Confidence In Science Research Articles

OS02-02 Establishing scientific confidence in physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models for quantitative in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolations (QIVIVE) in the absence of in vivo kinetic data

OS02-02 Establishing scientific confidence in physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models for quantitative in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolations (QIVIVE) in the absence of in vivo kinetic data

S19-02 Global initiatives to gain scientific confidence in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

S19-02 Global initiatives to gain scientific confidence in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

P19-11 Establishing scientific confidence in a NAM toolbox and workflow using a flexible framework

P19-11 Establishing scientific confidence in a NAM toolbox and workflow using a flexible framework

Undergraduate Students’ Confidence in Scientific Activity and Support Systems Based on Diversity in an Environmental Science Course

Undergraduate student support systems and individual confidence in science courses have been linked to better academic performance among college students. As the topics of diversity and inclusion continue to draw the attention of the collegiate, the problem of equity surrounding supportive learning environments for all races in higher education comes into focus. This paper adds to the literature by highlighting the importance of adequate support for students in collegiate settings. Disparities in student support and confidence with scientific activities among students of color (SOC) and white students in an undergraduate environmental science course had been evaluated. Students (n = 235) were asked to complete a Qualtrics survey containing questions focused on evaluating support from parents, siblings, close relatives, friends, peers, classmates, and professors and confidence regarding self-efficacy in learning and doing scientific activities. The perceived support and confidence in scientific activities in white students and SOC were measured using an independent T-test. The findings demonstrated that white students may have had access to stronger support systems and had higher perceived confidence levels in completing scientific activities based on survey responses. On average, white students had greater perceived support and more confidence. As a result, higher dropout rates, lower performance overall, and alienation of these students in higher education environments could occur. If this trend continues, racial discrepancies suggest that students of color need stronger support networks related to scientific activities in higher education settings. KEYWORDS: Student Support; Student Scientific Confidence; STEM Confidence; Students of Color; Academic Support; Undergraduate Student; Family Support; Student Peers

A topical reappreasal on use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in elderly patients with postischemic stroke statuses - a systematic literature review

Abstract: Introduction: Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease with an impressive potential of disabil-ity, (multi)morbidity, and mortality among elderly patients. After stroke, a series of seque-lae represents a dynamic challenge for rehabilitation, especially for improving motor, cognitive and depressive disorders (1,2). Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, painless, neuromodulations and neurostimulation method, which uses electromagnetic induction to administer repeated trains of pulses, with thera-peutic, diagnostic and research purposes (3–5). Method: We performed a systematic literature review of the related literature using a widely international accepted method - Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)(6), by searching, filtering, and selecting profile documen-tary material. Combinations/syntaxes of keywords were searched in the following interna-tional databases: Elsevier(7), PubMed(8), PMC(9), PEDro(10), in ISI indexed journals by Web of Knowledge/Science(11) during 1/01/2019-31/12/2021. Besides the 9 articles selected to enhance our related knowledge base we have also used some works freely identified in the literature. Results and discussions: 9 articles satisfied all the previous filtering criteria/ PRISMA steps and were selected for qualitative and detailed analysis. The benefits of rTMS, aiming to bring further insight into the responsiveness of motor deficit, depression, and cognitive impairment of the treatment, and through the favorable dynamic progress of the scores of the quantification scales used: HAMD-17/ HDRS, Hamilton Depression Scale; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assesment; SCWT, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test; WAIS, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; Barthel Index Score; ADL, Activities of Daily Living; mRS, modified Rankin Scale; FIM, Functional Independence Measures. Conclusions: Through this systematic review, we wish to present the perspective of the successful use of rTMS among elderly patients. We also intend for this work to be the start-ing point in the development of a doctoral study, which will include post-stroke sequelae, such as motor deficits, depressive and cognitive disorders, and through which we will strengthen scientific confidence in the tolerability and effectiveness of this type of stimula-tion for this segment of age.

Evaluating scientific confidence in the concordance of in vitro and in vivo protective points of departure

To fulfil the promise of reducing reliance on mammalian in vivo laboratory animal studies, new approach methods (NAMs) need to provide a confident basis for regulatory decision-making. However, previous attempts to develop in vitro NAMs-based points of departure (PODs) have yielded mixed results, with PODs from U.S. EPA's ToxCast, for instance, appearing more conservative (protective) but poorly correlated with traditional in vivo studies. Here, we aimed to address this discordance by reducing the heterogeneity of in vivo PODs, accounting for species differences, and enhancing the biological relevance of in vitro PODs. However, we only found improved in vitro-to-in vivo concordance when combining the use of Bayesian model averaging-based benchmark dose modeling for in vivo PODs, allometric scaling for interspecies adjustments, and human-relevant in vitro assays with multiple induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models. Moreover, the available sample size was only 15 chemicals, and the resulting level of concordance was only fair, with correlation coefficients <0.5 and prediction intervals spanning several orders of magnitude. Overall, while this study suggests several ways to enhance concordance and thereby increase scientific confidence in vitro NAMs-based PODs, it also highlights challenges in their predictive accuracy and precision for use in regulatory decision making.

Taking the leap toward human-specific nonanimal methodologies: The need for harmonizing global policies for microphysiological systems

With a recent amendment, India joined other countries that have removed the legislative barrier toward the use of human-relevant methods in drug development. Here, global stakeholders weigh in on the urgent need to globally harmonize the guidelines toward the standardization of microphysiological systems. We discuss a possible framework for establishing scientific confidence and regulatory approval of these methods.

Defined approaches to classify agrochemical formulations into EPA hazard categories developed using EpiOcularTM reconstructed human corneal epithelium and bovine corneal opacity and permeability assays

Many sectors have seen complete replacement of the in vivo rabbit eye test with reproducible and relevant in vitro and ex vivo methods to assess the eye corrosion/irritation potential of chemicals. However, the in vivo rabbit eye test remains the standard test used for agrochemical formulations in some countries. Therefore, two defined approaches (DAs) for assessing conventional agrochemical formulations were developed, using the EpiOcularTM Eye Irritation Test (EIT) [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline (TG) 492] and the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (OECD TG 437; BCOP) test with histopathology. Presented here are the results from testing 29 agrochemical formulations, which were evaluated against the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) pesticide classification system, and assessed using orthogonal validation, rather than direct concordance analysis with the historical in vivo rabbit eye data. Scientific confidence was established by evaluating the methods and testing results using an established framework that considers fitness for purpose, human biological relevance, technical characterisation, data integrity and transparency, and independent review. The in vitro and ex vivo methods used in the DAs were demonstrated to be as or more fit for purpose, reliable and relevant than the in vivo rabbit eye test. Overall, there is high scientific confidence in the use of these DAs for assessing the eye corrosion/irritation potential of agrochemical formulations.

Cooperative Learning in Oceanography

The challenges of recruitment, retention, and learning outcomes in STEM higher education call for learning environments that promote student belonging and belief in their own abilities (Møgelvang, 2023). Cooperative learning (CL) is a type of group learning associated with increased learning and more “soft” student outcomes such as increased sense of belonging, scientific confidence, and generic skills (Møgelvang et al., 2023). CL may be defined as “a more-structured, hence more-focused, form of collaborative learning” (Millis and Cottell, 1997, p. 4). This structured approach is research based and is considered to increase the probability that all students are successful at group work (Millis and Cottell, 1997).

Monitoring environmental microbiomes: Alignment of microbiology and computational biology competencies within a culturally integrated curriculum and research framework.

We have developed a flexible undergraduate curriculum that leverages the place-based research of environmental microbiomes to increase the number of Indigenous researchers in microbiology, data science and scientific computing. Monitoring Environmental Microbiomes (MEM) provides a curriculum and research framework designed to integrate an Indigenous approach when conducting authentic scientific research and to build interest and confidence at the undergraduate level. MEM has been successfully implemented as a short summer workshop to introduce computing practices in microbiome analysis. Based on self-assessed student knowledge of topics and skills, increased scientific confidence and interest in genomics careers were observed. We propose MEM be incorporated in a scalable course-based research experience for undergraduate institutions, including tribal colleges and universities, community colleges and other minority serving institutions. This coupled curricular and research framework explicitly considers cultural perspectives, access and equity to train a diverse future workforce that is more informed to engage in microbiome research and to translate microbiome science to benefit community and environmental health.

ToxRefDB v2.1: update to curated in vivo study data in the Toxicity Reference Database.

The Toxicity Reference Database (ToxRefDB) contains in vivo study data from over 5,900 guideline or guideline-like studies for over 1,100 chemicals. The database includes information regarding study design, chemical treatment, dosing, treatment group parameters, treatment-related (significantly different from control) and critical (adverse) effects, guided by a controlled effect vocabulary, as well as endpoint testing status according to health effects guideline requirements. ToxRefDB v2.1 is an update to address a compilation error found in ToxRefDB v2.0 that resulted in some effects being inadvertently omitted from the database. Though effect data has been recovered, no new studies were added. The recovered data improves the utility of ToxRefDB as a resource for curated legacy in vivo information, which enhances scientific confidence in vitro high-throughput screening of chemicals and supports retrospective and predictive toxicology applications for which outcomes in traditional regulatory toxicology studies serve as reference information.

Aso volcano, Japan: assessing the 100-year probability of a new caldera-forming eruption based on expert judgements with Bayes Net and Importance Sampling uncertainty analysis

The Aso-4 explosive eruption on Kyushu, Japan, 89,500 years ago was one of the biggest eruptions in the last one hundred millennia, with a magnitude of approximately M8. Modern society requires the likelihood of natural events with potentially disastrous consequences to be evaluated, even if probabilities of occurrence are diminishingly small. For some situations, it is not satisfactory to assert an event scenario probability is “negligible” or can be “ignored”. Judicial hearings or litigation may require risk levels to be quantified, in which case, statements of scientific confidence could be decisive. Internationally, e.g., for nuclear site safety evaluations, event likelihoods on order of 10–7/year are often considered for quantitative assessment. At such hazard levels, this might include evaluating the proposition that a particular volcano can deliver a future super-eruption, a supposition that could be attached to Aso volcano. But, simplistically taking the average recurrence interval between past caldera-forming eruptions at a given volcano is an unreliable guide to the likelihood of a future repeat: each past event represented a unique set of tectonic and magmatic conditions within a continually evolving volcanic system. Such processes are not temporally stationary nor statistically uniform. To evaluate the probability of a new M8 event at Aso, within the next 100 years, we performed a comprehensive stochastic probability uncertainty analysis using a model implemented with advanced computational Bayes Net (BN) software. Our eruption process model is informed by multiple strands of evidence from volcanology, petrology, geochemistry and geophysics, together with estimates of epistemic (knowledge) uncertainty, adduced from reviews of published data, modelling and from expert judgement elicitation. Several lines of evidence characterise the likely structure, magmatic composition and eruptive state of the present-day Aso volcano, which has had numerous smaller eruptions since Aso-4. To calculate the probability of another M8 eruption of Aso, we implemented probabilistic ‘Importance Sampling’ in our model. With this approach, we find the chance of an Aso-4 scale eruption (characterised by mean volume 500 km3 DRE and approximate 90% credible interval [210 ‥ 1200] km3 DRE) is less than 1–in–1 billion in the next 100 years (i.e., < 10–9 probability). Based on current volcanological understanding and evidence, we believe this probability estimate is robust to within an order of magnitude.

Science and Public Engagement in National Parks: Examples and Advice from Young Scientists

Science and Public Engagement in National Parks: Examples and Advice from Young Scientists

Abstract A125: Vaccine hesitancy: Can we convince the unvaccinated to vaccinate?

Abstract Background: Vaccine hesitancy is defined as “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccination services”. When individuals choose not to get vaccinated, efforts to control the spread of the disease are hindered. Despite scientific evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, one in four adults in the United States is not fully vaccinated. However, some individuals, despite being previously vaccine-hesitant got the COVID-19 vaccine and vice versa, leading to an intention-behavior gap. In this study, we ask an important question: What socio-demographic, psychological, ideological, and communication-related factors can contribute to the vaccination-related intention-behavior gap? An understanding of these factors can also help create communication strategies to encourage the vaccine-hesitant to get vaccinated, especially in populations where there are greater vaccine disparities. Methods: This longitudinal study uses two nationally representative surveys of Americans from 2020 and 2021 to determine the factors that contribute to COVID-19 vaccination-related intention-behavior gap and overcome vaccine hesitancy, using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The results indicated that 51% of previously vaccine-hesitant individuals were vaccinated against COVID-19, and only 14% of previously pro-vaccine individuals remained unvaccinated. Some factors associated with a higher likelihood of vaccine-hesitant individuals getting vaccinated were high perceptions of risk, high vaccine acceptance, being informed about the vaccines, endorsing less COVID-19 misinformation, having confidence in scientists, being over 60 years old, and being female. Alternatively, some factors associated with a lower likelihood of pro-vaccine individuals not getting vaccinated were high perceptions of risk, high vaccine acceptance, being informed about the vaccines, identifying as a Republican, having confidence in scientists, having access to healthcare, and having higher education. Conclusions: The study indicates that it is possible to convince the vaccine-hesitant individuals to get vaccinated as well as prevent the pro-vaccine individuals from realizing their vaccination intentions. Developing evidence-based persuasive and targeted communication strategies can help convince the unvaccinated and increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Targeted communication strategies can also help reduce disparities among populations that have lower vaccination rates. Moreover, such strategies may also be useful to increase the uptake of other vaccines such as human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to lower the rates of HPV-attributable cancers in the United States. Citation Format: Dhriti Dhawan, Mesfin Awoke Bekalu, Ramya Pinnamaneni, Rachel McCloud, Kasisomayajula Viswanath. Vaccine hesitancy: Can we convince the unvaccinated to vaccinate? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A125.

We Don't Need No Education Misinformation

We Don't Need No Education Misinformation

Trends in COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Spain, September 2020‒May 2021.

Objectives. To analyze factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Spain, over time. Methods. We used data from a national study that included 5 online surveys carried out every 2 months from September 2020 to May 2021. Each round recruited a sample of 1000 participants aged 18 years or older. We performed a multivariable logistic regression with vaccination acceptance as the dependent variable. We evaluated time trends through the interaction terms of each of the explanatory variables and the time. Results. Vaccination acceptance increased from 43.1% in September 2020 to 84.5% in May 2021. Sex, age, concerns about disease severity, health services overload, and people not wearing a face mask, together with adherence to preventive behavior, health literacy, and confidence in scientists, health care professionals' information, and adequacy of governmental decisions, were variables associated with vaccination acceptance. Conclusions. In a changing situation, vaccine acceptance factors and time trends could help in the design of contextualized public health messages. It is important to strengthen the population's trust in institutions, health care professionals, and scientists to increase vaccination rates, as well as to ensure easy access to accurate information for those who are more reluctant. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(11):1611-1619. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307039).

Structure Prediction, Evaluation, and Validation of GPR18 Lipid Receptor Using Free Programs

The GPR18 receptor, often referred to as the N-arachidonylglycine receptor, although assigned (along with GPR55 and GPR119) to the new class A GPCR subfamily-lipid receptors, officially still has the status of a class A GPCR orphan. While its signaling pathways and biological significance have not yet been fully elucidated, increasing evidence points to the therapeutic potential of GPR18 in relation to immune, neurodegenerative, and cancer processes to name a few. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the interactions of potential ligands with the receptor and the influence of particular structural elements on their activity. Thus, given the lack of an experimentally solved structure, the goal of the present study was to obtain a homology model of the GPR18 receptor in the inactive state, meeting all requirements in terms of protein structure quality and recognition of active ligands. To increase the reliability and precision of the predictions, different contemporary protein structure prediction methods and software were used and compared herein. To test the usability of the resulting models, we optimized and compared the selected structures followed by the assessment of the ability to recognize known, active ligands. The stability of the predicted poses was then evaluated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. On the other hand, most of the best-ranking contemporary CADD software/platforms for its full usability require rather expensive licenses. To overcome this down-to-earth obstacle, the overarching goal of these studies was to test whether it is possible to perform the thorough CADD experiments with high scientific confidence while using only license-free/academic software and online platforms. The obtained results indicate that a wide range of freely available software and/or academic licenses allow us to carry out meaningful molecular modelling/docking studies.

Intervention Fidelity of Telephone Motivational Interviewing On Physical Activity, Fruit Intake, and Vegetable Consumption in Dutch Outpatients With and Without Hypertension

BackgroundIn theory, Motivational Interviewing (MI) fidelity should be associated with client outcomes. Nevertheless, this fidelity-effectiveness association is rarely investigated. This study evaluated the extent to which Telephone Motivational Interviewing (TMI) fidelity is associated with change in self-reported physical activity (PA), fruit intake, and vegetable consumption.MethodAdults in primary care (45–70 years) participated in a study that compared the effect of tailor print communication, telephone motivational interviewing (TMI), and a combination of the two on PA, fruit intake, and vegetable consumption. MI fidelity was assessed using the behavioral coding method “Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code (MITI)” in 409 randomly selected audio-recorded sessions, representing 232 participants of the TMI group. The associations between MI fidelity scores and the behavioral changes from baseline to 47-week follow-up were examined using backward multiple linear regression analyses (adjusted for covariates).ResultsA significant and positive association between the percentage of MI adherent responses and improvements in PA and fruit consumption was found with respectively a small and medium effect size. The global rating “Spirit” (which resembles an all-at-once appraisal of the interviewer’s MI competence) was significantly, but inversely associated with progress in vegetable intake with a medium effect size.ConclusionThe finding that relatively lower MI competency was associated with higher vegetable consumption went against our expectations. Findings suggest that practicing MI-consistent skills was beneficial in promoting PA and fruit consumption, but moderated vegetable intake. This study contributes to the scientific confidence that TMI enables change in PA and fruit intake.

In Science We Trust?

In the prepandemic world of 2017, a Pew Research Center survey demonstrated that the overall public confidence in scientists was positive (1). Then, along came COVID-19. During the pandemic, scientific discoveries and resulting public policy recommendations have been just as likely to be scrutinized by content experts as it is by family members on Facebook, resulting in a cacophony of opinions. The politicization of science has led to an overall sense of public mistrust, and the debate over vaccinations demonstrates an erosion of the trust in clinical trials, which are the methodologic cornerstones of advancing medicine and improving patient outcomes.

Credibility via Coupling

This study investigates Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs) as one example of a coordinated approach to establishing scientific credibility. MIPs originated within climate science as a method to evaluate and compare disparate climate models, but MIPs or MIP-like projects are now spreading to many scientific fields. Within climate science, MIPs have advanced knowledge of: a) the climate phenomena being modeled, and b) the building of climate models themselves. MIPs thus build scientific confidence in the climate modeling enterprise writ large, reducing questions of the credibility or reproducibility of any single model. This paper will discuss how MIPs organize people, models, and data through institution and infrastructure coupling (IIC). IIC involves establishing mechanisms and technologies for collecting, distributing, and comparing data and models (infrastructural work), alongside corresponding governance structures, rules of participation, and collaboration mechanisms that enable partners around the world to work together effectively (institutional work). Coupling these efforts involves developing formal and informal ways to standardize data and metadata, create common vocabularies, provide uniform tools and methods for evaluating resulting data, and build community around shared research topics.