Performance and Potential of Presidential Primary Laws

I. Introduction II. History and Purpose III. Placing the Candidates on the Ballot … A. Date of the Primary … B. Consent and Withdrawal Provisions … C. Favorite Sons … D. When No Candidates Enter the Primary or Petitioners Do Not Enter Them … E. Write-In Votes … F. No Preference Votes … G. Expense Factor … H. Registration as a Safeguard to Parties IV. The Preference Vote and Election of Delegates … A. Direct Preference Vote … B. Direct Preference Vote Showing Delegates’ Choice … C. Indirect Preference Vote … D. The Slate Method … E. New Approaches V. Effects of the Primary on the National Conventions … A. Effect on Party Nominations … 1. Indirect Effect … 2. Direct Effect … a. When the winner’s name was written-in … b. When one candidate is on the ballot … c. When two candidates out of three or more are on the ballot … d. When all of the candidates are on the ballot … 3. Binding Provisions … B. Effect of the Primary on Procedural Aspects of the Convention VI. Conclusion Appendi

Performance and Potential of Presidential Primary Laws

I. Introduction II. History and Purpose III. Placing the Candidates on the Ballot … A. Date of the Primary … B. Consent and Withdrawal Provisions … C. Favorite Sons … D. When No Candidates Enter the Primary or Petitioners Do Not Enter Them … E. Write-In Votes … F. No Preference Votes … G. Expense Factor … H. Registration as a Safeguard to Parties IV. The Preference Vote and Election of Delegates … A. Direct Preference Vote … B. Direct Preference Vote Showing Delegates’ Choice … C. Indirect Preference Vote … D. The Slate Method … E. New Approaches V. Effects of the Primary on the National Conventions … A. Effect on Party Nominations … 1. Indirect Effect … 2. Direct Effect … a. When the winner’s name was written-in … b. When one candidate is on the ballot … c. When two candidates out of three or more are on the ballot … d. When all of the candidates are on the ballot … 3. Binding Provisions … B. Effect of the Primary on Procedural Aspects of the Convention VI. Conclusion Appendi

Seismocardiographic Signal Timing with Myocardial Strain

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) is a relatively new method for cardiac function evaluation. In the current study, STE was used to investigate the timing of heart-induced mostly subaudible (i.e., below the frequency limit of human hearing) chest-wall vibrations in relation to the longitudinal myocardial strain. Such an approach may help elucidate the genesis of these vibrations, thereby improving their diagnostic value

Heart Rate Monitoring During Different Lung Volume Phases Using Seismocardiography

Seismocardiography (SCG) is a non-invasive method that can be used for cardiac activity monitoring. This paper presents a new electrocardiogram (ECG) independent approach for estimating heart rate (HR) during low and high lung volume (LLV and HLV, respectively) phases using SCG signals. In this study, SCG, ECG, and respiratory flow rate (RFR) signals were measured simultaneously in 7 healthy subjects. The lung volume information was calculated from the RFR and was used to group the SCG events into low and high lung-volume groups. LLV and HLV SCG events were then used to estimate the subjects HR as well as the HR during LLV and HLV in 3 different postural positions, namely supine, 45 degree heads-up, and sitting. The performance of the proposed algorithm was tested against the standard ECG measurements. Results showed that the HR estimations from the SCG and ECG signals were in a good agreement (bias of 0.08 bpm). All subjects were found to have a higher HR during HLV (HR$_\text{HLV}$) compared to LLV (HR$_\text{LLV}$) at all postural positions. The HR$_\text{HLV}$/HR$_\text{LLV}$ ratio was 1.11$\pm$0.07, 1.08$\pm$0.05, 1.09$\pm$0.04, and 1.09$\pm$0.04 (mean$\pm$SD) for supine, 45 degree-first trial, 45 degree-second trial, and sitting positions, respectively. This heart rate variability may be due, at least in part, to the well-known respiratory sinus arrhythmia. HR monitoring from SCG signals might be used in different clinical applications including wearable cardiac monitoring systems

Catalytic Intermolecular Functionalization of Benzimidazoles

This chapter describes contemporary strategies for selective catalytic intermolecular functionalization of the benzimidazole scaffold. Functionalization at nitrogen and position C-2 is well developed employing copper, palladium, rhodium, nickel, and cobalt catalysis. Direct CH activation is the predominant approach to C-2 functionalization. Nickel-based catalysts can activate C—O bonds in conjunction with C—H activation at benzimidazole which grants access to a very broad range of phenols and enols as convenient functionalization precursors in this chemistry. The remaining carbon positions of benzimidazoles are typically functionalized via a sequential halogenation/coupling strategy to ensure selectivity. A key success factor in enabling these chemistries has been the fine-tuning of catalyst-ligand combinations

Detection of Campylobacter concisus and other Campylobacter species in colonic biopsies from adults with ulcerative colitis

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Responses and relationship dynamics of men and their spouses during active surveillance for prostate cancer: health literacy as an inquiry framework

BACKGROUND: Early stage prostate cancer patients may be allocated to active surveillance, where the condition is observed over time with no intervention. Living with a cancer diagnosis may impose stress on both the men and their spouses. In this study we explore whether the scores of and verbal responses to a Health Literacy Questionnaire can be used to identify individuals in need of information and support and to reveal differences in perception and understanding in health related situations within couples. METHODS: We used the nine-domain Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) as a framework to explore health literacy in eight couples where the men were on active surveillance for prostate cancer progression. Scores were calculated for each domain for both individuals. For each couple differences in scores were also calculated and related to the informants\u27 self-reported experiences and reflections in relation to participating in an active surveillance program. Also an inductive analysis was performed to identify themes in the responses and these themes were compared to those of HLQ. RESULTS: The men tended to score higher than their spouses. There was no consistent relation between scores and the reported experiences and reflections. However, some interesting patterns emerged, e.g. in two of the three couples with the largest within couple differences in HLQ scores, responses revealed discrepancies in how the men and their spouses perceived their situation. Also, three themes emerged which related to six of the HLQ domains, i.e. involvement of spouses and other people around the men; support from and interaction with healthcare professionals; and use of the Internet for information retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: Using the HLQ as an interview framework provided insight into the differences within couples and provided new perspectives on their experiences, including their contact with health professionals and the patient-spouse interaction when dealing with prostate cancer. The HLQ used as a dialogue tool may be an adjunct to assist healthcare providers to understand the need for support and information of men with prostate cancer on active surveillance and the dynamics within couples