Specific Quality Research Articles

The Influence of Water Nitrate Concentration Combined with Elevated Temperature on Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in an Experimental Aquaponic Setup

Intensive recirculating systems are a fast-developing sector of aquaculture. While several warm-water fish have been reared in aquaponics, almost no data are available for cold-water species. The determination of nitrate toxicity thresholds in recirculating aquaculture is crucial. Different pollutants are typically more toxic at elevated temperatures. We investigated the performance of Oncorhynchus mykiss under two different nitrate levels and two temperatures. We applied a 2 × 2 factorial design, where fish (9.78 ± 0.51 g) were exposed to nitrate concentrations of 40 or 110 mg/L NO3− and to temperatures of 17 °C or 21 °C for 20 days. This study focused on understanding the physiological responses of rainbow trout to relatively low nitrate levels under heat stress in order to investigate the feasibility of integrating this species into commercial aquaponics. The growth, condition, and expression of genes involved in metabolism, heat shock, antioxidant, and immune response were assessed in the liver, together with the activities of enzymes related to glucose and fatty acid metabolism. High nitrate levels at 17 °C affected the condition but did not alter growth, leading to increased glycolytic potential and, occasionally, a greater reliance on lipid oxidation. Antioxidant defense was mainly induced due to high nitrates and the similar expression patterns of antioxidant genes observed under high nitrate at both 17 °C and 21 °C. Warm exposure decreased condition and growth, leading to greatly reduced glucokinase transcription, irrespective of the nitrate levels. Exposure to 21 °C and high nitrate led to equivalent growth and condition as well as to a milder inflammatory response combined with metabolic readjustments (enhancement of glycolytic and lipid oxidation pathways) compared to the low nitrates at 21 °C. Based on the results, rearing at a temperature close to 21 °C should be avoided for fingerling growth, while NO3− concentration until 110 mg/L may not have severe impacts on fingerling health and growth at 17 °C. In addition, rainbow trout fingerlings can tolerate a 20-day exposure at 21 °C and NO3− up to 110 mg/L. Additional factors should always be considered, such as specific water quality parameters, for a comprehensive approach to assessing the feasibility of rainbow trout aquaculture in aquaponics.

Prior dengue virus serotype 3 infection modulates subsequent plasmablast responses to Zika virus infection in rhesus macaques.

The Zika virus epidemic of 2015-2016 in the Americas revealed that this mosquito-transmitted virus could be congenitally transmitted during pregnancy and cause birth defects in newborns. Currently, there are no interventions to mitigate this disease and Zika virus is likely to re-emerge. Understanding how protective antibody responses are generated against Zika virus can help in the development of a safe and effective vaccine. One main challenge is that Zika virus co-circulates with related viruses like dengue, such that prior exposure to one can generate cross-reactive antibodies against the other which may enhance infection and disease from the second virus. In this study, we sought to understand how prior dengue virus infection impacts subsequent immunity to Zika virus by single-cell sequencing of antibody producing cells in a second Zika virus infection. Identifying specific qualities of Zika virus immunity that are modulated by prior dengue virus immunity will enable optimal immunization strategies.

Standard technical specifications for methacholine chloride (Methacholine) bronchial challenge test (2023)

Standard technical specifications for methacholine chloride (Methacholine) bronchial challenge test (2023)

Bridging and Validation of the Specific Graves Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire With Health State Utility Values

ObjectiveIn thyroid eye disease (TED), inflammation and expansion of orbital muscle and periorbital fat result in diplopia and proptosis, severely impacting patient quality of life (QOL). The reported health state utility (HSU) scores, which are QOL measures, allow quantification of TED impact and improvement with therapies; however, no current QOL instrument has been validated with HSU scores for TED. Here, we used the disease-specific Graves Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life (GO-QOL) questionnaire and HSU scores to validate QOL impact. MethodsThe GO-QOL scores from patients in 2 randomized, masked, placebo-controlled teprotumumab trials (N=171) were compared with 6 HSU values based on severity of proptosis/diplopia in those studies. Patient GO-QOL and HSU scores were compared at baseline and after 6-month treatment via regression analyses. GO-QOL and HSU scores were correlated for validation and quantification of QOL impact by severity state and to estimate quality-adjusted life year improvement. ResultsGO-QOL scores were correlated with TED severity, indicating that worse severity was associated with lower (worse) GO-QOL scores. Less severe health states were represented by higher (better) GO-QOL scores. Importantly, GO-QOL scores were positively correlated with utility scores of the 6 health states, allowing for conversion of the GO-QOL scores to utility scores. A positive (improved) 0.013 utility change was found for each 1-point (positive) improvement in GO-QOL score produced by teprotumumab versus placebo. ConclusionPatients with moderate-to-severe active TED health states demonstrate increasing TED severity associated with declining utility values and worsening GO-QOL scores. These results indicate that the GO-QOL scores can be used to bridge to the HSU scores for benefit quantification.

Occlusal Caries Detection with Intraoral Scanners in Pediatric Dentistry: A Comparative Clinical Study.

Background: The aim of this clinical study was to compare the occlusal caries detection (OCD) performance of the intraoral scanners (IOSs) Trios 4 (TIO, 3Shape) and Emerald S (EME, Planmeca) and the Diagnocam (DIA, KaVo) with the established visual (WHO) examination (VIS, reference method). Methods: Between 08/2022 and 02/2023, 60 children (mean age 9.6 ± 2.5 years) were examined as part of their regular dental checkups. OCD was performed at the tooth level, separately for primary and permanent unrestored teeth. Furthermore, two thresholds were analyzed: sound versus overall caries (pooled data of enamel and dentin caries, TH1) and pooled data of sound and enamel caries versus dentin caries (TH2). Results: The best agreement with the reference method (reliability) in both dentitions was obtained for DIA (ĸ = 0.829/ĸ = 0.846; primary/permanent teeth), followed by EME (ĸ = 0.827/ĸ = 0.837) and TIO (ĸ = 0.714/ĸ = 0.680). Similar results were shown for the diagnostic quality (sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve), with higher values for TH1 than for TH2. Both IOSs and the DIA showed worse results than the reference method VIS. Conclusions: Currently, IOS should be used as an additional caries detection tool, especially for visualization, and cannot be recommended as a basic tool for diagnosis or invasive/noninvasive therapy decisions in OCD.

Implications for control systems in highly volatile energy markets: Using a high purity distillation electrification case study

The transition to increasingly renewable electricity grids and the electrification of industrial processes are two recent developments promising to be potential solutions towards net zero in industrial production processes. Generally, grid electricity is perceived as a stable and reliable resource that can be accessed on demand. However, that is not always the case for large industrial users (100 MW+), and a key future challenge that must be overcome is the inherent uncertainty of the electricity supply by renewable sources, as well as in pricing. In methanol production, the concept of using electrolysis and CO2 capture is being explored as a way of replacing reforming to produce syngas for “green” methanol production. With the omission of the reforming process which supplies energy as steam for the process, there is now a need to electrify the affected downstream unit operations. Distillation is a key unit operation in chemical operations that consumes large amounts of energy for reboiler duty and holds the key to making on-specification AA-grade methanol, a precursor chemical. With the volatility of the electricity market, hence supply, these columns must be able to withstand a sudden large reboiler duty drop. This paper developed a novel process operations and control principle to allow for the flexible operation of a high-purity methanol distillation column in volatile energy markets. At its core is the concept of using a distillation column as a “process battery”. Results obtained from a validated process simulation show that the novel “process battery” operations principle can withstand a supply-side change as great as 75% within a time span of 5 min without breaking complex quality and performance specifications of the column. This control philosophy is a major departure from the traditional process control and operating regimes that are focused on maintaining steady operations under all conditions.

ACPSEM position paper: pre-treatment patient specific plan checks and quality assurance in radiation oncology.

The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) has not previously made recommendations outlining the requirements for physics plan checks in Australia and New Zealand. A recent workforce modelling exercise, undertaken by the ACPSEM, revealed that the workload of a clinical radiation oncology medical physicist can comprise of up to 50% patient specific quality assurance activities. Therefore, in 2022 the ACPSEM Radiation Oncology Specialty Group (ROSG) set up a working group to address this issue. This position paper authored by ROSG endorses the recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 218, 219 and 275 reports with some contextualisation for the Australia and New Zealand settings. A few recommendations from other sources are also endorsed to complete the position.

Features of the influence of working conditions on psychophysiological functions of unmanned aircraft systems operators

This study was conducted to determine the influence and assess the impact of specific factors of working conditions on the psychophysiological functions of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operators. The research involved 41 military personnel (men aged 20-35 years old) who operated the I class “Light” UAS and were engaged in a varied range of professional tasks. The aim was to understand the complex impact of these distinct factors on operators during the execution of their duties. To examine their psychophysiological status, we employed modified methods using the PFI-2 hardware/software complex. The following indicators were determined: accuracy of reaction to a moving object, strength of nervous processes, functional mobility of nervous processes, simple visual-motor reaction, complex visual-motor reaction, orientation in space, and visual memory. The role of climatic and microclimatic factors in professional activity was studied using a questionnaire, where their influence on functional status was assessed on a 100-point scale. To facilitate further theoretical development and practical application, we determined the investigated factors integral impact on shaping operators’ subjective perception and specific psychophysiological qualities that are professionally significant for military personnel. The preliminary analysis showed the heterogeneity of feelings the influence of various components of the external environment factor. To correct this heterogeneity, we used the non-linear correction method (logarithmization of analyzed data, when large values of an analyzed parameter could be reduced due to the properties of logarithmic function). Then, a correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient) and regression analysis of studied parameters has been carried out with a preliminary check of the structure of operator perceptions for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. As a result, a list of psychophysiological qualities that change under the influence of the external environment factor in individuals with different perceptivity to its components has been selected.

Analytical performance specifications for combined uncertainty budget in the implementation of metrological traceability.

In addition to the correct implementation of calibration traceability, the definition and fulfillment of maximum allowable measurement uncertainty (MAU) are essential in assuring that laboratory measurements are clinically usable. Across the entire calibration hierarchy, three major contributors to the measurement uncertainty (MU) budget are identified, starting with the higher-order reference providers, extending through the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturers and their processes for assigning calibrator values, and ending with medical laboratories generating the random variability of results reported to clinicians. To understand if it is possible to achieve MAU and, consequently, to fix the possible drawbacks, the definition of combined MU budget limits across the entire calibration hierarchy has a central role. In particular, quality specifications for MU of reference and commercial calibrator materials should be defined according to the MAU on clinical samples. All involved stakeholders (i.e., higher-order reference providers, IVD manufacturers, medical laboratories) should be prepared to improve their performance whenever the clinical application of the test is made questionable by the failure to achieve MAU.

Night-time and strategies for regeneration in two medium-sized town centres

ABSTRACT This paper examines the regeneration proposals for two town centres in medium-sized towns in the north of England through the lens of urban design and nocturnal activities. Drawing from the field of night studies, it questions whether the hours of darkness have been included in the proposals and compares the extent to which findings and practical guidance from this emergent cross-disciplinary area of interest have been interpreted and incorporated. The paper argues that towns would benefit from addressing the specific characters and qualities of night time activities, including nightlife, in their policies and masterplans for revitalizing town centres.

A comprehensive study on milk composition and coagulation properties from six endangered native Norwegian cattle breeds

Six cattle breeds native to Norway, have for almost half a century been at risk of extinction. Due to their small population sizes, they have hardly been improved by breeding for many decades. Still, the endangered breeds represent a source of genetic diversity with special milk qualities compared to the modern breed, Norwegian red (NRF). This study reports for the first time a detailed overview of their milk composition. Milk from seven native breeds, in total 200 individuals, were included in the study. Rare genetic variants of αs1-and αs2-casein, and β-casein A1 and κ-casein B were more prevalent in milk form the endangered breeds compared to NRF. Moreover, milk from these six breeds showed better renneting properties and lower incidences of non-coagulating milk, compared to the NRF milk, which showed better acid coagulation properties. This study shows the potential for native breeds in small-scale production of high-quality rennet cheeses.

Forgiveness Education from an Aristotelian Realist Perspective: Can We Determine a Good Forgiveness Education Program?

If there is no Essence of forgiveness that cuts across many religious and philosophical traditions, forgiveness psychology becomes a cultural product with no implications beyond our confined time and space. In this article, we discuss forgiveness as a moral virtue from an Aristotelian realist perspective. We first attempt to define the Essence of forgiveness that centers on beneficence that develops within and flows to others for their good. We also discuss essential components of forgiveness that should be well captured in a good forgiveness education program. Then, we present two approaches to forgiveness education, the process- and story-based approaches, and show how they provide good applications of the Essence of forgiveness with specific qualities that cannot be reduced to its parts or confused with its Accidents or Properties. Finally, we provide practical implications with a focus on how cultural applications of the approaches presented are compatible with an Aristotelian realist view of forgiveness and, in fact, enrich the practice of forgiveness.

Optimization of Multiple Performance Characteristics for CNC Turning of Inconel 718 Using Taguchi–Grey Relational Approach and Analysis of Variance

The optimization of machining processes is a deciding factor when increasing productivity and ensuring product quality. The response characteristics, such as surface roughness, material removal rate, tool wear, and cutting time, of the finish turning process have been simultaneously optimized. We used the Taguchi-based design of experiments L9(34) in this study to test and find the best values for process parameters like cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and nose radius. The Taguchi-based multi-objective grey relational approach (GRA) method was used to address the turning problem of Inconel 718 alloy to increase productivity, i.e., by simultaneously minimizing surface roughness, tool wear, and machining time. GRA and the S/N ratio derived from the Taguchi approach were utilized to combine many response characteristics into a single response. The grey relational grade (GRG) produces results such as estimations of the optimal level of input parameters and their proportional significance to specific quality characteristics. By employing ANOVA, the significance of parameters with respect to individual responsibility and the overall quality characteristics of the cutting process were ascertained. The single-objective optimization yielded the following results: minimal surface roughness of 0.167 µm, tool wear of 44.65 µm, minimum cutting time of 19.72 s, and maximum material speed of 4550 mm3/min. While simultaneously optimizing the Inconel 718 superalloy at a cutting speed of 100 m/min, depth of cut of 0.4 mm, feed rate of 0.051 mm/rev, and tool nose radius of 0.4 mm, the results of the multi-objective optimization showed that all investigated response characteristics reached their optimal values (minimum/maximum). To validate the results, confirmatory experiments with the most favorable outcomes were conducted and yielded a high degree of concurrence.

A Mini-review on Recent Advances in Synthesis of Dihydropyrano [3, 2-c] chromenes Using Magnetic Nanocatalysts.

The development of an active, selective, and long-term selective catalyst for the synthesis of biologically active heterocycles is still challenging. However, magnetic nanocatalysts have divergent applications like high efficiency, selectivity, consumption, and reusability. The current review explores a detailed survey of the latest information on synthetic methods of Pyrano [3, 2-c] chromene derivatives using different magnetic nanocatalysts. Numerous studies on the synthesis of these practical compounds have been stimulated by the special qualities and wide-ranging applications of pyrano coumarins and the nanoparticles were tested for their catalytic effectiveness in a one-pot, three-component reaction involving aldehydes, malononitrile, and 4-hydroxycoumarin for the manufacturing of dihydropyrano [3, 2-c] chromenes (coumarins).

Reduction of Patient Specific Quality Assurance (PSQA) using complexity metrics

Reduction of Patient Specific Quality Assurance (PSQA) using complexity metrics

Registers as central real world data source: the experience of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Register

Registers collecting data from clinical practice (real world data) have gained increasing interest in recent years in the scientific, administrative, and regulatory fields. The value of longitudinal data collection in deepening knowledge about a specific pathology and its healthcare complexity is increasingly recognized. This article describes the development, organizational structure, and technical characteristics of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Register (RISM). This multicentre and prospective study gathers demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data from the Italian population with multiple sclerosis and related diseases. The study, officially launched in 2015, but containing data collected since the 1990's, currently involves the active participation of 136 specialized clinical centres and more than 80,000 enrolled patients. The analysis of data in RISM allows for a detailed description of the characteristics of multiple sclerosis and related diseases, providing new insights useful for healthcare planning, cost evaluation, treatment efficacy and safety assessment, and scientific research studies. The main demographic and clinical data of enrolled patients are reported, with a focus on specific study cohorts. In a continuous effort to improve data quality, RISM has implemented specific quality indicators. Starting from the RISM experience, crucial aspects such as the institutional recognition of the disease register, the contribution that register can provide in pharmacovigilance studies, the organizational and management challenges, and privacy issues are discussed.

Qualitative benefits of MBESST in the selection of a restaurant location: Touristic restaurant Palencia de Lara, Toledo, Spain

Selecting the optimal location for a restaurant is a process that demands crucial and comparable data. The Model for the Best Site Selection for a Restaurant (MBESST) is a flexible model that combines quantitative and qualitative elements in assessing any restaurant site. This research provides the qualitative results derived from evaluating the location of an empirical case, Palencia de Lara Restaurant in Toledo, Spain, a tourist city. The design consisted of a non-experimental, transversal, and qualitative approach, using non-participant observation and interviews to gain a desirable appreciation of the issue. The global assessment's locations were 7.26, indicating the collection of essential components to maximize its appeal to guests. Palencia de Lara Restaurant should optimize its entire operational capacity more effectively. Flow pattern, visibility, and massive traffic generators were the three most essential factors in selecting this location. A significant contribution of the research is that using the definitions of the factors and sub-factors and the scale of specific quality levels allows for focusing on standard terms during the location assessment process. The designed instruments in the MBESST facilitate users to get an integral assessment of any locations of nine factors, fifty-one sub-factors, and individual quality levels of the sub-factors, enabling an in-depth analysis of each assessed element and comparing each other under the same parameters, gathering quantitative and qualitative data.

Phytosomes: A Contemporary Method for Delivering Novel Herbal Drugs

Our country has a wealth of Ayurvedic expertise, but only recently has its full potential been recognized. Any herbal medication’s efficacy depends on the medically active substance being delivered at an effective dosage. When given directly or externally, their bioavailability is severely constrained. With increased effectiveness, quality, and enhancement of active plant components, phytosome technology has evolved as a dedicated and hopeful means of delivering new drugs. Traditional herbal remedies have been used for a long time to successfully treat various types of illnesses, but their effectiveness has often been limited by the difficulty of getting the active compounds to their intended targets in the body. However, recent advances in herbal formulation technology have made it possible to create more efficient and targeted delivery systems for these compounds. This study emphasizes the special qualities of the phyto-phospholipid complex and how they are used in cutting-edge natural drug administration. The emphasis of the current review is on phytosome production and characterization methods, benefits, and significant developments.

Quality of antiretroviral, antimalarial and antituberculosis medicines in Zambia: Findings of routine post-marketing surveillance.

There is growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa that poor-quality antimicrobial medicines may negate management of infectious diseases of public health importance should they fail to meet the set criteria of quality, safety and efficacy. The objective was to ascertain the quality of antiretroviral, antimalarial and antituberculosis medicines supplied and available in the public health sector in Zambia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving the analysis of data from the continuous routine in-country post-marketing surveillance programme in Zambia that assessed the quality of antiretroviral, antimalarial and antituberculosis medicines supplied to public healthcare facilities between January 2018 and June 2023. Data were extracted from laboratory quality analysis results from samples collected as part of routine post-marketing surveillance by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority between January 2018 and June 2023. The samples were collected from various levels of the pharmaceutical supply chain across Zambia. Samples were analysed according to their respective pharmacopoeia standards at the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe Quality Control Laboratory, a World Health Organization prequalified laboratory. Data were extracted using a structured Excel database and analysed using Microsoft Excel, and GraphPad Prism Software was used for visualizations. Of the 198 samples, 86 (43.43%) were antiretrovirals, 54 (27.27%) antimalarials and 58 (29.29%) antituberculosis medicines. Of these 198 samples, 171 (86.36%) originated from Asia, 19 (9.60%) Africa and 8 (4.04%) Europe. All sampled medicines met their respective quality specifications with respect to tests, which included appearance, identification, assay, uniformity of mass, weight variation, disintegration, dissolution, pH and specific gravity, giving a compliance rate of 100%. Antiretrovirals, antimalarials and antituberculosis medicines obtained from public healthcare facilities in Zambia through routine post-marketing surveillance met their quality standards. This might positively impact treatment outcomes for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. There is a need for large-scale continuous monitoring of the quality of medicines in order to ensure quality is maintained and substandard products removed from the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Profiling of OTT Viewers and their Perception Mapping using Advanced Technological Models

Purpose – The study explores the significant attributes that inspire customers to select OTT platforms and to measure the positions of OTT platforms in the mind of an individual via a perceptual map. Design/methodology/approach –To develop a perceptual map to measure the attribute-based motivation regulations with regards to OTT platforms. With combination of theoretical frameworks such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM); Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT); Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and Unified Technology Acceptance and Use Theory (UTAUT) used to develop as scale. Furthermore, this study used mixed method approach. Findings – Four attributes/ regulations were proposed: ease of use, social influence etc. Research limitations/implications – The study utilises a theoretical framework to create a structured framework for motivating young people based on OTT attributes. Practical implications – Study directs OTT marketers in strategically positioning the channel based on specific qualities. Originality/value – This work in the OTT channels utilized the combination of TAM, UGT, DIT and UTAUT framework.