Termination Date Research Articles

Identification of propagation characteristics from meteorological drought to hydrological drought using daily drought indices and lagged correlations analysis

Study regionThe Juam Dam area in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, South Korea Study focusThis study aims to analyze drought propagation characteristics using time-lagged correlation analysis based on daily drought index, determining the lag time from meteorological drought to propagation into hydrological drought. The target period for correlation analysis is the onset date of the dry spell preceding the occurrence of hydrological drought and the termination date of the dry spell following the termination of the drought for each drought event. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at various time-scales for meteorological drought and the Standardized Reservoir Supply Index (SRSI) for hydrological drought were applied. New hydrological insights for the regionThis study presents the objectivity and accuracy of drought onset and termination date for drought propagation analysis through daily lagged correlation analysis. Through ROC analysis, SPI90, SPI180, and SPI365 are shown to increase by an average of 16.0 %, 8.8 %, and 6.0 %, respectively. From 1993–2023, long-term hydrological droughts lasting 2 years occurred 5 times, with a maximum duration of 408 days, magnitude −629, and severity −1.76. The daily lag between the multi-scale SPIs and SRSI of individual drought events presents the possibility of predicting hydrological drought through multiple regression analysis. This research provides insights for improving hydrological drought monitoring, prediction, and response strategies through results of individual propagation characteristics of drought events.

Perceptions of young adult clients treated with time-limited art therapy

ABSTRACT Background This study examined the perceptions of young adult clients undergoing Time-Limited Art Therapy (TLAT) inspired by the Time-Limited Psychotherapy model (Mann, 1973). Twenty-one clients aged 23-35 dealing with typical young adulthood challenges participated in the TLAT intervention. Aims Examine clients' perceptions of the TLAT, how art helped focus on their central issue in therapy, the function of art in therapy, therapy outcomes, and changes in self-image a topic that has yet to be explored in the art therapy literature. Methods Therapy consisted of 26 sessions at a dedicated research clinic, with the termination date announced during the first session. The TLAT consisted of four intake sessions integrating structured art-based interventions, after which the central issue for therapy was formulated. This was followed by 22 sessions during which artmaking arose spontaneously. Semi structured interviews were conducted with all clients at the start and end of therapy. The data analysis adhered to Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) principles. Results The CQR analysis revealed seven domains: clients' expectations when coming to TLAT, clients' perceptions of the time dimension in therapy, the therapeutic relationship, the significance of the central issue in therapy, the role of art in processing contents in therapy, the termination phase of therapy and the significance of therapy. Conclusions Artmaking in TLAT helps draw attention to the central issue, foster the therapeutic relationship, and facilitate self-exploration. These results indicate the value of short-term individual models in art therapy and the advantages of incorporating art into brief psychotherapy, especially in cases with time constraints.

The continuing challenge of drug recalls: Insights from a ten-year FDA data analysis

In this study we analyzed drug recall data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the period 2012–2023. We identified trends in the number of recalls initiated annually and their underlying causes. On average, 330 drug recalls are initiated each year, showing an overall increasing trend. The average duration of a recall, from initiation to termination date, was 1.3 years and each recall involved on average 400 000 product units, implying considerable resource demands and consequences for all stakeholders. The most frequent cause of these recalls was found to be impurities and contaminants (37 %), followed by control (28 %) and labeling/packaging (19 %) issues. Recalls of medicines causing serious health problems or death (class I), accounted for 14 % of the recall events. Continuous evaluation of recalls is expected to reduce their number, mitigate their impact on the healthcare system and improve drug safety.

Irrigation termination has the potential to improve cotton yield and quality on different soil types

AbstractIrrigation termination timing is challenging for cotton producers in humid regions, especially for fields with varying soil types. A field experiment was conducted in Jackson, TN, to investigate the best cotton irrigation termination on different soil types. The water management treatments consisted of rainfed conditions (RF) and terminating irrigation 2 weeks before the first crack boll (ITBC1 and ITBC2), at the first crack boll (ITC1 and ITC2), and 2 weeks after the first cracked boll (ITAC1 and ITAC2). The irrigation rates consisted of normal irrigation (2) and increased irrigation (1) during the 2 weeks prior to irrigation termination. Irrigation treatments were implemented on three soils: a low, an intermediate, and a high available water‐holding capacity (AWHC) soil. In sandy soil, seed yield increased by 127% in 2015 with the ITAC1 treatment and by 313% in 2016 with the ITC1 treatment, compared to the control (RF). These treatments were also found to be optimal for lint yield and irrigation water productivity in their respective years. The high AWHC soil did not require any irrigation in either growing season to optimize yield. In fact, irrigating at a high rate at every termination date caused yield loss in 2015. These results indicate that cotton can benefit from later termination and higher irrigation rates when soil water and rainfall are low at the end of the growing season or be harmed when the opposite is true.

Termin wypowiedzenia umowy o pracę zawartej z nauczycielem akademickim

The subject of the article is the termination date of an academic teacher’s employment contract. The Law on Higher Education and Science binds this date to the end of the semester. While the regulation provided for in the pragmatics allows for a precise determination of the end of the summer semester (30 September), it does not provide grounds for an unambiguous determination of the end of the winter semester. This is confirmed by the differing views of the doctrine on the matter and the practice, as well as the first statements of the judicature. The interpretative dispute boils down to whether the end of the winter semester is determined at the university level or has been uniformly defined in the Law on Higher Education and Science. In view of the significant discrepancies in interpretation and the objections raised to the various positions taken in this dispute, it seems justified to call for a clearer regulation of when the end of the winter semester falls, so that the termination date of an academic teacher’s employment contract does not raise any doubts.

خصوصية القضاء المستعجل

The research focuses on the privacy of summary proceeding, where the research is divided into three sections. The first section discusses the deadlines for summary proceeding, highlighting the dates for considering summary petition claims and its termination dates for issuing judgments in summary cases, also revealing objection deadlines by relying on both civil procedure and commercial courts of law in summary petition. Moreover, the research has examined cases of lapse of summary judgments, mentioning the reasons for the invalidation of the summary request, such as delay in submitting the original request, abandonment of the claim, and considering the judgment as if it did not exist. The researchers also discuss the reasons that entitle the interested party to request the cancellation of the summary judgment, which are determined through various cases, including the dismissal of the claim, the cessation of the urgent situation, and the suspension of the case’s proceedings. Ultimately, the research highlights a judicial ruling stating that if the plaintiff is absent from the court session, the fate of the judgment issued by the judge is the rejection of the claim. Therefore, the plaintiff must attend the trial sessions in order to obtain a judgment that protects their rights expeditiously until the matter is considered by the regular judiciary.

Timing Termination of a Biofumigant Cover Crop for Weed Suppression in Chile Pepper

Overwinter mustard cover crops incorporated into soil may suppress early-season weeds in chile pepper (Capsicum annuum). However, the potential for mustard cover crops to harbor beet leafhoppers (Circulifer tenellus) is a concern because beet leafhoppers transmit beet curly top virus to chile pepper. The objectives of this study were to determine the amounts of a biopesticidal compound (sinigrin) added to soil from ‘Caliente Rojo’ brown mustard (Brassica juncea) cover crops ended on three different days before beet leafhopper flights during spring and to determine the effects of the cover crop termination date on weed densities and hand-hoeing times for chile pepper. To address these objectives, a field study was conducted in southern New Mexico. In 2019–20, the cover crop was ended and incorporated into soil 45, 31, and 17 days before beet leafhopper flights. In 2020–21, cover crop termination occurred 36, 22, and 8 days before beet leafhopper flights. Treatments also included a no cover crop control. Cover crop biomass and sinigrin concentrations were determined at each termination. Chile pepper was seeded 28 days after the third termination date. Weed densities and hand-hoeing times were determined 28 and 56 days after chile pepper seeding. In 2019–20, the third termination (17 days before beet leafhopper flights) yielded the maximum cover crop biomass (820 g⋅m−2) and greatest sinigrin addition to soil (274 mmol⋅m−2). However, only the second termination (31 days before beet leafhopper flights) suppressed weeds in chile pepper. In 2020–21, the third termination (8 days before beet leafhopper flights) yielded the maximum cover crop biomass (591 g⋅m−2) and greatest sinigrin addition to soil (213 mmol⋅m−2), and it was the only treatment that suppressed weeds. No cover crop treatment reduced hand-hoeing times. These results indicate that overwinter mustard cover crops can be ended to evade beet leafhopper flights and suppress weeds in chile pepper.

Early‐season biomass and weather enable robust cereal rye cover crop biomass predictions

AbstractFarmers need accurate estimates of winter cover crop biomass to make informed decisions on termination timing or to estimate potential release of nitrogen from cover crop residues to subsequent cash crops. Utilizing data from an extensive experiment across 11 states from 2016 to 2020, this study explores the most reliable predictors for determining cereal rye cover crop biomass at the time of termination. Our findings demonstrate a strong relationship between early‐season and late‐season cover crop biomass. Employing a random forest model, we predicted late‐season cereal rye biomass with a margin of error of approximately 1,000 kg ha−1 based on early‐season biomass, growing degree days, cereal rye planting and termination dates, photosynthetically active radiation, precipitation, and site coordinates as predictors. Our results suggest that similar modeling approaches could be combined with remotely sensed early‐season biomass estimations to improve the accuracy of predicting winter cover crop biomass at termination for decision support tools.Core Ideas Cereal rye winter cover crop biomass modeled on data from 35 site‐years. We found a strong relationship between early and late‐season biomass. Random forest model with early‐season biomass and weather data performed well. Similar approach could improve decision support tools for cover crop management.

Understanding Multilevel Factors Related to Retention Among the Direct Care Workforce: Incorporating Lessons Learned in Considering Innovative Interventions.

This article explores how broad, contextual factors may be influential in the retention of direct care workers (DCWs; i.e., entry-level caregivers) who provide vital support to patients in healthcare settings. We reflect on lessons learned from an evaluation of a multisite intervention to improve retention among DCWs employed primarily in hospital settings at three health systems. We evaluated a multitiered program for entry-level caregivers that included a risk assessment, a 4-day curriculum, and follow-up sessions, as well as workforce coaching at the three health systems. As part of our evaluation, we collected data on roughly 3,000 DCWs from the three health systems; the information included hiring date, any transfer date, and any termination date for each new DCW, as well as demographic information, position characteristics, and termination status and reasons for any termination. In addition, we collected information about organizational characteristics, including staffing and number of employees. We also conducted interviews with 56 DCWs and 21 staff members who implemented a retention program across each of the three health systems and remotely conducted virtual observations of the curriculum sessions at each system. Although the program we evaluated focused on individual-level factors that may affect retention, our findings revealed other broader, contextual challenges faced by DCWs that they said would have an impact on their willingness to stay in their positions. These challenges included (1) job-related factors including limited compensation, aspects of the job itself, and the inability to advance in one's position; (2) health system challenges including the mission, policies, staffing, and organizational culture; and (3) external factors including federal policies and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As the direct care workforce continues to grow, interventions to improve retention should consider the interconnectedness of these multilevel factors rather than solely individual-level factors. In addition, further research is needed to rigorously evaluate any potential intervention and consider how such an approach can target DCWs in hospital-based settings who are most affected by the multilevel challenges identified. Finally, any intervention to improve retention must be also aligned to ensure equity, especially in this population of low-wage DCWs, many of whom are marginalized women and individuals of color.

Cover crop impacts water quality in a tile-terraced no-till field with corn-soybean rotation

Cover crops (CCs) are a recognized best management practice to reduce surface water runoff and nutrient loss from agroecosystems. This 4-yr study was conducted in a tile-terraced field to assess the effects of CCs on nutrient loss compared to without CC (no CC) in a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. The 3xCCmix (wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus), and turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. Rapa)) was aerial seeded in soybean at R6 in 2018 and 2020. Cereal rye (Secale cereale) was drill seeded after the corn harvest in 2019 and 2021 (corn-cereal rye-soybean-3xCCmix). Water samples from individual flumes were collected using automated samplers and analyzed for concentrations and loads of nitrate-N (NO3-N), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus (PO4-P), and total suspended solids (TSS). The 3xCCmix and cereal rye had 16% and 12% lower discharge, respectively, than no CC. The 3xCCmix reduced TSS load 50% compared to CC, while cereal rye had no effect. Cover crops reduced NO3-N load 20%, 54%, and 68% during the corn, cereal rye, and soybean growing periods, respectively. Over the full rotations, cumulative discharge and nutrient loads were greater during the 2018–20 crop rotation year because of increased precipitation in 2019. The variability in effectiveness of CCs in reducing nutrient losses was likely affected by different climatic and management factors including CC planting and termination dates. This study highlights the benefits of CCs for reducing sediment and nutrient loss over crop rotation, as well as the continued need for enhanced fertilizer management systems to reduce nutrient loss.

Impact of concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease symptomology on prognosis and pulmonary function of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Comorbid risk factors in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) are poorly characterised. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is linked to interstitial lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but its association and treatment in CHP is less understood. This study aims to understand the role and prevalence of GERD in CHP, plus the effect of GERD treatment on lung function and mortality. A tertiary referral centre panel was retrospectively reviewed for 214 patients diagnosed with CHP based on clinical history, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, imaging and histopathology. GERD diagnostic criteria included symptomology, acid suppressive therapy use and diagnostic testing. CHP patients with GERD (n = 89) and without GERD (n = 125) were compared via descriptive statistical analysis. Pulmonary function, GERD diagnosis plus treatment and other comorbidities were evaluated against CHP outcomes. Respective differences between diagnosis and study termination dates in the GERD population versus without GERD for functional vital capacity (FVC) were - 1 L vs - 2.5 L, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were - 2 mL/min/mmHg versus - 1 mL/min/mmHg, per cent alive at the time of study 88% versus 81%, median date of survival 574.5 versus 850 and supplemental oxygen requirement 41% versus 37%. GERD prevalence was higher in CHP patients relative to the general population. No statistical significance was found between survival curves, oxygen requirement, smoking history, FVC, or DLCO. GERD could be a harmful comorbidity in CHP though may not necessarily affect survival or functional outcomes. This aligns with previous IPF studies, though remains controversial. Further research is needed regarding this association and treatment benefit.

Increasing rye cover crop biomass production after corn residue removal to balance economics and soil health

Low or variable cover crop (CC) biomass production could limit CC benefits. Longer CC growing periods via late termination could increase CC benefits, especially under limited crop residue return. We studied whether early (2–3 wk before planting)- or late (at planting)-terminated winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CC maintains soil properties, crop yields, and farm income under 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal in rainfed and irrigated no-till in the U.S. Great Plains after 6 yr. Early-terminated CCs produced < 1 Mg ha-1 of biomass while late-terminated CCs averaged 1.6 Mg ha-1 at the rainfed site and 3.0 Mg ha-1 at the irrigated site. At the rainfed site, CC termination date did not affect soils, but ≥ 75% residue removal reduced soil organic matter (OM) fraction concentrations and 100% reduced mean weight diameter of water-stable aggregates (MWD) in the 0–5 cm depth. At the irrigated site, late-terminated CC increased MWD by 0.22 mm and OM concentration by 5.1 g kg-1 compared with no CC. At the same site, 100% residue removal reduced microbial biomass, while ≥ 50% removal reduced OM concentration by 7.6 g kg-1, available water, and MWD by 0.75 mm relative to no removal. Cover crops only partially offset the adverse effects of residue removal if biomass production was 3 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Corn yield was generally unaffected. High residue removal rates offset CC-induced reduction in net income. Overall, late-terminated CC partially maintains soil health indicators following residue removal and minimally impacts crop yields and economics.

Reducing errors on estimates of the carbon uptake period based on time series of atmospheric CO2

Abstract. High-quality, long-time-series measurements of atmospheric greenhouse gases show interannual variability in the measured seasonal cycles. These changes can be analyzed to better understand the carbon cycle and the impact of climate drivers. However, nearly all discrete measurement records contain gaps and have noise due to the influence of local fluxes or synoptic variability. To facilitate analysis, filtering and curve-fitting techniques are often applied to these time series. Previous studies have recognized that there is an inherent uncertainty associated with this curve fitting, and the choice of a given mathematical method might introduce biases. Since uncertainties are seldom propagated to the metrics under study, this can lead to misinterpretation of the signal. In this study, we use an ensemble-based approach to quantify the uncertainty of the derived seasonal cycle metrics. We apply it to CO2 dry-air mole fraction time series from flask measurements in the Northern Hemisphere. We use this ensemble-based approach to analyze the carbon uptake period (CUP: the time of the year when the CO2 uptake is greater than the CO2 release): its onset, termination and duration. Previous studies have diagnosed CUP based on the dates on which the detrended, zero-centered seasonal cycle curve switches from positive to negative (the downward zero-crossing date, DZCD) and vice versa (upward zero-crossing date, UZCD). However, the UZCD is sensitive to the skewness of the CO2 seasonal cycle during the net carbon release period. Hence, we develop an alternative method proposed by Barlow et al. (2015) to estimate the onset and termination of the CUP based on a threshold defined in terms of the first derivative of the CO2 seasonal cycle. Using the ensemble approach, we arrive at a tighter constraint to the threshold by considering the annual uncertainty; we call this the ensemble of first derivative (EFD) method. Further, using the EFD approach and an additional curve-fitting algorithm, we show that (a) the uncertainty of the studied metrics is smaller using the EFD method than when approximated using the timing of the zero-crossing date (ZCD), and (b) the onset and termination dates derived with the EFD method provide more robust results, irrespective of the curve-fitting method applied to the data.

Winter Rye Cover Crop Seeding Rate and Termination Timing Effects on Cover Crop Biomass and Quality

ABSTRACT Winter rye (Secale cereale L.) biomass and chemical composition influences decomposition rates, nutrient cycling and effects on cash crop growth. Management that maintains rye biomass while lowering carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratios and concentrations of structural carbohydrates including hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin could maintain some ecosystem services while accelerating nutrient cycling. Two independent studies examined (1) five rye seeding rates ranging from 0 to 90 kg ha−1 and (2) five termination dates ranging from April 19 to May 31 (585 to 1084 growing degree days) to understand management induced relationships between rye biomass, nutrient concentrations, and composition of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Rye biomass increased at seeding rates of 90 kg ha−1 as compared to the 22–67 kg ha−1 seeding rates while trends toward higher plant structural components were observed as seeding rate increased. Rye biomass accumulated rapidly beyond 819 (May 13) growing degree days while increasing rye C:N ratio and concentrations of hemicellulose and cellulose. Rye C:N ratio was strongly correlated to rye biomass (R2 = 0.80, p < .001) with a C:N ratio of 25 associated with 2000 kg ha−1 of rye biomass. Changes in rye residue quality were strongly influenced by biomass accumulation with delaying termination most significantly driving biomass changes. Trends toward lower C:N ratios and concentrations of structural carbohydrates were seen at the 22–67 kg ha−1 seeding rates even without differences in biomass suggesting lower seeding rates could cycle nutrients quicker without limiting biomass production potential.

Rational bubbles: Too many to be true?

Issues that arise in the practical implementation of the Phillips et al. (2011) and Phillips et al. (2015a) recursive procedures for identifying and dating explosive episodes in time series are considered. It is argued that the use of critical values for right-tailed unit-root tests obtained under the assumption of a drift whose magnitude depends on the sample size and becomes negligible in large samples results in over-rejection of the unit-root hypothesis when, as in many financial time series, the deterministic drift effect is non-negligible relatively to the stochastic trend. In addition, the standard practice of using conventional levels of significance for critical values involved in the algorithms that locate the origination and termination dates of explosive episodes lead to false discoveries of explosiveness with high probability. The magnitude of these difficulties is quantified via simulations using artificial data whose properties reflect closely those of real-world time series such as stock prices and dividends. The findings offer a potential explanation for the relatively large number of apparent explosive episodes that are often reported in applied work. Ways of overcoming the aforementioned difficulties by using bootstrap-based calibration techniques are considered. An empirical example focusing on monthly U.S. data on real stock prices and real dividends is also discussed.

MP42-12 TISSUE AND PHARMACOKINETIC RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH A DRUG-COATED BALLOON IN A PORCINE URETER MODEL

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP42-12 TISSUE AND PHARMACOKINETIC RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH A DRUG-COATED BALLOON IN A PORCINE URETER MODEL Michael Borofsky, Casey Dauw, and Sean Elliott Michael BorofskyMichael Borofsky More articles by this author , Casey DauwCasey Dauw More articles by this author , and Sean ElliottSean Elliott More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003280.12AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Paclitaxel Drug Coated Balloons (PDCBs) have proven efficacious in the treatment of urethral stricture disease. Application of PDCBs for ureteral strictures holds promise but safety and efficacy of their use have yet to be evaluated. This study was designed to gather data concerning; pharmacokinetics, histology, safety and healing potential for the ureter after ureteral dilation with a PDCB in a porcine model. METHODS: Ureteral dilation with PDCBs was performed on three anesthetized female pigs. In all cases one ureter was treated with PDCB dilation alone while the contralateral ureter was treated first with holmium laser endoureterotomy followed by PDCB dilation. Treatments were delivered in the proximal and distal ureter on each side using either an 8mm x 50 mm or 10 mm x 50 mm PDCB. Retrograde pyelograms (RPG) were performed to assess for extravasation after dilation. Ureteral stents were placed. Animals were terminated at 10, 28 and 45 days and gross necropsy was performed. Ureteroscopy with RPGs were also performed during the 28 & 45 day termination procedure. Paclitaxel concentration was quantified from plasma, urine, and tissues. Histology was also performed on treatment site and adjacent tissue. RESULTS: PDCB dilation according to study protocol was successful in each case. Contrast extravasation was seen at each laser endoureterotomy/PDCB sites and none of the PDCB alone sites. All three animals survived to their scheduled termination date. RPG performed at 28 & 45 days showed complete resolution of extravasation though panureteral dilatation was seen in each case presumably related to stenting. Ureteroscopic and gross necropsy confirmed complete healing of treatment sites. Histology at 28 & 45 days showed only minimal inflammation of the PDCB alone treatment sites and complete healing of the endoureterotomy sites with otherwise minimal inflammatory response (Figure 1). Paclitaxel remained detecA in urine and target tissue for up to 45 days with plasma levels being below level of quantification. CONCLUSIONS: PDCBs are capable of delivering paclitaxel to the upper urinary tract and do not appear to inhibit potential for healing despite significant ureteral injury among healthy female pigs. Further data is necessary prior to applying this technique to strictured ureters in human subject. Source of Funding: Urotronic © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e571 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Michael Borofsky More articles by this author Casey Dauw More articles by this author Sean Elliott More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

MP72-16 LOW OPIOID FILL RATES CONTINUE DESPITE TERMINATION OF A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR OPIOID-FREE VASECTOMIES

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP72-16 LOW OPIOID FILL RATES CONTINUE DESPITE TERMINATION OF A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR OPIOID-FREE VASECTOMIES Catherine S. Nam, Yen-Ling Lai, Hsou Mei Hu, Arvin K. George, Susan Linsell, Stephanie Ferrante, Mike Thompson, Chad Brummett, Jennifer F. Waljee, and James M. Dupree Catherine S. NamCatherine S. Nam More articles by this author , Yen-Ling LaiYen-Ling Lai More articles by this author , Hsou Mei HuHsou Mei Hu More articles by this author , Arvin K. GeorgeArvin K. George More articles by this author , Susan LinsellSusan Linsell More articles by this author , Stephanie FerranteStephanie Ferrante More articles by this author , Mike ThompsonMike Thompson More articles by this author , Chad BrummettChad Brummett More articles by this author , Jennifer F. WaljeeJennifer F. Waljee More articles by this author , and James M. DupreeJames M. Dupree More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003340.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Our prior work showed that financial incentive using modifier 22 by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) to encourage opioid-free vasectomy was associated with a significant decrease in initial opioid fills. However, this incentive was terminated on 12/31/21. We examined the change in initial opioid fill rate before and after termination of a quality incentive for opioid-free vasectomy. METHODS: We analyzed BCBSM administrative claims from 5/1/2021 to 8/31/2022. We included men 20 to 64 years old undergoing an office-based vasectomy or a control procedure with continuous enrollment. Our control group included patients undergoing office circumcision, cystoscopy, prostate biopsy, and transurethral destruction of prostate tissue. We excluded cases 2 months before and after the policy termination date of 12/31/21 to account for variation in uptake. Our primary outcome was the proportion of patients, both opioid naïve and not, who filled an opioid prescription within 3 days of their procedure (aka, “opioid fill rate”). We performed an interrupted time series analysis to estimate changes in opioid fill rates before and after 12/31/21 in the vasectomy and control groups. RESULTS: Our cohort included 2,209 who underwent vasectomy and 2,157 in the control group. Both groups had similar demographic and clinical attributes before and after 12/31/21, except the control group had statistically significant difference of smoking status and Charlson comorbidity score (p>0.01) Termination of the modifier 22 policy was not associated with a change in the opioid fill rate in the vasectomy group (-0.6% change [95% CI: -6.5% to 5.3%]). (Figure 1) Pre-termination, 9.1% of men filled an opioid prescription; post-termination, 6.9% of men filled an opioid prescription. In the control group, the termination of the modifier 22 policy was not associated with a change in the opioid fill rate (-0.6% change [95% CI: -6.6% to 5.5%]). CONCLUSIONS: Financial incentives that support opioid-free pathways have led to a rapid decrease in the rate of opioid fills after vasectomy. Even following termination of this incentive, the low opioid fill rate was sustained. These findings highlight the opportunity for a modifier 22 quality incentive to be applied for a limited period to have sustainable impact in lowering opioid fill rate. Source of Funding: n/a © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1030 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Catherine S. Nam More articles by this author Yen-Ling Lai More articles by this author Hsou Mei Hu More articles by this author Arvin K. George More articles by this author Susan Linsell More articles by this author Stephanie Ferrante More articles by this author Mike Thompson More articles by this author Chad Brummett More articles by this author Jennifer F. Waljee More articles by this author James M. Dupree More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Identifying Common and Idiosyncratic Explosive Behaviors in the Large Dimensional Factor Model with an Application to U.S. State-Level House Prices

Abstract This study applies the date-stamping methodologies for explosive behaviors proposed in the seminal work of Phillips, P. C. B., and J. Yu. (2011. “Dating the Timeline of Financial Bubbles during the Subprime Crisis.” Quantitative Economics 2 (3): 455–91), Phillips, P. C. B., S. Shi, and J. Yu. (2015a. “Testing for Multiple Bubbles: Historical Episodes of Exuberance and Collapse in the S&amp;P 500.” International Economic Review 56 (4): 1043–78), and Phillips, P. C. B., S. Shi, and J. Yu. (2015b. “Testing for Multiple Bubbles: Limit Theory of Real Time Detectors.” International Economic Review 56 (4): 1079–134) to a large dimensional factor model. To this end, we compare two methods of identifying common and idiosyncratic components: the Panel Analysis of Nonstationarity in Idiosyncratic and Common Components (PANIC) method by Bai, J., and S. Ng. (2004. “A Panic Attack on Unit Roots and Cointegration.” Econometrica 72 (4): 1127–77) and the Cross-Sectional regression (CS) method by Yamamoto, Y., and T. Horie. (2022. “A Cross-Sectional Method for Right-Tailed PANIC Tests under a Moderately Local to Unity Framework.” Econometric Theory (forthcoming)). We show that, when the explosive behavior lies only in the common component, the origination and termination dates are precisely estimated by either method. However, when the explosive behaviors exist in idiosyncratic components, only the CS method can detect them. We apply our method to the U.S. state-level real house price indices. We find that the 2000s boom was driven by not only the national bubble factors but also local components, while the 2010s onward expansion is dominated by the effect of national components.

Remote sensing evaluation of winter cover crop springtime performance and the impact of delayed termination

AbstractIn 2019, the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Winter Cover Crop Program introduced a delayed termination incentive (after May 1) to promote springtime biomass accumulation. We used satellite imagery calibrated with springtime in situ measurements collected from 2006–2021 (n = 722) to derive biomass estimates for Maryland fields planted to cereal cover crop species (286,200 ha total over two seasons). Cover crop C content remained steady throughout the cover crop growing season (42.6% of biomass), whereas N concentration had an inverse relationship with biomass and ranged from 1.7 to 2.9%. Throughout Maryland, delayed termination fields (n = 19,120; average termination of May 18) were, on average, estimated to accumulate an additional 789 kg of biomass, 15 kg of N, and 336 kg of C per hectare when compared to fields associated with standard termination dates (n = 28,811; average termination of April 16). Over two cover crop seasons (2019–2021), the delayed termination incentive yielded an extra 75,660,000 kg biomass, 1,526,000 kg N, and 32,230,000 kg C across 96,040 hectares. Regularly terminated field incentives cost an average of US$0.10 per kg of biomass and $4.09 per kg of N, with variability associated with agronomic management (species, planting method). Delayed termination fields cost of $0.08 per kg of biomass and $3.51 per kg of N. Late‐planted cover crops that were terminated early had minimal environmental benefit, and wheat, which comprised 68% of cover crop area, performed poorly compared with other cereal species. Our findings demonstrate that substantial additional springtime biomass, C, and N accumulation were achieved through the delayed termination incentive.

Near real-time detection of winter cover crop termination using harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) to support ecosystem assessment

Cover crops are planted to reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and improve watershed management. In the Delmarva Peninsula of the eastern United States, winter cover crops are essential for reducing nutrient and sediment losses from farmland. Cost-share programs have been created to incentivize cover crops to achieve conservation objectives. This program required that cover crops be planted and terminated within a specified time window. Usually, farmers report cover crop termination dates for each enrolled field (∼28,000 per year), and conservation district staff confirm the report with field visits within two weeks of termination. This verification process is labor-intensive and time-consuming and became restricted in 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS, version 2.0) time-series data and the within-season termination (WIST) algorithm to detect cover crop termination dates over Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula. The estimated remote sensing termination dates were compared to roadside surveys and to farmer-reported termination dates from the Maryland Department of Agriculture database for the 2020–2021 cover crop season. The results show that the WIST algorithm using HLS detected 94% of terminations (statuses) for the enrolled fields (n = 28,190). Among the detected terminations, about 49%, 72%, 84%, and 90% of remote sensing detected termination dates were within one, two, three, and four weeks of agreement to farmer-reported dates, respectively. A real-time simulation showed that the termination dates could be detected one week after termination operation using routinely available HLS data, and termination dates detected after mid-May are more reliable than those from early spring when the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was low. We conclude that HLS imagery and the WIST algorithm provide a fast and consistent approach for generating near-real-time cover crop termination maps over large areas, which can be used to support cost-share program verification.