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Background: The aging global population presents challenges in medication management, particularly among diabetic elderly patients vulnerable to potentially inappropriate medications (PIM). PIM can lead to adverse outcomes like hypoglycemia, falls, cognitive decline, and hospitalizations, affecting quality of life and survival. This study aimed to assess PIM prevalence among diabetic elderly patients in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia, using the American Geriatrics Society 2023 Updated Beers Criteria. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted among 480 diabetic adults aged 60 years or older at a tertiary care hospital over 3 months. Data, including demographics, comorbidities, and medication use, were extracted from Electronic Health Records. 2023 AGS Updated Beers Criteria® was followed. Results: The median age was 66 years with a male predominance (62.7%). Peripheral vascular disease (42.7%) and prior myocardial infarction (22.7%) were prevalent comorbidities. Inappropriate insulin use was observed in 17.7% of insulin users, mainly short-acting insulin without basal/long-acting insulin. Approximately 39.2% of patients were prescribed antidiabetic drugs deemed inappropriate by Beers Criteria, with Gliclazide being the most common (35.6%). Despite potential drug–disease interactions, such as urogenital infections, half of the patients received cautioned drugs, while only 4.2% experienced such infections. Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalence of PIMs among diabetic elderly patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Adherence to Beers Criteria guidelines is crucial to optimize therapy for this population. Age and congestive heart failure were significant predictors of PIM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing architectural studies on ReRAM-based processing-in-memory (PIM) DNN accelerators assume that all weights of the DNN can be mapped to the crossbar at once. However, these studies are over-idealized. ReRAM crossbar resources for calculation are limited because of technological limitations, so multiple weight mapping procedures are required during the inference process. In this article, we propose a static scheduling framework which generates the mapping between DNN weights and ReRAM cells with minimum runtime weight programming cost. We first build a ReRAM crossbar programming latency model by simultaneously considering the DNN weight patterns, ReRAM programming operations, and PIM architecture characteristics. Then, the model is used in the searching process to obtain an optimized weight-to-OU mapping table with minimum online programming latency. Finally, an OU scheduler is used to coordinate the activation sequences of OUs in the crossbars to perform the inference computation correctly. Evaluation results show the proposed framework significantly reduces the weight programming overhead and the overall inference latency for various DNN models with different input datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new methodology for horizontal model transformations within the Model-Driven Architecture (MDA), specifically focusing on the transformation from Service-Oriented Architecture Modeling Language (SOAML) to Interaction Flow Modeling Language (IFML) at the Platform Independent Model (PIM) level. Despite the advancements in MDA, horizontal transformations between specific modeling languages remain underexplored. Our methodology addresses this gap by defining metamodels for SOAML and IFML in the Eclipse environment and establishing precise transformation rules to ensure the transition. These rules facilitate a semi-automatic process that maintains the integrity and functionality of the original models. The significance of this research lies in its ability to streamline the transformation process between service-oriented architectures and user interaction flows, enhancing consistency and adaptability. We demonstrate our approach with a case study on an authentication system, displaying the practical application of the transformation rules. The resulting IFML model accurately reflects the intended interactions derived from the SOAML model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrometallurgy of China is the property of Hydrometallurgy of China Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are prevalent in older adults with dementia and subsequent falls or fall-related injuries. The present study determined the risk of falls or fall-related injuries associated with PIM use in older adults with dementia. Methods The National Health Insurance Service-Elderly Cohort Database 2.0 (NHIS-ECDB 2.0) was used for this self-controlled case series (SCCS) study. This study included 1430 participants who went through exposure and non-exposure periods of PIM application among patients with dementia and experienced outcome events of falls or fall-related injuries between January 2016 and December 2019. The incidence of falls or fall-related injuries during the exposure and post-exposure periods was compared with that during the non-exposure period. Beers Criteria were used to define PIMs in patients with dementia. Negative binomial regression was conducted. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used to determine the risk of falls or fall-related injuries. Results During the exposure periods in which falls or fall-related injuries occurred, the mean number of PIMs among patients with dementia was 3.76 (SD = 2.99), and the most commonly used PIMs among patients with dementia were first-generation antihistamines (n = 283; 59.1%). Compared to the non-exposure period, the adjusted IRR during the exposure period was 1.57 (95% CI = 1.39–1.76). The risk of falls or fall-related injuries was increased when PIM use in patients with dementia was initiated (1–14 days: IRR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.31–3.28; 15–28 days: IRR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.48–2.56; ≥ 29 days: IRR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.01–1.35). Especially, an increased risk of falls or fall-related injuries was associated with greater PIM use among patients with dementia. Conclusion Among older adults with dementia, PIMs significantly increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Therefore, strategies should be developed to manage PIM prescriptions in patients with dementia to prevent falls.

Background: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are prevalent in older adults with dementia and subsequent falls or fall-related injuries. The present study determined the risk of falls or fall-related injuries associated with PIM use in older adults with dementia. Methods: The National Health Insurance Service-Elderly Cohort Database 2.0 (NHIS-ECDB 2.0) was used for this self-controlled case series (SCCS) study. This study included 1430 participants who went through exposure and non-exposure periods of PIM application among patients with dementia and experienced outcome events of falls or fall-related injuries between January 2016 and December 2019. The incidence of falls or fall-related injuries during the exposure and post-exposure periods was compared with that during the non-exposure period. Beers Criteria were used to define PIMs in patients with dementia. Negative binomial regression was conducted. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used to determine the risk of falls or fall-related injuries. Results: During the exposure periods in which falls or fall-related injuries occurred, the mean number of PIMs among patients with dementia was 3.76 (SD = 2.99), and the most commonly used PIMs among patients with dementia were first-generation antihistamines (n = 283; 59.1%). Compared to the non-exposure period, the adjusted IRR during the exposure period was 1.57 (95% CI = 1.39–1.76). The risk of falls or fall-related injuries was increased when PIM use in patients with dementia was initiated (1–14 days: IRR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.31–3.28; 15–28 days: IRR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.48–2.56; ≥ 29 days: IRR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.01–1.35). Especially, an increased risk of falls or fall-related injuries was associated with greater PIM use among patients with dementia. Conclusion: Among older adults with dementia, PIMs significantly increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Therefore, strategies should be developed to manage PIM prescriptions in patients with dementia to prevent falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processing in Memory based on memristors is considered the most effective solution to overcome the Von Neumann bottleneck issue and has become a hot research topic. The execution efficiency of logical computation and in-memory data transmission is crucial for Processing in Memory. This paper presents a design scheme for data transmission and multi-bit multipliers within MAT (a data storage set in MPU) based on the memristive alternating crossbar array structure. Firstly, to improve the data transfer efficiency, we reserve the edge row and column of the array as assistant cells for OR AND (OA) and AND data transmission logic operations to reduce the data transfer steps. Furthermore, we convert the multipliers into multi-bit addition operations via Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) logical operations, which effectively improves the execution efficiency of multipliers. PSpice simulation shows that the proposed data transmission and multi-bit multiplier solution has lower latency and power consumption and higher efficiency and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older individuals are widespread phenomena that are associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. The Beers Criteria is a tool that helps to identify patients that are prescribed with PIMs, thereby reducing the risk of associated harm. Amongst other populations, the criteria identify drugs that should not be used by the majority of older patients. Aim: Determining the proportion of older inpatients who were discharged from hospitalization with polypharmacy (a prescription for more than seven drugs), or with a PIM as defined by the Beers Criteria. Methods: A descriptive cross‐sectional study based on patients aged 65 and over who were hospitalized in the years 2019–2021 in the internal medicine, orthopedic and surgical wards at a medium‐size hospital. Demographic information and details about drug treatment were collected from the electronic patient records system. Patients who died during hospitalization were excluded from the study group. Main Outcome Measures: The proportion of inpatients with polypharmacy or a PIM as part of their regular prescription, at the time of admission and at discharge. Results: 49 564 patients were included in the study cohort. At discharge, 19% of the patients were given a prescription for a PIM, with a small but significant decrease compared with the rate admission (22.1%). At discharge, 42.8% of patients had polypharmacy, representing a small but significant increase compared with the rate on admission (40.6%). Conclusions: The study demonstrated high baseline rates of PIM prescription and polypharmacy. Hospitalization was associated with a decrease in PIM prescription and an increase in polypharmacy. This highlights the importance of medication review during admission to reduce the potential risk to older adults from polypharmacy and PIM prescription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in the number of prescribed medications and polypharmacy risk between patients with heart failure (HF) and frailty vs. those with HF but without frailty. Eligible studies included observational or experimental studies in patients aged =50 years. Thirteen studies met the criteria and were included in the final analysis. Patients with frailty and HF exhibited a higher risk of polypharmacy (OR: 1.87, 95% CI 1.72 - 2.04, I² = 0%, P < 0.01) compared to those without frailty. Results remained significant after adjusting for comorbidity status. Additionally, patients with frailty and HF were prescribed more medications compared to those without (k = 6; MD: 1.43, 95% CI 0.31 - 2.55, I2 = 94%, P = 0.01), with a high degree of heterogeneity. However, results were non-significant after adjustment for comorbidity status. Patients with HF and frailty have a higher need of polypharmacy compared to those without frailty, which may increase the risk of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM). Investigating the real-world prevalence of PIM may support clinicians in their routine assessment as part of a comprehensive management strategy in patients with HF and frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: A potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a pharmaceutical agent that poses a greater risk of harm than potential benefit to elderly patients. This study aimed to detect PIMs and their risk factors in hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease. Methods: This cross‐sectional study assessed medication orders of elderly patients (≥65 years old) with kidney diseases admitted to the hospital. In the first 6 months, we retrospectively evaluated all medications to identify PIMs according to the 2019 Beers criteria. In the second phase, a clinical pharmacist prospectively evaluated all medications and suggested modifications as needed. Data were analyzed to determine risk factors for prescribing PIMs. Results: Based on our evaluation of 258 patients, we observed that the utilization of PIMs was prevalent among the study population. Of the total patients evaluated, 273 instances of PIM use were identified, with only 23.3% of patients not having any PIMs. Notably, proton pump inhibitors and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed PIMs. The risk of experiencing a PIM was significantly amplified by a higher degree of polypharmacy, with odds approximately 2.68 times higher (p < 0.01). Several factors were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of having a PIM, including being male, undergoing hemodialysis, having chronic kidney disease or other comorbidities, and having an extended hospital stay. The second phase of study, in terms of addressing these issues, physicians adhered to 67.5% of the 120 recommendations made by pharmacists regarding the discontinuation of PIM usage. Conclusion: High prevalence of PIMs was detected in our study population. Preventing medication‐associated harms in the elderly can reduce the financial burden imposed on healthcare systems. Therefore, routine evaluation of medications with clinical pharmacists and/or implementation of computerized medication decision support systems is recommended to prevent PIMs use. Keypoints: The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly with kidney diseases according to the Beers 2019 criteria, is still high.Considering the persistent evaluation of medication therapy in elderly patients by consultation with clinical pharmacists would facilitate decreasing medication errors.Preventing medication errors would potentially lead to decreased risk of adverse drug reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults often have chronic diseases for which they receive multiple drugs, which may be potentially inappropriate. Objectives: We aimed to describe the potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) leading to adverse drug events (ADEs) in older patients with cancer. Our secondary objectives were to evaluate the association of nutrition, cognition, and frailty with PIM-related ADEs and to assess the impact of PIM-related ADEs on overall survival (OS). We also investigated the cut-off for defining polypharmacy as related to ADEs. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study on patients with cancer aged 60 years and over who were assessed in the geriatric oncology clinic at the Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai, India) from June 2018 to August 2022. Medications, PIM assessment, nutrition (assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment [MNA]), cognition (assessed by Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Hindi Mental State Examination), and frailty (assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS]) were extracted from the geriatric oncology clinic database. PIMs were identified using the Beers criteria, European Union-7 (EU[7])-PIM, Screening Tool of Older person's Prescriptions/Screening tool to Alert to Right Treatment (STOPP/START), Fit fOR The Aged (FORTA), and PRISCUS list. Results: In total, 1472 patients were assessed in the geriatric oncology clinic, of which 823 (55.9%) were enrolled in the study. There were 1287 PIMs detected in 823 patients, of which 431 (33.5%) led to ADEs and 856 (66.5%) did not. Proton pump inhibitors and tramadol were the most common PIMs identified. ADEs were noted in 54 (14.7%) patients on proton pump inhibitors and in 145 (61.1%) patients on tramadol. ADEs were significantly associated with malnutrition, lower cognition, and frailty. The median MNA score in patients without and with ADEs was 20.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 17.5-24.0) and 19.5 (IQR, 15.5–23.5), respectively; P, 0.001. The median MMSE score for the patients without and with ADEs was 28 (IQR, 26-29) and 27 (IQR: 25-29), respectively; P, 0.001. The median CFS scores for the patients without and with ADEs were 3 (IQR, 2-4) and 4 (IQR, 3-5), respectively; P < 0.001. The median OS in patients without and with ADEs was 13.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.64-17.87) and 10.2 months (95% CI, 8.80-12.85), respectively; P, 0.002. The optimal cut-off for polypharmacy leading to ADEs was 4.5 medications. Conclusions: There is a dire need to recognize and appropriately manage PIMs in older patients with cancer as PIM-related toxicities may negatively impact survival. Monitoring PIMs and following the recommendations to optimize the dose, avoid the drug, and find alternatives may improve the oncologic outcomes. Future studies should focus on adding a control group of patients not on PIMs, following up on PIM after recommendations, and investigating the impact of these recommendations on oncologic outcomes (Clinical Trials Registry-India: CTRI/2020/04/024675).

Abstract Background With the rapid aging trend of China's population, the issue of drug rational use in older adults has become more and more prominent. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmaceutical treatment plays a cardinal role in alleviating motor and non-motor symptoms to improve the quality of life of patients with PD. Patients with PD have complex medical needs yet little is known about the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) among them in China. We quantify the prevalence of PIM use and identify its predictors among older persons with PD in China. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting records of ambulatory visits of older adults with PD between 2015 and 2017. Beneficiaries aged 65 and above were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of patients exposed to overall PIMs and PIMs related to motor and cognitive impairment was calculated based on Beers Criteria 2015 version. Potential predictors of PIM concerning patients’ characteristics were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 14,452 older adults with PD were included. In total, 8,356 (57.8%) patients received at least one PIM; 2,464 (17.1%) patients received at least one motor-impairing PIM and 6,201 (42.9%) patients received at least one cognition-impairing PIM. The prevalence of overall PIM use was higher in patients of older age group (54.7% [65–74] vs. 59.5% [75–84; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31] vs.65.5% [≥ 85; OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.38–1.80) and females (61.4% [female] vs. 55.0% [males; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72–0.82). Conclusions Prescribing PIMs for older adults with PD was common in China, especially for females and older age groups, yet younger patients were more inclined to be prescribed with motor or cognition-impaired PIMs. Our findings represent a clear target awaiting multidimensional efforts to promote the rational prescribing of medications for this vulnerable population.

Abstract Background and Aims A potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a pharmaceutical agent that poses a greater risk of harm than potential benefit to elderly patients. This study aimed to detect PIMs and their risk factors in hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease. Methods This cross‐sectional study assessed medication orders of elderly patients (≥65 years old) with kidney diseases admitted to the hospital. In the first 6 months, we retrospectively evaluated all medications to identify PIMs according to the 2019 Beers criteria. In the second phase, a clinical pharmacist prospectively evaluated all medications and suggested modifications as needed. Data were analyzed to determine risk factors for prescribing PIMs. Results Based on our evaluation of 258 patients, we observed that the utilization of PIMs was prevalent among the study population. Of the total patients evaluated, 273 instances of PIM use were identified, with only 23.3% of patients not having any PIMs. Notably, proton pump inhibitors and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed PIMs. The risk of experiencing a PIM was significantly amplified by a higher degree of polypharmacy, with odds approximately 2.68 times higher (p

Purpose: This review summarizes the current scope of understanding associated with two common post-infectious complications associated with COVID-19 infection: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). It identifies current gaps in the knowledge and issues that may limit the ability to fill these gaps. This review provides a framework to drive continued research. Methods: A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed, identifying seminal articles describing the emergence of MIS-C and PASC, and works from the literature focused on the clinical implications and pathophysiologic understanding of these disorders. Findings: Although pediatric patients experienced few severe cases of acute COVID-19 infection, the burden of disease from post-infectious sequelae is substantial. Mortality is low, but morbidity is significant. There are still numerous unknowns about the pathophysiology of both MIS-C and PASC; however, with widespread immunity developing after increased vaccination and prior infection, it may be difficult to perform adequate prospective studies to answer pathophysiologic questions. Long-term sequalae of MIS-C seem to be minimal whereas, by definition, PASC is an ongoing problem and may be severe. Implications: The rapid sharing of information regarding novel conditions such as MIS-C and PASC are key to interventions related to future post-infectious sequelae outside of those stemming from COVID-19. Although MIS-C seems unlikely to return as a clinical condition in substantial numbers, there is still significant learning that can be gleaned from existing patients about general aspects of epidemiology, equity, and pathophysiology. There is significant morbidity associated with PASC and additional resources need to be dedicated to determining appropriate and effective therapies moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many plant species, flowering is promoted by the cold treatment or vernalization. The mechanism of vernalization-induced flowering has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis but remains largely unknown in legumes. The orthologs of the FLC gene, a major regulator of vernalization response in Arabidopsis, are absent or non-functional in the vernalization-sensitive legume species. Nevertheless, the legume integrator genes FT and SOC1 are involved in the transition of the vernalization signal to meristem identity genes, including PIM (AP1 ortholog). However, the regulatory contribution of these genes to PIM activation in legumes remains elusive. Here, we presented the theoretical and data-driven analyses of a feed-forward regulatory motif that includes a vernalization-responsive FT gene and several SOC1 genes, which independently activate PIM and thereby mediate floral transition. Our theoretical model showed that the multiple regulatory branches in this regulatory motif facilitated the elimination of no-sense signals and amplified useful signals from the upstream regulator. We further developed and analyzed four data-driven models of PIM activation in Medicago trancatula in vernalized and non-vernalized conditions in wild-type and fta1-1 mutants. The model with FTa1 providing both direct activation and indirect activation via three intermediate activators, SOC1a, SOC1b, and SOC1c, resulted in the most relevant PIM dynamics. In this model, the difference between regulatory inputs of SOC1 genes was nonessential. As a result, in the M. trancatula model, the cumulative action of SOC1a, SOC1b, and SOC1c was favored. Overall, in this study, we first presented the in silico analysis of vernalization-induced flowering in legumes. The considered vernalization network motif can be supplemented with additional regulatory branches as new experimental data become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since it may rehabilitate phenol without creating secondary waste, the liquid membrane Polymer Inclusion Membrane (PIM) technique has recently been the focus of several investigations. This study employed the PIM approach to phenol transport utilizing the carrier Poly-Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (Poly-BADGE) at 1:1 and 3:1 polyeugenol to BADGE ratios. Numerous phenol transport parameters were investigated, including the impact of pH on the phenol source phase, the concentration on the sodium hydroxide receiving phase, membrane thickness, and the time of the phenol transport process using the PIM technology. Dissolving the carrier, polyvinyl chloride, and dibenzyl ether in tetrahydrofuran solvent produced an elastic and porous PIM. UV-Vis Spectrophotometer was then used, along with the addition of a 4-amino antipyrine reagent, to ascertain the phenol content following transport. The wavelength at which absorbance was measured was 460 nm. The findings from the research suggest that, given optimal conditions such as a source phase 5.5 pH, a receiving phase concentration of 0.10 M sodium hydroxide, a membrane thickness of T54 type PIM membrane, and a transport time of 24 hours phenol can be effectively transported using PIM with Poly-BADGE carriers at ratios of 1:1 and 3:1, achieving transport efficiencies of 57.31% and 85.30%, respectively. The BADGE was examined using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) before and after transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video analytics has a wide range of applications and has attracted much interest over the years. While it can be both computationally and energy-intensive, video analytics can greatly benefit from in/near memory compute. The practice of moving compute closer to memory has continued to show improvements to performance and energy consumption and is seeing increasing adoption. Recent advancements in solid state drives (SSDs) have incorporated near memory Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) with shared access to the drive's storage cells. These near memory FPGAs are capable of running operations required by video analytic pipelines such as object detection and template matching. These operations are typically executed using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). A CNN is composed of multiple individually processed layers that perform various image processing tasks. Due to lack of resources, a layer may be partitioned into more manageable sub-layers. These sub-layers are then processed sequentially, however, some sub-layers can be processed simultaneously. Moreover, the storage cells within FPGA equipped SSDs are capable of being augmented with in-storage compute to accelerate CNN workloads and exploit the intra-parallelism within a CNN layer. To this end, we present our work, which leverages heterogeneous architectures to create an in/near-storage acceleration solution for video analytics. We designed a NAND flash accelerator and an FPGA accelerator, then mapped and evaluated several CNN benchmarks. We show how to utilize FPGAs, local DRAMs, and in-memory SSD compute to accelerate CNN workloads. Our work also demonstrates how to remove unnecessary memory transfers to save latency and energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid aging trend of China's population, the issue of drug rational use in older adults has become more and more prominent. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmaceutical treatment plays a cardinal role in alleviating motor and non-motor symptoms to improve the quality of life of patients with PD. Patients with PD have complex medical needs yet little is known about the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) among them in China. We quantify the prevalence of PIM use and identify its predictors among older persons with PD in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting records of ambulatory visits of older adults with PD between 2015 and 2017. Beneficiaries aged 65 and above were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of patients exposed to overall PIMs and PIMs related to motor and cognitive impairment was calculated based on Beers Criteria 2015 version. Potential predictors of PIM concerning patients' characteristics were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 14,452 older adults with PD were included. In total, 8,356 (57.8%) patients received at least one PIM; 2,464 (17.1%) patients received at least one motor-impairing PIM and 6,201 (42.9%) patients received at least one cognition-impairing PIM. The prevalence of overall PIM use was higher in patients of older age group (54.7% [65–74] vs. 59.5% [75–84; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31] vs.65.5% [≥ 85; OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.38–1.80) and females (61.4% [female] vs. 55.0% [males; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72–0.82). Conclusions: Prescribing PIMs for older adults with PD was common in China, especially for females and older age groups, yet younger patients were more inclined to be prescribed with motor or cognition-impaired PIMs. Our findings represent a clear target awaiting multidimensional efforts to promote the rational prescribing of medications for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processing in Memory based on memristors is considered the most effective solution to overcome the Von Neumann bottleneck issue and has become a hot research topic. The execution efficiency of logical computation and in-memory data transmission is crucial for Processing in Memory. This paper presents a design scheme for data transmission and multi-bit multipliers within MAT (a data storage set in MPU) based on the memristive alternating crossbar array structure. Firstly, to improve the data transfer efficiency, we reserve the edge row and column of the array as assistant cells for OR AND (OA) and AND data transmission logic operations to reduce the data transfer steps. Furthermore, we convert the multipliers into multi-bit addition operations via Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) logical operations, which effectively improves the execution efficiency of multipliers. PSpice simulation shows that the proposed data transmission and multi-bit multiplier solution has lower latency and power consumption and higher efficiency and flexibility.

The fundamental model for dynamically predicting surface subsidence is the time influence function. However, current research and the application of time functions often neglect the comprehensive characteristics of the entire surface deformation process, leading to a less systematic representation of the actual deformation law. To rectify this, we explore ground point deformation along the strike line from two perspectives: dynamic subsidence and dynamic horizontal movement. Moreover, we develop prediction models for dynamic subsidence and dynamic horizontal movement at any point along the strike line, utilizing the probability integral method (PIM) and considering the surface deformation features. We then use characteristic constraints based on the prediction models to constrain the time influence function. For this purpose, we employ the Richards time function which has strong universality to establish the time functions for dynamic subsidence and horizontal movement under these constraints. We provide an illustrative example of its application in the 12,401 working face. Additionally, we explore the suitability of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology for acquiring dynamic subsidence data on the surface. The experimental findings reveal the following key observations: the Richards model, when applied for dynamic subsidence prediction under constraints, exhibits high accuracy with an R-squared (R2) value of 0.997 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 94.6 mm, along with a relative mean square error of 1.9%. Meanwhile, the dynamic horizontal movement prediction model exhibits an accuracy in fully mined areas with an R2 of 0.986, an RMSE of 46.2 mm, and a relative mean square error of 2.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The acquisition of precise deformation data, including the entirety of the subsidence basin resulting from subterranean mining operations, assumes critical significance in the context of surface impairment monitoring during the course of mining activities. In light of the constraints associated with InSAR technology when applied to the surveillance of expansive deformation gradient mining regions, an innovative approach is advanced herein for InSAR deformation phase retrieval. This approach integrates a reference phase, derivable through a variety of means, including pre-existing models or measurements. Initially, the reference deformation phase is subjected to subtraction from the wrapped InSAR deformation phase, culminating in the derivation of the wrapped phase indicative of the residual phase. Notably, it is posited that the fringe density characterizing the wrapped phase of the residual phase is theoretically diminished in comparison to that of the InSAR wrapped phase. This reduction in complexity in phase unwrapping ensues as a direct consequence. Subsequent to this, the phase retrieval process is effectuated through the summation of the reference phase and the unwrapped phase pertaining to the residual phase. The study harnesses Sentinel-1A and ALOS PALSAR-2 data, employing the PIM-predicted outcomes and GNSS-RTK monitoring outcomes as reference phases for the execution of phase retrieval experiments in two designated study areas. The computation of subsidence is subsequently realized through the combination of the displacement vector depression angle model and the retrieved phase, with the accuracy thereof corroborated through the utilization of leveling data. The experimental findings underscore the efficacy of the reference phase retrieval methodology in securing a more precise deformation phase characterization within expansive deformation gradient mining regions, thereby demonstrating the suitability of this methodological approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In those cases where architectural requirements are a priority, hollow sections are the preferred solution. Considering cross‐sectional classes 1 and 2, plastic cross‐sectional design is a possibility that is preferable for both economic and ecological reasons. In technical standards and the literature, a wide variety of interaction formulae can be found. However, in most cases, information about their accuracy is not provided. In this article, the accuracy of the different interaction formulae for two frequently used combinations of internal forces and moments (N‐My and N‐Mz) is determined. Comprehensive parametric studies show that the interaction formulae for hollow sections given in EN 1993‐1‐1 exhibit some non‐conservative results. In addition to the comparison of the different accuracy levels, simplified interaction formulae will be introduced here allowing conservative plastic design of hollow sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industrial Minerals & Processing / Huagong Kuangwu yu Jiagong is the property of Industrial Minerals & Processing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Herein, we describe an effective route for the degradation of methyl blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation by Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) synthesized through a Photon Induced Method (PIM). XRD studies point toward a significantly reduced crystallite size (33 nm) and a high shift in the XRD peaks toward a lower 2θ angle with Mg doping as compared to the standard ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs. The lattice constant is due to the replacement of Zn2+ by Mg2+ in the crystal lattice by the effect of the photons (PIM). Moreover, the sub-lattice affects the structure, and the bandgap energy (Eg) decreased from 3.36 to 2.48 eV. As a result of this crystallite size and bandgaps are advantageous for the absorption of organic molecules, the composite configuration holds the excellent carrier conductivity of magnesium, enabling rapid separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The presence of this Mg on the surface of ZnO NPs was investigated using FTIR analysis, which confirmed the presence of the stretching vibration of the Mg-O-Mg bonding. A promising method in this regard is to use PIM prepared Mg-doped ZnO NPs due to their low recombination rate and excellent photodegradation under sunlight irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The most commonly used scoring systems for the assessment of predicted mortality (PDR) in the pediatric intensive care unit are the “pediatric risk of mortality” (PRISM) and the “pediatric index of mortality” (PIM) scores. The aim of this study is to evaluate the calibration and discrimination of PRISM III and PIM II scores in predicting mortality in a tertiary university hospital pediatric intensive care unit in Turkey.Methods:Demographic data of patients hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 were scanned form the electronic records. PRISM III and PIM II score, PDR, and standardized mortality rate (SMR) were calculated. In order to show the discrimination of the scores, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated and the significance limit was accepted as 0.80. Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the calibrations and p>0.05 was considered significant.Results:After exclusions 825 patients included in the study. The mean value of the PRISM III was 9.5±6.8 and the mean value of the PIM II score was 1.9±8.2. The calculated SMR was 1.03 according to the PRISM III score and 0.76 according to the PIM II score. In the ROC analysis performed to evaluate the discrimination, the AUC values for PRISM III PDR and PIM II PDR were; 0.908±0.017 (p0.05).Conclusion:In this study, it has been shown that the discrimination and calibration of the PRISM III and PIM II score is good in predicting mortality in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit where medical and surgical patients are accepted.

Abstract Background Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a more common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study aims to explore the prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL and its relationship with the immune microenvironment, to provide a certain reference for the prognosis and treatment of DLBCL. Methods The prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL from the data set GSE10846 was verified through survival analysis and cox regression analysis. Mutations in PIM kinase family and its relationship with immune cell infiltration were explored with online cBioPortal, TIMER database, and single-gene GSEA analysis. Finally, the expression of PIM kinase family in tissues from DLBCL clinical samples was validated through immunohistochemical staining. Results The proteins of PIM kinase family were highly expressed in DLBCL patients, which are good prognostic factors for DLBCL patients. Then, PIM1-3 proteins were positively correlated with the immune infiltration of B cells, whose types of mutations also showed different degrees of correlation with B cells. PIM kinase family proteins also showed a high correlation with PDL1. In addition, PIM kinase family was also associated with the commonly mutated genes in DLBCL, such as MYD88, MYC, and BTK. Conclusion PIM kinase family may be a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL patients.

Abstract Decades of research has recognized a solid role for Pim kinases in lymphoproliferative disorders. Often up-regulated following JAK/STAT and tyrosine kinase receptor signaling, Pim kinases regulate cell proliferation, survival, metabolism, cellular trafficking and signaling. Targeting Pim kinases represents an interesting approach since knock-down of Pim kinases leads to non-fatal phenotypes in vivo suggesting clinical inhibition of Pim may have less side effects. In addition, the ATP binding site offers unique characteristics that can be used for the development of small inhibitors targeting one or all Pim isoforms. This review takes a closer look at Pim kinase expression and involvement in hematopoietic cancers. Current and past clinical trials and in vitro characterization of Pim kinase inhibitors are examined and future directions are discussed. Current studies suggest that Pim kinase inhibition may be most valuable when accompanied by multi-drug targeting therapy.

Bizunesh Dires Fenta,1 Tesfalem Israel Korga,2 Tuji Dinka Bikila,1 Abraham Kassahun Tadele,1 Berhanu Lijalem Yigezu,2 Mikiyas Gosa Negash3 1Department of Pathology, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pathology, Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Wolaita Sodo, SNNP, Ethiopia; 3Department of Public Health, Universite’ Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, BelgiumCorrespondence: Tesfalem Israel Korga, Tel +251912052945, Email itesfalem@yahoo.comAbstract: Primary intraosseous meningioma is a rare tumor arising commonly from the calvarial bone. Here, we report a case of primary intraosseous meningioma which presented as a Bifrontal skull mass in a 30-year-old woman who presented with a progressive forehead enlargement and headache of 3 years duration. Brain CT shows hyperostosis of the frontal bone and microscopy shows intertrabecular syncytial proliferation of oval to spindle cells at the area forming whorl. Even though it is rare, PIM is the most common subtype of extradural meningioma.Keywords: bifrontal, PIM, calvarium, meningioma

In addition to its role in the ubiquitin–proteasome system of protein degradation, polyubiquitination is involved in the regulation of intracellular events. Depending on the type of ubiquitin–ubiquitin linkage used, polyubiquitin can assume several types of structures. The spatiotemporal dynamics of polyubiquitin involve multiple adaptor proteins and induce different downstream outputs. Linear ubiquitination, in which the N-terminal methionine on the acceptor ubiquitin serves as the site for ubiquitin–ubiquitin conjugation, is a rare and atypical type of polyubiquitin modification. The production of linear ubiquitin chains is dependent on various external inflammatory stimuli and leads to the transient activation of the downstream NF-κB signalling pathway. This in turn suppresses extrinsic programmed cell death signals and protects cells from activation-induced cell death under inflammatory conditions. Recent evidence has revealed the role of linear ubiquitination in various biological processes under both physiological and pathological conditions. This led us to propose that linear ubiquitination may be pivotal in the 'inflammatory adaptation' of cells, and consequently in tissue homeostasis and inflammatory disease. In this review, we focused on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of linear ubiquitination in vivo in response to a changing inflammatory microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate calculation of mining-induced surface deformation has important guiding significance for efficient and safe production in mining areas. The probability integral method (PIM) is a main prediction method in China, and the selection of its parameters is directly related to the prediction accuracy of surface deformation in mining areas. To overcome shortcomings of PIM and other methods, this paper proposed a prediction model of the parameters of PIM combining a multiple regression model and an extreme learning machine. In this paper, the Huainan mining area was selected as the research object, the influence factors of PIM parameters were analyzed and the accuracy of the model was verified. The influence of the number of hidden layer nodes, the selection of activation function and the proportion of training set and test set in the model were analyzed. The conclusions suggest that the PIM parameters calculated in this paper could be used to predict mining subsidence and obtain surface movement and deformation data. The research results provide an effective method for the selection of surface deformation prediction parameters of new working faces or faces lacking measured data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To separate and purify organic contaminants, the employment of liquid membrane technology based on the Polymer Inclusion Membrane (PIM) technique is a major alternative. This technology has been extensively employed on an industrial, hospital, and academic laboratory scale. This work produced PIM membranes using dibenzyl ether, polyvinyl chloride, and copoly-eugenol divinyl benzene (Co-EDVB) 8%, respectively, as plasticizers, support polymers, and carriers. Also, the optimization test for phenol transport was conducted utilizing parameters for the impact of membrane thickness and transport duration. The plasticizer effect, different salt kinds, salt concentrations, repeated use, and longevity factors were used to assess the robustness and stability of the PIM membrane. The findings indicated that the type T54 membrane's thickness and a twenty-four hours transit period were the ideal conditions for phenol transport. The proportion of phenol concentration that was successfully delivered to the receiving phase under these ideal circumstances was 89.03 percent. Also, it was discovered that the PIM membrane's stability and durability were impacted by the use of plasticizers and salt. The membrane life was increased to up to thirty-four days by adding sodium nitrate salt to the source phase at a concentration of 0.01 M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the sources of faculty's personal information and the reasons for creating information. We tested the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their choice of sources of personal information. This study's population comes from four public universities and two private universities in Ghana. A sample survey research design and a sample of 235 faculty were used, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Multinomial Logistic Regression in addition to frequency distributions. Demographic characteristics of faculty relate aptly to their personal information sources and be integrated into information literacy activities. Improving the PIM performance of faculty will require understanding their personal information sources to improve productivity and promote good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve large-gradient deformation in mining areas unavailable by SAR data, a method combining PIM Exponent Knothe (PEK) model and InSAR technology (InSAR-PEK) was proposed to predict the mining-induced subsidence and obtain the large-gradient deformation dynamically. Firstly, the maximum subsidence value predicted by the probability integration method was combined with SAR data, and the subsidence values in the initial and residual periods were obtained. Secondly, three groups of power exponent Knothe function parameters were obtained, including csar and ksar based on SAR data, clevel_wz, and klevel_wz based on leveling data over a complete observation period, and clevel_bf and klevel_bf based on the elimination of the leveling data in the main period. Finally, the predicted values of the three groups of parameters were compared with the measured data, respectively, and the root mean square errors (RMSE) were obtained. The engineering example verified that RMSEs were 28.1mm~91.7mm in the main period and 30.9mm~58.7mm in the whole period estimated by the InSAR-PEK method. The results showed that the subsidence values in the main period were relatively stable by the InSAR-PEK method, and some points’ prediction accuracy was better than that of leveling data. The predicted values obtained by the InSAR-PEK method and those extracted by SAR were compared with the measured values. In the main period, the values extracted by SAR differed greatly from the measured values, which were false values. However, the predicted values by the InSAR method were close to the measured values, which can be used to independently get subsidence values in the main period from SAR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental importance of the 26S proteasome in health and disease suggests that its function must be finely controlled, and yet our knowledge about proteasome regulation remains limited. Posttranslational modifications, especially phosphorylation, of proteasome subunits have been shown to impact proteasome function through different mechanisms, although the vast majority of proteasome phosphorylation events have not been studied. Here, we have characterized 1 of the most frequently detected proteasome phosphosites, namely Ser361 of Rpn1, a base subunit of the 19S regulatory particle. Using a variety of approaches including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and quantitative mass spectrometry, we found that loss of Rpn1-S361 phosphorylation reduces proteasome activity, impairs cell proliferation, and causes oxidative stress as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. A screen of the human kinome identified several kinases including PIM1/2/3 that catalyze S361 phosphorylation, while its level is reversibly controlled by the proteasome-resident phosphatase, UBLCP1. Mechanistically, Rpn1-S361 phosphorylation is required for proper assembly of the 26S proteasome, and we have utilized a genetic code expansion system to directly demonstrate that S361-phosphorylated Rpn1 more readily forms a precursor complex with Rpt2, 1 of the first steps of 19S base assembly. These findings have revealed a prevalent and biologically important mechanism governing proteasome formation and function.

The constrained layer damping structure is used to resist the impact damage from blast load and furthermore the two-scale topology optimization of the damping layer can deduce the additional mass of micro damping material while satisfying the required objective for restraining impact response. However, in their optimization model, the non-uniform pressure of blast load is usually simplified into a concentrated or uniform load equivalently, for the thin-walled structure, it is necessary to regard the load as a non-uniform distribution. In this paper, in order to reveal the rule between blast load and optimization layouts, a concurrent topology optimization approach is proposed, where the non-uniform distribution of blast load is considered. Firstly, Arbitrary Lagrange–Euler method is used to obtain the blast load as an input condition of dynamic response. Then, the optimization process is applied by combining using the Precise Integration Method used to solve the dynamic response, an improved Adjoint Variable Method for sensitivity study, and Optimization Criterion method employed to update the design variables. In order to make sure both the micro-layouts and their distribution are optimized, the micro sensitivity depends on the vectors of element displacements affected by the different macro load forms. The results of numerical examples show that the non-uniform load has a notable influence on the shape and size of micro-topology layouts as well as the position of macro-reserved material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current three-dimensional (3D) deformation monitoring methods, based on the single line-of-sight (LOS) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology, are constructed by combining the deformation characteristics of mining subsidence basins, which are incompletely suitable in the edge area of the subsidence basin and some large deformation gradient mines with surface uplift in the LOS direction.The 3D deformation monitoring method of InSAR combined with the surface displacement vector depression angle model (InSAR+ depression angle model) is proposed to obtain more detailed and accurate deformation information of the entire basin. This method first establishes a surface displacement vector depression angle model based on the probability integral method (PIM). The magnitude of the surface displacement vector—owing to the spatial relationship between the LOS direction and the surface displacement vector—is obtained because the horizontal movement direction field and the displacement vector depression angle field of the mining area determine the 3D directions of the surface displacement vector. Then, the PIM model is used to obtain the settlement information of the central area with a large deformation gradient. A complete subsidence basin of the mining area is received by combining the proposed method and the PIM. A total of 35 Sentinel-1A data from 31 March 2018 to 13 May 2019 and the leveling data were used to apply and analyze the accuracy of this method. The experimental results show that this method can obtain more accurate information on surface subsidence around the mining area. Moreover, the overall settlement is more consistent with the actual situation, and the monitoring ability is significantly improved compared with the InSAR and PIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a more common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study aims to explore the prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL and its relationship with the immune microenvironment, to provide a certain reference for the prognosis and treatment of DLBCL. Methods: The prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL from the data set GSE10846 was verified through survival analysis and cox regression analysis. Mutations in PIM kinase family and its relationship with immune cell infiltration were explored with online cBioPortal, TIMER database, and single-gene GSEA analysis. Finally, the expression of PIM kinase family in tissues from DLBCL clinical samples was validated through immunohistochemical staining. Results: The proteins of PIM kinase family were highly expressed in DLBCL patients, which are good prognostic factors for DLBCL patients. Then, PIM1-3 proteins were positively correlated with the immune infiltration of B cells, whose types of mutations also showed different degrees of correlation with B cells. PIM kinase family proteins also showed a high correlation with PDL1. In addition, PIM kinase family was also associated with the commonly mutated genes in DLBCL, such as MYD88, MYC, and BTK. Conclusion: PIM kinase family may be a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myc transcription factors are key regulators of many cellular processes, with Myc target genes crucially implicated in the management of cell proliferation and stem pluripotency, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. Given the wide involvement of Myc in cellular dynamics, it is not surprising that its overexpression is frequently associated with cancer. Noteworthy, in cancer cells where high Myc levels are maintained, the overexpression of Myc-associated kinases is often observed and required to foster tumour cells' proliferation. A mutual interplay exists between Myc and kinases: the latter, which are Myc transcriptional targets, phosphorylate Myc, allowing its transcriptional activity, highlighting a clear regulatory loop. At the protein level, Myc activity and turnover is also tightly regulated by kinases, with a finely tuned balance between translation and rapid protein degradation. In this perspective, we focus on the cross-regulation of Myc and its associated protein kinases underlying similar and redundant mechanisms of regulation at different levels, from transcriptional to post-translational events. Furthermore, a review of the indirect effects of known kinase inhibitors on Myc provides an opportunity to identify alternative and combined therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]