bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mid-Infrared Spectrophotometric Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Naltrexone and Bupropion with Multivariate Calibration
Authors: Novack Andrea Cristina , Cobre Alexandre , Madeira Camila Regina , Guimarães Thais , Fachi Mariana , Piantavini Mário Sérgio , Pontarolo Roberto
Published: October 2022

Naltrexone (NTX) and bupropion (BUP) are used in combination in clinical practice for obesity; however, the existing analytical methods for this drug combination are not sustainable. This work aims to develop an analytical method that is faster, easier and less expensive compared with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and involves green technology without solvents to quantify BUP and NTX in combination. The objective was to validate a method using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy associated with multivariate calibration and chemometrics to simultaneously measure NTX and BUP in a pharmaceutical capsule form. The models were developed using MIR spectroscopy with diffuse reflectance, with interval partial least squares (iPLS) variable selection. The working range selected to optimize the model was from 1885.8 to 1585.4 cm-1. The chosen model was obtained with partial least squares (PLS2) and with data pre-processed by first derivative Savitzky-Golay smoothing followed by mean centering, using four latent variables, providing a root mean square error of prediction of 1.8 mg g-1 for NTX and 6.42 mg g-1 for BUP. The method was validated according to current international standards. In conclusion, the methods developed in the MIR region provided statistically similar results to the validated chromatographic method for commercial pharmaceutical formulations.
Comprehensive sensitivity analysis on static and dynamic reservoir parameters impacting near wellbore injectivity during CO2 sequestration
Authors: Ahmadi Parvin , Rezaei Gomari Sina , Ahmad Faizan , Rahman Mohammad Aziz
Published: October 2022

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is proved to be effective measure for reducing CO2 emissions. whilst the world still highly depends on the use of fossil fuel energy, this method is necessary for reaching the world’s 1.5 °C goal.

In CCS, CO2 is hindered from entering the atmosphere by capturing it from sources of emission and storing it in geological formation. Saline aquifers among all possible underground formations are most common targeted ones for CO2 storage due to their frequent presence, and large storage capacity. However, this storage option suffers from sufficient well injectivity to inject large volumes of CO2 at acceptable rates through a minimum number of wells.

The injectivity impairment / reinforcement happens through mineral dissolution, fine particle movement, salt precipitation and hydrate formation (known so far). Each of these mechanisms will be more dominant in injectivity alteration at different distance from the injection point depending on reservoir pressure and temperature, formation water salinity, rock mineralogy, and flow rate of CO2 injection as well as its dryness.

Incorporating all the finding into radial flow near wellbore will help gaining insight into the resultant of injectivity changes over time and distant from injection point. In this study we have chosen Eclipse 300 together with an open-source code to investigate the impact of formation characteristics, CO2 -Brine-Rock interaction, pressure, temperature as well as injection rate on injectivity alteration. The goal for this work is to provide a workflow which can help predicting injectivity alteration using the existing tools.

Simulation results show that the high homogenous horizontal permeability in combination with vertical flow baffles in the formation (among all other parameters) has positive impact on storage capacity by increasing residual trapping. However, permeability is affected severely by salt precipitation during CO2 injection. Combined static and dynamic parameter study demonstrate that the injection rate plays a crucial role in size and expansion of CO2 plume as well as growth rate of dry out zone length, amount of salt precipitation and length of equilibrium region. The higher the injection rate, the quicker activation of the capillary and gravity force which leads to drag more brine to near well-bore resulting in higher volume fraction of salt precipitation. However, low injection rate could result in smaller CO2 plume, shorter dry out zone and longer equilibrium region in term of distance from injection point.
Socio-political development of CC(U)S in the Baltic Sea region
Authors: Karimi Farid
Published: October 2022

According to EU goals and the Paris Agreement, an urgent need exists to reduce CO2 emissions while still securing energy supply. Thus, the timely deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is seemingly unavoidable, especially for the cement and steel industries. However, diverse perceptions of CCS among stakeholders such as experts, politicians, and laypeople exist that could hinder the deployment of the technology, not least in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). Hence, this research discusses these diverse perceptions and their roots.

Furthermore, when it comes to political developments of CCS, after the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, the whole process of the energy transition in the region is under shadow for the seemingly mid-term while the approach to the energy security and security of supply needs to be revisited. In other words, the countries of the BSR need to manage the energy crisis in the region while following their plans for decarbonisation. In this light, CCS is, therefore, an option to secure energy supply from undesired alternatives like fossil fuels for the short-term and also biomass while curbing CO2 emissions. In sum, this research also discusses the role of CCS in energy security and security of supply concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Bio-CCS as a policy measure to achieve climate goals – the pioneering support scheme in Sweden
Authors: Söderholm Svante , Carnbrand Håkansson Nicki
Published: October 2022

By 2045, Sweden is to have zero net emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. After 2045, Sweden should achieve negative emissions. To accomplish this, the use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (bio-CCS) will be important.

Sweden should aim to capture and store two million tonnes of biogenic carbon dioxide per year by 2030. However, the feasible potential for bio-CCS in Sweden amounts to at least 10 million tonnes of biogenic carbon dioxide per year in a 2045 perspective. To support the development and deployment of CCS the Swedish energy Agency has been given two governmental assignments.

1. The first task/assignment, given in December 2020, was to establish a national centre for CCS. This task entails planning, coordination and promotion of CCS throughout the country. The Swedish Energy Agency will carry out its work in dialogue with both national and international stakeholders: industries, academia, governmental authorities and the Government Offices of Sweden. The present tasks for the centre are to implement a support system for bio-CCS and ensure that it is line with international conventions, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its moratorium on geo-engineering, and the London Convention and the London Protocol. The centre is also working with questions related to the accounting and reporting of negative carbon dioxide emissions in relation to national and international climate goals as well as following the emergence of a carbon market – voluntary and/or regulated – for negative emissions.

2. The second assignment was to roll-out the support system earlier proposed by the agency. The Swedish Energy Agency has concluded that a reverse action as the most cost-effective support system as well as to be compatible with EU state aid rules. The support system for bio-CCS has a budget framework of 3.6 billion €. A reverse auction means that, for example, a pulp and paper industry or a combined heat and power plant can submit a bid on how much carbon dioxide they can capture and store, and at what cost. The one who can deliver bio-CCS according to the stipulated requirements at the lowest cost, wins the auction. The Swedish Energy Agency hope to launch the first round of auction in 2023 and have the first storage of Swedish captured carbon dioxide taking place in 2026.

Other countries can use Sweden’s knowledge and experiences when implementing bio-CCS. Exchanging knowledge, experiences and ideas with other countries are important to achieve large-scale deployment of bio-CCS in the Nordic-Baltic region and net-zero emissions in 2045.
Strategic planning for exchanging treated urban wastewater for agricultural water with the approach of supplying sustainable urban water: a case study of Mashhad, Iran
Authors: Esfandiari Sasan , Dourandish Arash , Firoozzare Ali , Taghvaeian Saleh
Published: October 2022

Considering the increasing demand for urban water and the low water-use efficiency in the agricultural sector, an exchange of treated urban wastewater for agricultural water could be a fundamental solution for administering sustainable management of water resources. However, implementing the intersectoral water exchange project is influenced by the economic, social, and environmental conditions of each region, especially in developing countries. Therefore, this study sought to identify the best possible strategies for exchanging treated urban wastewater for agricultural water in Mashhad city, located in Iran, a country that suffers from decreased urban water resources. Based on the interviews conducted with the experts and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis, 28 influential factors were identified for the water exchange project, and eleven strategies were developed for its implementation. The results of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and F-TOPSIS indicated that organizing educational and awareness campaigns regarding the exchange project's goals, devising an appropriate organizational structure, enhancing treated wastewater's quality according to the WHO standards, taking the necessity of conducting social, cultural, and economic studies into account, developing consumers' awareness programs, and supporting, training, and counseling the farmers and setting the required incentives for them were among the main factors involved in the implementation of the water exchange project in Mashhad.
Assessing the Therapeutic and Toxicological Profile of Novel Acetylcholinesterase
Reactivators: Value of In Silico And In Vitro Data
Authors: Ramalho Teodorico C. , de Castro Alexandre A. , Leal Daniel H.S. , Teixeira Jessika P. , da Cunha Elaine F.F. , Kuca Kamil
Published: October 2022

:

Organophosphorus compounds (OP) make up an important class of inhibitors,
mostly employed as pesticides, even as chemical weapons. These toxic substances act
through the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, which results in elevated
synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) levels, leading to serious adverse effects under the cholinergic
syndrome. Many reactivators have been developed to combat the toxic effects of
these AChE inhibitors. In this line, the oximes highlight because of their good reactivating
power of cholinesterase enzymes. To date, no universal antidotes can reactivate
AChE inhibited by any OP agent.

:

This review summarizes the intoxication process by neurotoxic OP agents, along with
the development of reactivators capable of reversing their effects, approaching aspects
like the therapeutic and toxicological profile of these antidotes.

:

Computational methods and conscious in vitro studies, capable of significantly predicting
the toxicological profile of these drug candidates, might support the process of development
of these reactivators before entering in vivo studies in animals, and then clinical
trials. These approaches can assist in the design of safer and more effective molecules, reducing
related cost and time for the process.
Electrochemical Nanomaterial-based Sensors/Biosensors for Drug Monitoring
Authors: Negahdary Masoud , Angnes Lúcio , Barros Azeredo Nathália Florência , Santos Berlane Gomes , de Oliveira Thawan Gomes , de Oliveira Lins Renato Soares , dos Santos Lima Irlan
Published: October 2022

Determining the amount of medication used is essential for correctly managing treatment systems. The unauthorized use of drugs and the importance of determining the absorbed and re-quired dose of drugs in target organs are essential factors that justify the design of new drug moni-toring systems. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials have been devel-oped for drug monitoring in the past few years. The use of nanomaterials to optimize the analyte de-tection process and facilitate electron transfer in electrochemical processes has enhanced intermo-lecular interactions and increased diagnostic sensitivity. Considering this review, in the first part, the evaluation of cancer drugs is examined, which can be used to determine the exact dose of the drug required in different stages of cancer. Accurate monitoring of cancer drugs can increase patient life expectancy, reduce side effects, and increase economic savings. In the next section, sensors and biosensors designed for antibiotics are examined. Accurate measurement of antibiotics for deter-mining the effectiveness of the dose in controlling infections and preventing antibiotic resistance is possible with the help of these drug diagnostic platforms. In the next part, the diagnosis of different hormones is considered. Abnormal amounts (low/high) of hormones cause multiple physiological complications and various disabilities. Therefore, accurate determination of hormone levels can ef-fectively treat hormonal changes. In the last section, other drugs, including drugs and analgesics for which the use of electrochemical diagnostic platforms can significantly help drug distribution and social health systems, are also discussed.
Resveratrol-Mediated Regulation of Mitochondria Biogenesis-associated
Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Insights and Potential
Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Shaito Abdullah , Al-Mansoob Maryam , Ahmad Salma M.S. , Haider Mohammad Z. , Eid Ali H. , Posadino Anna Maria , Pintus Gianfranco , Giordo Roberta
Published: October 2022

Neurodegenerative disorders include different neurological conditions that affect nerve
cells, causing the progressive loss of their functions and ultimately leading to loss of mobility, coordination,
and mental functioning. The molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative disease
pathogenesis are still unclear. Nonetheless, there is experimental evidence to demonstrate that the perturbation
of mitochondrial function and dynamics play an essential role. In this context, mitochondrial
biogenesis, the growth, and division of preexisting mitochondria, by controlling mitochondria number,
plays a vital role in maintaining proper mitochondrial mass and function, thus ensuring efficient synaptic
activity and brain function. Mitochondrial biogenesis is tightly associated with the control of cell
division and variations in energy demand in response to extracellular stimuli; therefore, it may represent
a promising therapeutic target for developing new curative approaches to prevent or counteract
neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, several inducers of mitochondrial biogenesis have been
proposed as pharmacological targets for treating diverse central nervous system conditions. The naturally
occurring polyphenol resveratrol has been shown to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in various
tissues, including the nervous tissue, and an ever-growing number of studies highlight its neurotherapeutic
potential. Besides preventing cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through its antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol has been shown to be able to enhance mitochondria
biogenesis by acting on its main effectors, including PGC-1α, SIRT1, AMPK, ERRs, TERT,
TFAM, NRF-1 and NRF-2. This review aims to present and discuss the current findings concerning
the impact of resveratrol on the machinery and main effectors modulating mitochondrial biogenesis in
the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
MIRNA146a And Diabetes-Related Complications: A Review
Authors: Maratni Ni Putu Tesi , Saraswati Made Ratna , Ayu Dewi Ni Nyoman , Suastika Ketut
Published: October 2022

Diabetes mellitus, defined as long-standing hyperglycemic conditions caused by a defect
in insulin production and activity, has become a major healthcare burden as the number of catastrophic
and life-threatening complications rises. Microvascular complications (neuropathy, retinopathy,
and nephropathy), and also diabetes-related macrovascular complications are common
problems that arise as the life expectancy of diabetic patients has increased despite improved
treatment options. While it is impossible to pinpoint the specific crucial timing when the complications
become fully entrenched, looking for novel sensitive biomarkers to identify physiological
changes in the initial stages would be needed. An increasing amount of data shows that miRNAs,
particularly miRNA146a, are stable in a range of body fluids and can be used to identify pathogenic
changes at the cellular or tissue level. In this brief review, we highlight the important functioning
of miRNA146a and its putative target of action in diabetic microvascular and cardiovascular complications.
A decrease in miRNA146a levels may play a critical role in the onset and development
of diabetes complications, whereas its anti-inflammatory properties were revealed to be associated
with the pathogenesis of numerous diabetic complications, including diabetic nephropathy,
retinopathy, neuropathy, and diabetes-related cardiovascular disorders, even tending to be a
potential biomarker of the disease's inflammatory status.
Dual-path Network for Liver and Tumor Segmentation in CT Images
Using Swin Transformer Encoding Approach
Authors: Yang Zhen , Li Shuzhou
Published: October 2022

Background:

Liver and tumor segmentation from CT images is a complex and crucial step
in achieving full-course adaptive radiotherapy and also plays an essential role in computer-aided clinical
diagnosis systems. Deep learning-based methods play an important role in achieving automatic
segmentation.

Objective:

This research aims to improve liver tumor detection performance by proposing a dual path
feature extracting strategy and employing Swin-Transformer.

Methods:

The hierarchical Swin-Transformer is embedded into the encoder and decoder and combined
with CNN to form a dual coding path structure incorporating long-range dependencies and multi-scale
contextual connections to capture coarse-tuned features at different semantic scales. The features of the
two encoding paths and the upsampling path are fused, tested and validated with LITS and in-house
datasets.

Results:

The proposed method has a DG of 97.95% and a DC of 96.2% for liver segmentation; a DG
of 80.6% and a DC of 68.1% for tumor segmentation; and a classification study of the tumor dataset
shows a DG of 91.1% and a DC of 87.2% for large and continuous tumors and a DG of 71.7% and a
DC of 66.4% for small and scattered tumors.

Conclusions:

Swin-Transformer can be used as a robust encoder for medical image segmentation networks
and, combined with CNN networks, can better recover local spatial information and enhance
feature representation. Accurate localization before segmentation can achieve better results for small
and scattered tumors.
In-Silico Prediction of Novel Fused Quinazoline Based Topoisomerase
Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Kumawat Mukesh Kumar , Kaur Ramandeep , Kumar Kapil
Published: October 2022

Background:

The prospective uses of tryptanthrin and its analogues in cancer chemotherapy are well known, and they are also predicated on their capacity to reverse drug resistance in cancer therapy.

Objective:

The current project entails developing a novel hybrid analogue that includes modifying the tryptanthrin molecule at the C-6 carbonyl position and is expected to exhibit substantial anticancer action.

Method:

In the ATPase domain of human topoisomerase II, a series of 162 substituted Schiff base analogues of tryptanthrin were developed, and molecular docking experiments were done using Gold 5.1 software interfaced with Hermes 1.6.2. (PDB ID: 1ZXM).

Results:

Most of the compounds were found to have Goldscore above 100 and were forming interactions with the residues like ASN91, ALA92, ASN95, ARG98, ASN120, ILE125, ILE141, PHE142, SER149, THR215, and ILE217. Compound RK-149 was having highest Goldscore of 132.59 forming an interaction with ASN91 but had lesser Goldscore as compared to standard drug etoposide and has better score than tryptanthrin.

Conclusion:

The nitrogen in the imine bond of the proposed compounds is responsible for significant interactions, demonstrating their anticancer potential.
Development research of arithmetic and mathematics curriculum incorporating revolutionary and cumulative knowledge growth
Authors: Ikeda Toshikazu
Published: October 2022

The continuous development of education is important in order to ensure it keeps growing and improving. Professor Toshikazu Ikeda, College of Education, Yokohama National University, Japan, is a Professor of Mathematics who is a proponent of revolutionary knowledge growth through overturning,
expanding, and integrating acquired knowledge and skills. This is about progression through bridging the gap between a knowledge goal and the existing knowledge base through developing techniques and pathways to that goal. Ikeda believes that by inserting revolutionary knowledge growth into
the mathematics curriculum in Japan, children can be encouraged towards more independent and problem solving based thinking. He has performed an analysis of current teaching materials which involved examining local teaching materials in a specific area, using lessons to analyse and evaluate
those materials and looking at long-term global teaching materials that give a deeper examination of specific topics, focusing on how and where it can be used and how students react to the content. In his work, Ikeda uses modelling as a problem solving tool and to develop techniques to deepen
learning and lead to revolutionary knowledge growth. Ikeda is collaborating with Professor Max Stephens, Melbourne University, to produce lectures centred on revolutionary growth knowledge for students at teacher training colleges. A key part of Ikeda's work is teaching
mathematical modelling in order to help students understand the importance of mathematics and develop their abilities.
Development of training programs and evaluation methods for question intelligence
Authors: Ikeda Fumihito
Published: October 2022

Asking questions is key to advancing knowledge and asking the creative questions is especially important. Being able to properly frame and focus on the creative questions is an important skill but this isn’t something that is taught or evaluated within educational systems. Professor
Fumihito Ikeda, Brain Science Research and Education Center, Institution for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Japan, believes that nurturing children’s development of creative questioning skills at school would be beneficial for the leaders of tomorrow. He and
his team are developing test questions and training programmes for schools that generate questions focused on three types of logical reasoning: inductive, deductive and abductive. Ikeda’s goal is to develop and train mainly primary and high school students in question-intelligence. A
test question using the three types of reasoning was created and tried on around 200 high school students. The researchers utilised, a deep neural network (DNN), a form of machine learning, to assist in the automatic classification and evaluation of questions.Ikeda plans to create an inquiry
learning programme that will improve the quality of scientific questions while asking different types of logic in order to collect more appropriate questions for DNN to learn. He will use his partnerships with the Japan Society for Science Education and the Japan Creativity Society to roll
these programmes out to students at educational institutions.
An invaluable vehicle for international collaboration
Authors: Annette Lucy
Published: October 2022

Collaboration is key to discovery and the National Science Foundation (NSF) is an example of a vehicle that is crucial to the scientific community as it facilitates international collaboration. It is a federal agency that was set up in 1950 and invests in basic research across the spectrum
to support discovery and innovation. In the NSFâ–™s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Performance and Financial Highlights report Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said that the agency is â–˜the Nationâ–™s preeminent source of federal funding for basic
research in computer science, engineering, biology, the social sciences, mathematics, geosciences, the physical sciences, and educationâ–™. NSF has an annual budget of around US$8.3 billion and a broad reach, directly supporting an estimated 313,000 people in 2020.
This support assisted researchers, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, teachers and students in bringing their ideas to life and, ultimately, moving closer to real-world impacts with the potential to solve societal challenges. Discovery, learning and research infrastructure are NSFâ–™s
key strategic goals and it places emphasis on diverse, interdisciplinary and international collaborations in order to extend its reach as far as possible and invests in research connected to learning, innovation and service to society. Assistant directors head up NSFâ–™s
seven sections; each one intended to support research and education in science and engineering. The sections are: biological sciences, computer and information science and engineering, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, social, behavioural and economic sciences,
and education and human resources. In 2020, $8.4 billion funding was awarded by NSF to 1,900 colleges, universities and other institutions.
Evidence-supported Rural Community-based Tourism and Social Impact
Authors: Ohe Yasuo
Published: October 2022

Rural tourism is an activity that can provide farmers with a second income, which is often required due to the small size of some farms. Examples of rural tourism are allowing the public to visit the farm or providing social benefits such as educational experience services where visitors
experience farm operations, creating income opportunities for farmers and also teaching about food production and rural life. Professor Yasuo Ohe, based in the Department of Agribusiness Management, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, leads a team of researchers committed to expanding
understanding about the economics and mechanics of rural tourism. The team has adopted a microeconomic approach to community-based rural tourism and entrepreneurship and Ohe has proposed a theoretical framework supported by quantitative empirical evidence. The goal is to advance the progress
of the theoretical and empirical aspects of rural tourism studies. In one study, Ohe and the team are performing theoretical and empirical evaluations of the efficiency of educational dairy farms that provide educational tourism. Ohe has published a book entitled ‘Community-based Rural
Tourism and Entrepreneurship’ which is helping advance the field and considers how to make rural tourism practices sustainable. Next, he will explore hospitality issues in rural tourism, with a view to contributing to building rural hospitality in rural tourism both conceptually and
empirically. Ohe also plans to work on evidence-supported rural community-based tourism and the social impacts, looking at the rice harvest in paddy fields.
TEA of a Unique Two-Pathways Process for Post-Combustion CO2 Capture
Authors: Wang Rui , Ashkanani Husain , Li Bingyun , Morsi Badie
Published: October 2022

A unique two-Pathways process using aqueous sodium glycinate for CO2 capture from a split flue gas stream emitted from 600 MWe post-combustion coal power plant was developed in Aspen Plus v.10. The split gas flow rate used was 44.75 ton/h and contained 0.0023 mol% SO2 and 13.33 mol% CO2. The process includes a washing unit, a CO2 absorption unit, a reverse osmosis unit, and a solvent regeneration unit or an ultrafiltration unit. The washing unit uses deionized water to completely remove SO2 and the CO2 absorption unit uses SGS to capture at least 90 mol% of the CO2 in the split flue gas stream. Upon CO2 and SGS reactions, the resulting liquid products exhibit phase-separation into CO2-lean phase and CO2-rich phase, allow two distinct pathways. Pathway (i) is to regenerate mostly the CO2-rich phase, collect the released CO2, and compress it for sequestration purposes. Pathway (ii) is to send the liquid stream from the CO2 absorption unit to the ultrafiltration unit to separate the solid nanomaterials. The hydraulics and mass transfer characteristics in the washing and CO2 absorption units were obtained; and techno-economic analysis (TEA) for Pathways (i) and (ii), including Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Operating Expenditure (OPEX), and Levelized Cost of CO2 Captured (LCOC), were calculated and compared. The simulation results revealed that the CAPEX, OPEX, and LCOC for Pathway (i) were ($12,039,251), (261 $/h), and (54.01 $/ton-CO2 captured), respectively, and those for Pathway (ii) were ($5,908,000), (237.2 $/h), and (39.90 $/ton-CO2 captured), respectively. Moreover, in Pathway (ii), 8.19 ton/h of CO2 were captured to produce 15.62 ton/h NaHCO3 nanomaterials, which were sold to offset the overall process cost. The LCOC values indicate that Pathway (ii) is more cost-effective than Pathway (i) because LCOC values for Pathway (ii) are much lower than those for Pathway (i).
Automatic Estimation of the Most Likely Drug Combination in Electronic Health Records Using the Smooth Algorithm: Development and Validation Study
Authors: Ouchi Dan , Giner-Soriano Maria , Gómez-Lumbreras Ainhoa , Vedia Urgell Cristina , Torres Ferran , Morros Rosa
Published: October 2022

Background

Since the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in an automated way, pharmacovigilance or pharmacoepidemiology studies have been used to characterize the therapy using different algorithms. Although progress has been made in this area for monotherapy, with combinations of 2 or more drugs the challenge to characterize the treatment increases significantly, and more research is needed.

Objective

The goal of the research was to develop and describe a novel algorithm that automatically returns the most likely therapy of one drug or combinations of 2 or more drugs over time.

Methods

We used the Information System for Research in Primary Care as our reference EHR platform for the smooth algorithm development. The algorithm was inspired by statistical methods based on moving averages and depends on a parameter Wt, a flexible window that determines the level of smoothing. The effect of Wt was evaluated in a simulation study on the same data set with different window lengths. To understand the algorithm performance in a clinical or pharmacological perspective, we conducted a validation study. We designed 4 pharmacological scenarios and asked 4 independent professionals to compare a traditional method against the smooth algorithm. Data from the simulation and validation studies were then analyzed.

Results

The Wt parameter had an impact over the raw data. As we increased the window length, more patient were modified and the number of smoothed patients augmented, although we rarely observed changes of more than 5% of the total data. In the validation study, significant differences were obtained in the performance of the smooth algorithm over the traditional method. These differences were consistent across pharmacological scenarios.

Conclusions

The smooth algorithm is an automated approach that standardizes, simplifies, and improves data processing in drug exposition studies using EHRs. This algorithm can be generalized to almost any pharmacological medication and model the drug exposure to facilitate the detection of treatment switches, discontinuations, and terminations throughout the study period.
Relationships and Sex Education Outcomes for Students With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for the Development of a Core Outcome Set
Authors: Paulauskaite Laura , Totsika Vasiliki , Rivas Carol
Published: October 2022

Background

People with intellectual disability are twice as likely to experience sexual abuse, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases as people in the general population. Despite this, very little is known about how to deliver relationships and sex education effectively to this vulnerable population, how to measure the impact of its delivery in schools, and what stakeholders perceive as important outcomes of this education.

Objective

To address these urgent issues, this study aims to develop a stakeholder consensus–based core outcome set of relationships and sex education for use in research and educational settings with students with intellectual disability.

Methods

The study will use a 2-stage mixed methods design. The first stage will involve a systematic review of relationships and sex education outcomes reported in the literature, followed by qualitative exploration with caregivers, teachers and school staff, policy makers, and researchers to investigate their perspectives of meaningful outcomes of this education. Students with intellectual disability will be enabled to take part to express their views on outcomes of importance to them. The second stage will use findings from stage 1 in a 2-round web-based Delphi study with caregivers, teachers and school staff, policy makers, and researchers to develop consensus on proposed outcomes for the evaluation of relationships and sex education with this population.

Results

As of September 2022, we have completed a systematic review and recruited 56 stakeholders (n=53, 95%, adults and n=3, 5%, students with intellectual disability) for the first stage of the study. We are still recruiting students with intellectual disability. Data analysis has not started yet. Recruitment for the second stage will commence in November 2022. We expect to complete the study by October 2023 and publish the results by the end of 2024.

Conclusions

The development of a core outcome set of relationships and sex education will provide a significant first step to assist the implementation, delivery, evaluation, and sustainability of relationships and sex education for students with intellectual disability. Key audiences will be teachers, researchers, policy makers, and decision makers.

Trial Registration

Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials 1787; https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1787

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/39921
Outcomes of a Community Engagement and Information Gathering Program to Support Telephone-Based COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Udeagu Chi-Chi N , Pitiranggon Masha , Misra Kavita , Huang Jamie , Terilli Thomas , Ramos Yasmin , Alexander Martha , Kim Christine , Lee David , Blaney Kathleen , Keeley Chris , Long Theodore , Vora Neil M
Published: October 2022

Background

Contact tracing is an important public health tool for curbing the spread of infectious diseases. Effective and efficient contact tracing involves the rapid identification of individuals with infection and their exposed contacts and ensuring their isolation or quarantine, respectively. Manual contact tracing via telephone call and digital proximity app technology have been key strategies in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, many people are not reached for COVID-19 contact tracing due to missing telephone numbers or nonresponse to telephone calls. The New York City COVID-19 Trace program augmented the efforts of telephone-based contact tracers with information gatherers (IGs) to search and obtain telephone numbers or residential addresses, and community engagement specialists (CESs) made home visits to individuals that were not contacted via telephone calls.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of information gathering and home visits to the yields of COVID-19 contact tracing in New York City.

Methods

IGs looked for phone numbers or addresses when records were missing phone numbers to locate case-patients or contacts. CESs made home visits to case-patients and contacts with no phone numbers or those who were not reached by telephone-based tracers. Contact tracing management software was used to triage and queue assignments for the telephone-based tracers, IGs, and CESs. We measured the outcomes of contact tracing–related tasks performed by the IGs and CESs from July 2020 to June 2021.

Results

Of 659,484 cases and 861,566 contact records in the Trace system, 28% (185,485) of cases and 35% (303,550) of contacts were referred to IGs. IGs obtained new phone numbers for 33% (61,804) of case-patients and 11% (31,951) of contacts; 50% (31,019) of the case-patients and 46% (14,604) of the contacts with new phone numbers completed interviews; 25% (167,815) of case-patients and 8% (72,437) of contacts were referred to CESs. CESs attempted 80% (132,781) of case and 69% (49,846) of contact investigations, of which 47% (62,733) and 50% (25,015) respectively, completed interviews. An additional 12,192 contacts were identified following IG investigations and 13,507 following CES interventions.

Conclusions

Gathering new or missing locating information and making home visits increased the number of case-patients and contacts interviewed for contact tracing and resulted in additional contacts. When possible, contact tracing programs should add information gathering and home visiting strategies to increase COVID-19 contact tracing coverage and yields as well as promote equity in the delivery of this public health intervention.
Coronary Artery Computed Tomography Angiography for Preventing Cardio-Cerebrovascular Disease: Observational Cohort Study Using the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics’ Common Data Model
Authors: Bae Woo Kyung , Cho Jihoon , Kim Seok , Kim Borham , Baek Hyunyoung , Song Wongeun , Yoo Sooyoung
Published: October 2022

Background

Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) result in 17.5 million deaths annually worldwide, accounting for 46.2% of noncommunicable causes of death, and are the leading cause of death, followed by cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes mellitus. Coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA), which detects calcification in the coronary arteries, can be used to detect asymptomatic but serious vascular disease. It allows for noninvasive and quick testing despite involving radiation exposure.

Objective

The objective of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of CCTA screening on CVD outcomes by using the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics’ Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM) data and the population-level estimation method.

Methods

Using electronic health record–based OMOP-CDM data, including health questionnaire responses, adults (aged 30-74 years) without a history of CVD were selected, and 5-year CVD outcomes were compared between patients undergoing CCTA (target group) and a comparison group via 1:1 propensity score matching. Participants were stratified into low-risk and high-risk groups based on the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score and Framingham risk score (FRS) for subgroup analyses.

Results

The 2-year and 5-year risk scores were compared as secondary outcomes between the two groups. In total, 8787 participants were included in both the target group and comparison group. No significant differences (calibration P=.37) were found between the hazard ratios of the groups at 5 years. The subgroup analysis also revealed no significant differences between the ASCVD risk scores and FRSs of the groups at 5 years (ASCVD risk score: P=.97; FRS: P=.85). However, the CCTA group showed a significantly lower increase in risk scores at 2 years (ASCVD risk score: P=.03; FRS: P=.02).

Conclusions

Although we could not confirm a significant difference in the preventive effects of CCTA screening for CVDs over a long period of 5 years, it may have a beneficial effect on risk score management over 2 years.
The Kinetics of Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Pediatric Patients and the Characterization of Post–COVID-19 Condition at 6 Months After Infection: Protocol for a Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Arguni Eggi , Chamida Fatia Murni , Indrawanti Ratni , Rusmawatiningtyas Desy , Dewi Yunika Puspa , Laksanawati Ida Safitri
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the kinetics of anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and information about post–COVID-19 condition (colloquially known as “long COVID”) in children are scarce, especially in low-income countries. Even though cases of COVID-19 in children are less prevalent than adults, post–COVID-19 condition cases in children are high and have a burden that may impact their growth and development. There are other features of antibody kinetics in connection with SARS-CoV-2 infection that are yet unknown as of this writing, especially in children following infection. Furthermore, the long-term results, risk factors, and underlying pathophysiology are still uncertain. To better understand post–COVID-19 condition in children, it is necessary to further investigate the impact of clinically significant factors such multisystem inflammatory syndrome and disease severity among hospitalized survivors through their SARS-CoV-2 antibody response.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to analyze anti–receptor-binding domain SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies over time and characterize the signs and symptoms of post–COVID-19 condition in pediatric patients at the time of diagnosis and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months following infection.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal observational study in Indonesia. Pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by positive molecular assay using nasopharyngeal swab will be tested for anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay at the time of diagnosis and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months following infection. Antibody titer data will be reported as means and SDs. The respondents’ signs and symptoms will be observed up to 6 months after the onset of infection, including the vaccination event, reinfection, rehospitalization, and mortality. The clinical features will be reported as frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS

Participant enrollment began in February 2022. As of September 30, 2022, a total of 58 patients were enrolled. After data collection, results are expected to be analyzed in August 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will allow us to know the kinetics of anti–receptor-binding domain SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies and data regarding post–COVID-19 condition up to 6 months following infection in the Indonesian pediatric population. Furthermore, this study has the potential to serve as a foundation for government decisions about vaccination programs and prevention measures.

CLINICALTRIAL

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/43344
Increases in Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Japan: A Multicenter Retrospective Study on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)
Authors: Inoue Takeshi , Kosaka Hirotaka , Okazaki Ryoko , Nagata Toshihiko , Sakuta Ryoichi
Published: October 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

There has been an increase in newly diagnosed patients with eating disorders (EDs) triggered by COVID-19. Most reported EDs are anorexia nervosa (AN) with few reports of patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). We investigated the number of new patients with AN and ARIFD in Japan in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The current study is a multicenter retrospective survey that included the number of new patients with AN and ARFID, sex, age groups, and the number of patients affected by the pandemic. The total number of new patients with AN was 400 (383 females) in 2019, 480 (470 females) in 2020, and 610 (601 females) in 2021. Increased cases were observed by 20.0% in 2020 and 52.5% in 2021 compared to 2019. The total number of new patients with ARFID patients was 70 (57 females) in 2019, 97 (74 females) in 2020, and 112 (88 females) in 2021. ARFID cases increased by 38.6% in 2020 and 60.0% in 2021. Among the AN patients, 122 out of 480 (25.4%) in 2020 and 151 out of 610 (24.8%) in 2021 were affected by the pandemic. In ARFID, 24 out of 97 in 2020 (24.7%) and 25 out of 112 (22.3%) in 2021 were affected by the pandemic. Both AN and ARFID showed an increasing trend in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019; interestingly, the number of patients increased in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase in AN and ARFID was more pronounced among younger females, which supported previous reports.
Usme, territorio de bordes urbano-rurales: tres estudios de caso
Authors: Bernal Mora Martha Isabel
Published: October 2022

La problemática se centra en la dinámica de la expansión urbana al suroccidente de la ciudad de Bogotá, donde hay una amenaza de la desaparición de áreas de conservación estratégicas de extensas zonas rurales proveedoras de alimentos, agua y oxígeno. El objetivo es entender las configuraciones espaciales de tres bordes urbano-rurales en la localidad de Usme desde la perspectiva de los actores. Para ello, se caracterizan tres áreas de estudio de las transformaciones territoriales, relativas a la diversidad del uso del suelo, patrones espaciales de los bordes urbano-rurales, expansión del área urbana y la relevancia social, cultural, patrimonial y ambiental en las tres zonas. La metodología planteada fue el análisis espacial basado en la superposición y fotointerpretación de imágenes aéreas para los tres bordes urbano-rurales estudiados —(1) Usme-Veredas Bajas, (2) Bolonia-Parque Entre Nubes y (3) Brazuelos-Parque Cantarrana— a través de los sistemas de información geográfica. Asimismo, se realizaron entrevistas informales con los residentes de los tres bordes urbano-rurales con el propósito de entender las transformaciones territoriales. Este diseño permitió la identificación y cambios de los usos del suelo en un lapso de más de dos décadas, registrados en tres años: 1998, 2011 y 2020. La información obtenida se presenta en polígonos que permitieron describirlos, categorizarlos y compararlos. El documento está estructurado a partir de la descripción física de Usme, el análisis espacial para las tres áreas estudiadas y, para finalizar, los principales resultados conclusiones.
Analysis of the Influence of Contaminants on Microhardness Sintered Boron Carbide Samples
Authors: Aguilera Leticia Dos Santos , Costa Filho Manoel Antônio Da Fonseca , Costa Neto Celio Albano , De Campos José Brant
Published: October 2022

This work presents ANOVA and Tukey’s statistic tests that were carried out in Knoop microhardness results of boron carbide sintered samples. Three samples, A, B and C, of different processing conditions were tested and statistical analysis showed that microhardness results are strongly influenced by porosity and chemical composition, mainly due to presence of C(2H) and WB2.5 contaminant phases. Those phases promoted higher densification in A and B samples and it was found that A ≈ B > C is the relation between the microhardness results of the samples, while A ≈ B < C is the porosity ratio of the samples. Furthermore, this work aims to apply a statistical tool to evaluate the microhardness results performed on advanced ceramics and, using these results, to control parameters in the sintering process, showing that a deeper statistical analysis is necessary for the interpretation and validation of the results merit.