A blueprint for success in real-world evidence: "glocal" approach to building capabilities and generating impactful evidence.

The past decade has seen the increasing influence and relevance of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in healthcare decision making. The value added by RWD/RWE has prompted the pharmaceutical industry to develop high performing systems and practices to harness the power of evidence generated at the global level. However, this worldwide transformation provides outstanding opportunities to support capability building within local affiliates and to impact key country-level stakeholders through resulting evidence.

Towards eliminating friction and wear in plain bearings operating without lubrication.

Plain bearings, renowned for their versatility and simplicity, are extensively utilized in engineering design across various industries involving moving parts. Lubrication is vital to the functioning of these bearings, yet their usage is inhibited under dynamic load conditions, or at elevated or reduced temperatures due to this dependency on lubrication. This study introduces an innovative method to significantly mitigate friction and wear in plain bearings operating without lubrication.

Miniaturized Microscale Solid-Phase Extraction-Based Module for Highly Efficient DNA Extraction and Purification from Grapevine Samples.

Several developments over the last few years are being directed toward improving DNA-based analysis to simplify, miniaturize, and reduce the time and cost of analysis, with the objective to allow its use in decentralized settings. One of the most interesting fields is DNA extraction and purification, a key step for ensuring good analytical performance. In this sense, microscale solid phase extraction (μSPE) offers paramount advantages for an improved DNA yield.

THE POSSIBILITIES OF DISABILITY LEVEL DETERMINATION BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING WITH THE WHO DISABILITY ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE (WHODAS 2.0).

Objective: The aim: To explore the possibilities of using the WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire in the field of medical and social expertise in Ukraine as an additional tool for the determination of the levels of human functioning in the main spheres of life.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: A check-up of 125 disabled people was conducted, their scores were determined using the WHODAS as well as their degree of disability according to generally accepted criteria in Ukraine.

The 7+ Habits of Highly Effective Medical Directors.

Medical Directors in the pharmaceutical industry are responsible for fulfilling multiple roles, including scientific expert, conscience keeper and people leader, as well as being the external face of the organisation. The capabilities described in the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® are not just the integral qualities of a successful leader, they are important capabilities that are critical to becoming an impactful medical leader too. As scientific, functional and enterprise leaders, country and cluster Medical Directors must possess these seven qualities.

Amplified plasmonic and microfluidic setup for DNA monitoring.

Plasmonic nanosensors for label-free detection of DNA require excellent sensing resolution, which is crucial when monitoring short DNA sequences, as these induce tiny peak shifts, compared to large biomolecules. We report a versatile and simple strategy for plasmonic sensor signal enhancement by assembling multiple (four) plasmonic sensors in series. This approach provided a fourfold signal enhancement, increased signal-to-noise ratio, and improved sensitivity for DNA detection.

Dual colorimetric strategy for specific DNA detection by nicking endonuclease-assisted gold nanoparticle signal amplification.

The continuous spread of invasive alien species, as zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), is a major global concern and it is urgent to stop it. Early stages of an invasion are crucial and challenging; however, detection tools based on environmental DNA analysis are promising alternatives. We present an alternative DNA target amplification strategy for signal enhancement followed by dual-mode colorimetric naked eye and optical smartphone analysis for the early detection of zebra mussel environmental DNA.

Single-use microfluidic device for purification and concentration of environmental DNA from river water.

Purification and concentration of DNA is a critical step on DNA-based analysis, which should ensure efficient DNA isolation and effective removal of contaminants that may interfere with downstream DNA amplification. Complexity of samples, minute content of target analyte, or high DNA fragmentation greatly entangles the success of this step. To overcome this issue, we designed and fabricated a novel miniaturized disposable device for a highly efficient DNA purification.

Influence of the Electrolyte Salt Concentration on DNA Detection with Graphene Transistors.

Liquid-gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistors (GFET) are ultrasensitive bio-detection platforms carrying out the graphene's exceptional intrinsic functionalities. Buffer and dilution factor are prevalent strategies towards the optimum performance of the GFETs. However, beyond the Debye length (λD), the role of the graphene-electrolytes' ionic species interactions on the DNA behavior at the nanoscale interface is complicated.

Intercomparison of dose enhancement ratio and secondary electron spectra for gold nanoparticles irradiated by X-rays calculated using multiple Monte Carlo simulation codes.

Purpose: Targeted radiation therapy has seen an increased interest in the past decade. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed enhanced radiation doses due to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to tumors in mice and demonstrated a high potential for clinical application. However, finding a functionalized molecular formulation for actively targeting GNPs in tumor cells is challenging.

Plasmon Resonance in Photoabsorption of Colloidal Highly Doped ZnO Nanocrystals.

A new type of dipole plasmon excitations in colloidal highly doped ZnO nanocrystals has been studied by means of many-body quantum mechanical approach. We demonstrate that in photodoped ZnO nanocrystals, the conduction band electrons are localized close to the surface and the plasmon oscillations are induced by their angular motion. The transition of this plasmon mode from classical to quantum regime is defined by the nanocrystal size.

New flow-through analytical system based on ion-selective field effect transistors with optimised calcium selective photocurable membrane for bovine serum analysis.

An analytical system based on ion-selective field effect transistors (ISFETs) with Ca(2+) ion selective photocurable membranes is developed to offer a semiautomatic analysis of serum calcium concentration of ruminants. Optimisation of ion-sensitive membrane composition containing different copolymerised plasticizers was performed to minimise the effect of a highly lipophilic samples on sensors characteristics. To improve the system reliability the set of calibration solutions and measurement sequence were also optimised.

An impedimetric chemical sensor for determination of detergents residues.

A new impedimetric sensor based on an interdigitated electrode array with electrode digits located at the bottom of microcapillaries formed in silicon dioxide is presented. Microcapillaries are opened at the top, so that in contact with an electrolyte solution the ac current flows close to the surface of the capillary wall from one electrode to another and is significantly affected by changes in the surface conductance at the SiO2/electrolyte interface. Adsorption of detergents on the sensor surface affects the charge distribution in the electrical double layer and thus the surface conductance.

[Methodological approaches to forecasting of disability dynamics in Ukraine].

Estimated the dynamics of indexes of primary disability of adult and able to work population for 2000-2009 on the whole on Ukraine and on administrative territories. For development of the methodological going near prognostication of disability used the methods of mathematical statistics: analysis of sentinel rows and regressive analysis. Indexes over of disability during ten years are brought as sentinel rows through the system of sentinel parameters and supervision; the models of linear trends are built, their adequacy and authenticity are tested, a prognosis is certain.

Application of an e-tongue to the analysis of monovarietal and blends of white wines.

This work presents a multiparametric system capable of characterizing and classifying white wines according to the grape variety and geographical origin. Besides, it quantifies specific parameters of interest for quality control in wine. The system, known as a hybrid electronic tongue, consists of an array of electrochemical microsensors-six ISFET based sensors, a conductivity sensor, a redox potential sensor and two amperometric electrodes, a gold microelectrode and a microelectrode for sensing electrochemical oxygen demand--and a miniaturized optofluidic system.

Recent trends in potentiometric sensor arrays--a review.

Nowadays there exists a large variety of ion sensors based on polymeric or solid-state membranes that can be used in a sensor array format in many analytical applications. This review aims at providing a critical overview of the distinct approaches that were developed to build and use potentiometric sensor arrays based on different transduction principles, such as classical ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) with polymer or solid-state membranes, solid-contact electrodes (SCE) including coated wire electrodes (CWE), ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) and light addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS). Analysing latest publications on potentiometric sensor arrays development and applications certain problems are outlined and trends are discussed.

Assessment of noncollinear spin-flip Tamm-Dancoff approximation time-dependent density-functional theory for the photochemical ring-opening of oxirane.

Under the usual assumption of noninteracting v-representability, density-functional theory (DFT) together with time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) provide a formally exact single-reference method suitable for the theoretical description of the electronic excited-states of large molecules, and hence for the description of excited-state potential energy surfaces important for photochemistry. The quality of this single-reference description is limited in practice by the need to use approximate exchange-correlation functionals. In particular it is far from clear how well approximations used in contemporary practical TDDFT calculations can describe funnel regions such as avoided crossings and conical intersections.

Integrated multi-sensor chip with photocured polymer membranes containing copolymerized plasticizer for direct pH, potassium, sodium and chloride ions determination in blood serum.

An analytical system based on a sensor array with ion-selective field effect transistors (ISFETs) monolithically integrated in one chip covered with photocured polymer membranes containing copolymerized plasticizer and a sequential injection analysis (SIA) is shown to offer an automation of the analysis of blood serum components. For sequential injection system a custom made dual channel flow cell for the sensor array was developed. Optimisation of ion-sensitive membrane characteristics and calibration solution compositions were carried out.

Qualitatively Correct Charge-Transfer Excitation Energies in HeH(+) by Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory Due to Exact Exchange Kohn-Sham Eigenvalue Differences.

Time-dependent density-functional theory in the response regime is shown to yield qualitatively correct charge-transfer excitation energies in the system HeH(+) if the exact Kohn-Sham exchange potential is employed to determine the Kohn-Sham orbitals and eigenvalues entering the time-dependent density-functional calculation. The employed exact-exchange kernel is frequency-independent and, like conventional kernels in the local density approximation or in generalized gradient approximations, does not contribute to the charge-transfer excitation energy. This shows that it can be that not the exchange-correlation kernel, as generally believed, but the exchange-correlation potential plays the crucial role in the description of charge-transfer excitations.

Determination of cyanide using flow-injection multisensor system.

A flow-injection multisensor system (FIMS) comprising potentiometric sensors of different types for determination of free cyanide activity in basic solutions for extraction of noble metals was developed. The solvent polymeric membrane sensors based on metalloporphyrin and crystalline sensors were combined in the sensor system. The system allowed determination of cyanide activity in the range 10(-4)-1 mol l(-1) with an error less than 5% in individual cyanide solutions and acceptable precision (about 20%) in process liquids.

Electronic integrated multisensor tongue applied to grape juice and wine analysis.

An integrated multisensor composed by six ISFET devices selective to common ions and heavy metals combined with a flow injection analysis (FIA) system has been applied as an electronic tongue to grape juice and wine sample analysis. The data obtained for several grape and wine variety samples analysis have been treated using multiparametric tools like principal component analysis (PCA) and soft independent modelling class analogy technique (SIMCA) for the patterning recognition and classification of samples and partial least squares (PLS) regression for quantification of several parameters of interest in wine production. The results obtained have demonstrated the potential of using those multisensors as electronic tongues not only for distinguishing the samples according to the grape variety and the vintage year but also for quantitative prediction of several sample parameters.

Troubleshooting time-dependent density-functional theory for photochemical applications: oxirane.

The development of analytic-gradient methodology for excited states within conventional time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) would seem to offer a relatively inexpensive alternative to better established quantum-chemical approaches for the modeling of photochemical reactions. However, even though TDDFT is formally exact, practical calculations involve the use of approximate functional, in particular the TDDFT adiabatic approximation, the use of which in photochemical applications must be further validated. Here, we investigate the prototypical case of the symmetric CC ring opening of oxirane.

Simple DFT model of clusters embedded in rare gas matrix: trapping sites and spectroscopic properties of Na embedded in Ar.

We present a theoretical model to study the dynamics of metallic clusters embedded in a rare gas matrix. We describe the active electrons of the embedded cluster using time dependent density functional theory, while the surrounding matrix is described in terms of classical molecular dynamics of polarizable atoms. The coupling between the cluster and the rare gas atoms is deduced from the work of Gross and Spiegelmann [J.

[Methodology for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of performance of activities of medical and social experts].

The paper scientifically substantiates methodology, approaches, criteria, and control indices for assessment of activities of establishments of medical-and-social performance. Most indices for efficiency and certain indices for week points in the work of establishments of the service depend on interaction thereof with curative- and prophylactic institutions; the best results with the problem of prevention of disability and rehabilitation of invalids are supposed to be achieved through collaborative efforts. Other criteria and intermediate indices having an effect on the quality of activities reflect the resource- and trained personnel supplies of establishments of the service, amount of work, organizational measures designed to raise the quality of medical-and-social expert performance.