Introducing Parallelism to First-Year CS Majors

We propose to strengthen the computer science (CS) curriculum by embedding parallel concepts in a required first-semester seminar taken by all incoming declared CS majors. We introduce students to parallel computing concepts through a series of unplugged activities so that students see parallel approaches as a natural form of solution to a task. We describe a pilot offering of the class and activities, with measurements and analysis of what students self-report and their performance on assessments

Hepatitis B And C In Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Although the risk of acquisition of hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus through blood products has considerably reduced since the last decade, some infected patients are candidates to stem cell transplantation. Others may have no alternative than an infected donor. In all these cases, recipients of transplant are prone to short and long term liver complications. The evolution of liver tests under chemotherapy before transplant may give useful information to anticipate on the risk of hepatitis reactivation after transplant, both for HBv and HCv. More than sixty percent of the patients who are HBsAg-positive before transplant reactivate after transplant, and 3% develop acute severe liver failure. Because both viral replication and immune reconstitution are the key factors for reactivation, it is crucial to closely follow liver function tests and viral load during the first months of transplant, and to pay a special attention in slowly tapering the immunosuppression in these patients. Lamivudine reduces HBv viremia, but favors the emergence of HBv polymerase gene mutants and should be individually discussed. Both in case of HBv or HCv hepatitis reactivation with ALT ≥ 10N concomitantly to an increase in viral load at time of immune reconstitution, steroids should be given. In case there is no alternative than a HBv or HCv positive geno-identical donor, the risk of viral hepatitis, including acute liver failure and late complications, should be balanced with the benefit of transplant in a given situation

Hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia: epidemiology and treatment results obtained in Europe : a report of The EBMT aplastic anaemia working party

In order to assess the epidemiology of Hepatitis-Associated Aplasia (HAA) and compare treatment outcome of HAA with non-HAA patients, we evaluated 3916 aplastic anaemia patients reported to the European Registry between 1990 and 2007. Year, month, season of diagnosis, type and outcome of first-line therapy were analysed. Prevalence of HAA (n = 214) in Europe was 5%. Compared to non-HAA patients, HAA patients were younger (15 vs. 20 years, P > 0.001), with a male prevalence (68% vs. 58% P = 0.002), and were treated earlier after diagnosis (46 vs. 62 d; P > 0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the year or month of diagnosis. No geographic clusters could be identified. Actuarial survival at 10 years after first-line immunosuppression was 69%, and did not differ according to aetiology. The 10-year actuarial survival after transplantation was 70%, and was comparable in HAA and non-HAA patients, when stratified for age and donor type. In a multivariate Cox analysis, increasing age and delayed treatment were significant negative indicators for survival. In conclusion, the incidence of HAA was 5% and was evenly distributed over time and geographic areas in Europe. Treatment outcome and predictive variables, were comparable in patients with or without HAA

Retrospective survey on the prevalence and outcome of prior autoimmune diseases in patients with aplastic anemia reported to the registry of the European group for blood and marrow transplantation

Aplastic anemia (AA) is rarely described after a diagnosis of autoimmune disease (aID)