We describe the first known algorithm for efficiently maintaining a Binary Space Partition (BSP) for n continuously moving segments in the plane, whose interiors remain disjoint throughout the motion. Under reasonable assumptions on the motion, we show that the total number of times this BSP changes is O(n2), and that we can update the BSP in O(logn) expected time per change. Throughout the mot...

CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of leukemic cells in a significant percentage of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). A recent study suggested that CD38 expression has prognostic value in CLL. Peripheral blood samples from 218 patients with B-CLL were analyzed by flow cytometry for CD38 expression on CD5/19(+) leukemic cells. Various patient c...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to describe the design, implementation, and associated outcome changes of a Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) for patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a Kaiser Permanente practice model. METHODS A multidisciplinary planning committee of 15 individuals developed and implemented a new PSH program. A total of 878 subjects were include...

Often a rule-based system is tested by checking its performance on a number of test cases with known solutions, modifying the system until it gives the correct results for all or a sufficiently high proportion of the test cases. This method cannot guarantee that the rule-base has been adequately or completely covered during the testing process. We introduce an approach to testing of rule-based ...

Perception of the lead car’s braking was measured on-road when subjects of various levels of driving experience were looking at a digital display located at the lower part of the windscreen, at the speedometer level, or in the mid-console. The brake lights of the lead car were either working normally or switched off. The results indicated that the detection of the lead car’s brake lights, in da...

This paper considers the ad hoc development of ecotourism at Ostional, Costa Rica, and the potential bene®ts for the local community in the absence of government planning or intervention. In 1995, only four percent of Ostional households identi®ed tourism as a source of income; however, this was substantial in comparison to that derived from other economic activities. While most Ostional reside...

Results Three hundred and eight women were randomised, 284 (92%) completed a pain scale before and immediately after the procedure. After the procedure, 84 women (30%) recorded a pain score of $6, 38 (26%) received anaesthetic and 46 (33%) an inert gel. The difference in the proportion of women recording a pain score of 6 or above between the two study groups was not signi®cant (relative risk (...

The procedures recently developed in our laboratory to observe three-dimensional structures of cell organelles in thick biological specimens by means of high voltage electron microscopy are reviewed. Thick biological specimens such as whole mount cultured cells seeded and grown on grid meshes in culture vessels or thick sections cut from embedded tissues and stained by histochemical reactions c...

Recent excitement with the human genome project stems partly from the belief that the identi®cation of the genes underlying the nearly 12 000 known genetic disorders will bring us closer to the development of therapies. However, it is still unclear how genetic information can be translated into treatments for inherited disorders. Here, we will review how molecular, physiological and behavioral ...

About two-thirds of epilepsy patients who learn to control their slow cortical potential shifts (SCP) reduce their seizure rate, but the remaining third does not demonstrate clinical improvement. In the present study, this ®nding was replicated in a group of 27 patients with focal epilepsy. We found that patients who consistently produced larger negative SCP in all conditions during the ®rst ph...