Checking Tools Research Articles

Antifungal Drug-Drug Interactions with Commonly Used Pharmaceutics in European Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Leukemia is one of the leading childhood malignancies, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being the most common type. Invasive fungal disease is a concerning problem also at pediatric hemato-oncology units. Available guidelines underline the need for antifungal prophylaxis and give recommendations for proper treatment in various clinical scenarios. Nonetheless, antifungal agents are often involved in drug-drug interaction (DDI) occurrence. The prediction of those interactions in the pediatric population is complicated because of the physiological differences in adults, and the lack of pharmacological data. In this review, we discuss the potential DDIs between antifungal agents and commonly used pharmaceutics in pediatric hemato-oncology settings, with special emphasis on the use of liposomal amphotericin B and ALL treatment. We obtained information from Micromedex® and Drugs.com® interaction checking databases and checked the EudraVigilance® database to source the frequency of severe adverse drug reactions that resulted from antifungal drug interactions. Several major DDIs were identified, showing a favorable safety profile of echinocandins and liposomal amphotericin B. Interestingly, although there are numerous available drug interaction checking tools facilitating the identification of potential serious DDIs, it is important to use more than one tool, as the presented searching results may differ between particular checking programs.

Przyszłość czasopisma Problemy Ekrozwoju/ Problems of Sustainable Development

In 2023 Problemy Ekorozwoju/ Problems of Sustainable Development turned 18, entering adulthood one could say. The journal debuted on January 1, 2006 as a philosophical journal published only in Polish. From 2008 we begun to publish papers also in English and soon decided to publish only in English. The scope of the journal was expanded and we begun to be multidisciplinary, publishing papers from the humanities, economics and technical sciences (especially environmental engineering).We have always, however, been devoted to sustainable development problematics. Our wider approach offers a chance for Polish scientists to present their research in an international journal (also from the field of humanities, where there are fewer possibilities for international presentations) to foreign scholars and vice versa. Since there are no fees, the journal also is more accessible for scientists from poorer countries. So far we have published 36 numbers (18 issues) with almost 700 scientific papers. From 2010 the journal has been fully indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus. The current IF is 1.1 (in the previous year it was 0.864). Other metrics include: CiteScore (Scopus): 1.9, highest percentile: 57%, Index Copernicus Value ICV: 148.59 and SJR Scimago Journal & Country Rank h-Index: 21. Over the last few years one could observe improvement in all of our international parameters. We have always been an Open Access journal. In recent years we introduced DOI numbers, Open Access Statement and Copyright Rights, Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement. Soon we will also be visible in the Journal Checker Tool. From this number we are introducing Open Journal System (OJS). Currently the journal has the patronage of the European Academy of Science and Arts (Salzburg, Austria). The publisher is and has always been the Lublin University of Technology (Lublin, Poland).

Urbanistic code compliance checking tool based on geospatial data for building licensing

The licensing process of real estate developments is regulated by technical standards and legislations. The compliance verification against such regulations, and their reference parameters, is a complicated task. Automating this process, using computational resources, can make it more efficient. The addition of geospatial data in urban code compliance checking can incorporate new methods into territorial planning. Thus, this paper aims to develop a computational geospatial tool to assist in the city of São Carlos’ building licensing process, adopting the code compliance checking method. A GIS plugin was developed for this purpose, where, based on vectorial data, the tool performs a parameter verification based on the Municipal Master Plan reference values. This tool brings public benefits as it can reduce the licensing process time and ensure sustainability and transparency. Moreover, using geospatial data enables a plethora of new urban analyses based on the same inputs of the developed tool, evolving to new government processes models.

A mathematical model to identify the output variations of TrueBeam linear accelerators using Machine Performance Check evaluations

The aim of this work is to find an effective mathematical model to identify the output variations of TrueBeam (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, U.S.A.) linear accelerators (Linacs), using the daily output measurements performed with Machine Performance Check (MPC) tool. All daily output data, measured with MPC from July 2020 to October 2021, were exported and plotted for all energies investigated. After identifying the dates of dose calibration, the measurement period was divided into four and three sub-periods for photon and electron beams, respectively, common to the three Linacs; straight lines were applied to the data and slopes were analysed. Finally, all the output data were merged and a parameters optimisation process was performed that minimised the differences between output values measured by MPC and output values calculated by model. The output of Linacs under examination showed an increase for all photon and electron energies in agreement with the literature findings. MPC output trends were well represented by means of a linear mathematical model and the angular coefficients of the regression lines characterized the rate of daily output increase. The optimisation of the model provided an optimised angular coefficient for photon (0.0126% per day) and electron (0.0128% per day) beams. In this study, linear regression analysis is used to identify the TrueBeam output drift. The proposed model fitting daily MPC output data allows to define the right timing for preventive beams calibrations offering a tool to improve dose control.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of 53 benzodiazepines in illicit drug samples

An LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of 53 benzodiazepines, including various designer benzodiazepines, was developed. The developed method was applied to a total of 79 illicit street drug samples collected in Chicago, IL. Of these samples, 68 (84%) had detectable amounts of at least one benzodiazepine. Further, of the 53 benzodiazepines included in the developed method just 14 were measured in samples. Clonazolam, a potent designer benzodiazepine and derivative of clonazepam, was the most frequently measured benzodiazepine in 63% of samples and was measured in the highest concentrations. Other benzodiazepines measured in more than 10% of samples included clonazepam, alprazolam, flualprazolam, and oxazepam. Mixtures of benzodiazepines were frequently measured in samples, with just 24% of samples containing just one benzodiazepine. To determine the response of benzodiazepines on a rapid, point-of-use drug checking tool, all 53 benzodiazepine standards were screened on a lateral flow immunoassay benzodiazepine test strip. Sixty eight percent of standards gave a positive BTS response at a concentration of 20 µg/mL, demonstrating BTS have response to a wide variety of benzodiazepines, including many designer benzodiazepines. A comparison of this data to previous data reported for the same samples demonstrated all samples containing a benzodiazepine also had an opioid present, with fentanyl being present in 94% of benzodiazepine samples. These results highlight high rates of polysubstance drug presence in Chicago, IL illicit drug samples, posing an increased risk of drug overdoses in people who use drugs.

Pickled eggs: GenerativeAIas research assistant or co‐author?

Pickled eggs: Generative<scp>AI</scp>as research assistant or co‐author?

Compliance Checking of Cloud Providers: Design and Implementation

The recognition of capabilities supplied by cloud systems is presently growing. Collecting or sharing healthcare data and sensitive information especially during the Covid-19 pandemic has motivated organizations and enterprises to leverage the upsides coming from cloud-based applications. However, the privacy of electronic data in such applications remains a significant challenge for cloud vendors to adapt their solutions with existing privacy legislation standards such as general data protection regulation (GDPR). This article first proposes a formal model and verification for data usage requests of providers in a cloud composite service using a model checking tool. A cloud pharmacy scenario is presented to illustrate the connectivity of providers in the composite service and the stream of their requests for both collection and movement of patient data. A set of verifications is then undertaken over the pharmacy service in accordance with three significant GDPR obligations, namely user consent, data access, and data transfer. Following that, the article designs and implements a cloud container virtualization based on the verified formal model realizing GDPR requirements. The container makes use of some enforcement smart contracts to only proceed with the providers’ requests that are compliant with GDPR. Finally, several experiments are provided to investigate the performance of our approach in terms of time, memory, and cost.

Modelling and Analysis of a Sigfox-Based IoT Network Using uppaalsmc

Wireless sensor nodes are usually powered by batteries that have limited energy capacity. In many applications, the nodes are installed in inaccessible locations where they are problematic to replace or recharge. Therefore, energy optimisation is crucial for increasing the node’s lifetime. This study presents a method for the analysis and prediction of the energy consumption of Sigfox-based Wireless Sensor Nodes. The method is illustrated in a use case where the nodes monitor the water level in drainage lines in cities to improve surface and wastewater management. We propose a formal model-based technique using the UPPAAL Statistical model checker tool to model and analyse the node’s lifetime. Statistical model checking provides a highly scalable technique for performance analysis of complex cyber-physical systems. The model captures the energy-related behaviour of the node, the Sigfox radio specification, and the sensor, each parameterised with values from the device’s datasheets. Furthermore, we calibrate the model using measurements obtained from real-world hardware. Finally, we evaluate a collection of strategies to optimise the battery lifetime of the node. We simulate the model with a 10,000 mAh battery, and the results indicate that we can extend the node’s lifetime from 202 days to 2.71 years using our most optimised transmission strategy.

Validated method for the analysis of 22 illicit drugs and their metabolites via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in illicit drug samples collected in Chicago, IL.

Drug checking services are being utilized worldwide to provide people who use drugs information on the composition and contents of their drugs as a tool for harm reduction and accidental overdose prevention. Existing drug checking services use a variety of techniques including immunoassay strips and spectroscopic techniques like FTIR and Raman. Few services utilize LC-MS based methods for primary or secondary analysis and few methods exist for direct analysis of illicit drugs. To address this, an LC-MS/MS method was developed for 22 illicit drugs and cutting agents using LC-MS/MS with application to 124 illicit drug samples that were collected from Chicago, IL. Samples were also analyzed using fentanyl and benzodiazepine immunoassay test strips. Fentanyl test strips gave a positive result for 86% of samples with only one sample showing a positive result on a benzodiazepine test strip. LC-MS/MS analysis of samples show that opioids were the most commonly quantified in 96% of samples, followed by stimulants at 12% and benzodiazepines at 1%. Fentanyl was measured in 91% of samples, co-occurring with heroin in 58% of opioid-containing samples. A comparison of the gold-standard LC-MS/MS results to fentanyl test strips shows a high level of accuracy for the fentanyl test strips, with just 5% of samples being classified as false negatives and no false positives. These results demonstrate the strengths and benefits of LC-MS/MS when incorporated as a secondary analysis tool for drug checking.

Knowledge, attitude, opinion, perspective, and agreement of Palestinian medical students on strategies/recommendations to curb plagiarism: A multicenter cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Plagiarism is a common issue in written academic assignments and graduation theses. This multicenter study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, opinion, perspective, and agreement of Palestinian medical students on strategies/recommendations to curb plagiarism. The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design using a questionnaire in all universities with medical education programs. The questionnaire contained 12 knowledge items, 8 attitude items, 6 opinion/perspective items, and 8 strategies/recommendations to curb plagiarism. Of the 550 invited medical students, 474 completed the study tool. Knowledge, attitude, opinion, perspective, and agreement on strategies/recommendations scores correlated positively. Higher knowledge, attitude, opinion, perspective, and agreement on strategies/recommendations scores were significantly associated with higher academic/training year, grade point average, satisfaction with academic achievement, academic writing skills, informational skills, using citation managers, receiving courses/workshops/lecturers on plagiarism, using plagiarism checking tools, and participation in a scientific paper/graduation thesis writing. Gaps in knowledge about plagiarism were identified among Palestinian medical students. Educators/trainers and other decision-makers in medical schools and higher academic institutions might use the strategies on which the students agreed to curb plagiarism.

Session-based concurrency in Maude: Executable semantics and type checking

Session types are a well-established approach to communication correctness in message-passing processes. Widely studied from a process calculi perspective, here we pursue an unexplored strand and investigate the use of the Maude system for implementing session-typed process languages and reasoning about session-typed process specifications.We present four technical contributions. First, we develop and implement in Maude an executable specification of the operational semantics of a session-typed π-calculus by Vasconcelos. Second, we also develop an executable specification of its associated algorithmic type checking, and describe how both specifications can be integrated. Third, we show that our executable specification can be coupled with reachability and model checking tools in Maude to detect well-typed but deadlocked processes. Finally, we demonstrate the robustness of our approach by adapting it to a higher-order session π-calculus, in which exchanged values include names but also abstractions (functions from names to processes).All in all, our contributions define a promising new approach to the (semi)automated analysis of communication correctness in message-passing concurrency.

Efisiensi Kerja Pemboran Eksplorasi Pada PT Vale Indonesia

Exploration activities nickel (Ni) which is one of the stages, is where the exploratory drilling work efficiency is one of the main factors that can describe how good a job has been done. The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiency of exploration drilling. This research method is done by direct observation in the field. The data that was obtained was a record time of any activities during the working day in the form of exploration drilling activity, inserting the inner tube in the core barrel, an empty lap, then taking out further drilling in the core barrel inner tube, prepare the inner tube, add pipes, and re-inserting the inner tube core barrel. There are other activities that the problems of the inner tube not landing. The inner tube can not rise, smoothing supplies drilling, pulling out the pipe, moving the drilling tool and equipment, preparation of drilling, transportation, accessibility, preparatory work crew, safety talk/meeting, checking tool, refueling, wait for dozer, crew return preparations, waiting for a supervisor/geologist, waiting for the crew, weather problems, rest, waiting to go home, repair, and water issues. This study obtained an efficiency increase of 44.43% in drilling work. Concluded the drilling work efficiency is still below the working efficiency standards applied by the company by 50%.

Differences in drug use behaviors that impact overdose risk among individuals who do and do not use fentanyl test strips for drug checking

BackgroundOpioid-involved overdose continues to rise, largely explained by fentanyl adulteration of the illicit opioid supply. Fentanyl test strips are a novel drug checking tool that can be used by people who use drugs to detect the presence of fentanyl in drug products. However, it is unclear whether fentanyl test strip use can prompt behavior changes that impact risk of overdose.MethodsIn this mixed-methods study involving a structured survey (n = 341) of syringe service program clients in southern Wisconsin, we examined the association between fentanyl test strip use and overdose risk behaviors in scenarios where the presence of fentanyl is confirmed and unknown. Individual items were transformed into summary scales representing the performance of riskier and safer behaviors. Linear regression examined the association of behaviors with FTS use. Models are adjusted for study site, race/ethnicity, age, gender, drug of choice, indicator of polysubstance use, times used per day, and lifetime overdose count.ResultsIn response to survey questions before prompting about fentanyl risk, people who used fentanyl test strips reported an increased number of safer (p = 0.001) as well as riskier behaviors (p = 0.018) relative to people who did not use fentanyl test strips. The same held true in situations when fentanyl adulteration was suspected, though fentanyl test strip use lost significance in the fully adjusted model examining safer behaviors (safer: p = 0.143; riskier: p = 0.004). Among people who use fentanyl test strips, in unadjusted models, a positive test result was associated with more safer behaviors and fewer riskier behaviors, but these associations became nonsignificant in fully adjusted models (safer: p = 0.998; riskier: p = 0.171). Loss of significance was largely due to the addition of either polysubstance use or age to the model.ConclusionsFentanyl test strip use is associated with behaviors that may impact overdose risk, including safer and riskier behaviors. Specifically, a positive test result may promote more risk reducing behaviors and fewer risk enhancing behaviors than a negative test result. Results suggest that while FTS may promote safer drug use behaviors, outreach and education should emphasize the need for multiple harm reduction techniques in all scenarios.

Fresh Approaches for Structured Text Programmable Logic Controllers Programs Verification

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are everywhere today and perform critical tasks in industries. They are considered as a key component for the Industry 4.0. Before they are put into operation, it is necessary to check the accuracy of the PLC programs. This verification operation can be performed using model checkers. This stage is often long and costly and requires a domain expert who can understand the system, as well as the different model checker tools able to verify the code implemented in the controller. Furthermore, this verification often requires a conversion of the PLC code into a language understood by a model checker which can influence the behavior of the observed PLC. Hence, there is a need to propose methods and tools which could be used by technicians and engineers. The aim of this paper is to propose methods that require little work to set up and are robust to program sizes used in Industry 4.0. This paper explores some fresh ideas for human-adapted PLC code verification. We present different methods to test codes in structured text (ST) compliant with the IEC 61131-3 standard. Hence, the first idea is to test the ST code that will be directly implemented on a controller. For that, we propose a method using the model checker UPPAAL which allows us to obtain exact results on short codes. Second, we propose verifying the generic properties that a PLC program must avoid: deadlocks, non-accessible states and fugitive states or actions. To solve combinatory explosion problems encountered with the UPPAAL software, the third proposition consists of using relational databases. The same verification as previously followed can be obtained, but the search time is longer. The fourth and last proposal is to process the ST code with a neural network composed of long short-term memory layers (LSTM) to quickly determine the validity of the code. This method could give an approximation of code errors in a few seconds. The different proposed methods are supported with several examples.

Antimicrobial analysis of honey against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from wound, ADMET properties of its bioactive compounds and in-silico evaluation against dihydropteroate synthase

BackgroundOne of the main challenges of wound healing is infection with multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The spectrum of antibiotics used to treat them is declining; thus, there is a need for alternatives. Our study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of honey, its pharmacokinetics (ADMET) properties and in-silico analysis of its bioactive compounds against dihydropteroate synthase of S. aureus using trimethoprim as control.MethodsStandard protocols were employed in collection and preparation of samples, generation of canonical strings, and conduction of microbiological analyses. Bioactive compounds’ ADMET properties were evaluated using the SWISSADME and the MCULE toxicity checker tools. The MCULE one-click docking tool was used in carrying out the dockings.ResultsThe gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry revealed twenty (20) bioactive compounds and was dominated by sugars (> 60%). We isolated a total of 47 S. aureus isolates from the wound samples. At lower concentrations, resistance to trimethoprim (95.74 to 100.00%) was higher than honey (70.21 to 96.36%). Only seven (7) isolates meet Lipinski’s rule of five and ADMET properties. The docking scores of the bioactive compounds ranged from -3.3 to -4.6 while that of trimethoprim was -6.1, indicating better binding or interaction with the dihydropteroate synthase. The bioactive compounds were not substrates to P450 cytochrome enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2CI9 and CYP2D6) and p-glycoprotein, indicating better gastrointestinal tract (GIT) absorption.ConclusionThe favourable docking properties shown by the bioactive compounds suggest they could be lead compounds for newer antimetabolites for management of MDR S. aureus.

Abstract TMP48: Current State Of Acute Stroke Thrombolysis In The MT2020+ Caribbean Region

Introduction: Alteplase is the only FDA approved thrombolytic agent for acute ischemic stroke, tenecteplase is rapidly emerging as an alternative. While both agents are readily available worldwide, low to middle income countries have limited access to acute treatment. To our knowledge, there is no validated tool available to objectively measure access to thrombolytic agents or barriers to routine clinical use. Methods: We develop the 17-item tPA Spot Check tool to assess utilization of acute stroke thrombolysis in multiple languages. This tool was used to evaluate the current state of clinical practices in the MT2020+ Caribbean Region. Data was analyzed via SPSS. Results: The survey was validated by three international experts with an Average Content Validity Index of 1 and a Universal Agreement index of 1 across three domains: local experience, financial constraints, and barriers to utilization.Survey response rate was 64% (73/114 responses) 46 in English, 14 in Spanish and 13 in French. Fifteen out of 44 MT2020+ Caribbean countries (34%) participated: Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guadalupe. There was limited or no access to thrombolytic agents in 40% of countries surveyed, with 13% resorting to the use of streptokinase. Among cases treated with thrombolytics, 43% of patients had to pay out of pocket before treatment provided, 36% of treatment was paid by insurance plus patients and less than 10% were covered by insurance or governmental support respectively. Among 51% of countries survey, no acute thrombolytic treatment was provided for acute stroke in 2021 calendar year. Only 1 center treated more than 100 cases per year. Majority of respondents (88%) agreed there were barriers to acute stroke thrombolysis in the region. Absence of Stroke protocol (p&lt;0.001), upfront cost of alteplase (p= 0.003) and access to CT scan (p=0.03) were independent predictors of fewer patients treated per year. Conclusion: This this survey brings light to an enormous disparity in care of stroke patients around the world, specifically in the MT2020+ Caribbean region. We create a valid tool can be used to assess local access to thrombolytic.

Risky Business: Critical Reflections on the Sources of Information for Risk Analysis Under the German Supply Chain Law and Some Ramifications for Global South Stakeholders

Like other mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (mHRDD) laws, the German Supply Chain Law, the Lieferkettensorgfaltsplichtengesetz (LkSG), imposes a number of due diligence obligations on covered companies geared towards protection of human rights and the environment in the value chains of Transnational Corporations (TNCs). More specifically, as per Section 4(1) in-scope companies are expected to establish an effective and appropriate risk management system that will enable them to comply with their due diligence obligations. As part of establishing such a risk management system companies must “conduct an appropriate risk analysis…to identify the human rights and environment-related risks in its own business area and at its direct suppliers” (Sec 5. (1) LkSG). This contribution argues that a proper risk analysis is the cornerstone of an effective risk management system, and ultimately of compliance with due diligence obligations. It is therefore necessary to interrogate how covered companies carry out such risk analysis, and crucially, what sources of information they use for this purpose, as well as how they secure such information. Using the CSR Risk Check tool as an exemplar this contribution will critically analyze the pitfalls of carrying out risk analysis in ways that continue to entrench asymmetrical relations between Global North and Global South actors.

Formalization and verification of Kafka messaging mechanism using CSP

Apache Kafka is an open source distributed messaging system based on the publish-subscribe model, which achieves low latency, high throughput and good load balancing. As a popular messaging system, the transmission of messages between applications is one of the core functions of Kafka. Therefore, the reliability and security of data in the process of message transmission in Kafka have become the focus of attention. The formal methods can analyze whether a model is highly credible. Therefore, it is significant to analyze Kafka messaging mechanism which describes the communication process and rules between each module entity in Kafka from the perspective of formal methods. In this paper, we apply the process algebra CSP (Communicating Sequential Processes) and the model checking tool PAT (Process Analysis Toolkit) to analyze Kafka messaging mechanism. The results of verification show that the model caters for its specification and guarantees the reliability of messages in the normal communication process. Moreover, in order to further analyze the security of Kafka messaging mechanism, we add the intruder model and the authentication protocol Kerberos model and compare the verification results of Kafka messaging mechanism with or without the secure protocol Kerberos. The results show that the Kerberos protocol has improved the security of Kafka messaging mechanism in some aspects, but there are still some security loopholes.

A Comparison of Trend Models for Predicting Tea Production in Bangladesh

Background: Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a manufactured popular beverage that is mostly consumed around the globe including Bangladesh. Tea consumptions are increasing day by day due to its healthcare effects in the world as well as in Bangladesh. To meet the ever-growing population’s demand in Bangladesh, it is important to predict the production of tea.&#x0D; Objective: Although it is found in the literatures that studies have examined different trend models for tea and agricultural crops, no such study has been found to choose best trend model for predicting the production of tea in Bangladesh. Therefore, an attempt is made to identify the best trend model based on different model selection criterion for the prediction of tea production in Bangladesh.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Six trend models namely linear, logarithmic, inverse, quadratic, cubic, and compound were applied on tea production dataset (1976 to 2020) collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) website. For justification of the model, different model section criteria have been checked.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that the compound trend model is the most suitable among considered trend models for predicting the tea production in Bangladesh. Finally, the yearly growth rate of tea production for the period from1976 to 2020 found the compound growth rate of tea production in Bangladesh as 1.02 per year. It is important to note that for the next five years, forecasted increasing rate could be 4840.91 tonnes for the yearly tea production of Bangladesh. Furthermore, remarkable increased progresses of production have been noticed as 23585.7 and 21691.01 tonnes, respectively for the years 2019 and 2020 by the re-estimated model due to the proper nourishing and maintaining the input supply chain from government ends. &#x0D; Conclusion: In the respect of the growing demand, the best-fitted trend model applied herewith through outlier checking and related sophisticated justification tools on the tea production area could help to accumulate knowledge for the practitioner.

Learners’ satisfaction of courses on Coursera as a massive open online course platform: A case study

Online education has become more prevalent in the 21st century, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the major trends is the learning via Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which is increasingly present at many universities around the world these days. In these courses, learners interact with the pre-designed materials and study everything mostly by themselves. Therefore, gaining insights into their satisfaction of such courses is vitally important to improve their learning experiences and performances. However, previous studies primarily focused on factors that affected learners’ satisfaction, not on how and what the satisfaction was. Moreover, past research mainly employed the narrative reviews posted on MOOC platforms; very few utilized survey and interview data obtained directly from MOOC users. The present study aims to fill in such gaps by employing a mixed-methods approach including a survey design and semi-structured interviews with the participation of 120 students, who were taking academic writing courses on Coursera (one of the world-leading MOOC platforms), at a private university in Vietnam. Results from both quantitative and qualitative data showed that the overall satisfaction of courses on Coursera was relatively low. Furthermore, most learners were not satisfied with their learning experience on the platform, primarily due to inappropriate assessment, lack of support, and interaction with teachers as well as improper plagiarism check. In addition, there were moderate correlations between students’ satisfaction and their perceived usefulness of Coursera courses. Pedagogically, teachers’ feedback and grading, faster support from course designers as well as easier-to-use plagiarism checking tools are needed to secure learners’ satisfaction of MOOCs.