Educating the Data User: The Role of Bibliographic Instruction

Educating the Data User: The Role of Bibliographic Instructio

Evaluation of photo-induced crosslinking of thymine polymers using FT-IR spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

The photo-induced immobilization of 4-vinylbenzyl thymine (VBT) and 4-vinylbenzyl triethyl ammonium chloride (VBA) copolymers has been investigated with the aid of grazing-angle specular-reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. As irradiation time increases, changes in the structure of pendent thymine groups in the copolymer due to the crosslinking process result in shifts of the copolymer network’s vibrational frequencies, as well as changes in numerous IR band intensities. In this work, chemometric methods have been applied to the FT-IR data obtained while monitoring the time evolution of curing of VBT-VBA copolymers of varying composition. The spectral data obtained with FT-IR normally provide information only about the degree of conversion of the reactants in the final product but there is no knowledge about how many compounds are involved or how they evolve over time. The use of the so-called Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares allows the sequential estimation of the contribution to the signal due to the different species in the matrix data.Fil: Bortolato, Santiago Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Thomas, Katelyn. Simmons College; Estados UnidosFil: Mcdonough, Kristin. Simmons College; Estados UnidosFil: Gurney, Richard. Simmons College; Estados UnidosFil: Martino, Debora Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentin

Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assess swallowing outcomes as a function of head position in a normal population

BACKGROUND: Head position practice has been shown to influence pill-swallowing ability, but the impact of head position on measures of swallowing outcomes has not yet been studied with fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether head position impacts penetration-aspiration scale scores and/or post-swallow pharyngeal residue as assessed by FEES. Documenting the incidence of pharyngeal residue and laryngeal penetration and aspiration in a normal population was a secondary goal. METHODS: Adults without swallowing difficulties (N = 84) were taught a pill swallowing technique based on learning five head positions and were asked to practice with small, hard candies (e.g., TicTacs) for two weeks. Then they demonstrated swallowing in each of the head positions for two conditions, liquid and purée, while undergoing FEES. RESULTS: Out of 840 examined swallows, one event of aspiration and 5 events of penetration occurred. During practice >50% participants found positions they preferred over the center position for swallowing but head position was not associated with penetration-aspiration scores assessed by FEES. Significant associations and non-significant trends were found between pharyngeal residue and three variables: age, most preferred head position, and least preferred head position. CONCLUSION: Head position during swallowing (head up) and age greater than 40 years may result in increased pharyngeal residue but not laryngeal penetration or aspiration

The Role of Preoperative Bilateral Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patient Selection for Partial Breast Irradiation in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Purpose. Women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are often candidates for breast-conserving therapy, and one option for radiation treatment is partial breast irradiation (PBI). This study evaluates the use of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for PBI selection in DCIS patients. Methods. Between 2002 and 2009, 136 women with newly diagnosed DCIS underwent a preoperative bilateral breast MRI at Mayo Clinic in Florida. One hundred seventeen women were deemed eligible for PBI by the NSABP B-39 (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, Protocol B-39) inclusion criteria using physical examination, mammogram, and/or ultrasound. MRIs were reviewed for their impact on patient eligibility, and findings were pathologically confirmed. Results. Of the 117 patients, 23 (20%) were found ineligible because of pathologically proven MRI findings. MRI detected additional ipsilateral breast cancer in 21 (18%) patients. Of these women, 15 (13%) had more extensive disease than originally noted before MRI, and 6 (5%) had multicentric disease in the ipsilateral breast. In addition, contralateral breast cancer was detected in 4 (4%). Conclusions. Preoperative breast MRI altered the PBI recommendations for 20% of women. Bilateral breast MRI should be an integral part of the preoperative evaluation of all patients with DCIS being considered for PBI

Do You Need a Foot-in-the-Door or Is A Toe Enough? Scripting Introductions That Induce Tailoring and Increase Participation in Telephone Interviews

Substantial research and practical experience shows that a telephone interviewer is most successful at gaining cooperation and avoiding refusals when they are free to tailor their introductory pitch to the potential respondent or household informant they reach. However, survey designers are often uncomfortable allowing interviewers to work “off-script,” and instruct interviewers to read introductory text verbatim. Further, some interviewers report being more comfortable with a script than without one. To bridge this gap between research and practice we asked, “Can we create a scripted introduction that engages the potential respondent, gets a foot-in-the-door, and facilitates interviewer tailoring?” This paper reports on a randomized experimental test of two such scripts, each implemented within the Washington Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a random digit dial (RDD) phone survey. In both phases of the experiment, sampled phone numbers were randomized to the standard BRFSS introduction or the new script. Phase 1 (August, 2018) implemented a “conversational” introduction that added or revised three features of the standard BRFSS introduction: First, the introduction included three “hook questions” (e.g., “Have you heard of the survey?”). One hook question was randomly displayed each time a phone number was called. Second, the script displayed on the first three CATI screens was modified to sound more conversational and less abrupt. Third, pause points were created to make sure the interviewer slows down and listens to the potential respondent. Each of these features is hypothesized to increase tailoring, and thus cooperation, by encouraging interaction between the interviewer and potential respondent. Phase 2 (September, 2018) replaced the conversational introduction with a “progressive scheduling” script that instructed interviewers to ask for a good time to call back to complete the interview rather than asking for complete cooperation on the call. This approach encourages a dynamic that shows respect for the respondent’s time. It also changes a large, unexpected request to a small one that the respondent can plan. While call-backs are sometimes considered undesirable outcomes, they can be a good “toe-in-the-door” technique that leads to full cooperation later. Our primary outcomes are cooperation, scheduled callbacks, and refusals. Additionally, a more conversational introduction might influence answers to questions within the interview, such as if increased rapport depresses reports of sensitive behaviors. Thus, we will also assess the effect of the modified scripts on responses to assess the nonresponse / measurement error trade-offs of this approach

Fluxes and origin of halogenated organic trace gases from Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua)

In order to assess the contribution of quiescent degassing volcanoes to the global halo(hydro)carbon inventory, we have quantified volcanic fluxes of methyl halides (CH3Cl, CH3Br, and CH3I), ethyl halides (C2H5Cl, C2H5Br, and C2H5I), and higher chlorinated methanes (CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and CCl4). About every eight months over a 2-year period (July 2001 to July 2003), gas samples were collected and analyzed from high-temperature fumaroles (472°C–776°C) at the Nicaraguan subduction zone volcano Momotombo. Using a simultaneous record of trace and main compounds in fumarolic gases as well as SO2 fluxes of the plume, we were able to calculate halo(hydro)carbon fluxes for Momotombo and extrapolate our results to estimate halo(hydro)carbon fluxes for the whole Quaternary Nicaraguan volcanic arc and, in addition, for all volcanoes globally. The most abundant halohydrocarbon was CH3Cl with concentrations up to 19 ppmv. Further major halo(hydro)carbons were CH3Br, CH3I, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CCl4, C2H5Cl, C2H5Br, C2H5I, and C2H3Cl with an average concentration of 0.20 to 720 ppbv. Estimated mean halo(hydro)carbon fluxes from Momotombo were in the range of 630–5000 g/yr for methyl halides, 49–260 g/yr for ethyl halides, and 2.4–24 g/yr for higher chlorinated methanes. When the results for Momotombo are scaled up to SO2 fluxes of the Nicaraguan volcanic transect, fluxes of 1.7 × 105 g/yr CH3Cl and 82 g/yr CCl4 are attained for Nicaragua. Scaled up to the estimated global SO2 flux, this translates to hypothetical global fluxes of 5.6 × 106 g/yr CH3Cl and 2.7 × 103 g/yr CCl4. These volcanic fluxes are negligible compared to global anthropogenic and natural emissions of about 3 × 1012 g/yr CH3Cl and 2 × 1010 g/yr CCl4

Multisite Investigation of Outcomes With Implementation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES: This multicenter pragmatic investigation assessed outcomes following clinical implementation of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles impair clopidogrel effectiveness after PCI. METHODS: After clinical genotyping, each institution recommended alternative antiplatelet therapy (prasugrel, ticagrelor) in PCI patients with a loss-of-function allele. Major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death) within 12 months of PCI were compared between patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy. Risk was also compared between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy. Cox regression was performed, adjusting for group differences with inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: Among 1,815 patients, 572 (31.5%) had a loss-of-function allele. The risk for major adverse cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy (23.4 vs. 8.7 per 100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 4.32; p = 0.013). Similar results were observed among 1,210 patients with acute coronary syndromes at the time of PCI (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.35 to 6.09; p = 0.013). There was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 1.88; p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: These data from real-world observations demonstrate a higher risk for cardiovascular events in patients with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele if clopidogrel versus alternative therapy is prescribed. A future randomized study of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy may be of value

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Multisite Investigation of Outcomes With Implementation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES: This multicenter pragmatic investigation assessed outcomes following clinical implementation of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles impair clopidogrel effectiveness after PCI. METHODS: After clinical genotyping, each institution recommended alternative antiplatelet therapy (prasugrel, ticagrelor) in PCI patients with a loss-of-function allele. Major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death) within 12 months of PCI were compared between patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy. Risk was also compared between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy. Cox regression was performed, adjusting for group differences with inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: Among 1,815 patients, 572 (31.5%) had a loss-of-function allele. The risk for major adverse cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy (23.4 vs. 8.7 per 100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 4.32; p = 0.013). Similar results were observed among 1,210 patients with acute coronary syndromes at the time of PCI (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.35 to 6.09; p = 0.013). There was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 1.88; p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: These data from real-world observations demonstrate a higher risk for cardiovascular events in patients with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele if clopidogrel versus alternative therapy is prescribed. A future randomized study of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy may be of value