Heat capacities of ethane over a wide range of temperature and pressure

The effects of pressure and temperature on the isobaric heat capacity, the constant volume heat capacity, and the ratio of heat capacities of ethane are presented. The range of conditions covered are pressures from 0 to 10,000 psia and temperatures from 180 to 1400°F. The calculation of these effects is based on equations derived from the Benedict-Webb-Rubin equation of state. The derived equations express the deviations of the heat capacities from ideal gas behavior. The results show that ignoring the effect of pressure en the heat capacities of ethane may lead to large errors in engineering calculations. Graphs and tables are presented to permit an evaluation of the heat capacities over the range investigated. Comparisons are made with data of previous investigators, and relative accuracies are discussed

Visions of Terror : Reconstructing Literature Through 9/11 Texts

The shift in communication since the turn of the century necessitates an understanding of visual rhetoric. Critics claim that verbal communication is more effective than using images to communicate ideas. However, visual rhetoricians argue that images appeal to the reader’s emotions, thus making an immediate, truthful, and powerful impact. The purpose of my research is to examine the functionality of visual rhetoric and to determine how this field enhances 21 st century communication. In consideration of how visual rhetoric has shaped literature since the turn of the century, I have concluded that the September 11th terrorist attacks have made an enormous impact on the writing processes of contemporary writers. Due to the documented visual saturation of the September 11 th terrorist attacks, the visual irrevocably influences the ways in which present-day writers compose. I argue that the visual saturation of 9/11 triggers traumatic symptoms in victims who experienced the attacks. Trauma theorists argue that narrative writing is a strong coping mechanism for alleviating symptoms of trauma. However, given the visual saturation of the attacks, prose writing, I argue, is not powerful enough to assuage trauma. The research I have conducted suggests that a multimodal form of writing is necessary in an effort to confront the issues of 9/11 traumas. I have applied theories of visual rhetoric and trauma theory to Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Art Spiegelman’s In the Shadow o f No Towers, both of which are deemed “trauma narratives.” I argue that these texts must combine images and words in order to communicate notions of trauma and national tragedy. The literature under study exemplifies how a multimodal approach to literature is necessary to meet the demands of a visually oriented world of communication

Impact of geriatric comorbidity and polypharmacy on cholinesterase inhibitors prescribing in dementia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although most guidelines recommend the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) for mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease, only a small proportion of affected patients receive these drugs. We aimed to study if geriatric comorbidity and polypharmacy influence the prescription of ChEIs in patients with dementia in Germany.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used claims data of 1,848 incident patients with dementia aged 65 years and older. Inclusion criteria were first outpatient diagnoses for dementia in at least three of four consecutive quarters (incidence year). Our dependent variable was the prescription of at least one ChEI in the incidence year. Main independent variables were polypharmacy (defined as the number of prescribed medications categorized into quartiles) and measures of geriatric comorbidity (levels of care dependency and 14 symptom complexes characterizing geriatric patients). Data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>On average, patients were 78.7 years old (47.6% female) and received 9.7 different medications (interquartile range: 6-13). 44.4% were assigned to one of three care levels and virtually all patients (92.0%) had at least one symptom complex characterizing geriatric patients. 13.0% received at least one ChEI within the incidence year. Patients not assigned to the highest care level were more likely to receive a prescription (e.g., no level of care dependency vs. level 3: adjusted Odds Ratio [OR]: 5.35; 95% CI: 1.61-17.81). The chance decreased with increasing numbers of symptoms characterizing geriatric patients (e.g., 0 vs. 5+ geriatric complexes: OR: 4.23; 95% CI: 2.06-8.69). The overall number of prescribed medications had no influence on ChEI prescription and a significant effect of age could only be found in the univariate analysis. Living in a rural compared to an urban environment and contacts to neurologists or psychiatrists were associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of receiving ChEIs in the multivariate analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It seems that not age as such but the overall clinical condition of a patient including care dependency and geriatric comorbidities influences the process of decision making on prescription of ChEIs.</p

Optimising care for patients with cognitive impairment and dementia following hip fracture

The global shift in demographics towards aging populations is leading to a commensurate increase in age-related disease and frailty. It is essential to optimise health services to meet current needs and prepare for anticipated future demands. This paper explores issues impacting on people living with cognitive impairment and/or dementia who experience a hip fracture and are cared for in acute settings. This is important given the high mortality and morbidity associated with this population. Given the current insufficiency of clear evidence on optimum rehabilitation of this patient group, this paper explored three key themes namely: recognition of cognitive impairment, response by way of training and education of staff to optimise care for this patient group and review of the importance of outcomes measures. Whilst there is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the optimal ways of caring for patients living with dementia following hip fracture, this paper concludes that future research should improve understanding of healthcare staff education to improve the outcomes for this important group of patients