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• Medical errors continue to lead to significant mortality and morbidity in healthcare. • Recognition of errors by students is low, and implementing safety recognition into the curricula is imperative. • A "room of errors" study in a small midwestern university effectively increased first-semester students' abilities to recognize common medical errors. Errors in healthcare remain one of the leading causes of death in the United States each year. Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team and spend the most direct-care time with patients, placing them at the forefront of error mitigation. This study aims to evaluate the beginning nursing students' awareness of safety issues at the bedside. Thirty-four students independently completed a "Room of Errors" simulation in week two of the first semester of a four-year baccalaureate nursing program. A repeat simulation was completed in week 13 with only 25 students participating, and a paired t-test was used to compare the results of those who completed both experiences. Although the average number of errors identified increased from 9.68 to 14.64 out of 42 (p=<0.001), the mean number of errors found per student remained low. While statistical significance is present, the number of errors not identified remains high. Continued research on best practices for implementing safety standards into nursing programs is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize optimal rank-1 matrix approximations with Hankel or Toeplitz structure with regard to two different norms, the Frobenius norm and the spectral norm, in a new way. More precisely, we show that these rank-1 matrix approximation problems can be solved by maximizing special rational functions. Our approach enables us to show that the optimal solutions with respect to these two norms have completely different structure and only coincide in the trivial case when the singular value decomposition already provides an optimal rank-1 approximation with the desired Hankel or Toeplitz structure. We also prove that the Cadzow algorithm for structured low-rank approximations always converges to a fixed point in the rank-1 case. However, it usually does not converge to the optimal solution, neither with regard to the Frobenius norm nor the spectral norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor testing utility in Lynch syndrome (LS) diagnosis is established. Analyze the differences between tumor testing efficiency in rectal (RC) and colon cancer (CC). We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MisMatch Repair (MMR) proteins (IHC-MMR) and MicroSatellite Instability analysis (MSI) on 482 unselected primary tumors: 320 CCs and 162 RCs. Samples had proficient-IHC, deficient-IHC or borderline-IHC ("patchy" expression). MSI-H borderline-IHC tumors were considered as likely MMR-deficient. Germline testing was offered to MMR-deficient patients without BRAF mutation or MLH1 promoter hypermetilation (MLH1 -Hy). We identified 51/482 (10.6%) MMR-defective tumors. Multivariable analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between tumor testing results with histotype, lymph-node involvement and tumor location. In particular, RC showed a lower MMR-deficiency rate than CC (p <0.0001). Interestingly, MLH1 loss was detected in 0% RCs and 76.1% CCs, with 80% of them showing BRAF mutation/ MLH1 -Hy. A germline variant was detected in 12 out of 18 patients (mutation detection rate of 66.7%). Tumor testing results showed molecular differences between CCs and RCs, in terms of MMR proteins expression, and presence of BRAF mutation/ MLH1 -Hy. MSH6 variants were the most frequent ones (50%). Although young age at diagnosis was associated with mutation detection (p = 0.045), 33.3% of LS patients were >50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The synthesis of new 2-(pyrrolidine-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives as cyclic γ -aminobutyric acid analogues, which are additionally substituted at the 4-position, is reported. A de Mayo reaction, i.e. a combination of an intermolecular [2+2]-photocycloaddition of 1,3-dioxinones with N-protected 3-pyrroline and a fragmentation reaction of the resulting cyclobutane moiety, represent the key steps. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour-specific mesorectal excision (TSME) practice for rectal cancer only relies on small retrospective studies. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the oncological and functional outcomes of TSME practice. A systematic review protocol was drawn to include all the studies that compared partial versus total mesorectal excision (PME vs TME) practised for rectal adenocarcinoma up to 16 cm from the anal verge. A systematic literature search was conducted on EMBASE-Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane Library. Reports were screened for the study's outcomes: oncological radicality, postoperative anastomotic leak risk and functional outcomes. Included studies were appraised for risk-of-bias and meta-analysed. Evidence was rated with the GRADE approach. Twenty-seven studies were included, consisting of 12325 patients (PME n = 4460, 36.2%; TME n = 7865, 63.8%). PME was performed for tumours higher than 10 cm from the anal verge in 54.5% of patients. There was no difference between PME and TME in circumferential resection margin positivity (OR 1.31, 95%CI 0.43–3.95, p = 0.64; I2 = 38%), and local recurrence risk (HR 1.05, 95%CI 0.52–2.10, p = 0.90; I2 = 40%). The postoperative leak risk (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.27–0.67, p < 0.001; I2 = 60%) and the major low anterior resection syndrome risk (OR 0.34, 95%CI 0.28–0.40, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%) were lower after PME surgery. No difference was found in urinary incontinence (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.13–3.67, p = 0.66) and urinary retention after early catheter removal (OR 2.00, 95%CI 0.24–16.51, p = 0.52). Evidence from this meta-analysis shows that TSME for rectal cancer has good oncological results and leads to the best-fitted functional results possible for the patient's condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mediated degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in artificial wastewater samples was studied qualitatively (HPLC–MS) and quantitatively (HPLC-UV). Experiments were performed with two different HRP isoenzyme variants either of herbal origin (HRPc) or expressed by recombinant yeasts (C1A_6). Experiments were performed under different pH- and salinity conditions, with and without addition of H 2 O 2 at different organic pollution levels mimicked by humic acids. The rapid degradation of the hormone by HRP was demonstrated, and characteristic peaks representing water-soluble degradation products (molar masses 97.2 and 195) were detected and tentatively classified as C5 and C10 compounds. Furthermore, it turned out that H 2 O 2 addition has positive impact on EE2 degradation; especially repeated supplementation of small amounts of H 2 O 2 resulted in complete EE2 degradation within a reasonable time frame for both isoenzyme variants. Increasing humic acid concentration displayed no major inhibition of HRPc’s biocatalytic activity, in contrast to a significant inhibition of variant C1A_6 at increasing humic acid concentrations. Detailed kinetic data were elaborated for the degradation rate of the target substrate EE2; these data shall be used in future to estimate the degradation performance of HRP under operational conditions during wastewater treatment, e.g., when used as enzyme immobilized on hollow fiber membrane modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grand Portage people rely on moose killed by brainworm transmitted by gastropods. • Gastropods sampled at 71 sites of managed and unmanaged Grand Portage forests. • 621 gastropods collected, 129 were known brainworm hosts, none contained brainworm. • Recently managed sites (<5yr) had lower gastropod abundance and richness. • Frequent brainworm host Deroceras spp. low after management, higher in older forests. Landscape management can influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of the terrestrial gastropods that host known parasites of managed species of ungulates. Multiple taxa of terrestrial gastropods are important intermediate hosts in the lifecycle of the parasitic nematode Parelaphostrongylus tenuis , for which white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are definitive hosts. Moose (Alces alces) become infected with P. tenuis when they incidentally ingest gastropod intermediate hosts, leading to morbidity and mortality. Populations of moose in Minnesota have declined and P. tenuis infection has been identified as a leading cause of mortality. We investigated the role of forest management disturbance on the terrestrial gastropod community, and specifically known intermediate host species of P. tenuis , on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation in northeastern Minnesota, USA, where moose are an important subsistence species to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Field crews surveyed gastropods through timed searches of soil and litter, and opportunistic collections from browse and pellets of white-tailed deer and moose. We digested all identified gastropods to determine prevalence of P. tenuis infection. We examined gastropod community responses to management and forest cover type using multivariate regressions. We additionally used regressions to examine total gastropod richness and abundance, as well as P. tenuis intermediate host responses to cover type, soil moisture class, canopy cover, treatment, and years since treatment. Digestions detected no infected gastropods from the 621 identified specimens. Gastropod community assemblages differed with recent understory treatment, but no other predictors. Total gastropod abundance, richness, and host abundance (liberal definition, including Deroceras spp.) were lower in sites treated within the last five years. For known intermediate host taxa, we observed species-specific responses to forestry treatments through time. Specifically, Deroceras spp. recolonized sites post-treatment (0–30 years), Discus cronkhitei were higher in abundance immediately following treatment, and the Succinea ovalis group, along with pooled intermediate hosts, displayed no discernable patterns. Our results underscore the complexity of P. tenuis lifecycles and transmission dynamics to moose, the importance of management disturbance and disturbance frequency in regulating gastropod populations, and the potential of forest management treatments to reduce P. tenuis infection in moose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a new weighted, multivariable operator mean of positive definite operators over an arbitrary Hilbert space which provides us the first generally applicable extension of the classical Kubo–Ando theory of 2-variable operator means. The construction is a weighted extension of the Bini–Meini–Poloni symmetrization process originally given for the matrix geometric mean. Here to be able to consider such an iterative procedure, we need a weighted version of every Kubo–Ando mean in two variables. Therefore we also give a new construction for two arbitrary positive operators on a possibly infinite dimensional Hilbert space that provides weighted counterparts to every (not-necessarily symmetric) Kubo–Ando mean and also agrees with the most well known weighted operator means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vast areas of rangelands across the world are grazed with increasing intensity, but interactions between livestock production, biodiversity and other ecosystem services are poorly studied. This study explicitly determines trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services and livestock grazing intensity on rangelands. Grazing intensity and its effects on forage utilization by livestock, carbon sequestration, erosion prevention and biodiversity are quantified and mapped, using global datasets and models. Results show that on average 4% of the biomass produced annually is consumed by livestock. On average, erosion prevention is 10% lower in areas with a high grazing intensity compared to areas with a low grazing intensity, whereas carbon emissions are more than four times higher under high grazing intensity compared to low grazing intensity. Rangelands with the highest grazing intensity are located in the Sahel, Pakistan, West India, Middle East, North Africa and parts of Brazil. These high grazing intensities result in carbon emissions, low biodiversity values, low capacity for erosion prevention and unsustainable forage utilization. Although the applied models simplify the processes of ecosystem service supply, our study provides a global overview of the consequences of grazing for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The expected increasing future demand for livestock products likely increase pressures on rangelands. Global-scale models can help to identify targets and target areas for international policies aiming at sustainable future use of these rangelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper a kind of partial subadditivity of the entropy is investigated in probability theory and in matrix theory. We show some new inequalities related to the subadditivity of the standard entropy and its one-parameter generalization in the discrete case. The matrix analogues of the inequalities are also studied. The standard entropy is related to the function , but here some other functions are also used. A new version of the Tsallis entropy is included in the probabilistic case and a conjecture in the matrix case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using CCR5-Δ32/Δ32 stem cells from an adult donor has resulted in the only known cure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, it is not feasible to repeat this procedure except rarely because of the low incidence of the CCR5-Δ32 allele, the availability of only a small number of potential donors for most patients, and the need for a very close human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match between adult donors and recipients. In contrast, cord blood (CB) transplantations require significantly less stringent HLA matching. Therefore, our hypothesis is that cure of HIV infections by HCT can be accomplished much more readily using umbilical CB stem cells obtained from a modestly sized inventory of cryopreserved CCR5-Δ32/Δ32 CB units. To test this hypothesis, we developed a screening program for CB units and are developing an inventory of CCR5-Δ32/Δ32 cryopreserved units available for HCT. Three hundred such units are projected to provide for white pediatric patients a 73.6% probability of finding an adequately HLA matched unit with a cell dose of ≥2.5 × 107 total nucleated cells (TNCs)/kg and a 27.9% probability for white adults. With a cell dose of ≥1 × 107 TNCs/kg, the corresponding projected probabilities are 85.6% and 82.1%. The projected probabilities are lower for ethnic minorities. Impetus for using CB HCT was provided by a transplantation of an adult with acute myelogenous leukemia who was not HIV infected. The HCT was performed with a CCR5-Δ32/Δ32 CB unit, and posttransplantation in vitro studies indicated that the patient''s peripheral blood mononuclear cells were resistant to HIV infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The dimensional measurement of microsystem components is a field of application that is gaining more and more importance. While optical probing systems offer a number of advantages, their performance is strongly affected by the varying optical properties of the measured surfaces. For this reason, tactile probing systems are essential to many fields of micrometrology. Since conventional tactile probing systems are not suitable for the measurement of microparts, there is a demand for new tactile probing systems that are specifically adapted to the requirements of micrometrology. The tactile–optical Werth Fiber Probe is an established solution within this scope of application. In the present paper, two recent approaches to adding full 3D capabilities to the fiber probe principle are proposed. First prototypes of these sensors are shown and the obtained results are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Land management is an important factor that affects ecosystem services provision. However, interactions between land management, ecological processes and ecosystem service provision are still not fully understood. Indicators can help to better understand these interactions and provide information for policy-makers to prioritise land management interventions. In this paper, we develop a framework for the systematic selection of indicators, to assess the link between land management and ecosystem services provision in a spatially explicit manner. Our framework distinguishes between ecosystem properties, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services. We tested the framework in a case study in The Netherlands. For the case study, we identified 12 property indicators, 9 function indicators and 9 service indicators. The indicators were used to examine the effect of land management on food provision, air quality regulation and recreation opportunities. Land management was found to not only affect ecosystem properties, but also ecosystem functions and services directly. Several criteria were used to evaluate the usefulness of the selected indicators, including scalability, sensitivity to land management change, spatial explicitness, and portability. The results show that the proposed framework can be used to determine quantitative links between indicators, so that land management effects on ecosystem services provision can be modelled in a spatially explicit manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: On the manifold of positive definite matrices, a Riemannian metric is associated with a positive kernel function on by defining , where D is a foot point with the spectral decomposition and are Hermitian matrices (tangent vectors). We are concerned with the case where is a mean of scalars . We clarify the isometric structure among such kernel metrics and discuss the convergence properties of geodesic distances and geodesic shortest curves along each isometric line of metrics. The metric corresponding to the square of the logarithmic mean shows up as the attractor of the whole metrics concerned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study the determinant of the average quadratic error matrix is used as the measure of state estimation efficiency. Minimizing this quantity gives us the optimal measurements in different scenarios. We present applications when von Neumann measurements or a single positive operator-valued measure are used, when there is no known information or a part of the parameters of the state is given. Under some restrictions the optimality is found for n-level systems. The optimal measurements have some complementary relation to each other and to the available data, moreover, symmetric informationally complete systems appear, containing a new, conditional version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrophthalazin-1-one and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophthalazin-1,4-dione derivatives were synthesised in high (up to 85%) and low yields using 2-iodobenzyl bromide and 1,2-diiodobenzene as bifunctional substrates, respectively. Iodoarenes, carbon monoxide and various hydrazine derivatives as N-nucleophiles were used in a three-component palladium-catalysed cascade hydrazinocarbonylation. A similar palladium-catalysed reaction, the aminocarbonylation of 1,2-diiodobenzene, resulted mainly in the formation of two types of major products depending on the amine N-nucleophiles: the use of primary amines yielded N-substituted phthalimides in double carbonylation, while secondary amines react with one of the iodoarene functionalities affording the corresponding 2-iodobenzamides. Due to double carbon monoxide insertion at one or both iodoarene functionalities, ketocarboxamide-carboxamide or bis-ketocarboxamide derivatives could be isolated by the modification of the reaction conditions. Some mechanistic details of the ring-closure reactions and the conditions leading to side-products are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Some functions induce mean of positive numbers and the matrix monotonicity gives a possibility for means of positive definite matrices. Moreover, such a function f can define a linear mapping on matrices (which is basic in the constructions of monotone metrics). The present subject is to check the complete positivity of in the case of a few concrete functions f. This problem has been motivated by applications in quantum information. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The platinum complex [Pt(η3-C8H11)(C6H4PPh2CPPh3)] (2) is a halve side o-phenyl insertion product resulting from the reaction of C(PPh3)2 and [I2Pt(cod)] and is unstable in halogenated hydrocarbons. In a slow reaction 2 abstracts HCl from CH2Cl2, CHCl3 or CDCl3 (DCl) and converts the η3-C8H11 ligand into cod which is replaced by Cl−. Simultaneously, a second insertion of the Pt atom into an o-phenyl CH bond occurs under movement of the o-phenyl proton to the ylidic carbon atom resulting in the C,C,C-pincer complex [ClPt{CH(PC6H4Ph2)2}] (3). Surprisingly, crystals of the unusual carbonyl complex [(CO)Pt{C(PC6H4Ph2)2}] (5) were obtained upon attempts to replace Cl− in 3 by PPh3 in CHCl3 solution. Instead, an intermediate was identified by 31P NMR spectroscopy in which the coordinated CH group is replaced by PPh3; however, no crystals could be obtained. From the resulting oily material after some month crystals of 5 separated. We suggest, that hydrolysis of an intermediate CCl2 ligand (from CHCl3) to CO via a leaking stopcock has taken place. The compounds are characterized by X-ray analyses, 31P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Iodoarenes (iodobenzene and 2-iodothiophene) and iodoalkenes (1-iodocyclohexene, 1-iodo-4-tert-butylcyclohexene, 1-iodo-2-methylcyclohexene and 1-iodo-1-(1-naphthyl)ethene) were used as substrates in palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine. The corresponding Weinreb amides were prepared in high isolated yields (up to 87%) when forcing conditions (40–60bar of CO, 50°C) were used. The aminocarbonylation provides the Weinreb amides as pure products in a chemoselective reaction. No formation of ketocarboxamides, due to double CO insertion, except for 2-iodothiophene, was observed even at 60bar of CO pressure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concept of complementarity (or quasi-orthogonality) is extended to positive operator-valued measurements. It is shown in the setting of unconstrained state estimation that the determinant of the mean quadratic error matrix is minimal if the positive operator-valued measurements are complementary (and informationally complete). Several examples of the scheme are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The cationic complexes [({Ph3P}2C)Ag(C{PPh3}2)]X (2+ , X=Cl, BF4) with a linear arrangement of the ligands were obtained from the reaction of C(PPh3)2 (1) with the appropriate AgX in THF. The 31P NMR spectrum of the cation 2+ exhibits a doublet with J(Ag,P)=15.3Hz. The cation was also formed when the adduct O2C← 1 was allowed to react with AgX in CH2Cl2 in the first step as shown by 31P NMR; however, deprotonation of the solvent finally produced the cation (HC{PPh3}2)+, (H1) + quantitatively. In the absence of coordinating anions, the tricationic complex [({Ph3P}2CH)Ag(CH{PPh3}2)](BF4)3 (3), containing the cation (H1)+ as ligand, could be isolated by reacting AgBF4 with the salt (H1)(BF4). All compounds were characterized by IR and 31P NMR spectroscopy; the structures of the compounds [2]Cl·1.25THF, 3·5CH2Cl2, 3·4C2H4Cl2, and (H1)(BF4) could be established by X-ray analyses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Riemannian metric on the manifold of positive definite matrices is defined by a kernel function in the form when is the spectral decomposition of the foot point and the Hermitian matrices are tangent vectors. For such kernel metrics the tangent space has an orthogonal decomposition. The pull-back of a kernel metric under a mapping is a kernel metric as well. Several Riemannian geometries of the literature are particular cases, for example, the statistical metric for multivariate Gaussian distributions and the quantum Fisher information. In the paper the case is mostly studied when is a mean of the positive numbers and . There are results about the geodesic curves and geodesic distances. The geometric mean, the logarithmic mean and the root mean are important cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The high-yielding synthesis of novel N-acyl phosphonates with unprecedented structure was carried out by a homogeneous carbonylation reaction under mild reaction conditions. The palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation of iodoalkenes (1-iodo-cyclohexene, 1-iodo-4-tert-butyl-cyclohexene, 1-iodo-2-methyl-cyclohexene and α-iodostyrene) with diethyl α-aminobenzyl-phosphonate as N-nucleophile resulted in the exclusive formation of carboxamides. The same reaction with iodoaromatics (iodobenzene, 2-iodothiophene) provided the corresponding carboxamide in high yields and some 2-keto-carboxamides as side products due to single and double carbon monoxide insertion, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The betain-like compound S2CC(PPh3)2 (1), which is obtained from CS2 and the double ylide C(PPh3)2, reacts with [X2Pt(COD)] (X=Cl, I) in THF to afford the complexes [X2Pt{S2CC(PPh3)2}] (2, X=Cl; 3, X=I) in quantitative yields. Both compounds are insoluble in all usual solvents, and 3 could be characterized by an X-ray analysis. For comparison, the structures of [Pt(Me)2FI{S2CC(PPh3)2}]·2CH2Cl2 (4 ·2CH2Cl2) with PtIV and [Pt{S2CC(PPh3)2}2][SiF5]2 ·2CH2Cl2 (5 ·2CH2Cl2) with PtII are also presented. The compounds are further characterized by 31P NMR and IR spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A polyimide-based MEMS hot-wire sensor featuring two resistors in close proximity (200μm) has been developed. Combining a flexible printed circuit board and a number of such MEMS wall double hot-wires, a so called hybrid AeroMEMS sensor array is established. Setup of both single double-wire sensor and hybrid array, as well as wind tunnel experiments to determine the position of flow reattachment behind an airfoil are described. Further wind tunnel measurements on a generic two-dimensional model of a high-lift system of an airplane, consisting of a main airfoil and a flap, are presented. Evaluation of the experiments proves that the hybrid sensor array is well capable of detecting near-wall regions of flow separation as well as complete flow separation from the flap. This sensor system permits the detection of small near wall regions of flow separation on this specific aerodynamic configuration which were not detected by other measurement methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The cold antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHAs) are primarily comprised of cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) but, in addition, there are unusual instances in which patients satisfy the serologic criteria of both warm antibody AIHA and CAS (“mixed AIHA”). CAS characteristically occurs in middle-aged or elderly persons, often with signs and symptoms exacerbated by cold. The responsible antibody is of the IgM immunoglobulin class, is maximally reactive in the cold but with reactivity up to at least 30 °C. Therapy is often ineffective, but newer agents such as rituximab have been beneficial in some patients. PCH occurs primarily in children, often after an upper respiratory infection. The causative antibody is of the IgG immunoglobulin class and is a biphasic hemolysin that is demonstrated by incubation in the cold followed by incubation at 37 °C in the presence of complement. Acute attacks are frequently severe but the illness characteristically resolves spontaneously within a few days to several weeks after onset and rarely recurs. Treatment consists of supportive care, with transfusions frequently being needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]