Technology Platform Research Articles

The Role of Analytics Solutions in Revolutionizing Procurement Efficiency

The Role of Analytics Solutions in Revolutionizing Procurement Efficiency

Analysis of measurable residual disease by IG/TR gene rearrangements: quality assurance and updated EuroMRD guidelines.

Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) diagnostics using real-time quantitative PCR analysis of rearranged immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements are nowadays implemented in most treatment protocols for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Within the EuroMRD Consortium, we aim to provide comparable, high-quality MRD diagnostics, allowing appropriate risk-group classification for patients and inter-protocol comparisons. To this end, we set up a quality assessment scheme, that was gradually optimized and updated over the last 20 years, and that now includes participants from around 70 laboratories worldwide. We here describe the design and analysis of our quality assessment scheme. In addition, we here report revised data interpretation guidelines, based on our newly generated data and extensive discussions between experts. The main novelty is the partial re-definition of the "positive below quantitative range" category by two new categories, "MRD low positive, below quantitative range" and "MRD of uncertain significance". The quality assessment program and revised guidelines will ensure reproducible and accurate MRD data for ALL patients. Within the Consortium, similar programs and guidelines have been introduced for other lymphoid diseases (e.g., B-cell lymphoma), for new technological platforms (e.g., digital droplet PCR or Next-Generation Sequencing), and for other patient-specific MRD PCR-based targets (e.g., fusion genes).

Intermediary safe harbour from copyright infringement in India—Alternative to the interpretative conundrum

AbstractThe Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms that allow copyright owners to reach a large number of users and increase their economic fortune, contritely; enable the potential infringers preferring free‐riding to upload and distribute copyrighted materials. Under various theories of direct and secondary copyright infringement, the platforms now loosely called intermediaries are likely to become liable for copyright infringement. Like other jurisdictions, Indian law contains specific provisions to protect the intermediaries from such unanticipated liability. However, this intermediary liability and immunity law got muddied by inconsistent interpretations of the two operating statutes. Taking clues from the cross‐jurisdictional insights, this paper looks at the interpretative conundrum. Furthermore, the paper contends how the preferred interpretation is incompatible with the Berne Convention and Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights recommended three‐step doctrine for creating copyright exceptions. Ultimately, this paper advocates for a legislative intervention to clear the clouds of confusion in view of India's endeavour to enact a new law on ICT.

Regulatory safeguards needed if preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic risk scores (PGT-P) is permitted in Singapore

Singapore, a highly affluent island city-state located in Southeast Asia, has increasingly leveraged new assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to overcome its dismal fertility rates in recent years. A new frontier...

From Blackboards to Gadgets: Unveiling Academic Dynamics and Digital Landscapes in Far Eastern University-Manila through the Integration of Technology in Classrooms

The researchers ought to shed light on the importance of educational technology in the student’s academic performance by looking into how students perceive the integration of educational technology in Far Eastern University–Manila, aiming to collect insights from 60 students and discuss how these students’ perception of the integration of technology affects their familiarity and confidence in utilizing innovative educational technologies. Using quantitative research method, the data were gathered through an online survey questionnaire to collect key insights on how students view technology integrated into their classes. The responses from the survey were analyzed by comparing and correlating their responses and finding their common grounds. Through the data analysis, the findings reveal that many of the students perceive integration of technology as something that is academically advantageous, utilizing diverse educational technologies to make their academic journey easier, more motivating, and more engaging. In the same responses, it is reported that few students still regard educational technology as a limitation that challenges their academic performance, limiting their performance in a way that distracts them from achieving their maximum focus and academic retention. These findings suggest that how students perceive the incorporation of different technological tools and platforms impacts how they perform in their classes by either developing or provoking regression in their capabilities and behavior.

The Platform Technology Approach to mRNA Product Development and Regulation.

mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) medicinal products can be considered a platform technology because the development process is similar for different diseases and conditions, with similar noncoding mRNA sequences and lipid nanoparticles and essentially unchanged manufacturing and analytical methods often utilised for different products. It is critical not to lose the momentum built using the platform approach during the development, regulatory approval and rollout of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. This review proposes a set of modifications to existing regulatory requirements for mRNA products, based on a platform perspective for quality, manufacturing, preclinical, and clinical data. For the first time, we address development and potential regulatory requirements when the mRNA sequences and LNP composition vary in different products as well. In addition, we propose considerations for self-amplifying mRNA, individualised oncology mRNA products, and mRNA therapeutics. Providing a predictable development pathway for academic and commercial groups so that they can know in detail what product characterisation and data are required to develop a dossier for regulatory submission has many potential benefits. These include: reduced development and regulatory costs; faster consumer/patient access and more agile development of products in the face of pandemics; and for rare diseases where alternatives may not exist or to increase survival and the quality of life in cancer patients. Therefore, achieving consensus around platform approaches is both urgent and important. This approach with mRNA can be a template for similar platform frameworks for other therapeutics and vaccines to enable more efficient development and regulatory review.

Combinatory Nanovesicle with siRNA-Loaded Extracellular Vesicle and IGF-1 for Osteoarthritis Treatments.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to have the characteristics of their parent cells. Based on the characteristics of these EVs, various studies on disease treatment using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs with regenerative activity have been actively conducted. The therapeutic nature of MSC-derived EVs has been shown in several studies, but in recent years, there have been many efforts to functionalize EVs to give them more potent therapeutic effects. Strategies for functionalizing EVs include endogenous and exogenous methods. In this study, human umbilical cord MSC (UCMSC)-derived EVs were selected for optimum OA treatments with expectation via bioinformatics analysis based on antibody array. And we created a novel nanovesicle system called the IGF-si-EV, which has the properties of both cartilage regeneration and long-term retention in the lesion site, attaching positively charged insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the surface of the UCMSC-derived Evs carrying siRNA, which inhibits MMP13. The downregulation of inflammation-related cytokine (MMP13, NF-kB, and IL-6) and the upregulation of cartilage-regeneration-related factors (Col2, Acan) were achieved with IGF-si-EV. Moreover, the ability of IGF-si-EV to remain in the lesion site for a long time has been proven through an ex vivo system. Collectively, the final constructed IGF-si-EV can be proposed as an effective OA treatment through its successful MMP13 inhibition, chondroprotective effect, and cartilage adhesion ability. We also believe that this EV-based nanoparticle-manufacturing technology can be applied as a platform technology for various diseases.

Empowering College Communities through Digital Innovation: The Uni-Safe App's Role in Combating Bullying

The bullying in a college is major issue in today’s educational setting, negatively affecting student’s mental health and their overall health. This research paper presents an innovative approach implemented in a college for combating bullying with the aid of digital technology platforms. The technological intervention is the creation of app called Uni-Safe, using flutter framework renowned for its dynamic nature, versatile and responsive behaviour. Uni-Safe consists of various features such as user-friendly interface, real-time reporting features, and a confidential platform for students to raise their problems without having concern for identity revelation. The application was deployed to college environments and post analysis was continuously done to assess its effectiveness in resolving the issue. Though the app significantly reduced complexities and enhanced overall wellbeing of college dynamic still there presents a disparity as it is focusing on one college only instead of broader spectrum of educational institutions that could give higher insight into societal well-being.

Prescription platform and autogenous vaccines – what are they and what is the difference?

Autogenous vaccines – farm- and ranch-specific – have been used for decades to prevent and control diseases where com­mercial vaccines have not been effective. Since the 1970s, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) has regulated the production of autogenous vaccines that are produced for interstate and intrastate use. In 2018, CVB extended this “autogenous” production to platform technology which allows an opportunity for a wider number of agents to have “prescription” vaccines developed. These “pre­scription” platform (RxP) vaccines can express the important immunizing antigens rather than the whole organism in tradi­tional inactivated autogenous vaccines There is a difference in the specificity and safety of autogenous and RxP vaccines, but both need to be administered with an adjuvant. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. These vaccines are tested for safety and purity, but there is no guarantee of efficacy.

An industrial IoT-based deformation resistance prediction and thickness control method of cold-rolled strip in steel production systems

Different from traditional analytical and numerical simulation methods, data-driven methods can more effectively describe the effects of nonlinear and coupling factors. Although the fluctuations of deformation resistance and thickness for hot-rolled strips significantly influence the thickness accuracy in strip cold rolling, the traditional deformation resistance prediction model and thickness control mode don't involve that. Thus, based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) platform and data-driven technology, this work proposed a new method for deformation resistance prediction and a new mode of feed-forward control for strip thickness. IIOT platform can collect production data from the various levels to provide a complete data set. The deformation resistance prediction model is established by adopting the differential evolutionary algorithm to optimize the bi-directional long and short-term memory network. In addition, the feed-forward control (DFFC) strategy for strip thickness is proposed based on deformation resistance prediction. An application results of a 1420 mm production line of CR indicated that the established prediction model could provide a high accuracy prediction for deformation resistance, and compared to traditional thickness gauges-based automatic gauge control methods, the DDFC can capture the effect of the fluctuations of deformation resistance and thickness for the hot-rolled strip to improve thickness accuracy effectively.

Highly Porous ZnO/CNT Hybrid Microclusters for Superior UV Photodetection.

The formation of nanoscale junctions among nanoparticles in self-assembled nanostructures is crucial for improving both interfacial conductivity and structural integrity. However, the inherent reliance on weak van der Waals forces to hold nanoparticles together poses challenges in developing commercially viable devices due to their inefficient carrier transport characteristics. This study presents the successful integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into highly porous nanomicrocluster arrays of ZnO, resulting in the formation of cohesive and crack-free highly porous ZnO/CNT heterojunction films. This integration marks a significant improvement in UV photodetection performance, demonstrating a record-high photocurrent to dark current ratio of 3.3 × 106 and an exceptional responsivity of 18.5 A/W at a low bias of 0.5 V and under an ultra low light density of 25 μW/cm2. These findings underscore the efficacy of this high-performance structure as a versatile and scalable platform technology for the rapid, cost-effective fabrication of hybrid photodetectors in wearable and portable devices.

Impact of the digital transformation of Chinese new energy vehicle enterprises on innovation performance

Digital transformation involves fundamental changes in business models, organizational structure, corporate culture, and even the way in which customers interact. Chinese new energy vehicle companies hope to achieve faster response speeds, greater operational efficiency, and better user experiences through digital transformation. Therefore, exploring how to successfully carry out digital transformation and its true impact on enterprise performance is of profound significance. The digital transformation of enterprises requires the embedding and absorption of network relationships to acquire and transform external resources and technologies, which further affects the innovation performance of these enterprises. This article introduces absorptive capacity as a mediating variable and network embeddedness as a moderating variable to construct a theoretical model, attempting to elucidate the mechanism of the impact of digital transformation on enterprise innovation performance. By combining theoretical and empirical analysis, the research hypotheses are tested, and the results show that 1. digital transformation (digital technology, digital products, and digital platforms) has a positive impact on enterprise innovation performance, 2. absorptive capacity plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between digital transformation and enterprise innovation performance, and 3. the embeddedness of network relationships has a significant positive moderating effect on the digital transformation of enterprises and their innovation performance. This article delves into an effective approach involving digital transformation, absorptive capacity, and enterprise innovation performance; analyses the moderating effect of network embeddedness; and concludes that the research findings have implications for the development of related research on digital transformation and enterprise innovation. The timely activities of enterprises to effectively carry out digital transformation, as well as the formulation of relevant policies, have positive significance.

Biosynthetic gene clusters with biotechnological applications in novel Antarctic isolates from Actinomycetota

Actinomycetota have been widely described as valuable sources for the acquisition of secondary metabolites. Most microbial metabolites are produced via metabolic pathways encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Although many secondary metabolites are not essential for the survival of bacteria, they play an important role in their adaptation and interactions within microbial communities. This is how bacteria isolated from extreme environments such as Antarctica could facilitate the discovery of new BGCs with biotechnological potential. This study aimed to isolate rare Actinomycetota strains from Antarctic soil and sediment samples and identify their metabolic potential based on genome mining and exploration of biosynthetic gene clusters. To this end, the strains were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies platforms. The assemblies were annotated and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Finally, the BGCs present in each genome were identified using the antiSMASH tool, and the biosynthetic diversity of the Micrococcaceae family was evaluated. Taxonomic annotation revealed that seven strains were new and two were previously reported in the NCBI database. Additionally, BGCs encoding type III polyketide synthases (T3PKS), beta-lactones, siderophores, and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) have been identified, among others. In addition, the sequence similarity network showed a predominant type of BGCs in the family Micrococcaceae, and some genera were distinctly grouped. The BGCs identified in the isolated strains could be associated with applications such as antimicrobials, anticancer agents, and plant growth promoters, among others, positioning them as excellent candidates for future biotechnological applications and innovations.Key points• Novel Antarctic rare Actinomycetota strains were isolated from soil and sediments• Genome-based taxonomic affiliation revealed seven potentially novel species• Genome mining showed metabolic potential for novel natural products

Feasibility of Deploying Home-Based Digital Technology, Environmental Sensors, and Web-Based Surveys for Assessing Behavioral Symptoms and Identifying Their Precipitants in Older Adults: Longitudinal, Observational Study.

Apathy, depression, and anxiety are prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms experienced by older adults. Early detection, prevention, and intervention may improve outcomes. We aim to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying web-based weekly questionnaires inquiring about the behavioral symptoms of older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or early-stage dementia and to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying an in-home technology platform for measuring participant behaviors and their environment. The target population of this study is older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or early-stage dementia. This is an observational, longitudinal study with a study period of up to 9 months. The severity of participant behavioral symptoms (apathy, depression, and anxiety) was self-reported weekly through web-based surveys. Participants' digital biomarkers were continuously collected at their personal residences and through wearables throughout the duration of the study. The indoor physical environment at each residence, such as light level, noise level, temperature, humidity, or air quality, was also measured using indoor environmental sensors. Feasibility was examined, and preliminary correlation analysis between the level of symptoms and the digital biomarkers and between the level of symptoms and the indoor environment was performed. At 13 months after recruitment began, a total of 9 participants had enrolled into this study. The participants showed high adherence rates in completing the weekly questionnaires (response rate: 275/278, 98.9%), and data collection using the digital technology appeared feasible and acceptable to the participants with few exceptions. Participants' severity of behavioral symptoms fluctuated from week to week. Preliminary results show that the duration of sleep onset and noise level are positively correlated with the anxiety level in a subset of our participants. This study is a step toward more frequent assessment of older adults' behavioral symptoms and holistic in situ monitoring of older adults' behaviors and their living environment. The goal of this study is to facilitate the development of objective digital biomarkers of neuropsychiatric symptoms and to identify in-home environmental factors that contribute to these symptoms.

Human Resource: Futuristic Role of HR Professional Enhancing Technical Skills

As technology continues to revolutionize the workplace, the role of HR professionals is undergoing a profound transformation. In the future, HR professionals will play a pivotal role in leveraging advanced technologies to drive strategic HR initiatives and enhance organizational performance. This abstract explores the key aspects of this evolving role, focusing particularly on the imperative for HR professionals to enhance their technical skills. One critical area where HR professionals will need to excel is in data analysis and analytics. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, HR professionals can make informed decisions, predict future workforce needs, and optimize workforce management strategies. Additionally, as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation become increasingly prevalent, HR professionals must understand how to effectively implement and manage these technologies to streamline HR processes and enhance efficiency. Furthermore, in the realm of recruitment and talent acquisition, HR professionals must adapt their strategies to the digital age. This involves leveraging digital platforms, social media, and applicant tracking systems to attract, engage, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape. Moreover, the rise of remote work necessitates proficiency in collaboration tools and virtual communication platforms. HR professionals must ensure that remote teams remain connected, engaged, and productive by leveraging tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. In addition to these technical skills, HR professionals must prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy to protect sensitive employee information in an increasingly digitized HR environment. By implementing robust security measures and complying with data protection regulations, HR professionals can safeguard employee data and maintain trust within the organization. Finally, proficiency in HR information systems (HRIS) and other HR technology platforms is essential for streamlining HR processes, managing employee data effectively, and driving operational excellence. Keywords- HR professionals, technical skills, Data analysis, Artificial intelligence, Recruitment, Talent acquisition, Digital platforms, Remote work, Collaboration tools, Cybersecurity, Data privacy, HRIS, HR technology.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Augmented Reality Just-in-Time Guidance for the Performance of Rugged Field Procedures.

Medical resuscitations in rugged prehospital settings require emergency personnel to perform high-risk procedures in low-resource conditions. Just-in-Time Guidance (JITG) utilizing augmented reality (AR) guidance may be a solution. There is little literature on the utility of AR-mediated JITG tools for facilitating the performance of emergent field care. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a novel AR-mediated JITG tool for emergency field procedures. Emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B) and paramedic cohorts were randomized to either video training (control) or JITG-AR guidance (intervention) groups for performing bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation, intraosseous (IO) line placement, and needle-decompression (Needle-d) in a medium-fidelity simulation environment. For the interventional condition, subjects used an AR technology platform to perform the tasks. The primary outcome was participant task performance; the secondary outcomes were participant-reported acceptability. Participant task score, task time, and acceptability ratings were reported descriptively and compared between the control and intervention groups using chi-square analysis for binary variables and unpaired t-testing for continuous variables. Sixty participants were enrolled (mean age 34.8 years; 72% male). In the EMT-B cohort, there was no difference in average task performance score between the control and JITG groups for the BVM and IO tasks; however, the control group had higher performance scores for the Needle-d task (mean score difference 22%; P = .01). In the paramedic cohort, there was no difference in performance scores between the control and JITG group for the BVM and Needle-d tasks, but the control group had higher task scores for the IO task (mean score difference 23%; P = .01). For all task and participant types, the control group performed tasks more quickly than in the JITG group. There was no difference in participant usability or usefulness ratings between the JITG or control conditions for any of the tasks, although paramedics reported they were less likely to use the JITG equipment again (mean difference 1.96 rating points; P = .02). This study demonstrated preliminary evidence that AR-mediated guidance for emergency medical procedures is feasible and acceptable. These observations, coupled with AR's promise for real-time interaction and on-going technological advancements, suggest the potential for this modality in training and practice that justifies future investigation.

Transforming Financial Data into Strategic Insights using SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

Transforming Financial Data into Strategic Insights using SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

A Multifunctional Technology Platform for Sorbent Construction Using Polyacrylonitrile Scaffolds

A Multifunctional Technology Platform for Sorbent Construction Using Polyacrylonitrile Scaffolds

Abstract PO1-04-02: ACE-Breast-03: A phase 2 study of ARX788, a novel next-generation anti-HER antibody-drug conjugate in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan

Abstract Background: HER2 overexpression and/or amplification confers aggressive tumor behavior and decreased survival in patients with breast cancer. Targeting of HER2 is a validated therapeutic strategy, and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has emerged as a preferred treatment in the second-line setting. However, effective treatment following progression on T-DXd remains a major unmet medical need. ARX788 is a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) using a technology platform whereby a HER2-specific monoclonal antibody is conjugated to amberstatin 269 (AS269), a potent cytotoxic tubulin inhibitor. Site-specificity, high homogeneity, and stable covalent conjugation of ARX788 leads to the slow release and prolonged peak of serum pAF-AS269, which may contribute to the lower systemic toxicity and increased targeted delivery of payload to tumor cells, at a lower effective dose compared with other HER2 ADCs. Methods: ACE-Breast-03 (NCT04829604) is a global, phase 2 study designed to assess anticancer activity and safety in approximately 40 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have been previously treated with T-DXd. Eligibility criteria include measurable disease by RECIST v1.1, radiographically stable brain metastases, no more than three prior lines of treatment in the metastatic setting, and HER2 positivity as determined by central review. If recently progressed on T-DXd or trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), a new biopsy for HER2 status is required. Patients will be administered 1.5 mg/kg of ARX788 every three weeks. Efficacy will be assessed using RECIST v1.1 at nine-week intervals after starting ARX788 until progression or start of new cancer treatment. Objective response rate is the primary endpoint, with disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, best overall response, duration of response, and time to response as additional endpoints. The safety and tolerability profile will also be evaluated. PK analysis will determine serum concentrations of ARX788, total antibody, and pAF-AS269. Potential predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers will be analyzed for exploratory purposes. Descriptive statistics will be used to evaluate anticancer activity, safety, and tolerability. The study is currently recruiting patients. Citation Format: Kashif Ali, Laila Agrawal, Anu Thummala, Kevin Kalinsky, Sami Ali, Sibel Blau, Margaret Block, Michael Danso, Denise Yardley, Jay Andersen, Adrienne Gropper-Waks, Priya Jayachandran, Igor Makhlin, Petros Nikolinakos, Joyce O'Shaughnessy, Sandra Aung, Colin Hessel, Hope Rugo, William Gradishar, Debu Tripathy. ACE-Breast-03: A phase 2 study of ARX788, a novel next-generation anti-HER antibody-drug conjugate in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-04-02.

Product development process for a new healthcare service in the Industry 4.0 context: an action research approach

Precision Medicine (PM) is a personalised approach that uses genetic, environmental, and lifestyle information to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease more effectively. This study aims to explore how Industry 4.0 technologies can enable the development of a new healthcare product, specifically a new PM service. Action Research has been used to identify the needs and orient the design and development of a technological platform that enables PM to be applied in healthcare institutions. This methodology can also act as a guide for advancing research and making the service a regular clinical practice. This research furthers understanding of how I4.0 technologies enable the generation of specific capabilities and their use to create other innovative healthcare products, in general, and PM products, in particular. Study findings offer practical and governmental implications and can serve as the basis for digital platform design and development to facilitate PM practices in healthcare institutions.