Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological condition, in which the course of the disease varies in each patient. Management is tailored to the individual, hence the emergence of specialists in the care of this group. Both care of the elderly physicians and neurologists run movement disorder clinics, ably assisted by PD nurse specialists. As with most conditions where specialists are involved, other clinicians can become deskilled and unaware of the difficulties in managing patients with PD.

Medication for patients with PD requires fine tuning, especially in the later stages of the disease, to prevent and control the complications of both the disease and the treatment. These are many and varied, including 'on/off phenomenon', drugs 'wearing off', dyskinesias and psychiatric symptoms. Drug regimens can vary from once a day to once every 2–3 h. Extensive research has been carried out (using electronically monitored bottles) looking at this area of care and has shown a surprising lack of adherence.1 Patients occasionally use 'pill timers' at home to be exact with their timing, and a major area of patient education focuses on drug adherence and compliance. Drug preparations vary from dispersible to normal-release tablets and from patches to subcutaneous infusions. The timing and onset of action can vary, leaving the newcomer quite bamboozled. After time spent encouraging patients to be exact with medication, explaining that it should reduce the incidence of side effects and improve overall quality of life, it is often disappointing to see it all compromised by an inpatient stay.

Drugs can be poorly prescribed through lack of understanding, doses missed, and inappropriate nil by mouth orders. A study across all hospital wards has shown a delay in prescribing first and subsequent doses …


: The impact of spinal anesthesia on cardiac rhythm variability was studied in 36 children aged 13-17 years who had been operated on for urological, orthopedic, and vascular diseases. The findings were compared with the results obtained in 83 children with the same pathology at the age of 7-15 years, who had been operated under general anesthesia. A spectral cardiac sinus rhythm analysis demonstrated a steady state of stress-limiting systems during spinal block. Unlike general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia was ascertained to reduce the likelihood of intraoperative arrhythmias, by producing an adequate analgesic effect.


Pig platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increased the rate of [32P]Pi uptake by murine fibroblasts, resulting in a 3-9-fold elevation of the specific radioactivity of ATP, PtdInsP, PtdInsP2, PtdIns and phosphatidic acid. The specific radioactivity was 10-60-fold higher in ATP than in the four phospholipids. These substances are therefore not in metabolic equilibrium, which complicates determination of inositol phospholipid turnover.


ABSTRACT Isotropic graphite of ETP-10 was exposed to a deuterium rf-plasma at room temperature and depth profiles of deuterium near the plasma-facing surface were observed by a nuclear reaction analysis. The depth profile consisted of two parts, which were a peak at the surface and a gradual slope downward to the depths. The surface density of deuterium estimated from the peak area was saturated with longer time and hardly decreased after the exposure. This was explained by that the incident deuterium atoms from the plasma were absorbed on deuterium-free sites and absorbed atoms were not desorbed. The deuterium concentration in the bulk increased nearly in proportion to the square root of time and gradually decreased after the plasma exposure. This was explained by a simple diffusion model and an apparent diffusion coefficient was found to be 2x10−18 m2s−1 from the depth profile.


Objective: Consumers with serious mental illness smoke more and are at higher risk for smoking-related illness. We examined provider and consumer factors influencing the implementation of the evidence-based "5 A's" (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) in six community mental health centers in greater Baltimore. Methods: Data collected as part of a larger study examining the effectiveness of delivery of the 5 A's at patient visits. First, we examined responses to a survey administered to 49 clinicians on barriers and attitudes toward delivering the 5 A's. Second, we used multilevel models to examine variance between patients (n = 228), patient factors, and variance between their psychiatrists (n = 28) in the delivery of the 5 A's (and first 3 A's). Results: The most strongly endorsed barrier was perceived lack of patient interest in smoking cessation. Psychiatrists and patients both accounted for significant variance in the delivery of the 5 A's and 3 A's. Patient "readiness to change" predicted delivery of the full 5 A's, while smoking severity predicted delivery of the first 3 A's. Conclusions: There is a critical need for creative and collaborative solutions, policies, and clinician training to address actual and perceived obstacles to the delivery of evidence-based smoking cessation treatment in the mental health care setting.


Reducing sensing time is one major concern in clinical diagnostics. In the present work, a robust measurement system is developed aiming at the faster and easier signal acquisition of memristive biosensors. Sensing chips consisting of nanofabricated silicon wires exhibiting memristive electrical response and metallic extension electrodes allowing an integrated measurement procedure are designed and fabricated. Furthermore, the electrical response of these particular nanofabricated structures is for the first time acquired using an embedded-system-based measurement front-end. The suggested prototype significantly simplifies the measurement procedure and provides conveniently the response signal of the devices. Such optimized co-design of memristive biosensors with electronic platforms hold great promise for PoC (point-of-care) applications.


High-energy rechargeable lithium metal batteries have been intensively revisited in recent years. Since more researchers started to use pouch cell as the platform to study the fundamentals at relevant scales, safe testing and handling of lithium metal and high-energy lithium metal batteries have become critical. Cautions and safety procedures are needed when handling cycled pouch cells with pulverized lithium metal particles inside. From cell design, electrode preparation, cell fabrication to testing procedure, this work aims to discuss the possible root causes that may initiate cell internal short circuit and raise safety concerns. Safe transfer, disassembly and disposal of cycled Li metal pouch cells are also discussed. The insights provided in this article are applicable for the research on high-energy lithium-ion batteries as well and may inspire more safety strategies to accelerate research innovation by using large-format batteries as the testing vehicle and conduct the research safely.


Conservation voltage reduction (CVR) is based on the premise that conserving energy by reducing voltage levels of the electrical system will lead to reduced energy consumption. In this work a comparison-based method has been applied for assessing CVR effects in a distribution grid. The reference voltage on the secondary side of the primary substation was manually altered according to a predefined schedule during 6 months, that is, perform CVR on a substation and apply "normal" voltage to the same substation with a 2-week interval between the changes. Measurements (1 second RMS-values for voltages, active powers and reactive powers) and analysis were made at the 11 kV side of a 130/11 kV transformer of a primary substation, on outgoing feeders and at the 400 V side of 11/0.4 kV distribution transformers downstream of the primary substation as well as on downstream single rural and industrial customers. Active power at different reference voltage levels versus 24 hours divided into 10 minute intervals for reoccurring days of the week were plotted and analysed.This work confirms the difficulties in obtaining predictable loads over time and to accurately analyse the load composition on all grid levels. Each are needed in order to quantify the effects of CVR and by extension optimising the grid operations without violating the power quality.


We use data from the Luxembourg Income Study in order to quantify
the economy-wide monetary gains achieved by Household-Size
Economies, due to the within-household sharing of goods by individuals
living in multi-member households. In most of the twenty countries
we examine, we observe a decline in monetary gains achieved
by Household-Size Economies over time. This decline is the result
of a demographic trend towards smaller-sized household units, rather
than a change in the shares of aggregate disposable income earned by
household types of different size.


A recent literature has developed that combines two prominent empirical approaches to ex ante policy evaluation: randomized controlled trials (RCT) and structural estimation. The RCT provides a "gold-standard" estimate of a particular treatment, but only of that treatment. Structural estimation provides the capability to extrapolate beyond the experimental treatment, but is based on untestable assumptions and is subject to structural data mining. Combining the approaches by holding out from the structural estimation exercise either the treatment or control sample allows for external validation of the underlying behavioral model. Although intuitively appealing, this holdout methodology is not well grounded. For instance, it is easy to show that it is suboptimal from a Bayesian perspective. Using a stylized representation of a randomized controlled trial, we provide a formal rationale for the use of a holdout sample in an environment in which data mining poses an impediment to the implementation of the ideal Bayesian analysis and a numerical illustration of the potential benefits of holdout samples.


In the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), serial compression ultrasonography is a safe but inefficient strategy as the overall prevalence of DVT in outpatients suspected of thrombosis is low (17-24%) and only 0.9-2.3% of the patients have DVT detected by the second ultrasound. This inefficiency has lead to the development of new non-invasive strategies by which the need for ultrasound can be reduced by using the pre-test clinical probability (PCP) score and D-dimer measurements. As degradation products of cross-linked fibrin, D-dimer levels will rise in the event of fibrinolysis and are an indirect measurement of thrombus formation. In this thesis, the role of the D-dimer assay in the diagnostic management of DVT is refined.
We demonstrate that it is valid to measure D-dimer concentrations using heparin plasma on routine chemical analyzers in stead of the standard citrate plasma. This finding implicates a significant reduction of the turn-around time. Furthermore, we found D-dimer concentrations to remain stable under various (pre)analytic conditions, making comparison of different studies more feasible. In a second study, we studied the course of D-dimer concentrations in patients undergoing embolisation of pulmonary arteries because of arteriovenous malformations. D-dimer concentrations increased almost immediately after formation of a clot and they remained elevated for at least 8 hours after onset.
We describe the performance of a rapid latex D-dimer assay in the exclusion of DVT and tried to define variables that might restrict the use of the D-dimer in terms of reduced sensitivity, negative predictive value or specificity. We show that the overall sensitivity and negative predictive value of this D-dimer assay are high. The D-dimer test has a good performance in patients with previous venous thromboembolism, but we do not recommend its use in patients using oral anticoagulants because of reduced sensitivity. The D-dimer tests in patients with cancer and in patients over 70 years old are usually positive and may not be worthwhile in terms of low specificity.
The key-question is whether the D-dimer test can replace or reduce the need for CUS in outpatients suspected for having DVT. In a multicenter management study in 812 patients, we show the safety of withholding anticoagulation in patients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis with the combination of a normal D-dimer concentration and a non-high clinical score. This strategy reduces the need for ultrasonography by approximately 30%. In 537 of these patients, extra samples were taken to compare five different D-dimer assays. We show that these D-dimer assays all have a high sensitivity and negative predictive value, but none of the assays reached an NPV of >98% at standard cut-off values. For exclusion of DVT, we therefore recommend combining the D-dimer assay with other non-invasive tests in order to reach failure rates less than 1.0%. The use of D-dimer assays with a very low specificity might not be worthwhile from an economical point of view, as a positive test will necessitate additional testing in the majority of the patients.
Venous thromboembolism can be related to malignancy, but routine screening for cancer in every patient with deep venous thrombosis is a matter of debate. We show that high D-dimer concentrations at presentation and during the first days of treatment are indicators of an increased change for overt or occult forms of cancer, especially in patients younger than 60 years.


Legal rules for allocating the private costs of civil litigation, or "fee-shifting" rules, provide powerful incentives for settlement. Within the context of a direct-revelation mechanism, the fee-shifting rule that generates the highest probability of settlement bases the allocation of costs upon the proximity of the court's award to the pretrial announcements. This mechanism resembles Rule 68 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and other offer-based rules. In a simple extensive-form game, if the litigants have asymmetric information about the level of damages (probability of prevailing), then Rule 68 increases (decreases) the settlement rate.


This article examines the current division of powers over cultural matters in the Canadian Constitution and the manner in which the 1992 Charlottetown Accord would have altered that distribution. During the debate over the Charlottetown Accord, it was argued by the federal government and the provinces that the Constitution allocates primary legislative responsibility over cultural matters to the provinces. Therefore, the cultural amendments in the Accord which would have recognized the provinces' exclusive jurisdiction to make laws in relation to culture were justified on the basis that they merely codified the status quo. This paper challenges the belief that the provinces enjoy exclusive legislative authority in relation to culture. It is argued that the federal government possesses quite significant legislative authority relating to cultural matters, the most important being its authority to pass laws in relation to matters of national concern. The promotion and strengthening of a distinct Canadian national identity is, it is argued, one such matter of national concern. Thus, over time, the proposed amendments relating to culture in the Charlottetown Accord would probably have significantly reduced federal legislative powers. Assuming that some kind of cultural power is to be entrenched in the Constitution at all, culture should be recognized as an area of shared or concurrent jurisdiction in which both Parliament and the provincial legislatures have legitimate roles to play. This paper also calls into question the whole concept of entrenching a cultural power in the Constitution in the first place, arguing that it is unwise to recognize indeterminate and amorphous concepts like culture as a basis for legislative authority in a federal state.


This article describes a series of studies that were carried out in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, between April of 2002 and November of 2008, which aimed to understand the role of social context in citizens' political behavior.  After describing the characteristics of the studies, the paper explores the influence of education measured at the neighborhood level on the Juiz de Foran voter's electoral choices.  Between 1998 and 2008 there was a strong tendency for neighborhoods with higher education to support the candidate from the Workers' Party, although in 2006 and to a lesser extent in 2002 the association between vote for the Workers' Party and neighborhood-level education was reversed.  It is also discovered that in the neighborhoods where residents have lower formal education, the political influence of neighborhood associations and churches is stronger.  Keywords: Brazilian electoral behavior; social contexto; neighborhoods


Persistent daily congestion, which has been increasing in recent years, is commonly experienced for several hours or more during the morning and evening on Virginia's urban freeways. Many of these roadways are at or near capacity, which causes severe delays and backups. One solution to reducing recurring congestion is to add capacity by building more lanes; however, this is usually the last resort as it is an expensive and time-consuming approach. Another strategy proposed to combat recurring congestion is to manage the current freeways so that they operate more efficiently. Reducing congestion through better managed freeways has numerous documented benefits, including reducing travel times, smoothing the traffic flow, increasing average fuel economy, shortening the rush hour period and reducing vehicle queuing. The highway operational strategies implemented to reduce recurring congestion have shown promising results abroad where there is an extensive use of active traffic management systems. To prove the effectiveness of a better managed freeway in mitigating recurring congestion, this study tested the effectiveness of an active traffic management system on a simulated model of I-66 and I-95 in Northern Virginia. Hard shoulders, variable speed limits, and ramp metering are several active traffic management systems simulated in this study. The simulation model was based on the geometric characteristics, ramp volumes, vehicle flows, and speeds of actual recorded conditions. Compared with the simulated control conditions, the results of the study indicated improvements in average fuel economy, travel delay, delay of the onset of congestion, and reduction of queues. The two active traffic management systems, i.e., variable speed limits and hard shoulders, showed the highest potential for reducing recurring congestion and should be considered as potential countermeasures in congested corridors. Although the capital costs of implementing these strategies would be high, the return on investment in the first year of operations is estimated at $500,000, with the potential to grow to as much as $8 million annually in subsequent years.


New finds of nonscorpionid arachnids in the Lower Devonian Nellenk�pfchen Shale of Alken an der Mosel, Germany, give valuable iniformation on the first appearance of terrestrial arachnids.


Innovation and entrepreneurship are central components of the nation's current economic strategy and thus have direct influence over workforce competitiveness within agricultural industries and environments. In this multiple case study, the experiences and perspectives specific to these two components of 21 graduate students preparing or further preparing for careers as school-based agriculture teachers at three Land Grant universities are qualitatively explored. The study reveals how the participants generally understand innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as provides indication of how the formal, non-formal, and informal/incidental learning that takes place during graduate programs of study influence how the participants' relate the two concepts to their future roles as school-based agriculture teachers. Recommendations for including principles and concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship in graduate-level agriculture teacher preparation programs are developed.


Background There are limited data on Rugby-7s, an emerging sport in the United States (US), which debuted in the 2016 Olympics. Objective To report incidence and causes for US Rugby-7s. We hypothesized that match injuries would be frequent and patterns of injuries would be similar in the US population to international cohorts. Design Prospective descriptive epidemiology study. Setting The study encompassed U19 to elite players in USA Rugby tournaments (2010–2013). Participants A total of 13,644 US players (Men=9,768; Women=3,876; age: 13–49 years) were included over 28 tournaments (37 days) of 2,688 matches (Men=1,886; Women=802) in 1,137 sides/teams (Men=814; Women=323). Assessment of Risk Factors Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in Rugby-7s match injuries. Main measurement outcome Injury incidence (per 1000 player-hour (ph)) and mechanism captured using the Rugby Injury Survey & Evaluation (RISE) Report methodology. Time-loss injuries were defined as players who did not return to play the day of their injury. Injury severity was defined as days absent before return to training/competition (including post tournament). Results Overall incidence of time-loss injuries was 50.6/1000 ph. Time-loss injuries were highest among sub-elite level players (69.5/1000 ph) (P<0.001). Fifty percent of all injuries occurred in 20–25 year olds which was consistent with the age distribution of the participants. The average injury severity was 44 days (CI 37.7–49.4) for the 97% of players with follow-up data. Most tournament match injuries were new acute injuries (95%), occurred during tackling (68%), were ligament sprains (35%), and in the lower extremity (52%). Head/face (22.6%) and upper extremity (24.7%) injuries were also frequent. Conclusions Compared to international elite cohorts, the US amateur population had lower overall injury incidence, however, they had a higher frequency of upper extremity and head/face injuries. Injury prevention protocols in the US should focus on tackling techniques, which may reduce incidence of tournament match injuries.


Anti-thrombotic effects of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are believed to be due to their ability to reduce arachidonic acid levels. Therefore, weanling rats were fed n-3 acids in the form of linseed oil (18:3n-3) or fish oil (containing 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3) in diets containing high levels of either saturated fatty acids (hydrogenated beef tallow) or high levels of linoleic acid (safflower oil) for 4 weeks. The effect of diet on the rate-limiting enzyme of arachidonic acid biosynthesis (delta 6-desaturase) and on the lipid composition of hepatic microsomal membrane was determined. Both linseed oil- or fish oil-containing diets inhibited conversion of linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid. Inhibition was greater with fish oil than with linseed oil, only when fed with saturated fat. delta 6-Desaturase activity was not affected when n-3 fatty acids were fed with high levels of n-6 fatty acids. Arachidonic acid content of serum lipids and hepatic microsomal phospholipids was lower when n-3 fatty acids were fed in combination with beef tallow but not when fed with safflower oil. Similarly, n-3 fatty acids (18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3) accumulated to a greater extent when n-3 fatty acids were fed with beef tallow than with safflower oil. These observations indicate that the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids in reducing arachidonic acid level is dependent on the linoleic acid to saturated fatty acid ratio of the diet consumed.


Yes, £20for 83 pages. One contributor, Dr Lum, states that the †̃¿ reluctance of conventional medicine to accept hypnotherapy tends to be attributed to the "¿ Svengali― image, and to the aura of charlatanry promoted by fairground hypnotists'. I think, rather, that reluctance is engendered by the sheer eccentricity of papers such as his that read like a parody of a scientific inquiry. In rejecting such stuff conventional medicine shows some good sense. Not all of the six papers given at this symposium are as absurd. Hilgard's paper on pain control, although presenting material that has mostly been published some time ago, is excellent; Basil Finer's is competent, and Snaith's already-published views on anxiety control are worth repeating. But on the whole this slim and over-priced pamphlet between hard covers will do much to confirm the view of many doctors and other serious professionals that they can well afford to ignore a lot of the muddleheaded messing about that tends to be labelled †̃¿ medical hypnosis'.


This paper considers the role of 'conflict management assessment' in communitybased natural resource projects. The importance of conducting an assessment of the potential for conflict and its management in relation to a project intervention is stressed, and an assessment framework described. Within this framework the advantages of managing conflict through a consensual 'win-win' process of stakeholder negotiation are discussed.


SUMMARY This article introduces a first, tentative inquiry into some of the research in teacher education published by the Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE). Our source is a two-year sample of texts: the three-yearly issues of the European Journal of Teacher Education , Vols 16 and 19, and the Conference Proceedings of the ATEE Annual Conferences of 1993 and 1996. The texts are explored from broad dimensions: type of content, purpose, focus of study, and, as and when appropriate, the authors' perspective and the educational theory perspective chosen. The aim is to contribute to an ongoing critical and deliberative discussion on research in and for teacher education.


When medical practitioners are faced with critical decisions to make, they may turn to clinical research to help them decide if a new drug or treatment regimen surpasses the old or if a newly developed diagnostic test is safe as well as accurate. Thus, to decide whether to critique a published research article or to design a clinical or preventive trial in a special area of interest, the physician needs to understand research methods. This new book on scientific investigation will help the clinical researcher acquire the perspective needed to understand research principles and design. "a literate and thought-provoking presentation of what can be a dry topic." In a concise and lucidly written volume, Dr William Silverman presents a persuasive case for the need for clinical trials in medical research. The author asserts that the randomized clinical trial is necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medical innovations before


This article traces the history of the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War (NAS), and its interventions in Continental and colonial wars of the late-nineteenth century. The NAS was founded on the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in August 1870. It went on to become one of the most important founding members of the British Red Cross Society (BRCS) when it was established in 1905. The aim of the article is to uncover the particular anxieties and aspirations that contributed to the foundation of the NAS. It demonstrates how these concerns –many of them related to the relative state of the British military– informed its subsequent practices and its relationship with the International Committee of the Red Cross. In tracing its emergence as a paramilitary corps adept at rapid-response emergency medicine, this article uncovers the rivalry that characterized attempts within the NAS and BRCS to lay claim to the "true spirit" of voluntary aid in war –a rivalry which eventually informed British insistence on a revision to the Geneva Convention in 1906.


Chemical cross-linking of dinitrogenase reductase and dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyltransferase (DRAT) from Rhodospirillum rubrum has been investigated with a cross-linking system utilizing two reagents, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide and sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimide. Cross-linking between dinitrogenase reductase and DRAT requires the presence of NAD, the cellular ADP-ribose donor, or a NAD analog containing an unmodified nicotinamide group, such as nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide. NADP, which will not replace NAD in the modification reaction, does support cross-linking between dinitrogenase reductase and DRAT. The DRAT-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase is inhibited by sodium chloride, as is the cross-linking between dinitrogenase reductase and DRAT, suggesting that ionic interactions are required for the association of these two proteins. Cross-linking is specific for native, unmodified dinitrogenase reductase, in that both oxygen-denatured and ADP-ribosylated dinitrogenase reductase fail to form a cross-linked complex with DRAT. The ADP-bound and adenine nucleotide-free states of dinitrogenase reductase form cross-linked complexes with DRAT; however, cross-linking is inhibited when dinitrogenase reductase is in its ATP-bound state.


The study aimed at understanding the competitive ability of legumes Vigna radiata L. and Mucuna pruriens with weeds and their effects on the activity of nitrifying bacteria in soils and the contents of organic-N in legumes and weeds. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three factors and four replications. The first factor was soil order, i.e. Inceptisol and Vertisol; the second factor was types of legumes, i.e. Vigna radiata L. cultivar Sriti and Mucuna pruriens; and the third factor was weed management, i.e. with weed management and without weed management. The results showed that Vigna radiata L. and Mucuna pruriens indirectly influence the supply of available nitrogen in soils that can be taken up by the coexisted plants or weeds via the inhibition of the growth of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter in soils. As a results, the organic-N content in weeds decreases, which is in contrast to the increasing amount of organic-N in Vigna radiata L. and Mucuna pruriens. The results indicated that Vigna radiata L. and Mucuna pruriens are considered as allelophatic legumes, resulting in low organic-N


ABSTRACT Purpose To explore the experiences of physiotherapy students on working with people with dementia during their clinical placements. Methods Qualitative study using a Web-based survey of students in a 2-year entry-level Masters of Physical Therapy (MPT) program. Students were asked to reflect on their experiences during clinical placements within the MPT program. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the survey responses. Results A total of 55 students (93%) completed the survey. Two overarching themes were mastery and inequity. Mastery described dementia care physiotherapy as a complex and potentially rewarding area of practice, requiring education and development throughout the professional continuum from student to expert. Inequity captured the barriers people with dementia experience to receiving excellent physiotherapy care. Six categories supported the themes: 1) physiotherapist characteristics for a successful therapeutic relationship; 2) communication strategies; 3) best practice physiotherapy skills and knowledge; 4) education strategies; 5) desire to work with people living with dementia; and 6) equity. Conclusions The study found physiotherapy students' experiences were informed by the preceptors' approach to delivery of care for people living with dementia. The students also articulated areas they wish they had known before placement and provided suggestions for teaching development in this area.


Abstract Converging evidence indicates that separate goal-directed and habitual systems compete to control behavior1. However, it has proven difficult to reliably induce habitual behavior in human participants2–4. We reasoned that habits may be present in the form of habitually prepared responses, but are overridden by goal-directed processes, preventing their overt expression. Here we show that latent habits can be unmasked by limiting the time participants have to respond to a stimulus. Participants trained for 4 days on a visuomotor association task. By continuously varying the time allowed to prepare responses, we found that the probability of expressing a learned habit followed a stereotyped time course, peaking 300-600ms after stimulus presentation. This time course was captured by a computational model of response preparation in which habitual responses are automatically prepared at short latency, but are replaced by goal-directed responses at longer latency. A more extensive period of practice (20 days) led to increased habit expression by reducing the average time of movement initiation. These findings refine our understanding of habits, and show that practice can influence habitual behavior in distinct ways: by promoting habit formation, and by modulating the likelihood of habit expression.


Radar designers utilize long pulse with a specific goal to acquire high energy for detection of the targets at long ranges and resolution of short Pulse by modulation of the long Pulse is known as Pulse compression. Through frequency or phase coding of the large bandwidth of signal can be achieved. In this technique, the performance of radar for a given application demands good autocorrelation property – to maintain low sidelobe levels at the matched filter output. One of the essential kinds of coding is the biphase code. Because these codes are easy to implement. The condition for the goodness of the transmitted codes depends upon the peak sidelobe level at the output of the matched filter. In this project, we tend to describe the optimization of biphase codes of larger length so that a high compression ratio can be achieved. Though the barker codes are the well-known biphase codes these are available only for lengths upto13. It means with the help of barker code one can achieve the compression ratio only up to 13. Therefore, there is a need of searching higher length codes. In this work particle swarm optimization algorithm is used for the optimization of biphase codes up to 105. The results obtained are encouraging. For the code lengths, 60 to 64 the PSL = 4 and as length increases the results acquired are better. Further, the sidelobes are suppressed by designing a mismatched filter. It is shown that the sidelobes are appreciably at the cost of some signal-to-noise ratio.


The aim of this project as a whole, including the literature review, was to further understand the nature of the "empirically supported psychotherapist". The literature review presents clear evidence that some therapists are more effective than others, and highlights the current lack of understanding about what accounts for the differences between therapists. Findings that particular therapist variables (e.g., professional experience, degree completed) do not necessarily lead to improved client outcomes are perplexing and point to the need for new paradigms. The expert performance framework is then introduced as a hitherto largely unexplored yet potentially useful paradigm for investigating questions about therapist effectiveness. Drawing on the expert performance framework, a theoretical model to explain the acquisition of therapeutic expertise is developed. Within this model, it is assumed that optimal therapist development is captured by four interrelated domains: Motivation and Sustained Interest; Expert Performance; Effective Practice; and Developmental Influences. It is also assumed that optimal therapist development facilitates becoming (and remaining) a more effective therapist. Building on these conceptual underpinnings, the empirical component of the thesis examines the contexts and processes that support optimal therapist development. A cross sectional research design with retrospective interviews was used and therapists at three points in the career were recruited (beginning, middle, later). An attempt was also made to identify better performing therapists within each cohort using a combination of peer-nomination and literature-based indicators of effective practice and expert performance. The final sample comprised 23 therapists: 6 beginners ( 15 years experience). All therapists participated in a 90-minute interview about their practice and development. Interviews were audio-recorded and manually transcribed by the researcher. Thematic analysis comprised four separate inductive analyses, one for each of the domains in the theoretical model, and then a deductive/inductive analysis that integrated the findings across the domains. To facilitate trustworthiness, a codebook was developed and the integrated findings were refined though member checks. A model describing six phases of optimal therapist development was presented. This model considers the influence of early family environment and pre-formal training experience as precursors to (but not determinants of) therapist performance. The first key finding was that the concept of domain-specific learning (i.e., exposure and learning that directly supports clinical practice) may be a more precise measure of therapist performance than crude proxies, such as years of experience or degree completed. The other key finding was that therapist discernment (comprising a cycle of ongoing reflection, deepening self-awareness, and strategic decision-making) appears essential to optimal therapist development. The role of an individual, ongoing supervision relationship to support therapist discernment, and by implication, the delivery of effective practice, was also highlighted. Limitations associated with the small number of therapists interviewed, the broad scope of the study, and the method for selecting therapists mean that the present findings are best viewed tentatively and require validation in future research.


As a renal function declines in patients and experimental animals with chronic renal disease, potassium homeostasis is maintained by a progressive increase in potassium secretion by the surviving nephrons, a phenomenon known as potassium adaptation. To determine the nephron site and the underlying mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon, studies were performed on normal and 75% nephrectomized rabbits maintained on normal or high-potassium diets. Cortical collecting tubules (CCT) were dissected from the normal and remnant kidneys and perfused in vitro in an artificial solution. In normal CCT mean (+/- SE) net K secretion, JK, (peq/cm per s) was 1.26 +/- 0.43 (normal diet) and 3.27 +/- 0.66 (high-K diet). In uremic CCT, JK was 3.55 +/- 0.60 (normal diet) and 6.83 +/- 0.58 (high-K diet). By reducing the dietary intake of potassium in proportion to the reduction of renal mass in these uremic animals, the adaptation in K secretion was prevented (JK: 1.22 +/- 0.40). Transepithelial potential difference was similar in CCT from normal and uremic animals on a normal diet despite the fact that JK was significantly greater in the latter group. However, in both normal and uremic CCT, the increase in JK caused by potassium loading was associated with an increase in luminal negativity. Uremic CCT underwent significant compensatory hypertrophy regardless of the dietary intake or potassium secretory rates. Plasma aldosterone levels were elevated only in the uremic-high potassium rabbits suggesting that a mineralocorticoid effect on the CCT may be exaggerated when potassium loading is superimposed upon decreased excretory capacity. The activity of Na-K ATPase was comparable in normal and uremic CCT from rabbits on either normal or high-K diets indicating that potassium adaptation may occur independently of changes in the activity of this enzyme. Intracellular potassium content measured chemically and by 42K exchange, was not significantly altered in either normal or uremic CCT when dietary potassium intake was increased, despite the fact the JK was increased under these circumstances. These data indicate that the CCT is an important site of potassium adaptation in the surviving nephrons of animals with reduced renal mass. This adaptation is an intrinsic property of the CCT and is expressed in the absence of a uremic milieu. Potassium adaptation by the uremic CCT is not fixed according to the degree of compensatory hypertrophy but varies according to the excretory requirements of the animal. Transepithelial potential difference and circulating aldosterone levels contribute to the adaptation but neither factor can entirely account for the phenomenon. Potassium adaptation by the CCT occurs in the absence of changes in Na-K ATPase activity and intracellular potassium content.


Overview Definitions of Computer Attitude, Anxiety, Aversion, and Avoidance Students' attitudes toward the various aspects of information science are manifest in varying manners and degrees. Irritation, bewilderment, frustration, and feelings of panic are emotional boundaries that many computer educators face in the academic world of today. Expressions such as computer avoidance, computer anxiety, computer aversion, and computer-phobia are used with regularity in an effort to categorize these emotions. These terms are ingrained in the literature of a plethora of computer based journal articles if Gordon (1995), Burkett (1993), Fletcher and Deeds (1994), Givens (1998), Tobias (1979), Fajou (1997), Bohlin (1999), and others are an example. Fajou (1997) uses the definition of "distress or uneasiness of mind caused by apprehension of danger or misfortune" when writing of computer anxiety. Bohlin (1999) notes that "a computer anxious learner is one who is nervous, distracted, and physically and emotionally uncomfortable in the presence of or under the expectation of interacting with a computer." The Literature of Computer Attitude, Anxiety, Aversion, and Avoidance The literature would seem to indicate that computer anxiety leads to computer avoidance via computer aversion or computer phobia associated with various demographics (gender, age, ethnicity, etc.), at times, acting as key elements in the algorithm. According to Yang et al. (1999) "There are a number of studies on the relationship of computer experience with computer anxiety ..." They list eight authors in their article for the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education that have studied demographic variables. They also list six authors that have noted direct relationships between computer-related experience and computer anxiety and four articles that examine the relationship of demographic variables and computer anxiety. Green et al. (1993) states that "Attitudes (about computers) have been examined by several researchers..." and goes on to name five including Meier (1988), the developer of the Computer Aversion Scale (CAV), the basis for the survey conducted for this paper. Brosnan (1998) lists gender, level of experience, computer attitude, educational level, knowledge of computers, external locus of control and attitudes toward mathematics as correlates to computer anxiety and avoidance. Numerous authors, as outlined above, have associated computer anxiety with many correlates. Demographics, computer experience (or lack of), attitude toward computers, and educational level, either directly or indirectly may lead to computer anxiety that in due course can be an advocate of computer avoidance. While the percentage of respondents indicating that they were not comfortable about using computers was small it is significant that it still is an identifiable factor. Method Participants and College Sites The participants were 578 college students (216 men and 363 women) from three colleges located in southern Florida. After exclusion of incomplete surveys, the data were analyzed for a total of 565 surveys. Summary statistics for the respondents affiliated with each college site are presented in Table 1. As can be seen in this table, school-associated age differences were observed, [F.bar](2, 565) = 38.65, [p.bar] All sites were Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited and granted undergraduate degrees appropriate to their charters. …


We compared the free-thyroxine index in normal adults and in euthyroid patients taking diphenylhydantoin. All subjects had normal serum thyrotropin concentrations. Serum thyroxine concentrations were determined by two commonly used competitive protein-binding assays, which yielded slightly different values, but which consistently showed the same degree of decrease in mean serum thyroxine concentration in drug-treated patients as compared to the normal subjects. When 14C-labeled diphenylhydantoin was added to serum before the assay, it was separated from thyroxine in the Ames method, whereas by the Murphy-Pattee method both drug and thyroxine were extracted together. Thus, the decrease in serum thyroxine concentrations during diphenylhydantoin therapy cannot be the result of drug interference with the binding of thyroxine to binding proteins in the assays. Triiodothyronine uptake, evaluated by two methods, was identical in the two groups. The free-thytoxine indexes for all normal persons were within the manufacturer's normal range, but 21% of the drug-treated patients had subnormal indexes by the Ames method; the indexes as measured by the MurphyPattee method were in the lower half of the normal range. Because the triiodothyronine uptake was unaffected by the drug treatment, the decreases in the indexes must have resulted from the lower serum thyroxine concentrations. We conclude that the free-thyroxine index may not provide a valid estimate of either the clinical status or the free-thyroxine concentration in patients taking diphenylhydantoin.


The Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock of Bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus (BFTE) has long been considered overfished and at risk of collapse. Although ICCAT quotas for this stock have decreased considerably over the past years, uncertainty exists about the degree of catch beyond this quota. The extent of such catch is an important piece of information in stock assessment models as well as being an indicator of the effectiveness of fisheries management. We present a model using Bluefin tuna trade data to infer actual catches. Basing our calculations on 25 countries involved in BFTE trade, we estimate that between 2005 and 2011, allowable quotas were exceeded by 44 percent. This gap between catch and quotas has slightly increased over past years, leading to estimated excess catches of 57 percent for the period between 2008 and 2011. To improve assessments, preparation and design of BFTE management, we suggest that the estimated total removals reported in this paper be included in stock assessment models for BFTE. An implication of our findings is that ICCAT member states should take stronger measures to monitor and enforce compliance with quotas.


The pharmacopoeia, whether official or quasi-official, represents a noteworthy responsibility and maturity in medical and pharmaceutical professional development. The absence of a high level of development in the British American colonies therefore accounts for the absence of any indigenous American pharmaceutical literature in the colonial period. By the same token, as medical education and science improved and as pharmacy developed autonomy in the early national period, there followed a burst of publications that preceded the issuance of the first Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America in 1820.


The Compact Muon Solenoid hadronic barrel (CMS HB) calorimeter consists of 17 layers of scintillator in a brass absorber. Each scintillator consists of 16 tiles comprising one layer of the corresponding towers in pseudo-rapidity. The light from each tile is routed into a single 0.96 mm wavelength shifting fiber. In the current design, the 17 fibers from the full tower depth are directed into one pixel of a multi-channel hybrid photo-diode (HPD). Thus, no longitudinal shower information is readout. In the last year we have developed 18 element MAPD arrays (Micro-pixel Avalanche Photo Diodes) on 8 inch wafers with Zecotek in Singapore. A special prototype 20 pin ceramic package was made by Kyocera in Germany. By using 18 element G-APD strips (Geiger mode Avalanche photo diodes) we could readout each layer separately, so that 17 of these strips replace one HPD. Because of the large linear range requirement in the hadronic calorimeter and radiation hardness needed, we used the new generation high cell density Zecotek MAPDs with 15,000 cells per strip element. Due to the higher PDE (photon detection efficiency) versus the HPD (30% vs. 12%) we got 5 p.e. per layer for a MIP. Due to limited availability of electronic channels for these tests, analog signals from multiple strips were added together providing digital readout from four depth segments. Non uniformity between strips was calibrated using muons and measurements of breakdown voltage of each element of the array. After calibration of the 4 longitudinal depth segments, the linearity and detector resolution was studied using pions with energies from 30 to 300 GeV.


Objectives To analyse the diagnostic approach used in the largest international cohort of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) Methods The Big Data Sjögren Project is a multicentre registry formed in 2014 by experts participating in the EULAR-SS Task Force. By January 2016, the database included 8315 consecutive patients fulfilling the 2002 criteria. The main features at diagnosis/recruitment (time of criteria fulfilment) were collected and analysed Results The cohort included 7753 (93%) women (mean age at diagnosis 53 years). Sicca symptoms were reported in more than 90% of patients at diagnosis (92% for dry eye and 92.5% for dry mouth). The diagnostic tests used included the determination of anti-Ro/La antibodies in 8250 (99%) patients, Schirmer test in 6205 (75%), salivary gland biopsy in 5988 (72%), salivary flows in 4941 (59%), corneal stainings in 3304 (40%), scintigraphy in 2578 (31%) and sialography in 873 (10%) patients. The mean number of diagnostic tests included in the 2002 AE criteria was 4.85 ± 1.44 (of a maximum of 8 different tests), and was higher in patients with negative ANA (5.18 vs 4.80 in ANA+, p<0.001) or negative RF (5.06 vs 4.81 in RF+, p<0.001), and was also higher in American patients vs European or Asian patients (5.28 vs 4.83 and 4.63, respectively). A correlation was found between the number of tests carried out and the number of 2002 criteria finally fulfilled (R=0.48) Conclusions We found a heterogeneous diagnostic approach of pSS with respect to the number of 2002AE diagnostic tests carried out; the approach varied significantly according to geographic origin and baseline immunological profile Disclosure of Interest None declared


The localization of epileptogenic foci that are amenable to curative epilepsy surgery may be accomplished by noninvasive surface electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, clinical observations, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropsychologic tests. Other tests, such as invasive EEG, 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET or PET) scans, and single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans, have also been used at various epilepsy centers to help identify candidates who might benefit from such surgery. Interictal PET scans have demonstrated hypometabolism in areas concordant with the epileptogenic foci indicated by other diagnostic tests such as EEG and MRI. However, PET scans have also shown no abnormality in many patients with EEG-indicated epileptogenic foci; in others, the scans have shown abnormal metabolism in areas that were discordant with the epileptogenic foci. Although substitution of the noninvasive PET scan for the invasive EEG recordings would be desirable, the available data were insufficient to determine whether PET scans might serve as a reliable substitute for EEG. A positive PET scan might contribute independent information for identifying the epileptogenic site but could be noncontributory or confusing when hypometabolism is not seen or is seen in presumably normal brain areas. It is not evident from the data in the literature to what extent confirmatory PET scan findings might contribute to the management of patients with complex partial seizures.


Heat energy plays most important role in the field of power generation which involves the heat transfer in domestic as well as industrial purposes. Literature shows the heat transfer coefficient between heat transferring surface and air is low which leads to lower thermal efficiency of the system. Therefore it is important to increase heat transfer coefficient between heat transferring surface and air. The most promising technique to enhance heat transfer coefficient is artificial roughness on heat transfer field. Artificial roughness applied on the absorber plate is the most acclaimed method to improve thermal performance of solar air heaters at the cost of low to moderate friction penalty. Experimental investigations pertinent to distinct roughness geometries unfolds that the enhancement in heat transfer is accompanied by considerable rise in pumping power. In view of the fact, a designer needs to carefully examine shape and orientation of roughness elements in order to choose the best fit roughness geometry for intended application. This dissertation work will cover the types of technique used in enhancing the heat transfer coefficient in field of heat transfer and thermal efficiency.


Maps representing two variables sometimes use a single combined, or bivariate legend to improve clarity when comparing relationships, and to avoid less convenient side-by-side legends. However, conventional bivariate legends typically omit the underlying bivariate distributions. Using simple scatterplots statistical indicators of covariance can be plotted as points directly on to the choropleth bivariate legend. This allows map readers to not only compare aggregate magnitudes between the two variables but also visualize disaggregate distributions that may represent statistical normality in the data as well as skewness, and linearity. In addition, the covariance distributions can direct class interval selection, or at least inform the reader of which classes represent data abundance or data sparsity. Bivariate statistical legends are tested using examples drawn from Florida population census data at the fine scale of block groups. Practicality is demonstrated by open source software using Data Driven Documents (D3) visual analytic software (http://d3js.org).


In the run-up to the EU Treaty of Lisbon, and its failed predecessor the EU Constitutional Treaty, there has been increasing attention for the formal links between the European Parliament and national parliaments. There is however very little systematic evidence of whether and how parliamentarians actually use these formal opportunities in practice. In this paper we report on a survey among members of the sixth European Parliament (2004-2009) about the way they coordinated their work with their national parties and representatives in national parliaments. The survey results confirm our hypothesis that most inter-parliamentary engagement actually proceeds through political parties rather than through the formal inter-parliamentary institutions that have been developed. Following up on this, three more conclusions come to the fore. One is that MEPs coordinate above all with party colleagues from their own country. Contacts with parliamentarians from other countries are much rarer. Secondly, we find that initiatives from MEPs towards the domestic level outweigh initiatives the other way around, and that a majority of MEPs considers that their national party engages too little with EP affairs. Finally, our results suggest that there is considerable variation between different party families in the standing that MEPs enjoy within their national parties, the amount of inter-parliamentary coordination, and the attention national parties pay to EU decision-making.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to build a case against strategic equifinality. This is accomplished by employing hybrid ideal types approach and testing the effect of these strategic types on firm performance among service firms in the context of a developing country. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected via a self-administered survey. The final sample of this study encompassed 169 ideal type hybrid companies operating in the tourism industry in Mugla, Turkey. Findings – The research findings indicate that prospectors and hybrid prospector-analyzer (PA) orientations outperform defenders based on several financial and non-financial performance measures. However, all other strategic orientations show identical performance. Research limitations/implications – The research findings imply that adopting a hybrid strategy is a viable option. In addition, SMEs in developing countries should exercise some caution when deciding to adopt a defender strategy. Originality/value – This study uses h...


A water-based silver nanofluid (Ag/PW) was prepared from gelatin-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of about 15 nm and further used as a working fluid in an evacuated U-tube solar collector (EUSC) to investigate the variation in the collector efficiency. An Ag/PW nanofluid having 0.035 wt% was prepared and demonstrated a good promise of colloidal stability when dispersed in pure water. Collector efficiency measurements were carried out at outdoor conditions with four different mass flow rate values (0.063, 0.051, 0.033, and 0.02 kg/s). Results showed that Ag/PW have superior heat transfer properties than that of pure water as the base fluid. It was found that the efficiency of the collector was directly proportional to the mass flow rate of the working fluid until an optimum value was attained. Experimental results show that the highest collector efficiency was 72.2% at 0.051 kg/s mass flow rate, which is 21.3% higher than that of the pure water.


We studied the reversibility of the adsorption of polyelectrolytes on oxides by deliberately creating nonequilibrium situations either by changing the experimental conditions or by performing exchange experiments. Subsequently, we monitored the return to the equilibrium situation. Our measurements indicate that polyelectrolyte adsorption on oxides is only partially reversible, due to the strong (electrostatic) interaction with the surface, which slows down reconformation processes. This interaction is weakened, and thereby the reversibility enhanced, by the addition of salt. A model for the structure of adsorbed layers, allowing little reconformation, predicts that heterogeneous layers are formed.


An interesting paradox is that the Greek tradition is considered in the West as the source of Western linguistics, and in Russia as the source of Russian linguistics, whereas the Russian tradition is said to be entirely different from the Western one by many Russian scholars. It is held in this paper that the notion of grammatical tradition is of no use in the history of grammars. As a matter of fact, what is at stake in the Middle Ages is a deep rooted opposition between a rationalist and anti-rationalist (fideist) approach of grammar, both in the West and in the Orthodox Slavic world : grammar is made either to generate new texts or to repeat old ones. The history of medieval religious struggles in the East slavic world is a fascinating source for studying the ideologies underlying gramatical debates.


High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is a recent technique delivering a high flow of heated and humidified gas. HFNC is simpler to use and apply than noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and appears to be a good alternative treatment for hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF). HFNC is better tolerated than NIV, delivers high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), generates a low level of positive pressure and provides washout of dead space in the upper airways, thereby improving mechanical pulmonary properties and unloading inspiratory muscles during ARF. A recent multicenter randomized controlled trial showed benefits of HFNC concerning mortality and intubation in severe patients with hypoxemic ARF. In management of patients with hypoxemic ARF, NIV results have been conflicting. Despite improved oxygenation, NIV delivered with face mask may generate high tidal volumes and subsequent ventilator-induced lung injury. An approach applying NIV with a helmet, high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and low pressure support (PS) levels seems to open new opportunities in patients with hypoxemic ARF. However, a large-scale randomized controlled study is needed to assess and compare this approach with HFNC.


Report and poster completed by students enrolled in PA 5253: Planning and Participation Processes, taught by Dan Milz in fall 2017.


1. The mean volume of adipocytes, the rates of fatty acid and acylglycerol glycerol synthesis from various precursors (in vitro), the rates of oxidation of acetate and glucose (in vitro) and the activities of lipoprotein lipase and various lipogenic enzymes were determined for perirenal adipose tissue from foetal lambs during the last month of gestation. 2. The fall in the rate of growth of perirenal adipose tissue during the last month of gestation is associated with a diminished capacity for fatty acid synthesis and lipoprotein lipase activity, but no change in the rate of acylglycerol glycerol synthesis was observed. There was no fall in the activities of cytosolic acetyl-CoA synthetase or the NADP-linked dehydrogenases, suggesting that the decrease in the rate of fatty acid synthesis was due to an impairment at the level of acetyl-CoA carboxylase or fatty acid synthetase. 3. The rate of fatty acid synthesis from acetate was greater than that from glucose. The rate of fatty acid synthesis from glucose per adipocyte of foetal lambs was similar to that of young sheep. The characteristic metabolism of adipose tissue of the adult sheep is thus present in the foetus, despite the relatively large amounts of glucose in the foetal 'diet'.


In manufacturing process of steel plate, the plate floats by air pressure and it is conveyed by an air floating system. However, it was reported that sometimes self-excited vibration occurs to the plate and an elastic support structure. The self-excited vibration causes decrease in productivity and noise problem. In order to avoid quality defects, it is important to clarify the dynamic stability and instability mechanism. This paper presents experiments and an analysis of the self-excited vibration of a plate floating by air pressure and an elastic support structure. In the analysis, the unsteady fluid force is calculated based on the basic equation of a gap flow between the plate and the support structure surface. The basic equation considers the effect of air compressibility in a chamber supplying air. The experiment consists of a plate floating by air pressure and a support structure, where the vibration characteristics are examined. The influence of elasticity of the support structure on the instability conditions and the vibration characteristics are clarified comparing the analytical result with experiments. Lastly, the local work done by the unsteady fluid force acting on the plate surface and the support structure surface is shown, and the instability mechanism is discussed.


Natural ventilation is an efficient and well-known way to mitigate a hydrogen build-up in the case of an accidental release in confined enclosures. However, for some hydrogen energy applications, natural ventilation is not possible or is not efficient enough to reach defined safety strategy. Thus, mechanical or forced ventilation can be interesting means to avoid critical concentration of hydrogen considering degraded operation and associated potential hazardous events. To better understand the impact of mechanical ventilation on the hydrogen build-up and distribution, a dedicated study was led. First, accidental release scenarios were experimentally simulated with helium in a 1-m enclosure. Several configurations of release and ventilation modes were tested, and are presented in this study. Secondly, analytical and numerical – Computational Fluid Dynamics – calculation approaches were applied and adjusted to propose a simplified methodology, taking into account mechanical ventilation for assessment of hydrogen accumulation and for design optimization of the applications.


This paper describes a new solution for integrating substation sensing, signal processing and decision making for more efficient monitoring, control and protection applications. The paper points out deficiencies of the existing approach and sets the requirements for the new approach. Once an architecture of the new solution is defined, further description of each of the elements of the new solution, namely optical sensor multiplexed network, distributed signal processing, and neural network based decision making are discussed. At the end, a concept of how all the mentioned components of the solution can be integrated is given.


The crusades have always been a source of fascination and debate. With current world events, that interest has only grown as people try to understand the sources of conflict between the Middle East and Europe, and between Islamic and Christian peoples. This beautiful addition to the Readings in Medieval Civilizations and Cultures series brings together an unprecedented range of primary source texts on the topic from the medieval era. Of special note are the non-Christian materials Muslim and Jewish sources included along with standard European Christian texts. Also included are Greek sources, materials on Latin crusader states, and a chapter on Spain. Ideological, economic, social, and cultural issues are covered along with the more standard military and political concerns."


Sport organizations have begun to widely implement environmental sustainability into their daily operations, but more needs to be done to properly plan and implement these initiatives to ensure their long-term success. Specifically, college athletic departments struggle to be proactive in their approach to environmental sustainability despite the vast resources available to leverage in order to deeply commit to being an environmentally sustainable department on campus. This case study examines the strategic planning of sustainability initiatives in the Smallville University Athletic Department. This case provides students with an opportunity to (a) explore the importance of sustainability in sport, (b) analyze the role of stakeholders in a sports organization, (c) investigate common barriers to implementing sustainability in college athletics, and (d) consider creative options for implementing sustainable initiatives.


The potential for cardiac toxicity in association with targeted biologic agents was first observed with trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the ErbB2/HER2 receptor. In the pivotal trial of trastuzumab in ErbB2-positive metastatic cancer, an increased incidence of serious cardiac events was observed, particularly when trastuzumab was administered in combination with anthracyclines. The ErbB2 receptor is expressed on cardiomyocytes, in addition to tumor tissue, where it exerts a protective effect on cardiac function; thus, interference with ErbB2-signaling may block this protective effect. However, in contrast to anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity, trastuzumab-related cardiac dysfunction does not appear to increase with cumulative dose or to be associated with ultrastructural changes in the myocardium and is generally reversible. When used in adjuvant regimens for the treatment of ErbB2-positive early-stage breast cancer, trastuzumab has been shown to significantly improve disease-free and overall survival. The incidence of class III/IV congestive heart failure (CHF) ranged from 0.4%-3.8% in the major adjuvant trastuzumab trials. More recently, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as lapatinib have been investigated for the treatment of ErbB2-positive metastatic breast cancer. In a comprehensive analysis of cardiac safety data from all lapatinib trials completed to date, which included 3558 healthy volunteers and patients with a variety of solid cancers on 43 trials, the overall incidence of left ventricular ejection fraction declines was 1.6%, with 0.2% of patients experiencing symptomatic CHF. Risk factors that might predict for cardiac dysfunction with ErbB2-targeted therapy are actively under investigation and will aid in the identification of at-risk populations and in the development of strategies for risk minimization in the future. It is important to note that, while careful cardiac monitoring is required for all patients receiving ErbB2-targeted therapy in any disease setting, the overall impact of these agents on the outcomes of patients with ErbB2-positive breast cancer has been dramatic and positive.


Is there a subjectivation process traceable on the internet? Are we conscious of subject modeling and the impacts of human-digital interaction on our brain? The findings of neuroimaging show that: neuroplasticity (brain modification) is a phenomenon that continues into adulthood and does not cease in childhood; digital causes brain changes; and the changes in the brain induced by digital are related to components that make up subjectivity. The objective of the paper is to conduct a critical investigation about the effects of the Internet on the components of subjectivity by referring to fMRI scans; the purpose is to identify a process of subjectivation conveyed by the digital. The methodology is interdisciplinary. The approach is genealogical: the subject is investigated as the product of a social process that takes place on the Internet. The reference articles selected are based on the neuroimaging research methodology, i.e. on the sampling of the population divided by gender, age, sex, and type of activity conducted online. The purpose of this work, on the other hand, is to overcome the fragmentation of the analysis by unifying the scientific results, bringing them back to a broader theoretical vision in order to become aware of the existence of a more generalized problem. This theoretical operation is built on the hypothesis that, as statistics show that the screen time of digital devices has soared for everyone in recent years, the effects of digital on the brain can be understood in the same pattern of subjectivation.


The utility of effective model spaces in quantum simulations of non-relativistic quantum many-body systems is explored in the context of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model of interacting fermions. We introduce an iterative hybrid-classical-quantum algorithm, Hamiltonian learning variational quantum eigensolver (HL-VQE), that simultaneously optimizes an effective Hamiltonian, thereby rearranging entanglement into the effective model space, and the associated ground-state wavefunction. HL-VQE is found to provide an exponential improvement in Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model calculations, compared to a naive truncation without Hamiltonian learning, throughout a significant fraction of the Hilbert space. Quantum simulations are performed to demonstrate the HL-VQE algorithm, using an efficient mapping where the number of qubits scales with the $\log$ of the size of the effective model space, rather than the particle number, allowing for the description of large systems with small quantum circuits. Implementations on IBM's QExperience quantum computers and simulators for 1- and 2-qubit effective model spaces are shown to provide accurate and precise results, reproducing classical predictions. This work constitutes a step in the development of entanglement-driven quantum algorithms for the description of nuclear systems, that leverages the potential of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.


The paper deals with the applications of probabilistic methods to the harmonic analysis in currents and voltages present in railroad power supply systems. The theoretical study is applied to a real case of a dc traction railway in operation in Italy. The results show the possibility to represent the system with a normal distribution and highlight the main parameters that have to be evaluated. At the end, some examples are reported as application of the used probabilistic model.


Purpose

A retrospective study to assess the effect of age at diagnosis (AD) of patients with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) on the development of physical late effects (secondary malignancies, hyperthyroidism, fatigue), depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) using the Impact of Cancer (positive and negative scales) Questionnaire.

Methods

280 Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) survivors from St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London were divided into two groups; 57 Childhood (AD≤17 years) Hodgkin's Lymphoma (CHL) and 223 Adult (AD≥18 years) Hodgkin's Lymphoma (AHL). Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the effect of AD on late effects; adjusting for histological subtype (HS) and treatment modality (TM). For IOC, two separate hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the combined association of; (i) AD, HS and TM (ii) AD, HS, TM and the late effects on IOC.

Results

CHL survivors were four times more likely to develop a secondary malignancy than AHL survivors ( P=0.011 ). AD was not associated with hyperthyroidism, fatigue or depression. Higher negative IOC scores were significantly associated with lower levels of social support and two or more medical co-morbidities ( P≤0.001). Although there was no significant association between AD and negative IOC, lower positive IOC scores were significantly associated with CHL ( P=0.040 ).

Conclusions

CHL survivors may benefit from more vigorous screening for secondary malignancies to enable their early detection and treatment. QOL varies in different groups and those with less social support and more medical co-morbidities would benefit from interventions to reduce negative IOC. An early psychological intervention to increase positive IOC and resilience for young people with HL may also improve their future QOL as long-term CHL survivors.

Disclosures Gribben: Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria.


The structure of two superacids in the liquid phase, hydrogen fluoride and fluorosulfuric acid, have been determined by neutron and high energy X-ray diffraction in this study. In addition the structure of a molecular Lewis acid, BF3, has been determined for the liquid state as well as the supercritical state. Experiments were also performed on solutions of the hydronium ion in fluorosulfuric acid by neutron and X ray diffraction as well as by Raman spectroscopy. In addition this thesis presents the design and construction of sample cells for neutron and X-ray scattering experiments and the design and construction of a high vacuum/fluorine line capable of handling hydrogen fluoride as well as other fluorine containing species.


Abstract. One of the popular uses of UAVs in photogrammetry is providing an archaeological documentation. A wide offer of low-cost (consumer) grade UAVs, as well as the popularity of user-friendly photogrammetric software allowing obtaining satisfying results, contribute to facilitating the process of preparing documentation for small archaeological sites. However, using solutions of this kind is much more problematic for larger areas. The limited possibilities of autonomous flight makes it significantly harder to obtain data for areas too large to be covered during a single mission. Moreover, sometimes the platforms used are not equipped with telemetry systems, which makes navigating and guaranteeing a similar quality of data during separate flights difficult. The simplest solution is using a better UAV, however the cost of devices of such type often exceeds the financial capabilities of archaeological expeditions. The aim of this article is to present methodology allowing obtaining data for medium scale areas using only a basic UAV. The proposed methodology assumes using a simple multirotor, not equipped with any flight planning system or telemetry. Navigating of the platform is based solely on live-view images sent from the camera attached to the UAV. The presented survey was carried out using a simple GoPro camera which, from the perspective of photogrammetric use, was not the optimal configuration due to the fish eye geometry of the camera. Another limitation is the actual operational range of UAVs which in the case of cheaper systems, rarely exceeds 1 kilometre and is in fact often much smaller. Therefore the surveyed area must be divided into sub-blocks which correspond to the range of the drone. It is inconvenient since the blocks must overlap, so that they will later be merged during their processing. This increases the length of required flights as well as the computing power necessary to process a greater number of images. These issues make prospection highly inconvenient, but not impossible. Our paper presents our experiences through two case studies: surveys conducted in Nepal under the aegis of UNESCO, and works carried out as a part of a Polish archaeological expedition in Cyprus, which both prove that the proposed methodology allows obtaining satisfying results. The article is an important voice in the ongoing debate between commercial and academic archaeologists who discuss the balance between the required standards of conducting archaeological works and economic capabilities of archaeological missions.


This focus of this article is a qualitative, evaluative study of three Crossroads young carers projects. Focus group discussions took place with 24 young people aged 11—16 years. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis approach. The themes of the research were: experiences of being a young carer, peer support, opportunities for time out and purposeful activities. The personal characteristics of the participants give rise to a number of worrying conclusions, that relatively young people were found to be undertaking primary caring roles over long periods of time. However, the groups were found to provide opportunities for young carers to experience a positive environment, participate in purposeful activities and have the chance to develop new friendships. Nevertheless, the literature suggests that provision of such projects is inadequate and under-resourced, which may disadvantage further a group of young people who are known to come from lower income families.


Within the framework of a hydrological research program (ANR ECCO). In April 2006, on the site of Ploemeur (Morbihan), two long base tiltmeter were installed in a tunnel at 10 m depth. We have one tiltmeter on 33 m long base in N80°E direction and a tiltmeter on a 7.5 m long base in330°E direction. Our object is to study at the same time the long term hydrological signal and to compare with the piezometric observation. We want also to study the behavior of the aquifer requested by a faster pumping. on May 10 2006, a stop of pumping was executed during 41 hours, that corresponds to a volume of water of 4500 m3. The objective is to bring an additional constraint on the hydrological parameters of the aquifer (porosity, compressibility, permeability). A multi-parameter recording was made for this experiment during 2 days: tiltmetric measurements, relative and absolute gravimetric measurements, GPS and levelling measurements. Only the long base tiltmeters could observe the strain induced by an elastic inflating of the aquifer (confined behavior). Other pendular tiltmeter also gave information on the expanse of the strain on the surface. The amplitude of the signal corresponds to a relative vertical displacement lower than 0.3 mm on a base of 200 m. the resumption of pumpings was done on 3 different drillings. On each resumption, we observed a relative vertical displacements lower than 0.03 mm. From the evolution of the azimuth of the maximal tilt, we could underline a North-South flow of feed for the aquifer. We also try to underline this observation by modelling the tilt deformation by integrating piezometric pressure measurements.


The effect of [Emim][OAc] on Celluclast 1.5 L, Accellerase 1500, and IL-tolerant (MSL2) cellulase during the saccharification of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Avicel (AV), rice straw (RS) was studied in one pot process (pretreatment and saccharification). The inhibition caused by [Emim][OAc] (0.5–2.0 M) with substrate loading (20–50 mg/mL) were also evaluated. In most cases, the inhibition mode of saccharification for CMC and AV was identified to be uncompetitive inhibition when the concentration of [Emim][OAc] was higher than 0.5 M. Under the influence of 0.5 M of [Emim][OAc], the Critical Concentration of Substrate (CCS) values of the Celluclast 1.5 L and Accellerase 1500 on CMC hydrolysis were determined to be at 26.59 and 33.65 mg/mL, respectively. Also, increasing in [Emim][OAc] concentration could increase in CCS values, suggesting the positive effect of [Emim][OAc] on the improvement of enzymatic saccharification. This study provides insight into the process optimization for integration of [Emim][OAc] in one pot process of biorefinery.


The Diabetic Foot. Edited by Marvin E. Levin and Lawrence W. O'Neal. The C.V. Mosby Co, St. Louis, 1983, 400 pages, $44.50. In 1973 Levin and O'Neal edited a classic book, The Diabetic Foot. For the first time dispersed information about the treatment of diabetic foot problems was compiled into one volume. Chapters covered a gamut from physiology, medical problems and pathology, to bacteriology, podiatry, and footwear. The book was updated in 1977 and now the third edition has been released, over one hundred pages larger than its predecessor. Since 1977 much progress has been made in the area of noninvasive vascular evaluation. Recent studies about the role of platelets and prostaglandins in atherosclerosis are discussed. Risk factors for peripheral vascular disease are listed, as a combination of any of these becomes extremely significant. The Foreward of the third edition stresses the importance of education: &dquo;Without a doubt, patient education is the single most important therapeutic approach to saving the diabetic foot. Education and prophylactic care save many times the number of toes, feet, and legs that surgical intervention does.&dquo; Dr. Levin has added a section to his chapter on evaluation and treatment called &dquo;Saving the Diabetic Foot (p 51). A list of patient instructions and many practical hints for education are given, e.g. wear shoes made of leather, not synthetics, and inspect the inside of shoes for foreign objects or nails before putting them on. Care of calluses and the proper method of tying shoes are explained and illustrated. The chapter on podiatry gives more extensive information on the treatment of ulcers, with handy tables of protocols for easy reference (p 341). A section on &dquo;Home Care of the Feet&dquo; is useful and emphasizes the role of podiatrists as diabetes educators. The third edition is not markedly different from the other two, but some edition of The Diabetic Foot is a worthwhile addition to any library. AH


Abstract Dehydration of silanol and molecular water in 60 agates from 12 hosts with ages between 23 to 2717 Ma has been investigated using desiccators and high-temperature furnace heating. There are wide differences in the water data obtained under uncontrolled and fixed atmospheric water vapour pressure conditions. After agate acclimatization at 20°C and 46% relative humidity, the total water (silanol and molecular) was determined in powders and mini-cuboids by heating samples at 1200°C. Agates from hosts < 180 Ma all showed a greater mass loss using powders and demonstrate that after prolonged high-temperature heating, silanol water is partially-retained by the mini-cuboids. Desiccator dehydration of powders and slabs shows that powder preparation can produce water losses; this is particularly relevant in agates from hosts < 180 Ma. The identified problems have consequences for water quantification in agate and chalcedony using infrared or thermogravimetric techniques. Mobile and total water in agate is considered in relation to host-rock age, mogánite content and crystallite size. Links are observed between the various identified water contents allowing comment on quartz development and agate genesis. The water data also supports previous claims that agates from New Zealand and Brazil were formed long after their host.


We have collected a catalog of 1095 debris disks with properties and classification (resolved, planet, gas) information. From the catalog, we defined a less biased sample with 612 objects and presented the distributions of their stellar and disk properties to search for correlations between disks and stars. We found debris disks were widely distributed from B to M-type stars while planets were mostly found around solar-type stars, gases were easier to detect around early-type stars and resolved disks were mostly distributed from A to G-type stars. The fractional luminosity dropped off with stellar age and planets were mostly found around old stars while gas-detected disks were much younger. The dust temperature of both one-belt systems and cold components in two-belt systems increased with distance while decreasing with stellar age. In addition, we defined a less biased planet sample with 211 stars with debris disks but no planets and 35 stars with debris disks and planets and found the stars with debris disks and planets had higher metallicities than stars with debris disks but no planets. Among the 35 stars with debris disks and planets, we found the stars with disks and cool Jupiters were widely distributed with age from 10 Myr to 10 Gyr and metallicity from −1.56 to 0.28 while the other three groups tended to be old (>4Gyr) and metal-rich (>−0.3). In addition, the eccentricities of cool Jupiters are distributed from 0 to 0.932, wider than the other three types of planets (<0.3).


The interaction of sodium nitroprusside with tissues of solid tumour bearing animals (S-180; S-Worker; spontaneous adenomatosis) have been studied in vivo by means of EPR-method. The tumour subjected animals in distinction from healthy animals elicits appearance of paramagnetic nitrosyl iron complexes in blood plasma. Thus, the previously found phenomenon of specific reaction of nitroprusside with ascitic forms of tumours is confirmed on solid tumours in vivo.


I study the real effects a contracting innovation that suddenly made financial markets more complete: central clearing counterparties (CCPs) for derivatives. The first CCP to provide full insulation against counterparty risk was created in Le Havre (France) in 1882, in the coffee futures market. Using triple difference-in-differences estimation, I show that central clearing changed the geography of trade flows Europe-wide, to the benefit of Le Havre. Inspecting the mechanism using trader-level data, I show that the CCP was instrumental both to mitigate adverse selection issues and to solve a "missing market" problem. Increased risk-sharing possibilities enabled more gains from trade to be realized. The successful contractual innovation quickly spread to new exchanges.


The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of melatonin (melaxen, Unipharm, USA), and its influence on the ultrastructural and histological features on the colon mucosa (CM) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) corresponding to Rome criteria II. Twenty-one patients with IBS were examined before and after the end of the therapy (one month upon the beginning of treatment). All the patients had non-specific morphological changes in the CM, which were more pronounced during exacerbation and less significant during remission. The study showed that in terms of stool normalization and sleep improvement in IBS patients the combination of basic therapy and melaxen was more effective than either the combination of basic therapy and psychotropic drugs or basic therapy alone. Basic therapy plus melaxen is comparable in its effects to basic therapy plus psychotropic drugs in terms of coping with pain syndrome and dyspeptic syndrome in IBS patients, the normalization of their mental status and life quality improvement. The treatment of IBS with melaxen proved to be more effective than other therapies, which was proved by histological and electron microscopic studies of the CM.


Abstract: Addressing recent theoretical debates, this study examined the differences in extended family integration among Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Whites, as well as the importance of culture and structure in explaining these differences. Our findings showed Whites and Latinos/as have distinctive patterns of extended family integration: Mexicans and Puerto Ricans exhibited higher rates of coresidence and proximate living than Whites; Whites had greater involvement in financial support than Mexicans or Puerto Ricans, but Mexicans were more involved in instrumental help. Structural factors such as income, education, and nuclear family composition explained much of these ethnic differences. The study's findings suggest that policy should emphasize the unmet needs in Latino/a communities and the role of extended families. Key Words: contact, coresidence, family integration, kin, Latino/a, proximity, support. Returning to an old debate once at the center of family studies, scholars are again discussing the prominence and character of extended families (Bengtson, 2001). This study examined die extended families of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Whites in the United States and addresses a contemporary theoretical debate, which we identify as the "superintegration versus disintegration" debate (Sarkisian & Gerstel, 2004, p. 812). Advocates of the superintegration side of this debate believe that Latino/a extended families are more integrated than White extended families. They suggest that Latinos/as live near, stay in touch, and provide many types of assistance to extended kin (Baca Zinn & Wells, 2000; Mirande, 1997). Conversely, disintegration scholars argue diat Latino/a extended families are less likely to provide support dian White extended families (Menjivar, 2000; Roschelle, 1997). To fully understand the dynamics of family integration among Latinos/as, however, we need to move beyond mere description of variation to explanationthat is, to an examination of the social conditions, both cultural and structural, that explain die differences (Baca Zinn & Wells, 2000). Litde research has systematically examined such explanatory factors. Further, most family research has investigated individuals with ethnic roots in Latin America as a group, diat is, combining them into one panethnicity (labeled as Hispanic or Latino/a; Baca Zinn & Wells). A smaller subset of studies had distinguished Latino/a ethnic groups but investigated one group at a time. Both strategies make it impossible to assess either the similarities and differences in family integration among individual Latino/a groups or how such groups compare to Whites. This study examined Mexicans and Puerto Ricans separately. We focused on these two groups because they are the largest groups of Latinos/as in the United States. Moreover, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans originate from countries with different relationships to the United States and have different histories of migration (Baca Zinn & Wells, 2000). Importantly, these groups are purported to exhibit both differences and similarities on various structural and cultural conditions that we expected to shape extended family integration (Roschelle, 1997). Using data from the second wave of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH; Sweet & Bumpass, 1996), this study had the following two aims: (a) to explore differences in extended family integration of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, as well as differences between each of these groups and Whites and (b) to investigate the social conditions that explain the ethnic differences using a conceptual framework that takes into account cultural and structural factors. Literature Review Prior Research on Latino/a Extended Family Integration Much of the extant literature on Latino/a extended families addressed one aspect of family integration at a time, frequently focusing solely on coresidence or kin support but using those findings to make overall conclusions about Latino/a extended families (e. …


The results of comparison between the operation stress degree in various kinds of surgical interventions, performed for an acute cholecystitis, using determination of cortizol, prolactin and glucose content before the operation, intraoperatively and postoperatively in 50 patients, are adduced. There was established, that the largest (in 5.3 times) and the most durable (more than 24 hours) intr erative raising of the cortizol level in the blood serum was noted in patients, to whom open cholecystectomy (OCH) was done, and the minimal (in 2.2 times) and the least durable (up to 1 hour)--while performing transcutaneous transhepatic draining (TTD) of gallbladder under ultrasonographic control. While performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCH) there was noted the most pronounced intraoperative raising of prolactin level (in 3.6 times) and more rapid its lowering (during 24 hours) in comparison with such while the OCH performance (during 72 hours). In TTD there was observed the minimal intraoperative inhancing of the prolactin level (in 2.3 times) and its duration (during 1 hour) postoperatively. The above mentioned have witnessed, that while TTD of gallbladder performance stimulation of the anterior hypophysis is significantly lesser, than while LCH and OCH.


Purpose - This paper seeks to investigate the corporate governance determinants of financial instrument disclosure (FID) practices of Australian listed resource firms in their annual reports for the 2005 financial year. This is an important time period to explain FID patterns for Australian resource companies leading up to formal adoption of the Australian equivalents to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Design/methodology/approach - The extent of FID was measured using a Financial Instrument Disclosure Index (FIDI) comprised of 120 items of both mandatory and discretionary financial instrument information. Hypothesis testing used empirical data from a representative sample of Australian listed resource firms. Research limitations/implications - The results of regression analysis demonstrate that corporate governance characteristics of firms are significant determinants of FID patterns. Univariate and multivariate results showed that FIDs were significantly and positively associated with strength of corporate governance structure and the control variables – leverage, firm size and industry. Originality/value - This paper contributes to an emerging paradigm that emphasises the link between firms' governance structures and their disclosure responses to financial instruments and in particular, financial derivatives.


The superior mesenteric circulation was studied with a dye-dilution technique after catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery and vein during provoked dumping in 5 patients. Dumping was provoked by intrajejunal instillation of 150 ml 50% glucose. A marked increase of, on the average, 157% was recorded in the superior mesenteric blood flow within a few minutes of the installation of glucose. The maximal increase in the flow was, on the average, 223% and occurred about 40 minutes after provocation. The instillation of glucose was promptly followed by a reduction in vascular resistance of the superior mesenteric vessels by 63% which decreased further to a mean maximal reduction of 76% below the resting level. The increase in the ratio between the superior mesenteric blood flow and cardiac output from 12 to 27% following instillation of glucose further underlines the pronounced vasodilatation of the small intestine. Superior mesenteric angiography at different intervals after provocation of dumping showed that the increased superior mesenteric blood flow is due to a local increase in the flow.


In professionel moviepost-production, various components are pushed to their performance limits. Former processors for example were not able to playback the JPEG 2000 compressed image-sequences which are used for distribution in Digital Cinema as well as long term storage in digital archiving - inreal time. While today's processors are able to decode such files a new bottleneck became part of the processing chain: In many cases conventional Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are not able to deliver the requested data - which is limited to a maximum value of 250 Mbit/s in Digital Cinema - in real time. In this paper we propose an algorithm for increasing the data throughput of conventional HDDs by utilizing the progression order of scalable media files, called UCODAS (Use-Case-Optimized DAta Storage). The motivation is given by the architecture of conventional hard drives, and finding that the file structure of scalablemedia, such as JPEG 2000, can be (re-)arrangedin such a way that the throughput of the disk can be significantly increased - especially if subsequent access patterns to the image-sequence are known a-priori. The advantages and disadvantages of today's hard drives are summarized before we show how scaling is achieved within JPEG 2000. Then, various methods for improving the performance of HDDs - taking advantage of the scalability - are proposed and the data sets used for the measurements are described. We performed tests using a collection of common file systems including FAT32, NTFS, ext2 and ext3 as well as RAW data access without a filesystem in order to prove our implementation of the UCODAS algorithm. In particular, we show that UCODAS can increase the data-throughput of a conventional HDD by more than a factor of 3 and thus overcome the bottleneck introduced by conventional HDDs.