Filetype
Trends towards distributed power generation and the deregulation of energy markets are increasing the requirement for software tools that optimize power generation plant design and operation. In this context, this paper describes the GTPOM (thermo-economic optimization of whole gas turbine plant) European project, funded in part through the European Commissions 5th Framework Programme, focusing on
The behavior of animals is commonly studied in medicine and biology. There is a large variation in what animals are studied, in experimental paradigms and purpose.However, many studies on animal behavior have at least one thing in common - it typically involves measuring or studying the kinematics of the animal. To allow for verifiable and quantitative behavioral analysis, the experiments are reco
Background: Brief Admission is a crisis and risk management strategy in which self-harming and suicidal individuals with three or more diagnostic criteria of borderline personality disorder self-admit to hospital at times of increasing risk when other efforts to stay safe are failing. Standardized in the current randomized controlled trial, the intensity of Brief Admission Skåne is implemented in
These European Resuscitation Council Ethics guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the ethical, routine practice of resuscitation and end-of-life care of adults and children. The guideline primarily focus on major ethical practice interventions (i.e. advance directives, advance care planning, and shared decision making), decision making regarding resuscitation, education, and resear
Bayesian decision analysis is a useful method for risk management decisions, but is limited in its ability to consider severe uncertainty in knowledge, and value ambiguity in management objectives. We study the use of robust Bayesian decision analysis to handle problems where one or both of these issues arise. The robust Bayesian approach models severe uncertainty through bounds on probability dis
Background: Previous studies have investigated [18F]-fluorocholine (FCH) positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) in primary staging of men with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer and have generally shown high specificity and poor sensitivity. FCH PET/CT is not recommended for the primary staging of metastases in the European guidelines for prostate cancer. However, it
Background: Sonographers have a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Sonography involves strenuous postures in the neck and upper limbs, and is visually demanding. Echocardiography is especially challenging, with static postures and monotonous movements. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to identify ergonomic risk factors for pain in sonographers, and to propose actions for sustainable wo
Socioeconomic status (SES) differences in health are well known. Both material and psychosocial hypotheses regarding these SES differences have been forwarded. Social capital (trust, social participation) may be seen as a contextual and social extension of this debate with access to healthcare as one of the four hypothesized mechanisms between high social capital and health. This thesis investigatSocioeconomic status (SES) differences in health are well known. Both material and psychosocial hypotheses regarding these SES differences have been forwarded. Social capital (trust, social participation) may be seen as a contextual and social extension of this debate with access to healthcare as one of the four hypothesized mechanisms between high social capital and health. This thesis investigat
The structural study of glycans and glycoconjugates is essential to assign their roles in homeostasis, health, and disease. Once dominated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometric methods have become the preferred toolbox for the determination of glycan structures at high sensitivity. The patterns of such structures in different cellular states now allow us to interpret the s
This chapter discusses the tax gap in the Netherlands, access to information needed by the Dutch tax administration, exchange of information between the tax administration of the Netherlands and of other countries, cooperation between the Dutch tax administration and other Dutch law enforcement agencies, cooperative compliance and risk management in the Netherlands, the way the collection of taxes
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly results in injury to the components of the white matter tracts, causing post-injury cognitive deficits. The myelin-producing oligodendrocytes (OLs) are vulnerable to TBI, although may potentially be replaced by proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). The cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a key mediator of the complex inflammatory response, and
Introduction: Under-dosing is a recognized problem with current nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Therefore, a new 6mg nicotine gum has been developed. To compare the nicotine uptake from the 6mg gum versus currently available NRT products, two pharmacokinetic studies were performed.Methods: In one randomized crossover study, 44 healthy adult smokers received single doses of 6, 4, and 2mg nicoti
We have developed a method to separate bacteria from red and white blood cells (henceforth collectively called blood cells) using acoustophoresis, for subsequent PCR detection. To maximize throughput, we have now investigated the effect of increased cell concentration on the separation. Increasing the blood concentration drastically decreases bacteria recovery, but we show that this can be remedie
Purpose: Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of dual mobility systems in the treatment of hip instability. The aim of this study was to investigate the re-revision rate of dual mobility cup compared to different surgical concepts when used for first-time hip revisions due to recurrent dislocations. Methods: The data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register. For su
Induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) has been implicated in cellular apoptosis and in ischemia-reperfusion injury. During MPT, a channel in the inner mitochondrial membrane, the mitochondrial megachannel, opens and causes isolated mitochondria to swell. MPT and mitochondrial swelling is inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA), which may also inhibit apoptosis in some cells. Treatm
