Vertical Curve Computations Using a Developed Calculator

In this paper, an electronic calculator for vertical curve computations is developed in Microsoft Windows. The developed calculator used is successfully for vertical curve computations and requires entering the curve length, tangent grades, setting out interval, and the elevation of the intersection points. Computations of vertical curves by the developed calculator are faster, easier, accurate, and less subject to errors comparable to the traditional method of calculations. Finally, the results obtained by the traditional and developed methods are presented for checking the behavior of the developed calculator.

Book review

Computing was in a state of crisis. As the price of the hardware continued to fall, and the power of processors continued to rise, the cost of programming the devices was becoming a major part of the overall cost. Small wonder. In 1954, although there were only a few dozen computers in existence, their programming was carried by a small army of experts coding at worst in binary code and at best in some form of assembler. Enter John Backus. This somewhat unorthodox but brilliant mathematician had been hired off the street by IBM in 1949 to work on its Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC) computer. As a result of his experience there, he realised that the only way out of this impasse was to enable programmers to code more efficiently using a higher level of abstraction. But that would not, itself, be sufficient. It would be essential that the final binary code produced by any automatic coding system be as efficient as that being produced by the laborious hand coding.

2043. The “Resistance Calculator”: Refining Empiric Practices of Antimicrobials Prescription in the Era of Widespread Resistance

Background In the era of widespread resistance, there are two events in the course of a hospitalized septic patient where the majority of empiric prescription errors occur: (1) infections upon admission (UA) due to multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDRO) and (2) nosocomial infections due to extensively drug-resistant organisms (XDRO). These errors seriously impact patient outcomes and the ecological burden of resistance. Our objective was to develop a tool, to calculate the probability of MDRO UA, and nosocomial XDRO infections, in order to reduce delays in initiating appropriate therapy to the “right population,” i.e., with “resistant pathogens,” while avoiding overuse of broader (frequently more toxicת less efficacious) therapeutics to the “wrong population,” i.e., with “susceptible pathogens.” Methods Retrospective case–control analyses were conducted for septic adults at Shamir Medical Center, Israel (2016). Logistic regression was used to develop models of risk factors. All parameters incorporated into the models were readily accessible at the point of care. The performances of the development cohorts, and on 8 other validation cohorts, were assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC). A web calculator (mobile modifiable) was generated. Results A total of 4,199 patients were enrolled: 2,472 with sepsis UA, and 1,727 with nosocomial sepsis. The “MDR UA score” included 10 parameters and with a cutoff of ≥22 points, had a ROC AUC of 0.85 (sensitivity 86%, NPV 98%). The “Nosocomial XDR score” included 7 parameters and with a cutoff of ≥36 points, had a ROC AUC of 0.88 (sensitivity 90%, NPV 96%). The median ROC AUC was 0.75 among the validation cohorts of the “MDR UA score,” and 0.66 among the “Nosocomial XDR score.” A free web tool was generated: https://assafharofe.azurewebsites.net/. Conclusion A simple electronic calculator was generated to aid in bedside empiric prescription practices. The tool is composed of two scores to assist in common scenarios where the majority of errors occur. Prospective interventional investigations, should trial the performances of this tool in improving patient outcomes and the ecological burden in the facility. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Alexithymia in patients with dermatological disorders and chronic pruritus

Background. Alexithymia is a psychological phenomenon that often accompanies psychosomatic states and manifestations. Objective – to study the severity and features of the manifestation of alexithymia in patients with a dermatological profile with chronic pruritus syndrome. Materials and methods. At medical center “Asklepius” during 2016-2018 years, observed 134 patients with dermatological disorders with chronic pruritus. 62.7% of patients had atopic dermatitis, 23.9% had psoriasis and 13.4% had seborrheic dermatitis. Patients’ age ranged from 21 to 56 years. Women accounted for 65.7%, men – 34.3%. In study we used such research methods: psychodiagnostic, including the computer application “Electronic calculator of chronic pruritus” and TAS-20-r, statistical. Results. Patients with dermatologic pathology had high level of alexithymia (66,56±8,66 in patients with atopic dermatitis, 68,5±8,12 in patients with psoriasis, 68,17±7,85 in patients with seborrheic dermatitis). High level of alexithymia characterized by difficulties in recognizing emotions (26,04±4,19 in patients with atopic dermatitis, 27,22±3,5 in patients with psoriasis, 26,0±3,56 in patients with seborrheic dermatitis), describing feelings (17,71±2,27 in patients with atopic dermatitis, 18,03±2,25 in patients with psoriasis, 18,28±2,16 in patients with seborrheic dermatitis), focusing on thinking (22,81±3,29 in patients with atopic dermatitis, 23,25±3,32 in patients with psoriasis, 23,89±3,63 in patients with seborrheic dermatitis), and depreciated emotions as a psychological phenomenon. In patients with dermatological diseases found combination of high intensity of chronic pruritus with high levels of alexithymia. Conclusions. Psychocorrection of high level of alexithymia is an important component of a complex psychological help for patients with dermatological diseases and chronic pruritus.

Rhumb-Line Sailing by Computation

Proposals of algorithms for solving Navigation faculty’s problems regarding navigation along rhumb line (loxodrome), for officer trainees and civil students of Faculty of Navigation and Naval Weapons and for deck seamen on operational level, are presented in this paper. Proposals of calculation algorithms given in the article cover simple mathematical totting based on plane sailing (navigational) triangle and Mercator triangle (Mercator sailing). The algorithms refer to traditional methods of solving problems and they do not cover solutions applicable in automated (integrated) navigational systems. The formulas enable to solve the tasks with a use of electronic calculator and application of traditional methods on plane and sphere, and they also take the Earth’s ellipsoidal shape into consideration.