European legislation impedes critical care research and fails to protect patients' rights

The European Clinical Trials Directive requires an informed consent from the patient or a proxy in drug trials. Although informed consent is a valuable tool to protect patients' rights in clinical trials, this requirement largely impedes research in critical care settings, and if pursued in this context, it does not provide the patient with adequate protection. Instead of insisting on informed consent, we suggest that the focus should be shifted towards two other ethically relevant elements in human experimentation: risk assessment and selection of research subjects. When reviewing protocols in which a waiver of consent is deemed necessary, the Ethical Review Board should ensure that non-therapeutic risks are minimal, that the research is specifically designed to benefit critically ill patients, and that it cannot be conducted under circumstances where an informed consent can be obtained. If the European Directive is changed accordingly, this permits clinical trials in critical care settings, while adequate protection from risky non-therapeutic procedures is ensured and exploitation of the patient as an easily accessible research subject is prevented

Intelligent Computing for the Management of Changes in Industrial Engineering Modeling Processes

Advancements in engineering modeling have changed the work of engineers during the last two decades. Sophisticated descriptions store information about shape oriented engineering objects and their relationships. Boundary representations of form features constitute shape models. Rules and checks have replaced simple data form of shape model entity attributes. This change of modeling facilitates a next step towards application of computer intelligence at engineering object related decisions. The authors propose a method of intelligent attribute definition for integrated decision assistance environments of modelling systems. This method provides quick and comprehensive assessment of situations for decisions on modification of modeled objects in very complex information environments. The paper starts with an outline of the approach to intelligent decision assistance by the authors. Next, an Internet portal communicated scenario of the proposed modeling is discussed. Following this, multilevel solution for modeling, adding characteristics for engineering objects, and definitions and communications are detailed as essential methods in the proposed modeling. Finally, behaviors for essential classes of modeled objects and an example for the definition of situations and behaviors represent implementation issues

Overlay virtualized wireless sensor networks for application in industrial internet of things : a review

Abstract: In recent times, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are broadly applied in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in order to enhance the productivity and efficiency of existing and prospective manufacturing industries. In particular, an area of interest that concerns the use of WSNs in IIoT is the concept of sensor network virtualization and overlay networks. Both network virtualization and overlay networks are considered contemporary because they provide the capacity to create services and applications at the edge of existing virtual networks without changing the underlying infrastructure. This capability makes both network virtualization and overlay network services highly beneficial, particularly for the dynamic needs of IIoT based applications such as in smart industry applications, smart city, and smart home applications. Consequently, the study of both WSN virtualization and overlay networks has become highly patronized in the literature, leading to the growth and maturity of the research area. In line with this growth, this paper provides a review of the development made thus far concerning virtualized sensor networks, with emphasis on the application of overlay networks in IIoT. Principally, the process of virtualization in WSN is discussed along with its importance in IIoT applications. Different challenges in WSN are also presented along with possible solutions given by the use of virtualized WSNs. Further details are also presented concerning the use of overlay networks as the next step to supporting virtualization in shared sensor networks. Our discussion closes with an exposition of the existing challenges in the use of virtualized WSN for IIoT applications. In general, because overlay networks will be contributory to the future development and advancement of smart industrial and smart city applications, this review may be considered by researchers as a reference point for those particularly interested in the study of this growing field

Cold ridge formation mechanisms on the Agulhas Bank (South Africa) as revealed by satellite-tracked drifters

The formation of the cold ridge, a seasonal mid-shelf upwelling feature on the Agulhas Bank, is investigated from a combination of satellite-tracked surface drifters, in situ current and temperature data, as well as satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). The observational data showed coastal upwelling along the Tsitsikamma coast to be induced by the easterly wind in austral summer, with a coexistent westward flowing coastal current. Under this wind and current regime, surface drifters moved west and onto the mid-shelf with the cold water, thereafter following the southward-curved 100 m isobath. Satellite observations in March–April 2008 showed increased south-westward advection of wind-driven upwelled water during an Agulhas Current intrusion that resulted in the formation of a classically shaped cold ridge. Also of interest was the passing of a Natal Pulse along the south-eastern shelf edge of the Agulhas Bank in July 2007. This generated a large cyclonic eddy in the Agulhas Bight with an attendant warm water plume that swept over the adjacent shelf. Two idle drifters positioned on the mid-shelf at the time, immediately west of the Natal Pulse, were rapidly advected offshore along the curved 100 m isobath, confirming the long-thought association of the cold ridge with an Agulhas Bight cyclone. A moored current meter adjacent to the Tsitsikamma coast (1.5 km offshore) showed the effect of the Natal Pulse on the nearshore. Drifter trajectories show accelerated south-westward flow on the offshore side of the cold ridge and recirculation towards the east on its shoreward side. These findings strongly support the Westward Transport Hypothesis where squid paralarvae are advected westward from the inshore breeding grounds, to the food maxima on the interior of the central Agulhas Bank, to improve their chances of survival and can therefore have important implications for the management of the South African chokka squid fishery

Diagnostik und Therapie asymptomatischer Nebennierentumoren

Bei 23 Frauen und neun Männern im mittleren Alter von 54 (25-73) Jahren wurde bei der Klärung anderer Beschwerden zufällig ein asymptomatischer Nebennierentumor entdeckt. In allen Fällen ließen sich die Tumoren computertomographisch darstellen. Achtmal waren sie beidseits lokalisiert, in je 12 Fällen rechts- oder linksseitig. Der durchschnittliche Tumordurchmesser betrug 3 (1-9) cm. Vier Tumoren (12,5 %) wiesen eine endokrine Aktivität auf (ein Phäochromozytom, drei cortisolproduzierende Tumoren). Acht Patienten wurden adrenalektomiert, dabei ergaben sich sechs Nebennierenadenome, ein benignes Phäochromozytom und ein Ganglioneurom. Eine Feinnadelbiopsie wurde bei zwei Patienten vorgenommen, der zytologische Befund war benigne. Computertomographische Verlaufskontrollen bei elf (34,4 %) der nicht-operierten Patienten 6-48 Monate (im Mittel 14 Monate) später zeigten bei keinem der Patienten eine Größenzunahme des Tumors. Daher erscheint es bei zufällig diagnostizierten Nebennierentumoren gerechtfertigt, zunächst einmal den Verlauf zu beobachten, da gutartige Prozesse offensichtlich weitaus häufiger sind als maligne. Bei einem Tumordurchmesser von mehr als 6 cm ist jedoch wegen des Malignitätsrisikos eine Adrenalektomie durchzuführen

Global estimates of the extent and production of macroalgal forests

Aim Macroalgal habitats are believed to be the most extensive and productive of all coastal vegetated ecosystems. In stark contrast to the growing attention on their contribution to carbon export and sequestration, understanding of their global extent and production is limited and these have remained poorly assessed for decades. Here we report a first data-driven assessment of the global extent and production of macroalgal habitats based on modelled and observed distributions and net primary production (NPP) across habitat types. Location Global coastal ocean. Time period Contemporary. Major taxa studied Macroalgae. Methods Here we apply a comprehensive niche model to generate an improved global map of potential macroalgal distribution, constrained by incident light on the seafloor and substrate type. We compiled areal net primary production (NPP) rates across macroalgal habitats from the literature and combined this with our estimates of the global extent of these habitats to calculate global macroalgal NPP. Results We show that macroalgal forests are a major biome with a global area of 6.06–7.22 million km2, dominated by red algae, and NPP of 1.32 Pg C/year, dominated by brown algae. Main conclusions The global macroalgal biome is comparable, in area and NPP, to the Amazon forest, but is globally distributed as a thin strip around shorelines. Macroalgae are expanding in polar, subpolar and tropical areas, where their potential extent is also largest, likely increasing the overall contribution of algal forests to global carbon sequestration

Comparing nuclear power trajectories in Germany and the UK: from ‘regimes' to ‘democracies’ in sociotechnical transitions and Discontinuities

This paper focuses on arguably the single most striking contrast in contemporary major energy politics in Europe (and even the developed world as a whole): the starkly differing civil nuclear policies of Germany and the UK. Germany is seeking entirely to phase out nuclear power by 2022. Yet the UK advocates a ‘nuclear renaissance’, promoting the most ambitious new nuclear construction programme in Western Europe.Here,this paper poses a simple yet quite fundamental question: what are the particular divergent conditions most strongly implicated in the contrasting developments in these two countries. With nuclear playing such an iconic role in historical discussions over technological continuity and transformation, answering this may assist in wider understandings of sociotechnical incumbency and discontinuity in the burgeoning field of‘sustainability transitions’. To this end, an ‘abductive’ approach is taken: deploying nine potentially relevant criteria for understanding the different directions pursued in Germany and the UK. Together constituted by 30 parameters spanning literatures related to socio-technical regimes in general as well as nuclear technology in particular, the criteria are divided into those that are ‘internal’ and ‘external’ to the ‘focal regime configuration’ of nuclear power and associated ‘challenger technologies’ like renewables. It is ‘internal’ criteria that are emphasised in conventional sociotechnical regime theory, with ‘external’ criteria relatively less well explored. Asking under each criterion whether attempted discontinuation of nuclear power would be more likely in Germany or the UK, a clear picture emerges. ‘Internal’ criteria suggest attempted nuclear discontinuation should be more likely in the UK than in Germany– the reverse of what is occurring. ‘External’ criteria are more aligned with observed dynamics –especially those relating to military nuclear commitments and broader ‘qualities of democracy’. Despite many differences of framing concerning exactly what constitutes ‘democracy’, a rich political science literature on this point is unanimous in characterising Germany more positively than the UK. Although based only on a single case,a potentially important question is nonetheless raised as to whether sociotechnical regime theory might usefully give greater attention to the general importance of various aspects of democracy in constituting conditions for significant technological discontinuities and transformations. If so, the policy implications are significant. A number of important areas are identified for future research, including the roles of diverse understandings and specific aspects of democracy and the particular relevance of military nuclear commitments– whose under-discussion in civil nuclear policy literatures raises its own questions of democratic accountability

Light in the Polar Night

How much light isa vailable for biological processes during Polar Night? This question appears simple enough. But the reality is that conventional light sen- sors for measuring visible light (~350 to ~700 nm) have not been sensitive enough to answer it. Beyond this technical challenge, “light” is a general term that must be qualified in terms of “light climate” before it has meaning for biological systems. In this chapter, we provide an answer to the question posed above and explore aspects of light climate during Polar Night with relevance to biology, specifically, how Polar Night is defined by solar elevation, atmospheric light in Polar Night and its propaga- tion underwater, bioluminescence in Polar Night and the concept of Polar Night as a deep-sea analogue, light pollution, and future perspectives. This chapter focuses on the quantity and quality of light present during Polar Night, while subsequent chapters in this volume focus on specific biological effects of this light for algae (Chap. “Marine Micro- and Macroalgae in the Polar Night”), zooplankton (Chaps.“Zooplankton in the Polar Night” and “Biological Clocks and Rhythms in Polar Organisms”), and fish (Chap. “Fish Ecology in the Polar Night”)