The treatment utility of assessment: A functional approach to evaluating assessment quality.

In practical terms, the sine qua non of the modes, methods, devices, strategies, and theories of clinical assessment is their contribution to treatment outcome. The importance of this contribution has often been noted, but under many different labels and rationales. The resultant conceptual confusion has considerably restricted the visibility and frequency of research in this critical area. In this article we propose a name for the impact of assessment on treatment outcome: the "treatment utility of assessment." Some of the questions that can be asked about the treatment utility of assessment are described, and methods appropriate for asking them are examined. Finally, the implications of this kind of utility for other approaches to evaluating assessment quality are analyzed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Radiobiology of alpha particles. IV. Cell inactivation by alpha particles of energies 0.4-3.5 MeV

In this report the effectiveness of low-energy alpha particles in the range 0.4 to 3.5 MeV for cell killing is investigated. Four cell lines of different nuclear dimensions (AG1522, C3H 10T1/2, CHO-10B, and HS-23) are studied. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to interpret the experimental results. They are presented as a function of dose to the nucleus, the total track length of alpha particles in the nucleus, and other parameters. It is found that the effectiveness of alpha particles for cell killing decreases with decreasing alpha-particle energy. The maximum RBE value is found to extend to LET values as high as 180 keV/microns. Although the LET might be the same, the effectiveness of alpha particles for cell killing is higher in the ascending part of the Bragg curve compared to descending part of the Bragg curve. The terminal tracks of alpha particles are observed to be less effective for cell killing.     

The applicability of treatment utility.

Replies to the comments of J. D. Cone (see record 1990-02005-001) on the article by S. C. Hayes et al (see record 1988-11276-001) on using treatment utility (TU) to evaluate assessment procedures. The present authors argue that TU is a concept that applies to the relevance of assessment in treatment planning and may be based on assessment that need not have this purpose. From this viewpoint, all of the objections to the TU concept stem from the failure to distinguish between the assessment of proximal and ultimate goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How artificial intelligence and machine learning can help healthcare systems respond to COVID-19

Machine Learning - The COVID-19 global pandemic is a threat not only to the health of millions of individuals, but also to the stability of infrastructure and economies around the world. The...     

FK506-binding protein mutational analysis: defining the active-site residue contributions to catalysis and the stability of ligand complexes

The 12 kDa FK506-binding protein FKBP12 is a cis-trans peptidyl-prolylisomerase that binds the macrolides FK506 and rapamycin. Wehave examined the role of the binding pocket residues of FKBP12in protein–ligand interactions by making conservativesubstitutions of 12 of these residues by site-directed mutagenesis.For each mutant FKBP12, we measured the affinity for FK506 andrapamycin and the catalytic efficiency in the cis–transpeptidyl-prolyl isomerase reaction. The mutation of Trp59 orPhe99 generates an FKBP12 with a significantly lower affinityfor FK506 than wild-type protein. Tyr26 and Tyr82 mutants areenzymatically active, demonstrating that hydrogen bonding bythese residues is not required for catalysis of the cis–transpeptidyl-prolyl isomerase reaction, although these mutationsalter the substrate specificity of the enzyme. We conclude thathydrophobic interactions in the active site dominate in thestabilization of FKBP12 binding to macrolide ligands and tothe twisted-amide peptidyl-prolyl substrate intermediate.     

Castor‐acrylated monomer 1H‐ and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectral assignments

Castor‐acrylated monomer (CAM) NMR spectral assignments were made utilizing one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR techniques. The unique structure of CAM resulted in several novel chemical environments which were observed in the NMR spectra. Previously published vegetable oil and fatty acid ester NMR peak assignments were insufficient for complete identification of NMR peaks. Definitive peak assignments, particularly in the alkyl and alkene regions, are required for evaluation of CAM as a specialty comonomer in the synthesis of latex polymers for use as waterborne‐coating binders. The NMR peak assignments for CAM will allow the subsequent evaluation of the copolymerizability of CAM as well as the determination as to whether unsaturation is preserved during latex polymer synthesis. ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of CAM are provided with supporting evidence for the peak assignments and discussion of their relevance. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1850–1854, 2001     

How does increased corn-ethanol production affect US natural gas prices?

In recent years, there has been a push to increase biofuel production in the United States. The biofuel of choice, so far, has been ethanol produced from corn. The effects of increased corn-ethanol production on the consumer prices of food and energy continue to be studied and debated. This study examines, in particular, the effects of increased corn-ethanol production on US natural gas prices. A structural model of the natural gas market is developed and estimated using two stage least squares. A baseline projection for the period 2007–2018 is determined, and two scenarios are simulated. In the first scenario, current biofuel policies including EISA mandates, tariffs, and tax credits are removed. In the second scenario, we hold ethanol production to the level required only for largely obligatory additive use. The results indicate that the increased level of corn-ethanol production occurring as a result of the current US biofuel policies may lead to natural gas prices that are as much as 0.25% higher, on average, than if no biofuel policies were in place. A similar comparison between the baseline and second scenario indicates natural gas prices could be as much as 0.5% higher, on average, for the same period.