Measurement Of Effects Research Articles

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models for time courses of antibiotic effects

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PKPD) models have emerged as valuable tools for the characterization and translation of antibiotic effects, and consequently for drug development and therapy. In contrast to traditional PKPD concepts for antibiotics such as minimum inhibitory concentration and PKPD indices, PKPD models enable description of the continuous, often species- or population-dependent time course of antimicrobial effects, commonly considering mechanistic pathogen- and drug-related knowledge. This review presents a comprehensive overview of previously published PKPD models describing repeated measurements of antibiotic effects. A literature review was conducted to identify PKPD models based on: (i) antibiotic compounds; (ii) Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens; and (iii) in-vitro or in-vivo longitudinal colony-forming unit data. In total, 132 publications were identified that were released between 1963 and 2021, including models based on exposure to single antibiotics (n=92) and drug combinations (n=40), as well as different experimental settings (e.g. static/traditional dynamic/hollow-fibre/animal time-kill models, n=90/27/32/11). An interactive, fully searchable table summarizes the details of each model, namely variants and mechanistic elements of PKPD submodels capturing observed bacterial growth, regrowth, drug effects and interactions. Furthermore, the review highlights the main purposes of PKPD model development, including the translation of preclinical PKPD to clinical settings, and the assessment of varied dosing regimens and patient characteristics for their impact on clinical antibiotic effects. In summary, this comprehensive overview of PKPD models will assist in identifying PKPD modelling strategies to describe growth, killing, regrowth and interaction patterns for pathogen-antibiotic combinations over time, and ultimately facilitate model-informed antibiotic translation, dosing and drug development.

Microscopic Structures, Dynamics, and Spin Configuration of the Charge Carriers in Organic Photovoltaic Solar Cells Studied by Advanced Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Methods.

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are promising solutions for renewable energy and sustainable technologies and have attracted much attention in recent years. Two types of organic semiconductors are used as donor materials to fabricate OPV cells. One type is a photoconductive polymer, and the other type is a small-molecule-based compound. The discovery of a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) structure using a mixture of p- and n-type organic semiconductors has dramatically increased the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OPV cells. In this feature article, we review our recent studies on organic BHJ thin films and OPVs by using advanced time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. Two topics regarding the microscopic behaviors of the charge carriers are discussed. The first topic is focused on how to quantify the local mobility of the charge carriers. Here, we discuss charge carrier dynamics in diketopyrrolopyrrole-linked tetrabenzoporphyrin (DPP-BP) BHJ thin films studied by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy on a subpicosecond to several tens of picoseconds time scale and by transient photocurrent measurements on a microsecond time scale. The second topic concerns the spin configuration and interaction of the electron and hole of the polaron pairs in polymer-based BHJ thin films and OPV cells studied by the time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance method, time-resolved simultaneous optical and electrical detection, and measurement of the magnetoconductance effect.

Field measurement of wind shielding effect of bridge tower for wind-vehicle-bridge system

Although the wind barrier was set near the bridge tower, more than 10 traffic accidents under crosswinds happen in the bridge tower area within 1 month of the opening operation of a cross-sea bridge. To investigate the wind shielding effect of the bridge tower, a field measurement scheme of wind-vehicle-bridge system, which is a step-by-step test method, was presented and performed on a long span cable-stayed bridge. Firstly, the horizontal profile of wind speed of bridge deck near bridge tower was obtained through the anemometers. Then, the dynamic response of the bridge was measured under the action of normal operating vehicle when the natural wind speed is low. Finally, the response of the moving car was measured when passing through bridge tower, and the wind speed was recorded simultaneously. The results show that the wind-vehicle-bridge system can be tested by step-by-step test method to understand the wind shielding effect of bridge tower. The displacement response of the bridge is still very small when two large trucks meet, and the coupling effect between the vehicle and the bridge is insignificant when a single car passes through the bridge tower. Due to a large porosity of the anti-collision guardrail, the wind speed at the height of 1 m from the bridge deck has changed dramatically when the car leaves the bridge tower on the windward and entering or leaving the bridge tower on the leeward. Among them, the leeward side change is more obvious, and the response of the leeward side vehicle is also greater. The suitable decrease of the anti-collision guardrail porosity in the bridge tower region will improve the running safety of vehicles.

Single crystal growth and physical properties of layered compound SrCdBi2

We have grown the high quality single crystals of SrCdBi2 successfully and investigated the physical properties systematically through measurements of magnetoresistance (MR), Hall effect, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements. The compound is a nonmagnetic 112-type pnictide with a Bi square net layer, which is potential for hosting Dirac fermions. We found that it exhibited metallic behavior with an anomaly appearing at around 210 K. MR study reveal that the electronic structure of SrCdBi2 is quasi-two-dimensional. At low temperatures, we observed magnetic field induced metal-to-insulator-like transition and resistivity plateau, nonsaturating quasilinear MR, and high carrier mobility in magnetotransport measurements, which indicate the possible existence of nearly massless Dirac fermions in SrCdBi2. The anomaly at around 210 K can be observed in resistivity, Hall effect, and magnetic susceptibility, but cannot be detected in heat capacity. This implies the anomaly might be caused by domain formation or disorder. We found that the nonsaturating linear MR in SrCdBi2 is likely caused by both of the quantum linear dispersion and the classical disorder. Our findings suggest that SrCdBi2 is a natural experimental platform for realizing the topological properties of nonmagnetic 112-type pnictides.

Towards a practical methodology for assessment of the objective occlusion effect induced by earplugs.

The occlusion effect (OE) occurs when the earcanal becomes occluded by an in-ear device, sometimes leading to discomforts experienced by the users due to the augmented perception of physiological noises, or to a distorted perception of one's own voice. The OE can be assessed objectively by measuring the amplification of the low-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) in the earcanal using in-ear microphones. However, as revealed by methodological discrepancies found in past studies, the measurement of this objective occlusion effect (OEobj) is not standardized. With the goal of proposing a robust yet simple methodology adapted for field assessment, three experimental aspects are investigated: (i) stimulation source and the stimulus's characteristics to induce the phenomenon, (ii) measurement method of the SPL in earcanal, (iii) indicator to quantify the OEobj. To do so, OEobj is measured on human participants in laboratory conditions. Results obtained with a specific insert device suggest using the participant's own voice combined with simultaneous measurements of the SPLs based on the noise reduction method and using a single value indicator leads to a simple yet robust methodology to assess OEobj. Further research is necessary to validate the results with other devices and to generalize the methodology for field assessment.

P017 Using chamber measurement of CFTR modulator effects in airway epithelial cells and its correlation to clinical effects of treatment

P017 Using chamber measurement of CFTR modulator effects in airway epithelial cells and its correlation to clinical effects of treatment

From patient generated data to precision medicine: An example of a patient-centered application in oncology.

e13559 Background: To practice precision medicine, the inclusion of patients in therapy is becoming increasingly important. Terms such as ‘patient empowerment’ (PE), ‘patient reported outcome’, and ‘patient generated data’ (PGD) are becoming quite present in current research. In order to implement PE consistently and integrate PGD in therapy, it is necessary to provide patients with specific tools. Methods: In order to develop such a corresponding system, challenges for implementation were identified as well as the current state of PGD in oncology. The aim was to design a system suitable for everyday use that allows the measurement of individual effects like quality of life (QoL) directly at the patient. Based on the positive experience of a previous developed questionnaire tool (EQU) to support physician-patient communication and the findings of the methodology a new patient-centered system was conceptualized with an automated data collection using sensor systems. A decisive factor was to support patients in self-management between treatment periods. This solution was then discussed extensively with stakeholders in order to identify and prioritize functionality and therefore incorporate specific user needs of oncological patients. Results: A great acceptance and need for tools to support patients especially between appointments was identified. In order to enable the recognition of individual characteristics, a continuous survey is essential. Based thereon an application called Lion-App for longitudinal QoL assessment in oncology was developed. A user-centered development aligns the app with the needs of the patients while HL7 FHIR provides the framework for an interoperable exchange. To reduce the burden of continuous interaction, sensors are used for data collection. With an interpretation of this data in the context of QoL, patients are able to visualize their personal course to gain an even better understanding of their disease. With the possibility to perform self-management between appointments, patients are lifted to another level of empowerment. In addition, the gained knowledge may then be used to focus on the effects of the disease in the next appointment and thus take a self-determined role in treatment. First evaluations of the app have been started. Conclusions: There are many ways to use PGD in the manner of precision medicine. The main factor is to create awareness among patients, collect data in an exchangeable way and involve end users early into development. A great opportunity to reduce user interactions and therefore enable long-term usage is the integration of sensor technologies. As a secondary use, algorithms can be extended via the expanded data base to become even more individualized to the patient. Thus, in the long run, such a system may help to further strengthen the cooperation between patient and physician and thus to enable a personalized, QoL-based treatment in oncology.

Evidence for Realignment of the Charge Density Wave State in ErTe3 and TmTe3 under Uniaxial Stress via Elastocaloric and Elastoresistivity Measurements

We report the evolution of the charge density wave (CDW) states in the quasi-two-dimensional rare-earth tritellurides (RTe3 for R=Er, Tm) under the influence of in-plane uniaxial stress. Measurements of the elastocaloric effect, resistivity, and elastoresistivity allow us to demonstrate the importance of in-plane antisymmetric strain on the CDW and to establish a phase diagram. We show that modest tensile stress parallel to the in-plane a axis can reversibly switch the direction of the ordering wave vector between the two in-plane directions, and present a free-energy expansion which reproduces the general structure of the observed phenomena. This work opens a new avenue in the study of RTe3 in its own right, and more generally establishes RTe3 as a promising model system for the study of strain-CDW interactions in a quasi-two-dimensional square lattice.5 MoreReceived 7 January 2022Revised 13 March 2022Accepted 15 April 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.12.021046Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasCharge density wavesStrainTechniquesCalorimetryResistivity measurementsCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

0380 A Pilot Study to Test Patient-Reported Outcomes Visualization Methods in the EHR Note Template for Sleep Medicine Clinicians

Abstract Introduction Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) are standardized assessments of patient-specific health measures for physical, mental, and social well-being reported directly by patients without provider interpretations. Providers use PROs to efficiently improve the quality of care and empower patients through structured communication. Patient factors are widely acknowledged to affect PROs; however, there is very little data on the effect of provider PRO visualization methods on patient outcomes. This pilot study compares PRO visualization methods to improve readability, provider satisfaction, and patient outcomes in a comprehensive sleep center. We hypothesize that detailed PRO with color-based formatting will improve the clinical diagnoses and provider satisfaction with PRO metrics. Methods Twenty-four sleep providers from the Sleep Disorders Center at Cleveland Clinic, consisting of physicians (n=14), fellows (n=3), and nurse practitioners (n=7), were randomly assigned to two equal groups. All sleep providers completed the online pre-intervention survey (71% female), and 23 providers (96%) completed the post-intervention survey four weeks after randomization. Survey questions utilizing 5-point Likert scales inquired about current use and perceived benefit of 3 PROs accompanying new visits: International Restless Leg Syndrome Scale (IRLS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The standard presented only total scores, while the intervention group received detailed tables of IRLS, ISI, and ESS components with color-stratified total scores. ANCOVA statistical analysis was performed to compare satisfaction, usage, and clinical utility between groups over time. Results Current PRO templates were used by 79% of providers. PROs were reported as helpful or extremely helpful by 87% of providers, while only 38% were satisfied or extremely satisfied by the presentation. Compared to controls, the enhanced-visualization group scores improved but did not display significant differences in the likelihood of use (p=0.8), helpfulness (p=0.7), or overall satisfaction (p=0.9); utility in reaching diagnosis demonstrated a trend towards improvement (p=0.051). Conclusion PRO enhanced visualization did not demonstrate improvements in provider utility or satisfaction in this study. However, effects are likely limited by small sample sizes. Direct measurement of effects on test ordering and clinical diagnoses may provide further clarity. Future research is needed to enhance the usage of PROs to assess the decision-making process during clinical practice. Support (If Any)

A mighty tool not only in perception: Figure-ground mechanisms control binding and retrieval alike

Stimulus and response features are linked together into an event file when a response is made towards a stimulus. If some or all linked features repeat, the whole event file (including the previous response) is retrieved, thereby affecting current performance (as measured in so-called binding effects). Applying the figure-ground segmentation principle to such action control experiments, previous research showed that only stimulus features that have a figure-like character led to binding effects, while features in the background did not. Against the background of recent theorizing, integration and retrieval are discussed as separate processes that independently contribute to binding effects (BRAC framework). Thus, previous research did not specify whether figure-ground manipulations exert their modulating influence on integration and/or retrieval. We tested this in three experiments. Participants worked through a sequential distractor-response binding (DRB) task, allowing measurement of binding effects between responses and distractor (color) features. Importantly, we manipulated whether the distractor color was presented as a background feature or as a figure feature. In contrast to previous experiments, we applied this manipulation only to prime displays (Experiment 1), only to probe display (Experiment 2), or varied the figure-ground manipulation orthogonally for primes and probes (Experiment 3). Together the results of all three experiments suggest that figure-ground segmentation affects DRB effects on top of encoding specificity, and that especially the retrieval process is affected by this manipulation.

Peer Education and Peer Counselling for Health and Well-Being: A Review of Reviews.

Peer education and peer counselling for health and wellbeing have been recognized as complementary approaches to professional intervention for over 50 years, but it is relatively recently that research into effects has become adequate. Potentially, they have advantages in reaching where professionals cannot, but it has not been clear if that potential is fulfilled, although the measurement of effects is difficult. The present paper examines 58 narrative and systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the topic. In peer education, there were many reviews of sexual health and of HIV/AIDS interventions, followed by reviews of various medical conditions and in the context of prisons. More general reviews covered a wider field. In peer counselling, there were several reviews of breast-feeding and mental health. Many early reviews complained of the lack of evaluation; then, later reviews found knowledge gains but not behavior gains; then, still later reviews found both knowledge and behavior gains. Thus, peer education and counselling appear effective but only if organizational factors are well managed and the cultural context of the country respected. The implications for future practice, policy and research were outlined.

Observing the Migdal effect from nuclear recoils of neutral particles with liquid xenon and argon detectors

In recent years, dark matter direct detection experiments have spurred interest in the Migdal effect, where it is employed to extend their sensitivity to lower dark matter masses. Given the lack of observation of the Migdal effect, the calculation of the signal is subject to large theoretical uncertainties. It is therefore desirable to attempt a first measurement of the Migdal effect, and to test the theoretical predictions of the Migdal effect for the calibration of the experimental response to a potential dark matter signal. In this work, we explore the feasibility of observing the Migdal effect in xenon and argon. We carry out proof-of-concept calculations for low-energy neutrons from a filtered source, and using a reactor, the Spallation Neutron Source, or $^{51}\mathrm{Cr}$ as potential neutrino sources. We perform a detector simulation for the xenon target and find that, with available technology, the low-energy neutron source is the most promising, requiring only a modest neutron flux, detector size, and exposure period.

What is the effect of personalized cognitive strategy instruction on facilitating return-to-learn for individuals experiencing prolonged concussion symptoms?

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree to which personalized cognitive strategy instruction (PCSI) assisted students with prolonged concussion symptoms (PCS) to achieve functional and academic-related goals. It was hypothesized that goal attainment on collaboratively developed functional goals and selected scores on the pre/post outcome measurements would improve following the delivery of PCSI. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was utilized across three female participants ages 13–16. The weekly status tracking measurement of participant performance served as the primary measurement analysed to determine the existence of a functional relation between the addition of PCSI to psychoeducation and the achievement of participant outcome. Although visual analysis of the plotted status tracking data did not support the existence of a functional relation, all three participants met or exceeded functional goals on their goal attainment scales. A Tau-U analysis supported a small treatment effect. The positive response to the intervention from two of the three participants in addition to goal attainment for all three participants suggests PCSI has potential to mitigate cognitive challenges in adolescents with PCS. Implications for future research and methods to promote ecological measurement of intervention effects are discussed.

Design and Characterization of an RF Applicator for In Vitro Tests of Electromagnetic Hyperthermia.

The evaluation of the biological effects of therapeutic hyperthermia in oncology and the precise quantification of thermal dose, when heating is coupled with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, are active fields of research. The reliable measurement of hyperthermia effects on cells and tissues requires a strong control of the delivered power and of the induced temperature rise. To this aim, we have developed a radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic applicator operating at 434 MHz, specifically engineered for in vitro tests on 3D cell cultures. The applicator has been designed with the aid of an extensive modelling analysis, which combines electromagnetic and thermal simulations. The heating performance of the built prototype has been validated by means of temperature measurements carried out on tissue-mimicking phantoms and aimed at monitoring both spatial and temporal temperature variations. The experimental results demonstrate the capability of the RF applicator to produce a well-focused heating, with the possibility of modulating the duration of the heating transient and controlling the temperature rise in a specific target region, by simply tuning the effectively supplied power.

OGLE-2016-BLG-1093Lb: A Sub-Jupiter-mass Spitzer Planet Located in the Galactic Bulge

OGLE-2016-BLG-1093 is a planetary microlensing event that is part of the statistical Spitzer microlens parallax sample. The precise measurement of the microlens parallax effect for this event, combined with the measurement of finite-source effects, leads to a direct measurement of the lens masses and system distance, M host =0.38–0.57 M ⊙ and m p = 0.59–0.87 M Jup, and the system is located at the Galactic bulge (D L ∼ 8.1 kpc). Because this was a high-magnification event, we are also able to empirically show that the “cheap-space parallax” concept produces well-constrained (and consistent) results for ∣π E∣. This demonstrates that this concept can be extended to many two-body lenses. Finally, we briefly explore systematics in the Spitzer light curve in this event and show that their potential impact is strongly mitigated by the color constraint.

Measurement of the quantum-confined Stark effect in InAs/In(Ga)As quantum dots with p-doped quantum dot barriers.

The quantum-confined Stark effect in InAs/In(Ga)As quantum dots (QDs) using non-intentionally doped and p-doped QD barriers was investigated to compare their performance for use in optical modulators. The measurements indicate that the doped QD barriers lead to a better figure of merit (FoM), defined as the ratio of the change in absorption Δα for a reverse bias voltage swing to the loss at 1 V α(1 V), FoM=Δα/α (1 V). The improved performance is due to the absence of the ground-state absorption peak and an additional component to the Stark shift. Measurements indicate that p-doping the QD barriers can lead to more than a 3x increase in FoM modulator performance between temperatures of -73 °C to 100 °C when compared with the stack with NIDQD barriers.

Metallic Nitride and Carbide Perovskites: History and Prospects

Energy-level diagrams for cubic metallic Fe4N and Mn4N were proposed by Goodenough in the late 1960s. Fe4N is ferromagnetic, but Mn4N is ferrimagnetic with a large moment on Mnc at the cube corner site and a much smaller antiparallel contribution from Mnf at the three face-centre sites. Neutron diffraction revealed noncollinear ferrimagnetism with no compensation where the Mnf moments form 120° triangular antiferromagnetic sublattices but are tilted out of the kagome (111) planes to give the small net sublattice moment. A rich variety of magnetic ordering exists in the ternary Mn3−xM′xN metallic perovskites. Partial substitution of nonmagnetic M′ on Mnc sites leads to a tunable ferrimagnetic compensation point. Two possible antiferromagnetic modes in the kagome planes are a topological Γ4g mode, and a nontopological Γ5g mode where the in-plane components of the Mnf spins lie, respectively, perpendicular and parallel to the edges if the triangles in the kagome planes . Interest in the metallic perovskites has revived with the availability of high-quality thin films that facilitate measurements of magneto-transport properties, strain effects and spin wave velocity. The range of magnetic structures, magnetotransport, magnetocaloric and magnetovolume effects is exceptionally large. The topological ferrimagnets exhibit large anomalous Hall effects. The magnetism is compared with materials where N is replaced by C.

Preparation of carbon quantum dots using bike pollutant soot: Evaluation of structural, optical and moisture sensing properties

Humidity sensor-based carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been prepared using waste bike pollutant soot. The synthesized CQDs were characterized using a UV–Visible light chamber, UV–Visible spectroscopy , photoluminescence spectroscopy, TEM, and FTIR research. Initially, the sample was exposed in a closed chamber to UV–Visible light, which produced green luminescence. The photo luminescent spectrometer revealed the emission of green spectra as well as the approximate size of the CQDs. TEM and HRTEM confirmed the spherical shaped particles ∼2 nm in size. The FTIR spectra indicated the existence of a functional group. The sensing element was fabricated using the spin coating method on a borosilicate substrate and was used as a humidity sensor. Carbon quantum dots have excellent humidity sensing properties, as evidenced by measurements of sensitivity, ageing effect, repeatability, reaction, and recovery times. Many humidity sensors based on metal oxides, semiconductors, and polymers have been investigated and developed. The novelty of the work, electrical humidity sensor has been proposed using the waste pollutant soot. • The sustainable, cost effective and rapid synthesis of pollutant bike soot carbon quantum dot. • The prepared were imperiled for electrical humidity sensing. • The first, second, third and fourth layers of sensing characteristics are reported. • The beauty of the experiment is that the electrical humidity sensor is proposed to design by using the waste pollutant soot.

Propensity score methods in the surgical oncology literature

The use of propensity score methods in the surgical literature is increasing. Randomized, controlled clinical trials are the gold standard of medical research, allowing for accurate measurement and analysis of treatment effects. Use of propensity score methods allows researchers to mimic randomization when true randomization may not be possible. When used properly, these methods are a powerful tool for the medical researcher, allowing more rigorous conclusions to be drawn from retrospective data. With the increasing prevalence of propensity methods, it is important that these methods are used correctly, lest researchers be led to misleading conclusions based on poor statistical study design and analysis. The objective of this review is to analyze and evaluate the use of propensity score methods in the surgical oncology literature. We critique the current state of the use of propensity scores in the surgical oncology literature and offer recommendations to assure appropriate usage of propensity score methods.

John Ambrose Fleming’s early measurement of the skin effect in round wires

The electromagnetic skin effect was a subject of interest to prominent physicists during the second half of the nineteenth century. By the end of the century, the theoretical analysis for this phenomenon was well developed, but accurate quantitative experimental results lagged behind. The subject of this paper is one of the early experiments performed to confirm the theory, specifically, measurements of the increase in the electrical resistance of a round wire with increasing frequency due to the skin effect. This elegant experiment was performed by John Ambrose Fleming, a student of James Clerk Maxwell and a pioneer in early wireless communication. The presentation in this paper is intended to complement theoretical treatments of the skin effect that are often part of instruction on electromagnetic theory and also to provide historical perspective for such treatments.