Executive computer program for linking independent computer programs: ODINEX

Program controls sequence of execution of network of program elements and maintains data base of common information which forms communication link among them. Approach is applicable to any multiple-program task

Ultraviolet degradation of thin films of zinc oxide

Ultraviolet degradation of zinc oxide thin film

The reduced cost of providing a nationally recognised service for familial hypercholesterolaemia

OBJECTIVE: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) affects 1 in 500 people in the UK population and is associated with premature morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease. In 2008, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended genetic testing of potential FH index cases and cascade testing of their relatives. Commissioners have been slow to respond although there is strong evidence of cost and clinical effectiveness. Our study quantifies the recent reduced cost of providing a FH service using generic atorvastatin and compares NICE costing estimates with three suggested alternative models of care (a specialist-led service, a dual model service where general practitioners (GPs) can access specialist advice, and a GP-led service).METHODS: Revision of existing 3?year costing template provided by NICE for FH services, and prediction of costs for running a programme over 10?years. Costs were modelled for the first population-based FH service in England which covers Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth (SHIP). Population 1.95 million.RESULTS: With expiry of the Lipitor (Pfizer atorvastatin) patent the cost of providing a 10-year FH service in SHIP reduces by 42.5% (£4.88 million on patent vs £2.80 million off patent). Further cost reductions are possible as a result of the reduced cost of DNA testing, more management in general practice, and lower referral rates to specialists. For instance a dual-care model with GP management of patients supported by specialist advice when required, costs £1.89 million.CONCLUSIONS: The three alternative models of care are now <50% of the cost of the original estimates undertaken by NICE

Evaluation of a Multizone Impedance Eduction Method

A computational study is used to evaluate the PyCHE impedance eduction method developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. This method combines an aeroacoustic duct propagation code based on numerical solution to the convected Helmholtz equation with a global optimizer that uses the Differential Evolution algorithm. The efficacy of this method is evaluated with acoustic pressure data simulated to represent that measured with one-zone, two-zone, and three-zone liners mounted in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube. The PyCHE method has a normalized impedance error of approximately 0.2 for (uniform) one-zone liners with a length of at least 5, and produces quite reasonable results for liners as short as 2. Whereas the impedance of the liner has an effect on eduction accuracy, the amount of attenuation is shown to be the dominant parameter. Similar results are observed for two-zone liners, for which the impedance of each zone is unique. The two-zone results also indicate it is more difficult to accurately educe resistance than reactance, and a zone length of at least 6 (slightly longer than for uniform liners) is needed to limit the normalized error to 0.2. The PyCHE method is also demonstrated to successfully educe the impedances for each zone of a three-zone liner. These results are sufficiently encouraging to warrant the continued usage of the PyCHE impedance eduction method for single and multizone liners

An SMP Soft Classification Algorithm for Remote Sensing

This work introduces a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) version of the continuous iterative guided spectral class rejection (CIGSCR) algorithm, a semiautomated classification algorithm for remote sensing (multispectral) images. The algorithm uses soft data clusters to produce a soft classification containing inherently more information than a comparable hard classification at an increased computational cost. Previous work suggests that similar algorithms achieve good parallel scalability, motivating the parallel algorithm development work here. Experimental results of applying parallel CIGSCR to an image with approximately 10^8 pixels and six bands demonstrate superlinear speedup. A soft two class classification is generated in just over four minutes using 32 processors

Mission analysis of solar powered aircraft

The effect of a real mission scenario on a solar powered airplane configuration which had been developed in previous work were assessed. The mission used was surveillance of crop conditions over a route from Phoenix to Tucson to Tombstone, Arizona. Appendices are attached which address the applicability of existing platforms and payloads to do this mission

Film Clips that Illustrate the Patient’s Perspective in a Medical Interview

[EN] An important element in patient‐centred care is the need to acknowledge the patient’s perspective during a medical interview. At our medical school we have found that students often have difficulty understanding and effectively eliciting the patient’s perspective. Six film clips that focus on doctor‐patient consultations are presented and discussed. These clips illustrate three facets of the patient’s perspective (background, manifestations, acknowledgement) that can be used in discussion with students and that can easily be incorporated into a clinical communication curriculum. [ES] Un elemento importante en la atención al paciente es la necesidad de reconocer la perspectiva de éste por medio de una entrevista médica. En nuestra facultad de medicina nos hemos percatado de que los estudiantes a menudo tienen dificultades para conocer y comprender las circunstancias del paciente. Aquí se presentan seis extractos de películas que se centran en dicha comunicación médico‐paciente. Estos fragmentos presentan tres facetas de la perspectiva del paciente (antecedentes, manifestaciones, reconocimiento) que pueden ser utilizadas para plantear un debate con los estudiantes y que se pueden integrar fácilmente en un programa de comunicación clínica

Lupin variety tolerance to herbicides

Trial 88EC31 This site received a basal treatment of 1.5 L of simazine/ha prior to seeding. Due to a heavy stubble load lupin seed was dropped onto the surface and lightly incorporated. High rates of Simazine were better tolerated by Gungurru 75A/260 and CE2/435. The highest rate of Brodal reduced yields in all varieties except Gungurru. Trial 88EB27 This site was severely infested with aphids and bean mosaic virus such that the varieties Illyarrie and Danja had up to 60% plant death by anthesis. Other varieties were affected but to a lesser extent

Herbicide tolerance of recommended cereal varieties

Herbicide tolerance of recommended cereal varieties Barley response to Glean, 86 GE 52, 86 GE 56, 86N0107, 86N0112, 86KA74, 86KA78. Tolerance of lupins to selected broadleaf herbicides, 86 GE 59, 86 GE 49. Herbicide tolerance of recommended cereal varieties, 86ME98. Herbicide tolerance of recommended cereal varieties effect of non-phenoxy herbicides on phenoxy sensitive wheat varieties, 86A12, 86A13. Herbicide tolerance of recommended cereal varieties barley response to metribuzin, 86LG37, 86LG59. Tolerance of recommended pea varieties to herbicides, 86NO111. Stirling barley tolerance to Glean and Ally, 8 6N0119. Effect of plant-back time on response to Till-master, 86WH48. Tolerance of lupins to selected broad-leaf herbicides, 86WH49