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This paper documents a novel methodology used to improve the ground range calculation of a ballistic missile trajectory on a non-rotating Earth. The improvement is based on a more accurate modeling of the Earth's shape. This modeling assumes that the Earth is an oblate spheroid with eccentricity parameter eE² equal to 0.00669; that is, the Earth is compressed equally along the polar axis and maintains its circular shape on the equator. For scenarios of potential interest, this methodology shows that there is a difference of about 10 to 30 kilometers in ground range compared with a spherical Earth model. For example, a missile launched from country C1, with latitude (longitude) equal to 60°N (-80°W), towards S1, with latitude (longitude) equal to 41°N (74°W), has its ground range decreased by 23 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On April 25, 2017, the Sinoe County Health Team (CHT) notified the Liberia Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia of an unknown illness among 14 persons that resulted in eight deaths in Sinoe County. On April 26, the National Rapid Response Team and epidemiologists from CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in Liberia were deployed to support the county-led response. Measures were immediately implemented to identify all cases, ascertain the cause of illness, and control the outbreak. Illness was associated with attendance at a funeral event, and laboratory testing confirmed Neisseria meningitidis in biologic specimens from cases. The 2014-2015 Ebola virus disease (Ebola) outbreak in West Africa devastated Liberia's already fragile health system, and it took many months for the country to mount an effective response to control the outbreak. Substantial efforts have been made to strengthen Liberia's health system to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. The rapid and efficient field response to this outbreak of N. meningitidis resulted in implementation of appropriate steps to prevent a widespread outbreak and reflects improved public health and outbreak response capacity in Liberia.

Background: Recent studies suggest that the U-Clip interrupted coronary artery anastomosis is superior to continuous suture. However, clinical experience with this device is limited., Aim: To evaluate our initial clinical experience with the U-Clip technology., Methods: Outcomes of 59 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using U-Clips (UCs) were compared to outcomes of 138 patients undergoing CABG using conventional sutures (Conv)., Results: The average number of distal anastomoses was similar in the groups (UC, 2.9; Conv, 3.2; P = .33). Also similar were the number of arterial grafts (1.6 versus 1.5, P = .4), percentage of sequential anastomoses (22% versus 12%, P = .058), and percentage performed off pump (27% versus 28%, P = .74). Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp times were longer in the UC group (98 +/- 27 versus 81 +/- 20 minutes, P = .001; 63 +/- 25 versus 54 +/- 24 minutes, P = .028). Rates of operative mortality (UC, 1.69%; Conv, 0.7%), postoperative myocardial infarction (0% each), stroke (0% each), renal failure (2% versus 1.4%), and blood transfusion (53% versus 58%) were not statistically different. Average follow-up in 36 (61%) of UC patients was 5 +/- 2 months (range, 1-7 months). One patient died from a non-cardiacrelated cause. At the time of follow-up 90% of patients were in angina class I-II., Conclusions: The U-Clip interrupted anastomosis technique is versatile and safe and is associated with excellent short-term outcomes.