bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of alkaline hydrolytic degradation products of ivacaftor by UPLC‐PDA and UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS techniques
Authors: Bishnoi Aastha , Bali Alka , Kumar Akshay
Published: October 2024

Rationale

The study of inherent stability characteristics of drugs has been advocated to be important by various regulatory agencies like the ICH, USFDA, and others. The current work was envisaged to investigate the forced degradation profile of the drug ivacaftor under ICH‐prescribed stress conditions, identification of its potential degradants, and postulation of the degradation routes for their generation.

Methods

The stress degradation studies were performed on the drug as per the ICH guideline Q1A(R2). A UPLC‐photodiode array‐based chromatographic method was developed to satisfactorily resolve the drug from its degradation products, validated in accordance with various ICH prescribed parameters, and assessed for its BAGI practicality index. The degradation products were identified and characterized by UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS studies.

Results

The drug was found to significantly degrade under conditions of alkaline hydrolytic stress and it was found to be stable under all other stressor environments including acid/neutral hydrolytic, photolytic, thermal, and oxidative stress. Four alkaline hydrolytic degradation products (I‐IV) were revealed by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS studies which were well‐resolved from the drug over a C18 UPLC column by the developed UPLC‐PDA method. The detection wavelength was selected as 310 nm. Characterization of the four degradation products (I–IV) was carried out by their mass spectral data and their respective degradation routes were elucidated.

Conclusions

A UPLC‐PDA method was developed and validated for ivacaftor and its practicality BAGI index was computed. Four alkaline hydrolytic degradation products of ivacaftor were revealed through UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS studies and corresponding degradation routes were elucidated.
Calcination‐Controlled Synthesis of Carbon Dots@MgF2 Composites with Yellow, White, and Ultraviolet‐Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence for Multilevel Information Encryption
Authors: Xin Mingyu , Chen Xipao , Zhang Longyue , Yang Hailiang , Guo Dongying , Hu Yaoping
Published: October 2024

It is attractive but challenging to develop carbon dot (CD) based materials with tunable thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), especially in the long wavelength region. Here, by simply calcinating the mixture of m‐phenylenediamine and MgF2 at 300–500 °C, a series of CDs@MgF2 composites exhibiting yellow, white, and ultraviolet‐blue TADF with high photoluminescence quantum yields of up to 37.6% are prepared. Photophysical studies reveal that the yellow TADF with long lifetimes of 810–1106 ms originates from the surface emission centers of CDs, while the ultraviolet‐blue TADF with short lifetimes of 266–379 ms is related to the carbon core emission centers. The combination of yellow and ultraviolet‐blue TADF in a single material triggers dynamic afterglow with time‐dependent colors from white to yellow. The MgF2 matrix offers multiple confinement of CDs through a rigid network, strong space constraint, and robust covalent/hydrogen bonding, thus preventing the triplet excitations from non‐radiative transitions. The electron‐withdrawing fluorine atoms induce substantial spin‐orbit coupling and reduce the singlet‐triplet energy gap, consequently facilitating the reverse intersystem crossing to enhance TADF efficiency. Importantly, the CDs@MgF2 composites possess outstanding optical stability against water, organic solvents, strong acids, bases, and oxidants. The fascinating TADF features enable the successful demonstration of multilevel information encryption using CDs@MgF2.
Wafer‐Scale Semitransparent MoS2/WS2 Heterojunction Catalyst on a Silicon Photocathode for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Lee Jae Yoon , Jun Sang Eon , Shim Jae Hyung , Kang Hee Seong , Kim Changyeon , Kim Kitae , An Jin Yong , Choi Seokhoon , Yun Jeonghun , Kang Junghoon , Lee Seok Woo , Park Soohyung , Lee Hyunbok , Yi Yeonjin , Jang Ho Won , Lee Chul‐Ho
Published: October 2024

The development of catalysts that are optically transparent, electrically charge‐transferable, and capable of protecting underlying photoactive semiconductors is crucial for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production. However, meeting all these requirements simultaneously poses significant challenges. In this study, the fabrication of a wafer‐scale transparent bilayer MoS2/WS2 catalyst is presented with a staggered heterojunction, optimized for photon absorption, extraction of photogenerated charge carriers, and surface passivation of p‐Si photocathode. The MoS2 and WS2 monolayers are grown via metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition, followed by sequential transfer and stacking onto the p‐Si photocathode. The resulting type‐II heterojunction film establishes a strong built‐in electric field for rapid charge carrier transport and effectively protects the Si surface from oxidation and corrosion. The fabricated MoS2/WS2/p‐Si photocathode demonstrates outstanding PEC performance, achieving a high photocurrent density of −25 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, along with enhanced stability compared to monolayer MoS2/p‐Si. This work provides promising strategies for developing optically transparent, electrically active, and protective catalysts for practical PEC energy conversion systems.
Ultra‐Fast Degradation of Mustard Gas Simulant by Titanium Dioxide‐Phosphomolybdic Acid Sub‐1 nm Nanobelts
Authors: Wang Yi Ting , Chen Gui Hua , Wang Qi , Zang Hao , Wang Qiang , Li Yuan Fang , Zou Hong Yan , Zhan Lei , Xie Jian Wei , Huang Cheng Zhi , Zhen Shu Jun
Published: October 2024

The development of novel catalysts for the rapid detoxification of sulfur mustard holds paramount importance in the field of military defense. In this work, titanium dioxide‐phosphomolybdic acid sub‐1 nm nanobelts (TiO2/PMA SNBs) are employed as effective catalysts for the ultra‐fast degradation of mustard gas simulants (2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, CEES) with 100% selectivity and a half‐life (t1/2, time required for 50% conversion) as short as 12 s, which is the fastest time to the best of the knowledge. Even in dark conditions, this material can still achieve over 90% conversion within 5 min. A mechanism study reveals that the rapid generation rate of 1O2 and O2•− in the presence of TiO2/PMA SNBs and H2O2 plays a crucial role in facilitating the efficient oxidation of CEES. A filter layer of a gas mask loaded with TiO2/PMA SNBs and H2O2/polyvinylpyrrolidone cross‐linked complex (PHP) is constructed, which demonstrates remarkable stability and exhibits exceptional efficacy in the detoxification of CEES in the presence of a small amount of water. This innovation offers great potential for enhancing personal protective equipment in practical applications.
Optimization of Inclusion and Microstructure of As‐Cast Nonquenched and Tempered Steel F38MnVS with Trace Ce
Authors: Wang Yucheng , Li Yang , Jiang Zhouhua , Sun Meng , Mao Yunqie , Li Tianci
Published: October 2024

Various techniques, such as optical microscopy, high‐temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and thermodynamic calculations, are employed to analyze the optimization mechanism of Ce on the inclusions and microstructures in F38MnVS as‐cast samples. The results show that the addition of Ce inhibits MnS precipitation at the grain boundaries and significantly reduces the diameters and aspect ratios of the inclusions. After Ce treatment, a new type of composite inclusion appears in the steel. The modification of the inclusions by Ce promotes the optimization of the as‐cast microstructure during solidification, which mainly exhibits austenite grain refinement and polygonal ferrite formation in the grains. Based on the misfit degree theory, the refinement of the austenite grains is because of the nucleation of austenite grains facilitated by Ce2O2S and CeAlO3. The increased nucleation of the intragranular polygonal ferrite is mainly attributed to Ce2O2S, Ce2S3, CeAlO3, and VC, which can promote the nucleation of α‐Fe. Simultaneously, the addition of Ce reduces the phase transition temperature, increases the driving force of the phase transition, and increases the nucleation rate. This study's results can provide a reference for the application of Ce treatment in the preparation of nonquenched tempered steel for automobiles.
Effect of Ca Addition on Inclusions, Microstructures, and Impact Toughness of Coarse‐Grained Heat‐Affected Zone After High‐Heat Input Welding in Mg‐Deoxidized Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Authors: Wang Liang , Yang Jian , Zhang Yuqi , Zhang Yinhui , Li Tingting , Chen Yanli
Published: October 2024

Effect of Ca addition on inclusions, microstructures, and impact toughness of coarse‐grained heat‐affected zone (CGHAZ) in Mg‐deoxidized shipbuilding steel plates after high‐heat input welding (HHIW) of 400 kJ cm−1 are investigated. Characteristics of inclusions and their effect on microstructures and impact toughness are elucidated. With the addition of Ca, number density of inclusions decreases from 384 to 273 mm−2, but average size increases from 1.23 to 1.32 μm. Number densities of inclusions such as MgAl2O4, MgAl2O4 + MnS, Mg–Al–Ti–O + MnS, MgO + MnS, and TiN + MnS, which are observed to induce intragranular acicular ferrites (IAFs) formation, decrease from 3.0, 15.3, 18.8, 16.5, and 18.1 to 0.2, 1.2, 4.4, 3.0, and 6.3 mm−2, respectively. Observed Ca‐containing inclusions of diameter over 2.5 μm in Mg–Ca steel cannot serve as the effective nucleation sites for IAFs formation. Contents of IAFs and polygonal ferrites decrease from 73.20% and 19.96% to 54.34% and 5.63%, respectively. Frequency of high‐angle grain boundaries decreases from 70.5% to 51.3%. The CGHAZ fracture morphology changes from ductile fracture to brittle fracture with the area proportion of the fibrous zone decreasing from 56.5% to 0%. Hence, the impact toughness of CGHAZ decreases significantly from 175 to 23 J at −20 °C after HHIW.
The Effect of La, Ce Rare‐Earth Elements on the MnS Inclusion Precipitation and Distribution in U75V Heavy‐Rail Steel
Authors: Wang Yi , Song Guangjie , He Jianzhong , Fu Jianxun
Published: October 2024

The quality of heavy rail steel is significantly influenced by the distribution and morphology of MnS inclusions. With the help of experimental methods and thermodynamic predictions, the evolution of inclusions in heavy rail steels with different rare‐earth (RE: La + Ce) additions is investigated, and the relationship between RE inclusions and MnS is better interpreted by the classical two‐dimensional mismatch degree theory. The results show that the deoxidizing ability of RE elements added to the steel is greater than the desulfurizing ability. The best data for physical parameters of inclusions in steel are obtained at a RE addition of 122 ppm. The MnS inclusion particles are roughly spherical around the REAlO3 inclusion particles when the aluminum content in the RE inclusion is high. The MnS inclusion particles are better able to fit flatly around the RE2O2S inclusion particles when the sulfur content of the RE inclusion is high. By computing the two‐dimensional mismatch between the interfaces of different inclusions, it is discovered that the heterogeneous nucleation efficiency is comparatively low between MnS and REAlO3, relatively high between MnS and RE2O2S, and highest between MnS and RE2O3.
Crisis of Democracy and Multilateralism: Effects of Bolsonaro’s Far-Right Government on EU-LAC Relations
Authors: Herz Monica , Ribeiro Hoffmann Andrea
Published: October 2024

The crises of democracy and of multilateralism are crucial phenomena to understand international relations, as well as relations between the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the European Union (EU) at this point of history. The rise of the far-right and authoritarian movements and leaders is a central process in the era of ‘permacrisis’ that we discuss in this edited volume. This chapter analyses the crises of democracy and multilateralism and its effects on EU-LAC relations, focusing on the case of Brazil under the government of Bolsonaro.
Introduction: China–Africa Science, Technology, Innovation Collaboration for Their Win–Win Enduring Shared Future Relations
Authors: Muchie Mammo , Baskaran Angathevar , Tang Mingfeng
Published: October 2024

What has been truly extraordinary today is that China has gone through the long history of the difficult journey and now finally has attained a development status that has to be recognized and appreciated. Millions of Chinese have now come out of poverty. Unemployment is decreasing and inequality will decrease in the course of time by managing it with appropriate policy. What Africa should learn is how China achieved this status and managed how to deal with and respond to the global economy. The best gift China can give to Africa is to share frankly and honestly how the Chinese managed the difficult journey and achieved such a globally renowned success, especially building science, technology and innovation capabilities. The other important lesson from China is to relate with Africa entirely driven by the principle of mutual benefit. The gains and losses in the relationship must be fully transparent, open, tangible, explicit, measurable and fully known. What China can try to do is assist Africans to engage in an economic and political marathon race to be fully de-colonized now. The assistance that Africa has from China by promoting the win-win mutually beneficial relationship should be a role model and an example. China’s engagement in Africa has attracted a lot of interest around the globe. China is accused of stacking up debt in Africa. There is a need to do serious research to bring out the evidence-based standard yardstick anchored side in the relationship and not rely on media and opinion to distract us to know what we must know. In this context, this book aims to present research studies from across Africa shedding light on various interdisciplinary aspects of China-Africa collaborations in science, technology, and innovation.
Africa–China Higher Education and Research Collaboration in Minerals, Transport and Agriculture
Authors: Ramontja Thibedi , Zhao Baojin , Wang Yuchen , Jia Yinsuo , Ren Junping
Published: October 2024

Significant growth has been achieved in higher education and research collaborations between African countries and the People’s Republic of China in the last half-century after the People’s Republic of China’s reforms and open policy were introduced in 1978. This chapter presents a review of higher education and research programmes in the following sectors: (1) Minerals sector, which includes the fields of geosciences, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy; (2) Transport and related fields, focusing on the establishment of transport universities in Africa; (3) Agricultural sector, specifically on the development of dwarf maize, high-yield crops, soil remediation and water-saving; and (4) Other collaborative programmes including BRICS’ joint research programme.
Innovative Technology of the Smart Transport and Smart Cities for Sustainable Infrastructure to Support Resilient Economic System in China and Africa
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Zhou Mi , Yang Baorong
Published: October 2024

The United Nations (UN) has driven the sustainable transport and infrastructure development in the world via the first and the second global sustainable transport conferences during the last decade. The establishment of the Global Innovation and Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Transport in China is committed to knowledge-sharing and capacity building in developing countries on sustainable transport under the UN. Smart transport and smart cities have been considered as the key drivers for supporting the national and local economic development of China over the last decade. The Beijing Statement of the 2nd UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the central role of sustainable transport in the modern world. Recovery from the pandemic will be a chance for all actors to rethink passenger and freight transport and implement integrated solutions which can support the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement for sustainable economic development. This chapter introduces the case study from Shenzhen, Southern China which can provide some lessons for Africa, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa at large are still at the infant stage in the desire to establish smart transport and cities in line with development in the global domain. Much can be learned from advancements in China, to excel in infrastructure development and in the development of appropriate smart transport and cities technologies.
The Path of China–Africa Higher Education Cooperation in Training Talents for Africa
Authors: Tang Mingfeng , Wang Jue , Yang Yajie , Baskaran Angathevar
Published: October 2024

Among diverse cooperation between China and Africa, China–Africa higher education cooperation is the most direct way to train talents for Africa. The cultivation of talents plays an important role in eliminating poverty, promoting the development of local society and achieving access to quality higher education. The China–Africa higher education cooperation can be traced back to the 1950s. After the decades of cooperation, China–Africa higher education cooperation has evolved from China's free large-scale provision of educational materials such as books and materials, teaching instruments and school facilities to Africa, exchange of students, scholars and delegations to enlarging the mobility of students, laboratory establishment support, collaborative research projects, professional curriculum design, teaching and inter-university cooperation between Chinese and African universities, deepening and optimizing the existing cooperation and exchange as well as developing new ways for further knowledge and technology transfer between China and Africa (e.g. Confucius Institute, Lupin Workshops and cooperative schooling). China has worked with Africa to organize vocational education workshops, establish Luban workshops and branches of Chinese vocational education institutions, launch the “20 + 20 Cooperation Programme between Chinese and African Universities”, offer thousands of scholarships to African students, dispatch of Chinese higher education teachers to train technical and professional talents in new energy, mechatronics, railway operations, Chinese medicine and machinery manufacturing and other domains, transferring vocational skills, knowledge and technology to young Africans. China–Africa higher education cooperation is based on mutual trust and long-term goal to build a China–Africa community with a shared future.
Current Enrolment and Training Situation of African Students in China: Case Study of Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre
Authors: Shao Xu , Liu Huaibo , Zhang Xiao
Published: October 2024

China has a long history of educational cooperation and exchanges with African countries. With the continuous development of China–Africa relationship, China–Africa educational cooperation has stepped into a new era. Through reviewing the history and development of China–Africa educational cooperation, combined with the talent education practice of Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, this chapter introduces the status of China–Africa education in the new period, reveals the opportunities and challenges faced by current higher education of African Students in China. We hope to provide reference for China–Africa educational cooperation and exchanges in the future.
Randomized methods for computing joint eigenvalues, with applications to multiparameter eigenvalue problems and root finding
Authors: He Haoze , Kressner Daniel , Plestenjak Bor
Published: October 2024

It is well known that a family of $${n}\times {n}$$

n
×
n

commuting matrices can be simultaneously triangularized by a unitary similarity transformation. The diagonal entries of the triangular matrices define the n joint eigenvalues of the family. In this work, we consider the task of numerically computing approximations to such joint eigenvalues for a family of (nearly) commuting matrices. This task arises, for example, in solvers for multiparameter eigenvalue problems and systems of multivariate polynomials, which are our main motivations. We propose and analyze a simple approach that computes eigenvalues as one-sided or two-sided Rayleigh quotients from eigenvectors of a random linear combination of the matrices in the family. We provide some analysis and numerous numerical examples, showing that such randomized approaches can compute semisimple joint eigenvalues accurately and lead to improved performance of existing solvers.
Exploring the Impact of Social, Cultural, and Science Factors on Students’ STEM Career Preferences
Authors: Mansour Nasser
Published: October 2024

The declining interest in STEM careers in the United Kingdom has raised concerns, prompting this study to explore the intricate relationship between social, cultural, and scientific identities and their impact on students’ inclination towards science and technology career pathways. Additionally, the study examines the associations between gender, gender-related job preferences, and career choices. Data were collected from 1,618 primary and secondary students in the UK. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis and multivariate analysis, were employed for analysis. The key findings revealed a significant interaction effect between gender and gender-related job preferences. Social factors were identified as significant mediators, amplifying the influence of gender on career decisions and shaping gender-related job preferences. Cultural factors, particularly related to ethnicity, were found to shape job preferences, while religious affiliation did not exhibit a significant effect. Students’ perceptions of science, stereotypes associated with science professionals, and engagement in science extracurricular activities were positively correlated with a greater likelihood of expressing interest in STEM careers, demonstrating the influential impact of science factors on forming students’ STEM career choices. Interestingly, the type of education (primary or secondary) did not significantly impact job preferences, suggesting that preferences may become more refined or influenced by external factors as students progress in their education.
Pharmaceutical Company’s Choices of Indication for the First Clinical Projects in Oncological Drug Development in the United States
Authors: Wu Can , Ono Shunsuke
Published: October 2024

We analyzed factors shaping the choice of the lead indication (i.e., cancer type) in the first clinical development projects of new oncological drugs in the United States (US), and how the type of pharmaceutical company is related to this choice. We selected 576 new clinical development projects in the US since 2000 for analysis. These projects were characterized according to three potential perspectives detected by multiple correspondence analysis: the morbidity of the cancer type which corresponds to market size of each cancer type, the company’s previous experience with the cancer type, and the company’s attitude to development risks. Mega firms tend to choose cancer types with higher morbidity (and large-market), previously experienced cancer types, while diverse small firms choose both major and rare cancers and both high- and low-risk projects, indicating that different sizes of firms utilize different development entry patterns. Common tendencies concerning the choice of lead indication were found across all companies. Cancer types the company had developed and launched in the past were more likely to be chosen; cancer types with high five-year survival rates and those with high competition were less likely to be chosen. The study showed that pharmaceutical companies seem to enter clinical development from cancer types where they can demonstrate their strengths and advantages through experience, depending on each cancer type’s different market sizes and development difficulties. The results could provide clues for considering what support measures and incentives are appropriate to balance the efficiency of industrial development and the fulfillment of society’s unmet medical needs.
Forensic Crime Fiction
Authors: Varvogli Aliki
Published: October 2024

This study of forensic crime fiction from the US and the UK examines the prominent roles that women play in many of these novels, arguing that there are historical continuities with earlier forms of contact with the dead body. Refuting claims that the female forensic examiner exhibits traits of typically masculine behaviour, it suggests that the female gaze humanises the victims of crime and alters their representations. Utilising the views of a world-famous forensic scientist interviewed for this Element, this study also explores the role and treatment of science in forensic crime fiction, shedding light on an area of the genre. Finally, there is a consideration of killers in forensic crime novels, proposing that the relationship between killer and investigator is different from that of the classic crime novel. There are also two Appendices containing interviews with Professor Niamh Nic Daeid and with Val McDermid.
Functional Analysis Revisited
Authors: Bobrowski Adam
Published: October 2024

'Functional Analysis Revisited' is not a first course in functional analysis – although it covers the basic notions of functional analysis, it assumes the reader is somewhat acquainted with them. It is by no means a second course either: there are too many deep subjects that are not within scope here. Instead, having the basics under his belt, the author takes the time to carefully think through their fundamental consequences. In particular, the focus is on the notion of completeness and its implications, yet without venturing too far from areas where the description 'elementary' is still valid. The author also looks at some applications, perhaps just outside the core of functional analysis, that are not completely trivial. The aim is to show how functional analysis influences and is influenced by other branches of contemporary mathematics. This is what we mean by 'Functional Analysis Revisited.'
The Dialectical Agroecologist
Authors: Vandermeer John , Perfecto Ivette
Published: October 2024

This book examines contradictions within the fields of food studies and agroecology, from the differences between traditional and scientific knowledge, to habitat fragmentation and connection, monocultures versus diverse farming systems, pest regulation, and the rural/urban dialectic. Building and expanding on the work of Richard Levins and Richard Lewontin, who used the dialectical method in the field of biology, this analysis includes examples from the authors' own pioneering research in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico, to demonstrate the benefits of applying the dialectical method to agroecology in practice. Exploring themes in studies that are currently the subject of rigorous debate among academics and activists alike, especially related to food production and distribution, this book is indispensable for practitioners and activists seeking to transform the food system, as well as for social and natural scientists.
The Theology of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah
Authors: Nam Roger S.
Published: October 2024

In the opening verses of the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah, King Cyrus exhorts the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem to restore worship in Jerusalem. It then narrates this restoration through the construction of the temple, the repair of the city walls, and the commitment to the written Torah. In this volume, Roger Nam offers a new and compelling argument regarding the theology of Ezra-Nehemiah:  that the Judeans' return migration, which extended over several generations, had a totalizing effect on the people. Repatriation was not a single event, but rather a multi-generational process that oscillated between assimilation and preservation of culture. Consequently, Ezra-Nehemiah presents a unique theological perspective. Nam explores the book's prominent theological themes, including trauma, power, identity, community, worship, divine presence, justice, hope, and others – all of which take on a nuanced expression in diaspora.  He also shows how and why Ezra-Nehemiah naturally found a rich reception among emerging early Christian and Jewish interpretive communities.
Spectral and Spectral Element Methods for Fractional Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Zayernouri Mohsen , Wang Li-Lian , Shen Jie , Karniadakis George Em
Published: October 2024

This comprehensive introduction to global spectral methods for fractional differential equations from leaders of this emerging field is designed to be accessible to graduate students and researchers across math, science, and engineering. The book begins by covering the foundational fractional calculus concepts needed to understand and model anomalous transport phenomena. The book proceeds to introduce a series of new spectral theories and new families of orthogonal and log-orthogonal functions, then presents corresponding spectral and spectral element methods for fractional differential equations. The book also covers the fractional Laplacian in unbounded and bounded domains and major developments in time-integration of fractional models. The book ends by sampling the wide variety of real-world applications of fractional modeling, including: concentration transport in surface/subsurface dynamics; complex rheology and material damage; and fluid turbulence and geostrophic transport.
Update on outpatient antibiotic prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic: United States, 2020–2022
Authors: Bizune Destani , Gouin Katryna , Powell Lauren , Hersh Adam L. , Hicks Lauri A. , Kabbani Sarah
Published: October 2024

We updated a descriptive analysis of national outpatient antibiotic prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prescribing volume was lower during 2020 and January–June in 2021 and 2022 compared to corresponding baseline months in 2019. Prescribing approached or exceeded baseline during July–December of 2021 and 2022 for all antibiotics, especially for azithromycin.
Access scarcity, legislative generalization, and the business-oriented shift of the congressional agenda
Authors: Heberlig Eric S. , Larson Bruce
Published: October 2024

Policy specialization in the U.S. Congress benefits the institution collectively and members individually. Yet members of Congress (MCs) are insufficiently specialized to optimize lawmaking success (Volden and Wiseman 2020). In this paper, we demonstrate the increasing propensity of MCs to generalize legislatively is driven largely by an expansion of MC legislative agendas in business domains. We then offer and test an explanation for this trend whereby business’s increasing demand for congressional attention (Drutman 2015) has outpaced the supply of congressional capacity to serve business needs (Crossen, Furnas, LaPira, and Burgat 2020; McKay 2022). This unmet demand incentivizes MCs to expand their business portfolio, which results in increased campaign contributions from business political action committees (PACs). We provide evidence consistent with this theory, showing that under conditions of access scarcity, MCs benefit financially (in terms of increased business PAC contributions) by broadening the number of business domains they are active in legislatively.
REDCap as an accreditation tool for academic programs in clinical research: A case study
Authors: Tafuto Barbara , Lechner Doreen W.
Published: October 2024

The Master of Science in Clinical Research Management program at Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences underwent significant restructuring aligned with the Clinical and Translational Science Award funding parameters. This evolution necessitated formal evaluation through accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The years-long accreditation process posed challenges, particularly regarding the collection of course learning outcomes data aligned with accreditation competency standards. The objective of this special communication is to report the rationale behind pursuing accreditation for clinical research degrees, the data collection challenges during the accreditation process, and a potential solution. In order to address existing university metric data gaps, Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software was used to develop a data collection tool that streamlined the accreditation process and reduced the administrative burden. REDCap was effective in allowing faculty to self-report 3 years of course outcomes data for accreditation. There was an elevated level of user satisfaction compared to alternative data collection methods. A SWOT analysis identified the strengths and weaknesses of using REDCap, emphasizing strengths in functionality that include customizability, data validation, and compliance with regulatory standards. Overall, the advantages of leveraging REDCap for accreditation data collection, including customization, data security, and user-friendliness outweigh the key disadvantage of REDCap, which is its limited reporting capabilities.
A Brief Report of Response Team Members’ Perspectives on an Interteam Full-Scale Mass Casualty Incident Exercise in Norway
Authors: Leonardsen Ann-Chatrin Linqvist , Westmark Fredrik , Syversen Kjell Gunnar , Ulvøy Linn Eik
Published: October 2024

Introduction

A mass casualty incident (MCI) is unpredictable and involves many casualties at the same time and place. This brief report will present the results from an evaluation a full-scale MCI exercise, aiming to increase preparedness for such events, from the perspectives of future health-care professionals, as well as personnel in various emergency teams taking part in MCI response.

Methods

All participants in a 2-day, full-scale MCI exercise (N = 206) were invited to participate in an investigator-developed survey.

Results

In total, 124 participants (60.2%) responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents were satisfied with the information and frames of the full-scale MCI exercise. Based on their experiences, over half of the respondents perceived that the county ambulance, police, and fire departments were well prepared in case of an MCI in the future. Reported areas of improvement were specifically related to communication lines and triage.

Conclusion

Weakness in communication lines and triage were assumed a threat to effective handling of MCIs. However, further studies are needed to decide the content needed in MCI exercises to effectively increase regional preparedness for such events.
Virtual reality as Distraction Interventions for Medical Health Care
Authors: Talib Hashim Hashim
Published: October 2024

Virtual reality (VR) technology is perfect with the help of pc, laptop and virtual world integration awareness. The current analysis argues on the application of VR technology inclinic, especially in medical training, panic controlling, any phobia like eating, flying, height phobia etc. therapeutic cure of mental disorder. This research gives a short survey in the field of VR, emphasizing application fields, technological necessities, and present solutions. This research offers the first signal toward the incoming hypnotic virtual atmosphere can be help like a powerful tool, no pharmacologic pain killer. With the use of VR environment, they distract them from pain during panic medication, like chemotherapy, burn medication is so much panic treatment when sterile gauze dressing change we need to distract the attention of patient. These initial conclusions recommended that immersive Virtual Reality more care as a potentially feasible form of therapy forcritical pain. Flying phobia is extremely prevailing nervousness illness, which causes patients suffering and lifeinterfering. VR provide effectiveness treatment of flying phobia, small animal phobia, Claustrophobia etc. By distracting the attention from actual world. Virtual Reality experience treatment is compared by “Imagine experience treatment” (i.e. virtual reality experience treatment completes by imagination). Aim of this paper recourses documentation process, lecturer interview and mathematical measurements to research the use of VR technology scientific development in virtual reality technology. Our present conclusion shows how intellectual factors essential in operator can impact the feature of the human-computer interface (using VR). Therapy authorizations reduced individuals to discover worlds not otherwise accessible to them, permits exact valuation and treatment for their injury and helps their serious requirements in community or personal. And to help these progressive technologies, the operation theater and hospital of the future will be first designed and verified in virtual reality, connecting the full power of the virtual medical doctor. In almost every field we can treat with Virtual Reality simulators, investigators have attained at the same result that both specialists and sufferer gain advantage from this technology. Furthermore, benefits the utilization of Virtual Reality technology in every field were review. Virtual reality is use to distract the attention.
Laissez-faire Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of Floods in Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Mitrović Veselin L
Published: October 2024

Objective

The city was hit by a flood on July 5, 2022. Afterwards, the mayor of Belgrade declared that no one should be blamed because we cannot influence God’s will. Objective is examination of the relationship between such a laissez-faire approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from the city government, and some groups from hill areas (historically not flooded), who were flooded and have started to develop DRR approaches to adequately respond to the next possible flood.

Methods

Participant observation site work is in progress and includes 32 households in the residential hill area of Belgrade that experienced its first rain floods from 2019 to 2023. DRR is represented through self-installed special devices on the city sewage network. The data collection and analysis included narrative analysis and sociological analysis of photographs. All data was first anonymized as some practices were viewed as legitimate but not always legal.

Results

During the relevant three years, the number of non-flooded homes increased proportionally with increasing self-installation of special devices on their city sewage system

Conclusions

Groups left without official DRR policies can develop resilience through individual actions in communal infrastructure and find ways to resist natural hazards and government laissez-faire DRR.
Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Diagnostic Accuracy of a Commercial Large Language Model (ChatGPT) to Perform Disaster Triage Using the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) Protocol
Authors: Franc Jeffrey Michael , Hertelendy Atilla , Cheng Lenard , Hata Ryan , Verde Manuela
Published: October 2024

Objective

The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 drastically lowered the barrier to artificial intelligence with an intuitive web-based interface to a large language model. This study addressed the research problem: “Can ChatGPT adequately triage simulated disaster patients using the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) tool?”

Methods

Five trained disaster medicine physicians developed nine prompts. A Python script queried ChatGPT Version 4 with each prompt combined with 391 validated patient vignettes. Ten repetitions of each combination were performed: 35190 simulated triages.

Results

A valid START score was returned In 35102 queries (99.7%). There was considerable variability in the results. Repeatability (use of the same prompt repeatedly) was responsible for 14.0% of overall variation. Reproducibility (use of different prompts) was responsible for 4.1% of overall variation. Accuracy of ChatGPT for START was 61.4% with a 5.0% under-triage rate and a 33.6% over-triage rate. Accuracy varied by prompt between 45.8% and 68.6%.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the current ChatGPT large language model is not sufficient for triage of simulated patients using START due to poor repeatability and accuracy. Medical practitioners should be aware that while ChatGPT can be a valuable tool, it may lack consistency and may provide false information.
Validating Disaster Medicine Experts’ Feedback Outcome Using Artificial Intelligence Computing Techniques
Authors: Farhat Hassan , Helou Mariana , Bajow Nidaa , Abougalala Walid , AL-Shaikh Loua , Laughton James , Dhiab Mohamed Ben , Alinier Guillaume
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) computing techniques to determine if they can validate the findings of a previously published thematic analysis article focusing on disaster medicine experts’ open-ended feedback about Middle East and North African countries (MENA) for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

Methods

Automated text analytics techniques were employed to explore and visualize the semantic essence of the experts’ feedback through word vector transformation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. The t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) is another more advanced dimensionality reduction technique that enhanced the capturing of the determined components.

Results

Two prominent clusters emerged from the full textual data set representing word similarities groups in the original data set, denoting a thematic group of ideas that experts have emphasized in their responses. Upon deep reading the text feedback, the themes linked preparedness with different training types, such as tabletop exercises and policies/legislation. The findings are in line with currently adopted practices.

Conclusions

While AI methods demonstrated their valuable application in disaster medicine and helped validate the experts’ recommendations objectively, they should be approached cautiously, as they can be complex and challenging to comprehend fully.
Chatbots for Change Playbook: A Practical Guide and Modular Toolkit on How to Create, Grow, and Sustain Your Chatbot for Disaster Medicine
Authors: Gagnaire Kirsten
Published: October 2024

Objective

Chatbots, conversational agents providing access to information and services through interaction in everyday language, can make essential health information and services more accessible, available, and affordable. Kati Collective, together with Meta, worked to identify, outline, and develop some of the most critical tools and processes required to leverage chatbots for social good with a focus on health. The results of this work are compiled in a comprehensive, modular playbook. We propose to share our learnings and guide participants of our session to explore the existing uses, benefits, trade-offs, and challenges of using chatbots in disaster medicine.

Methods

There are significant challenges and barriers to scale, impact, and sustainability of their chatbot interventions. In response to these challenges, we used a participatory design process, landscape analysis, desk research and interviews with key stakeholders in the digital for development space to inform which content to include and in what format to best connect information to action.

Results

The Playbook contains key information, tools, exercises, and resources organized into four interrelated modules based on barriers and enablers.

Conclusions

This Playbook is particularly relevant in analysis, planning, strategizing and design phases of the chatbot project lifecycle and is highly extensible to disaster medicine.
My Data, My Body, My Rights: Help Shape this Initiative!
Authors: Gagnaire Kirsten
Published: October 2024

Objectives

the line between our physical and digital selves becomes increasingly blurry, sexual, and reproductive data rights must be safeguarded as a key lever of bodily autonomy and gender equality.

Methods

Kati Collective will facilitate an engaging workshop on protecting personal sexual reproductive health data rights and bodily autonomy to build a shared understanding of this critical issue and begin to explore pathways for solutions.

Results

Develop co-created policy-level recommendations and pathways to action contributing to improved understanding, alignment and collaboration among key stakeholders, and improved protection, ownership, governance of SRH data.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for collective action to co-develop policy-level recommendations and pathways to action to protect SRH rights and bodily autonomy.
Resilience of Public Healthcare Systems for ‘Build Back Better’: An Evaluation Analysis Using a Scorecard Approach
Authors: Tayfur Ismail , Kako Mayumi , Gündüz Abdülkadir , Rahman Md Moshiur , Ryan Benjamin , Şimşek Perihan , Garner Shelby , Bayramoğlu Burcu , Öztürk Tuğçe , Teramoto Chie
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to assess the public healthcare system by implementing a scorecard in Hatay and Kahramanmaras provinces in Türkiye after the Kahmaranmaras earthquake.

Method

The methodology employing in this study, action research, informs the active interaction between participants who have been involved in disaster risk reduction in the variety of capacities, such as affected local government, emergency medicine department, nursing and care association.

Results

The scorecard application was carried out with 18 participants in Maraş and 22 in Hatay. The scorecard application shows that the items with the lowest scores in Hatay were related to the resilience of public health infrastructure and key health facilities, and the fulfilment of society’s role in disasters. In Maraş, on the other hand, coping with patient surge in disaster, fulfilment of society’s role in disasters, and mental health services in the context of disasters.

Conclusions

With the participation in scorecard workshop, communications between these stakeholders for community public healthcare system can discuss the best way to prepare and collaborate to promote further community disaster risk reduction planning during post-disaster recovery phase.
Criteria for Deployment of the United States National Guard to Domestic Sudden-Onset Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review
Authors: Myles Dickason R. , Davis Terri , Taubman Cara B. , Tin Derrick , Hata Ryan , Weinstein Eric S.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To perform a scoping review identifying the criteria for the deployment of the United States National Guard (USNG) to domestic sudden-onset natural disasters to identify the body of literature on which further research and policy decisions may be based.

Methods

On January 23, 2023 authors performed a search to identify texts relevant to the involvement of the USNG response to sudden-onset domestic natural disasters. English language texts from any year were considered. Independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, then full-texts, then extracted data from included texts.

Results

From 886 search results, 34 texts were included. Fifteen criteria for USNG deployment were identified. Lack of security, power failure, and logistical coordination were the most common criteria. Hurricanes were the most common disaster type in the included results.

Conclusions

Disaster response coordinators may use these results to develop policies optimizing the use of the USNG in disaster response.