PAPR Reduction and Sidelobe Suppression in Cognitive OFDM - A Survey

Cognitive radio (CR) is one of the key technology providing a new way to enhance the utilization of available spectrum effectively. The multicarrier modulation (MCM) technique which is widely used is Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, is an excellent choice for high data rate application. The main two limitations of this technology is the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of transmission signal and large spectrum sidelobe. This article describes some of the important PAPR reduction techniques and sidelobe suppression techniques

Evaluating predictive pharmacogenetic signatures of adverse events in colorectal cancer patients treated with fluoropyrimidines

The potential clinical utility of genetic markers associated with response to fluoropyrimidine treatment in colorectal cancer patients remains controversial despite extensive study. Our aim was to test the clinical validity of both novel and previously identified markers of adverse events in a broad clinical setting. We have conducted an observational pharmacogenetic study of early adverse events in a cohort study of 254 colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine. Sixteen variants of nine key folate (pharmacodynamic) and drug metabolising (pharmacokinetic) enzymes have been analysed as individual markers and/or signatures of markers. We found a significant association between TYMP S471L (rs11479) and early dose modifications and/or severe adverse events (adjusted OR = 2.02 [1.03; 4.00], p = 0.042, adjusted OR = 2.70 [1.23; 5.92], p = 0.01 respectively). There was also a significant association between these phenotypes and a signature of DPYD mutations (Adjusted OR = 3.96 [1.17; 13.33], p = 0.03, adjusted OR = 6.76 [1.99; 22.96], p = 0.002 respectively). We did not identify any significant associations between the individual candidate pharmacodynamic markers and toxicity. If a predictive test for early adverse events analysed the TYMP and DPYD variants as a signature, the sensitivity would be 45.5 %, with a positive predictive value of just 33.9 % and thus poor clinical validity. Most studies to date have been under-powered to consider multiple pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variants simultaneously but this and similar individualised data sets could be pooled in meta-analyses to resolve uncertainties about the potential clinical utility of these markers

The Effect of Virtual Learning as a Result of COVID-19

In the early spring of 2020, the United States began to experience the effects of the question-inspiring, novel COVID-19 viral illness, with the onset of massive business, school, and entertainment closures, initiating a shift towards virtual learning, communication, and professional interactions. This paper is intended to identify the common experiences of two nursing students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a personal narrative, or autoethnographic approach, coupled with reviews of previously published literature relating to shared themes of the authors, including the rapid changes to an online environment from traditional classroom settings, the stressors that were experienced as a result of that alteration, and the personal development and growth which accompanied the transitions of this time period. Noting an increased resilience to rapid, unexpected changes affecting daily life, as well as enhanced knowledge of self-motivation and organization, the authors have experienced a number of constructive takeaways that will likely be implemented in the many years ahead. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to a variety of uncomfortable and detrimental outcomes and an array of losses which will not be forgotten, positive consequences can still be observed, leading to an improved future

Analogue peptides for the immunotherapy of human acute myeloid leukemia

Accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00262-015-1762-9The use of peptide vaccines, enhanced by adjuvants, has shown some efficacy in clinical trials. However, responses are often short-lived and rarely induce notable memory responses. The reason is that self-antigens have already been presented to the immune system as the tumor develops, leading to tolerance or some degree of host tumor cell destruction. To try to break tolerance against self-antigens, one of the methods employed has been to modify peptides at the anchor residues to enhance their ability to bind major histocompatibility complex molecules, extending their exposure to the T-cell receptor. These modified or analogue peptides have been investigated as stimulators of the immune system in patients with different cancers with variable but sometimes notable success. In this review we describe the background and recent developments in the use of analogue peptides for the immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia describing knowledge useful for the application of analogue peptide treatments for other malignancies

Profiles in Faculty Leadership: The Experience of 1985-1986 California Community College Senate Presidents

The Problem: Very little has been written about leadership in community colleges from the faculty perspective. California, with its highly evolved system of community colleges, 20 year history of faculty senates and recent reform legislation mandating shared governance is a logical platform from which to explore the issue of faculty leadership. This study was conducted in an effort to learn more about those who have served as California community college senate presidents. Of particular interest were the individual\u27s motivations, expectations and reflections on the experience as well as the individual\u27s involvement in college governance activity in the five years following his or her service as senate president. The Research: The study was descriptive in nature and employed methodological triangulation to explore the problem from multiple perspectives. A 20 question Senate President Survey (SPS) instrument was mailed to all faculty members who had been identified as serving as a local senate president at a California community college during 1985-86. This instrument sought demographic information, and probed attitudes and perceptions about the experience. Two groups of respondents were identified, those who were more active than they had been during their presidency and those who were less active. In depth semistructed telephone interviews of six respondents from each group were then conducted and issues were probed in more detail. The California Community College Chancellor\u27s Office and Department of Finance documents provided a third source of information about the institutions at which each senate president served. The Results: From this research a demographic profile of those who served as senate presidents in 1985-86 was developed. It was learned that more than half of those individuals had withdrawn from governance activity at their colleges. Statistically significant correlations between current governance activity levels and other institutional or individual variables could not be found. The interviews of former senate presidents revealed perceptions about their experience, their colleagues, union and senate relationships, administrative and senate relationships and attitudes related to shared governance

An Educational Initiative to Promote Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP), recognized as essential in providing quality patient care and achieving optimal outcomes, is the integration of the best research evidence, patient preference, and clinician expertise. Healthcare providers must attain expertise in integrating EBP into the clinical setting. Fellowships are one strategy reported in the literature to assist nurses in acquiring needed knowledge and skills for evidence-based care. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention, the Evidence-Based Practice Institute (EPBI), to teach nurses the process of EBP for project implementation to improve nursing and patient outcomes. This descriptive study used a mixed-method design and previously collected data. Two surveys were administered to participants of the EBPI at the beginning (pre-test) and conclusion (post-test) of this educational intervention to assess barriers to utilizing research, knowledge, skills, and attitudes of EBP. Additionally, participants, nurse mentors, and fellows participated in focus groups on the last day of the EBPI. A sample of 17 subjects, eight mentors and nine fellows, completed the surveys and nine mentors and 11 fellows participated in the focus groups. The study used several theories to guide the interpretation of the data; Diffusion of Innovations to inform the findings, Critical Feminist Theory to assess for power relations, and the Quality Outcomes framework of structure, process, and outcome to summarize the results. The one statistically significant finding occurred post-test (p \u3c .05) in the fellow group for one subscale on the EBP survey. Three themes emerged from the focus groups: organizational culture and support, EBPI structure and process, and professional growth and development. Barriers and facilitators within each theme were reported. Hospitals are under increased pressure to provide quality care using the best evidence. A priority for every hospital is the integration of the best evidence into practice in a systematic fashion to ensure safe quality patient outcomes. Educational programs that teach the value of evidence-based practice and the steps to integrate evidence into practice are an effective modality to promote evidence-based clinical decision-making about patient care

Artificial Intelligence in Pharma

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the possible applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of Pharmacy. Artificial intelligence basically involves complex information processing. It enables machines to carry out certain functions which were originally done by human and which required human intellect. Over the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence in the pharma has grown unimaginably and is now able to revolutionize the way drugs are discovered and handled. AI is capable of impacting the field of pharmacy at multiple levels. Pharmacy and medical education, drug development, personalization of drug therapy, drug safety, rational drug use, manufacture and formulation of dosage forms are areas of impact by AI. The fact that AI can displace humans at their own tasks is a matter of concern. Although there are ethical concerns regarding the implementation of AI in healthcare, it can be assured that no machine or system can replace many of the humanitarian duties

Artificial Intelligence in Pharma

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the possible applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of Pharmacy. Artificial intelligence basically involves complex information processing. It enables machines to carry out certain functions which were originally done by human and which required human intellect. Over the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence in the pharma has grown unimaginably and is now able to revolutionize the way drugs are discovered and handled. AI is capable of impacting the field of pharmacy at multiple levels. Pharmacy and medical education, drug development, personalization of drug therapy, drug safety, rational drug use, manufacture and formulation of dosage forms are areas of impact by AI. The fact that AI can displace humans at their own tasks is a matter of concern. Although there are ethical concerns regarding the implementation of AI in healthcare, it can be assured that no machine or system can replace many of the humanitarian duties