Measurements of temperature and pressure fluctuations in the T prime 2 cryogenic wind tunnel

Cold wire measurement of temperature fluctuations were made in a DERAT T'2 induction powered cryogenic wind tunnel for 2 types of liquid nitrogen injectors. Thermal turbulence measured in the tranquilization chamber depends to a great extent on the injector used; for fine spray of nitrogen drops, this level of turbulence seemed completely acceptable. Fluctuations in static pressure taken from the walls of the vein by Kulite sensors showed that there was no increase in aerodynamic noise during cryogenic gusts

L'impact des prélèvements d'eau pour l'irrigation sur les régimes hydrologiques des sous-bassins du Tescou et de la Séoune (bassin Adour-Garonne, France)

Les besoins en eau pour l'irrigation des cultures des sous-bassins du Tescou et de la Séoune (Bassin Adour-Garonne) se sont considérablement accrus ces trente dernières années. Cela s'est manifesté, entre autres, par la création de très nombreuses retenues collinaires. Pour le sous-bassin du Tescou, aux crues rapides et peu volumineuses, on totalise 184 retenues individuelles dont le volume théorique cumulé s'élève à 4,3 Mm3 et qui interceptent environ un tiers (92 km2) de sa superficie (287 km2). Pour la Séoune, la pression due à l'usage de l'eau pour l'irrigation est un peu moins forte, compte tenu de sa taille (463 km2) et d'une ressource relativement abondante en hautes eaux. Près de 160 retenues collinaires sont dénombrées, elle représentent un volume de stockage théorique de 6,5 Mm3 pour une superficie interceptée d'environ un quart du sous-bassin (122 km2). Le suivi hydrométrique des sous-bassins permet de disposer pour chacun d'eux d'une chronique de débit influencée Q(t) sur une période d'observation d'environ 30 ans. A partir des débits observés, notre objectif a été d'identifier et de quantifier l'impact anthropique pour trois composantes du régime hydrologique : crue, module et étiage. L'approche saisonnière des crues et modules a permis une différenciation de l'impact anthropique selon les saisons "hiver" (mois 12 à 6) et "été" (mois 7 à 11). Cette saisonnalisation hydrologique reflète bien le mode de gestion actuel de la ressource en eau de ces sous-bassins agricoles : stockage l'hiver et irrigation à partir des retenues collinaires durant les premiers mois d'été. Pour identifier l'impact, nous avons fait usage de tests de détection de rupture de stationnarité des chroniques hydrologiques : de LANG (2004) pour les crues et d'une adaptation du test de BOIS (1986) pour les modules et étiages des sous-bassins. Pour ce qui concerne les crues d'été et les modules d'été les tests montrent que les chroniques sont stationnaires sur l'ensemble de la période d'observation. Pour les crues et les modules d'hiver par contre, les tests relèvent des ruptures de stationnarité des chroniques qui vont nous permettre de définir des sous-périodes stationnaires. Ces sous-périodes sont sensiblement cohérentes avec l'évolution des prélèvements théoriques cumulés de ces trente dernières années. L'analyse des ruptures de stationnarité menée sur les débits a été de même effectuée sur les pluies pour consolider nos résultats. La stationnarité des chroniques de pluie observées montre qu'il n'y a pas de composante climatique, autrement dit que la tendance détectée sur les débits est essentiellement d'origine anthropique. Il ne semble pas y avoir d'impact des éventuels pompages sur les débits d'étiage et tout particulièrement pour ce qui concerne la norme VCN30 "débit moyen minimum annuel sur 30 jours consécutifs" des deux sous-bassins. Finalement, l'usage de l'eau pour l'irrigation affecte essentiellement les crues et les modules de la saison hiver. Un essai de quantification de cette tendance a été menée à partir d'une analyse statistique associant les observations des sous-périodes stationnaires et les débits simulés pour une même référence pluviométrique. A partir des modélisations statistiques réalisées et des courbes de pression des besoins théoriques de l'irrigation, nous en avons déduit une tendance vraisemblable sur les quantiles de crue et les modules d'hiver. De manière générale, les crues de la saison hiver des deux sous-bassins sont fortement réduites en pointe et volume par l'ensemble des petites retenues. L'impact observé sur les quantiles de crue reste cohérent par rapport aux volumes théoriques prélevés dernièrement référencés. Les retenues collinaires sont sans action significative sur le temps de transfert (19j environ) du sous-bassin de la Séoune dont les crues sont volumineuses. Pour le Tescou par contre, aux crues rapides et peu volumineuses, le temps de transfert augmente sensiblement de 8h entre l'état de prélèvement zéro ("naturel" : 1,73j) et l'état actuel proche de 6 Mm3 (2,07j). Pour ce qui concerne les modules d'hiver des sous-bassins de la Séoune et du Tescou le coefficient d'écoulement moyen d'hiver diminue respectivement de 31% en moyenne et de 42% en moyenne entre l'état "naturel" et l'état anthropisé actuel. Cette diminution des coefficients d'écoulement est sans commune mesure avec les volumes théoriques stockés à partir des retenues collinaires. Autrement dit, les volumes théoriques des retenues collinaires ne peuvent expliquer à eux seuls la forte diminution des coefficients d'écoulement observés. Cependant, la cohérence des divers contrôles effectués, tant sur les chroniques observées que sur les modélisations effectuées, nous incitent à valider ces résultats. Ceux-ci devraient être retenus pour des objectifs de gestion immédiats ou ultérieurs de la ressource, si les conditions climatiques et d'occupation du sol n'évoluent guère.The water needs for farming irrigation in the Tescou and Séoune sub-basins (Basin Adour-Garonne) have increased considerably over the past thirty years. The needs were met, in part, by the creation of numerous reservoirs. For the Tescou catchment, with rapid but small-volume floods, we have 184 individual reservoirs with an accumulated theoretical volume of 4.3 Mm3, which intercept about a third (92 km2) of its surface (287 km2). For the Séoune catchment, the need for irrigation is a little less strong, considering its size (463 km2) and the presence of a relatively more abundant water resource. Close to 160 reservoirs can be counted, with a theoretical storage volume of 6.5 Mm3 for an intercepted surface of about a quarter of the sub-basin (122 km2). Hydrological monitoring data are available in the form of an influenced time series Q(t) with a period of observation of about 30 years for each sub-basin. From the observed discharges, our objective was to identify and to quantify anthropogenic impacts on three components of the hydrological regime: floods, annual mean discharge and low-flows. The seasonal approach of floods and annual mean discharges permitted a differentiation of the anthropogenic impact according to the "winter" (months 12 to 6) and "summer" (months 7 to 11) seasons. This approach reflects the present management of water in these agricultural sub-basins: storage in winter and irrigation during the first months of summer. To identify the impact, we used tests to detect stationnarity breaks in the time series: LANG (2004) for floods and an adaptation of BOIS (1986) for annual mean discharges and low-flows. For summer floods and summer annual mean discharges, the tests showed that the time series were stationary during the period of observation. For winter floods and winter annual mean discharges the tests showed stationnarity breaks in the time series, which allowed us to define the stationary sub-periods. These sub-periods were consistent with the evolution of the accumulated theoretical withdrawals during the last thirty years. The same analysis of stationnarity breaks made on flows was also done on rainfall to strengthen our results. The stationnarity of the rainfall observed over the time series shows that there is not a climatic component; in other words, the trends detected in the streamflow record are essentially of anthropogenic origin. For both sub-basins, the BOIS statistical test did not reveal any impact of possible pumping on the low-flows, and especially for the VCN30 norm (minimum annual mean flow over a period of 30 consecutive days).Finally, the use of water for irrigation essentially affects winter floods and annual mean discharges. A test to quantify this trend was carried out with a statistical analysis associating the observations of each stationary sub-period and the discharges simulated for a similar rainfall. From the resulting statistical models and the curves of pressure of theoretical irrigation requirements, we deduced a probable trend for the quantiles of winter floods and mean annual winter discharges. In a general way, winter floods in both sub-basins were strongly reduced in peak and volume by the set of the small reservoirs. The impact observed on the flood quantiles remains coherent in relation to the theoretical withdrawal volumes referenced above. The reservoirs are without significant action on the transfer time (approximately 19 days) in the Séoune sub-basin, where the floods are voluminous. On the other hand, for the Tescou sub-basin, with rapid and small-volume floods, the time of transfer increases considerably (8 h) between the state of zero withdrawal (natural: 1.73 days) and the present state close to 6 Mm3 (2.07 days). Concerning winter annual mean discharge in both sub-basins, the winter mean runoff coefficient decreased 31% and 42%, for the Séoune and Tescou sub-basins respectively, between the natural state and the present state. This reduction of the runoff coefficients does not correspond to the theoretical volumes stocked in the reservoirs. In other words, the theoretical volumes of the reservoirs cannot completely explain the observed strong reduction of the runoff coefficients. However, the consistency of the various controls, both on the observed time series and the modelled results, lend credibility to the overall results. These results should be taken into consideration in water management, if the climatic conditions and soil occupation don't change

Mapping Turnaround Times (TAT) to a Generic Timeline: A Systematic Review of TAT Definitions in Clinical Domains

Background: Assessing turnaround times can help to analyse workflows in hospital information systems. This paper presents a systematic review of literature concerning different turnaround time definitions. Our objectives were to collect relevant literature with respect to this kind of process times in hospitals and their respective domains. We then analysed the existing definitions and summarised them in an appropriate format. Methods: Our search strategy was based on Pubmed queries and manual reviews of the bibliographies of retrieved articles. Studies were included if precise definitions of turnaround times were available. A generic timeline was designed through a consensus process to provide an overview of these definitions. Results: More than 1000 articles were analysed and resulted in 122 papers. Of those, 162 turnaround time definitions in different clinical domains were identified. Starting and end points vary between these domains. To illustrate those turnaround time definitions, a generic timeline was constructed using preferred terms derived from the identified definitions. The consensus process resulted in the following 15 terms: admission, order, biopsy/examination, receipt of specimen in laboratory, procedure completion, interpretation, dictation, transcription, verification, report available, delivery, physician views report, treatment, discharge and discharge letter sent. Based on this analysis, several standard terms for turnaround time definitions are proposed. Conclusion: Using turnaround times to benchmark clinical workflows is still difficult, because even within the same clinical domain many different definitions exist. Mapping of turnaround time definitions to a generic timeline is feasible

HIS-based Kaplan-Meier plots - a single source approach for documenting and reusing routine survival information

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Survival or outcome information is important for clinical routine as well as for clinical research and should be collected completely, timely and precisely. This information is relevant for multiple usages including quality control, clinical trials, observational studies and epidemiological registries. However, the local hospital information system (HIS) does not support this documentation and therefore this data has to generated by paper based or spreadsheet methods which can result in redundantly documented data. Therefore we investigated, whether integrating the follow-up documentation of different departments in the HIS and reusing it for survival analysis can enable the physician to obtain survival curves in a timely manner and to avoid redundant documentation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analysed the current follow-up process of oncological patients in two departments (urology, haematology) with respect to different documentation forms. We developed a concept for comprehensive survival documentation based on a generic data model and implemented a follow-up form within the HIS of the University Hospital Muenster which is suitable for a secondary use of these data. We designed a query to extract the relevant data from the HIS and implemented Kaplan-Meier plots based on these data. To re-use this data sufficient data quality is needed. We measured completeness of forms with respect to all tumour cases in the clinic and completeness of documented items per form as incomplete information can bias results of the survival analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on the form analysis we discovered differences and concordances between both departments. We identified 52 attributes from which 13 were common (e.g. procedures and diagnosis dates) and were used for the generic data model. The electronic follow-up form was integrated in the clinical workflow. Survival data was also retrospectively entered in order to perform survival and quality analyses on a comprehensive data set. Physicians are now able to generate timely Kaplan-Meier plots on current data. We analysed 1029 follow-up forms of 965 patients with survival information between 1992 and 2010. Completeness of forms was 60.2%, completeness of items ranges between 94.3% and 98.5%. Median overall survival time was 16.4 years; median event-free survival time was 7.7 years.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is feasible to integrate survival information into routine HIS documentation such that Kaplan-Meier plots can be generated directly and in a timely manner.</p

The AVuPUR project (Assessing the Vulnerabiliy of Peri-Urbans Rivers): experimental set up, modelling strategy and first results

International audienceLe projet AVuPUR a pour objectif de progresser sur la compréhension et la modélisation des flux d'eau dans les bassins versants péri-urbains. Il s'agit plus particulièrement de fournir des outils permettant de quantifier l'impact d'objets anthropiques tels que zones urbaines, routes, fossés sur les régimes hydrologiques des cours d'eau dans ces bassins. Cet article présente la stratégie expérimentale et de collecte de données mise en ½uvre dans le projet et les pistes proposées pour l'amélioration des outils de modélisation existants et le développement d'outils novateurs. Enfin, nous présentons comment ces outils seront utilisés pour simuler et quantifier l'impact des modifications d'occupation des sols et/ou du climat sur les régimes hydrologiques des bassins étudiés. / The aim of the AVuPUR project is to enhance our understanding and modelling capacity of water fluxes within suburban watersheds. In particular, the objective is to deliver tools allowing to quantify the impact of anthropogenic elements such as urban areas, roads, ditches on the hydrological regime of suburban rivers. This paper presents the observation and data collection strategy set up by the project, and the directions for improving existing modelling tools or proposing innovative ones. Finally, we present how these tools will be used to simulate and quantify the impact of land use and climate changes on the hydrological regimes of the studied catchments

The Adaptive Marine Policy (AMP) toolbox: Supporting policy-makers developing adaptive policies in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

Adaptive management is essential to the practical application of the Ecosystem-Based Approach (EBA). Despite there are frequent assertions that adaptive management is being used, evidence on its success is still limited. Indeed, it is difficult to bring the different elements of adaptive management together in a robust way and to choose the appropriate tools to do it. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a practical framework for adaptive policy action, consistent with the EBA. Accordingly, to operationalize the design and implementation of adaptive policies on the basis of the EBA, the Adaptive Marine Policy toolbox has been developed. The objective of the toolbox is to provide policy-makers a practical framework to design and implement adaptive policies. To show the functionality of the toolbox, the guidelines and resources provided within the toolbox have been applied to the marine litter issue in the Mediterranean and Black Sea as an example. The example application has shown that the toolbox is a useful and operational framework to build a science-policy interface according to the EBA. Despite some resources could be missing from the toolbox, they provide a practical and useful starting point to support the application of the different steps and key activities

Social interaction patterns, therapist responsiveness, and outcome in treatments for borderline personality disorder.

Inflexible social interaction patterns are defining features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Specific beliefs about the self and others may be activated across interaction situations, often leading to instable relationships. It may be pivotal to address these difficulties in early treatment phases, through appropriate therapist responsiveness, which means an adaptation of therapist's activity to their client's behaviours using emerging information in the process (Stiles, 2009, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 16, 86). In this process-outcome study, responsiveness is operationalized by the motive-oriented therapeutic relationship (Caspar, 2007, Handbook of psychotherapeutic case formulations, 2nd ed., 251-289, Guilford), based on the Plan analysis case formulation. The present study assesses the interplay between social interaction problems and therapist responsiveness, explaining symptoms at discharge and the therapeutic alliance. In total, N = 50 clients with BPD entered the study, and standard and responsive treatments were compared. Social interaction patterns were assessed by the newly developed Borderline Interaction Patterns Scale (BIPS), applied to recorded material of three sessions per therapy. Outcome was measured by general symptoms (OQ-45), borderline symptoms (BSL-23), interpersonal problems (IIP), and the therapeutic alliance (WAI). Results suggest that in standard treatment, social interaction patterns are neither related to outcome nor the therapeutic alliance. In responsive treatment, more activation of social interaction patterns predicted better outcome on IIP and lower therapist ratings of the alliance. The conclusions seem promising for specific effectiveness of responsive treatments in particular in the interpersonal problem area of BPD. Identifying social interaction patterns early in treatment may be a crucial pathway to change for BPD. Responsive therapy activating social interaction patterns may be crucial for better outcome. Future research should focus on mechanisms of change in early treatment phases for BPD. New scale for assessing social interaction patterns specific to borderline personality disorder