Statistical analysis plan for the TRANSLATE (TRANSrectal biopsy versus Local Anaesthetic Transperineal biopsy Evaluation of potentially clinically significant prostate cancer) multicentre randomised controlled trial

Background: The TRANSLATE (TRANSrectal biopsy versus Local Anaesthetic Transperineal biopsy Evaluation) trial assesses the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two biopsy procedures in terms of detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). This article describes the statistical analysis plan (SAP) for the TRANSLATE randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods/design: TRANSLATE is a parallel, superiority, multicentre RCT. Biopsy-naïve men aged ≥ 18 years requiring a prostate biopsy for suspicion of possible PCa are randomised (computer-generated 1:1 allocation ratio) to one of two biopsy procedures: transrectal (TRUS) or local anaesthetic transperineal (LATP) biopsy. The primary outcome is the difference in detection rates of clinically significant PCa (defined as Gleason Grade Group ≥ 2, i.e. any Gleason pattern ≥ 4 disease) between the two biopsy procedures. Secondary outcome measures are th eProBE questionnaire (Perception Part and General Symptoms) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF, Domain A) scores, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) values, EQ-5D-5L scores, resource use, infection rates, complications, and serious adverse events. We describe in detail the sample size calculation, statistical models used for the analysis, handling of missing data, and planned sensitivity and subgroup analyses. This SAP was pre-specified, written and submitted without prior knowledge of the trial results. Discussion: Publication of the TRANSLATE trial SAP aims to increase the transparency of the data analysis and reduce the risk of outcome reporting bias. Any deviations from the current SAP will be described and justified in the final study report and results publication. Trial registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN98159689, registered on 28 January 2021 and registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05179694) trials registry

Critical Analysis of in situ Performance of Glass Fiber Core VIPs in Extreme Cold Climate

Glass fiber core vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) are becoming an increasingly attractive option for building envelope construction due to lower cost and availability around the world. Although fumed silica core VIPs have shown superior long-term performance under accelerated aging tests compared to glass fiber core VIPS, these laboratory test results have yet to be verified with long-term field performance data. In 2011, glass fiber core VIPs were installed in a commercial building retrofit project in Yukon, Canada (one of Canada's most northern territories), and have been continuously monitored since. This paper summarizes the thermal performance of the glass fiber core VIPs over the period of 2011–2018 in an extreme cold climate. Findings from this study provided data to validate glass fiber core VIP accelerated aging test results and the aging rate of VIPs in a cold and dry climate was determined. These results will help developing a better understanding of the long-term performance of glass fiber core VIPs in a real-world context

Disposable Plasmonics: Rapid and Inexpensive Large Area Patterning of Plasmonic Structures with CO₂ Laser Annealing

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Langmuir, copyright American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02253We present a method of direct patterning of plasmonic nanofeatures on glass that is fast, scalable, tunable, and accessible to a wide range of users-a unique combination in the context of current nanofabrication options for plasmonic devices. These benefits are made possible by the localized heating and subsequent annealing of thin metal films using infrared light from a commercial CO2 laser system. This approach results in patterning times of 30 mm(2)/min with an average cost of $0.10/mm(2). Colloidal Au nanoparticles with diameters between 15 and 40 nm can be formed on glass surfaces with x-y patterning resolutions of ∼180 μm. While the higher resolution provided by lithography is essential in many applications, in cases where the spatial patterning resolution threshold is lower, commercial CO2 laser processing can be 30-fold faster and 400-fold less expensive.This work was supported through a Strategic Grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the University of Toronto Connaught Global Challenges Program in Bio-Inspired Ideas for Sustainable Energy, the University of Toronto McLean Senior Fellowship (DS), the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (MO), and on-going support from the NSERC Discovery Grant Program. Infrastructure support was provided from the Canada Foundation for Innovation

Biomass-to-biocrude on a chip via hydrothermal liquefaction of algae

Hydrothermal liquefaction uses high temperatures and pressures to break organic compounds into smaller fractions, and is considered the most promising method to convert wet microalgae feedstock to biofuel. Although, hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae has received much attention, the specific roles of temperature, pressure, heating rate and reaction time remain unclear. We present a microfluidic screening platform to precisely control and observe reaction conditions at high temperature and pressure. In situ observation using fluorescence enables direct, real-time monitoring of this process. A strong shift in the fluorescence signature from the algal slurry at 675 nm (chlorophyll peak) to a post-HTL stream at 510 nm is observed for reaction temperatures at 260 °C, 280 °C, 300 °C and 320 °C (P = 12 MPa), and occurs over a timescale on the order of 10 min. Biocrude formation and separation from the aqueous phase into immiscible droplets is directly observed and occurs over the same timescale. The higher heating values for the sample are observed to increase over shorter timescales on the order of minutes. After only 1 minute at 300 °C, the higher heating value increases from an initial value of 21.97 MJ kg(-1) to 33.63 MJ kg(-1). The microfluidic platform provides unprecedented control and insight into this otherwise opaque process, with resolution that will guide the design of large scale reactors and processes

Surface Plasmon Resonance for Crude Oil Characterization

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Energy and Fuels copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b00340In this work, crude oil characterization based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is demonstrated. Oil characterization plays a crucial role in both the upstream and downstream oil industry. The application of SPR to these opaque, high index fluids is made possible here using infrared light (λ = 1550 nm) for which crude oil is largely transparent, coupled through a high-index prism. Bitumen–toluene mixture tests show a measurement sensitivity of 74° RIU–1 and a limit of detection below 1% toluene. Seven crude oils from around the world are differentiated with refractive indices (RIs) spanning 1.44–1.56, with a sensor limit of detection of 0.0006 RIU. These results indicate a significant potential for SPR as a non-intrusive, fast, and simple technique for crude oil characterization applicable to reservoirs, surface facilities, and pipelines.This work was supported through a Strategic Grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the University of Toronto Connaught Global Challenges Program in Bio-Inspired Ideas for Sustainable Energy, the University of Toronto McLean Senior Fellowship (to David Sinton), the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (to Matthew D. Ooms), and ongoing support from the NSERC Discovery Grant Program. Infrastructure support was provided from the Canada Foundation for Innovation

Photon management for augmented photosynthesis

Microalgae and cyanobacteria are some of nature’s finest examples of solar energy conversion systems, effortlessly transforming inorganic carbon into complex molecules through photosynthesis. The efficiency of energy-dense hydrocarbon production by photosynthetic organisms is determined in part by the light collected by the microorganisms. Therefore, optical engineering has the potential to increase the productivity of algae cultivation systems used for industrial-scale biofuel synthesis. Herein, we explore and report emerging and promising material science and engineering innovations for augmenting microalgal photosynthesis

Disposable Plasmonics: Rapid and Inexpensive Large Area Patterning of Plasmonic Structures with CO₂ Laser Annealing

We present a method of direct patterning of plasmonic nanofeatures on glass that is fast, scalable, tunable, and accessible to a wide range of usersa unique combination in the context of current nanofabrication options for plasmonic devices. These benefits are made possible by the localized heating and subsequent annealing of thin metal films using infrared light from a commercial CO₂ laser system. This approach results in patterning times of 30 mm²/min with an average cost of $0.10/mm². Colloidal Au nanoparticles with diameters between 15 and 40 nm can be formed on glass surfaces with <i>x</i>–<i>y</i> patterning resolutions of ∼180 μm. While the higher resolution provided by lithography is essential in many applications, in cases where the spatial patterning resolution threshold is lower, commercial CO₂ laser processing can be 30-fold faster and 400-fold less expensive