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Residential construction and motor vehicle manufacturing, two key end markets for the plastics industry, did not experience growth in 2024. Higher borrowing costs constrained consumer demand and business investment, impacting [...]

The fate of Taiwan keeps American policymakers up at night, and it should. A Chinese invasion of the island would confront the United States with one of its gravest foreign [...]

Donald Trump's first election to the presidency in 2016 triggered an energetic defense of democracy from the American establishment. But his return to office has been met with striking indifference. [...]

* Our long national nap is finally over. * So relentless has been the release of Donald Trump's first-week executive orders that it has been tough to keep pace. Once, [...]

DURING THE COLD WAR, the U.S. and USSR raced to be first to send robotic and human explorers to the Moon, traversing lunar terrain and returning samples to Earth. These [...]

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 Keynote Address: Business Models and Outlook of the Academic and Professional Publishing Industry Academic Teatre (APPC), 10:15-10:45 a.m. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist, broadcaster, author, and STEM [...]

The HVAC industry is undergoing a significant transformation, as 2025 marks a pivotal milestone in the phasedown of high-GWP refrigerants. As of December 31, 2024, manufacturers ceased producing and importing [...]

The HVAC is yet again standing face-to-face with a new year and a new set of challenges. The complexities associated with the refrigerant transition are likely to be an enormous [...]

Nearly all contractors are getting questions from homeowners about heat pumps, which, on average, accounted for 33% of installation jobs last year. But there's still a sizeable chunk of homeowners [...]

Judging by the volume of forthcoming fantasy fiction that takes place in the past, historicals are having a moment. Mira editor Dina Davis, for one, has thoughts on why that [...]

Note 1. Petroleum Products Supplied and Petroleum Consumption. Total petroleum products supplied is the sum of the products supplied for each petroleum product, crude oil, unfinished oils, and gasoline blending [...]

The beauty industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to geopolitical instability and rising costs. Trade conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and inflation are forcing brands to adapt and find new ways [...]

China AI Breakthrough Escalates Global 'AI Arms Race'. The Nasdaq 100 RECENTLY plunged as the dominance of US Big Tech became under threat following a game-changing breakthrough by Chinese AI [...]

Parks & Recreation magazine proudly inducts 30 young professionals whose hard work, innovation and commitment to park and recreation excellence have made them worthy of recognition by their colleagues and [...]

Your closet needs a spring awakening (we said it!). Test out the freshest new shapes and textures--aka sequins, fringe and feathers--then watch your style bloom. MONDAY DO DAYTIME SHIMMER It's [...]

Objectives: To examine heterogeneity in physician batch ordering practices and measure the associations between a physician's tendency to batch order imaging tests on patient outcomes and resource utilization. Study Setting and Design: In this retrospective study, we used comprehensive EMR data from patients who visited the Mayo Clinic of Arizona Emergency Department (ED) between October 6, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Primary outcomes are patient length of stay (LOS) in the ED, number of diagnostic imaging tests ordered during a patient encounter, and patients' return with admission to the ED within 72 h. The association between outcomes and physician batch tendency was measured using a multivariable linear regression controlling for various covariates. Data Sources and Analytic Sample: The Mayo Clinic of Arizona Emergency Department recorded approximately 50,836 visits, all randomly assigned to physicians during the study period. After excluding rare complaints, we were left with an analytical sample of 43,299 patient encounters. Principal Findings: Findings show that having a physician with a batch tendency 1 standard deviation (SD) greater than the average physician was associated with a 4.5% increase in ED LOS (p < 0.001). It was also associated with a 14.8% (0.2 percentage points) decrease in the probability of a 72-h return with admission (p < 0.001), implying that batching may lead to more comprehensive evaluations, reducing the need for short-term revisits. A batch tendency 1SD greater than that of the average physician was also associated with an additional 8 imaging tests ordered per 100 patient encounters (p < 0.001), suggesting that batch ordering may be leading to tests that would not have been otherwise ordered had the physician waited for the results from one test before placing their next order. Conclusions: This study highlights the considerable impact of physicians' diagnostic test ordering strategies on ED efficiency and patient care. The results also highlight the need to develop guidelines to optimize ED test ordering practices. KEYWORDS emergency department, health care costs, instrumental variables, operational effeciency, 1 | INTRODUCTION Emergency departments (ED) serve as critical junctures in healthcare delivery, balancing the immediate needs of patients with the overarching operational and administrative demands of hospital management. This [...]

Objective: To examine the association between hospital-cardiologist integration and Medicare spending for stable angina patients. Data Sources and Study Setting: This study used Medicare Standard Analytic Files from 2013 to 2020 and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services National Downloadable File for accompanying physician data. Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries with a new diagnosis of stable angina between 2013 and 2020. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Patients with a new diagnosis of stable angina were categorized by whether they received care from an independent or a hospital-integrated cardiologist. Principal Findings: Total spending for this sample was high: an average of $103,946 per patient over 12 months. Adjusted for covariates, patients of integrated cardiologists did not spend significantly more or less than clinically comparable patients of independent cardiologists (-$3856, 95% CI: -$8631 to 920, p = 0.11). This was true for overall inpatient (-$2622, 95% CI: -6069 to 825, p = 0.14) and outpatient (-1162, 95% CI: -$3510 to 1185, p = 0.33) spending as well as cardiology-specific inpatient and outpatient spending. Among high-risk patients, overall spending between the integrated and independent groups was comparable, though patients of integrated cardiologists incurred lower spending than those of their independent counterparts in inpatient care (-$13,589; 95% CI: -24,432 to -2746, p = 0.01). In a supplemental analysis, findings suggested that site-neutral payments would have resulted in lower spending among patients of integrated physicians. Conclusions: Specific clinical settings may lend themselves to efficiencies created by integration for certain complex patients, though we do not test a causal mechanism here. Adoption of site-neutral payment policy may also lead to lower spending among patients of integrated physicians. KEYWORDS cardiology, hospital-physician integration, inpatient spending, Medicare spending, stable angina, 1 | INTRODUCTION Hospital-physician integration (hospital ownership of physician practices or direct employment of physicians) has increased significantly becoming a hallmark of consolidation in the United States' health system. (1,2) [...]

Objectives: (1) To estimate the association of social risk factors with unplanned read-mission and emergency care after a hospital stay. (2) To create a social risk scoring index. Data Sources and Setting: We analyzed administrative data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse. Settings were VA medical centers that participated in a national social work staffing program. Study Design: We grouped socially relevant diagnoses, screenings, assessments, and procedure codes into nine social risk domains. We used logistic regression to examine the extent to which domains predicted unplanned hospital readmission and emergency department (ED) use in 30 days after hospital discharge. Covariates were age, sex, and medical readmission risk score. We used model estimates to create a percentile score signaling Veterans' health-related social risk. Data Extraction: We included 156,690 Veterans' admissions to a VA hospital with discharged to home from 1 October, 2016 to 30 September, 2022. Principal Findings: The 30-day rate of unplanned readmission was 0.074 and of ED use was 0.240. After adjustment, the social risks with greatest probability of readmission were food insecurity (adjusted probability = 0.091 [95% confidence interval: 0.082, 0.101]), legal need (0.090 [0.079, 0.102]), and neighborhood deprivation (0.081 [0.081, 0.108]); versus no social risk (0.052). The greatest adjusted probabilities of ED use were among those who had experienced food insecurity (adjusted probability 0.28 [0.26, 0.30]), legal problems (0.28 [0.26, 0.30]), and violence (0.27 [0.25, 0.29]), versus no social risk (0.21). Veterans with social risk scores in the 95th percentile had greater rates of unplanned care than those with 95th percentile Care Assessment Needs score, a clinical prediction tool used in the VA. Conclusions: Veterans with social risks may need specialized interventions and targeted resources after a hospital stay. We propose a scoring method to rate social risk for use in clinical practice and future research. KEYWORDS area deprivation index, emergency department use, food insecurity, hospital readmission, housing insecurity, social determinants of health, social isolation, social risk factors, Veterans, 1 | INTRODUCTION 1.1 | Background Over 600,000 Veterans are discharged each year from a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center, and 19% are readmitted within 30 days at [...]

A big part of owning a gun store is selling. But to thrive, you need to do much more than just stock the latest and greatest rifles, shotguns and pistols. [...]

Rising liability insurance premiums have negatively impacted log trucking businesses in Mississippi and across the southeastern United States. A statewide mixed-mode log trucking business owner survey was used to study factors impacting liability insurance for Mississippi timber transportation. A hedonic regression model was developed to identify operational characteristics that significantly influenced insurance premiums. Marginal implicit prices were calculated to reveal an average per unit monetary contribution of each significant attribute while holding the others constant. The 3-year inflation-adjusted average for Mississippi companies was $12,466 per truck per year, with a minimum value of $4,000 per truck per year and a maximum of $24,404 per truck per year (all values in US$). On average, each year of owner experience provided a mean insurance premium discount of $72.42. Each additional 1,000 miles (1600 km) traveled by log trucks at the mean insurance premium was valued at $50.00; each safety violation was valued at $3,322; and an overweight violation was valued at $1,311. Implementation of safety practices and safety equipment did not significantly impact insurance premiums. Companies were not directly rewarded for using safety equipment and safety practices but were penalized through increased policy rates when cited for safety and overweight violations. Investing in safety practices (e.g., regular truck inspections, truck driver training, repair and maintenance programs, etc.) and safety equipment (truck scales, cameras, truck tracking, telematics, etc.) would reduce roadside inspection citations and crashes, which contribute to rising liability insurance premiums., The log trucking industry, which is the overwhelming mode used for transporting harvested timber from harvesting sites to wood processing mills in the United States, has been negatively impacted by [...]

In 2024, Africa's energy sector continued to evolve, with a new focus on renewable energy, even as fossil fuels continue to lead in the continent's efforts to close its energy [...]

Ecobank's recent Eurobond launch was heavily oversubscribed. A day before it, CEO Jeremy Awori discussed the bank's future with Omar Ben Yedder. On the eve of its 40th birthday, Ecobank [...]

Recent shifts in debt restructuring practice are harming the classical trade finance asset class and African multilateral development banks (MDBs), says Admassu Tadesse, group president and managing director of the [...]

Author(s): Lav Kochgaway (corresponding author) [1]; Anuradha Chandra [2]; Ipsita Basu [3]; Debarpita Chaudhury [3]; Jitendra Jethani [4]; Arup Bhaumik [3] Emerging evidence indicates a substantial rise in pediatric myopia [...], Objective: This study investigates the practice patterns related to paediatric myopia among Paediatric Ophthalmologists in India, based on a 2023 survey conducted via Google Forms. Methods: The survey aimed to gather insights into physicians perceptions and experiences concerning the clinical and treatment aspects of myopia in children. Results: The survey reveals several key insights into current practice patterns among Paediatric Ophthalmologists in India regarding paediatric myopia management. The recommended mean age for a childs first eye checkup is 3 years, underscoring the importance of early detection. Refractive error thresholds for prescribing spectacles are set at 3.0 D for infants, 2.0 D for preschool children, and 1.0 D for school-going children older than 3 years. There is a growing trend in using 0.01% Atropine eye drops for myopia management, with a mean prescription age of 4.83 years. Notably, 80.11% of respondents prioritize documenting myopia progression regardless of the childs age. Orthokeratology and Peripheral Defocus spectacle lenses are gaining recognition, and lifestyle modifications such as increasing outdoor activities and reducing near activities are widely acknowledged as effective. While most respondents do not use progressive lenses for myopia, there is significant emphasis on axial length measurements and considering the lag of accommodation. Additionally, under-correction of myopia is favored by a notable proportion of practitioners. These findings indicate a shift towards early intervention and evidence-based strategies in myopia control. Conclusions: The survey highlights a shift towards early intervention and evidence-based myopia control strategies among practitioners. There is, however, room for improvement in standardizing approaches and considering additional factors like axial length and lag of accommodation. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, health regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders are essential to enhance the accessibility and affordability of myopia control treatments and address the growing health burden associated with paediatric myopia. Keywords: Axial length, diopters, pediatric myopia, practice pattern

Author(s): Rolika Bansal [1]; Santosh G Honavar (corresponding author) [1] The term ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN), coined by Lee and Hirst[sup.[1]] , encompasses a histopathological spectrum of epithelial lesions [...], Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common neoplasia of the anterior segment. Accurate and timely diagnosis, including detailed clinical assessment and imaging, is essential to ascertain the extent of the disease. The gold standard treatment for OSSN has evolved over the years, transitioning from wide-margin surgical excision using the "no-touch" technique to topical immunotherapy, plaque brachytherapy, and targeted immunotherapy. The choice of treatment modality depends on a tailored approach based on the initial presentation and progression of the disease. This review consolidates a comprehensive understanding of the variable clinical presentations of OSSN, diagnostic and imaging techniques, and available treatment options. It also provides a foundation for the oncologic principles of managing OSSN while offering insights into future therapeutic approaches. Keywords: 5-fluorouracil, conjunctival neoplasia, corneal neoplasia, interferon α-2b, mitomycin-C, ocular surface squamous neoplasia, plaque brachytherapy, plaque radiotherapy, squamous cell carcinoma, systemic immunotherapy, targeted therapy, topical chemotherapy

The field-testing phase of the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge is over, and eight manufacturers that took part are in various stages of bringing new, Challenge-certified heat pumps [...]

December 3, 2024 Their attendance rate has seen the steepest drop among any demographic in recent years. So what happens next? As Hemingway once said about bankruptcy, it's gradual, then [...]

The archetype of an optometrist as a white male owner of solo practice focused on selling glasses, usually with his wife keeping the books and running the dispensary, was a [...]

Since 1971, when Rhode Island enacted the first law in the nation authorizing optometrists to use diagnostic drugs, the profession's practice scope has been expanded into medical eye care at [...]

This year, marking the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, is a significant one for the travel industry It's a year when the Roman Catholic Church is […]

THE ANNUAL COLOR WHEEL HAS SPUN AGAIN. It's time to say farewell to brat green and hot pink; for 2025, the hues to use are largely dark or dusky. Topping [...]

Now that the floodgates to a world of color have been opened and people are more willing to move beyond white and gray kitchens and bathrooms, it seems that there [...]

Electrification has been a foundation of sustainable propulsion in the rail industry for over a century. Since the debut of the first electrified rail line in the U.S. 130 years [...]

It's a cold, bright morning on a narrow street in Brighton, on the south coast of England. Neighbours are peering through windows, or coming out onto the pavement, to see [...]