Yield Model Characterization For Analog Integrated Circuit Using Pareto-Optimal Surface

A novel technique is proposed in this paper that achieves a yield optimized design from a set of optimal performance points on the Pareto front. Trade-offs among performance functions are explored through multi-objective optimization and Monte Carlo simulation is used to find the design point producing the best overall yield. One advantage of the approach presented is a reduction in the computational cost normally associated with Monte Carlo simulation. The technique offers a yield optimized robust circuit design solution with transistor level accuracy. An example using an OTA is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the work

Holistic Needs of People with Thoracic Cancer Identified by the Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral to Care Questionnaire©

Background: A holistic needs assessment is recommended in people with cancer at key stages, including soon after diagnosis. For people with thoracic cancer, there is a lack of data obtained routinely at this time point. Objective: To identify the most common and/or distressing supportive and palliative needs present soon after diagnosis using a specifically developed questionnaire. Methods: As part of a local rehabilitation service, patients within 3–6 weeks of a diagnosis of thoracic cancer were invited to complete the SPARC© questionnaire. Results: Over a 26 month period, 738 patients completed the questionnaire, representing about 70% of all patients diagnosed with thoracic cancer during this time. Respondents had a median [IQR] of 15 [11‒21] symptoms or issues, with 2 [0‒5], 4 [2‒7] and 7 [5‒11] causing ‘very much’, ‘quite a bit’ and ‘a little’ distress or bother respectively. The top five most frequent needs causing any degree of distress or bother were physical, present in 68–80% of patients: feeling tired, shortness of breath, cough, feeling sleepy in the day, changes in weight. Two psychological issues followed: worrying about effects of the illness on others, feeling anxious, both present in 67%. Despite most patients reporting talking to health professionals about their condition, 20–30% wanted further information. Conclusions: These findings represent the largest cohort of patients with thoracic cancer completing the SPARC© questionnaire soon after diagnosis, and provide detailed information on the high level of need that thoracic oncology services must be able to respond to

Multihospital Practice, Patient Injury and Death

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation.June 2017. Major: Health Services Research, Policy and Administration. Advisors: Pinar Karaca-Mandic, Roger Feldman. 1 computer file (PDF); xi, 211 pages.Physicians often deliver procedures in more than 1 hospital. A consequence of this behavior is the physician has to work with more hospital teams, which reduces the shared experience between physicians and hospitals, limits the availability of physicians before and after procedures, and potentially reduces the mutual investments physicians and hospitals make to improve the quality of their service lines. These factors could increase the risk of medical errors being made during a patient’s hospital stay and contribute in other ways to adverse patient outcomes. The objective of this study is to accurately estimate the relation between multihospital practice by interventional cardiologists delivering percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and patient injuries and death following PCI. I find that multihospital practice holds a significant relation with patient mortality after PCI. Inhospital death rates are 17.3% higher (1.61% to 1.89%; p < .05) among physicians most likely to have a multihospital practice (i.e., the highest quartile of predicted multihospital probability) compared to those least likely to (lowest quartile). Evidence suggests that this relation is due to the availability of the physician before PCI, which creates longer times-to-treatment for emergent patients. In addition, I find that physician experience holds an inverse relation with patient injuries due to medical error. Multihospital practice will influence patient injuries from medical error if it substantially changes the physician’s procedure experience

Yield Model Characterization for Analogue Integrated Circuit Using Pareto-Optimal Surface

A novel technique is proposed in this paper that achieves a yield optimized design from a set of optimal performance points on the Pareto front. Trade-offs among performance functions are explored through multi-objective optimization and Monte Carlo simulation is used to find the design point producing the best overall yield. One advantage of the approach presented is a reduction in the computational cost normally associated with Monte Carlo simulation. The technique offers a yield optimized robust circuit design solution with transistor level accuracy. An example using an OTA is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the work

Defining patterns of care in the management of patients with brain metastases in a large oncology centre: A single‐centre retrospective audit of 236 cases

Aims: The role of selected treatments for brain metastases (BM) is well documented; however the prevalence of these is not. We report on the patterns of care in the management of BM in a large Oncology centre. Materials and methods: We retrospectively audited 236 cases of newly diagnosed BM from January 2016 to December 2017 by looking at 2 years of radiology reports and gathered data on primary site, survival, treatment received, palliative care input and brain metastases related admissions. Results Eighty-two percent of cases were related to lung, breast and melanoma primaries. Half of patients received a form of treatment with the other half receiving best supportive care. Of these, whole brain radiotherapy (39%) and stereotactic radiosurgery (40%) were the most common treatment modalities. Most common reasons for admissions were headaches, seizures, weakness and confusion. Conclusion: This is the first study in the UK that gives an in-depth overview of the real world management of brain metastases. We have demonstrated the prevalence of treatment across the spectrum of brain metastases patients. Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in nearly 80% of cases; however care needs to be taken in ensuring that SRS is offered to those who are suitable

Oral ketamine vs placebo in patients with cancer-related neuropathic pain

Ketamine hydrochloride is used as an adjuvant treatment for cancer-related neuropathic pain, but evidence of its effectiveness is limited.1 Findings of a large trial investigating the use of ketamine for general cancer pain were negative, but the population studied did not specifically have neuropathic pain. A randomized trial of oral ketamine for cancer-related neuropathic pain has been called for, and the present trial addresses that need