Fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo study of the structures of m-benzyne

Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) calculations are performed on the monocyclic and bicyclic forms of m-benzyne, which are the equilibrium structures at the CCSD(T) and CCSD levels of coupled cluster theory. We employed multi-configuration self-consistent field trial wave functions which are constructed from a carefully selected 8-electrons-in-8-orbitals complete active space [CAS(8,8)], with CSF coefficients that are reoptimized in the presence of a Jastrow factor. The DMC calculations show that the monocyclic structure is lower in energy than the bicyclic structure by 1.9(2) kcal/mole, in excellent agreement with the best coupled cluster results.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. to be published in JC

Gender-associated violence at a women's hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Objective: To describe the pattern of gender-associated violence amongst adult survivors. Design: Descriptive case analysis of prospectively collected data. Setting: The gender violence and recovery centre (GVRC), a shelter and violence treatment facility for the gender-associated violence at the Nairobi Women\'s hospital (NWH). Subjects: Data on 663 consecutive adult patients who presented to GVRC between February 2003 and April 2004 were evaluated. Results: The patients age ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean 27.7 years). Four hundred and eight patients (61.5%) presented following sexual assault. Most of assaults were perpetrated at night. A stranger was the assault perpetrator in 75.1% and 2% of sexual and non-sexual assault respectively. An intimate partner was the perpetrator in majority (86.5%) of nonsexual violence. Most physical injuries were minor bruises and swellings. The rate of positive spermatozoa from high vaginal swabs was only 15.9% in cases of sexual assault. Sexual assault was significantly associated with single status of the victim and assault by more than one assailant. Conclusions: Violence against women is a common public health problem in the city of Nairobi. Women are vulnerable both in and out of the home. More efforts, including massive public education, are needed to protect this vulnerable population. East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (7) 2008: pp. 347-35

Classification of N=2 supersymmetric CFT_{4}s: Indefinite Series

Using geometric engineering method of 4D $\mathcal{N}=2$ quiver gauge theories and results on the classification of Kac-Moody (KM) algebras, we show on explicit examples that there exist three sectors of $\mathcal{N}=2$ infrared CFT$_{4}$s. Since the geometric engineering of these CFT$_{4}$s involve type II strings on K3 fibered CY3 singularities, we conjecture the existence of three kinds of singular complex surfaces containing, in addition to the two standard classes, a third indefinite set. To illustrate this hypothesis, we give explicit examples of K3 surfaces with H$_{3}^{4}$ and E$_{10}$ hyperbolic singularities. We also derive a hierarchy of indefinite complex algebraic geometries based on affine $A_{r}$ and T$$ algebras going beyond the hyperbolic subset. Such hierarchical surfaces have a remarkable signature that is manifested by the presence of poles.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

APPLICATION OF CYCLOTRONS IN BRACHYTHERAPY

Abstract Cyclotrons are particle accelerator machines which have many applications in industry, technology and medicine. Cyclotrons play an important role in medicine and about 50% of the all particle accelerators running in the world are used in medicine for radiation therapy, medical radioisotopes production, and biomedical research. In this short review the use of cyclotrons for a radiation therapy method, brachytherapy, is discussed. Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy where a radioactive source placed on or in the tissue to be irradiated. For a long period the production of radioactive isotopes for medical applications was essentially done in nuclear reactors but due to some advantages of radioisotopes production with cyclotron over a nuclear reactor, in the last two decades several types of cyclotrons have been developed to meet the specific demands of radionuclide production. This talk will briefly explain the technical design, beam transfer and beam delivery systems of cyclotron for brachytherapy radioisotope production; and also will shortly describe some detail of 103Pd production in the following: production, targetry, radiochemical separation and seed fabrication

Comparing Strategies to Prevent Stroke and Ischemic Heart Disease in the Tunisian Population: Markov Modeling Approach Using a Comprehensive Sensitivity Analysis Algorithm.

Background. Mathematical models offer the potential to analyze and compare the effectiveness of very different interventions to prevent future cardiovascular disease. We developed a comprehensive Markov model to assess the impact of three interventions to reduce ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and stroke deaths: (i) improved medical treatments in acute phase, (ii) secondary prevention by increasing the uptake of statins, (iii) primary prevention using health promotion to reduce dietary salt consumption. Methods. We developed and validated a Markov model for the Tunisian population aged 35–94 years old over a 20-year time horizon. We compared the impact of specific treatments for stroke, lifestyle, and primary prevention on both IHD and stroke deaths. We then undertook extensive sensitivity analyses using both a probabilistic multivariate approach and simple linear regression (metamodeling). Results. The model forecast a dramatic mortality rise, with 111,134 IHD and stroke deaths (95% CI 106567 to 115048) predicted in 2025 in Tunisia. The salt reduction offered the potentially most powerful preventive intervention that might reduce IHD and stroke deaths by 27% (−30240 [−30580 to −29900]) compared with 1% for medical strategies and 3% for secondary prevention. The metamodeling highlighted that the initial development of a minor stroke substantially increased the subsequent probability of a fatal stroke or IHD death. Conclusions. The primary prevention of cardiovascular disease via a reduction in dietary salt consumption appeared much more effective than secondary or tertiary prevention approaches. Our simple but comprehensive model offers a potentially attractive methodological approach that might now be extended and replicated in other contexts and populations

African Traditional Cultural Values and Beliefs: A Driving Force to Natural Resource Management: A Study of Makonde District, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe

Natural resources in Africa are in jeopardy of depletion as a result of increasing demographic pressure and  climate change. Sustainability of the natural resource base can be achieved through adoption of traditional cultural values and beliefs. This research was conducted in Makonde District, Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The research is qualitative in nature and employs the empirical case study research design through adopting the descriptive approach to data. The research involved description of knowledge, behaviors, perceptions and attitudes of the people in the Makonde District on cultural values and beliefs for the sustainable management of natural resources. The results of the study indicate that cultural norms and values such as totems, taboos, traditional ceremonies, and the formation of the old age group committees as well as the role of the spirit mediums have an impact of the conservation of natural resources namely tree species, water resources, forests, minerals and some sacred groves in Makonde district. Therefore, we recommend that traditional leaders should be a vital cog whenever natural resources management policy is crafted by central government. We also recommend cultural values and belief should be integrated into the development plans of the country. Keywords: natural  resources management, cultural values, beliefs, sustainabilit

Castration causes progressive reduction of length of the rabbit penis

Androgenic hormones are important in normal embryonic development and maintenance of the structural integrity of the penis. This structural integrity is vital in the physiology of penile erection. Its alteration may therefore lead to functional impairment resulting in erectile dysfunction as seen in hypogonadic conditions. The link between hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction is partly anatomical, involving alteration of normal structural elements of the penis such as smooth muscle cells, connective tissue fibers and vascular sinusoids. The penile length, although considered controversial issue, may also be influenced by such tissue alterations. Understanding of the alterations of the penile size in hypogonadism is important in clinical examination of hypogonadic patients. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in the rabbit penile length after castration. Fifteen adult male rabbits were used for the study. Nine of these were castrated under local anesthesia to induce hypogonadism and six remained as controls. The penile lengths were measured using a digital Vernier caliper (accuracy 0.5mm). There was progressive reduction in the average non-erect penile length by 0.7%, 3.4% and 8.7% in the castrated group at the end of the third, sixth and ninth week respectively. Castration causes progressive reduction in the non-erect penile length. Such length reduction may impair the normal penile physiology hence contribute to anatomical basis of erectile dysfunction in hypogonadism.Keywords: Hypogonadism, penile lengt

Validation of the Ottawa Ankle Rules at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Background: Ankle joint and foot injuries are among the most common injuries seen at the accident and emergency (A&E) department of any hospital. Radiographs are ordered in over 95% of cases yet the prevalence of fractures is in the range of 15-20%. The Ottawa ankle rules have been designed to reduce the need for radiographs in these patients and associated healthcare costs. This study aimed to validate the Ottawa ankle rules within our local setting and assess the impact of introduction of the rules.Methods: This was a cross sectional study at the Aga Khan University Hospital A&E department and the orthopedic outpatient clinics. Consenting patients with ankle trauma were examined based on the criteria set out in the Ottawa rules and subsequently sent for radiographs to confirm the presence or absence of a fracture.Results: The study recruited 175 patients over a six month period. There were 27 fractures with an incidence of 15%. The decision rule had a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 57.4%. The negative predictive value was 98.8%. Application of these rules showed a potential of reducing the requested radiographs by 46%.Conclusion: The results have shown that implementation of the rules will result in significant savings in cost, time and unnecessary radiation exposure.Keywords: Ottawa Ankle Rules, Radiographs, Predictive Value, Healthcare Costs