Content analysis of Coursera, edX, and Udacity course platforms

Purpose of the Study This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the types of courses being offered by MOOCs, and the course presentation used on each platform as found during the period of study. Deeper understanding of the structure and content of each course may give insight to university leadership in how to include MOOCs within programs, and help explain the potential benefits. This study may provide a benchmark to be compared in the future in order to map the trends in online course content. This study might also serve as a broad guide to understanding the state of the art of MOOCs at a particular point in time

Calibration of DEM parameters for cohesionless bulk materials under rapid flow conditions and low consolidation

Why a white paper for DEM calibration? Although DEM simulations are increasingly used in many research and industrial fields, a standard approach for the determination of the right contact model parameters does not currently exist. The white paper is aimed to provide an overview about best practices for DEM simulation in the field of bulk material handling. The style of the paper is focussed on a comprehensive overview, not about a discussion or description of certain details. However, such a detailed description is required for the full understanding of the content. Hence, this white paper contains a number of important references.The white paper is planned as a ongoing project which can be changed and extended regarding the content and authors. The paper makes no claim to completeness but summarises the knowledge and experience of many experts to give an holistic overview of the topic.Transport Engineering and Logistic

Sparsentan in patients with IgA nephropathy: a prespecified interim analysis from a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial

Background: Sparsentan is a novel, non-immunosuppressive, single-molecule, dual endothelin and angiotensin receptor antagonist being examined in an ongoing phase 3 trial in adults with IgA nephropathy. We report the prespecified interim analysis of the primary proteinuria efficacy endpoint, and safety. Methods: PROTECT is an international, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled study, being conducted in 134 clinical practice sites in 18 countries. The study examines sparsentan versus irbesartan in adults (aged ≥18 years) with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy and proteinuria of 1·0 g/day or higher despite maximised renin-angiotensin system inhibitor treatment for at least 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive sparsentan 400 mg once daily or irbesartan 300 mg once daily, stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate at screening (30 to 1·75 g/day). The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to week 36 in urine protein-creatinine ratio based on a 24-h urine sample, assessed using mixed model repeated measures. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were safety endpoints. All endpoints were examined in all participants who received at least one dose of randomised treatment. The study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03762850. Findings: Between Dec 20, 2018, and May 26, 2021, 404 participants were randomly assigned to sparsentan (n=202) or irbesartan (n=202) and received treatment. At week 36, the geometric least squares mean percent change from baseline in urine protein-creatinine ratio was statistically significantly greater in the sparsentan group (-49·8%) than the irbesartan group (-15·1%), resulting in a between-group relative reduction of 41% (least squares mean ratio=0·59; 95% CI 0·51-0·69; p<0·0001). TEAEs with sparsentan were similar to irbesartan. There were no cases of severe oedema, heart failure, hepatotoxicity, or oedema-related discontinuations. Bodyweight changes from baseline were not different between the sparsentan and irbesartan groups. Interpretation: Once-daily treatment with sparsentan produced meaningful reduction in proteinuria compared with irbesartan in adults with IgA nephropathy. Safety of sparsentan was similar to irbesartan. Future analyses after completion of the 2-year double-blind period will show whether these beneficial effects translate into a long-term nephroprotective potential of sparsentan. Funding: Travere Therapeutics