'''AED''' most commonly refers to an [[automated external defibrillator]], a portable electronic device that diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of the heart and delivers an electric shock to re-establish a normal heart rhythm.It may also refer to other people, concepts in science and medicine, organizations, and other uses (see below).
People
Áed (given name)
Áed is a masculine given name of Old Irish origin, derived from the word áed, meaning "fire" or "bright."[1][2] This etymology traces back to Proto-Celtic aidu and Proto-Indo-European h₂éydʰu, rooted in the concept of burning or kindling. The name was prevalent in medieval Irish naming conventions, reflecting elemental imagery common in Gaelic personal nomenclature.[2]In early medieval Ireland, Áed was one of the most common personal names, borne by at least twenty saints and numerous kings, underscoring its prominence in ecclesiastical and royal contexts.[2] Notable historical figures include Áed mac Ainmuirech (died 598), a High King of Ireland from the Cenél Conaill dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill, who succeeded his father Ainmuire and ruled during a period of dynastic consolidation.[3] Another prominent bearer was Áed Oirdnide (died 819), also a High King from the Cenél nÉogain branch of the Uí Néill, known for his military campaigns against Leinster and his role in maintaining northern dominance.[4]In modern times, Áed has no direct widespread usage but influences contemporary names through its variants and anglicizations, such as Aodh (the standard modern Irish form), Hugh (a common English adaptation), and Aidan (derived from the diminutive Áedán, meaning "little fire").[1][5] Within Gaelic tradition, the name symbolizes vitality and leadership, evoking the transformative power of fire as a metaphor for enduring strength and authority among historical elites.[2] The name Áed is also associated with a mythological figure in Irish lore (see Aed (god)).
Aed (god)
In Irish mythology, Aed (also spelled Aodh) is depicted as the eldest son of Lir, a prominent sea god and member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, in the medieval legend known as Oidheadh Chloinne Lir ("The Fate of the Children of Lir"). This narrative, dating to around the 15th century but drawing on earlier oral traditions, portrays Aed as one of four siblings cursed by their stepmother Aoife and transformed into swans, enduring 900 years of exile across Irish lakes and seas before their release and baptism by Saint Caemóc.[6] As part of the Tuatha Dé Danann—the divine race who retreated to the sídhe mounds after defeat by the Milesians—Aed is implicitly linked to the Daoine Sidhe, the fairy folk inhabiting the Irish otherworld, often interpreted as a realm of enchantment and the dead.[6]The name Aed derives from Old Irish áed, meaning "fire," reflecting Proto-Celtic aidus and Proto-Indo-European h₂eydʰ- ("to burn, kindle"), which connects the figure to elemental fire in Celtic cosmology.[7] While primary texts do not explicitly cast Aed as a fire deity, his etymology aligns him with fiery symbolism, and in the legend, the swans led by Aed produce three strains of music—goll (sorrow), gean (joy), and suan (sleep)—that enchant listeners and evoke poetic inspiration, a motif tied to the otherworldly arts of the Tuatha Dé Danann.[6] This musical gift underscores Aed's role in bridging the human and fairy realms, with the otherworld's association to an underworld-like sídhe reinforcing themes of transformation and liminality.[6]Aed's family origins trace to Lir, High King of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and his first wife Aobh (or Aoibh), daughter of Bodb Derg, a fairy king; Aed was born alongside his twin sister Fionnuala, followed by the twin brothers Fiachra and Conn from Lir's second marriage to Aoife.[6] The curse stems from Aoife's jealousy, scattering the swans but reuniting them under Fionnuala's protection, with Aed enduring storms and separation as a symbol of resilience. The tale survives in manuscripts such as those in the Royal Irish Academy (e.g., MS 24 P 9) and British Library (Egerton 164), edited in scholarly works like those of Eugene O'Curry (1863) and Caoimhín Breatnach, who highlights its Christian-pagan syncretism.[6]Though rarely featured as a standalone deity in modern adaptations, which emphasize the siblings' collective tragedy, Aed symbolizes enduring elemental forces in pagan Irish tradition, particularly the transformative power of fire and the otherworld's poetic mysteries.[6] The mythological Aed shares etymological roots with the given name Áed, borne by numerous historical Irish kings and saints.[7]
Science and medicine
Automated external defibrillator
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device designed to diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, in victims of sudden cardiac arrest and deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm.[8][9] The device automatically analyzes the heart's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the chest and advises the user whether a shock is needed, making it suitable for use by bystanders with minimal medical training.[10] By interrupting chaotic electrical signals in the heart, an AED can potentially restart a coordinated rhythm, significantly improving survival chances when used promptly alongside cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).[11]The development of AEDs began in the early 1970s in Portland, Oregon, where physicians Arch Diack and W. Stanley Welborn, along with engineer Robert Rullman, created the Heart-Aid, an early prototype aimed at enabling rapid defibrillation outside clinical settings.[12] This innovation built on prior work with portable defibrillators from the 1960s but introduced automated rhythm analysis to reduce reliance on trained personnel.[13] The first commercially successful AEDs emerged in the mid-1980s, featuring compact designs and user-friendly interfaces that facilitated broader adoption.[14] Public access programs gained momentum in the late 1990s, driven by legislation like the U.S. Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000, which established guidelines for AED placement in federal facilities and encouraged statewide mandates.[15]Key components of an AED include self-adhesive electrode pads that conduct electrocardiogram (ECG) signals for rhythm analysis, a microprocessor that interprets the data and determines shock necessity, and a capacitor that stores energy for delivering a controlled biphasic or monophasic shock.[8] The device is powered by rechargeable or disposable batteries, ensuring portability, and incorporates audio and visual prompts to guide users through steps like pad placement and shock delivery. As of 2025, advancements include IoT-enabled remote monitoring and AI-driven features for enhanced usability.[16][17] Semi-automatic models require user confirmation before shocking, while fully automatic versions deliver it independently if advised, enhancing safety in non-expert hands.[9]AEDs are regulated and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Class III medical devices, ensuring reliability and safety for public use.[8] In the United States, bystander use of AEDs is estimated to save approximately 1,700 lives annually (as of 2018) from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, underscoring their impact on survival rates, which can double or triple with early defibrillation.[18] Since the early 2000s, many countries and U.S. states have mandated AED placement in high-risk public spaces such as airports, schools, and sports venues to facilitate rapid access during emergencies.[19][15]AEDs are engineered for operation by laypersons with little to no prior training, relying on clear voice instructions and pictorial guides to direct actions like turning on the device, applying pads, and resuming CPR between analyses.[20] While formal training programs from organizations like the American Heart Association enhance confidence and proficiency, studies show that even brief instruction—such as a 30-minute session—enables effective use, integrating seamlessly with CPR protocols to form the core of bystander response in cardiac arrest scenarios.[21][22]
Antiepileptic drug
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also known as antiseizure medications, are a diverse class of pharmaceuticals primarily used to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in individuals with epilepsy by stabilizing excessive neuronal activity in the brain.[23] These medications work by modulating ion channels, neurotransmitters, or synaptic transmission to raise the seizure threshold and inhibit hyperexcitability.[24] Beyond epilepsy, AEDs are employed off-label or approved for conditions such as bipolar disorder, neuropathic pain, and migraine prophylaxis, where their neuromodulatory effects help manage mood stabilization, chronic pain, or headache frequency.[25][26]Major classes of AEDs include barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, introduced in 1912 as one of the earliest effective agents for broad-spectrum seizure control.[27] Hydantoins, exemplified by phenytoin, emerged in 1938 and became a cornerstone for treating focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures through voltage-gated sodium channel blockade.[27] Succinimides, like ethosuximide introduced in 1958, target absence seizures by inhibiting T-type calcium channels.[28] Later developments include valproate, discovered in 1963 and marketed in 1967, which offers broad-spectrum efficacy via multiple mechanisms including GABA enhancement; and modern phenyltriazines such as lamotrigine, approved in 1994, known for sodium channel inhibition and favorable tolerability in partial and generalized epilepsies.[29][30]The primary mechanisms of AEDs involve enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission, such as through potentiation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity by barbiturates and valproate, which prolongs chloride channel opening to hyperpolarize neurons.[24] Many, including phenytoin and lamotrigine, block voltage-gated sodium channels to limit repetitive neuronal firing during seizures.[31] Others, like ethosuximide, modulate low-threshold T-type calcium currents in thalamic neurons to suppress spike-wave discharges characteristic of absence epilepsy.[24] These actions collectively reduce synaptic excitation and propagation of seizure activity.Common side effects of AEDs include dose-related neurotoxicity such as drowsiness, dizziness, and cognitive impairment, as well as idiosyncratic reactions like rash (e.g., with lamotrigine) or hepatotoxicity (e.g., with valproate).[32] Gastrointestinal disturbances and fatigue are also frequent.[33] Therapeutic drug monitoring through plasma level assessments is essential to optimize efficacy, avoid toxicity, and account for pharmacokinetic variability influenced by factors like enzyme induction or genetic polymorphisms.[34]Globally, epilepsy affects over 50 million people, with nearly 80% in low- and middle-income countries, imposing a significant health burden.[35] AEDs successfully control seizures in approximately 70% of cases when initiated appropriately, underscoring their pivotal role in improving quality of life and reducing mortality risks associated with uncontrolled epilepsy.[36]
Atomic emission detector
The atomic emission detector (AED) is an element-selective analytical instrument used in gas chromatography (GC) for the identification and quantification of elements in organic compounds. It operates on the principle of atomic emission spectroscopy, where atoms in the sample are excited in a plasma to emit light at characteristic wavelengths, allowing for speciationanalysis when coupled with GC separation. This detector provides element-specific information by measuring the intensity of emitted spectral lines, enabling the detection of heteroatoms such as carbon, sulfur, phosphorus, and halogens within complex mixtures.[37][38]The AED was first conceptualized in 1965 through early experiments combining GC with microwave-induced plasmaemissionspectrometry. Significant advancements occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, including the development of an atmospheric-pressure heliumplasma in 1977, which improved stability and sensitivity. Commercialization began in 1989 with Hewlett-Packard's introduction of the HP 5921A model, marking the first widely available GC-AED system based on microwaveplasma and photodiode array detection. Subsequent iterations, such as the JAS AED III, have enhanced resolution and multi-element capabilities.[39][37]In operation, the AED interfaces with a GC column where eluting compounds enter a helium microwave-induced plasma chamber maintained at approximately 250°C, fragmenting molecules into free atoms. These atoms are excited to higher energy states and subsequently emit light as they relax, with wavelengths dispersed by a diffraction grating onto a photodiodearray or charge-coupled device for spectral analysis. Characteristic emission lines include carbon at 193 nm, sulfur at 181 nm, and phosphorus at 178 nm, allowing simultaneous monitoring of up to 11 elements in the 161–211 nm range. Sensitivity reaches the low parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv) level for many elements, with linear dynamic ranges exceeding four orders of magnitude and equimolar responses that simplify quantification without compound-specific calibration.[39][38][40]Applications of the AED span environmental monitoring, where it quantifies pesticides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) containing heteroatoms, such as in EPA Method 8085 for organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. In the petrochemical industry, it determines sulfur content in fuels to comply with regulatory limits, aiding desulfurization processes. Forensic science employs the AED for trace analysis, exemplified by detecting sulfur in accelerants from arson debris to identify ignition sources. These uses leverage its ability to handle complex samples like atmospheric air or soil extracts.[41][42][43]Key advantages of the AED include its high selectivity for specific elements, enabling differentiation in mixtures where organic detectors like the flame ionization detector (FID) provide only total carbon response. It offers superior sensitivity for non-carbon elements (e.g., sulfur detection limits of 0.5–9.7 pptv) and multi-element detection without additional hardware, outperforming FID in speciation tasks. Additionally, the equimolar response reduces calibration complexity compared to mass spectrometry-based alternatives.[37][39][38]
Average effective dose
The average effective dose (AED) is a key metric in radiation protection that quantifies the average radiation exposure to a population by weighting the absorbed dose in various tissues according to their sensitivity to stochastic effects, such as cancer induction, with the unit of measurement being the sievert (Sv).[44] Unlike the effective dose for a single reference individual, AED incorporates population averaging to estimate overall detriment from nonuniform exposures, facilitating comparisons across diverse groups and exposure scenarios.[45] It is primarily employed to assess and manage risks from stochasticradiation effects in contexts like environmental monitoring and public health.The calculation of AED builds on the effective dose formula but applies it as an average across a defined population: AED = Σ (w_T * H_T), where w_T represents the tissue weighting factor (for example, 0.12 for the lungs, reflecting their relative radiosensitivity), and H_T is the equivalent dose to tissue T.[44] This summation weights the radiation's biological impact, with H_T itself derived from absorbed dose multiplied by radiation weighting factors.[45] The key distinction from individual effective dose lies in the population-level averaging, which accounts for variations in age, sex, and exposure patterns to provide a collectiverisk estimate.[46]Introduced by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in 1977 as part of their foundational recommendations on radiological protection, the concept evolved from earlier dose quantities to better address stochastic risks.[47] It was refined in subsequent updates, notably in ICRP Publication 103 (2007), which revised tissue weighting factors based on updated epidemiological data to enhance accuracy in risk assessment.[44]In applications, AED guides limits for occupational exposure, such as the ICRP-recommended 20 mSv per year averaged over five years for workers, ensuring long-term safety without exceeding 50 mSv in any single year.[44] For medical imaging, typical values include an average of about 10 mSv for a whole-body CT scan, helping clinicians balance diagnostic benefits against radiation risks. Representative examples illustrate its scale: the global average natural background AED is approximately 2.4 mSv per year, primarily from cosmic rays and radon, while diagnostic X-ray procedures range from 0.01 mSv (e.g., dental) to 10 mSv (e.g., complex fluoroscopy).
Organizations
Academy for Educational Development
The Academy for Educational Development (AED) was established in 1961 as an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing critical social challenges through innovative solutions in education, health, and economic development, particularly in underserved communities worldwide.[48] Founded by Alvin C. Eurich and Sidney Tickton, AED initially focused on providing technical assistance for higher education management in the United States before expanding its scope to global development initiatives.[49] Its mission emphasized applying research-based strategies to foster positive change, partnering with governments, communities, and international agencies to implement programs that promoted equity and sustainability.[50]Over its five decades of operation, AED managed more than 250 programs across approximately 150 countries, with a strong emphasis on health, education, and social development sectors. Key initiatives included HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, such as community-based counseling, testing, and social marketing campaigns to reduce stigma and promote safe behaviors; nutrition programs aimed at combating malnutrition in vulnerable populations; and girls' education projects that enhanced access to schooling and leadershiptraining for marginalized young women.[48] The organization secured substantial funding through contracts with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including over 65 agreements valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, which supported large-scale interventions in areas like youth empowerment and environmental policy.[51] AED was particularly noted for its pioneering use of media and communication strategies for social change, integrating advocacy, mass media, and community mobilization to drive behavioral shifts and policy reforms in public health and education.[48]In late 2010, AED faced significant challenges when USAID suspended it from receiving new federal contracts due to findings of serious corporate misconduct, mismanagement, and inadequate internal controls, which severely impacted its financial stability.[52] This led to the organization's decision to cease independent operations, culminating in a 2011 asset purchase agreement with Family Health International (FHI), under which AED's programs, expertise, and resources were integrated to form FHI 360, ensuring continuity of its global work.[53]AED's legacy includes substantial influence on U.S. global health and education policies, such as contributing to frameworks for HIV/AIDS response and girls' empowerment initiatives that shaped international development strategies.[49] Through its centers for youth policy and research, the organization trained thousands of professionals in development practices, fostering long-term capacity building in civil society and government sectors across multiple continents.[54]
Associated Equipment Distributors
The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international tradeassociation founded in 1919 to support the success of companies involved in the distribution, rental, and support of heavy equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, and agriculture.[55] Initially established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by industry leaders including Morton R. Hunter, AED has grown to represent a vital sector of the economy, focusing on promoting high business standards, ethical practices, and free enterprise principles among its members. Over its more than century-long history, AED has navigated economic challenges such as the Great Depression, world wars, and industry crises, consistently providing resources for advocacy, education, and research to strengthen the equipment distribution industry.[55]AED's membership exceeds 800 companies, primarily independent distributors, manufacturers, and service providers that rent and sell equipment from leading brands such as Caterpillar and John Deere, with an international reach but a core U.S.-based focus.[56] These members operate in a substantial market, where U.S. heavy equipment sales and related services generate annual revenues surpassing $50 billion, as tracked through AED's industry reports.[57] The association's activities emphasize advocacy for industry standards and lobbying efforts on key issues like tariffs, regulations, and safety policies, including submissions of comments to agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to influence workplace safety rules.[58] Additionally, AED organizes annual summits for networking and business development, alongside comprehensive training programs on topics like employee development and advanced sales management to enhance member profitability and workforce skills.[59]Among AED's notable achievements is its role in shaping safety standards through policy advocacy, including the introduction of a "Training Guide for Employee Development" during the era of emerging OSHA regulations in the 1970s, which helped dealers implement safer practices.[55] The organization also produces influential market data reports, such as the Business Outlook Report, which compiles data from U.S. and Canadian government sources to inform members on trends in equipment sales and economic forecasts.[57] Headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, AED is led by President and CEO Brian P. McGuire, with Jerry Donlon serving as the 2025 chairman.[60][61][62]
Other
United Arab Emirates dirham
The United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, with the ISO 4217 code AED.[63] It is subdivided into 100 fils and has been pegged to the United States dollar since 1997 at a fixed exchange rate of 3.6725 AED per 1 USD, providing economic stability amid global fluctuations.[64] This peg supports the UAE's role as a major international trade and financial hub by ensuring predictable exchange rates for imports, exports, and foreign investment.[65]The dirham was introduced on May 19, 1973, shortly after the UAE's formation in 1971, replacing the Qatar and Dubai riyal that had been in circulation.[66] Initially issued by the UAE Currency Board, responsibility shifted to the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) in 1982 following the enactment of Union Law No. 10.[67] The first coins and banknotes were minted and printed to unify the currency across the emirates, fostering national economic cohesion.[68]Current denominations include coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 fils, and 1 dirham, while banknotes are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 dirhams.[69] The latest series, introduced starting in 2022, features polymer substrates for select denominations like the 5 and 10 dirham notes, incorporating advanced security elements such as holograms and transparent windows to combat counterfeiting.[70] Higher denominations, including the 500 dirham polymer note issued in 2023 and the 1,000 dirham polymer note issued in 2022, continue this modernization for durability and authenticity.[70]In the UAE's oil-driven economy, which recorded a GDP of approximately $481 billion in 2024 with non-oil sectors contributing over 75%, the dirham plays a central role in facilitating trade and investment in one of the world's highest per capita income nations (around $76,000).[71][72] The currency's stability underpins the country's position as a global logistics and tourism center, handling non-oil trade exceeding AED 2.8 trillion in 2024.[73]The dirham serves as legal tender exclusively within the UAE, where it is accepted for all transactions, though smaller fils coins are rarely used in daily commerce.[69] It is not legal tender in other Gulf Cooperation Council states, which employ distinct currencies like the Saudi riyal or Qatari riyal.[74] The CBUAE has been exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC) version of the dirham since 2019, which was launched in late 2025 to enhance payment efficiency and financial inclusion.[75][76]
AED-0 instruction set
AED-0 was developed between 1964 and 1965 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the foundational language of the Automated Engineering Design (AED) project, aimed at supporting computer-aided design and advanced software engineering practices. Led by Douglas T. Ross, the language emerged from efforts to create a high-level tool for building complex engineering software, building on experiences from the earlier APT (Automatically Programmed Tools) system. The project sought to automate aspects of design and programming, making AED-0 a pioneering effort in structured software development for technical applications.[77]Influenced heavily by ALGOL 60, AED-0 served as an algebraic language optimized for systems programming, with key extensions to handle sophisticated data manipulation and program organization. It supported recursive procedures, enabling nested function calls without stack overflow limitations common in earlier languages, and dynamic storage allocation, which allowed runtime management of memory for variable-sized data structures such as lists and trees. These features facilitated "plex programming," a paradigm for processing interconnected data complexes, promoting modular and reusable code components. The language omitted some ALGOL constructs for simplicity while adding specialized operators for engineering computations, emphasizing readability and maintainability in large-scale programs.[77]AED-0 was first implemented on the IBM 7094 computer within MIT's Project MAC time-sharing environment, where its compiler demonstrated high efficiency by compiling programs at speeds comparable to assembly language. The compiler was largely self-hosting, with over 95% written in AED-0 itself, showcasing the language's adequacy for its own development. It encompassed roughly 100 core instructions and statements, including arithmetic operations (e.g., addition, multiplication with support for real and complex numbers), input/output handling for files and devices, and control flow elements like conditional branching and loops. Later versions were adapted for broader use, serving as a precursor to more comprehensive systems languages like PL/I through its emphasis on portability and structured constructs.[78]The legacy of AED-0 lies in its contributions to early operating system and CAD software development, where it enabled the creation of modular tools for geometric modeling and simulation in engineering projects. It influenced subsequent AED variants, such as AED-1, which expanded on its foundations for graphical and interactive applications. Detailed documentation appears in the 1970 publication AED-0 Programmer's Manual by Douglas T. Ross, J. E. Rodriguez, and C. G. Feldmann, which outlined syntax, semantics, and usage examples for systems programmers.[79]Today, AED-0 is obsolete and no longer in active use, but it remains a subject of study in computing history for its innovations in high-level systems languages and early adoption of concepts like recursion and dynamic memory that became standard in modern programming.[80]