How Should We Use Colour in Euler Diagrams?

This paper addresses the problem of how best to use colour in Euler diagrams. The choice of using coloured curves, rather than black curves, possibly with coloured fill is often made in tools that automatically draw Euler diagrams for information visualization as well as when they are drawn manually. We address the problem by empirically evaluating various different colour treatments: coloured or black curves combined with either no fill or coloured fill. By collecting performance data, we conclude that Euler diagrams with coloured curves and no fill significantly outperform all other colour treatments. Most automated layout algorithms adopt colour fill and are, thus, reducing the effectiveness of the Euler diagrams produced. As Euler diagrams can be used in a multitude of areas, ranging from crime control to social network analysis, our results stand to increase the ability of users to accurately and quickly extract information from their visualizations

Principles of Neuropharmacodynamics: As Applied to Neuro-Oncology

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semi-permeable membrane that separates the cerebral blood circulation from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system (CNS). The BBB is composed of endothelial cells, astrocyte end-feet and pericytes embedded in the capillary basement membrane. This system allows the passage of water, some gases and lipid-soluble molecules by passive diffusion, as well as, selective molecules such as glucose and amino acids. This review discusses pharmacodynamic concepts and methods that allow drugs to penetrate the BBB structure and enter the CNS and spinal nervous systems (SNS)

Does the Orientation of an Euler Diagram Affect User Comprehension?

Euler diagrams, which form the basis of numerous visual languages, can be an effective representation of information when they are both well-matched and well-formed. However, being well-matched and well-formed alone does not imply effectiveness. Other diagrammatical properties need to be considered. Information visualization theorists have known for some time that orientation has the potential to affect our interpretation of diagrams. This paper begins by explaining why well-matched and well-formed drawing principles are insufficient and discusses why we should study the orientation of Euler diagrams. To this end an empirical study is presented, designed to observe the effect of orientation upon the comprehension of Euler diagrams. The paper concludes that the orientation of Euler diagrams does not significantly affect comprehension

The effects of the Tripartite Free Trade Area: Towards a new Economic geography in Southern, Eastern and Northern Africa?

This study evaluates the economic impact of the proposed COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) on 26 African countries. It uses the global trade analysis project (GTAP) computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and database to measure the static effects of the establishment of the TFTA on industrial production, trade flows and consumption in the tripartite region. The results indicate a significant increase in intra-regional exports as a result of tariff elimination, boosting intra-regional trade by 29 percent. Particularly encouraging is the fact that the sectors benefiting most are manufacturing ones, such as light and heavy manufacturing, and processed food. Concerns have been raised that industrial production in the TFTA would concentrate in the countries with highest productivity levels - namely, Egypt and South Africa. Simulation results suggest that these fears are exaggerated, with little evidence of concentration of industries in the larger countries

A 45-year-old Female with an Atypical Presentation of Pharyngitis

Introduction: Emergency physicians are trained to treat a variety of ailments in the emergency department (ED), some of which are emergent, while others are not. A common complaint seen in the ED is a sore throat. While most sore throats are easily diagnosed and treated, less common causes are often not considered in the differential diagnoses. Therefore, the purpose of this case study was to present an atypical case of sore throat and discuss differential diagnoses.Case Presentation: The patient was a 45-year-old female who presented to the ED with a three-day history of sore throat that was exacerbated by eating and drinking. The patient was not on any prescription medications, but tried over-the-counter medications for the sore throat without any improvement in symptoms. Review of systems was positive for sore throat, fevers, and chills. Physical examination of her oropharynx revealed mildly dry mucous membranes with confluent plaques and white patchy ulcerative appearance involving the tongue, tonsils, hard palate, and soft palate. Rapid streptococcal antigen, mononucleosis spot test, and KOH test were performed and found to be negative.Discussion: After initial testing was negative, a follow-up complete blood count with differential and complete metabolic profile were ordered. The patient was found to have decreased lymphocytes and platelets. Based upon those results, a diagnosis was made in the ED, the patient was started on medication, and further laboratory workup was ordered to confirm the diagnosis. ED providers should consider non-infectious as well as infectious causes for a sore throat, as this might lead to a diagnosis of an underlying condition

NeuroPharmacology: As Applied to Designing New Chemotherapeutic Agents

Neurooncology anticancer drugs are no exception—their distribution and tissue interactions follow the general rules of classical pharmacology. In an attempt to assist with the new therapeutic approaches to manage cancers involving the central nervous system, classical chemobiodynamic compartment and pharmacokinetic models are discussed and illustrated. In addition, strategies and approaches for penetrating the blood brain barrier (BBB) are reviewed and modeled. Finally, in support of classical pharmacology, a new anticancer agent in clinical trial for brain tumors is reviewed as an example of clinical onco-neuropharmacology

Gone with the breeze: A subsonic outflow solution to the Fermi bubbles problem

The origin of the Fermi bubbles, which constitute two gamma-rays emitting lobes above and below the Galactic plane, remains unclear. The possibility that the Fermi bubble gamma-rays emission originates from hadronic cosmic-rays advected by a subsonic Galactic outflow is explored. Such a solution is called a Galactic breeze. This model is motivated by UV absorption line observations of cold clouds expanding from the Galactic center to high latitudes. For this purpose the hydrodynamical code PLUTO has been used in combination with a cosmic ray transport code. A model of the Galactic gravitational potential has been determined through constraints derived from the Gaia second data release. It is found that a Galactic breeze can be collimated by the surrounding gas and is indeed able to reproduce the observed Fermi-LAT energy flux at high Galactic latitudes. Following these results a prediction concerning the gamma-rays emission for 1-3~TeV photons is made for future comparison with CTA/SWGO measurements