Light Source using Emitting Particles to Provide Visible Light

Upconversion methods and devices that converts near-infrared light to the visible spectrum using a rare-earth-doped crystalline host for use as general and decorative lighting. The pseudo-monochromatic output of the processes can be specified by altering the amount and type of rare-earth material used and by selection of an appropriate host. Using rare-earth materials such as ytterbium-erbium or ytterbium-thulium can produce red, green and blue emissions, where the additive mixture of these colors yields a high-quality white light. The materials can be adjusted to achieve white light with any color temperature and high color-rendering index (CRI) for any general and decorative lighting applications both indoors and outdoors

TWO-STAGE TESTING PROCEDURES.

Two-stage testing procedures are proposed for three statistical problems: one-way analysis of variance and testing the mean of a multivariate normal distribution with first known, and then unknown, covariance matrix. For the first and third problems, a method of obtaining critical values is proposed and evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, for these two problems, two versions of the general F-2 procedure proposed by Chase and Hewett in 1976 are examined. Comparisons between all of the procedures and the corresponding fixed sample size, or one-stage, procedures are made in terms of power and expected sample size. The two-stage procedures proposed here are shown to have power curves that are similar to the one-stage curves while producing lower expected sample size. Thus, the experimenter may use the two-stage procedures to reduce the average sample size without affecting the Type II error.Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1981 .B388. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-03, Section: B, page: 1046. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1981

Improving colon cancer screening in community clinics: CRC Screening and Community Clinics

We evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two interventions designed to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in safety-net settings

Customer satisfaction and price tolerance

This study investigates the association between customer satisfaction and willingness-to-pay or price tolerance. The goal is not only to determine whether the association between customer satisfaction and price tolerance is positive or negative but also to gauge the degree of association. The Swedish Customer Satisfaction Barometer provides the data. The empirical analysis indicates a negative association between the level of customer satisfaction provided by the firm and the degree of price tolerance exhibited by its customers. However, a positive association is found between year-to-year changes in the levels of customer satisfaction and price tolerance.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47216/1/11002_2004_Article_BF00435742.pd

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research