Cumulative Points Research Articles

Macrogeometric Measurement of Camshafts of Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract In this work, cam profiles of a camshaft are measured by a roundness measurement machine. First, the measured cam profiles are transformed into their actual sizes, based on the measurement of the bearing locations. The 8 cams of the camshaft are of two types. From the 4–4 cam profiles of each type an approximate profile is created by fitting them to one another using their base circles as reference, and calculating the center of gravity of the cumulative points of these fitted profiles corresponding to an arc segment.

(150) GOOGLE TRENDS: TEMPORAL INTEREST IN MALE PENILE ENHANCEMENT AND ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MEDIAN INCOME, LITERACY RATES, AND GEOGRAPHIC INTEREST

Abstract Introduction Dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid (HA) or polylactic acid are seeing recent use in penile enhancement. These have been implicated to cause severe complications requiring urologic reconstructive intervention. Little work has been done to assess the general public’s interest in penile enhancement procedures such as these. Objective We sought to characterize temporal trends in search interest related to both general and specific penile enhancement with the use of Google Trends. Secondly, we characterized search interest based on geographic data and correlated our findings with state-wide average median income and literacy rates. Methods Google Trends was used to extract monthly search volume for 22 terms related to male penile enhancement in the United States between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2022. Terms were characterized as specific (to penile injections) or generalized (any male enhancement method). Of the 22 terms included, 9 terms provided geographic search data for >10 states. For each search term, the top 3 and bottom 3 rank order was assigned based on a point system. States appearing in either the top or bottom 3 for one or more search term were ordered based on cumulative points and listed accordingly. State-wide yearly median income was collected from the US Census Bureau and averaged over the length of the study period. State-wide literacy rates were collected from the National Center of Educational Statistics and compared to the national average. Search terms were divided into “specific” (n = 10) and “general” (n = 12) categories. Overall trend was observed with a line of best fit. Overall average search volumes for specific and general search terms across the 10-year period was determined using GT data for the respective categories. Relative search volumes for each month over the 10-year period were then averaged within the two categories. Percent changes from the 10-year average were calculated. Results Specific terms showed an increase in proportional volume, with a line of best fit slope of 0.07, while general terms showed a decrease in proportional volume, with a line of best fit slope of -0.22 (fig. 1). States most frequently in the top 3 (Mississippi (42 k), Louisiana (48 k), and Alabama (50 k)) had average 10-year median income below the national median income of 63 k. Literacy rates were 252, 252, and 259, respectively compared to the national average of 264 (Fig. 2). Conversely, states infrequently in the top 3 (Oregon (68 k), Pennsylvania (64 k), and Massachusetts (78 k)) had median incomes slightly higher than the national median income. Literacy rates were 273, 266, and 273, respectively compared to the national average of 264 (Fig. 2). Conclusions Google Trends shows a rising interest in specific terms such as penile injections, whereas generalized interest in penile enhancement has shown a decline in interest. States with higher rates of online interest in penile enhancement often have a median income and literacy rates below the national average. Urologists should be aware of the rising interest in and promotion of specific procedures that may be of harm to their patient populations. Disclosure No.

الفضاءات القابلة للتفكك والفضاءات غير القابلة للتفكك عبر فضاء القرب

اهتم كثيرا من الباحثين في دراسة اغلب المشكلات بعد تحويلها الى صيغ رياضية داخل فضاء القرب لسهولة توظيف هذاالفضاء مع المشكلات الحياتية المختلفة التي تواجهنا. لذلك يصب اهتمام البحث في ايجاد صفة جديدة الى فضاءات القرب باستخدام خواص القرب وخواص العناقيد وربطها معا للحصول على نقاط تراكمية جديدة اطلقنا عليها اسم نقاط كثه ومجموعة كل هذه النقاط اطلقنا عليها اسم مجموعة كثه حيث تم تكوين اساس رياضي متماسك الى الصيغة التبلوجية التي نبحث عنها والتي اطلقنا عليها التفكك واذا كانالفضاء لا يحمل هذه الصفة نطلق عليه فضاء غير قابل للتفكك.

Follower and Takeoff Points in Proximity Spaces

In the present study, the cluster concept was adopted to find points parallel to the cumulative points of any subset in topology cluster proximity spaces. The takeoff set term was given by the researcher to the set of all points. Also, an opposite definition was found for it, which is the follower set. The relation between them was found and their most important properties were highlighted. Through these two sets, new sets were built that are called, f_σ-set ,f_tσ-set ,t_fσ-set ,bushy set, scant set .

Relationship of Fitness Combine Results and National Hockey League Performance: A 25-Year Analysis.

Along with past performance, professional teams consider physical fitness and physiological potential in determining the value of prospective draft picks. The National Hockey League (NHL) Combine fitness results have been examined for their ability to predict draft order, but not bona fide hockey performance. Therefore, we sought to identify the relationships of combine fitness test results to short- and long-term NHL performance. During NHL Combine fitness testing (1994-2007), a standardized battery of tests was conducted. Player performance (1995-2020) was quantified using career cumulative points, time on ice, transitional period to playing in the NHL, and NHL career length. Forward and defensive positions were considered separately. Goalies were not considered. Stepwise linear regression analysis was used to identify fitness variables that predict NHL success. Overall models ranged in their predictive ability from 2% to 16%. The transitional period was predicted by peak leg power and aerobic capacity (V˙O2max; forwards, R2 = .03, and defense, R2 = .06, both P < .01). Points and time on ice within seasons 1 to 3 were predicted by peak leg power and V˙O2max for forwards and defense (R2 = .02-.09, P < .01). Among players accumulating 10 NHL seasons, cumulative points were inversely related to upper-body push-strength-related variables in forwards (R2 = .11) and defense (R2 = .16; both P < .01). The NHL Combine fitness testing offers meaningful data that can inform the likelihood of future success. Peak leg power and V˙O2max predict league entry and early career success. Counterintuitively, upper-body strength is inversely related to long-term performance, which may offer insight into recruitment strategies, player development, or differential team roles.

Positionality-Weighted Aggregation Methods for Cumulative Voting

Respecting minority opinions is vital in solving social problems. However, minority opinions are often ignored in general majority rules. To build consensus on pluralistic values and make social choices that consider minority opinions, we propose aggregation methods that give weighting to the minority's positionality on cardinal cumulative voting. Based on quadratic and linear voting, we formulated three weighted aggregation methods that differ in the ratio of votes to cumulative points and the weighting of the minority to all members, and assuming that the distributions of votes follow normal distributions, we calculated the frequency distributions of the aggregation results. We found that minority opinions are more likely to be reflected proportionately to the average of the distribution in two of the above three methods. This implies that Sen and Gotoh's idea of considering the social position of unfortunate people on ordinal ranking in the welfare economics, was illustrated by weighting the minority's positionality on cardinal voting. In addition, it is possible to visualize the number and positionality of the minority from the analysis of the aggregation results. These results will be useful to promote mutual understanding between the majority and minority by interactively visualizing the contents of the proposed aggregation methods in the consensus-building process. With the further development of information technology, the consensus building based on big data will be necessary. We recommend the use of our proposed aggregation methods to make social choices for pluralistic values such as social, environmental, and economic.

The dose\u2013response characteristics of four NTCP models: using a novel CT-based radiomic method to quantify radiation-induced lung density changes

Multiple competing normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models have been proposed for predicting symptomatic radiation-induced lung injury in human. In this paper we tested the efficacy of four common NTCP models applied quantitatively to sub-clinical X-ray computed tomography (CT)-density changes in the lung following radiotherapy. Radiotherapy planning datasets and follow-up chest CTs were obtained in eight patients treated for targets within the lung or hilar region. Image pixel-wise radiation dose exposure versus change in observable CT Hounsfield units was recorded for early (2–5 months) and late (6–9 months) time-points. Four NTCP models, Lyman, Logistic, Weibull and Poisson, were fit to the population data. The quality of fits was assessed by five statistical criteria. All four models fit the data significantly (p < 0.05) well at early, late and cumulative time points. The Lyman model fitted best for early effects while the Weibull Model fitted best for late effects. No significant difference was found between the fits of the models and with respect to parameters D50 and γ50. The D50 estimates were more robust than γ50 to image registration error. For analyzing population-based sub-clinical CT pixel intensity-based dose response, all four models performed well.

Mapping of Community Pharmacy Practices in Padangsidimpuan City

Objective: to find out the conditions of practice and mapping related to the category of community pharmacy practices in Padangsidimpuan City.&#x0D; Methods: The study was conducted by distributing assessment rubrics directly to 30 pharmacists in charge of pharmacies in the city of Padangsidimpuan. Data is the identity and choice of respondents for 2 or 3 descriptions of the level of compliance with each three-point scale; 0, 2 and 4 for each element. The level of fulfillment of standards consists of 7 categories based on cumulative points, and based on the average of points from each of the 5 standard aspects, including; professionalism, managerial, dispensing, pharmaceutical care, and public health services, depicted in spider web diagrams. This research was conducted in August - October 2019.&#x0D; Results: Mapping the results of the pharmacy practice category to 30 community pharmacy practices in Padangsidimpuan, among others: 8 pharmacies received excellent categories, 5 pharmacies of good categories, 3 pharmacies of adequate categories, 3 pharmacies of poor categories, 5 pharmacies of substandard categories, 5 pharmacies of the category not feasible, 1 category pharmacy is not very feasible.Conclusion: The average level of compliance with pharmacy practice standards in the city of Padangsidimpuan is included in the sub-standard category. Based on the average standard aspect points, professionalism has less categories, managerial has enough categories, dispensing enough categories, and pharmaceutical care is lacking categories and public health services have sub-standard categories.

Student Perception of "A" Fighting Workshop for Digital Information Technology (Digital Technology) Program PSMZA

Programme of study Diploma in Information Technology (DDT) provides education and training in the field of computing with specific emphasis on the areas of Information Technology. In order to ensure technology development in line with the needs of industry, Department of Polytechnic Education (JPP) have checked the curriculum Diploma of Information Technology (Digital Technology). Curriculum Diploma of Information Technology (Digital Technology) has set a 40% as a pass score for Discrete Mathematics course (DBM2033) in the assessment of coursework and final examination. However, students who take courses in Discrete Mathematics (DBM2033) is weak in terms of calculation and this resulted in their results less impressive in this course. This continuity, a Bengkel Gempur “A” for the Diploma of Information Technology (Digital Technology) was implemented. This research in the form of surveys and applying data obtained from the questionnaire. The samples consist of 54 semester two students who take courses in Discrete Mathematics (DBM2033) for session June 2017. Pilot study of reliability value α = 0.930. The findings of this study show the level of students ' perception of Bengkel Gempur “A” are at a high level and students have a positive perception after following the workshop. However, the findings show there is no difference in perception among the students based on the demographics of the respondents, i.e. gender, race, age, education status and cumulative grade points average (CGPA). Students ' perception on the Bengkel Gempur “A” has changed since joining the program. This has proved through score mean before the programme was 2.28 and mean score after participating in the programme was 2.96 which increased by 0.68. This study demonstrated that the implementation of Bengkel Gempur “A” has managed to increase the level of student achievement onfinal examination sessions June 2017.

Position optimisation for multiple mobile relays by utilising one‐bit feedback information

This paper investigates the problem of position optimization for multiple mobile relays. The authors propose a new scheme involving multiple mobile relays with fixed orbits to avoid collision risk among the multiple mobile relays and to relax the requirements of the existing approaches, e.g., multiple on-board antennas and complex feedback signals. The proposed scheme exhibits satisfactory performance with low cost and low complexity, as it requires only a single on-board antenna and merely a one-bit feedback signal, which is highly suitable for a scenario in which the source node has limited energy at its disposal, such as in a disaster area. The authors further design three implementation algorithms based on the easy implementation of the proposed scheme. The first algorithm is the simplest one in so far as it utilizes only single positive feedback information, but it exhibits poor performance. The second algorithm achieves better performance by exploiting successive points of negative feedback information. Based on the second algorithm, the third algorithm exhibits the best performance by further exploiting cumulative points of positive feedback information.

The Academic RVU: Ten Years Developing a Metric for and Financially Incenting Academic Productivity at Oregon Health &amp; Science University

Established metrics reward academic faculty for clinical productivity. Few data have analyzed a bonus model to measure and reward academic productivity. This study's objective was to describe development and use of a departmental academic bonus system for incenting faculty scholarly and educational productivity. This cross-sectional study analyzed a departmental bonus system among emergency medicine academic faculty at Oregon Health & Science University, including growth from 2005 to 2015. All faculty members with a primary appointment were eligible for participation. Each activity was awarded points based on a predetermined education or scholarly point scale. Faculty members accumulated points based on their activity (numerator), and the cumulative points of all faculty were the denominator. Variables were individual faculty member (deidentified), academic year, bonus system points, bonus amounts awarded, and measures of academic productivity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including measures of variance. The total annual financial bonus pool ranged from $211,622 to $274,706. The median annual per faculty academic bonus remained fairly constant over time ($3,980 in 2005-2006 vs. $4,293 in 2014-2015), with most change at the upper quartile of academic bonus (max bonus $16,920 in 2005-2006 vs. $39,207 in 2014-2015). Bonuses rose linearly among faculty in the bottom three quartiles of academic productivity, but increased exponentially in the 75th to 100th percentile. Faculty academic productivity can be measured and financially rewarded according to an objective academic bonus system. The "academic point" used to measure productivity functions as an "academic relative value unit."

Interpolation of nuclear reaction energy distributions

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses several methods of interpolation of data for tables of energy distributions for particles emitted by nuclear reactions. The methods are also applicable to angular distributions. Our primary interest is in interpolation with respect to the energy of the incident particle. We first examine four interpolation methods currently used in the nuclear data community: direct interpolation, unit-base interpolation, interpolation by averages on equiprobable bins, and interpolation by corresponding energies. Because each of these methods has shortcomings, a modified version of interpolation by corresponding energies is proposed here. We call this new method interpolation by cumulative points.

Medical Students’ KCSE Grade and Their Relationship to Academic Performance: A Case of Egerton and Moi Universities, Kenya

Admission into Kenyan public universities’ medical schools is either by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or individual universities and their senates on self-sponsorship programmes (SSP) basis. The KUCCPS selected students have strong O-level grades in all subjects, with specific cluster science subjects and cumulative points. The SSP students need to have minimum university entry requirements and cluster subjects for admission unto the medicine and surgery (MBCHB) programme. The study aimed to compare the relationship between Medical Student’s KCSE grade and their performance in preclinical and clinical levels at Medical schools of Egerton University (EU) and Moi University (MU). The study utilized ex post facto research design for Retrospective record review (3R) of medical students of academic year 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 as cohort classes of Egerton University and Moi University. This study was conducted in Egerton University and Moi University, medical schools. Both Universities admit medical students sponsored by KUCCPS and SSP students. This study’s Population was Public Universities’ Medical students (MBChB) who had been examined at both preclinical and clinical course levels. Students of academic years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 were the accessible population. Admission characteristic were an independent variable and academic performance a dependent variable. This study used a Data sheet document to capture data from Academic Records offices. The students’ performance at preclinical and clinical courses is not influenced by their KCSE grades at admission at MU and EU. KCSE English and Chemistry grades positively impact on preclinical performances. Biology, Mathematics, Kiswahili and Chemistry positively influence performance in Clinical courses. Performance in Preclinical courses like Medical Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, and Pathology can predict performance in clinical courses. The diploma program (in-service) does not influence performance in preclinical courses as it does in clinical courses. Performance in preclinical courses is a predictor for performance in clinical courses. KCSE aggregate grade at admission has no influence on students’ performance in preclinical and clinical courses at MU and EU. The study recommends). Medical schools to consider an open entry Examination system for applicants who meet minimum cluster requirements regardless of the KCSE aggregate grade. Consider development of in-service curriculum that may allow the diploma holder to take track at clinical years.

Abstract A27: Long noncoding RNA expression in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia identifies a distinct signature associated with NPM1 mutations

Abstract Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as RNA transcripts that are larger than 200 nt but do not appear to have protein-coding potential. Cumulative evidence points towards an important role of lncRNAs in cancer initiation, development, and progression. In this study we sought to evaluate the lncRNA expression profile of patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). RNA sequencing of forty CN-AML patients allowed us to identify more than 8000 previously-undescribed lncRNAs. Using unsupervised analysis we observed a specific lncRNA signature dependent on the mutational status of the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene. Sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis allowed us to identify a minimal set of 19 lncRNAs capable of discriminating NPM1-mutated from NPM1-wild type patients. Among these, we found that expression of the XLOC_087120 lncRNA inversely correlates with its neighboring histone-coding genes. XLOC_087120 also interacts with SUZ12, a component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, suggesting a role for this lncRNA in the epigenetic repression of histone genes and therefore a potential impact on chromatin remodeling. Indeed, its overexpression in cell lines leads to a downregulation of histone genes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that mutant NPM1 modulates the nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of XLOC_087120. Altogether, these data suggest that lncRNAs should be considered as key players in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemias. Citation Format: Etienne De Clara, Hanjing Ma, François Vergez, Cathy Quelen, Sébastien Dejean, Cécile Demur, Eric Delabesse, Christian Recher, Christian Touriol, Maria Paola Martelli, Brunangelo Falini, Pierre Brousset, Marina Bousquet. Long noncoding RNA expression in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia identifies a distinct signature associated with NPM1 mutations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer: Mechanisms to Medicines ; 2015 Dec 4-7; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A27.

Abstract 284: Association of Worsening Renal Function With Mortality and Heart Failure Readmissions in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Heart Failure

Background: The impact of worsening renal function (WRF) on heart failure (HF)-related readmissions (HFR) and HF-related mortality among hospitalized acute HF patients was examined. Methods: A patient’s first acute HF hospitalization event (index) was identified in Cerner Health Facts® database (Jan 2008–March 2011). Patients were categorized as WRF (serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL and ≥25% increase from baseline) persisting at discharge (WRFp), not persisting at discharge (WRFt), or non WRF. Outcomes were compared for the index hospitalization and cumulatively at 30, 180, and 365 days post discharge. Generalized linear model (HFR count) and logistic regression models (mortality) were constructed. Results: The acute HF patients (77% [42,507 of 55,436] non WRF, 10% [5,563 of 55,436] WRFp, and 13% [7,366 of 55,436] WRFt) were 53% [29,442 of 55,436] female with a mean age of 72.4 (±14.3) years. WRFp had higher index mortality rates (23.6% [1,312 of 5,563] vs 5.7% [418 of 7,366] vs 3.9% [1,673 of 42,507], P&lt;0.0001) than WRFt and non WRF patients, respectively. For mortality, 70% [3,403 of 4,883] of deaths occurred at the index hospitalization. WRFp and WRFt patients combined had higher 30-day HFR counts than non WRF patients (0.12 vs 0.09, P&lt;0.0001), but there was no difference between WRFp and WRFt. These observations were consistent across all cumulative time points and confirmed by multivariable analyses. Conclusion: Acute HF patients with WRF were more likely to die or be readmitted than non WRF patients. WRFp patients experienced higher HF-related mortality rates than WRFt patients but there were no differences in HFR between WRFt and WRFp.

Cumulative Point—L1 Between Two Positively Charged Plasma Structures (3-D Strata)

Values of a cathode potential drop (CD) are estimated in nanosecond argon discharges with a hollow cathode over total number of strata in the discharge gap ( $n \sim 10$ ). The CD dependence on the discharge parameters has been studied. The structurization of this discharge in experiments is analytically analyzed. It is proved that the strata in the nanosecond discharges are caused by the electron drift and the electron impact direct ionization forming the ionization—drift waves. The drift removal of electrons leads to formation of positively charged layers of a space charge, a significant increase of the peripheral ionization. At that the cumulation of the electron flow in to the plasma focuses takes place similar to cumulation of neural particle flows in to the Lagrange–Euler libration points $L_{1}$ . The cumulative points $L_{1}$ arise between the attractors of any nature.

Un dispositivo teórico-metodológico para comprender las prácticas profesionales

Este trabajo presenta un dispositivo teórico-metodológico que permite tener en cuenta la complejidad inherente a la noción de práctica profesional en el marco de una investigación en educación. Tras abordar diversas perspectivas teóricas acerca de esta noción, se proponen dos pistas para favorecer su operacionalización. El dispositivo desarrollado se apoya en un bricolaje metodológico (en el sentido que dio Lévi-Strauss [1962] a esa palabra) constituido por tres lecturas acumulativas : restituyente, de contraste y analítica. Cada una de esas lecturas atribuye una importancia específica al estatus de la palabra de los profesionales que han participado en la investigación y a la palabra del investigador. Este dispositivo nos parece heurísticamente rico para estudiar las prácticas de diferentes actores escolares, en particular los docentes, porque por un lado, permite articular el decir y el hacer y por otro, utiliza diferentes tipos de datos, diferentes estrategias analíticas y diferentes estatus de la palabra.

Neurological events after liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors linked to neurologic events (NE) occurring after liver transplantation (LT) and use them to construct a model to predict such events. From odds ratios (OR) of risk factors, a scoring system was assessed using multivariate regression analysis. Forty-one of 307 LT patients presented NE (13.3%), with prolonged hospital stay and decreased post-LT survival. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with NE included: severe pre-LT ascites OR 3.9 (1.80-8.41; P=0.001), delta sodium ≥12mEq/l OR 3.5 (1.36-8.67; P=0.01), and post-LT hypomagnesemia OR 2.9 (1.37-5.98; P=0.005). Points were assigned depending on ORs as follows: ascites 4 points, and hypomagnesemia and delta sodium ≥12mEq/l, 3 points each (score range=0-10 points). ROC curve analysis suggested good discriminative power for the model, with a c-statistic of 0.72 (CI 0.62-0.81; P<0.0001), best performance for a cutoff value >3 points (71% sensitivity, 60% specificity). NE risk increased progressively from 6.4%, to 10.3%, 12.8%, 31.5% and 71.0% as scores rose from 0 to 3, 4, 6-7 and 10 cumulative points, respectively. The score described helps to identify patients potentially at risk for neurologic events, and its prevention would decrease morbidity and mortality after LT.

Effects of paracentesis on hemodynamic parameters and respiratory function in critically ill patients

BackgroundAscites is a major and common complication of liver cirrhosis. Large or refractory ascites frequently necessitates paracentesis. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of paracentesis on hemodynamic and respiratory parameters in critically ill patients.MethodsObservational study comparing hemodynamic and respiratory parameters before and after paracentesis in 50 critically ill patients with advanced hemodynamic monitoring. 28/50 (56%) required mechanical ventilation.Descriptive statistics are presented as mean ± standard deviation for normally distributed data and median, range, and interquartile range (IQR) for non-normally distributed data. Comparisons of hemodynamic and respiratory parameters before and after paracentesis were performed by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Bivariate relations were assessed by Spearman’s correlation coefficient and univariate regression analyses.ResultsMedian amount of ascites removed was 5.99 L (IQR, 3.33-7.68 L). There were no statistically significant changes in hemodynamic parameters except a decrease in mean arterial pressure (-7 mm Hg; p = 0.041) and in systemic vascular resistance index (-116 dyne·sec/cm5/m2; p = 0.016) when measured 2 hours after paracentesis. In all patients, oxygenation ratio (PaO2/FiO2; median, 220 mmHg; IQR, 161–329 mmHg) increased significantly when measured immediately (+58 mmHg; p = 0.001), 2 hours (+9 mmHg; p = 0.004), and 6 hours (+6 mmHg); p = 0.050) after paracentesis. In mechanically ventilated patients, lung injury score (cumulative points without x-ray; median, 6; IQR, 4–7) significantly improved immediately (5; IQR, 4–6; p < 0.001), 2 hours (5; IQR, 4–7; p = 0.003), and 6 hours (6; IQR 4–6; p = 0.012) after paracentesis.ConclusionParacentesis in critically ill patients is safe regarding circulatory function and is related to immediate and sustained improvement of respiratory function.

Effective Feedback Procedures in Games for Health.

Feedback on game performance can be provided in many ways (e.g., cumulative points on game achievements, points on selected aspects of game play, biofeedback, brief statements offered during gameplay on choices made, verbal feedback at end of gameplay on overall performance, etc.). Feedback could be used motivationally to maintain player interest and involvement, informationally to guide the player in more effective choices, to build player confidence, and for a variety of other purposes. Although diverse feedback types and purposes are possible, some are more likely to be useful and effective. We have contacted several accomplished game designers and game researchers to obtain their insights into issues in feedback in Games for Health Journal.