2,268 research outputs found
Mol-CycleGAN - a generative model for molecular optimization
Designing a molecule with desired properties is one of the biggest challenges
in drug development, as it requires optimization of chemical compound
structures with respect to many complex properties. To augment the compound
design process we introduce Mol-CycleGAN - a CycleGAN-based model that
generates optimized compounds with high structural similarity to the original
ones. Namely, given a molecule our model generates a structurally similar one
with an optimized value of the considered property. We evaluate the performance
of the model on selected optimization objectives related to structural
properties (presence of halogen groups, number of aromatic rings) and to a
physicochemical property (penalized logP). In the task of optimization of
penalized logP of drug-like molecules our model significantly outperforms
previous results
Impacts of natural and human drivers on the multi-decadal morphological evolution of tidally-influenced deltas
The world's deltas are at risk of being drowned due to rising relative sea levels as a result of climate change, decreasing supplies of fluvial sediment, and human responses to these changes. This paper analyses how delta morphology evolves over multi-decadal timescales under environmental change using a process-based model. Model simulations over 10^2 years are used to explore the influence of three key classes of environmental change, both individually and in combination: (i) varying combinations of fluvial water and sediment discharges; (ii) varying rates of relative sea-level rise; and (iii) selected human interventions within the delta, comprising polder-dykes and cross-dams. The results indicate that tidal asymmetry and rate of sediment supply together affect residual flows and delta morphodynamics (indicated by sub-aerial delta area, rates of progradation and aggradation). When individual drivers of change act in combination, delta building processes such as the distribution of sediment flux, aggradation, and progradation are disrupted by the presence of isolated polder-dykes or cross-dams. This suggests that such interventions, unless undertaken at a very large scale, can lead to unsustainable delta building processes. Our findings can inform management choices in real-world tidally-influenced deltas, while the methodology can provide insights into other dynamic morphological systems
Recommended from our members
Management of massive splenomegaly.
A case demonstrating diagnostic and therapeutic rational for surgical management of massive splenomegaly
Mol-CycleGAN : a generative model for molecular optimization
During the drug design process, one must develop a molecule, which structure satisfies a number of physicochemical properties. To improve this process, we introduce Mol-CycleGAN – a CycleGAN-based model that generates compounds optimized for a selected property, while aiming to retain the already optimized ones. In the task of constrained optimization of penalized logP of drug-like molecules our model significantly outperforms previous results
Crack-Like Processes Governing the Onset of Frictional Slip
We perform real-time measurements of the net contact area between two blocks
of like material at the onset of frictional slip. We show that the process of
interface detachment, which immediately precedes the inception of frictional
sliding, is governed by three different types of detachment fronts. These
crack-like detachment fronts differ by both their propagation velocities and by
the amount of net contact surface reduction caused by their passage. The most
rapid fronts propagate at intersonic velocities but generate a negligible
reduction in contact area across the interface. Sub-Rayleigh fronts are
crack-like modes which propagate at velocities up to the Rayleigh wave speed,
VR, and give rise to an approximate 10% reduction in net contact area. The most
efficient contact area reduction (~20%) is precipitated by the passage of slow
detachment fronts. These fronts propagate at anomalously slow velocities, which
are over an order of magnitude lower than VR yet orders of magnitude higher
than other characteristic velocity scales such as either slip or loading
velocities. Slow fronts are generated, in conjunction with intersonic fronts,
by the sudden arrest of sub-Rayleigh fronts. No overall sliding of the
interface occurs until either of the slower two fronts traverses the entire
interface, and motion at the leading edge of the interface is initiated. Slip
at the trailing edge of the interface accompanies the motion of both the slow
and sub-Rayleigh fronts. We might expect these modes to be important in both
fault nucleation and earthquake dynamics.Comment: 19 page, 5 figures, to appear in International Journal of Fractur
Pathology Informatics Essentials for Residents: A Flexible Informatics Curriculum Linked to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones (a secondary publication)*
Context: Recognition of the importance of informatics to the practice of pathology has surged. Training residents in pathology
informatics has been a daunting task for most residency programs in the United States because faculty often lacks experience and
training resources. Nevertheless, developing resident competence in informatics is essential for the future of pathology as a
specialty.
Objective: To develop and deliver a pathology informatics curriculum and instructional framework that guides pathology
residency programs in training residents in critical pathology informatics knowledge and skills, and meets Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education Informatics Milestones.
Design: The College of American Pathologists, Association of Pathology Chairs, and Association for Pathology Informatics
formed a partnership and expert work group to identify critical pathology informatics training outcomes and to create a highly
adaptable curriculum and instructional approach, supported by a multiyear change management strategy.
Results: Pathology Informatics Essentials for Residents (PIER) is a rigorous approach for educating all pathology residents in
important pathology informatics knowledge and skills. PIER includes an instructional resource guide and toolkit for incorporating informatics training into residency programs that vary in needs, size, settings, and resources. PIER is available at http://
www.apcprods.org/PIER (accessed April 6, 2016).
Conclusions: PIER is an important contribution to informatics training in pathology residency programs. PIER introduces
pathology trainees to broadly useful informatics concepts and tools that are relevant to practice. PIER provides residency program
directors with a means to implement a standardized informatics training curriculum, to adapt the approach to local program
needs, and to evaluate resident performance and progress over time
Improving inpatient postnatal services: midwives views and perspectives of engagement in a quality improvement initiative
Background: despite major policy initiatives in the United Kingdom to enhance women's experiences of maternity care, improving in-patient postnatal care remains a low priority, although it is an aspect of care consistently rated as poor by women. As part of a systems and process approach to improving care at one maternity unit in the South of England, the views and perspectives of midwives responsible for implementing change were sought.
Methods: a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach was adopted to support a systems and process change to in-patient care and care on transfer home in a large district general hospital with around 6000 births a year. The CQI approach included an initial assessment to identify where revisions to routine systems and processes were required, developing, implementing and evaluating revisions to the content and documentation of care in hospital and on transfer home, and training workshops for midwives and other maternity staff responsible for implementing changes. To assess midwifery views of the quality improvement process and their engagement with this, questionnaires were sent to those who had participated at the outset.
Results: questionnaires were received from 68 (46%) of the estimated 149 midwives eligible to complete the questionnaire. All midwives were aware of the revisions introduced, and two-thirds felt these were more appropriate to meet the women's physical and emotional health, information and support needs. Some midwives considered that the introduction of new maternal postnatal records increased their workload, mainly as a consequence of colleagues not completing documentation as required.
Conclusions: this was the first UK study to undertake a review of in-patient postnatal services. Involvement of midwives at the outset was essential to the success of the initiative. Midwives play a lead role in the planning and organisation of in-patient postnatal care and it was important to obtain their feedback on whether revisions were pragmatic and achieved anticipated improvements in care quality. Their initial involvement ensured priority areas for change were identified and implemented. Their subsequent feedback highlighted further important areas to address as part of CQI to ensure best quality care continues to be implemented. Our findings could support other maternity service organisations to optimise in-patient postnatal services
Simultaneous chronic rupture of quadriceps tendon and contra-lateral patellar tendon in a patient affected by tertiary hyperparatiroidism
Spontaneous ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee are very rare. They tend to increase considerably in patients with metabolic diseases such as chronic renal failure, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The reported case regards a 48-year-old man with chronic, spontaneous and simultaneous quadriceps, and contra-lateral patellar tendon rupture. The patient suffered from chronic renal failure and for the past year from tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Ruptured tendons were repaired and both knee were evaluated monthly for the next 12 months. Good functional recovery was achieved on both knees without relapse. This case emphasizes the importance of long-term high parathyroid hormone level in the etiology of tendons ruptures
- …