A Knowledge-based Decision Support System for RP&M Process Selection

Due to the large variety of RP&M material/machines and the. strengths/weaknesses associated with different RP&M processes, the decision·to select a suitableRP&M system becomes increasingly difficult. This paper presents a knowledge-based approach for the selection ofsuitable RP&M material/machine to meet specific. requirements ofRP&Mapplications. The system receives input data on the CAD modelandthe user's specifications,andgenerates outputs that provide the most appropriate combination ofRP&Mmaterial/machine.·Optimal orientations, together with estimated manufacturing time and cost, are considered and given in the final outcome to help the user make the choice.Mechanical Engineerin

Efficacy of needle-placement technique in radiofrequency ablation for treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy.

BACKGROUND:Many studies have assessed the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation to denervate the facet joint as an interventional means of treating axial low-back pain. In these studies, varying procedural techniques were utilized to ablate the nerves that innervate the facet joints. To date, no comparison studies have been performed to suggest superiority of one technique or even compare the prevalence of side effects and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a lumbar facet denervation procedure. Each patient's chart was analyzed for treatment technique (early versus advanced Australian), preprocedural visual numeric scale (VNS) score, postprocedural VNS score, duration of pain relief, and complications. RESULTS:Pre- and postprocedural VNS scores and change in VNS score between the two groups showed no significant differences. Patient-reported benefit and duration of relief was greater in the advanced Australian technique group (P=0.012 and 0.022, respectively). The advanced Australian technique group demonstrated a significantly greater median duration of relief (4 months versus 1.5 months, P=0.022). Male sex and no pain-medication use at baseline were associated with decreased postablation VNS scores, while increasing age and higher preablation VNS scores were associated with increased postablation VNS scores. Despite increasing age being associated with increased postablation VNS scores, age and the advanced Australian technique were found to confer greater patient self-reported treatment benefit. CONCLUSION:The advanced Australian technique provides a significant benefit over the early Australian technique for the treatment of lumbar facet pain, both in magnitude and duration of pain relief

High fidelity full sized human patient simulation manikins: Effects on decision making skills of nursing students

Background: The continued use of high fidelity full sized human patient simulation manikins (HF-HPSMs) for developing decision making skills of nursing students has led to growing research focusing its value on student learning and decision making skills. Methods: In October 2012, a cross-sectional survey using the 24-item Nurse Decision-Making Instrument was used to explore the decision making process of 232 pre-registration nursing students (age 22.0 + 5.4; 83.2% female) in Singapore. Results: The independent samples t-tests demonstrated three significant predictive indicators. These indicators include: prior experience in high fidelity simulation based on pre-enrolled nursing course (t = 70.6, p = .001), actual hands-on practice (t = 69.66, p < .005) and active participation in debrief (t = 70.11, p < .005). A complete experience based on role-playing followed by active discussion in debrief was a significant contributor to the decision making process (t = 73.6667, p < .005). However, the regression model indicated active participation in debrief as a significant variable which explained its development (t = 12.633, p < .005). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the usefulness of active participation in simulation learning for an analytic- intuitive approach to decision making, however active participation in debrief was a more important influencing element than role-playing. In situations where resources are limited for students to experience hands-on role-playing, peer reviewing and feedback on others’ experiences could benefit students, just as much. However, further study is warranted to determine the development of HF-HPSMs as a pedagogic tool for enhancing the decision making process of nursing students

Multichannel wavelength conversion of 40 Gbit/s NRZ DPSK signals in a highly nonlinear dispersion flattened lead silicate fibre

We experimentally demonstrate the wavelength conversion of three wavelength multiplexed 40 Gbit/s Differential Phase Shift Keyed (DPSK) signals in a 2.2m length of highly nonlinear, dispersion tailored W-type lead-silicate optical fibre

A single-mode, high index-contrast, lead silicate glass fibre with high nonlinearity, broadband near-zero dispersion at telecommunication wavelengths

We report on the design, fabrication and characterization of a single-mode W-type lead silicate glass fibre with flattened and near-zero dispersion profile at telecom wavelengths and high nonlinearity of 820 W-1km-1 at 1.55 µm

Team Skills: Comparing Pedagogy in a Graduate Business School to That of a College of Pharmacy Professional Program

Aim/Purpose: To measure the change in team skills resulting from team projects in professional and graduate school courses, a pilot study was conducted among students in two courses in a graduate school of business and one in the pharmacy school of the same institution of higher learning. This pilot study evaluated (a) students receiving training and practice in working as part of a classroom team were able to translate the formal training into the belief they had improved routine team interactions and experienced benefits from the intervention, and (b) determine whether changes in perceived team skills acquired by graduate business students differed from those of pharmacy school students. Background: This pilot study examined the usefulness of adding a teamwork skills module imported from a graduate school of business to increasing team skills in a pharmacy curriculum. Methodology: Thirty-five students (22 in a graduate school of business and 13 in a school of pharmacy) took a survey comprised of 15 questions designed on a 5-point scale to self-evaluate their level of skill in working in a team. They were then exposed to a seminar on team skills, which included solving a case that required teamwork. After this intervention the students repeated the survey. Contribution: As the pharmacy profession moves to be more integrated as part of inter-professional healthcare teams, pharmacy schools are finding it necessary to teach students how to perform on teams where many disciplines are represented equally. The core of the pharmacy profession is shifting from dependence on the scientific method to one where team skills are also important. Findings: The small size of the pilot sample limited significance except in the greater importance of positive personal interaction for business students. Directional findings supported the hypothesis that the business culture allows risk-taking on more limited information and more emphasis on creating a positive environment than the pharmacy culture given its dependence on scientific method. It remains moot as to whether directly applying a teaching intervention from a business curriculum can effectively advance the team skills of pharmacy students. Recommendations For Practitioners: Educators in professional schools such as pharmacy and medicine may find curricular guidance to increase emphasis on learning teamwork skills. Recommendations for Researchers: Researchers are encouraged to explore cross-disciplinary exchanges of teaching core business skills. Impact on Society : The question is posed that as pharmacy schools and the pharmacy profession integrate more into the business of pharmacy whether this difference will close. Future Research: A full study is planned with the same design and larger sample sizes and expanding to include students in medical, as well as pharmacy classes

Efficient calculation of imaginary time displaced correlation functions in the projector auxiliary field quantum Monte-Carlo algorithm

The calculation of imaginary time displaced correlation functions with the auxiliary field projector quantum Monte-Carlo algorithm provides valuable insight (such as spin and charge gaps) in the model under consideration. One of the authors and M. Imada [F.F. Assaad and M. Imada, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 65 189 (1996).] have proposed a numerically stable method to compute those quantities. Although precise this method is expensive in CPU time. Here, we present an alternative approach which is an order of magnitude quicker, just as precise, and very simple to implement. The method is based on the observation that for a given auxiliary field the equal time Green function matrix, $G$, is a projector: $G^2 = G$.Comment: 4 papes, 1 figure in eps forma

Plant Selection for Bioretention Systems and Stormwater Treatment Practices

Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Hydrology/Water Resources; Urban Ecolog

Zone Determinant Expansions for Nuclear Lattice Simulations

We introduce a new approximation to nucleon matrix determinants that is physically motivated by chiral effective theory. The method involves breaking the lattice into spatial zones and expanding the determinant in powers of the boundary hopping parameter.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures, revtex4 (version to appear in PRC