Objective: To compare the cost-effectiveness of early laparoscopic choleystectomy (ELC) versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) in patients with acute cholecystitis. Design: A decision-tree model was developed using a series that modelled all potential outcomes for both treatment options. Probabilities were estimated from a Cochrane review. Costs were based on the UK National Schedule...

The diamond-like carbon (DLC) films deposited on the articulating surface of medical-grade Ti and Ti–6Al–4V were characterized. The DLC films were synthesized by r.f. plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) using C6H6 at 10 mTorr. For wear tests, the ball-ondisk type wear tester was employed by wearing a 5-mm diameter ruby ball against a rotating metal disk. The DLC coating dramatical...

Tribological coatings of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), gold, diamond like carbon (DLC) and MoS2 were synthesized using magnetron assisted pulsed laser deposition (MSPLD). The coatings were synthesized in four-component and three-component combinations that included YSZ/Au/DLC/MoS2, YSZ/Au/MoS2, and YSZ/Au/DLC. A range of coating compositions was studied to explore coating optimization for l...

BACKGROUND A double-lumen catheter (DLC) is used as a temporary blood access in emergency haemodialysis and continuous haemodialysis. There are various reports concerning thrombosis related to use of DLC and other catheters. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of venous thrombosis when using DLC in patients undergoing blood purification. Method. Forty-eight Japanese patients,...

AlGaN/GaN Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) employing the Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) passivation was proposed. The reverse blocking characteristics of the AlGaN/GaN SBD is degraded by the electron trapping effect through the surface trap states. In order to suppress the electron trapping effect and increase the breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN SBDs, the surface passivation or treatment should be perf...

The modernization of the electrical grid and the installation of smart meters come with many advantages to control and monitoring. However, in the wrong hands, the data might pose a privacy threat. In this paper, we consider the tradeoff between smart grid operations and the privacy of consumers. We analyze the tradeoff between smart grid operations and how often data is collected by considerin...

PURPOSE The deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC-1) gene that encodes a Rho GTPase-activating protein with tumor suppressor function is located on chromosome 8p21-22, a region frequently deleted in prostate carcinomas. This study was designed to determine whether DLC-1 is deregulated in prostate carcinomas and to assess the contribution of DLC-1 alterations to prostate carcinogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL ...

New direct load control programs are being rolled out by utilities across the country. Traditional one-way, single-mode switch technologies are being replaced by remotely adjustable thermostats and adaptive switch technologies that learn how customers’ air conditioners actually operate over time and then optimize load impacts during events. Adaptive switches are designed to reduce air condition...

Deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC-1) is a RhoGTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) domain containing tumor suppressor that is often down-regulated in various cancer types. Previously, we have shown that DLC-1 is recruited to focal adhesions by binding to the Src homology 2 domains of tensins and the focal adhesion localization is critical for the tumor suppression activity of DLC-1. To investigate wh...