The Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment

We present the open source Astrophysical Multi-purpose Software Environment (AMUSE, www.amusecode.org), a component library for performing astrophysical simulations involving different physical domains and scales. It couples existing codes within a Python framework based on a communication layer using MPI. The interfaces are standardized for each domain and their implementation based on MPI guarantees that the whole framework is well-suited for distributed computation. It includes facilities for unit handling and data storage. Currently it includes codes for gravitational dynamics, stellar evolution, hydrodynamics and radiative transfer. Within each domain the interfaces to the codes are as similar as possible. We describe the design and implementation of AMUSE, as well as the main components and community codes currently supported and we discuss the code interactions facilitated by the framework. Additionally, we demonstrate how AMUSE can be used to resolve complex astrophysical problems by presenting example applications.Comment: 23 pages, 25 figures, accepted for A&

The Edible Oil and Oilseeds Value Chain in Ethiopia

This report investigates the dynamics of a multi-stakeholder platform (named: Coordination Group, or CG) for stakeholders of the oilseeds and edible oil value chains in Ethiopia. The CG was initiated by the Dutch development organisation SNV in 2005 as part of a broader programme to improve market access for farmers/producers and small - and medium-sized edible oil processing companies. To examine the MSP, both its internal, organisational dynamics and its external dynamics, i.e. the changes brought about in key areas of the institutional business environment, were analysed. A mixedmethod design was used for the data collection and -analysis, including in-depth interviews with 18 key representative edible oil and oilseeds stakeholders participating in the CG meetings, document analysis, and a social network analysis. Ethiopia has a considerable potential for oilseeds production resulting from its diverse and favourable climate conditions as well as the existing large size of uncultivated land. Common and speciality Ethiopian oilseeds (safflower, castor beans and rapeseeds) are under high international demand due to their organic nature. Despite its potential and high international demands, the oilseeds sector in Ethiopia is constrained by several factors that can be grouped into production, processing and marketing problems. The CG was established to address these major problems. The dominant impression is that the CG has played a key role in bringing stakeholders from the three societal sectors (public, private and civil society) together to participate in a new, loose governance structure that reasonably meets the majority of collaboration requirements. Assessments of the success factors in collaboration demonstrate mixed results that range from low-high. Generally, the CG has performed better in the areas of its internal dynamics than in its external dynamics. Despite the fact that oilseeds CG lacks an active nucleus-group; it has introduced and maintained a fairly horizontal discussion structure where each member is free and equal –although related to capacity differences- to influence and contribute to its internal and external dynamics. Lack of active participation of key decision and policy makers in the CG meetings is a limitation of the CG to effectively influence the policy arena. Assessments revealed that the CG was less successful in terms of its external dynamics. Except for its role in creating access to knowledge, the CG performed low in terms of creating favourable institutional business environments for small and medium sized agri-business players. The CG did not influence access to financing mechanisms. Despite its efforts to create international market opportunities, there are few alternative market opportunities created for the oilseeds’ value chain actors in general and for the farmers in particular

Multi-Stakeholder Platform Contribution to Value Chain Development

Multi-stakeholder platforms are increasingly recognized by researchers and practitioners as promising mechanisms for stimulating economies in developing countries. An increasing number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private enterprises are participating in such platforms, however systematic research on their effectiveness and impact is scarce. Therefore, the NGO SNV initiated this study to learn from a number of MSPs which SNV started in 2005 in Ethiopia under the Business Organisations and their Access to Markets (BOAM) program, financed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Maastricht School of Management (MSM) / Partnerships Resource Centre (PrC) were contracted to study the contributions of four selected MSPs to the development of value chains for the Ethiopian honey and beeswax, dairy, oil seeds and pineapple sectors. In total 437 organizations participated in at least one of the 66 CG meetings that were organized in the period 2005-2010. The overall objective of the study is to gain insight in and generate knowledge on how, and under which conditions multi-stakeholder platforms contribute to the development of value chains

Key conditions for successful value chain partnerships

This paper explores the black box of value chain partnerships, by showing how these partnerships can facilitate institutional change that is needed to include smallholder producers and small-and medium sized enterprises into (global) food value chains. It draws on agricultural value chain literature, collaboration literature, and institutional theory to gain insight into the relationship between the partnerships’ inner dynamics on the one hand, and the institutional changes the partnership facilitates in key areas of the business environment on the other. The study comprises a multiple case study of four multi-stakeholder value chain partnerships in honey, dairy, oilseeds and pineapple in Ethiopia. Sources of evidence include program documents, minutes of 66 meetings, and in-depth interviews with 67 key stakeholders. The study identifies four key conditions for fruitful collaboration: trust building, societal embeddedness, strong private sector leadership, and stakeholder involvement. Especially the latter condition proved to be important. Existing institutional structures and vested interests defended by individual stakeholders that remain outside the partnership may significantly hinder the institutional change advanced by value chain partnerships

Psychological impact of lymphoma on adolescents and young adults:Not a matter of black or white

Contains fulltext : 171302.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to examine differences in perceived impact of cancer (IOC) between adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 18-35 years at cancer diagnosis), adults (36-64 years) and elderly (65-84 years) with a history of (non-)Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, to investigate the association of socio-demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics with IOC; and the association between IOC and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among AYAs only. METHODS: This study is part of a population-based PROFILES registry survey among lymphoma patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2009. Patients (n = 1.281) were invited to complete the IOCv1 and EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Response rate was 67 % (n = 861). RESULTS: AYA lymphoma survivors scored higher on the positive IOC summary scale, compared to adult and elderly patients (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed for negative IOC. Among AYAs, females, survivors with a partner, and survivors with elevated psychological distress levels scored significantly higher on the negative IOC summary scale. The negative IOC summary scale was negatively associated with all EORTC QLQ-C30 functioning scales (beta ranging from -0.39 to -0.063; p < 0.05). The positive IOC summary scale was negatively associated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 subscale 'Emotional functioning' (beta = -0.24; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AYA, adult and elderly with a history of (non-)Hodgkin lymphoma experienced different types of IOC in terms of positive and negative aspects. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Although AYAs experience a more positive IOC compared to older survivors, some AYAs experience more negative IOC and may require developmentally appropriate interventions to address their specific concerns

Warm-up phenomenon in myotonia associated with the V445M sodium channel mutation

Contains fulltext : 53128.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access

Pore-size dependence of the thermal conductivity of porous silicon : a phonon hydrodynamic approach

Phononhydrodynamics is used to analyze the influence of porosity and of pore size on reduction in thermal conductivity in porous silicon, with respect to crystalline silicon. The expressions predict that the thermal conductivity is lower for higher porosity and for smaller pore radius, as a consequence of phononballisticeffects. The theoretical results describe experimental data better than the assumption that they only depend on porosity

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during scoliosis surgery in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

PURPOSE: Little is known about the reliability and value of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) undergoing scoliosis correction surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of IONM and the cortical excitability in these patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients with DMD and scoliosis and 15 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) underwent scoliosis correction surgery with the use of IONM. IONM consisted of transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potential (Tc-MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring. The highest Tc-MEP amplitudes were collected to test the feasibility. Preoperative compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-MEPs were recorded to test the cortical excitability. SSEPs were scored as elicitable or not elicitable. RESULTS: Tc-MEP amplitudes were significantly lower in the DMD group for both the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. However, the abductor hallucis muscle had similar amplitudes in both the DMD as the AIS group. TMS/CMAP and Tc-MEP/CMAP ratios were similar in the DMD and AIS group (P = 0.126 and P = 0.792 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tc-MEP and SSEP monitoring is feasible, particularly when Tc-MEPs are recorded from the abductor hallucis muscle in patients with DMD. Similar TMS/CMAP and Tc-MEP/CMAP ratios show that there were no differences observed in cortical excitability between the groups. IONM seems a feasible and valuable neurophysiological tool to signal possible surgically induced damage to the spinal cord during scoliosis correction surgery in patients with DMD

The influence of depth of anesthesia and blood pressure on muscle recorded motor evoked potentials in spinal surgery. A prospective observational study protocol

For high-risk spinal surgeries, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is used to detect and prevent intraoperative neurological injury. The motor tracts are monitored by recording and analyzing muscle transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials (mTc-MEPs). A mTc-MEP amplitude decrease of 50-80% is the most common warning criterion for possible neurological injury. However, these warning criteria often result in false positive warnings. False positives may be caused by inadequate depth of anesthesia and blood pressure on mTc-MEP amplitudes. The aim of this paper is to validate the study protocol in which the goal is to investigate the effects of depth of anesthesia (part 1) and blood pressure (part 2) on mTc-MEPs. Per part, 25 patients will be included. In order to investigate the effects of depth of anesthesia, a processed electroencephalogram (pEEG) monitor will be used. At pEEG values of 30, 40 and 50, mTc-MEP measurements will be performed. To examine the effect of blood pressure on mTc-MEPs the mean arterial pressure will be elevated from 60 to 100 mmHg during which mTc-MEP measurements will be performed. We hypothesize that by understanding the effects of depth of anesthesia and blood pressure on mTc-MEPs, the mTc-MEP monitoring can be interpreted more reliably. This may contribute to fewer false positive warnings. By performing this study after induction and prior to incision, this protocol provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of depths of anesthesia and blood pressure on mTc-MEPs alone with as little confounders as possible. Trial registration number NL7772