospitalisation due to COVID-19 (0.3%) and death from COVID-19 (0.3%). People living in semimodern houses (OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.61)) (verse permanent houses), individuals living in houses with 1–2 bedrooms (OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.25)) (verse houses with 4+ bedrooms) and those belonging to the poorest wealth quintile (OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.024 to 1.314)) (verse the richest) were more susceptible to COVID-19 health risks. Protective factors against COVID-19 health risks included urban residence (OR 0.65 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.71)) (verse rurality), aged 0–4 years (OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.91)) (verse aged 55+ years), households with 7–8 members (OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.96)) (verse 10+ members), handwashing with soap (OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.33)) (verse without soap).

Conclusions

The study provides insights into the susceptibility to COVID-19 health risks across socioeconomic groups in PNG. These findings have implications for development of public health policies and interventions that can be extrapolated to similar settings for enhancing preparedness for future public health emergencies.
FIT negative clinic as a safety net for low-risk patients with colorectal cancer: impact on endoscopy and radiology utilisation–a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nigam Gaurav B , Meran Laween , Bhatnagar Ishita , Evans Sarah , Malik Reem , Cianci Nicole , Pakpoor Julia , Manganis Charis , Shine Brian , James Tim , Nicholson Brian D , East James E , Palmer Rebecca M
Published: December 2023

Background

Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to triage symptomatic primary care patients who have unexplained symptoms but do not meet the criteria for a suspected lower gastrointestinal cancer pathway. During the COVID-19 pandemic, FIT was used to triage patients referred with urgent 2-week wait (2ww) cancer referrals instead of a direct-to-test strategy. FIT-negative patients were assessed and safety netted in a FIT negative clinic.

Methods

We reviewed case notes for 622 patients referred on a 2ww pathway and seen in a FIT negative clinic between June 2020 and April 2021 in a tertiary care hospital. We collected information on demographics, indication for referral, dates for referral, clinic visit, investigations and long-term outcomes.

Results

The average age of the patients was 71.5 years with 54% female, and a median follow-up of 2.5 years. Indications for referrals included: anaemia (11%), iron deficiency (24%), weight loss (9%), bleeding per rectum (5%) and change in bowel habits (61%). Of the cases, 28% (95% CI 24% to 31%) had endoscopic (15%, 95% CI 12% to 18%) and/or radiological (20%, 95% CI 17% to 23%) investigations requested after clinic review, and among those investigated, malignancy rate was 1.7%, with rectosigmoid neuroendocrine tumour, oesophageal cancer and lung adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

A FIT negative clinic provides a safety net for patients with unexplained symptoms but low risk of colorectal cancer. These real-world data demonstrate significantly reduced demand on endoscopy and radiology services for FIT-negative patients referred via the 2ww pathway.
COVID-19 and mental health in China: the effects of personality
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Battisti Michele , Proto Eugenio
Published: December 2023

Background

China was the first country affected by the COVID-19 virus, and it is a very important case to study the effects of the virus and the consequent restrictions. However, national representative studies of how the COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health in China are still limited.

Methods

Using two waves of the China Family Panel Studies, we follow the same individuals before and during the pandemic. We compare weighted means using 95% CIs to explore mental health deterioration, and we and perform several linear regressions with the Ordinaly Least Square (OLS) estimator to identify individuals most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The prevalence of severe cases of depression, measured using an eight-item version of the common Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), increased from 6.68% in 2018 to 7.86% in 2020; quantifiable as around a 18% increase. This deterioration is higher for individuals subject to strict lockdowns, about 0.4 symptoms more on average, and it is stronger among those who already reported symptoms of depression in the 2018 wave of data. Individuals with more open personalities tend to experience more severe deterioration: a 1 SD change in the openness trait corresponds to 0.05 more symptoms. On the other hand, more neurotic individuals seem less negatively affected.

Conclusion

We find clear evidence of a moderate level of mental health deterioration between 2018 and 2020. These effects are larger for individuals subject to stricter lockdowns and for individuals with more open personalities.
Canadian patient experiences of lupus nephritis: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Cardwell Francesca S , Elliott Susan J , Barber Megan R W , Cheema Kim , George Sydney , Boucher Adrian , Clarke Ann Elaine
Published: December 2023

Objective

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe manifestations of SLE; however, we know little about the lived experience of LN. This research investigates patient experiences and perspectives of (1) LN diagnosis; (2) living with LN; and (3) LN healthcare and treatment.

Methods

Patients aged ≥18 years with biopsy-proven pure or mixed International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society class III, IV or V LN were purposefully recruited from a Canadian lupus cohort to participate in semistructured in-depth interviews.

Results

Thirty patients with LN completed the interviews. The mean (SD) age was 42.1 (16.4) years, and 86.7% were female. Participants described challenges seeking, receiving and adjusting to a LN diagnosis, and some reported that their diagnosis process took weeks to years. While 16 participants were provided resources by healthcare providers to help them through the process of diagnosis, the need for accessible LN-specific information at diagnosis was highlighted (n=18). Participants also described the unpredictability of living with LN, particularly related to impacts on physical and mental health, relationships, leisure activities, employment and education, and family planning. While most (n=26) participants reported a positive impression of their care, the side effects of LN medications and the need to increase patient and societal awareness/understanding of LN were highlighted in the context of healthcare and treatment.

Conclusions

The unpredictability of living with LN, the heavy treatment burden and a lack of patient/societal awareness substantially affect the lived experience of LN. These findings will inform the development of LN-specific patient resources to increase understanding of LN and improve well-being for patients.
Effects of early exposure to palliative care on end-of-life outcomes in patients with cancer in a community setting
Authors: Fratt Ellie , Haupt Eric C , Wang Susan E , Nguyen Huong
Published: December 2023

Objective

Although prior studies show that exposure to early outpatient palliative care (OPC) versus no exposure is associated with improved outcomes at the end of life (EoL) for patients with cancer, few examined the impact of exposure to OPC prior to home-based palliative care (HBPC) on EoL outcomes. This study compares the effect of OPC prior to HBPC versus HBPC alone on EoL outcomes in patients with cancer.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data from a trial comparing two models of HBPC was performed on patients with primary cancer diagnoses. Adjusted negative binomial and logistic regression models were used to compare days in acute care and intensive care unit stays in the last 30 days, chemotherapy administration in the last 14 days and in-hospital deaths between patients who received standard-dose (4+ encounters) and low-dose (<4 encounters) OPC plus HBPC versus HBPC alone.

Results

A total of 1187 patients, 483 (40.1%) of whom had OPC+HBPC and 704 (59.3%) who had HBPC alone were included in the analyses. Compared with patients who had HBPC alone, patients who had standard-dose OPC spent fewer days in acute care (4.29 vs 4.19, p=0.04) and fewer days inpatient (3.45 vs 3.09, p=0.03) in the last 30 days of life. No difference was seen in EoL outcomes in patients exposed to low-dose OPC compared with those with HBPC alone. Receipt of hospice after HBPC was strongly associated with improved EoL outcomes.

Conclusion

Future research is needed to examine the modality, timing and intensity of palliative care necessary to effect EoL outcomes.
Cyclotron-based production of innovative medical radionuclides at the INFN-LNL: state of the art and perspective
Authors: Pupillo Gaia , Andrighetto Alberto , Arzenton Alberto , Ballan Michele , Bello Michele , Boschi Alessandra , Cisternino Sara , Corradetti Stefano , De Dominicis Lucia , Esposito Juan , Fioretto Enrico , Ghirardi Teresa , Manzolaro Mattia , Mariotti Emilio , Martini Petra , Melendez-Alafort Laura , Monetti Alberto , Mou Liliana , Scarpa Daniele , Sciacca Gabriele , Serafini Davide
Published: December 2023

The production of medical radionuclides is one of the research activities carried out in the framework of the SPES (Selective Production of Exotic Species) project under the completion stage at the Legnaro National Laboratories of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNL). The heart of SPES is the 70-MeV proton cyclotron having a dual-beam extraction, installed and commissioned in a new building equipped with ancillary laboratories currently under construction. The SPES main goal is the realization of an advanced ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) facility to produce re-accelerated exotic ion beams for fundamental nuclear physics studies. The cyclotron double-beam extraction system allows to simultaneously carry out applied research, such as radionuclides production for medicine (SPES-$$\gamma$$
γ
). This paper summarizes the results obtained with the interdisciplinary projects LARAMED (LAboratory of RAdionuclides for MEDicine) and ISOLPHARM (ISOL technique for radioPHARMaceuticals). The first one, based upon the direct activation method, is focused on the production of the radionuclides under the spotlight of the international community (e.g., $$^{99m}$$

99
m

Tc, $$^{67}$$

67

Cu, $$^{52/51}$$

52
/
51

Mn, $$^{47}$$

47

Sc and Tb isotopes), from the nuclear cross-section measurements up to the preclinical studies. The other one exploits the ISOL technique for the development and production of radioisotopes with high-specific activity, such as $$^{111}$$

111

Ag, going beyond the state of the art in the field. The most recent SPES-$$\gamma$$
γ
research activities and future perspective are here described, characterized by a consolidated network of collaborations with national and international institutions.
QSAR Analysis for the class of silicon carbide structures
Authors: Divya A. , Manimaran A.
Published: December 2023

Graph theory has many applications in chemistry and is used to analyze molecular structures. Topological descriptors are numerical numbers that contain chemical information and provide structural features of a compound associated with a chemical approach. The purpose of the topological index is to study the physicochemical properties of molecular structures. This paper investigates the molecular graph of 2D silicon carbide structures. The scope of this paper is to determine the highest thermal stability property among silicon carbide structures using topological indices.
From Digital Twins to Digital Selves and Beyond – Perspectives for Social Modelling in a Trans-Humanist World
Authors: Barachini Franz , Stary Christian
Published: December 2023

The continuous propagation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques has led to engineering of so-called “humanoid” socio-technical settings, which include mimicking cognitive and social skills. With the advent of cyber-physical systems Digital Twins have become baseline representations of systems integrating cognitive and social behaviour models. When AI components become part of those representations capturing social relations and reflecting on behaviour, they are termed Digital Selves, and require specific development techniques. In this paper, we introduce a Knowledge Management approach to investigate the emergence of socially reflective behaviour like awareness and consciousness in artificial agents. We identify and explain mandatory properties of Digital Selves relevant for modelling digital societies that need to be studied and become part of a transparent and explainable knowledge base for trans-human developments.
A Dual-View Approach for Multistation Short-Term Passenger Flow Prediction in Bus Transit Systems
Authors: Luo Gang , Kuang Haoxuan , Zhang Dongran , Deng Kunxiang , Li Jun
Published: December 2023

Timely and accurate prediction of bus passenger flow plays a crucial role in uncovering real-time traffic demand, presenting an essential and formidable challenge in the realm of bus scheduling and management. The extensive application of deep learning methods in transit passenger flow prediction can be attributed to their exceptional ability to effectively capture spatiotemporal features, resulting in superior performance. However, prevailing deep learning models in transit passenger flow prediction tend to ignore the data enhancement. Additionally, the predominant focus on a single station in the prediction task presents challenges in effectively capturing the spatiotemporal features of the entire network. A model named TSD-ST is proposed to better accomplish the task of predicting short-term transit passenger flow at multistation. The TSD-ST model leverages time series decomposition for data enhancement. Simultaneously, in addition to considering the adjacency graph, the similarity of all the stations of the entire transit network is also considered and uses multigraph convolution and graph fusion modules. This approach enables the TSD-ST model to effectively capture spatiotemporal dependencies. Experiments based on real-world bus transit datasets confirm that the TSD-ST model shows better performance in prediction tasks at 30-min, 60-min, and 90-min time scales, with an average improvement of 21.87%. The effectiveness of each component has been verified through ablation experiments.
Enteric Protozoan Parasitosis and Associated Factors among Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Konadu Eric , Essuman Mainprice Akuoko , Amponsah Angela , Agroh Wisdom Xoese Kwadzo , Badu-Boateng Ernest , Gbedema Stephen Yao , Boakye Yaw Duah
Published: December 2023

Background. Enteric protozoa infections (EPIs) could worsen clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus and therefore requires prompt and accurate diagnosis and attention. This study aimed to determine the burden of EPIs and their associated factors among patients with and without diabetics at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana. Again, the diagnostic performance of parasitological techniques routinely used for diagnosis was assessed. Methods. A total of 240 participants (made up of 140 patients with diabetes and 100 patients without diabetes) were recruited into the study by simple random sampling from November 2020 to May 2021. Stool samples of participants were collected, along with their demographic information, and examined using the saline direct wet mount (DWM), formol-ether concentration (FEC), and modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining (ZNS) techniques for the presence of enteric protozoans. Results. Enteric protozoa were found among 62/140 (44.3%) diabetic patients and 13/100 (13.0%) nondiabetic patients. The predominant protozoa identified were Cryptosporidium spp. (17.86%) among patients with diabetes and Blastocystis hominis (7.0%) among patients without diabetes. EPI was associated with diabetes mellitus status (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI, 1.55–7.79), having diabetes for more than five years (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI, 1.65–8.86) and having comorbidity (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI, 1.33–6.45). The FEC technique had the highest sensitivity (100.0%), specificity 94.3% (95% CI, 91.35–97.22), and accuracy 95.0% (95% CI, 88.54–98.13) when compared to other techniques for diagnosis. Conclusion. EPIs are a significant health problem among patients with diabetes at KATH, and therefore antiparasitic drugs should be included in their treatment protocols for better health outcomes. Again, the FEC technique has demonstrated better performance in detecting EPIs and is therefore recommended to achieve early and accurate diagnosis of EPIs.
Perspective on the Era of Global Boiling: A Future beyond Global Warming
Authors: Amnuaylojaroen Teerachai
Published: December 2023

As the unpredictable nature of the Earth’s climate persists, the scholarly attention dedicated to climate research has undergone a notable transition, shifting its emphasis from the conventional notion of global warming to a greater disconcerting occurrence commonly referred to as “global boiling.” The present article endeavors to elucidate the scientific evidence that posits a discernible alteration in climate patterns, specifically towards an exacerbation of extreme heat events. Furthermore, this study aims to delve into the various factors that are believed to be instrumental in precipitating this noteworthy phenomenon. Furthermore, we engage in a comprehensive examination of the potential ramifications on ecological systems, human communities, and the imperative necessity for proactive measures aimed at both mitigating and adapting to these challenges. This paper endeavors to elucidate the potential issues presented by the period of global boiling through a thorough examination of existing research and data. Furthermore, it seeks to underscore the significance of concerted efforts to effectively tackle this pressing matter.
Self-Healing Polymers Designed for Underwater Applications
Authors: Afrinaldi Bambang , Yuliati Frita , Judawisastra Hermawan , Asri Lia A. T. W.
Published: December 2023

Polymeric materials have been employed in a wide range of applications in both dry and wet environments. When these materials suffer damage, it becomes crucial to initiate repairs in order to mitigate further losses. The use of self-healing materials emerges as a promising strategy not only to address this issue but also possess the advantage of prolonging the product’s lifespan. Nevertheless, the development of self-healing materials tailored for wet environments presents a set of obstacles and complexities. The review examines the current state of research in the field and highlights the challenges associated with developing self-healing materials that can effectively repair damage in such environments. We discuss the self-healing mechanisms and various polymers that are extensively employed in the advancement of self-healing materials. We study the progress made in the research and development of self-healing materials specifically designed for wet environments. Furthermore, it provides a summary of various applications of self-healing materials in wet environments.
Dynamic Analysis of Isotropic Homogeneous Beams Using the Method of Initial Functions and Comparison with Classical Beam Theories and FEM
Authors: Namdeo Jitendra , Dubey S. K. , Dorji Lobzang
Published: December 2023

The main aim of this study is the dynamic analysis of isotropic homogeneous beams using the method of initial functions (MIFs) and comparison with classical beam theories and FEM. Also, this research employs the state space methodology, with a special emphasis on isotropy, to analyse simply supported beam systems. A mathematical model for the dynamic response of beams is constructed using the method of initial functions. The novelty of this study lies in its approach to dynamic analysis, where isotropic homogeneous beams are explored without making assumptions, thus ensuring increased precision using the method of initial functions. Importantly, the approach remains free from restrictive assumptions and relies solely on mathematical formulations, yielding results superior to classical beam theories such as Euler–Bernoulli, Timoshenko, and Rayleigh beam theories. In this work, the application of MIFs of various orders (4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th) to calculate natural frequencies is explored, enabling a thorough examination of the beam’s dynamic characteristics. In addition, parameters such as normal stresses, shear stresses, and deflections in different directions are considered to provide a comprehensive understanding of beam behaviour. To validate the findings, a detailed comparison with a finite element method (FEM) is conducted, achieving excellent agreement between the analytical results and FEM solutions. Furthermore, the influence of Poisson’s ratio (μ) on natural frequencies is investigated by varying its value from 0.18 to 0.30. The research also explores the deviation of plane stress values of the beam section from those estimated using the FEM for the corresponding components.
Vision-based autonomous mapping and exploration on robot tracked vehicle
Authors: Mohd Shah Hairol Nizam , Mat Yusoff Muhamad Afif , Kamis Zalina , Ahmad Azhar , Baharon Mohd Rizuan , Arshad Mohd Ali
Published: December 2023

Vision based mapping is an emerging technology with decades of research advancements. The most famous mapping method available is silmuntaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) which provide an accurate map projected in a simulation. Unfortunately, SLAM requires an active sensor in order to acquire the data from its environment opposite the vision-based mapping which requires a passive sensor to collect data. This project aims to develop an autonomous mapping and exploration algorithm, design a controller for the robot-tracked vehicle and analyze the accuracy of the algorithm. The problem in autonomous mapping is precision, limitation of computational power and complex computation. So, the algorithm will be based on the visual odometer algorithm through a single-visual sensor. The robot tracker has also been designed and implemented on Raspberry Pi 3. The accuracy of two object with different height was calculated to ensure the validation of the algorithm being able to project the real object in 3D projection. The result for the task is shown in figures as to present the capability of the algorithm in projecting the map in 3D projection. The algorithm works as expected but still requires improvements to increase the precision of the map projection.
Modelling and performance analysis of free body dynamics of electric vehicles
Authors: Sakthivelsamy Rajalingam , Subramaniyan Kanagamalliga
Published: December 2023

The modelling and performance analysis of free body dynamics in electric vehicles (EVs) plays a crucial role in understanding and optimizing the vehicle's behavior and performance. This research focuses on accurately modelling the forces and motions acting on the vehicle body, excluding the powertrain components. By considering factors such as vehicle weight, suspension characteristics, tire properties, and aerodynamic forces, a comprehensive mathematical model is developed. This model enables the simulation and analysis of the vehicle's behavior under various operating conditions. The performance analysis involves evaluating key metrics such as vehicle response, stability limits, and ride comfort. The proposed system is compared with the existing electric vehicle in the market. The findings from this research contribute to the design and development of EVs with improved handling, stability, and energy efficiency. Additionally, they inform the development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies. Overall, the modelling and performance analysis of free body dynamics in EVs supports the advancement of sustainable and efficient transportation systems.
Implementation of ARM STM32F4 microcontroller for speed control of BLDC motor based on bat algorithm
Authors: Anshory Izza , Wisaksono Arief , Jamaaluddin Jamaaluddin , Fudholi Ahmad
Published: December 2023

Brushless direct current (BLDC) motor speed performance is an essential component that must be considered in the electric vehicle drive system. This research aims to obtain the transfer function from the mathematical modeling of the BLDC motor and optimization of the BLDC motor so that a high transient response is received. The method used in this study is to identify system parameters and then model them using the structure of the autoregressive exogenous (ARX) polynomial model. Meanwhile, to get a high transient response performance, optimization is done with a hybrid intelligent controller. The experimental findings indicate that the optimization process utilizing the bat method yielded the most favorable transient response. The resulting values for the proportional gain (Kp), integral gain (Ki), and derivative gain (Kd) were determined to be 31.2685, 7.7375, and -1.1934, respectively. In the current investigation, the minimum frequency value is 6381934.619. Also determined are the transient response characteristics, which include a rise time of 0.289 seconds, a settling time of 10.9 seconds, an overshoot of 3.4%, and a peak time of 1.04 seconds. Furthermore, the closed-loop system demonstrates stable behavior in terms of stability.
Performance analysis of a robust MF-PTC strategy for induction motor drive
Authors: Hossen Md. Belal , Habibullah Md.
Published: December 2023

The load model-based conventional predictive torque control (PTC) strategy performs as a high-performance controller at transient and steady-state conditions. However, its performance is poor on the issue of parameters variation. A robust model-free PTC (MF-PTC) strategy has been proposed in this paper to overcome the aforementioned drawback. An auto-regressive exogenous (ARX) model instead of a load model has been used to establish a model-free controller. This model is usually formed based on their input-output transfer function. A recursive least square algorithm has been employed to estimate the unknown parameters of the ARX model. Then, an observable canonical state-space model uses those estimated parameters to achieve an accurate prediction of the control variables. The performance of the proposed scheme can be affected by the variation of resistance. A resistance estimator based on the model reference adaptive system observer has been applied to improve the robustness of the system against variation of the stator and rotor resistance, and inductance measurement uncertainty. Simulation results show that the proposed MF-PTC scheme is robust against parameters uncertainty and works well at transient and steady-state conditions.
The use of a front-end ZVZCS DC-DC converter for an IoT VFD inverter system in the paddle wheel machine drive applications
Authors: Chirdchoo Nitthita , Meesrisuk Watanyu , Chuenta Weerasak
Published: December 2023

This research paper proposes the integration of power electronics and internet of things (IoT) technologies to apply in shrimp farms. By focusing on the design of a front-end converter, a three-level half-bridge (3L-HB) DC-DC converter with the zero voltage and zero current switching (ZVZCS) technique is chosen to be the front-end power converter to supply the DC bus voltage for the variable frequency drive (VFD) inverter for the paddle wheel machine in the shrimp pond. To confirm the effectiveness and possibility of the proposed concept, the circuit was theoretically designed and tested at 540 V DC of the input voltage, 700 V DC of the DC bus voltage and 3 kW of rated power. It is found that, the front-end converter can step up the DC bus to be 700 V DC which is enough for operating the VFD inverter. All switches can achieve the soft switching condition ZVZCS resulting in decreasing the switching loss and increasing the reliability of the circuit. The maximum experimental efficiency of the front-end converter is 94.9% at 75% of a full load. In addition, the introductory concept of using the IoT system also presents to improve the shrimp farming method.
Design and implementation of grid tied high step-up DC-DC converter with switched capacitor
Authors: Sethi Binapani , Mitra Lopamudra
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the design and implementation of a three-phase grid-connected inverter coupled with a high step-up DC-DC converter with a switched capacitor is demonstrated. In this converter two capacitors are utilized with a coupled inductor. The charging of capacitors takes place parallel and discharging in series during switch off and switch on time respectively. The energization of the coupled inductor provides the high voltage gain. The passive clamp circuit is used to recycle the leakage energy of the inductor circuit. Therefore, the switch stress is reduced. This high gain converter is given DC input of 40 V and a high voltage 538 V obtained is supplied to the grid connected inverter which uses sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM), to obtain 3phase line-neutral voltage of 415 V from inverter for grid synchronization. A high voltage gain of 13 and efficiency of 96% is obtained for different load and voltage variation. The modeling and the simulation are done using physical security information management (PSIM) software and all the results are presented in this paper.