Foundations of New York Naval Base SIMA Building

This paper illustrates an exhaustive geotechnical effort to accompany the design and construction of the foundations of the SIMA Building of the United States Naval Shore Support Facility on Staten Island, New York

A review of duodenal metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix presenting as an upper gastrointestinal bleed

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to duodenal metastases is extremely uncommon. Extra-pelvic spread of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix to the small bowel is rare with only 6 reported cases in the English literature since 1981(PubMed, Medline)

The ICoN integrated communication and navigation protocol for underwater acoustic networks

Thesis (M. Eng. and S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-82).The deployment of autonomous underwater devices has increased dramatically in the last several years, presenting a strong and growing need for a network protocol to mediate acoustic communications between devices. This network protocol must also provide an infrastructure for acoustic navigation, while ensuring that provisions for communication and navigation do not interfere with each other. To approach this difficult problem, we begin with a discussion of the limitations of traditional networking protocols when subjected to the complexities introduced by the underwater acoustic environment. We then present ICoN, a proposed network protocol, designed to integrate acoustic communication and navigation and optimized to operate in the low-bandwidth, high-loss underwater environment. A working description of ICoN and a discussion of its features are followed by analysis of the protocol through simulation, indicating its potential for improved performance over traditional networking protocols. The simulation results are reinforced through real-world experimental validation of ICoN, which, though limited, appears to confirm the effectiveness of the new protocol. We conclude with possible future extensions to ICoN, discussing various methods that might increase its potency in dealing with more demanding underwater acoustic applications.by Rupesh R. Kanthan.M.Eng.and S.B

Radiographic Assessment of Impacted Canine: A Systematic Review

Dental professionals face a lot of challenges in treatment of impacted canine due its position. Localisation of impacted canine in diagnosis and treatment is important. There are various radiographic methods in localization of impacted canine. In this article, different radiographic methods in the diagnosis of impacted canine. The use of periapical radiograph, panoramic radiograph, occlusal radiograph, CT scan, and CBCT have been reviewed using various literature. CBCT gives an accurate dimension and position of impacted canine

Cooperative learning in the first year of undergraduate medical education

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite extensive research data indicating that cooperative learning promotes higher achievement, the creation of positive relationships, and greater psychological health for students at all levels in their education, cooperative learning as a teaching strategy is still underutilized in undergraduate medical education.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cooperative learning task was introduced as part of the mandatory first Year undergraduate Pathology course. The task was to create an 8.5" × 11" poster summary of pre-assigned content in self-chosen groups of four or five students. On the designated "Poster Day," the posters were displayed and evaluated by the students using a group product evaluation. Students also completed an individual group process reflection survey. An objective evaluation of their understanding was gauged at the midterm examination by specific content-related questions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Majority (91–96%) of students judged the group products to be relevant, effective, easy-to-understand, and clearly communicated. The majority of the students (90–100%) agreed that their group process skills of time management, task collaboration, decision-making and task execution were effective in completing this exercise. This activity created a dynamic learning environment as was reflected in the students' positive, professional discussion, and evaluation of their posters. The content-related questions on the midterm examination were answered correctly by 70–92% of the students. This was a mutually enriching experience for the instructor and students.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings demonstrate that cooperative learning as a teaching strategy can be effectively incorporated to address both content <it>and </it>interpersonal skill development in the early years of undergraduate medical education.</p

An appraisal of students' awareness of "self-reflection" in a first-year pathology course of undergraduate medical/dental education

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Self-reflection and reflective practice are increasingly considered as essential attributes of competent professionals functioning in complex and ever-changing healthcare systems of the 21^stcentury. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of students' awareness and understanding of the reflective process and the meaning of 'self-reflection' within the contextual framework of their learning environment in the first-year of their medical/dental education. We endorse that the introduction of such explicit educational tasks at this early stage enhances and promotes students' awareness, understanding, and proficiency of this skill in their continuing life-long health professional learning.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Over two years, students registered in first-year pathology at the University of Saskatchewan were introduced to a self-reflection assignment which comprised in the submission of a one-page reflective document to a template of reflective questions provided in the given context of their learning environment. This was a mandatory but ungraded component at the midterm and final examinations. These documents were individually analyzed and thematically categorized to a "5 levels-of-reflection-awareness" scale using a specially-designed rubric based on the accepted major theories of reflection that included students' identification of: 1) personal abilities, 2) personal learning styles 3) relationships between course material and student history 4) emotional responses and 5) future applications.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>410 self-reflection documents were analyzed. The student self-awareness on personal learning style (72.7% level 3+) and course content (55.2% level 3+) were well-reflected. Reflections at a level 1 awareness included identification of a) specific teaching strategies utilized to enhance learning (58.4%), b) personal strengths/weaknesses (53%), and c) emotional responses, values, and beliefs (71.5%). Students' abilities to connect information to life experiences and to future events with understanding were more evenly distributed across all 5 levels of reflection-awareness.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Exposure to self-reflection assignments in the early years of undergraduate medical education increases student awareness and promotes the creation of personal meaning of one's reactions, values, and premises in the context of student learning environments. Early introduction with repetition to such cognitive processes as practice tools increases engagement in reflection that may facilitate proficiency in mastering this competency leading to the creation of future reflective health professionals.</p

Economics and marketing of dry fish production in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India

The present study attempted to evaluate the economics and marketing of dry fish production in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, India. The information on various aspects of the dry fish enterprise was collected through random sampling of 29 dry fish producers in a pre-structured interview schedule. The results indicated that 50% of the total dry fish produced (in terms of quantity) was contributed by sardines and anchovies. However, seer fishes fetched a premium market price of ₹550 kg-1 followed by carangids (₹125 kg-1) and belonids (₹115 kg-1). Dry fish production was found to be a profitable business with an internal rate of returns (IRR) of 75% and simple rate of returns (SRR) of 43.48% respectively with a net profit margin of ₹2258.83 week-1. The study also suggests that the dry fishes reached the consumers by way of three marketing channel viz., channel 1 (producer to consumer) channel 2 (producer, middleman and consumer) and channel 3 (producer, wholesaler, middleman and consumer). Channel 1 was found the most efficient marketing channel over channel 2. The cost of raw materials, transportation, packaging and marketing margin were found to be the key factors that influences and decides the income of the dry fish producers and all the factors exhibited statistical significance at 0.05 level

Combined adenocarcinoid and mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Adenocarcinoid of the appendix is a rare malignant tumour with features of both adenocarcinoma and carcinoid, showing both epithelial and endocrine differentiation. Mucinous cystadenoma is the commonest of the benign neoplasms of the appendix, with an incidence of 0.6% in appendicectomy specimens. We report a rare combination of these tumours and discuss the latest treatment options. To the best of our knowledge, only six cases have been reported in the literature to date.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 71-year-old Caucasian man presented to our department with a right iliac fossa mass associated with pain. Laparoscopy revealed an adenocarcinoid of the appendix in combination with mucinous cystadenoma. He underwent a radical right hemicolectomy with clear margins and lymph nodes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adenocarcinoids account for 2% of primary appendiceal malignancies. Most tumours are less than 2 cm in diameter and 20% of them metastasize to the ovaries. The mean age for presentation is 59 years and the 5-year survival rate ranges from 60% to 84%. Right hemicolectomy is generally advised if any of the following features are present: tumours greater than 2 cm, involvement of resection margins, greater than 2 mitoses/10 high-power fields on histology, extension of tumour beyond serosa. Chemotherapy mostly with 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin is advised for remnant disease after surgery. Cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy can offer improved survival for advanced peritoneal dissemination.</p

Malignant melanoma of the stomach presenting in a woman: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Malignant melanoma is reported to metastasize to all organs of the human body. Although it is common for it to metastasize to the gastrointestinal tract, a melanoma located primarily in the gastric mucosa is an uncommon tumor. Gastrointestinal metastases are rarely diagnosed before death with radiological and endoscopic techniques.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case report the clinical course and treatment of a woman with melanoma of the stomach, without any other detectable primary lesion, is presented and discussed. A 55-year-old Turkish woman presented to our clinic with complaints of muscle pain and bone pain in the left side of her chest. During an upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy, dark cherry-colored, light elevated, round-shaped lesions were taken from her gastric fundus and from the first part of her duodenum. Biopsies from these samples were determined to be malignant melanoma by the pathologist.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Metastatic malignant melanoma cases should be examined through endoscopy for gastrointestinal metastases.</p

Diagnostic dilemmas of squamous differentiation in prostate carcinoma case report and review of the literature

We report a case of pure squamous cell carcinoma involving the prostate and urinary bladder and describe the diagnostic dilemmas that we faced in trying to determine its origin. The patient was diagnosed ten years ago with prostatic adenocarcinoma treated with radioactive seed implantation. During the last year he also underwent a TURP procedure for urinary obstruction complicated by multiple infections. Postsurgery, the patient developed colo-urethral fistula and decision to perform cystprostatectomy was taken. Excision illustrated a tumor mass replacing the entire prostate that microscopically proved to be squamous cell carcinoma. The challenge that we encountered was to determine its origin, the possibilities being divergent differentiation from adenocarcinoma post radiation therapy, de novo neoplasm or urothelial carcinoma with extensive squamous differentiation. Our literature review showed also that the etiology of prostatic squamous carcinoma is still unclear. We present our approach in an attempt to solve this dilemma