Correlated X-ray timing and spectral behavior of GX 349+2: RXTE PCA data

We present a detailed and systematic investigation of correlated spectral and timing properties of the Z source GX 349+2, using a huge amount (about 40 ks) of good quality data from September 29, 1998 to October 13, 1998, obtained with the Proportional-Counter-Array on-board RXTE satellite. We, for the first time, give a detailed comparison between the normal-branch-properties and the flaring-branch-properties of this source, as it shows an extended normal branch (which is a rare phenomenon for it) for our case. In our work, the properties of the peaked noise are analyzed as functions of the position on the Z-track (in color-color-diagram), and they are discussed in connection with the peaked noise seen for another Z source Cyg X-2 (at low overall intensities). This will help to construct theoretical models for the peaked noise, as well as to understand the physics behind the Z-shaped tracks traced by these kind of sources in color-color-diagram. We also find a QPO (centroid frequency is about 3.8 Hz) at the upper part of the flaring branch. This is for the first time, a QPO is seen from this source and hence is very important in understanding the nature of its X-ray emitting components.Comment: 26 pages, 3 tables, 11 figures, submitted to A&

Suite of Meshless Algorithms for Accurate Computation of Soft Tissue Deformation for Surgical Simulation

The ability to predict patient-specific soft tissue deformations is key for computer-integrated surgery systems and the core enabling technology for a new era of personalized medicine. Element-Free Galerkin (EFG) methods are better suited for solving soft tissue deformation problems than the finite element method (FEM) due to their capability of handling large deformation while also eliminating the necessity of creating a complex predefined mesh. Nevertheless, meshless methods based on EFG formulation, exhibit three major limitations: i) meshless shape functions using higher order basis cannot always be computed for arbitrarily distributed nodes (irregular node placement is crucial for facilitating automated discretization of complex geometries); ii) imposition of the Essential Boundary Conditions (EBC) is not straightforward; and, iii) numerical (Gauss) integration in space is not exact as meshless shape functions are not polynomial. This paper presents a suite of Meshless Total Lagrangian Explicit Dynamics (MTLED) algorithms incorporating a Modified Moving Least Squares (MMLS) method for interpolating scattered data both for visualization and for numerical computations of soft tissue deformation, a novel way of imposing EBC for explicit time integration, and an adaptive numerical integration procedure within the Meshless Total Lagrangian Explicit Dynamics algorithm. The appropriateness and effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated using comparisons with the established non-linear procedures from commercial finite element software ABAQUS and experiments with very large deformations. To demonstrate the translational benefits of MTLED we also present a realistic brain-shift computation.Comment: Accepted for publication in Medical Image Analysi

Impact of Goods and Service Tax After Implementation

Before implementation of GST in India, Government of India collected indirect taxes in the various names. Direct tax is mostly define clearly to tax payer, but indirect tax does not define clearly because it collected by government to each stage manufacturer to customer. For clearing of indirect tax government of India introduced biggest tax reforms after independence since 1947 in the name ofGST. After implementing of GST in India, there are several issues arises in front of the GOI, Professionals, business man and even customers. These are the issues highlighted in this paper.

Ischemia-Induced Brugada Phenocopy.

A 65-year-old man with history of schizoaffective disorder was admitted with a suspicion for syncope. ECG changes consistent with type-1 Brugada pattern were noted on admission. A personal history of angina was reported but a family history of sudden cardiac death or ICD implantation was denied. A fixed perfusion defect and hypokinesis of the distal infero-lateral wall were reported on a pharmacological stress test prompting a coronary angiography. A stent was deployed across a 95% stenosis of the dominant mid right coronary artery with satisfactory results. Resolution of the Brugada type pattern was noted on ECGs repeated after the stenting

The role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices - A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are each known to improve mortality in patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). If ICDs contribute to improved survival specifically in recipients of LVADs is currently unknown. AIM: To evaluate the impact of presence of ICD on mortality in continuous flow LVAD recipients. METHODS: A meta- analysis of available literature was performed. PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies that compared mortality in continuous flow LVAD patients with ICDs (new implantation or no de-activation) and without ICDs (including de-activation of existing implant). Pooled analysis using a fixed effects model was used for outcomes of interest. RESULTS: We included 3 observational studies for a total of 292 patients (203 (69.5%) with ICD versus 89 (30.5%) without ICD). The presence of an active ICD was not associated with improved survival [OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.33-1.18; p=0.15]. In bridge to transplantation [BT] patients (224 patients, 149 with ICD versus 75 without ICD), an active ICD was not associated with a higher probability of survivzal [OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.78-2.76; p=0.23]. There was no difference in the occurrence of severe right ventricular dysfunction or failure between two groups [OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.42-1.47; p=0.45]. The risk of LVAD related complications were similar [OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.35-1.31; P=0.25]. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that there is no survival benefit with ICD in heart failure patients supported with continuous flow LVAD. There is an urgent need of large-scale randomized trials to specifically address this issue