Using quantum annealers to calculate ground state properties of molecules.

Quantum annealers are an alternative approach to quantum computing, which make use of the adiabatic theorem to efficiently find the ground state of a physically realizable Hamiltonian. Such devices are currently commercially available and have been successfully applied to several combinatorial and discrete optimization problems. However, the application of quantum annealers to problems in chemistry remains a relatively sparse area of research due to the difficulty in mapping molecular systems to the Ising model Hamiltonian.

Assessing the Impact of a Pharmacist-Managed Discharge Medication Reconciliation Pilot at a Community Hospital System.

Introduction: With unintended medication discrepancy rates ranging from 30% to 70%, a formal discharge medication reconciliation process must be developed. One strategy shown to reduce medication errors is a pharmacist medication review at discharge. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a pharmacist-driven discharge medication reconciliation program.

From cacophony to symphony: how to focus the discipline of business continuity.

On the 'stage' of business continuity, there is a cacophony of voices--an unfocused assortment of ideas, approaches and advice. A casual glance at any continuity trade journal quickly reveals disparate discussions about even the most fundamental of issues. The dedicated magazines and conferences are filled with anecdotes and case studies but lack a focused discussion leading towards a holistic approach to the discipline.

Structured data entry in a workflow-enabled electronic patient record.

Touch-screen technology is used with a structured data entry system for electronic patient records. This article describes a program that coordinates pre-set screens for detailed history, physical examination, treatment and prescription modules. It also presents "pick lists" that allow further customization and individualization of data inputs.

Enhancing practice efficiency by examining patterns of care: top ten lists data mined from a private pediatric practice.

The electronic medical record allows practitioners to document their patterns of care. They can enhance performance and profitability by reviewing their top diagnoses, prescriptions, types of physical examination, referral patterns and labs and procedures. The software required to support this documentation system is described.

Health professions students as research partners in community oriented primary care.

This paper describes the process of involving health professions students in research in rural primary care and how their research has contributed to the development and expansion of a rural community health center. Since 1978 over 400 students have completed rotations at the center, and more than 200 have been health profession students, including medical, nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, and health administration students. A total of 96 research projects were completed.

High-fat diet blocks the inhibition of skin carcinogenesis and reductions in protein kinase C by moderate energy restriction.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the impact of dietary energy restriction (ER) with control (C) and high-fat (HF) diets on two-stage skin carcinogenesis and on the expression of specific isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC). Skin carcinogenesis was initiated on SENCAR mice with 10 nmol of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in 0.2 mL of acetone and then promoted with twice weekly treatments of 3.

Dietary energy restriction and fat modulation of protein kinase C isoenzymes and phorbol ester binding in Sencar mouse epidermis.

The purpose of our research is to understand the biochemical basis for dietary enhancement of phorbol ester induced tumor promotion in mice fed high-fat (HF) diet, and the inhibition of promotion in mice fed diets restricted in energy from fat and carbohydrate (ER). The present study assessed the presence of protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes in the Sencar mouse epidermis by Western blot and determined the influence of diet on the isoenzymes found. Mice were fed control, HF (24.

Protein kinase C is activated and diacylglycerol is elevated in epidermal cells from Sencar mice fed high fat diets.

Studies reported here determined the effect of dietary fat level on membrane phospholipid composition, phosphoinositide labeling, 1,2-sn-diacylglycerol and protein kinase C activity in epidermal cells from female Sencar mice. Animals were fed either high fat (24.6 g/100 g diet) or control (5 g/100 g diet) diets at constant energy intake for 6 to 7 wk or 15 to 22 wk, and epidermal cells were isolated.

Response of cortical bone to local controlled release of sodium fluoride: the effect of implant insertion site.

In a previous experiment, sodium fluoride in a biodegradable polymer matrix was introduced into the femoral canal of the rabbit and bone formation was compared with contralateral controls. We noted significant bone formation, but only in the distal third of the periosteal surface of the femur. This experiment was performed to distinguish fluoride-induced periosteal bone formation from that due to the reactive osteogenic changes associated with local injury caused by the process of implantation.

Effects of a forced institutional relocation on the mortality and morbidity of nursing home residents.

Residents of a county nursing home underwent a forced, mass relocation. Gerontologists advised on preparation of staff and residents. No increase in residents' mortality or morbidity was found after the relocation.

Effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on sexual behavior in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Low levels of sexual behavior persist in male rhesus monkeys treated with GnRH-a despite very low levels of T and gonadotropin that occur during such treatment. The behavior of male rhesus monkeys treated with GnRH-a resembles the behavior of surgically castrated male rhesus monkeys more closely than it does the behavior of reproductively quiescent males during the normal nonmating season. The normal, seasonal cessation of sexual behavior in male rhesus monkeys may result from changes in behavioral sensitivity to circulating androgens.

Relationship between preexposure to prey and PCPA-induced filicidal activity in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Experiments, involving para-chloro-D,L-phenylalanine-induced pup-killing (filicide), were conducted to determine the effect of preexposure to the goal entity on the initial development and long-term expression of PCPA-induced filicide. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 50) were either preexposed/not preexposed, or preexposed for varying periods (5, 8, or 13 days) prior to receiving PCPA. Two major results were obtained: 1) preexposed animals were less filicidal than those not preexposed; and 2) there was an inverse relationship between the number of preexposures and filicide occurrence.

Breed group differences in testicular growth patterns in spring-born ram lambs.

Three groups of spring-born ram lambs were used to assess breed group differences in testicular growth patterns through 5 mo of age. Group 1 included 20 3/4-Finnish Landrace (Finn), 1/4-Rambouillet rams and 31 1/8-Finn, 7/8-Rambouillet rams. Group 2 included 23 3/4-Finn, 1/4-Dorset rams and 19 1/8-Finn, 7/8-Dorset rams.

Filicidal behavior: behavioral correlates and role of sensory systems.

The administration of para-chloro-D,L-phenylalanine (PCPA) produces a high incidence of filicidal (pup-killing) behavior in female rodents. The present series of experiments determined the major behavioral, sensory, and temporal correlates of filicidal behavior in nulliparous adult Sprague-Dawley female rats. In Experiment 1, behavioral episodes involving the interaction of test pups and PCPA-induced filicidal females were videotaped, and subsequent analyses of behaviors related to locating, carrying, mauling, attacking, gnawing, and consuming the prey object were performed.

para-Chloro-D, L-phenylalanine induced filicidal behavior in the female rat.

The administration of para-chloro-D, L-phenylalanine (PCPA) produces a high incidence of aggressive (filicidal) behavior in pre-, postpartum, and nulliparious rodents. PCPA inhibits brain tryptophan 5-monooxygenase and can produce a reduction in whole brain serotonin. Apparently PCPA mediates the release of a natural latent aggressive tendency which is potentiated by the interference in, or reduction of, a suppressing system governed by serotonin.

Model phenylketonuria (PKU) in the albino rat: behaviroal, biochemical, and neuroanatomical effects.

Model phenylketonuria was induced in albino rats by injecting (at 1-20 days of age) and feeding (at 21-80 days) L-phenylalanine and D-L-para-chloro-phenylalanine. Behavioral testing on an eight-item battery occurred twice: first, whil the animals were either receiving the excess phenylalanines or not (original); and second, following a 90-day drug-free recovery period (retention). Results indicated drug-dependent deficits in learning and activity on both original and retention tests.