No abstract

A new ligand design for the widely used β-diketiminato framework implements a “remote steric bulk” strategy for the stabilization of low-coordinate, metalation-resistant organoscandium complexes. In comparison to standard ligands, substantial improvements in thermal stability for neutral dialkyl and cationic alkyl organoscandium complexes are observed.

Field-based patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments, including measures of signs, symptoms, and events that are administered outside of the research clinic, can be critical in evaluating the efficacy and safety of new medical treatments. Collection of this type of data commonly involves providing subjects with stand-alone electronic devices, such as smartphones, that they can use to respond to assessments in their home or work environment. Although this approach has proven useful, it is also limited in several ways: For example, provisioning stand-alone devices can be costly for sponsors, and requiring subjects to carry a device that is exclusively dedicated to the study can be burdensome. The "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) approach, in which subjects use their own smartphone or Internet-enabled device to complete field-based PRO assessments, addresses many of these concerns. However, the BYOD model has its own limitations that should be considered. In this article, representatives of the ePRO Consortium review operational, privacy/security, and scientific/regulatory considerations regarding BYOD. We hope that this review will allow researchers to make informed decisions when choosing methods to collect field-based PRO data in future clinical trials. Additionally, we hope that the discussion in this article will establish a research agenda for further examination of BYOD approaches.

Diagnostic accuracy, using WSI for cases in our external quality assurance programme is acceptable. As the use of digital microscopy in a large scale external quality assurance programme offers extensive advantages over a glass slide-based format, our results encourage future comparison of diagnostic accuracy for virtual compared to glass slide format at a point in time where pathologists are becoming increasingly familiar with virtual microscopy in everyday practice.

Background:Special consideration should be given when creating and selecting cytopathology specimens for digitization to maximize quality. Advances in scanning and viewing technology can also improve whole-slide imaging (WSI) output quality.Methods:Accumulated laboratory experience with digitization of glass cytopathology slides was collected.Results:This paper describes characteristics of a cytopathology glass slide that can reduce quality on resulting WSI. Important points in the glass cytopathology slide selection process, preparation, scanning, and WSI-editing process that will maximize the quality of the resulting acquired digital image are covered. The paper outlines scanning solutions which have potential to predict issues with a glass cytopathology slide before image acquisition, allowing for adjustment of the scanning approach. WSI viewing solutions that better simulate the traditional microscope experience are also discussed.Conclusion:In addition to taking advantage of technical advances, practical steps can taken to maximize quality of cytopathology WSI.