Financial distress prediction using integrated -score and multilayer perceptron neural networks.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a great deal of financial uncertainty in the stock market. An initial drop in March 2020 was followed by unexpected rapid growth over 2021. Therefore, financial risk forecasting continues to be a central issue in financial planning, dealing with new types of uncertainty.

Microbially influenced corrosion communities associated with fuel-grade ethanol environments.

Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a costly problem that impacts hydrocarbon production and processing equipment, water distribution systems, ships, railcars, and other types of metallic infrastructure. In particular, MIC is known to cause considerable damage to hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure including production, transportation, and storage systems, often times with catastrophic environmental contamination results. As the production and use of alternative fuels such as fuel-grade ethanol (FGE) increase, it is important to consider MIC of engineered materials exposed to these "newer fuels" as they enter existing infrastructure.

Diabetes remission and glycemic response to pre-bariatric surgery diet.

Background: Before bariatric surgery, some patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience improvement in blood glucose control and reduced insulin requirements while on a preoperative low-calorie diet (LCD). We hypothesized that patients who exhibit a significant glycemic response to this diet are more likely to experience remission of their diabetes in the postoperative period.

Materials And Methods: Insulin-dependent T2DM patients undergoing bariatric surgery between August 2006 and February 2011 were eligible for inclusion.

Estimated energy expenditure of nursing assistants in long term care.

Unlabelled: Ergonomic research on nursing work has focused primarily on the biomechanical analysis of patient handling tasks. Few studies have addressed the intensity of a full day of nursing work as measured by changes in heart rate and energy expenditure.

Objective: A pilot study was conducted between August 2009 and May 2010 to examine the intensity of performing nursing assistant work in long term care settings and to assess the usefulness of heart rate monitoring as a measure of work intensity.

Rehabilitation settings after joint replacement: an application of multiattribute preference elicitation.

While advances in medical treatment and technologies have the potential to improve the delivery of health care, their use typically involves making multiple, complex decisions. Patients and their medical providers may share in the decision-making processes and balance a variety of criteria and/or attributes in the pursuit of improved health. This necessitates a stronger understanding of the role of human behavior in health care processes and presents a timely opportunity to use decision analysis tools to contribute to this important aspect of health care operations.

The selective adhesion molecule inhibitor Natalizumab decreases multiple myeloma cell growth in the bone marrow microenvironment: therapeutic implications.

Recent advances regarding the introduction of anti-adhesion strategies as a novel therapeutic concept in oncology hold great promise. Here we evaluated the therapeutic potential of the new-in-class-molecule selective-adhesion-molecule (SAM) inhibitor Natalizumab, a recombinant humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody, which binds integrin-α4, in multiple myeloma (MM). Natalizumab, but not a control antibody, inhibited adhesion of MM cells to non-cellular and cellular components of the microenvironment as well as disrupted the binding of already adherent MM cells.

An antibody-cytotoxic conjugate, BIIB015, is a new targeted therapy for Cripto positive tumours.

BIIB015 is an immunoconjugate created for the treatment of solid tumours and is currently in Phase I of clinical evaluation. BIIB015 consists of a humanised monoclonal antibody against the Cripto protein carrying a payload, via a hindered disulphide linker, of the maytansinoid derivative, DM4. Cripto is a GPI-linked protein required for signal transduction of the TGF-beta ligand, Nodal.

Povidone-iodine as a corrosion inhibitor towards a low modulus beta Ti-45Nb implant alloy in a simulated body fluid.

Povidone-iodine and various bactericidal agents used in dental procedures may affect the corrosion response of an implant/prosthesis in the oral environment. The effect of various concentrations of povidone-iodine (PI) on the corrosion behavior of a low modulus beta titanium alloy, Ti-45Nb, has been investigated in normal saline solution. The open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements have been used to assess the electrochemical response of the alloy surface on PI addition so as to effectively predict the prosthetic treatment outcome.

Multiplexed NMR: an automated CapNMR dual-sample probe.

A new generation of microscale, nuclear magnetic resonance (CapNMR) probe technology employs two independent detection elements to accommodate two samples simultaneously. Each detection element in the dual-sample CapNMR probe (DSP) delivers the same spectral resolution and S/N as in a CapNMR probe configured to accommodate one sample at a time. A high degree of electrical isolation allows the DSP to be used in a variety of data acquisition modes.

Cellular response of titanium and its alloys as implants.

The cellular response of osteocytes to commercially pure titanium (α) and its alloys (α + β and β) has been tested in a culture media, and the results have been supplemented by analyses from various techniques such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic (ICP-AES) analysis, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), metallography, and electrochemical measurements. These results have been correlated with respect to the presence of various alloying elements in these alloys to qualify them for human application. The newer β alloys have been examined for their potential use as implants.

Effect of povidone-iodine addition on the corrosion behavior of cp-Ti in normal saline.

The effect of various concentrations of povidone-iodine (PI) on the corrosion behavior of a commercially pure titanium alloy (Ti-1) has been investigated in normal saline solution to simulate the povidone-iodine addition in an oral environment. The open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements have been used to characterize the electrochemical phenomena occurring on the alloy surface. The open circuit potential values for Ti-1 in various concentrations of PI shift considerably towards noble direction as compared to pure normal saline.

Overwintering survival of Aphthona beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): a biological control agent of leafy spurge released in North Dakota.

We evaluated the effects of snow cover and debris cover on overwintering success of Aphthona from 2001 to 2004 in southeast North Dakota. Chill degree-days, soil temperature, and duration of soil temperatures were monitored in field plots. Emergence of Aphthona from soil cores collected in October and held in the laboratory under simulated winter conditions did not differ across treatments.

CRIPTO3, a presumed pseudogene, is expressed in cancer.

Cripto is a cell surface protein highly expressed in certain solid tumors, and overexpression of Cripto protein is oncogenic. Cripto-1 protein is encoded by CRIPTO1 gene. CRIPTO3, a presumed pseudogene, has an open reading frame with six amino acid differences from Cripto-1.

Impact of planting dates and insecticide strategies for managing crucifer flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in spring-planted canola.

Integration of cultural practices, such as planting date with insecticide-based strategies, was investigated to determine best management strategy for flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in canola (Brassica napus L.).

Comparisons of ecorational and chemical insecticides against crucifer flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on canola.

Studies were done comparing the insecticides SpinTor (spinosad), BotaniGard (Beauveria bassiana), Neemix (azadirachtin), and Surround (kaolin, a clay) with conventional chemical insecticides Capture (bifenthrin) and Helix XTra (thiamethoxam), all applied at seven rates in a 7-d assay to assess their impact on adult crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Lethal time (LT) required for 25, 50, and 75% mortality (LT25, LT50, and LT75) and relative potencies for the insecticide concentration groupings (0, 1X-1.5X, and 2X- 4X) were estimated for each treatment by using survival functions.

Comparative evaluation and economic potential of ecorational versus chemical insecticides for crucifer flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) management in Canola.

From 2001 to 2004, field studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of the ecorational insecticides SpinTor (spinosad), BotaniGard (Beauveria bassiana), Neemix (azadirachtin), and Surround (kaolin) against crucifer flea beetle on canola, Brassica napus L., at the cotyledon stage. The ecorational treatments were compared with a standard foliar chemical insecticide, Capture (bifenthrin), and the chemical seed treatment insecticide Helix XTra (thiamethoxam).

Benefits, consumerism and an "ownership society".

Compared to the generations preceding them, baby boomers assume more of both decision-making and financial responsibility for their health care and retirement. This article reviews the changing health and retirement plan landscape, and describes the plans, products and features available to the baby boom generation. It then describes how employers can become educators in order to help boomers best manage their increased responsibility for their health care and retirement.

Nutrition for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent, lethal genetic disorder among northern Europeans. The etiology of this autosomal recessive disease is known to be a defect in the cAMP activation of chloride (Cl-) channels in secretory cells in many organs of the body. Although this defect usually leads to severe lung disease, many of these patients also have nutritional deficiencies.

Automated microflow NMR: routine analysis of five-microliter samples.

A microflow CapNMR probe double-tuned for 1H and 13C was installed on a 400-MHz NMR spectrometer and interfaced to an automated liquid handler. Individual samples dissolved in DMSO-d6 are submitted for NMR analysis in vials containing as little as 10 microL of sample. Sets of samples are submitted in a low-volume 384-well plate.

Anti-alpha4 integrin monoclonal antibody inhibits multiple myeloma growth in a murine model.

In a syngeneic murine model of multiple myeloma with many of the characteristics of the human disease, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the integrin very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), given after the myeloma has already homed to and begun to establish itself within the bone marrow compartment, produces statistically significant effects on multiple disease variables. These include reductions in circulating levels of IgG2b; percentage of IgG2b-positive myeloma cells circulating in blood; spleen weight; and myeloma cell burden in spleen, bone marrow, and liver. mAb therapy had no effect on nonmalignant hematopoietic cells.

Microflow NMR: concepts and capabilities.

The principles and parameters to consider when choosing an NMR probe for analysis of a volume- or mass-limited sample are identified and discussed. In particular, a capillary-based microflow probe is described which has a mass sensitivity comparable to cryoprobes (observe volume approximately 40 microL), but with several distinct advantages. The microflow probe has a flowcell volume of 5 microL and an observe volume of 1.

Near-threshold production of the multistrange Xi- hyperon.

The yield for the multistrange Xi(-) hyperon has been measured in 6A GeV Au+Au collisions via reconstruction of its decay products pi(-) and Lambda, the latter also being reconstructed from its daughter tracks of pi(-) and p. The measurement is rather close to the threshold for Xi(-) production and therefore provides an important test of model predictions. The measured yield for Xi(-) and Lambda are compared for several centralities.

Comparison of source images for protons, pi-'s, and lambda's in 6A GeV Au+Au collisions.

Source images are extracted from two-particle correlations constructed from strange and nonstrange hadrons produced in 6A GeV Au+Au collisions. Very different source images result from pp vs p Lambda vs pi(-)pi(-) correlations. Scaling by transverse mass can describe the apparent source size ratio for p/pi(-) but not for Lambda/pi(-) or Lambda/p.