Balloon sizing in surgical ventricular restoration: What volume are we targeting?

Cardiolog

The Influence of Self-efficacy and Goal Orientation on Learning Behavior: The Intervening Role of Feedback

Geitz, G., Joosten-ten Brinke, D., & Kirschner, P. (2013). The Influence of Self-efficacy and Goal Orientation on Learning Behavior: The Intervening Role of Feedback. Paper bij de masterclass ‘Hoe balanceer je formatief en summatief toetsen?’ [How to balance formative and summative assessment?], Heerlen, The Netherlands.In this study, the relationship between self-efficacy, goal orientation and feedback is examined to influence the learning behavior corresponding to the state of self-efficacy and the adopted goal orientation. The ultimate aim is to influence learning behavior in order to increase learning outcomes

Nonlinear elasticity and friction of liquid-crystalline polymer monolayers

In the present paper we consider nonlinear elasticity and friction of grafted persistent chains, which are highly stretched in the normal to the surface direction due to orientational interactions. We examine the normal and the lateral forces both in equilibrium and under shear sliding when the monolayer is confined by a bare surface. We show that in the confined monolayer in equilibrium the tilted orientation of the director becomes stable. In the sliding regime the friction force passes through a maximum value. The additional normal force in the sliding regime, when the distance between the surfaces is fixed, is also considered. We show that this force is attractive for small velocities and becomes repulsive for high velocities after the friction force passes through the maximum value

Phase behavior and structure formation of hairy-rod supramolecules

Phase behavior and microstructure formation of rod and coil molecules, which can associate to form hairy-rod polymeric supramolecules, are addressed theoretically. Association induces considerable compatibility enhancement between the rod and coil molecules and various microscopically ordered structures can appear in the compatibility region. The equilibria between microphase-separated states, the coil-rich isotropic liquid and the rod-rich nematic are discussed in detail. In the regime where hairy-rod supramolecules with a high grafting density appear as a result of the association, three phase diagram types are possible depending on the value of the association energy. In the low grafting density regime only the lamellar microstructure is proven to be stable

Entangling photons via the double quantum Zeno effect

We propose a scheme for entangling two photons via the quantum Zeno effect, which describes the inhibition of quantum evolution by frequent measurements and is based on the difference between summing amplitudes and probabilities. For a given error probability $P_{\rm error}$, our scheme requires that the one-photon loss rate $\xi_{1\gamma}$ and the two-photon absorption rate $\xi_{2\gamma}$ in some medium satisfy $\xi_{1\gamma}/\xi_{2\gamma}=2P_{\rm error}^2/\pi^2$, which is significantly improved in comparison to previous approaches. Again based on the quantum Zeno effect, as well as coherent excitations, we present a possibility to fulfill this requirement in an otherwise linear optics set-up.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 2 figure

Chain elongation suppression of cyclic block copolymers in lamellar microphase-separated bulk

Chain elongation suppression of cyclic block copolymers in microphase-separated bulk was determined quantitatively. Solvent-cast and annealed films are confirmed to show alternating lamellar structure and their microdomain spacing D increases with increasing total molecular weight M according to the relationship Dproportional toM(0.59), which agrees quite consistently with the theoretically predicted power law, i.e., Dproportional toM(3/5). This result is in contrast to the well-established issue for linear block copolymers, where the relationship Dproportional toM(2/3) has been confirmed to hold both experimentally and theoretically. This means that chain elongation of each component block is suppressed considerably, owing to their looped conformation in strongly segregated bulk. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.</p

Muscle Function in Moderate to Severe Asthma:Association With Clinical Outcomes and Inflammatory Markers

BackgroundPatients with severe asthma have been shown to have low muscle mass, but the clinical consequences are unknown.ObjectiveIn a clinical cohort of patients with moderate to severe asthma, we aimed to assess muscle mass and strength and their relation with functional and clinical outcomes, as well as with systemic inflammatory markers.MethodsMuscle mass and strength were assessed by the fat-free mass index (FFMI), creatinine excretion in a 24-hour urine sample, and handgrip strength test. Functional outcomes included pulmonary function tests and the 6-minute walking distance, whereas clinical outcomes were assessed with questionnaires on asthma control, quality of life, and health care use. Associations of muscle mass and strength with asthma outcomes were assessed with multivariable regression analyses.ResultsA total of 114 patients participated (36% male; mean age, 51.9 ± 14.4 years; body mass index, 27.7 ± 5.7 kg/m2). According to predefined criteria, 16% had a low FFMI and 8% a low urinary creatinine excretion, which did not differ between categories of asthma severity. Both lower FFMI and urinary creatinine excretion were associated with lower values of FEV1 and 6-minute walking distance, whereas a lower handgrip strength was related to worse asthma control, poorer quality of life, and a higher probability of emergency visits (all P &lt; .05). Except for higher leukocytes in relation to lower FFMI, we did not find associations between systemic inflammatory markers and muscle function.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that low muscle mass is prevalent in patients with moderate to severe asthma and, along with low muscle strength, is associated with poorer clinical and functional outcomes. Our results encourage longitudinal studies into muscle function as a potential target for treatment to improve asthma outcomes

Are marketing students in control in problem-based learning?

This study investigated to what extent self-efficacy, learning behavior, and performance outcomes relate to each other and how they can be positively influenced by students asking for and seeking feedback within a problem-based learning (PBL) environment in order to meet today’s requirements of marketing graduates. An experimental pre-test–post-test nonequivalent group design intervention study was carried out with first-year marketing students. The predicted relation between self-efficacy, learning behavior, and performance outcomes was confirmed. Self-efficacy was found to positively influence performance outcomes, whereas surface learning was found to negatively influence performance outcomes. Regression analysis showed that self-efficacy was a significant predictor of deep learning. Significant increases of self-efficacy and surface learning were found in the group as a whole and in the control group. In the experimental group, deep learning was maintained on an individual level. Critical thinking, problem solving, linking concepts, transfer of knowledge, and metacognitive skills are all essential skills for today’s marketing student. To educate students properly in these skills, it is important that influencing variables, such as self-efficacy and learning behavior, are taken into account. Learning environments such as PBL might contribute to enhance selfefficacy and a concomitant deep learning behavior