Data Preparation of the nuMoM2b Dataset

In 2010, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) started the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be (nuMoM2b), a prospective cohort study of a racially/ethnically/geographically diverse population of nulliparous women with singleton gestation. The nuMoM2b is a very large dataset, consisting of data for 10,038 patients with over 4,600 features per patient, spread out over 80 files. In this report, we share our experience preparing and working with this dataset. We present our data preprocessing of the nuMoM2b dataset to get a deeper understanding of the data, extract the most relevant features, make the fewest assumptions when filling in unknown values, and reducing the dimensionality of the data. We hope this report is useful to researchers interested in building machine learning and statistical models from the nuMoM2b dataset.

Longitudinal Experience With and Impressions of COVID-19–Related Clinical Research Changes

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to profound changes in clinical research, including remote consent, telehealth, off-site procedures, shipment of therapy, and remote study monitoring. We assessed longitudinal perceptions of these adjustments among clinical research professionals. METHODS: We distributed an anonymous survey assessing experiences, perceptions, and recommendations regarding COVID-19–related clinical research adjustments to cancer clinical research office personnel in May 2020 and again in November 2020. Responses were compared using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: A total of 90 of 102 invited research personnel (88%) responded. Fifty-three (59%) reported participating in both initial and follow-up surveys. The proportion of respondents reporting personal experience with COVID-19–related adjustments increased over time, particularly for remote initial consent (29% v 4%), remote reconsent (24% v 9%), and remote study monitoring (36% v 22%). Perceived impact of COVID-19–related adjustments on data quality ( P = .02) and patient experience ( P = .002) improved significantly. However, perceived effect on patient safety ( P = .02) and respondent's experience ( P = .09) became less favorable. Individuals with personal experience with the adjustment were more likely to recommend continuing remote consent (62% v 38%; P = .04), remote monitoring (69% v 45%; P = .05), and therapy shipment (67% v 35%; P = .01) after the COVID-19 pandemic, with nonsignificant trends for off-site diagnostics (44% v 24%; P = .13) and telehealth visits (66% v 45%; P = .08). CONCLUSION: More than 6 months into the global pandemic, perceptions of COVID-19–related clinical research changes remain favorable. Experienced individuals are more likely to recommend that these changes continue in the future.

Measurement of multiple SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer after vaccination represents individual vaccine response and contributes to individually appropriate vaccination schedules

<Background> mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) induces antibodies against Spike protein produced by host cell. However, multiple antibody responses before and after vaccination have not been clarified. <Objective> To clarify multiple antibody responses after mRNA vaccination in a variation of individuals including prior infection of COVID-19. <Methods> This is a prospective, observational study, started from March 15th, 2021. IgG and IgM against Receptor Binding Domain (RBD), and IgG against Nucleocapsid protein (N) were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay (Alinity, Abbott) in the following schedules; before vaccination, and 7, 14, 28 days, 12, 24, 36, 48 weeks after 1st vaccination. <Results> A total of 136 vaccinees (including 23 of those with prior infection) were enrolled in this analysis. Single-dose vaccination in participants with prior infection yielded higher IgG (RBD) response than two-dose vaccination in participants without prior infection (mean ± standard deviation, 31,523 ± 14,332 arbitrary units [AU] per mL vs. 22,461 ± 15,661 AU/mL, P = 0.01). IgM (RBD) response was observed in participants without prior infection at 14 days after the first vaccination, achieving a comparable antibody titer compared with those with prior infection (1.41 ± 1.93 chemiluminescence of Sample / Calibrator [S/C] vs. 1.96 ± 2.49 S/C, P = 0.24). IgG (N) showed its specificity and usefulness to differentiate those with and without prior infection, regardless of vaccination. We investigated the participants without prior infection to analyze antibody response according to backgrounds. IgG (RBD) response was significantly lower in those ≧ 40 years old than those < 40 years old (19,087 ± 14,630 AU/mL vs. 25,334 ± 15,849 AU/mL, P = 0.04) at 28 days after 1st vaccination. Low antibody responses were observed in vaccinees with underlying disease or immunosuppressive therapy. <Conclusion> Multiple antibody dynamics of vaccinees were clarified in this study. Monitoring each person's antibody titer is warranted in public with expected low and high responders. However, we have yet to observe antibody duration of vaccinees. Therefore, effectiveness of single dose vaccination against those with prior infection is not assessed. Antibody titer follow-up study is in progress.

A Comprehensive Study Monitoring the Venom Composition and the Effects of the Venom of the Rare Ethiopian Endemic Snake Species Bitis parviocula

The Ethiopian endemic snake of the species Bitis parviocula, recognized for its colorful patterns, might be more interesting as we look deeper into the venom activity. We assayed the effects of venoms from the most widespread venomous African Bitis arietens and closely related species Bitis parviocula using The Hen’s Egg Test—Chorioallantoic membrane test (HET-CAM) and Chicken embryotoxicity screening test (CHEST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) analysis, cytotoxicity assay performed on cell lines and protein analysis of selected venoms. Our results indicated that B. parviocula venom contains vasoactive compounds that have a direct effect on blood vessels. The AChE analysis showed significant ability inhibiting AChE activity in embryonic tissue. Cytotoxicity observed on A549 ATCC® CCL-185™ cells indicates the possible presence of cytotoxic agents in B. parviocula venom. We proved previously described differences in the composition of venom obtained from B. arietans and B. parviocula by using electrophoresis and total protein concentration. Based on similarities in vasoactive effects observed after administration of venoms onto a chicken chorioallantoic membrane, we suggest that venom from B. arietans and B. parviocula might share certain venom proteins responsible for haemotoxicity. The main active components of B. parviocula venom are unknown. Our results suggest that it might be worth performing proteomic analysis of B. parviocula venom as it might contain medically valuable compounds.

Influence of Strategic Interrelationships and Decision-Making in Chilean Port Networks on Their Degree of Sustainability

An extensive literary review is carried out to determine the strategic and business advantages, and difficulties that non-smart ports must face to develop sustainability. Based on a two-port case study, the strategic text of the corporate missions of port administrators and operators is analyzed and classified in order to understand to what extend economic, social and environmental aspects are fulfilled. A conceptual model is designed for an information system based on indicators that can determine the state or degree of sustainability in the critical operational activities of the ports studied. A system is proposed that is based on a data warehouse core and a multidimensional database, which can be implemented in the ROLAP mode, allowing taking advantage of the good characteristics of relational databases without losing the OLAP approach. A discussion of the strategic feasibility of implementing this conceptual model of case study monitoring and its long-term benefits is delivered. The conclusions state that the development of this green technology requires cultural changes, public policy initiatives and the incorporation of new actors. In addition, more research is needed in this area to identify other relevant sustainable variables.

Eating Disorders and the Internet: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study Monitoring The Pro Ana Phenomenon in An Italian Sample.

Background: The Internet is a significant source of information for adolescents, affecting their life and health. The online Pro Anorexia (Pro Ana) phenomenon is a growing danger. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the presence of the Pro Ana phenomenon in an Italian sample of patients affected by Eating Disorders.Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional analysis that examines two different samples of patients affected by eating disorders at different points in time, in 2017 and 2020. This study was conducted by using a seven-item anonymous questionnaire specifically developed by the authors to collect data on knowledge and visitation of websites and Social Networks Sites related to "pro-ana" and "thinspiration" content. Results: More than 80% of the respondents in both samples use the Internet daily. From 2017 to 2020 we observed a rise of the phenomenon among the adolescents of our sample. In 2020 76% of the patients knew of sites emphasizing a marked thinness as an ideal of beauty, 60% knew of Pro Ana sites and 22% visited them. Conclusions: Our data confirm that in Italy too, Pro Ana is a diffused phenomenon, of which clinicians need to be consistently aware especially when treating adolescents with ED. Patients with ED mainly visit diet and nutrition sites, and it is important to acknowledge this practice in order to prevent and address ED in early adolescence. Although few subjects claim to visit Pro Ana websites, the majority is aware of these sites and therefore they are potential users. Many patients assert that they are familiar with websites promoting excessive thinness as ideal beauty, which supports the bio-psycho-social etiopathogenetic model of Anorexia Nervosa. Information sharing and prevention work are important forms of interventions for families, teachers and clinicians, who together care for adolescent patients with ED.Level of evidence: Level IV (descriptive, cross-sectional study examining case series of patients with Eating Disorders)

A Study on Different Bricks & Identification of Quality of Bricks Based on Existing Data

The purpose of this study is to investigate the different types of bricks as a construction material. In this study, monitoring different technical specification or characteristics of the bricks. At the end of study, Brick Quality Index (BQI) evaluated. According to BQI, bricks were classified poor to excellent quality.

Effects of climate change on a subtropical montane peatland over the last two centuries: Evidence from diatom records

Climate variability can induce rapid changes in peatland ecosystems, affecting both carbon cycling and vegetation succession. Diatoms are an important group of ubiquitous and diverse algae in peatlands. Until now, the responses of diatom communities to climate variability have rarely been explored in peatlands, especially in subtropical regions. In this study, monitoring and paleolimnological datasets were combined to decipher environmental changes of a subtropical montane peatland (central China) over the last two centuries. Seasonal monitoring data revealed that diatom communities were closely correlated with precipitation, depth to the water table, conductivity, nitrate and temperature. Sedimentary records revealed that temporal changes in diatom assemblages and geochemical elements displayed similar trends in two peat cores after the 1950s. The first gradient in diatom composition represented a shift from Pinnularia species to taxa preferring less-acidic habitats, which was closely linked to climate warming and the enrichment of inorganic elements (e.g. sodium and calcium) since the early 20th century. Meanwhile, changes in diatom communities were further related to precipitation variability, atmospheric deposition and local hydrogeomophic setting. Taken together, the succession of diatom communities was closely linked to climate-regulated availability of nutrients and moisture in this subtropical peatland over the last two centuries. In order to achieve sustainable management of these scarce peatlands, further biological monitoring and paleoecological studies are needed to improve our knowledge of peatland ecosystem evolution in response to future climate change.