Simulation of main plasma parameters of a cylindrical asymmetric capacitively coupled plasma micro-thruster using computational fluid dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a radio-frequency (13.56 MHz) electrothermal capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) micro-thruster have been performed using the commercial CFD-ACE+ package. Standard operating conditions of a 10W, 1.5 Torr argon discharge were used to compare with previously obtained experimental results for validation. Results show that the driving force behind plasma production within the thruster is ion-induced secondary electrons ejected from the surface of the discharge tube, accelerated through the sheath to electron temperatures up to 33.5 eV. The secondary electron coefficient was varied to determine the effect on the discharge, with results showing that full breakdown of the discharge did not occur for coefficients less than or equal to 0.01

Ovarian cancer cell lines derived from non-serous carcinomas migrate and invade more aggressively than those derived from high-grade serous carcinomas

Abstract The term ovarian cancer describes a heterogeneous group of tumours that grow in the ovary but are not necessarily of ovarian origin. Recent genomic analysis has shown that many of the most commonly used ovarian cancer cell lines have been mischaracterised, leading to erroneous conclusions and a gap in the translation of laboratory research into novel treatments for patients. Here, we use 10 epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines to investigate 2D migration, cell cycle parameters and 3D invasion behaviour into different substrates and find significant differences between the behaviours of cell lines from different origins. Cell lines derived from non-serous carcinomas migrated more quickly and were more likely to invade into Matrigel and collagen I substrates than cell lines derived from high-grade serous carcinomas. However not all cell lines derived from non-serous carcinomas exhibited similar invasive behaviour. These findings may reflect differences in the behaviour of the primary tumour types from which the cell lines were derived, given that high-grade serous carcinomas typically expand and spread over peritoneal surfaces. These results provide the basis of an in vitro model for identifying differences between ovarian cancer tumour types

Liberty Bell Hospital: A Case Study In Employee Information Systems Fraud

Information systems provide an attractive opportunity for dishonest employees in sensitive job positions to develop and implement a fraudulent scheme. Many different types of technical information systems controls help prevent these situations from occurring and can also detect occurrences after they have happened. However, in some cases, employees are able to circumvent critical segregation of duties. In addition, management of a company may override traditional internal controls in order to achieve business objectives. Overriding internal controls can produce an environment that is conducive to fraud.Internal auditors with an information systems specialty can often identify red flags prior to fraudulent acts taking place in the organization. This allows an organization to utilize preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of a fraud occurring. In a specific situation where an information system fraud is suspected, internal auditors are often charged with leading the investigation. This case analyzes an employee fraud involving a breakdown of internal information technology and management controls, falsification of business records, and a lack of segregation of duties. This case is designed for use in either an undergraduate auditing, information systems security, accounting ethics, internal auditing, computer ethics or other related class. Its primary purpose is to introduce students to a very common type of employee fraud and to illustrate how professional guidance can be applied in such a situation. While the case is based on a true situation, all identities have been modified to protect each individuals right to privacy

Sex Differences in rt-PA Utilization at Hospitals Treating Stroke: The National Inpatient Sample.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sex and race disparities in recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) use have been reported. We sought to explore sex and race differences in the utilization of rt-PA at primary stroke centers (PSCs) compared to non-PSCs across the US. METHODS: Data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2004-2010 was utilized to assess sex differences in treatment for ischemic stroke in PSCs compared to non-PSCs. RESULTS: There were 304,152 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke between 2004 and 2010 in the analysis: 75,160 (24.7%) patients were evaluated at a PSC. A little over half of the patients evaluated at PSCs were female (53.8%). A lower proportion of women than men received rt-PA at both PSCs (6.8 vs. 7.5%, p \u3c 0.001) and non-PSCs (2.3 vs. 2.8%, p \u3c 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders the odds of being treated with rt-PA remained lower for women regardless of presentation to a PSC (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.94) or non-PSC (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.94). After stratifying by sex and race, the lowest absolute treatment rates were observed in black women (4.4% at PSC, 1.9% at non-PSC). The odds of treatment, relative to white men, was however lowest for white women (PSC OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.93; non-PSC OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.85). In the multivariable model, sex did not modify the effect of PSC certification on rt-PA utilization (p-value for interaction = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Women are less likely to receive rt-PA than men at both PSCs and non-PSCs. Absolute treatment rates are lowest in black women, although the relative difference in men and women was greatest for white women

Current Status of Ureteric Stents on Extraction Strings and Other Non-cystoscopic Removal Methods in the Paediatric Setting: A Systematic Review on Behalf of the European Association of Urology (EAU) Young Academic Urology (YAU) Urolithiasis Group

Ureteric stents are an important tool in urology and have a wide range of indications. While they offer a number of advantages, limitations remain despite modern advancements. These include discomfort, migration and encrustation. Standard removal is via cystoscopy but in the paediatric setting this mandates general anaesthetic, which holds disadvantages. Alternative removal methods include use of extraction strings and magnetic retrieval devices, which can be performed in the outpatient setting. This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of different non-cystoscopic methods for stent removal in the paediatric setting.publishedVersio

The Forum: Spring 2010

Spring 2010 journal of the Honors Program at the University of North Dakota. The issue includes stories, poems, essays and art by undergraduate students.https://commons.und.edu/und-books/1063/thumbnail.jp

Postexercise hot-water immersion does not further enhance heat adaptation or performance in endurance athletes training in a hot environment

Purpose: Hot-water immersion (HWI) after training in temperate conditions has been shown to induce thermophysiological adaptations and improve endurance performance in the heat; however, the potential additive effects of HWI and training in hot outdoor conditions remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of repeated postexercise HWI in athletes training in a hot environment. Methods: A total of 13 (9 female) elite/preelite racewalkers completed a 15-day training program in outdoor heat (mean afternoon high temperature = 34.6°C). Athletes were divided into 2 matched groups that completed either HWI (40°C for 30–40 min) or seated rest in 21°C (CON), following 8 training sessions. Pre–post testing included a 30-minute fixed-intensity walk in heat, laboratory incremental walk to exhaustion, and 10,000-m outdoor time trial. Results: Training frequency and volume were similar between groups (P = .54). Core temperature was significantly higher during immersion in HWI (38.5 [0.3]) than CON (37.8°C [0.2°C]; P .05). There were significant (P < .05) pre–post differences for both groups in submaximal exercising heart rate (∼11 beats·min−1), sweat rate (0.34–0.55 L·h−1) and thermal comfort (1.2–1.5 arbitrary units), and 10,000-m racewalking performance time (∼3 min). Conclusions: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in markers of heat adaptation and performance; however, the addition of HWI did not provide further enhancements. Improvements in adaptation appeared to be maximized by the training program in hot conditions

Post-exercise hot-water immersion does not further enhance heat adaptation or performance in endurance athletes training in hot environment

INTRODUCTION: Hot-water immersion (HWI) after training in temperate conditions has been shown to induce thermophysiological adaptations and improve endurance performance in the heat, however, the potential additive effects of HWI and training in hot outdoor conditions remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of repeated post-exercise HWI in athletes training in a hot environment. METHODS: Thirteen (9 female) elite/pre-elite partially heat acclimatized racewalkers completed a 15-day training program in outdoor heat (mean afternoon high temperature=34.6°C). Athletes were divided into two groups matched for VO2max and 10,000 m walking performance time that completed either HWI (40°C for 30-40 min) or seated rest in 21°C (CON), following 8 training sessions. Pre-post testing included a 30-min fixed-intensity walk in heat, laboratory incremental walk to exhaustion and 10,000 m outdoor time-trial. RESULTS: Training frequency and volume was similar between groups (P=0.54). Core temperature was significantly higher during immersion in HWI (38.5 ± 0.3) than CON (37.8 ± 0.2°C; P0.05). There were significant (P<0.05) pre-post differences for both groups in submaximal exercising heart rate (~11 bpm) sweat rate (0.34-0.55 L.h-1) and thermal comfort (1.2–1.5 arbitrary units), and 10,000 m racewalking performance time (~3 min). CONCLUSION: After a 15-day heat training intervention, we observed significantly improved submaximal exercising heart rate, sweat rate, and thermal comfort, as well as improved 10,000 m racewalking performance in both groups. However, the addition of HWI did not further enhance heat adaptation or performance in partially heat-acclimatized athletes. Physiological adaptation appeared to be optimized from training in hot conditions alone

Speechreading ability is related to phonological awareness and single-word reading in both deaf and hearing children

Purpose. Speechreading (lipreading) is a correlate of reading ability in both deaf and hearing children. We investigated whether the relationship between speechreading and single-word reading is mediated by phonological awareness in deaf and hearing children. Method. In two separate studies, 66 deaf children and 138 hearing children, aged 5–8 years old, were assessed on measures of speechreading, phonological awareness, and single-word reading. We assessed the concurrent relationships between latent variables measuring speechreading, phonological awareness, and single-word reading. Results. In both deaf and hearing children, there was a strong relationship between speechreading and single-word reading, which was fully mediated by phonological awareness. Conclusions. These results are consistent with ideas from previous studies that visual speech information contributes to the development of phonological representations in both deaf and hearing children, which, in turn, support learning to read. Future longitudinal and training studies are required to establish whether these relationships reflect causal effects