Synchronization stability of memristor-based complex-valued neural networks with time delays

This paper focuses on the dynamical property of a class of memristor-based complex-valued neural networks (MCVNNs) with time delays. By constructing the appropriate Lyapunov functional and utilizing the inequality technique, sufficient conditions are proposed to guarantee exponential synchronization of the coupled systems based on drive-response concept. The proposed results are very easy to verify, and they also extend some previous related works on memristor-based real-valued neural networks. Meanwhile, the obtained sufficient conditions of this paper may be conducive to qualitative analysis of some complex-valued nonlinear delayed systems. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.

Catena-poly[[bis[5-(4-pyridyl-kappaN)-2-(2-pyridylmethylsulfanyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]cadmium(II)]-di-mu-thiocyanato-kappa2N:S;kappa2S:N]

The title compound, [Cd(NCS)(2)(C(13)H(10)N(4)OS)(2)](n), contains SCN(-) anions acting as end-to-end bridging ligands which utilize both S and N atoms to link cadmium(II) centers into one-dimensional double chains. The multidentate 5-(4-pyridyl)-2-(2-pyridylmethylsulfanyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole ligands behave as monodentate terminal ligands, binding metal centers only through the N atoms of the 4-pyridyl groups. Two types of eight-membered rings are formed by two SCN(-) anions bridging Cd(II) centers, viz. planar and chair conformation, which are alternately disposed along the same chain. Finally, chains define a two-dimensional array through two different interchain pi-pi stacking interactions.

Clinical experience in treatment of peri-anal scar contracture in children

Thirty-nine children suffering from peri-anal scar contracture as a result of burn injury have been treated since 1987. Among them, 25 were boys and 14 girls. Their age ranged from 6 months to 7 years, mean age 3.5 years. In 4 patients, local excision of scar followed by full-thickness skin grafting was done. The result was poor because of movement of the graft, infection and finally necrosis of the graft. In 3 patients, lysis of the scar followed by a transposition of flap, and in 32 local "Z" or "Y-V" plasty were performed with satisfactory results. In our opinion the latter technique should be the treatment of choice, as it is simple, less traumatic, and resulting to high success rate with less tendency to recurrence of contracture. For patients with chronic intestinal obstruction, adequate pre-operative bowel preparation, meticulous post-operative local care are essential. General supportive treatment should not be neglected to ensure a satisfactory operative result.

Development and multi-institutional implementation of coding and transmission standards for health outcomes data

Health care delivery institutions and providers, employers, and government agencies throughout the U.S. are sharing information and pooling resources in an attempt to produce reliable measurements of health outcomes. The rapid rate of growth in the collection and pooling of health outcomes data has prompted the need for standardization. The work of health care organizations and consortiums pooling data would be greatly facilitated by widely accepted standards for the coding and transmitting of outcomes data. Moreover, standards allow for the inter-operation of data capture products, data analysis tools, and data pooling services developed by a variety of different vendors. The Health Outcomes Institute (HOI) and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) have developed and maintain a database of health outcomes questions which provides a mechanism for uniquely coding data elements. HFHS and the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) have created a software tool to facilitate the conversion and transmission of health outcomes data elements in an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)/Health Level Seven (HL7) format, which incorporates HOI question standards.