cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Likelihood-based Estimation of Exactly-Solved Present-Value Models∗

We develop a tractable exactly solved present-value model to study the dynamics of stock returns, dividend growth rates, and the price-dividend ratio. We show that standard predictive regressions of returns and dividend growth rates on the lagged price-dividend ratio suffer from a problem that is akin to an errors-in-variables problem. By using non-linear filtering techniques to estimate the structural parameters of our present-value model, we can mitigate this errors-in-variables problem. We then use this framework to decompose the price-dividend ratio and excess stock returns, and study the influence of approximation errors that would arise if we were to log-linearize the model. Our model induces heteroscedasticity in returns, even though the latent processes for expected returns and expected dividend growth rates are homoscedastic.
Carbon tetrachloride and 2-isopropyl-4-pentenamide-induced inactivation of cytochrome P-450 leads to heme-derived protein adducts

When CCl4 was incubated with rat liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats in an aerobic or anaerobic atmosphere, over 69% of the heme moiety of cytochrome P-450 was destroyed. At least 45% of the degraded heme under both reaction conditions was accounted for as heme-derived products irreversibly bound to microsomal proteins. Furthermore, 33% of the irreversibly bound products were bound specifically to a 54-kDa form of cytochrome P-450. A structurally different compound, 2-isopropyl-4-pentenamide, also destroyed the heme moiety of cytochrome P-450 and produced heme-derived adducts of microsomal proteins that accounted for 28% of the destroyed heme. These results represent a novel mechanism for the destruction of cytochromes P-450 by xenobiotics.
A stereo audio chip using approximate processing for decimation and interpolation filters

A stereo audio chip uses approximate processing techniques in the digital decimation and interpolation filters to reduce its active power dissipation. One pair of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters and one pair of digital-to-analog (D/A) converters have been integrated in a die area of 10.22 mm/sup 2/ in a 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. The total power dissipation of these converters without power management is 200 mW when operated from a 5-V power supply. When the signal is fully active, power reductions of 36% for decimation and 17% for interpolation over fixed-order filters are demonstrated. When the signal is 40 dB below overload, power reductions of 67% for decimation and 44% for interpolation over fixed-order filters are observed. The power reductions are 83.1% for A/D converters, and 82.7% for D/A converters, when the signal is silent for a period of time.
Boosting minimal unsatisfiable core extraction

A variety of tasks in formal verification require finding small or minimal unsatisfiable cores (subsets) of an unsatisfiable set of constraints. This paper proposes two algorithms for finding a minimal unsatisfiable core or, if a time-out occurs, a small non-minimal unsatisfiable core. Our algorithms can be applied to either standard clause-level unsatisfiable core extraction or high-level unsatisfiable core extraction, that is, an extraction of an unsatisfiable core in terms of “interesting” propositional constraints supplied by the user application. We demonstrate that one of our algorithms outperforms existing algorithms for clause-level minimal unsatisfiable core extraction on large well-known industrial benchmarks. We also show that our algorithms are highly scalable for the problem of high-level minimal unsatisfiable core extraction on huge benchmarks generated by Intel's proof-based abstraction refinement flow. In addition, we provide a comparative analysis of the impact of various algorithms on unsatisfiable core extraction.
Case Based Clinical Pearls: A schizophrenic case study

Clinical pearls based on the treatment of a patient with schizophrenia who had stabbed a taxi cab driver are discussed in this case study. Areas explored include the pharmacokinetics of fluphenazine decanoate, strategies to manage clozapine-associated agranulocytosis, and approaches to addressing hyperprolactinemia.
Increased Incidence of Encephalomalacia in the Chick by Dietary Phytol

Abstract THE role of linoleic acid in the etiology of encephalomalacia has been reported (Dam et al., 1958; Century and Horwitt, 1959; Machlin and Gordon, 1960). Substances such as inositol, ascorbic acid, methylene blue, and a number of synthetic antioxidants have been shown to alleviate the incidence of encephalomalacia either partially or completely. Century and Horwitt (1959), and Century et al. (1959) reported that certain saturated fatty acids such as lauric and myristic caused an increase in the incidence of this disorder. In a preliminary experiment, cis-trans phytol was fed on the assumption that it would prevent the development of encephalomalacia. This hypothesis was based upon the results of our previous work where phytol was found to increase the concentration of vitamin E in liver tissue 2- to 3-fold over controls (Pudelkiewicz et al., 1964). It was felt that the phytol would preserve the residual tocopherol in the feed ingredients and…
Cognitive foundations for teaching technical communication

The new ABET requirements, changing realities of the workplace, and growing awareness of language in the learning process place added emphasis on technical communication in the modern engineering curriculum. Concurrently, a rich body of research on the cognitive dimensions of communication has improved our understanding of how this complex process takes place. This proposed presentation discusses a junior-level course in which new cognitive theories are extended into robust pedagogy for teaching effective and efficient technical communication.
Entrepreneurial Innovation As A Learning System

We surveyed 172 technology entrepreneurs to explore links between learning style and learning flexibility and decision making behaviors hypothesized to produce entrepreneurial innovation and succes...
Fibrate Therapy: Impact on Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Events in Diabetic Patients

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke are both primarily due to atherosclerosis. Due to their common pathophysiology, they are often considered together under the term of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States [1], with over three-quarters of a million new cases of CHD and a similar number of strokes each year. Lowering of levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) with statin monotherapy is well proven to reduce CVD events by about 20–50 % [2]. Importantly, the degree of risk reduction is proportional to the degree of LDL-C decrease—21 % CVD event decrease per 39 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) LDL-C decrease [2]—and an identical 21 % decrease per 39 mg/dL decrease is seen in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2) [3]. Due to higher overall CVD risk in DM-2 (other risk factors being equal), the absolute risk reduction is greater than in those without DM-2, and only 24 patients with DM-2 would need a statin-induced 39 mg/dL decrease in LDL-C for 5 years to prevent one major CVD event. Although such treatment is clinically useful and generally cost-effective, it is important to note that the majority of CVD events, roughly 50–80 %, still occur despite statin treatment [4–7]. Of course, there is considerable interest in learning how to reduce this large residual risk. This is especially true in patients with high CVD risk due to strong risk factors such as DM-2, among whom the 50–80 % residual CVD risk is thus larger in absolute terms.
Incidence, Relevance and Response for Ralstonia Respiratory Infections

BACKGROUND: Cases of Ralstonia colonization/infection occasionally reported by hospitals has generated increased interest in an organism previously little known to most clinicians. Our goal was to determine the incidence of respiratory colonizations and infections involving Ralstonia and the association of mechanical ventilation (limited to reports on respiratory-related occurrences in the USA) and propose a decision chart to assist response. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of published clinical reports of Ralstonia to determine the potential risks for respiratory colonization and infection in the USA and if being on mechanical ventilation (MV) had an influence on colonization and conversion to infection (symptomatic). RESULTS: The odds of developing colonization with Ralstonia were eight times higher and the likelihood of developing infection with Ralstonia was twelve times higher in those mechanically ventilated compared to those not mechanically ventilated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that individuals who are currently on mechanical ventilation and are Ralstonia culture-positive have an increased risk for colonization and may have increased propensity to the development of infection (two decision trees for approaching diagnosis and therapy included). ABBREVIATIONS:FDA – Food and Drug Administration, sp. – Specie (spp., plural), HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus, MV – Mechanical Ventilation, MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction, VAP – Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Heteroepitaxy and crystallographic orientation transition in La 1.875 Sr 0.125 NiO 4 thin films on single crystal SrTiO 3

We investigate the orientation transition and strain relaxation in oxygenated epitaxial strontium-doped lanthanum nickelate, La1.875Sr0.125NiO4+δ (LSNO) thin films grown on single crystal strontium titanate, SrTiO3 (STO) substrates. Structural evolution has been studied as a function of film thickness by x-ray diffraction, pole figure analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The LSNO layer grows epitaxial (OR1) with respect to the STO substrate with an orientation (001)OR1//(001)STO and OR1// STO. This orientation is maintained up to approximately 15 nm as observed from TEM, at which point it undergoes reorientation and lattice mismatch strain relaxation. The growth continues with a new orientation (OR2) as (100)OR2//(001)OR1 and with OR2// OR1 and OR2// OR1 with respect to the epitaxial LSNO layer. We consider possible mechanisms in detail leading to these phenomena given that the potassium nickel fluoride (K2NiF4)-structured lattice is able to accommodate excess oxygen interstitials and corresponding changes in the Ni valence state. By investigating the phase space of deposition parameters, we experimentally identify key factors leading to the reorientation phenomena.
ZEM/ZEV Feedback Guidance Application to Fuel-Efficient Orbital Maneuvers Around an Irregular-Shaped Asteroid

The new vision for advanced missions to asteroids, including soft landing, presents many challenges that have essential differences from previous experiences with planetary landing. This paper focuses on two subjects pertaining to asteroid proximity operations: highaccuracy modeling of the gravitational environment and fuel-efficient guidance and control algorithm design. Both a spherical harmonic expansion method and a polyhedron shape model are used for modeling the gravitational environment of an irregular-shaped asteroid. The effects of Coriolis and centripetal accelerations are also examined. The ZEM/ZEV (Zero-Effort-Miss/Zero-Effort-Velocity) feedback guidance algorithm is in general not an optimal control scheme, however it is conceptually simple and easy to implement, and in many cases it approaches optimality. Two mission phases, orbital transfer between observational orbits and soft landing, are numerically simulated using different implementations of the ZEM/ZEV algorithm. These simulations show that the ZEM/ZEV algorithm is suitable for asteroid proximity operations, and important considerations for using the algorithm are discussed.
On Governing Land Use Planning Gaming Between Central and Local Governments

The introduction of"governance"theory in land use planning is of great significance for coordinating the conflict and gaming between central and local governments and realizing the fair and effective allocation of land resources.The present paper generalized the connotation of the"governance"theory and revealed the nature of governing the conflict and gaming,described the status quo and problems in formulating and implementing the general planning of land use in the first and second rounds,and the dysfunction of the state′s general land use planning system.From the perspective of the"authorization-deputization"relationship between the central and local governments in land management,the paper constructed a gaming model for the two interest contradictory parties in the implementation of the general planning of land use and probed into the roots of dysfunction of the state′s land use in the central and local governments′ gaming.On the basis of this,the paper proposed the counter-measures for governing the gaming from the aspects of unified planning of public governing objectives,civil social web management,market allocating land resources,financial system reform,and constructing supervision and penalty mechanism.
Comparison of pharmacokinetic procedures for dosing lithium based on analysis of prediction error

Five pharmacokinetic methods for estimating maintenance dosage requirements of lithium carbonate were compared retrospectively in 20 inpatients with acute bipolar illness. Specific pharmacokinetic methods tested included the method of Cooper, the multiple-point method of Perry, the single-point method of Perry, the method of Zetin, and the method of Pepin. Data analysis was based on evaluation of prediction error or the difference between the predicted steady-state lithium concentration and the measured steady-state lithium concentration at equivalent daily doses. Each dosing method was assessed in regard to accuracy and bias of predicted steady-state serum lithium concentrations. Bias was assessed by comparison of the median value of the prediction error with zero. The dosing recommendation based on the Cooper nomogram resulted in a significant positive bias (p less than or equal to 0.05). Intermethod accuracy was assessed by comparison of the absolute prediction errors of each dosing method. Significant differences in accuracy were observed between the method of Pepin when compared with the single-point method of Perry (p less than or equal to 0.05, k-sample sign test). All other comparisons were nonsignificant.
On the Evaluation of Module Preservation

The ability to compare the modular structure of gene expression networks requires fast and accurate statistical tools. NetRep software provides a permutation approach which validates seven measures used to contrast the preservation of co-expression across diverse datasets.
In Vitro Fertilization Versus Mild Stimulation Intrauterine Insemination in Women Aged 40 and Older

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) and pregnancy outcomes (POs) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and a specific controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (mild-stimulation or mini-stim) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) protocol in women older than 40. Methods: It is a retrospective chart review of 770 cycles of all women aged 40 and older who underwent a first cycle of either IVF or mini-stim IUI between the years 2007 and 2012 at a single infertility center. Results: The PR in all women aged 40 and above was 12% (65/531) for IVF and 5% (13/239) for mini-stim IUI (P = .004). When divided into age-groups, the PR of IVF at age 40 was superior to that at age 41 and above (15% vs 7%, P = .002), while the PR of mini-stim IUI remains similar (3% vs 7%, P = .307). When comparing the outcomes of the 2 treatments in the different age-groups, it showed that in women aged 40, IVF PR was superior to that of mini-stim IUI (15% vs 3%, P = .032); while in women aged 41 and above, IVF and mini-stim IUI have similar PR (7% vs 7%, P = .866). When POs were compared, the rate of live birth per cycle initiated was 9.2% for IVF versus 1.28% for mini-stim IUI (P = .001). Conclusions: While IVF and mini-stim IUI were found to have similar PRs in women aged 41 and above, POs are significantly better in IVF. A larger study is required to clarify the above results.
A New "Quasi-Dynamic" Method for Determining the Hamaker Constant of Solids Using an Atomic Force Microscope.

In order to minimize the effects of surface roughness and deformation, a new method for estimating the Hamaker constant, A, of solids using the approach-to-contact regime of an atomic force microscope (AFM) is presented. First, a previous “jump-into-contact” quasi-static method for determining A from AFM measurements is analyzed and then extended to include various AFM tip-surface force models of interest. Then, to test the efficacy of the “jump-into-contact” method, a dynamic model of the AFM tip motion is developed. For finite AFM cantilever-surface approach speeds, a true “jump” point, or limit of stability, is found not to appear, and the quasi-static model fails to represent the dynamic tip behavior at close tip-surface separations. Hence, a new “quasi-dynamic” method for estimating A is proposed that uses the dynamically well-defined deflection at which the tip and surface first come into contact, dc, instead of the dynamically ill-defined “jump” point. With the new method, an apparent Hamaker const...
Reflections on Contested Identities: Investigating the Narratives of Northern Sudanese Muslim Women in West Yorkshire

Alrasheed offers a robust research work focusing on respondents’ perspectives, daily encounters and experiences in West Yorkshire, with detailed analysis, arguing for an uncoupling of the analytical notion of Muslimness and hegemonic performativities and emphasizing the issues of gender and Islam, including multifaceted Islam and the complexity of identities. She explains how religious identity in the diaspora is mediated by factors such as gender, class, ethnic origin, race and national status. The book provides the narratives of the Sudanese women and draws on performativity and multiple identities relation to the various levels of hierarchy within the diasporic space. She broadly examines and explores how the patterns of life and the social dynamics of West Yorkshire have affected and influenced the women.
The association between varicocoeles and vascular disease: an analysis of U.S. claims data.

S‪tudies have suggested an association between varicocele, hypogonadism, and elevated oxidative stress markers, but no other health risks have been associated with varicoceles. ‬‬‬‬We sought to determine the association between varicocele and incident medical comorbidities. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Using the Truven Health MarketScan® claims database from 2001 to 2009, we identified 4459 men with varicoceles, and 100,066 controls based on ICD-9 and CPT codes, with an average follow-up of 3.1 person years. Men with varicoceles were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on co-existing diagnoses. Men with medical comorbidities present before or within 1 year of index diagnosis were excluded. Metabolic and cardiovascular outcome variables were identified via ICD-9 codes. A Cox regression analysis was used to assess incident risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease amongst the different groups. Men with varicoceles had a higher incidence of heart disease compared to men who underwent infertility testing (HR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03-1.45), and men who underwent vasectomy (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13-1.54). The varicoceles group also had a higher risk of diabetes (HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.37-2.18) and hyperlipidemia (HR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.28) compared to the vasectomy group. Furthermore, men with symptomatic varicoceles (n = 3442) had a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia following diagnosis, while men with asymptomatic varicoceles (n = 1017) did not. Given the prevalence of varicoceles, further research is needed to understand the implications of a varicocele to a man's overall health.
Late adulthood mortality among African-American and white American people with Type 1 diabetes according to age at diabetes diagnosis.

Aims To estimate the overall and cause-specific mortality in a population of African-Americans and white Americans with a low socio-economic status who had young-onset insulin-treated diabetes and had survived beyond the age of 40 years, and to examine whether any excess risk varied according to age at diabetes onset. Methods Using the Southern Community Cohort Study, we conducted a mortality follow-up of a cohort of mostly low-income participants aged 40-79 years (mean 50 years) at cohort entry with insulin-treated diabetes diagnosed before age 30 years (n=475) and without diabetes (n=62 266). Childhood onset was defined as diabetes diagnosed before age 20 years (n=162), while young-adulthood onset was defined as diabetes diagnosed between ages 20 and 29 years (n=313). Cause-specific mortality was based on both underlying and contributing causes of death, obtained from death certificates. Multivariable Cox analysis was performed. Results During follow-up (mean 9.5 years), 38.7% of those with and 12.9% of those without diabetes died. Compared with those without diabetes, increases in mortality rate were generally similar among those with childhood- and young-adulthood-onset diabetes for deaths from: all causes (childhood: hazard ratio 4.3, CI 3.3-5.5; young adulthood: hazard ratio 4.9, CI 4.0-5.8); ischaemic heart disease (childhood: hazard ratio 5.7, CI 3.5-9.4; young adulthood: hazard ratio 7.9, CI 5.6-11.0); heart failure (childhood: hazard ratio 7.3, CI 4.2-12.7; young adulthood: hazard ratio 5.4, CI 3.3-8.9); sepsis (childhood: hazard ratio 10.3, CI 6.1-17.3; young adulthood: hazard ratio 8.8, CI 5.7-13.5); renal failure (childhood: hazard ratio 15.1, CI 8.6-26.5; young adulthood: hazard ratio 18.2, CI 12.3-27.1); respiratory disorders (childhood: hazard ratio 3.9, CI 2.3-6.7; young adulthood: hazard ratio 5.3, CI 3.7-7.7); suicide/homicide/accidents (childhood: hazard ratio 2.3, CI 0.72-7.0; young adulthood: hazard ratio 5.8, CI 3.4-10.2); and cancer (childhood: hazard ratio 2.1, CI 0.98-4.4; young adulthood: hazard ratio 1.2, CI 0.55-2.5). Conclusions We observed high excess long-term mortality for all-cause, renal failure, ischemic heart disease and heart failure mortality in African-American and white American people with early-onset insulin-treated diabetes.
CRT-600.09 CardioHELP Support for High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Single Center Case Series

Temporary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been described in select patient groups. Data is limited regarding outcomes using the CardioHELP device (Maquet, Inc.) for patients requiring high-risk PCI. We sought to assess
A Rare Presentation of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis – Like Acute Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A 25-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was transferred from an outside hospital with a worsening painful generalized rash and oral ulcerations for the prior 3 weeks due to concern for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Exam revealed denuded erythematous plaques covering over 80% of the patient’s body surface area and a 4.2 x 2.6 cm ulcerated plaque of the superior hard palate. Histology demonstrated parakeratosis and compact hyperkeratosis overlying an atrophic epidermis with vacuolar interface change, prominent keratinocyte dyskeratosis, and a thickened basement membrane zone (BMZ). The superficial dermis had a mild predominantly lymphocytic perivascular infiltrate and superficial dermal mucin deposition. Direct immunofluorescence was positive for IgG (granular, BMZ), C3 (granular, BMZ), and IgA was negative. Labs were remarkable for positive ANA (1:160), ds-DNA, anti-Smith, anti-RNP, low C3/C4, with negative anti-SSA/SSB. The clinicopathological correlation was most consistent with the diagnosis of TEN-like acute systemic lupus erythematosus (TEN-like ASLE). Our patient improved with treatment for her ASLE. This case highlights a challenging clinicopathologic differential diagnosis.
Crowdsourced versus expert evaluations of the vesico-urethral anastomosis in the robotic radical prostatectomy: is one superior at discriminating differences in automated performance metrics?

Crowdsourcing from the general population is an efficient, inexpensive method of surgical performance evaluation. In this study, we compared the discriminatory ability of experts and crowdsourced evaluators (the Crowd) to detect differences in robotic automated performance metrics (APMs). APMs (instrument motion tracking and events data directly from the robot system) of anterior vesico-urethral anastomoses (VUAs) of robotic radical prostatectomies were captured by the dVLogger (Intuitive Surgical). Crowdsourced evaluators and four expert surgeons evaluated video footage using the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) (individual domains and total score). Cases were then stratified into performance groups (high versus low quality) for each evaluator based on GEARS. APMs from each group were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. 25 VUAs performed by 11 surgeons were evaluated. The Crowd displayed moderate correlation with averaged expert scores for all GEARS domains (r > 0.58, p < 0.01). Bland–Altman analysis showed a narrower total GEARS score distribution by the Crowd compared to experts. APMs compared amongst performance groups for each evaluator showed that through GEARS scoring, the most common differentiated metric by evaluators was the velocity of the dominant instrument arm. The Crowd outperformed two out of four expert evaluators by discriminating differences in three APMs using total GEARS scores. The Crowd assigns a narrower range of GEARS scores compared to experts but maintains overall agreement with experts. The discriminatory ability of the Crowd at discerning differences in robotic movements (via APMs) through GEARS scoring is quite refined, rivaling that of expert evaluators.
On the Limiting Behavior of the Trajectory of Regularized Solutions of a P0-Complementarity Problem

Given a continuous P 0-function on R n , we consider the nonlinear complementarity problem NCP(f) and the trajectory of regularized solutions {x(e):0 < e < ∞} where x(e) is the unique solution of NCP(f e ) with f e (x):= f (x) +e x. Given a sequence {x(e k )} with e k ↓ 0, we discuss (i) the existence of a bounded/convergent subsequence in the affine case, (ii) a property of any subsequential limit x*, and (iii) the convergence of the entire trajectory in the polynomial case.
Changes in sedentary time are associated with changes in mental wellbeing over 1 year in young adults

Abstract Excessive sedentary time is related to poor mental health. However, much of the current literature uses cross-sectional data and/or self-reported sedentary time, and does not assess factors such as sedentary bout length. To address these limitations, the influence of objectively measured sedentary time including sedentary bout length (i.e.
Periprocedural pulmonary aspiration: An analysis of medical malpractice cases and alleged causative factors.

Rationale aims and objectives Pulmonary aspiration is a feared complication of anaesthesia that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Within the small existing body of literature on medical malpractice claims related to periprocedural aspiration, very little information is available regarding the case-specific factors that were alleged to contribute to each aspiration event. Methods This study searched an extensive nationwide database of medical malpractice claims and identified 43 relating to periprocedural pulmonary aspiration. Results The most common mechanism of causation cited in these claims (37%) was the failure to secure the airway with an endotracheal tube (ETT) when an elevated aspiration risk existed, most commonly because endotracheal intubation was not originally selected as part of the anaesthetic plan. The second most common alleged category of causation (33%) was the failure to perform a proper rapid-sequence induction and/or place a nasogastric tube (NGT) for decompression prior to induction. An equal amount of cases resulted in defendant versus plaintiff verdicts (44.2% each), while a settlement was reached in the remaining 11.6% of cases. Conclusion These findings are generalizable to clinical practice improvement on a broader scale. They demonstrate the need to develop reliable, high-sensitivity tests for detecting elevated risk before clinicians can be expected to take special steps to protect susceptible patients, and they also show that medical malpractice can be alleged because of failure to uphold currently accepted standards of care even when the published evidence for those standards is weak. This study demonstrates that careful review of medical malpractice litigation can elucidate common contributory factors and facilitate improvements in clinical practice and decision-making.
A Study to Identify Medication-Related Problems and Associated Cost Avoidance by Community Pharmacists during a Comprehensive Medication Review in Patients One Week Post Hospitalization.

Objectives: To determine the numbers of medication discrepancies and medication-related problems (MRPs) identified and resolved when providing a transitions of care comprehensive medication review (CMR) after hospital discharge within a community pharmacy; and to estimate the cost-avoidance value of this service. Methods: Community pharmacists provided CMRs to covered employees and dependents of a self-insured regional grocery store chain who were discharged from the hospital. Data was collected prospectively over 4 months. Discrepancies were identified among patients’ medication regimens by comparing the hospital discharge record, the pharmacy profile, and what the patient reported taking. MRPs were categorized into ten categories, as defined by the OutcomesMTM® Encounter Worksheet. Interventions were categorized using the severity scale developed by OutcomesMTM®, a Cardinal Health company. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations. Results: Nineteen patients were enrolled in the program. Pharmacists identified 34 MRPs and 81 medication discrepancies, 1.8 and 4.3 per patient, respectively. The most common type of MRP was underuse of medication (70.6%). Significant positive correlations were found between the number of scheduled prescription medications and the number of medications with discrepancies (p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.825) and number of scheduled prescription medications and the number of MRPs (p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.697). Most commonly, the severity levels associated with the MRPs involved the prevention of physician office visits or addition of new prescription medications (n = 10 each); however, four emergency room visits and three hospitalizations were also avoided. The total estimated cost avoidance was $92,143, or $4850 per patient. Extrapolated annual cost savings related to this service would be $276,428. Conclusions: This transitions of care service was successful in identifying and addressing MRPs and discrepancies for this patient population. By providing this service, community pharmacists were able to prevent outcomes of various severities and to avoid patient care costs.
Exploring Surgeon Variability in Recommendations for Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: What Matters Most?

American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) guidelines state that it is the responsibility of the surgeon to discuss the risks/benefits of and give a recommendation regarding contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). We conducted a survey of ASBrS members to evaluate the factors that affect this recommendation, confidence in this recommendation, and awareness/adoption of the guidelines. A survey was sent to the ASBrS membership. Vignettes with the following variables about breast cancer patient were randomly included: age, disease stage, receptor status, family history (FH) of breast cancer, and patient preference for CPM. Respondents were asked to estimate the patient’s chance of developing contralateral cancer, whether they would recommend CPM, and their confidence in this recommendation, and about their familiarity with and use of the guidelines. 536 members (21.9%) responded. The odds of recommending CPM and confidence in recommendation were higher in a younger patient, higher-stage disease, triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2+ relative to estrogen receptor (ER)+, and in women with FH. Of surgeons, 51% were familiar or very familiar with the guidelines and 38% used the guidelines most or all of the time. Surgeons who used the guidelines were not less likely to recommend CPM. While surgeons generally agree on the factors that are important in making a recommendation on CPM, there is variability in how strongly the different factors influence the recommendation and their confidence in that recommendation. In addition, while most surgeons were at least a little familiar with the ASBrS guidelines, the vast majority do not routinely use them.
The PanVax Tool to Improve Pandemic Influenza Emergency Vaccination Program Readiness and Partnership

Objectives. To show how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Pandemic Vaccine Campaign Planning Tool (PanVax Tool) can help state and local public health emergency planners demonstrate and quantify how partnerships with community vaccine providers can improve their overall pandemic vaccination program readiness.Methods. The PanVax Tool helps planners compare different strategies to vaccinate their jurisdiction's population in a severe pandemic by allowing users to customize the underlying model inputs in real time, including their jurisdiction's size, community vaccine provider types, and how they allocate vaccine to these providers. In this report, we used a case study with hypothetical data to illustrate how jurisdictions can utilize the PanVax Tool for preparedness planning.Results. By using the tool, planners are able to understand the impact of engaging with different vaccine providers in a vaccination campaign.Conclusions. The PanVax Tool is a useful tool to help demonstrate the impact of community vaccine provider partnerships on pandemic vaccination readiness and identify areas for improved partnerships for pandemic response.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Sorghum Grain Yield: Influence of Soil, Water, Pests, and Diseases Relationships

This study was conducted to determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and to generate information needed to improve the management of site-specific farming (SSF). The effects of water (80% evapotranspiration (ET) and 50% ET), hybrid (drought-tolerant and -susceptible), elevation, soil texture, soil NO3--N, soil pH, and greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum) (Gb) on sorghum grain yield were investigated at Halfway, TX on geo-referenced locations on a 30-m grid in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Grain yields were influenced by interrelationships among many factors. Grain yields were consistently high under 80% ET treatment and in the upper slopes where the clay and silt fractions of the soil were high. Soil NO3--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yields were seasonally unstable. Soil NO3--N increased grain yield when water was abundant and depressed grain yields when water was limiting. Plant density effects on grain yield were confounded with hybrid responses to drought and Gb infestation. Managing seasonally unstable factors is a major challenge for farmers and better ways to monitor crop growth and diagnose causes of poor plant growth are needed. To improve the management of SSF, effects of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors on crop yield must be integrated and evaluated as a system. Based on our study, information on seasonally stable factors like elevation and soil texture is useful in identifying management zones for water and fertilizer application. Water and fertilizers management should be complemented by in-season management of seasonally unstable factors like soil NO3--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yield.
Building Innovative Brands: Cases of Tacit and Explicit Knowledge Conversions in Children’s Libraries

As in commercial endeavors, branding can support innovation, marketing, and expanded services for libraries, too. This research explores innovation specifically in children’s public library “spaces...
Debug for root causing SNR degradation due to dither in high performance ADC

In High performance analog to digital converter (ADC) used in wireless transceivers, dithers are used to improve the dynamic range of the receiver channel. The dither needs to be implemented with utmost care in order to reduce the effect of degradation in noise performance due to direct coupling.In this paper, debug of root cause of Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) degradation in a 3 Giga samples per second pipeline ADC due to one of the dithers is described. Solutions to root cause and silicon results before and after the fix are shown.
The Mojo of Dr. John

Dr. John’s singles chart history was surprisingly humble. He had only five Billboard pop hits between 1970 and 1974. He achieved even fewer R&B hits. Over his lengthy career, he was variously chara...
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine as tumor-targeting agents with selectivity for tumor uptake by high affinity folate receptors over the reduced folate carrier.

Abstract Tumor-targeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine benzoyl compounds based on 2 were isosterically modified at the 4-carbon bridge by replacing the vicinal (C11) carbon by heteroatoms N (4), O (5) or S (6), or with an N-substituted formyl (7), trifluoroacetyl (8) or acetyl (9). Replacement with sulfur (6) afforded the most potent KB tumor cell inhibitor, ~6-fold better than the parent 2. In addition, 6 retained tumor transport selectivity via folate receptor (FR) α and -β over the ubiquitous reduced folate carrier (RFC). FRα-mediated cell inhibition for 6 was generally equivalent to 2, while the FRβ-mediated activity was improved by 16-fold over 2. N (4) and O (5) substitutions afforded similar tumor cell inhibitions as 2, with selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. The N-substituted analogs 7–9 also preserved transport selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. For FRα-expressing CHO cells, potencies were in the order of 8 > 7 > 9. Whereas 8 and 9 showed similar results with FRβ-expressing CHO cells, 7 was ~16-fold more active than 2. By nucleoside rescue experiments, all the compounds inhibited de novo purine biosynthesis, likely at the step catalyzed by glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Thus, heteroatom replacements of the CH2 in the bridge of 2 afford analogs with increased tumor cell inhibition that could provide advantages over 2, as well as tumor transport selectivity over clinically used antifolates including methotrexate and pemetrexed.
Use of p53 immunohistochemistry in conjunction with routine histology improves risk stratification of patients with Barrett’s oesophagus during routine clinical care

Aims Abnormal p53 protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is reported to be a prognostic biomarker for progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). We evaluated our use of p53 IHC for patients with BO under surveillance from 2010 to 2016 in a single academic institution. Methods and results We identified 78 patients under surveillance for BO who had biopsies evaluated for abnormal p53 expression in conjunction with routine histology and 892 patients who had histological evaluation alone. All available p53 IHC slides were rescored as wild-type or abnormal. We evaluated the risk of subsequent diagnosis with HGD and OAC. p53-tested patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with indefinite dysplasia (IND) or low-grade dysplasia (LGD), compared to patients who were not tested (79.5 versus 10.8%, P = 7.4 × 10-40 ). Almost half (46.9%) of patients with abnormal p53 expression were diagnosed with HGD or OAC within 5 years, compared to 5.9% with wild-type p53, and 7.6% of patients not tested (P = 2.6 × 10-18 ). However, this difference was heavily influenced by other risk factors, including dysplasia grade, in multivariate analyses. In the subgroup of patients diagnosed with IND (n = 109), abnormal p53 expression was associated with a fourfold increase (1.2-13.3, P = 0.023) in risk of HGD/OAC relative to untested patients diagnosed with IND, independent of other risk factors. Conclusion In patients under surveillance for BO in a single academic institution, we found evidence that selective use of p53 IHC in conjunction with routine histology modestly improved risk stratification by identifying patients with IND at higher risk of a subsequent diagnosis of HGD or OAC.
Transoral Excision of Parapharyngeal Tumors.

Objectives:The transoral approach for parapharyngeal space tumors has been criticized due to its restrictive exposure and increased rate of vascular and nerve injuries. However, for certain tumors—...
Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia as side effect of PARP inhibitors.

3601Background: Acute myeloid leukemia(AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS) have been rarely noted in patients on PARP inhibitors. The actual incidence is unknown and it has been put has warning/...
Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Neuroblastoma: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common pediatric tumor malignancy that originates from the neural crest and accounts for more than 15% of all the childhood deaths from cancer. The neuroblastoma cancer research has long been focused on the role of MYCN oncogene amplification and the contribution of other genetic alterations in the progression of this malignancy. However, it is now widely accepted that, not only tumor cells, but the components of tumor microenvironment (TME), including extracellular matrix, stromal cells and immune cells, also contribute to tumor progression in neuroblastoma. The complexity of different components of tumor stroma and their resemblance with surrounding normal tissues pose huge challenges for therapies targeting tumor microenvironment in NB. Hence, the detailed understanding of the composition of the TME of NB is crucial to improve existing and future potential immunotherapeutic approaches against this childhood cancer. In this review article, I will discuss different components of the TME of NB and the recent advances in the strategies, which are used to target the tumor microenvironment in neuroblastoma.
The Exclusion of Older Persons From Vaccine and Treatment Trials for Coronavirus Disease 2019-Missing the Target.

This cross-sectional study evaluates the risk of exclusion for older adults in randomized clinical trials for treatment and vaccine interventions in coronavirus disease 2019.
Cassini Exploration of the Planet Saturn: A Comprehensive Review

Before Cassini, scientists viewed Saturn’s unique features only from Earth and from three spacecraft flying by. During more than a decade orbiting the gas giant, Cassini studied the planet from its interior to the top of the atmosphere. It observed the changing seasons, provided up-close observations of Saturn’s exotic storms and jet streams, and heard Saturn’s lightning, which cannot be detected from Earth. During the Grand Finale orbits, it dove through the gap between the planet and its rings and gathered valuable data on Saturn’s interior structure and rotation. Key discoveries and events include: watching the eruption of a planet-encircling storm, which is a 20- or 30-year event, detection of gravity perturbations from winds 9000 km below the tops of the clouds, demonstration that eddies are supplying energy to the zonal jets, which are remarkably steady over the 25-year interval since the Voyager encounters, re-discovery of the north polar hexagon after 25 years, determination of elemental abundance ratios He/H, C/H, N/H, P/H, and As/H, which are clues to planet formation and evolution, characterization of the semiannual oscillation of the equatorial stratosphere, documentation of the mysteriously high temperatures of the thermosphere outside the auroral zone, and seeing the strange intermittency of lightning, which typically ceases to exist on the planet between outbursts every 1–2 years. These results and results from the Jupiter flyby are all discussed in this review.
A molecular-level fire growth parameter

ABSTRACT The relationship between the atomic composition of polymers and the fuel generating reactions in fires has been studied at various levels using molecular dynamics simulations of polymer thermal decomposition, molar group contributions to combustion properties, and finite element models of burning that require properties obtained from thermal analyses. In this study, a conceptual model is used to link the molecular-level processes of flaming combustion measured in thermal analysis to the fire response of a polymer at the continuum level. A scaling parameter emerges from this analysis called the fire growth capacity/FGC that includes ignitability and burning rate. The FGC was measured in a microscale combustion calorimeter for 32 polymers having a wide range of atomic composition, thermal stability and char forming tendency. It was found that FGC successfully ranks the expected fire performance of these polymers when subjected to a small flame and radiant heat.
Statistical and bioinformatic analysis of hemimethylation patterns in non-small cell lung cancer

DNA methylation is an epigenetic event involving the addition of a methyl-group to a cytosine-guanine base pair (i.e., CpG site). It is associated with different cancers. Our research focuses on studying non-small cell lung cancer hemimethylation, which refers to methylation occurring on only one of the two DNA strands. Many studies often assume that methylation occurs on both DNA strands at a CpG site. However, recent publications show the existence of hemimethylation and its significant impact. Therefore, it is important to identify cancer hemimethylation patterns. In this paper, we use the Wilcoxon signed rank test to identify hemimethylated CpG sites based on publicly available non-small cell lung cancer methylation sequencing data. We then identify two types of hemimethylated CpG clusters, regular and polarity clusters, and genes with large numbers of hemimethylated sites. Highly hemimethylated genes are then studied for their biological interactions using available bioinformatics tools. In this paper, we have conducted the first-ever investigation of hemimethylation in lung cancer. Our results show that hemimethylation does exist in lung cells either as singletons or clusters. Most clusters contain only two or three CpG sites. Polarity clusters are much shorter than regular clusters and appear less frequently. The majority of clusters found in tumor samples have no overlap with clusters found in normal samples, and vice versa. Several genes that are known to be associated with cancer are hemimethylated differently between the cancerous and normal samples. Furthermore, highly hemimethylated genes exhibit many different interactions with other genes that may be associated with cancer. Hemimethylation has diverse patterns and frequencies that are comparable between normal and tumorous cells. Therefore, hemimethylation may be related to both normal and tumor cell development. Our research has identified CpG clusters and genes that are hemimethylated in normal and lung tumor samples. Due to the potential impact of hemimethylation on gene expression and cell function, these clusters and genes may be important to advance our understanding of the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer.