Neural Models of Reaching

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-1309, N00014-95-1-0409, N00014-95-1-0657

Water hyacinth infestation: nuisance or nugget

(11 page document

Physical Facilities for Holistic Education: Lessons from Secondary Schools in Kiambu and Samburu Counties, Kenya

This paper is premised on the background that majority of researchers and educationists who have contributed to the discourse on education for sustainability seem to be in agreement that management of physical facilities  are critical ingredients in achieving holistic and sustainable education. The study examined the application of physical facilities   as determinants of holistic education in Kiambu and Samburu Counties, Kenya. The study employed an explanatory mixed methods research design, using a sample size of 707 respondents. The main research instruments used to collect data were questionnaires, interview guides and observation checklists. The findings revealed mixed results with principals attaching higher premium than the senior teachers and students on   the use of physical facilities as a determinant of holistic education. The test of hypothesis revealed a significant relationship between physical facilities and holistic education. The regression analysis corroborated by qualitative data from interviews and observations led to the conclusion that the use of academic and non-academic dynamics such as physical facilities were viable and timely ingredients for sustainable and holistic educational development. It was thus recommended that educationists and school leaders and managers should   adopt a well-balanced combinations of academic and non-academic variables such as physical facilities and environmental management in designing holistic education to replace the traditional use of only academic excellence. Key words: Education, Environment, Physical facilities, sustainable development, Kenya

J Registry Manag

Objectives:We aim to assess external and internal attributes and operations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\u2019s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) central cancer registries by their consistency in meeting national data quality standards.Methods:The NPCR 2017 Program Evaluation Instrument (PEI) data were used to assess registry operational attributes, including adoption of electronic reporting, compliance with reporting, staffing, and software used among 46 NPCR registries. These factors were stratified by (1) registries that met the NPCR 12-month standards for all years 2014\u20132017; (2) registries that met the NPCR 12-month standards at least once in 2014\u20132017 and met the NPCR 24-month standards for all years 2014\u20132017; and (3) registries that did not meet the NPCR 24-month standards for all years 2014\u20132017. Statistical tests helped identify significant differences among registries that consistently, sometimes, or seldom/never achieved data standards.Results:Registries that always met the standards had a higher level of electronic reporting and a higher compliance with reporting among hospitals than registries that sometimes or seldom/never met the standards. Although not a statistically significant finding, the same registries also had a higher proportion of staffing positions filled, a higher proportion of certified tumor registrars, and more quality assurance and information technology staff.Conclusions:This information may be used to understand the importance of various factors and characteristics, including the adoption of electronic reporting, that may be associated with a registry\u2019s ability to consistently meet NPCR standards. The findings may be helpful in identifying best practices for processing high-quality cancer data.CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States

Venous outflow of the leg: Anatomy and physiologic mechanism of the plantar venous plexus

AbstractPurpose: Mechanisms of venous outflow from the leg and foot have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomy and physiologic mechanism of the plantar venous plexus and its impact on venous drainage from the tibial veins.Methods: Fifty phlebograms that contained complete foot and calf films were reviewed. On lateral films, the number of veins in the plantar venous plexus and its tibial outflow tract were counted. The length and diameter of the longest vein in the plantar venous system and the length of the foot arch were measured. The ratio of the length of the plantar venous plexus to the arch length was calculated. The presence or absence of valves within the plexus was recorded. Plantar venous plexus outflow was evaluated by an duplex ultrasonographic scan of the posterior tibial, anterior tibial, and peroneal veins during intermittent external pneumatic compression of the plantar surface of the foot.Results: The plantar venous plexus was composed of one to four large veins (mean, 2.7 veins) within the plantar aspect of the foot. The diameter of these veins was 4.0 ± 1.2 mm. The veins coursed diagonally from a lateral position in the forefoot to a medial position at the level of the ankle, spanning 75% of the foot arch. Prominent valves were recognized within the plantar veins in 22 of 50 patients. The plexus coalesced into an outflow tract of one to four veins (mean, 2.5 veins) that flowed exclusively into the posterior tibial venous system. Small accessory veins that drained the plantar surface of the forefoot flowed into either the posterior tibial or peroneal veins. This pattern of selective drainage of the plantar venous plexus was confirmed by duplex imaging. Mechanical compression of the plantar venous plexus produced a mean peak velocity in the posterior tibial veins of 123 ± 71 cm/sec, in the anterior tibial veins of 24 ± 14 cm/sec, and in the peroneal veins of 29 ± 26 cm/sec.Conclusions: The plantar venous plexus is composed of multiple large-diameter veins that span the arch of the foot. Compression of the plantar venous plexus, such as that which occurs during ambulation, is capable of significantly increasing flow through the posterior tibial venous system into the popliteal vein. Its function may be integral to venous outflow from the calf and priming of the more proximal calf muscle pump. (J Vasc Surg 1996;24:819-24.

Effective inhomogeneous inflation: curvature inhomogeneities of the Einstein vacuum

We consider spatially averaged inhomogeneous universe models and argue that, already in the absence of sources, an effective scalar field arises through foliating and spatially averaging inhomogeneous geometrical curvature invariants of the Einstein vacuum. This scalar field (the `morphon') acts as an inflaton, if we prescribe a potential of some generic form. We show that, for any initially negative average spatial curvature, the morphon is driven through an inflationary phase and leads - on average - to a spatially flat, homogeneous and isotropic universe model, providing initial conditions for pre-heating and, by the same mechanism, a possibly natural self-exit.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Class. Quant. Grav. as Fast Track Communicatio

Periprosthetic leak and rupture after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: The significance of device design for long-term results

AbstractWe present a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with an endovascular bifurcated aortic graft in which a periprosthetic leak caused by a tear in the polyester prosthesis appeared between 9 and 12 months after surgery. The tear appeared adjacent to a suture breakage that caused separation of two struts of the nitinol wire framework in the body of the stent graft. The leak was sealed with insertion of a new endovascular tube graft into the body of the bifurcation. Eight months later, the patient had a nonfatal rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm because detachment of the second limb from the bifurcation caused a new major periprosthetic leak. According to the manufacturer of this device, suture breakage with separation of metal components is commonly seen, but perforation of the polyester prosthesis caused by movement of the metal stent against the fabric has not been reported. It is likely that this occurred in our patient. Detachment of the second limb from the bifurcated stent, causing a rupture, has been described before. Increasing angulation and tortuosity of the stent graft, as a result of either remodeling of the sac or elongation of the stent, and reduced compliance to angulation after the stent-in-stent procedure might have contributed to the detachment in this case. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:1152-8.

From the Margin to the Centre: Creative Footprints of Self-taught Artists in Modern Nigerian Art

Self-taught art is a reflection of man’s innate creative ability. In Nigeria, self-taught artists have, at various periods and through diverse creative channels, contributed significantly to the development and dynamism of Nigeria’s art modernism. However, unlike in the West where considerable interest, research and documentation have been accorded self-taught art, this terrain remains highly uncharted and as such, inadequately documented in the discourse on modern Nigerian art. No museum or gallery specifically caters for this creative niche; no exhibition as yet, has showcased the works of these artists under the umbrella of self-taught art. This paper seeks to highlight the phenomenon of self-taught art in Nigeria by discussing its history as well as the creative footprints of some self-taught artists whose art careers are representative of its manifestation in modern Nigerian art. Textual and visual materials were used in order to facilitate a better understanding of self-taught art in Nigeria. Self-taught artists in Nigeria consciously strive to locate their art practice within the corridors of mainstream art through active participation in art exhibitions. Practicing within the framework of a globalized art space has equally granted these artists access to new media, emergent art trends and the economic dynamics of the art marketplace. This has made for vibrant and artistically fecund studio practices which have contributed to the diversity and richness of modern Nigerian art. Self-taught artists have shown that one could have a successful art practice without formal art training. Keywords – mainstream art, modern Nigerian art, self-taught art, self-taught artists

Sandie v. Atty Gen USA

Agenc

Fingerprint Biometric Authentication Based Point of Sale Terminal

Retail businesses that are not transacted online still represent a substantial amount of retail deals that are closed on a daily basis. Retail business owners and customers continue to explore other means of ensuring payments made with Point of Sale (POS) devices are done securely. This paper proposes the incorporation of fingerprint biometric recognition as an additional layer of protection to the customary pin and password requirements to gain permission to pay for goods purchased and services rendered using point of sale devices. The proposed fingerprint biometric recognition point of sale device has zero false match and false non‐match rate. This strengthens the present authentication process that makes use of pins and passwords that are prone to fraud and solidifies the trust and confidence users place on point of sale devices