Preliminary Assessment Of The Reservoir Rock In The Nigerdelta For Carbon Capture And Storage In Depleted Reservoirs, Itai Mutadza, Sunday S. Ikiensikimama, Ogbonna F. Joel

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The world is running out of time to be on target for the Paris Agreement to maintain an average global temperature rise of 1.5°C.Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can win the race to anthropogenic gas stabilisation. Characterisation of geological formations isfundamental to ascertain the ability to keep injected carbon in perpetuity without posing a risk to the environment. This studyfocuses on the characterisation of the mineralogy, petrophysical, petrographic properties and micromorphological data of reser-voirs using core samples from the reservoirs in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A systematic set of specialised equipment such as XRD,X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and SEM-EDS was implored …

Energy Efficiency In The Building Sector In Burkina Faso: Literature Review, Swot Analysis, And Recommendations, Bazam Amonet Ouoba Nebie, Abdou Lawane, Césaire Hema, Monica Siroux

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In Burkina Faso, increasing access to electricity requires the optimized management of energy consumption in buildings and the implementation of regional and national regulations. These regulations have been implemented to promote energy efficiency in the building sector. However, they do not yet seem to have produced the expected results. Conducting a study could help identify the shortcomings related to energy efficiency and guide future research toward sustainable solutions. To date, no such study has been carried out. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the causes of these shortcomings, understand the gaps in the literature, and identify prospects for implementing energy …

Effects Of Flooding-Induced Migration On Farm Technical Efficiency In Rivers State, Nigeria, Jacinta Nmutaka Umechukwu, Daniel Bruce Sarpong, Akwasi Mensah-Bonsu, Ama Ahene-Codjoe, Taeyoon Kim

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This study assessed the effects of flooding-induced migration on farm technical efficiency in Rivers State. Data were collected on episodes that occurred between 2011 and 2022 to estimate the trend of flooding in the study area and also farm technical efficiency (TE), specifically from 2022 production activities. Translog Stochastic frontier was estimated and TE generated. The effect of migration on farm’s TE was analyzed using endogenous treatment effect model and the average treatment effects were estimated. Results obtained showed that flooding episodes occurred yearly in the twelve years under review. The Stochastic frontier analysis showed that migration has a positive …

Assessment Of Bio-Security Knowledge, Attitude And Hygienic Practices Among Smallholder Chicken Farmers In Southern Mozambique, Noémia André Mugabe, Jamal Kussaga, Abdulsudi Issa-Zacharia

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The production of broiler chickens in intensive systems struggles to maintain hygiene in production, despite contributing to combating malnutrition, generating employment, and increasing family income, especially in developing countries. Using a structured questionnaire survey, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 395 smallholder farmers to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to farm biosecurity in urban and peri-urban areas of Mozambique and determine the factors affecting KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice) levels. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) (IBM version 27). The findings indicate that education level and training significantly influence (p < 0.001) food safety in terms of biosecurity knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Smallholders who attended food safety training exhibited positive attitudes (95.5%, mean score of 89.71 ± 10.1) in contrast to those who did not participate in training (74.8%, mean score of 79.91 ± 9.68). Additionally, washing hands with soap before and after using the toilet and wearing protective clothing during chicken husbandry were significantly associated with education level (χ² = 15.345, P = 0.018); those with informal education were 34% less likely to have a negative attitude toward food safety compared to those with high education. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between residence area, training, and biosecurity knowledge, attitude, and practice. Because smallholders lack training, hygiene expertise, and biosecurity practices on their farms, this study concluded that they pose a risk to public health and food safety. To maintain consumer health and guarantee food safety, farmers should properly dispose of waste, including dead chickens, and receive continuous training in excellent biosecurity measures on the farm

Almanet: A Hybrid Online Learning Ids For Real-Time Iot Security, Promise Ricardo Agbedanu, Shanchieh (Jay) Yang, Richard Musabe, Ignace Gatare, James Rwigema

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Although some modern Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) for Internet of Things (IoT) have explored online machine learning (ML) approaches to build these IDSs, most IoT-based IDSs are designed using offline ML techniques. IDSs built with offline ML approaches cannot adapt to rapidly changing IoT network conditions. They need continuous retraining and require a lot of computational power. To address these limitations, we propose ALMANET (ALMA+NET), a hybrid intrusion detection approach combining Approximate Large Margin Algorithm (ALMA) with Stochastic Weight Averaging (SWA) and an online neural network (NET). ALMANET leverages the power of online learning, which updates models incrementally and allows …

A Scalable Approach To Internet Of Things And Industrial Internet Of Things Security: Evaluating Adaptive Self-Adjusting Memory K-Nearest Neighbor For Zero-Day Attack Detection, Promise Ricardo Agbedanu, Shanchieh Jay Yang, Richard Musabe, Ignace Gatare, James Rwigema

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The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have drastically transformed industries by enhancing efficiency and flexibility but have also introduced substantial cybersecurity risks. The rise of zero-day attacks, which exploit unknown vulnerabilities, poses significant threats to these interconnected systems. Traditional signaturebased intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are insufficient for detecting such attacks due to their reliance on pre-defined attack signatures. This study investigates the effectiveness of Adaptive SAMKNN, an adaptive k-nearest neighbor with self-adjusting memory (SAM), in detecting and responding to various attack types in Internet of Things (IoT) environments. Through extensive testing, our proposed method demonstrates …

Predicting Rock Mass Strength From Drilling Data Using Synergistic Unsupervised And Supervised Machine Learning Approaches, Gbétoglo Charles Komadja, Erik Westman, Aditya Rana, Anye Vitalis

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Extracting rock mass strength properties from existing data like Measurement While Drilling (MWD) is important to reduce the cost of additional geological and geotechnical surveys. This study presents an approach that combines clustering (unsupervised learning) and classification algorithms to identify similar rock groups for their prediction. The dataset comprises 272,272 MWD from 2,790 drill holes, split into 215,401 data points (2,332 drill holes) for cross-validation, and another 215,401 data points, from 558 previously unseen drill holes for testing. Principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering algorithms such as K-means, Gaussian mixture, C Fuzy, and hierarchical clustering were employed to group rocks …

Antibiotic Use And Antimicrobial Resistance: Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Among Smallholder Chicken Farmers In Southern Mozambique, Noemia Andre Mugabe, Jamal Kussaga, Abdulsudi Issa-Zacharia

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Intensive production systems face challenges in treating individual chickens due to the large number of animals, resulting in the indiscriminate use of antibiotics as the only alternative. The use of antibiotics in poultry production has adverse effects on humans, as prolonged consumption of contaminated meat can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in intestinal bacteria. A cross-sectional survey involving 395 smallholder farmers was conducted through face-to-face interviews to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use in urban and peri-urban areas of Southern Mozambique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The findings revealed that 60% of respondents …

Clinical Application Of Chambo Tilapia Fish Skin Xenograft For Skin Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report In A Partial-Thickness Burns Pediatric Patient, Bhahat Lawlley Zimba, Dennis Mtunduwatha, David Hara, Mukondwedi Mchazime, Aaron Stima, Mwemezi Rwiza, Elingarami Sauli

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WHO reports that burns account for more than 180,000 deaths annually with the majority of cases coming from low and middle-income countries due to limited resources in the management of burns. Currently, burns are being treated using silver sulphadiazine and gauze dressings, but this method has demonstrated to have some shortfalls. Alternative methods are being researched to find a better treatment modality with a faster healing duration. This case report describes the novel application of Chambo tilapia (Oreochromis lidole) fish skin xenograft in the treatment of partial thickness burns in a patient. The research was conducted on a 5-year-old female …

Comparative Analysis Of Ftcs, Richardson, And Dufort-Frankel Numerical Methods For Temperature Distribution In A One-Dimensional Rod, Ahmed Sarhan Abdulsitar

Babylonian Journal of Mechanical Engineering

This Forward Time Centred Space (FTCS), Richardson, and Dufort-Frankel finite difference methods for solving the one-dimensional heat conduction equation are examined and compared in this paper. The goal is to evaluate each method's accuracy, stability, and computational efficiency by analysing the temperature distribution along a rod. To put the approaches into action, the same starting and ending points for each were used. Not only is FTCS simple and quick to construct, but the results also show that it is conditionally stable. Despite its improved accuracy, Richardson is prone to numerical instability. While the Dufort-Frankel approach is more complicated, it provides …

Trend Analysis Of Rainfall And Temperature In Metuge District, Northern Mozambique, Heraclito Rodrigues Comia, Fekadu Beyene Kenee, Fred Charles Nelson, Janete Mutualbo Americano, Serafino Afonso Rui Mucova

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Climate change poses significant economic, social, political and environmental challenges, with impacts varying depending on the geographical location and adaptive capacity. This study addresses data gaps by analyzing long-term trends in rainfall and temperature in the Metuge district from 1989 to 2022. The Mann–Kendall trend test, a non-parametric method, was used to detect trends, while Sen’s slope estimator quantified the magnitude of these trends. The seasonal analysis differentiated trends between the rainy season (October to March) and the dry season (April to September). The Mann–Kendall test revealed a decrease in overall annual rainfall and dry season rainfall, with a decrease …

Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Vulnerability To Climate Change In Metuge District, Northern Mozambique, Heraclito Rodrigues Comia, Fekadu Beyene Kenee, Fred Charles Nelson, Serafino Afonso Rui Mucova

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Paper • The following article is Open access

Smallholder farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change in Metuge district, Northern Mozambique

Heráclito Rodrigues Comia, Fekadu Beyene Kenee, Fred Charles Nelson and Serafino Afonso Rui Mucova

Published 13 June 2025 • © 2025 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd Environmental Research Communications, Volume 7, Number 6Citation Heráclito Rodrigues Comia et al 2025 Environ. Res. Commun. 7 065014DOI 10.1088/2515-7620/ade123

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Abstract

Introduction. Mozambique is one of the country’s most vulnerable to climate …

Climate Change And Variability As Drivers Of Vegetation Dynamics In Bontioli Natural Reserve, West African Drylands, Issaka Abdou Razakou Kiribou, Theodore Nikiema

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Climate change significantly impacts vegetation dynamics and plant productivity by affecting temperature, rainfall and seasonal patterns. In dryland ecosystems such as the West African savanna, these changes accelerate biodiversity loss, and reduces carbon sequestration capacity. This study examines vegetation response to climate variability in the Bontioli Natural Reserve (BNR), within the West African savanna. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) retrieved from Landsat imagery via the Google Earth Engine platform, coupled with high-resolution bioclimatic data from the climatologies at high resolution for the earth’s land surface areas (CHELSA) we analysed the vegetation changes over the past three decades (1993 …

Characteristics Of A V-Shaped Rectenna For 28.3 Thz Energy Harvesting., Aboubacar Savadogo, Thomas Nyachoti Nyangonda, Bernard Odhiambo Aduda, Uli Lemmer Mohamed Hussein

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A rectenna structure based on a potentially printable V-shaped nanoantenna (VSNA) design is introduced and numerically analyzed. The characteristics of the VSNA structure have been investigated through the electric field enhancement and radiation efficiency used as figures of merit to evaluate its performance. A comparative study has been performed between the VSNA and a conventional dipole THz antenna based on the same dimension constraints. Therefore, the VSNA has shown better and more localized field enhancement at the arm tips. Furthermore, an optimization process has been carried out to maximize the electric field at the resonance frequency (28.3 THz). The suggested …

Optimizing Gasification In Downdraft Fixed-Bed Gasifier Through Experimental And Kinetic Modeling, Hamado Ouedraogo, Sayon Dit Sadio Sidibe, Yohan Richardson

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Gasification is an effective way of converting biomass into electricity. However, determining optimal conditions to reach higher temperature gradients and ensure thermal stability of the reactors for syngas production is challenging. This paper presents a hybrid static and dynamic model for optimizing fixed-bed biomass gasification using experimental data. A reduction-model has been developed and simulated using MATLAB to optimize the reduction process, which involves the most important reactions in syngas production. The analytical results show significant improvements, with the volume fractions of CO increasing from the initial value of 15.10 % to the simulated value of 30.77 % between 650 …

First-Principles Investigation Of Structural, Mechanical, Electronic, And Thermal Properties Of Half-Heusler Zrptsn, Lynet Allan, Julius M. Mwabora, Winfred M. Mulwa, R. E Mapasha, Robinson J. Musembi

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This study explores the structural, mechanical, electronic, lattice dynamical, and thermal properties of the half-Heusler ZrPtSn using first-principles density functional theory. The goal is to assess its suitability for electronic and thermoelectric applications. Structural optimization confirmed stability under ambient conditions. Mechanical properties, including bulk, shear, and Young’s moduli, were evaluated for stiffness and ductility. Electronic structure analysis determined its semiconducting nature, with band gaps of 1.10 eV (without SOC) and 0.95 eV (with SOC). Phonon dispersion was analyzed to assess dynamical stability. ZrPtSn was dynamically stable, with no imaginary phonon modes. Its band gap suggests potential for optoelectronic applications. These …

Improving Optical Efficiency Of Linear Fresnel Collectors In The Sahel Via Position And Length Adjustment, Souwera Stan Lionnel Somda, Kokouvi Edem N’Tsoukpoe

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Linear Fresnel concentrators are promising technologies for solar thermal applications, but their performance is often hindered by end losses and inefficiencies related to receiver design and placement. This study aimed to enhance LFC optical performance under the specific solar conditions of the Sahel region by exploring dynamic receiver displacement and tailored receiver length extension. The methodology involved calculating the maximum non-illuminated receiver length analytically for each solar condition and simulating various displacement frequencies (weekly, biweekly, and monthly) using the Tonatiuh ray-tracing tool. The combined strategies of dynamic receiver adjustment and analytically optimised receiver length were evaluated in terms of annual …

Identification Of Potential Vectors And Detection Of Rift Valley Fever Virus In Mosquitoes Collected Before And During The 2022 Outbreak In Rwanda, Isidore Nsengimana, Emmanuel Hakizimana, Jackie Mupfasoni, Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana, Augustino A. Chengula, Christopher J. Kasanga, Gillian Eastwood

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Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging mosquito-borne arbovirus of One Health importance that caused two large outbreaks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2022. Information on vector species with a role in RVFV eco-epidemiology in Rwanda is scarce. Here we sought to identify potential mosquito vectors of RVFV in Rwanda, their distribution and abundance, as well as their infection status. Since an outbreak of RVF occurred during the study period, data were obtained both during an interepidemic period and during the 2022 Rwanda RVF outbreak. Five districts of the eastern province of Rwanda were prospected using a combination of …

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Near-Infrared Spectrophotometry Model For Rapid Quantification Of Anti-Nutritional Factors In Soybean (Glycine Max.), Noberto Jose Palange, Tonny Obua Tonny Obua, Julius Pyton Sserumaga, Enoch Wembabazi, Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula, Ephraim Nuwamanya, Isaac Onziga Dramadri, Moses Matovu, Richard Edema, Phinehas Tukamuhabwa

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Anti-nutritional factors can impact soybean nutrient bioavailability when consumed by monogastric animals. However, conventional methods available for quantifying anti-nutritional factors such as phytate and trypsin inhibitors in feeds are laboratory-intensive, time-consuming, expensive, and error-prone. This study developed near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS)-based models to quantify phytate and trypsin inhibitors in soybean. Thus, a set of 190 soybean genotypes assayed through conventional wet chemistry was used as a reference for model development and cross-validation. Using a benchtop NIR instrument (DS2500), spectra readings between 400 and 2500 nm were taken from each soybean sample. Mean values for phytate and total trypsin inhibitors (TTI) were …

Advancing Sustainable Practices: Integrated Pedological Characterization And Suitability Assessment For Enhanced Irish Potato Production In Tsangano And Angónia Districts Of Tete Province, Mozambique., Tamara Jose Sande, Balthazar Michael Msanya, Hamisi Juma Tindwa, Alessandra Mayumi Tokura Alovisi, Johnson M. Semoka, Mawazo Shitindi

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Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a critical crop for food security and economic growth in Tsangano and Angónia Districts, Central Mozambique. Challenges like inconsistent yields and variable quality are often linked to suboptimal soil conditions, which limit production. This study aimed to classify and evaluate the suitability of soils for potato cultivation in Tete Province, where detailed soil assessments remain limited. Four pedons—TSA-P01 and TSA-P02 in Tsangano and ANGO-P01 and ANGO-P02 in Angónia—were examined for bulk density, texture, pH, organic carbon, and nutrient content using a combination of pedological methods and laboratory soil analysis. To determine each site’s potential for …

Fermentation, Handling And Claimed Therapeutic Effects Of Dhanaan: An Ethiopian Fermented Camel Milk, Tiruha Habte Karssa, Jamal B. Kussaga, Teresa Lemsaddek Lemsaddek, Jovin K. Mugula

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Dhanaan is a spontaneously fermented camel milk that is popular in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia and plays a sig- nificant role in the livelihoods of pastoral communities. This study aimed to investigate traditional fermentation methods of dhanaan in these communities. Four districts, namely, Gursum, Shabelle, Degehabur, and Birqot, were purposively selected on the basis of camel rearing, camel milk production, and consumption. A cross-sectional survey of traditional fermentation methods, handling, utilization, and the claimed therapeutic effects of dhanaan was conducted using both open- and closed- ended questions in the districts. The traditional preparation of dhanaan involves spontaneous fermentation …

Ganglioside Gd2 Contributes To A Stem-Like Phenotype In Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Antonella Mannini, Mirella Pastore, Alessia Giachi, Margherita Correnti, Elena Spínola Lasso, Tiziano Lottini, Benedetta Piombanti, Ignazia Tusa, Elisabetta Rovida, Cédric Coulouarn, Jesper B Andersen, Monika Lewinska, Claudia Campani, V Lokesh Battula, Bin Yuan, Massimo Aureli, Emma V Carsana, Caterina Peraldo Neia, Paola Ostano, Alessia Tani, Daniele Nosi, Anna Vanni, Laura Maggi, Luca Di Tommaso, Giuseppina Comito, Stefania Madiai, Annarosa Arcangeli, Fabio Marra, Chiara Raggi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND & AIMS: GD2, a member of the ganglioside (GS) family (sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids), is a potential biomarker of cancer stem cells (CSC) in several tumours. However, the possible role of GD2 and its biosynthetic enzyme, GD3 synthase (GD3S), in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has not been explored.

METHODS: The stem-like subset of two iCCA cell lines was enriched by sphere culture (SPH) and compared to monolayer parental cells (MON). GS profiles were evaluated by chromatography, after feeding with radioactive sphingosine. Membrane GD2 expression was evaluated by FACS, and the expression of enzymes of GS biosynthesis was analysed by RT-qPCR. The …

Ft538, Ipsc-Derived Nk Cells, Enhance Aml Cell Killing When Combined With Chemotherapy, Amanda Eckstrom, Anudishi Tyagi, Sajid Mahmood, Lilly Wong, Bahram Valamehr, Adishwar Rao, Akriti Agrawal, Maryam Siddiqui, V Lokesh Battula

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived natural killer (NK) cells offer an opportunity for a standardized, off-the-shelf treatment with the potential to treat a wider population of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients than the current standard of care. FT538 iPSC-NKs express a high-affinity, noncleavable CD16 to maximize antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a CD38 knockout to improve metabolic fitness, and an IL-15/IL-15 receptor fusion preventing the need for cytokine administration, the main source of adverse effects in NK cell-based therapies. Here, we sought to evaluate the potential of FT538 iPSC-NKs as a therapy for AML through their effect on AML cell lines …

Development And Validation Of Natural Language Processing Algorithms In The National Enact Network, Yanshan Wang, Jordan Hilsman, Chenyu Li, Michele Morris, Paul M Heider, Sunyang Fu, Min Ji Kwak, Andrew Wen, Joseph R Applegate, Liwei Wang, Elmer Bernstam, Hongfang Liu, Jack Chang, Daniel R Harris, Alexandria Corbeau, Darren Henderson, John Osborne, Richard E Kennedy, Nelly-Estefanie Garduno-Rapp, Justin F Rousseau, Chao Yan, You Chen, Mayur B Patel, Tyler J Murphy, Bradley A Malin, Chan Mi Park, Jungwei W Fan, Sunghwan Sohn, Sandeep Pagali, Yifan Peng, Aman Pathak, Yonghui Wu, Zongqi Xia, Salvatore Loguercio, Steven E Reis, Shyam Visweswaran

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Electronic Health Record (EHR) data are critical for advancing translational research and AI technologies. The ENACT network offers access to structured EHR data across 57 CTSA hubs. However, substantial information is contained in clinical narratives, requiring natural language processing (NLP) for research. The ENACT NLP Working Group was formed to make NLP-derived clinical information accessible and queryable across the network.

Methods: We established the ENACT NLP Working Group with 13 sites selected based on criteria including clinical notes access, IT infrastructure, NLP expertise, and institutional support. We divided sites into five focus groups targeting clinical tasks within disease contexts. …

Epidemiology Of Patient Record Duplication, Onur Sahin, Audrey Zhao, Reuben Joseph Applegate, Todd R Johnson, Elmer V Bernstam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Duplicate patient records can increase costs and medical errors. We assessed the association between demographic factors, comorbidities, health care usage, and duplicate electronic health records.

Methods: We analyzed the association between duplicate patient records and multiple demographic variables (race, Hispanic ethnicity, sex, and age) as well as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), number of diagnoses, and number of health care encounters. The study population included 3,018,413 patients seen at a large urban academic medical center with at least one recorded diagnosis. Duplication of patient medical records was determined by using a previously validated enterprise Master Person Index.

Results: Unknown …

Quantitatively Assessing The Impact Of The Quality Of Snomed Ct Subtype Hierarchy On Cohort Queries, Xubing Hao, Xiaojin Li, Yan Huang, Jay Shi, Rashmie Abeysinghe, Cui Tao, Kirk Roberts, Guo-Qiang Zhang, Licong Cui

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: SNOMED CT provides a standardized terminology for clinical concepts, allowing cohort queries over heterogeneous clinical data including Electronic Health Records (EHRs). While it is intuitive that missing and inaccurate subtype (or is-a) relations in SNOMED CT reduce the recall and precision of cohort queries, the extent of these impacts has not been formally assessed. This study fills this gap by developing quantitative metrics to measure these impacts and performing statistical analysis on their significance.

Material and methods: We used the Optum de-identified COVID-19 Electronic Health Record dataset. We defined micro-averaged and macro-averaged recall and precision metrics to assess the …

Building Patient-Facing Technology: A Redcap-Based Approach, Yuheng Shi, Eric Yang, Katie Gahn, Heidi Mason, Yun Jiang, Yang Gong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This work describes the architecture design of a patient-facing technology (PFT) based on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) platform and other tools to support cancer patients in self-tracking and managing medication concerns and symptoms during transitions of care. The design is guided by the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and User-Centered Design (UCD) principles for a personalized application to inform, engage, and empower patients. We describe the evolutional details of four major versions, which represent milestones of our PFT, highlighting how specific objectives were achieved and the barriers encountered. Additionally, patient representatives were involved in the evaluation of prototypes, and …

18 Kda Translocator Protein (Tspo) Is Upregulated In Rat Brain After Peripheral Nerve Injury And Downregulated By Diroximel Fumarate, Rafael A Cazuza, Sever M Zagrai, Anamaria R Grieco, Thomas D Avery, Andrew D Abell, Hsiao-Ying Wey, Marco L Loggia, Peter M Grace

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Neuroimmune signaling is a key process underlying neuropathic pain. Clinical studies have demonstrated that 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a putative marker of neuroinflammation, is upregulated in discrete brain regions of patients with chronic pain. However, no preclinical studies have investigated TSPO dynamics in the brain in the context of neuropathic pain and in response to analgesic treatments. We used positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and [18F]-PBR06 radioligand to measure TSPO levels in the brain across time after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in both male and female rats. Up to 10 weeks post-CCI, TSPO expression was …

High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma Not Otherwise Specified, With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Gene Expression Signatures: Genomic Analysis And Potential Therapeutics, Waseem Lone, Alyssa Bouska, Tyler A Herek, Catalina Amador, Joo Song, Alexander M Xu, Dylan Jochum, Issa Ismail Issa, Dennis D Weisenburger, Xuan Zhang, Sharath Kumar Bhagavathi, Tayla B Heavican-Foral, Sunandini Sharma, Ab Rauf Shah, Abdul Rouf Mir, Aisha Ahmad Alkhinji, Dalia El-Gamal, Bhavana J Dave, Keenan Hartert, Jiayu Yu, Mallick Saumyaranjan, Timothy C Greiner, Julie Vose, Timothy W Mckeithan, Kai Fu, Michael Green, Chengfeng Bi, Akil Merchant, Wing C Chan, Javeed Iqbal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

High-grade B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (HGBCL, NOS) has overlapping morphological and genetic features with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL), leading to uncertainty in its diagnosis and clinical management. Using functional genomic approaches, we previously characterized HGBCL and NOS, that demonstrate gene expression profiling (GEP), and genetic signatures similar to BL. Herein, we characterize distinct HGBCL, NOS, cohort (n = 55) in adults (n = 45) and in children (n = 10), and compared the GEP, genomic DNA copy number (CN), and mutational spectrum with de novo DLBCL (n = 85) and BL (n = 52). …

Plasma Dna Methylation-Based Biomarkers For Mpnst Detection In Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Katarzyna Tomczak, Manishkumar S Patel, Angela D Bhalla, Christine B Peterson, Sharon M Landers, S Carson Callahan, Di Zhang, Justin Wong, Jace P Landry, Alexander J Lazar, J Andrew Livingston, B Ashleigh Guadagnolo, Heather G Lyu, Heather Lillemoe, Christina L Roland, Emily Z Keung, Christopher P Scally, Kelly K Hunt, Ian E Mccutcheon, John M Slopis, Jian Gu, Paul Scheet, Liang Wang, Kunal Rai, Keila E Torres

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) development is characterized by an altered DNA methylation landscape, which presents a promising area for developing MPNST-specific biomarkers for screening patients with NF1. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of a cohort of 13 patients with MPNST (29 samples of tumor and adjacent neurofibroma tissues) and of NF1-MPNST cell lines was performed to identify and validate candidate MPNST-specific CpG sites (CpGs). A logistic regression prediction model was constructed to select MPNST-specific CpGs distinct from adjacent neurofibromas and normal tissues. To test if hypermethylation at selected CpGs can also be detected in plasma from patients with MPNST, …