Use of data-mining to support real-world cost analyses: An example using HER2-positive breast cancer in Iran

INTRODUCTION: Patient registries play an important role in obtaining real-world evidence of the cost-effectiveness of treatments. However, their implementation is costly and sometimes infeasible in many middle-income countries (MICs). We explored the combination of data-mining and a large claims database to estimate the direct healthcare costs of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) treatment in Iran and the fraction of total costs from trastuzumab use.METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of claims data from the Iran Social Security Organization, a health insurer which covers approximately 50%(~40 million) of the Iranian population, in the period of 21/03/2011-20/03/2014. A data-mining algorithm using R software and validated using patient dossiers in the Cancer Research Center identified 1295 patients and divided them into the three main HER2-positive breast cancer stages (early, loco-regional and advanced). A payer perspective was used to calculate the absolute and relative direc

Connectivity and energy-aware preorders for mobile ad-hoc networks

Network connectivity and energy conservation are two major goals in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). In this paper we propose a probabilistic, energy-aware, broadcast calculus for the analysis of both such aspects of MANETs. We first present a probabilistic behavioural congruence together with a co-inductive proof technique based on the notion of bisimulation. Then we define an energy-aware preorder over networks. The behavioural congruence allows us to verify whether two networks exhibit the same (probabilistic) connectivity behaviour, while the preorder makes it possible to evaluate the energy consumption of different, but behaviourally equivalent, networks. In practice, the quantitative evaluation of the models is carried out by resorting to the statistical model checking implemented in the PRISM tool, i.e., a simulation of the probabilistic model. We consider two case studies: first we evaluate the performance of the Location Aided Routing protocol, then we compare the energy efficiency of the Go-Back-N protocol with that of the Stop-And-Wait in a network with mobility

Size-scale affects the upper limit of elastic energy storage

Elastically-driven motion has been used as a strategy to achieve high speeds in small organisms and engineered micro-robotic devices. We examine the size-scaling relations determining the limit of elastic energy release from elastomer bands that efficiently cycle mechanical energy with minimal loss. The maximum center-of-mass velocity of the elastomer bands was found to be size-scale independent, while smaller bands demonstrated larger accelerations and shorter durations of elastic energy release. Scaling relationships determined from these measurements are consistent with the performance of small organisms and engineered devices which utilize elastic elements to power motion

Application of Statistical-Thermal Coupling Analysis to Identify Residue-Residue Interaction Networks that Facilitate Coupled-Domain Dynamics in Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases

Color poster with text, charts, images, tables, and graphs.Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are multi-domain proteins that catalyze covalent attachment of amino acids to the 3'-end of the cognate tRNA molecules. Long-range domain-domain communications are known to play an important role in the function of ARSs. Earlier studies have demonstrated that the coupling of domain motions is important in mediating long-range inter-domain communication in modular proteins. However, the molecular mechanism of coupled-domain motions and long-range communication in ARSs has remained poorly understood. In the present study, the molecular mechanism underlying the coupled-domain motions in ARSs has been probed.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; National Institute of Health

Computational and Experimental Studies to Unravel the Role of Editing Domain of Bacterial Prolyl-tRNA Synthetases in Amino Acid Activation

Color poster with text, diagrams, images, tables, and graphs.Prolyl-tRNA synthetases (ProRSs) are multi-domain proteins that catalyze covalent attachment of proline to the 3'-end of the tRNA[superscript]Pro. ProRSs from all three kingdoms of life are known to misactivate alanine and form mischarged tRNA[superscript]Pro. To maintain high fidelity in protein synthesis, some ProRSs have acquired editing mechanisms. The insertion domain (INS, ~180 amino acids) of Escherichia coli (Ec) ProRS is the post-transfer editing active site that hydrolyzes specifically mischarged alanyl-tRNA[superscript]Pro. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the INS domain of Ec ProRS also has a significant impact on amino acid binding and activation. To explore the exact role the INS (editing domain) plays in amino acid activation, the dynamic coupling between the editing domain and various structural elements of the catalytic domain of Ec ProRS was studied by performing molecular dynamics simulations.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; National Institute of Health