Simple Monte Carlo Cellular Models for Surface Evolution

Monte Carlo cellular simulations are described for some simple surface evolution models. Surface growth is simulated by adding new cells to the surface. The bonding of a new cell arriving to a site on the surface depends on the number of cells present around that site; new cells are more likely to stick at sites with the fewest missing surrounding cells. Applications are given for simulating the propagation of a flame front and the formation of surface landforms; and the (anisotropic) growth of a crystal, where the surface may grow more rapidly in one direction than others

Late Corneal Thinning and Keratitis following Mitomycin-C use in Pterygium Surgery

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The Accuracy of the Broselow™ Pediatric Emergency Tape for Weight Estimation in an Omani Paediatric Population

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Broselow™ Pediatric Emergency Tape (BT) for estimating weight in an Omani paediatric population at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2015. The electronic medical records of Omani outpatients <14 years old attending the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between July 2009 and June 2013 were reviewed for recorded height and weight data. The BT Version 2002A was used to predict weight based on actual height measurements. Predicted weight measurements were then compared with actual weight to determine the accuracy of the estimation. Results: A total of 3,339 children were included in the study, of which 43.5% were female and 56.5% were male. The mean age was 6.4 ± 3.1 years and the mean height was 93.2 ± 23.5 cm. The mean actual weight was 13.9 ± 6.7 kg while the mean BT-predicted weight was 14.4 ± 6.9 kg. The BT-predicted weight estimations correlated significantly with actual weight measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.97; P <0.001). A Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the BT performed well when estimating weight among Omani children, with an overestimation of only 0.5 kg for the entire cohort. Conclusion: The BT was found to be an effective tool for estimating weight according to body length in an Omani paediatric population. It should therefore be considered for use in emergency situations when actual weight cannot be determined

Xanthotoxin and Other Furanocoumarins as Phytoalexins in Pastinaca sativa L. roots

Our results confirm the presence of the furanocoumarins psoralen, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, angelicin and bergapten as normal constituents of Pastinaca sativa roots.  However, the amounts of these compounds were increased in induced roots.  The amount of increase in the induced roots varied depending on the inducing agent and time of incubation. In addition the results show for the first time the presence of pimpinellin and isobergapten as constitutive antifungal compounds in P. sativa roots

A Phonological Awareness Test in Arabic Language for Young Learners: Validation Study

A wide variety of tests measures phonemic and phonological awareness in different languages. There are very few tools of phonemic and phonological awareness in Arabic language. Such tools help to identify students’ weaknesses and strengths especially in early stages of their schooling for better instruction and intervention. Although Arabic phonetically maps between letters and sounds, it is not an easy language to read because of challenges inherent to the structure of the language itself. This paper explores a validation study of Arabic phonological awareness tests for kindergartners and first graders in Oman. Two different tests of phonological awareness and common skills were developed for two samples: kindergartners (n = 113) and first graders (n = 70). Results support the validity and reliability of the two tests and suggest that they can be used as diagnostic tools to identify children with low phonological awareness and help initiate appropriate reading intervention programs for them

The hyperfine properties of a hydrogenated Fe/V superlattice

: We study the effect of hydrogen on the electronic, magnetic and hyperfine structures of an iron-vanadium superlattice consisting of three Fe monolayers and nine V monolayers. The contact charge density ({\rho}), the contact hyperfine field (Bhf) and the electronic field gradient (EFG) at the Fe sites for different H locations and H fillings are calculated using the first principle full-potential linear-augmented-plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method . It is found that sizeable changes in the hyperfine properties are obtained only when H is in the interface region.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables, ICAME 2011 conference (Kobe, Japan

Non-Isothermal Model for Nematic Spherulite Growth

A computational study of the growth of two-dimensional nematic spherulites in an isotropic phase was performed using a Landau-de Gennes type quadrupolar ensor order parameter model for the first-order isotropic/nematic transition of 5CB (pentyl-cyanobiphenyl). An energy balance, taking anisotropy into account, was derived and incorporated into the time-dependent model. Growth laws were determined for two different spherulite morphologies of the form tn, with and without the inclusion of thermal effects. Results show that incorporation of the thermal energy balance correctly predicts the transition of the growth law exponent from the volume driven regime (n=1) to the thermally limited regime (approaching n=0.5), agreeing well with experimental observations. An interfacial nemato-dynamic model is used to gain insight into the interactions that result in the progression of different spherulite growth regimes

A Mixed-Methods, Randomized Clinical Trial to Examine Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Management and Diabetes Risk Reduction Intervention for African Americans with Prediabetes

African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related conditions, including diabetes and diabetes-related morbidity. Psychological stress may negatively influence engagement in risk-reducing lifestyle changes (physical activity and healthy eating) and stress-related physiology that increase diabetes risk. ,is study examined the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial comparing a novel mindfulness-based stress management program combined with diabetes risk-reduction education versus a conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program among African American adults with prediabetes and self-reported life stress. Participants were recruited in collaboration with community partners and randomized to the mindfulness- based diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (MPD; n = 38) or the conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (CPD; n = 30). The mindfulness components were adapted from the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program. The diabetes risk-reduction components were adapted from the Power to Prevent Program and the Diabetes Prevention Program. Groups met for eight weeks for 2.5 hours, with a half-day retreat and six-monthly boosters. Mixed-methods strategies were used to assess feasibility. Psychological, behavioral, and metabolic data were collected before the intervention and at three and six months postintervention to examine within-group change and feasibility of collecting such data in future clinical efficacy research. Participants reported acceptability, credibility, and cultural relevance of the intervention components. Enrollment of eligible participants (79%), intervention session attendance (76.5%), retention (90%), and postintervention data collection attendance (83%, 82%, and 78%, respectively) demonstrated feasibility, and qualitative data provided information to further enhance feasibility in future studies. Both groups exhibited an A1C reduction. MPD participants had reductions in perceived stress, BMI, calorie, carbohydrate and fat intake, and increases in spiritual well-being. Considering the high prevalence of diabetes and diabetes-related complications in African Americans, these novel findings provide promising guidance to develop a larger trial powered to examine efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress management and diabetes risk reduction education program for African Americans with prediabetes

Simple Monte Carlo Cellular Models for Surface Evolution

Monte Carlo cellular simulations are described for some simple surface evolution models. Surface growth is simulated by adding new cells to the surface. The bonding of a new cell arriving to a site on the surface depends on the number of cells present around that site; new cells are more likely to stick at sites with the fewest missing surrounding cells. Applications are given for simulating the propagation of a flame front and the formation of surface landforms; and the (anisotropic) growth of a crystal, where the surface may grow more rapidly in one direction than others