Isolation of Porphyrins from Heavy Oil Objects

The chapter describes the opportunities of extracting porphyrins by polar solvents (acetone, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), isopropanol, and acetonitrile) and sulfuric acid from various highly molecular petroleum fractions and residues. It has been found that the predissolution of petroleum objects such as asphaltenes and resins in aromatic solvents allows improving the extraction of porphyrins by means of reducing their association with polycondensed heteroatomic structures. Based on the absorption spectra and mass spectra, primary types of porphyrins in obtained extracts were revealed. The distinctions between porphyrin extractions in resins and asphaltenes were revealed. Sulfuric acid extraction allows producing highly concentrated primary extracts of demetallated porphyrins. The share of porphyrin fractions in obtained extractions was 13.0–24.2 wt%, which depends on the concentration of metal porphyrins in initial asphaltenes and resins

Nonregistration, discontinuation, and nonpublication of randomized trials: A repeated metaresearch analysis

BACKGROUND We previously found that 25% of 1,017 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) approved between 2000 and 2003 were discontinued prematurely, and 44% remained unpublished at a median of 12 years follow-up. We aimed to assess a decade later (1) whether rates of completion and publication have increased; (2) the extent to which nonpublished RCTs can be identified in trial registries; and (3) the association between reporting quality of protocols and premature discontinuation or nonpublication of RCTs. METHODS AND FINDINGS We included 326 RCT protocols approved in 2012 by research ethics committees in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada in this metaresearch study. Pilot, feasibility, and phase 1 studies were excluded. We extracted trial characteristics from each study protocol and systematically searched for corresponding trial registration (if not reported in the protocol) and full text publications until February 2022. For trial registrations, we searched the (i) World Health Organization: International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP); (ii) US National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov); (iii) European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EUCTR); (iv) ISRCTN registry; and (v) Google. For full text publications, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We recorded whether RCTs were registered, discontinued (including reason for discontinuation), and published. The reporting quality of RCT protocols was assessed with the 33-item SPIRIT checklist. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between the independent variables protocol reporting quality, planned sample size, type of control (placebo versus other), reporting of any recruitment projection, single-center versus multicenter trials, and industry versus investigator sponsoring, with the 2 dependent variables: (1) publication of RCT results; and (2) trial discontinuation due to poor recruitment. Of the 326 included trials, 19 (6%) were unregistered. Ninety-eight trials (30%) were discontinued prematurely, most often due to poor recruitment (37%; 36/98). One in 5 trials (21%; 70/326) remained unpublished at 10 years follow-up, and 21% of unpublished trials (15/70) were unregistered. Twenty-three of 147 investigator-sponsored trials (16%) reported their results in a trial registry in contrast to 150 of 179 industry-sponsored trials (84%). The median proportion of reported SPIRIT items in included RCT protocols was 69% (interquartile range 61% to 77%). We found no variables associated with trial discontinuation; however, lower reporting quality of trial protocols was associated with nonpublication (odds ratio, 0.71 for each 10% increment in the proportion of SPIRIT items met; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 0.92; p = 0.009). Study limitations include that the moderate sample size may have limited the ability of our regression models to identify significant associations. CONCLUSIONS We have observed that rates of premature trial discontinuation have not changed in the past decade. Nonpublication of RCTs has declined but remains common; 21% of unpublished trials could not be identified in registries. Only 16% of investigator-sponsored trials reported results in a trial registry. Higher reporting quality of RCT protocols was associated with publication of results. Further efforts from all stakeholders are needed to improve efficiency and transparency of clinical research

Reporting quality of clinical trial protocols: a repeated cross-sectional study about the Adherence to SPIrit Recommendations in Switzerland, CAnada and GErmany (ASPIRE-SCAGE)

OBJECTIVES Comprehensive protocols are key for the planning and conduct of randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Evidence of low reporting quality of RCT protocols led to the publication of the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist in 2013. We aimed to examine the quality of reporting of RCT protocols from three countries before and after the publication of the SPIRIT checklist. DESIGN Repeated cross sectional study. SETTING Swiss, German and Canadian research ethics committees (RECs). PARTICIPANTS RCT protocols approved by RECs in 2012 (n=257) and 2016 (n=292). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were the proportion of reported SPIRIT items per protocol and the proportion of trial protocols reporting individual SPIRIT items. We compared these outcomes in protocols approved in 2012 and 2016, and built regression models to explore factors associated with adherence to SPIRIT. For each protocol, we also extracted information on general trial characteristics and assessed whether individual SPIRIT items were reported RESULTS: The median proportion of reported SPIRIT items among RCT protocols showed a non-significant increase from 72% (IQR, 63%-79%) in 2012 to 77% (IQR, 68%-82%) in 2016. However, in a preplanned subgroup analysis, we detected a significant improvement in investigator-sponsored protocols: the median proportion increased from 64% (IQR, 55%-72%) in 2012 to 76% (IQR, 64%-83%) in 2016, while for industry-sponsored protocols median adherence was 77% (IQR 72%-80%) for both years. The following trial characteristics were independently associated with lower adherence to SPIRIT: single-centre trial, no support from a clinical trials unit or contract research organisation, and investigator-sponsorship. CONCLUSIONS In 2012, industry-sponsored RCT protocols were reported more comprehensively than investigator-sponsored protocols. After publication of the SPIRIT checklist, investigator-sponsored protocols improved to the level of industry-sponsored protocols, which did not improve

Project - Smart Sole

Smart Soles aims to further expand the realm of smart wearable technology with its smart insoles focused on biometric tracking and customized insole comfort. This product provides Dr. Scholl’s with a means to enter and capture much of the early market for smart insoles. Smart Soles is continuing Dr. Scholl’s history of foot products while adding technology to disrupt the stagnant and primitive insoles market. Company objective: Dr. Scholl’s main objective with Smart Soles is to enter and capture some of the smart wearables market by adding smart, biometric tracking insoles to its portfolio. Smart Soles will utilize Dr. Scholl’s insole technology and distribution chains to launch the product. The “smart” technology comes from the Smart Soles intellectual property (IP) which encompasses sensors calibrated to measure human biometrics, and automatic adjusting technology utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to inflate and deflate small air pockets in the insoles to ensure customized comfort. The insoles and the data they collect can be accessed from an app that Dr. Scholl’s will make available on any smartphone, giving users the power to track their biometrics and biomechanical data. In addition to providing users constant customized comfort with the auto-adjusting insoles, tracking biometrics will encourage and empower an active and health conscious lifestyle. In the long term, this product will bring Dr. Scholl’s portfolio back into relevance from a stagnating market and adhere to the lasting history of providing quality foot products to customers around the world

Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things

In this paper, we review the topics of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and their convergence. These topics will be reviewed in the context of businesses as it relates to Intel and Amazon. We will also cover the implications of these technologies as they relate to human ethics and privacy concerns. Our methodology includes the review of published literature to compare with the information gained through interviews. There is no strong thesis or problem statement around this body of work. It is to be used as a point of reference in developing the landscape for current trends and future of these technologies and potentially related controversies that may arise

Car Dealership Profitability Maximization

Car dealerships are the retail outlets for the auto manufacturers. They make profit from various centers within the dealership, including new car sales, used car sales, part and service. In this paper, we will focus on maximizing the profit by selling used cars. For instance, they may purchase vehicles from an auction based upon which makes and models they believe they can sell given the public demand at the time. Dealers purchase or take in trades of all types of makes and models. Some models are on the lot longer and end up costing more money which in turn the car loses value. In some cases the dealer may sell them through third party auctions. The key is to keep enough of the models on the lot that will sell fairly quickly, without taking in too much inventory that does not have a great rate of return. In this paper, we try to solve the problem of managing the used cars inventory by finding out what the best mix of used cars are that the dealership can order to maximize its profit. On the other hand, we also consider the number of days the cars might stay on the lot because of the depreciation factor and its effect on the total profit. The result of this project should help the dealership make the right decision and plan for their used car inventory to maximize profits