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Ease
Kinds of Ease Selected AbstractsEarly findings in comparison of AMSR-E/Aqua L3 global snow water equivalent EASE-grids data with in situ observations for Eastern TurkeyHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 15 2008A. Emre Tekeli Abstract Microwave remote sensing (RS) enables the direct determination of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is an important snow parameter for water resources management. The accuracy of remotely sensed SWE values has always been a concern. Previous studies evaluated global SWE monitoring. However, regional effects such as vegetation, snow grain size, snow density and local meteorological conditions may lead to uncertainties. Thus, regional validation studies that quantify and help to understand these uncertainties and possible error sources are important both for algorithm development and accurate SWE computation. In this study, data of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E)/Aqua level 3 global SWE Equal Area Scalable Earth (EASE) Grids are compared with ground measurements for 2002,2003 winter period for Eastern Turkey, which includes the headwaters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and is fed largely from snowmelt. Thus, accurate determination of SWE is important in optimum resource management for both Turkey and downstream nations. Analyses indicated that AMSR-E generally overestimated SWE in early season. As winter progressed, higher in situ SWE values with respect to AMSR-E were observed which led to underestimation by AMSR-E. The differences between AMSR-E and in situ SWE varied between , 218 and 93 mm. Use of in situ snow densities lead the correlation coefficient between AMSR-E and in situ SWE to increase from 0·10 to 0·32. Underestimation of SWE by AMSR-E occurs after some warm periods, while overestimations occur following refreezing. On rainy days or some days after precipitation within the warm periods, zero AMSR-E SWE values are observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Injecting 1000 Centistoke Liquid Silicone With Ease and PrecisionDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2003Anthony V. Benedetto DO, FACP BACKGROUND Since the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the 1000 centistoke liquid silicone, Silikon 1000, for intraocular injection, the off-label use of this injectable silicone oil as a permanent soft-tissue filler for facial rejuvenation has increased in the United States. Injecting liquid silicone by the microdroplet technique is the most important preventive measure that one can use to avoid the adverse sequelae of silicone migration and granuloma formation, especially when injecting silicone to improve small facial defects resulting from acne scars, surgical procedures, or photoaging. OBJECTIVE To introduce an easy method for injecting a viscous silicone oil by the microdroplet technique, using an inexpensive syringe and needle that currently is available from distributors of medical supplies in the United States. METHOD We suggest the use of a Becton Dickinson 3/10 cc insulin U-100 syringe to inject Silikon 1000. This syringe contains up to 0.3 mL of fluid, and its barrel is clearly marked with an easy-to-read scale of large cross-hatches. Each cross-hatch marking represents either a unit value of 0.01 mL or a half-unit value of 0.005 mL of fluid, which is the approximate volume preferred when injecting liquid silicone into facial defects. Because not enough negative pressure can be generated in this needle and syringe to draw up the viscous silicone oil, we describe a convenient and easy method for filling this 3/10 cc diabetic syringe with Silikon 1000. RESULTS We have found that by using the Becton Dickinson 3/10 cc insulin U-100 syringe, our technique of injecting minute amounts of Silikon 1000 is facilitated because each widely spaced cross-hatch on the side of the syringe barrel is easy to read and measures exact amounts of the silicone oil. These lines of the scale on the syringe barrel are so large and clearly marked that it is virtually impossible to overinject the most minute amount of silicone. CONCLUSION Sequential microdroplets of 0.01 cc or less of Silikon 1000 can be measured and injected with the greatest ease and precision so that inadvertent overdosing and complications can be avoided. [source] Some Hypotheses on the Nature of Difficulty and Ease in Second Language Reading: An Application of Schema TheoryFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 6 2000Philip C. Hauptman A traditional view of difficulty/ease is explained as consisting of two factors: (1) Language (grammar and vocabulary) and (2) Text Length. A modern view of difficulty/ease is then proposed via four hypotheses: (1) The first Primary Ease Factor in L2 reading is background knowledge; (2) Signalling becomes the Primary Ease Factor in L2 reading when background knowledge is not useful for accessing content schemata; (3) Other factors being equal, the degree of signalling determines the degree of accessibility of a text for the L2 reader; and (4) Other factors being equal, Language, Discourse, and Length are of secondary importance , after Background Knowledge and Signalling , for accessing a text by L2 readers. [source] A pilot study evaluating the safety and microbiologic efficacy of an economically viable antimicrobial lozenge in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapyHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 1 2002FRCPC, Samy El-Sayed MD Abstract Background Mucositis occurs in almost all radiotherapy-treated head and neck cancer patients, in approximately 75% of patients receiving hematopoietic marrow transplantation, and in approximately 40% of all patients who receive chemotherapy. Mucositis is painful, may affect all oral functions, and is a dose- and rate-limiting toxicity of therapy for cancer. Radiation-associated mucositis (onset, intensity, and duration) has been shown in recent clinical trials to be modified by the use of antibacterial/antifungal lozenges. Purpose The aim of this collaborative two-center phase II study was to assess the toxicity and microbiologic efficacy of an economically viable antimicrobial lozenge in the management of patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods Seventeen patients scheduled to receive radical or postoperative radiotherapy were provided with bacitracin, clotrimazole, and gentamicin (BCoG) lozenges (one lozenge dissolved in the mouth qid from day 1 of radiotherapy until completion). Ease of use and palatability of the lozenges, patients' symptoms (swallowing and pain), and quantitative and qualitative microbiologic evaluation of an oral rinse collection was conducted at least once weekly during radiation therapy. Results No significant side effects were reported from the use of the lozenges. The lozenges were well tolerated at the beginning of treatment by all patients, with some minor difficulty associated with oral discomfort toward the end of the treatment. Microbiologic evaluation showed consistent elimination of yeast organisms in all patients. In four patients there was no growth of gram-negative bacilli on culture, whereas in two patients, fluctuating counts were seen, and one patient had increased counts. The remaining patients had significant reduction in the gram-negative bacilli counts. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the BCoG lozenge is tolerable and microbiologically efficacious, achieving elimination of Candida in all patients and reduction in gram-negative flora in most patients. A phase III study is underway to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this lozenge. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 24: 6,15, 2002. [source] Fabrication of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics Micro-Fluidic Devices Using Sacrificial Carbon LayersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2005H. Birol Ease of fabrication and design flexibility are two attractive features of low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology for fabrication of complex micro-fluidic devices. Such structures are designed and processed using different shaping methods, the extent and complexity of which depends on the final device specifications (dimensions, and mechanical and functional properties). In this work, we propose a sacrificial layer method based on carbon-black paste, which burns out during the LTCC firing stage. The article will summarize the preparation of the paste, influence of processing conditions on the final dimensions, and demonstrate the mechanically integrated structures obtained using this technique. Some of these are membranes of various diameters (7,12 mm) with a thickness of 40 ,m and a variety of internal spacing (15,60 ,m), free-hanging thick-film resistor bridges on LTCC for heating micro-volumes. The main methods of the study will be thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dilatometry in addition to electronic instruments for device characterization. [source] A randomised comparison of oral desmopressin lyophilisate (MELT) and tablet formulations in children and adolescents with primary nocturnal enuresisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 9 2007H. Lottmann Summary Aims:, Desmopressin is a useful treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), a common childhood condition that can persist into adolescence. This open-label, randomised, cross-over study evaluated the preference of children and adolescents with PNE for sublingual desmopressin oral lyophilisate (MELT) vs. tablet treatment, and the efficacy, safety, compliance and ease of use associated with each formulation. In total, 221 patients aged 5,15 years who were already receiving desmopressin tablets were randomised 1 : 1 to receive desmopressin treatment in the order MELT/tablet (n = 110) or tablet/MELT (n = 111) for 3 weeks each. Each formulation was administered in bioequivalent doses (0.2/0.4 mg tablets , 120/240 ,g MELT). Following treatment, patients were questioned regarding treatment preference. Diary card data and 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale scores were also recorded. Results:, Overall, patients preferred the MELT formulation to the tablet (56% vs. 44%; p = 0.112). This preference was age dependent (p = 0.006); patients aged < 12 years had a statistically significant preference for desmopressin MELT (p = 0.0089). Efficacy was similar for both formulations (MELT: 1.88 ± 1.94 bedwetting episodes/week; tablet: 1.90 ± 1.85 episodes/week). Ease of use of both formulations was high. Compliance (, 80%) was 94.5% for MELT patients vs. 88.9% for the tablet (p = 0.059). No serious/severe adverse events were reported. Conclusions:, There was an overall preference for the MELT, and a statistically significant preference for desmopressin MELT in children aged 5,11 years. Desmopressin MELT had similar levels of efficacy and safety at lower dosing levels than the tablet, and therefore facilitates early initiation of PNE treatment in children aged 5,6 years. [source] Ease of reading of mandatory information on Canadian food product labelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 4 2009Mary Alton Mackey Abstract Food product labels present individual product information, safety, nutrition, electronic inventory, container and environmental information, in various formats, languages and images. Some information is mandatory; much is promotional. The food label is an essential tool for regulators of safe food handling, nutrition policy and fair competition. Mandatory information on food labels in Canada is required to be presented in both English and French, readily discernable, prominently displayed and legible. This study examines the ease of finding and reading of mandatory label components on selected Canadian food products. A validated typographical scoring system assessed the lists of ingredients on a purposive sample of 100 food labels representing foods in all groups in Canada's Food Guide. Seven percent of the ingredient lists were easy to read; 26% were difficult to read and 67% were very difficult to read. Well-educated resourceful readers in consumer focus groups examined food labels for key elements that influence ease of finding and reading information. Focus groups and typographical scoring identified: colour contrast, case, print style, print size, space between the lines, reverse print, organization, justification, type of surface, hyphenation and print reproduction as factors that affect ease of reading. Print that curves around a container, lack of paragraphing or point form organization make reading difficult; text blocks at right angles to each other make comparisons difficult; separation of the nutrition facts table from the list of ingredients makes decision making tedious. Inadequate spacing between lines of print creates problems for readers of English and exacerbates problems for readers of French. Words placed over illustrations, busy backgrounds or watermarks increase reading difficulty. Hazard statements, instructions and storage information imbedded in other information without added space or appropriate heading is difficult to find and read. Canadian consumers echo consumers in 28 European countries who find label information difficult to find and to read and want clear guidelines/regulations on the placement and the typography of mandatory food label components [source] Ease and effectiveness of costly autotomy vary with predation intensity among lizard populationsJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 3 2004William E. Cooper Jr Abstract Costly anti-predatory defences are used in ecological time and maintained in evolutionary time by natural selection favouring individuals that survive through their use. Autotomy of expendable body parts is a striking example of a defence having multiple substantial costs, including loss of ability to use the same defence, loss of energy, and decreased growth, reproductive success and survival following autotomy, plus the energetic cost of replacing the lost body part in species capable of regenerating them. Our study shows that autotomy in the lacertid lizard Podarcis lilfordi reduces sprint speed, indicating decreased capacity to escape as well as the loss of energy. Autotomy carries substantial cost, and thus should be avoided except as a last resort. Ease of autotomy and post-autotomic movements were studied in three populations of lacertid lizards. Two were islet populations of P. lilfordi from Aire (lowest predation pressure) and Colom (intermediate predation pressure) off Minorca. The third was a mainland population of Podarcis hispanica, a closely related species from the mainland of the Iberian Peninsula where predation pressure is higher than on the islets. As predicted, a suite of autotomic traits increases the effectiveness of autotomy as a defence as predation pressure increases. With increasing predation pressure, the frequency of voluntary autotomy increases, latency to autotomy decreases, pressure on the tail needed to induce autotomy decreases, vigour of post-autotomic tail movements increases, and distance moved by the shed tail increases. Additional changes that might be related to predation pressure, but could have other causes, are the presence of tail coloration contrasting with body coloration except under the lowest predation pressure (Aire) and longer tails in the mainland species P. hispanica. Correspondence between predation pressure and the suite of autotomic traits suggests that autotomy is an important defence that responds to natural selection. Comparative data are needed to establish the generality of relationships suggested in our study of only three populations. [source] Robust weighted likelihood estimators with an application to bivariate extreme value problemsTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2002Debbie J. Dupuis Abstract The authors achieve robust estimation of parametric models through the use of weighted maximum likelihood techniques. A new estimator is proposed and its good properties illustrated through examples. Ease of implementation is an attractive property of the new estimator. The new estimator downweights with respect to the model and can be used for complicated likelihoods such as those involved in bivariate extreme value problems. New weight functions, tailored for these problems, are constructed. The increased insight provided by our robust fits to these bivariate extreme value models is exhibited through the analysis of sea levels at two East Coast sites in the United Kingdom. Estimateurs de vraisemblance pondérée robustes et application à des problèmes de valeurs extrêmes bivariées Les auteurs font appel à des techniques de maximisation de vraisemblance pondérée pour faire de l'estimation robuste dans des modèles paramétriques. Ils proposentun nouvel estimateur et en illustrent les bonnes propriétés au moyen d'exemples. Cet estimateur s'avère facile à mettre en ,uvre, ce qui le rend d'autant plus intéressant. Il s'appuie sur une pondération baissière par rapport au modèle et donne de bons résultats pour des vraisemblances compliquées corame celles qui interviennent dans les problèmes de valeurs extrêmes bivariées. Des poids conçus spécifiquement pour ce type d'application sont proposés. La finesse d'analyse accrue découlant d'une modélisation robuste de valeurs extrêmes bivariées est illustrée sur des relevés de niveau d'eau en deux points le long de la côte est du Royaume-Uni. [source] Bone-anchored hearing aid subjective benefit for unilateral deafness,,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2010John W. House MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Determine the benefit of the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) in patients with unilateral deafness. Study Design: Retrospective case series and prospective questionnaire study at a tertiary referral center. Methods: Patients with unilateral deafness of various etiologies who were implanted with a BAHA (n = 126) or not implanted with a BAHA after a translabyrinthine craniotomy (n = 126) were mailed questionnaires. A total of 139 patients (55%) responded to the questionnaires. Patients who were implanted with a BAHA received a general questionnaire concerning BAHA usage, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Questionnaire (SSQ). Patients not implanted with a BAHA received only the SSQ hearing questionnaire. Results: Patients with unilateral deafness demonstrated a benefit with BAHA use on the APHAB. Most improvement with the BAHA was seen in the Background Noise subscale, with a 17.4% improvement. Ease of Communication and Reverberation subscales also demonstrated an 11.6% and 13.2% benefit, respectively. Patients with a BAHA demonstrated better scores in the SSQ Speech subscale when compared to unilaterally deaf patients who did not have a BAHA, although this difference was not significant. Conclusions: The APHAB demonstrated significant benefit with the use of a BAHA in patients with unilateral deafness. Although the SSQ speech subscale showed overall improvement in auditory disability with the use of a BAHA, this difference was not significant. However, the SSQ hearing questionnaire demonstrated specific situations were the BAHA is most useful. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source] Insertion and use of the LMA SupremeÔ in the prone position,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 2 2010A. M. López Summary We investigated whether insertion of an LMA SupremeÔ and its use for maintenance of anaesthesia is feasible in the prone position. Forty adult patients positioned themselves prone and were given propofol until the Bispectral Index was < 50. A size-4 LMA Supreme was inserted by experienced anaesthetists. Ease of insertion, ease of ventilation, efficacy of seal, ease of gastric tube insertion, blood staining, postoperative sore throat, and other complications were recorded. Insertion was successful at the first and second attempt in 37 (92.5%) and 3 (7.5%) patients, respectively. The mean (SD) insertion time was 21 (15) s. Oropharyngeal leak pressure was greater in females than males (29 (4) vs 25 (4) cmH2O, respectively, p = 0.01). Adequate ventilation was achieved in all patients. Gastric tube placement was successful in all patients. The frequency of blood staining and sore throat was 7.5% each. No other complications were noted. We conclude that use of the LMA Supreme in the prone position by experienced users is feasible. [source] Ease of intubation with the GlideScope or Airway Scope by novice operators in simulated easy and difficult airways , a manikin study,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 2 2009B. H. Tan Summary The GlideScope and Airway Scope are video laryngoscopes that have been found to be useful in difficult airway situations. With the GlideScope, there are frequently problems associated with insertion of the tracheal tube despite the ability to view the glottis. The Airway Scope's imaging system and disposable PBlade aid alignment of the PBlade with the glottis and guide insertion of the tracheal tube. We performed a randomised crossover study of 20 medical students using both videolaryngoscopes in a manikin, with simulated normal and difficult airway scenarios. We found that the students required less time for tracheal intubation with the Airway Scope and reported greater ease of intubation with the Airway Scope in both scenarios. A greater number of students chose the Airway Scope as their device of choice. Our results suggest that the Airway Scope's features may improve the ease of tracheal intubation compared with the GlideScope. [source] Electrochemical Deallylation of ,-Allyl Cyclic Amines and Synthesis of Optically Active Quaternary Cyclic Amino AcidsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 13 2010Peter Abstract Electrochemical oxidation of ,-allylated and ,-benzylated N -acylated cyclic amines by using a graphite anode easily affords the corresponding ,-methoxylated products with up to 76,% yield. Ease of oxidation was affected by the type of electrode, the size of cyclic amine, and the nature of the protecting group. This method was successfully applied to the synthesis of optically active N -acylated ,-alkyl-,-amino acid esters with up to 99,%,ee. [source] Topical anaesthesia before nasendoscopy: a randomized controlled trial of co-phenylcaine compared with lignocaineCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2006R. Douglas Objective:, To evaluate the relative effectiveness of co-phenylcaine (lignocaine 5% with phenylephrine) and lignocaine 5% sprays when administered prior to rigid nasendoscopy. Design:, Randomized, double blind controlled study. Setting:, Teaching hospital otolaryngology unit. Participants:, Thirty patients requiring routine outpatient rigid nasendoscopy were administered five puffs of either co-phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% spray which had been randomly assigned to either the first or the second visit. Ten minutes later nasendoscopy was performed. Immediately after nasendoscopy the ease of performance of the procedure and the quality of the view achieved was rated on a visual analogue scale by the endoscopist and the patients recorded the level of pain experienced on a visual analogue scale. Two weeks later, the patients returned for a repeat nasendoscopy, receiving the alternate spray. Main outcomes measures:, Ease of performance and quality of view of achieved by endoscopists and pain experienced by patients, both measured with visual analogue scales. Results:, The ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained was found to be greater after the administration of co-phenylcaine [visual analogue scores 84 (95% CI: 80,89) than after lignocaine and 77 (95% CI: 73,81) (P < 0.01)]. The two sprays produced similar levels of topical anaesthesia. Conclusions:, Nasendoscopy can be performed with minimal discomfort after the administration of either co-phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% sprays. The vasoconstricting action of co-phenylcaine increases the ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained by the endoscopist. [source] Some Hypotheses on the Nature of Difficulty and Ease in Second Language Reading: An Application of Schema TheoryFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 6 2000Philip C. Hauptman A traditional view of difficulty/ease is explained as consisting of two factors: (1) Language (grammar and vocabulary) and (2) Text Length. A modern view of difficulty/ease is then proposed via four hypotheses: (1) The first Primary Ease Factor in L2 reading is background knowledge; (2) Signalling becomes the Primary Ease Factor in L2 reading when background knowledge is not useful for accessing content schemata; (3) Other factors being equal, the degree of signalling determines the degree of accessibility of a text for the L2 reader; and (4) Other factors being equal, Language, Discourse, and Length are of secondary importance , after Background Knowledge and Signalling , for accessing a text by L2 readers. [source] Strategies in Human Nonmonotonic ReasoningCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3 2000Marilyn Ford Although humans seem adept at drawing nonmonotonic conclusions, the nonmonotonic reasoning systems that researchers develop are complex and do not function with such ease. This paper explores people's reasoning processes in nonmonotonic problems. To avoid the problem of people's conclusions being based on knowledge rather than on some reasoning process, we developed a scenario about life on another planet. Problems were chosen to allow the systematic study of people's understanding of strict and nonstrict rules and their interactions. We found that people had great difficulty reasoning and we identified a number of negative factors influencing their reasoning. We also identified three positive factors which, if used consistently, would yield rational and coherent reasoning,but no subject achieved total consistency. (Another possible positive factor, specificity, was considered but we found no evidence for its use.) It is concluded that nonmonotonic reasoning is hard. When people need to reason in a domain where they have no preconceived ideas, the foundation for their reasoning is neither coherent nor rational. They do not use a nonmonotonic reasoning system that would work regardless of content. Thus, nonmonotonic reasoning systems that researchers develop are expected to do more reasoning than humans actually do! [source] Graphical user interfaces in an engineering educational environmentCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 1 2005Christopher Depcik Abstract Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are being increasingly used in the classroom to provide users of computer simulations with a friendly and visual approach to specifying all input parameters and increased configuration flexibility. In this study, the authors first describe a number of software and language options that are available to build GUIs. Subsequently, a comprehensive comparative assessment of possible alternatives is undertaken in the light of a benchmark educational program used in a course on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at the University of Michigan. For the GUIs presented, their educational value with respect to flexible data entry and post-processing of results has been demonstrated. In addition, the authors offer recommendations for pros and cons of available options in terms of platform independence, ease of programming, facilitation of interaction with students, and flexibility. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 13: 48,59, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20029 [source] Environment for engineering design, analysis, and simulation for education using MATLAB via the World Wide Web.COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 3 2002Abstract In Part II of this paper, we present representative examples that demonstrate the capabilities and features of the developed education environment that allows one to simulate in real time engineering systems utilizing the power of MATLAB through a web browser interface. The web-based graphical user interface (GUI) provides the means for the user to input system parameters and the display of the analysis results. The examples presented demonstrate the required clarity of the developed GUI, and the nature and type of the results returned to the web browser of the user in real time. This environment has the capability to return to the user textual, graphical, pictorial, and animation related material. The user has the option to download analysis results in any of the generated forms to the client computer. This work demonstrates the ease of implementation and advantages of using this technology to aid in classroom instruction. Users with Internet can access the developed simulation modules at http://zodhia.uta.edu/development. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 109,120, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.10019 [source] Integrating Messy Genetic Algorithms and Simulation to Optimize Resource UtilizationCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009Tao-ming Cheng Various resource distribution modeling scenarios were tested in simulation to determine their system performances. MGA operations were then applied in the selection of the best resource utilization schemes based on those performances. A case study showed that this new modeling mechanism, along with the implemented computer program, could not only ease the process of developing optimal resource utilization, but could also improve the system performance of the simulation model. [source] Schemes for avoiding starvation in transactional memory systemsCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 7 2009M. M. Waliullah Abstract Transactional memory systems trade ease of programming with run-time performance losses in handling transactions. This paper focuses on starvation effects that show up in systems where unordered transactions are committed on a demand-driven basis. Such simple commit arbitration policies are prone to starvation. The design issues for commit arbitration policies are analyzed and novel policies that reduce the amount of wasted computation due to roll-back and, most important, that avoid starvation are proposed. We analyze in detail how to incorporate them in the transactional coherence and consistency protocol as well as a scalable version of it. The proposed schemes are shown to have no impact on the common-case performance and add quite modest complexity to the baseline protocol. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Stylet Bend Angles and Tracheal Tube Passage Using a Straight-to-cuff ShapeACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2006Richard M. Levitan MD Abstract Objectives Malleable stylets improve maneuverability and control during tube insertion, but after passage through the vocal cords the stiffened tracheal tube may impinge on the tracheal rings, preventing passage. The goal of this study was to assess insertion difficulty with styletted tubes of different bend angles. Methods Tube passage was assessed with four different bend angles (25°, 35°, 45°, and 60°) using straight-to-cuff,shaped tubes. In two separate airway procedure classes, 16 operators in each class (32 total) placed randomly ordered styletted tubes of the different angles into eight cadavers (16 total). Operators subjectively graded the ease of tube passage as no resistance, some resistance, or impossible to advance. Results No resistance was reported in 69.1% (177/256) at 25°, in 63.7% (163/256) at 35°, in 39.4% (101/256) at 45°, and in 8.9% (22/256) at 60°. Tube passage was impossible in 2.3% of insertions (6/256) at 25°, in 3.5% (9/256) at 35°, in 11.3% (29/256) at 45°, and in 53.9% (138/256) at 60°. The odds ratios of impossible tube passage for 35°, 45°, and 60° vs. 25° were 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 to 4.16), 5.32 (95% CI = 2.22 to 12.71), and 48.72 (95% CI = 21.35 to 111.03), respectively. Conclusions Bend angles beyond 35° with straight-to-cuff styletted tracheal tubes increase the risk of difficult and impossible tube passage into the trachea. The authors did not compare different stylet stopping points, stylets of different stiffness, or tracheal tubes with different tip designs, all variables that can affect tube passage. [source] Simulating multiple inheritance in JavaCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 12 2002Douglas Lyon Abstract The CentiJ system automatically generates code that simulates multiple inheritance in Java. The generated code inputs a series of instances and outputs specifications that can be combined using multiple inheritance. The multiple inheritance of implementation is obtained by simple message forwarding. The reflection API of Java is used to reverse engineer the instances, and so the program can generate source code, but does not require source code on its input. Advantages of CentiJ include compile-time type checking, speed of execution, automatic disambiguation (name space collision resolution) and ease of maintenance. Simulation of multiple inheritance was previously available only to Java programmers who performed manual delegation or who made use of dynamic proxies. The technique has been applied at a major aerospace corporation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pulmonary diffusion and aerobic capacity: is there a relation?ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010Does obesity matter? Abstract Aim:, We sought to determine whether pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO), carbon monoxide (DLCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) at rest predict peak aerobic capacity (O2peak), and if so, to discern which measure predicts better. Methods:, Thirty-five individuals with extreme obesity (body mass index or BMI = 50 ± 8 kg m,2) and 26 fit, non-obese subjects (BMI = 23 ± 2 kg m,2) participated. DLNO and DLCO at rest were first measured. Then, subjects performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine O2peak. Multivariate regression was used to assess relations in the data. Results:, Findings indicate that (i) pulmonary diffusion at rest predicts O2peak in the fit and obese when measured with DLNO, but only in the fit when measured with DLCO; (ii) the observed relation between pulmonary diffusion at rest and O2peak is different in the fit and obese; (iii) DLNO explains O2peak better than DLCO or Vc. The findings imply the following reference equations for DLNO: O2peak (mL kg,1 min,1) = 6.81 + 0.27 × DLNO for fit individuals; O2peak (mL kg,1 min,1) = 6.81 + 0.06 × DLNO, for obese individuals (in both groups, adjusted R2 = 0.92; RMSE = 5.58). Conclusion:, Pulmonary diffusion at rest predicts O2peak, although a relation exists for obese subjects only when DLNO is used, and the magnitude of the relation depends on gender when either DLCO or Vc is used. We recommend DLNO as a measure of pulmonary diffusion, both for its ease of collection as well as its tighter relation with O2peak. [source] Reducing threats to species: threat reversibility and links to industryCONSERVATION LETTERS, Issue 4 2010Laura R. Prugh Abstract Threats to species' persistence are typically mitigated via lengthy and costly recovery planning processes that are implemented only after species are at risk of extinction. To reduce overall threats and minimize risks to species not yet imperiled, a proactive and broad-scale framework is needed. Using data on threats to imperiled species in Canada to illustrate our approach, we link threats to industries causing the harm, thus providing regulators with quantitative data that can be used directly in cost-benefit and risk analyses to broadly reduce threat levels. We then show how ranking the ease of threat abatement and reversal assists prioritization by identifying threats that are easiest to mitigate as well as threats that are possible to abate but nearly impossible to reverse. This new framework increases the usefulness of widely available threat data for preventative conservation and species recovery. [source] Slit-flow ektacytometry: Laser diffraction in a slit rheometerCYTOMETRY, Issue 1 2005Sehyun Shin Abstract Background Deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) is a determinant of blood flow resistance as RBCs pass through small capillaries of the microcirculation. Available techniques for measuring RBC deformability often require a washing process after each measurement, which is not optimal for day-to-day clinical use. Methods A laser diffraction technique has been combined with slit-flow rheometry, which shows significant advances in ektacytometric design, operation, and data analysis. The essential features of this design are its simplicity (ease of operation and no moving parts) and a disposable element that is in contact with the blood sample. Results With slit ektacytometry, the deformation of RBCs subjected to continuously decreasing shear stress in a slit flow can be quickly measured with extremely small quantities of blood. The measurements with the slit ektacytometer were compared with those of LORCA and a strong correlation was apparent. The deformability of the hardened RBCs was markedly lower than that of the normal RBCs. In addition, the young cells showed higher values of the elongation index than did the old cells. Conclusions The newly developed slit ektacytometer can measure RBC deformability with ease and accuracy. In addition, the slit ektacytometer can be easily used in a clinical setting owing to the incorporation of a disposable element that holds the blood sample. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Paper Versus Electronic Medical Records: The Effects of Access on Physicians' Decisions to Use Complex Information Technologies,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 2 2009Virginia Ilie ABSTRACT This study examines physicians' responses to complex information technologies (IT) in the health care supply chain. We extend individual-level IT adoption models by incorporating a new construct: system accessibility. The main premise of the study is, when faced with a decision between alternate IT systems, individual users tend to select and make use of the technology or system that is most readily accessible. We discuss both physical and logical dimensions of accessibility as they relate to adoption of electronic medical records (EMR). Physical accessibility refers to the availability of computers that can be used to access EMR, while logical accessibility refers to the ease or difficulty of logging into the system. Using data from a survey of 199 physicians practicing in a large U.S. hospital, we show that, when deciding between the paper chart and EMR, accessibility is an important consideration in a physician's decision to use the system. Both dimensions of accessibility act as barriers to EMR use intentions through their indirect effect on physicians' perceptions of EMR usefulness and ease of use. Logical access also has a direct effect on EMR use intentions. We conclude that accessibility is an important factor that limits acceptance of complex IT such as EMR. [source] Crescent Versus Rectangle: Is It a True Negative Margin in Second and Subsequent Stages of Mohs Surgery?DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2010YUE YU MD BACKGROUND The hallmark of Mohs micrographic surgery is using tangential tissue sections that theoretically allow 100% of the tissue margin to be examined, but when taking additional layers for second and subsequent Mohs stages, no detailed methods have been described to ensure that 100% of the tissue margins are analyzed. METHOD A rectangular or a crescent-shaped layer is often used to take second and subsequent stages. Here we compare the two techniques for their theoretic advantages and disadvantages. SUMMARY The advantage of the rectangular shape has been ease of processing, as well as built in vertical "nicks" that automatically mark the border of the tissue removed, but the rectangular layer may not provide 100% evaluation of the tumor margin because the vertical edges of the rectangular layer are not always completely analyzed, and thus tumor cells cannot be visualized in the vertical margins of these layers. This might result in a false-negative margin reading, which can be avoided by using the crescent layer. CONCLUSION We propose taking second and subsequent Mohs layers with only a crescent shape, which allows true 100% tissue margin assessment. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. [source] Viability of Preadipocytes In Vitro: The Influence of Local Anesthetics and pHDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 8 2009MAIKE KECK MD BACKGROUND Autogenous fat transfer with lipoinjection for soft tissue augmentation is a commonly used surgical technique. Abundant donor tissue availability and relative ease of harvesting have made autologous fat an attractive soft tissue filler. The overall reliability of this technique is often disputed, and different authors describe different results after autologous fat transplantation despite using similar techniques. In this study, we examined the influence of different local anesthetics commonly used in fat harvest and the pH of the anesthetic solution on the viability of harvested preadipocytes. METHODS AND MATERIALS Preadipocytes were incubated with 1% lidocaine, 1% articaine plus epinephrine 1:200,000, 0.75% ropivacaine, and 1% prilocaine or our standardized tumescent solution (1 L of 0.9% sodium chloride solution plus 25 mL of 1% articaine plus epinephrine 1:200,000 plus 25 mL of bicarbonate) for 30 minutes. Additionally, we incubated cells with the local anesthetics as described above but diluted 1:2 with phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4). Viability was measured using trypan blue dying as well as propidium iodine staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. RESULTS There are significant differences in the viability of preadipocytes under the influence of various local anesthetics. DISCUSSION Our data could partially explain the varying results after autogenous fat transfer. [source] A Randomized, Bilateral, Prospective Comparison of Calcium Hydroxylapatite Microspheres versus Human-Based Collagen for the Correction of Nasolabial FoldsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2007STACY SMITH MD BACKGROUND Current soft tissue fillers are a compromise between ease of use, duration of correction, reactivity, and cost. A product utilizing calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is currently being used as a soft tissue filler. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of CaHA microspheres versus human-based collagen for the correction of nasolabial folds. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four centers enrolled 117 subjects with moderate to deep nasolabial folds. Subjects received CaHA on one side of the face and human collagen on the other. Up to two touch-ups were allowed. A blinded panel of experts evaluated subject photographs from initial and follow-up visits. RESULTS Seventy-nine percent of subjects had superior improvement on the CaHA side through 6 months (p<.0001). For optimal correction, significantly less volume and fewer injections were needed for CaHA than for collagen (p<.0001). Adverse event rates were comparable, with some increase in bruising and edema for CaHA-treated sides. Adverse event duration was similar for both groups and generally resolved within 14 to 21 days. CONCLUSION This CaHA-based product gives significantly longer-lasting correction of nasolabial folds compared to human collagen. Less total material and fewer injections are required. The adverse event profile of the product is similar to the collagen-based product. [source] A Review of the Biologic Effects, Clinical Efficacy, and Safety of Silicone Elastomer Sheeting for Hypertrophic and Keloid Scar Treatment and ManagementDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2007BRIAN BERMAN MD Silicone elastomer sheeting is a medical device used to prevent the development of and improve the appearance and feel of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The precise mechanism of action of silicone elastomer sheeting has not been defined, but clinical trials report that this device is safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars if worn over the scar for 12 to 24 hours per day for at least 2 to 3 months. Some of the silicone elastomer sheeting products currently on the market are durable and adhere well to the skin. These products are an attractive treatment option because of their ease of use and low risk of adverse effects compared to other treatments, such as surgical excision, intralesional corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, radiation, laser treatment, and cryotherapy. Additional controlled clinical trials with large patient populations may provide further evidence for the efficacy of silicone elastomer sheeting in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on silicone elastomer sheeting products and to discuss their clinical application in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||