Covering relations for coupled map networks

Following [6,12], we study coupled map networks over arbitrary finite graphs. An estimate from below for a topological entropy of a perturbed coupled map network via a topological entropy of an unperturbed network by making use of the covering relations for coupled map networks is obtained. The result is quite general, particularly no assumptions on hyperbolicity of a local dynamics or linearity of coupling are made

Performance of CMS ECAL Preshower in 2007 test beam

The Preshower detector is part of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter, located in the endcap regions, in front of the lead tungstate crystals. It consist of two orthogonal planes of silicon strip sensors interleaved with two planes of lead absorbers. A combined beam test of close-to-final prototypes of the Hadron calorimeter, the crystal calorimeter and the Preshower detector was performed in the summer of 2007. Calibrations were made using electron and pion data. The combined crystal and Preshower energy resolution was studied using electrons. Good signal/noise performance was obtained in both sets of measurement

Rupture of Renal Pelvis in an Adult with Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction After Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Isolated injury to the renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma is very rare. However, a pre-existing renal abnormality will increase the risk of rupture. We present a 24-year-old man with rupture of the left renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma. He had pre-existing left ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Delayed computed tomography scan with excretory phase revealed contrast medium extravasation from the left UPJ, and left renal pelvis rupture was diagnosed. He was managed successfully with ureteral double-J stenting for 2 months

Bacteremic pneumonia caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae: Appropriateness of empirical treatment matters

BackgroundClinical information about bacteremic pneumonia caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organism is limited.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted at two medical centers in Taiwan. From May 2002 to August 2010, clinical information and outcome of adults with bacteremic pneumonia caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were analyzed. The primary outcome is the 30-day mortality.ResultsA total of 111 patients with bacteremic pneumonia caused by E. coli (37 patients, 33.3%) and K. pneumoniae (74, 66.7%) were identified. Their mean age was 69.2 years and 51.4% were male patients. Fifty-seven (51.3%) episodes were classified as hospital-acquired infections, 19 (17.1%) as health-care-associated infections, and four (3.6%) as community-acquired infections. Fifty-one (45.9%) patients received appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy. The 30-day mortality rate was 40.5% (45 patients). In the multivariate analysis, several independent risk factors, including rapidly fatal underlying disease [odds ratio (OR), 5.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.54–21.48; p = 0.009], severe sepsis (OR, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.55–15.14; p = 0.007), critical illness (OR, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.35–13.57; p = 0.013), and receipt of appropriate empirical therapy (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07–0.55; p = 0.002), were associated with 30-day mortality. The survival analysis consistently found that individuals with appropriate empiric therapy had a higher survival rate (log-rank test, p < 0.001).ConclusionESBL-producing bacteremic pneumonia, especially health-care-associated infections, often occurred in adults with comorbidities. Appropriate empirical therapy was associated with a favorable outcome

The survey on mobile library services in Hong Kong and Singapore academic libraries

The captioned survey wasco-organized by libraries of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The City University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University and The University of Hong Kong in October 2011. The primary objectives of this survey are: 1. To identify the needs and preferences of students with regard to mobile library services; and 2. To recommend a suite of pertinent mobile library services for students. In this survey, the mobile library services are referring to library online contents and resources, which can be delivered and accommodated for display in mobile devices. We hope that the results and responses to this survey will be useful to participating libraries in order to plan and deliver pertinent mobile library services. Thank you to colleagues fromthe participatinglibraries who contributed and helped with this important survey. Last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to Annie Talve and Monica Redden, our facilitators of Next Gen /Next Decade 2011–the Staff development programme for university librarians in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. This project could not have happened without Annie and Monica’s inspirations and encouragementto bring four academic libraries from two cities to work together on this survey