Heterogene ouderenzorg in Scandinavië

De Nederlandse verzorgingsstaat verandert en om de transitie van verzorgingsstaat naar participatiesamenleving in goede banen te leiden wordt naar het buitenland gekeken. Het Scandinavische model heeft een voorbeeldfunctie, maar studenten van Professionshøjskolen Metropol (Kopenhagen) stellen de vraag of het Scandinavische model ooit voltooid en volledig uitgevoerd i

Swift Identification of Dark Gamma-Ray Bursts

We present an optical flux vs. X-ray flux diagram for all known gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) for which an X-ray afterglow has been detected. We propose an operational definition of dark bursts as those bursts that are optically subluminous with respect to the fireball model, i.e., which have an optical-to-X-ray spectral index beta_OX < 0.5. Out of a sample of 52 GRBs we identify 5 dark bursts. The definition and diagram serve as a simple and quick diagnostic tool for identifying dark GRBs based on limited information, particularly useful for early and objective identification of dark GRBs observed with the Swift satellite.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. ApJ Letters, in pres

On the Use of Historical Bathymetric Data to Determine Changes in Bathymetry: An Analysis of Errors and Application to Great Bay Estuary, NH

The depth measurements that are incorporated into bathymetric charts have associated errors with magnitudes depending on the survey circumstances and applied techniques. For this reason, combining and comparing depth measurements collected over many years with different techniques and standards is a difficult task which must be done with great caution. In this study we have developed an approach for comparing historical bathymetric surveys. Our methodology uses Monte Carlo modelling to account for the random error components inherited in the data due to positioning and depth measurement uncertainties

Luminosity Functions of Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

Aims: Use the standard fireball model to create virtual populations of gamma-ray burst afterglows and study their luminosity functions. Methods: We randomly vary the parameters of the standard fireball model to create virtual populations of afterglows. We use the luminosity of each burst at an observer's time of 1 day to create a luminosity function and compare our results with available observational data to assess the internal consistency of the standard fireball model. Results: We show that the luminosity functions can be described by a function similar to a log normal distribution with an exponential cutoff. The function parameters are frequency dependent but not very dependent on the model parameter distributions used to create the virtual populations. Comparison with observations shows that while there is good general agreement with the data, it is difficult to explain simultaneously the X-ray and optical data. Possible reasons for this are discussed and the most likely one is that the standard fireball model is incomplete and that decoupling of the X-ray and optical emission mechanism may be needed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; accepted for publication in A&

Circulatory collapse following epidural bolus for Caesarean section a profound vasovagal reaction? A case report

AbstractIntroductionReduced blood pressure is commonly seen associated to spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section and efforts to reduce its occurrence and its magnitude is common practice. Cardiovascular collapse requiring cardio-pulmonary resuscitation after putting the spinal/epidural block for Caesarean section is however a rare but most dramatic event.Presentation of caseWe describe a case with sudden short loss of circulation, circulatory collapse, short after start of emergency Caesarean section in top up epidural anaesthesia (3+12ml ropivaciane 7.5mg/ml), requiring CPR. The neonate was delivered during CPR with Apgar 1, 10, 10 at 1, 5 and 10min. Circulation was restored following 60–90s of CPR and administration of 0.5mg adrenaline. No cardioversion was administered sinus rhythm was regained spontaneously. The mother and child had a further uncomplicated course. No signs of cardiac damage/anomaly, emboli, septicaemia, pereclampisa or local anaesthetic toxicity was found. The patient had prior to the decision about Caesarean section had fever and was subsequently relatively dehydrated.DiscussionThe patient had a fast return of sinus rhythm following birth of the child, without cardioversion. None of common causes for cardiac arrest was found and the patient an uncomplicated post Caesarean section course. The combination of epidural induced sympathetic block and reduced preload possibly triggered a Bezold-Jarisch reflex with a profound vasovagal reaction.ConcluiosnA structured plan for the handling of cardiovascular crisis must be available wherever Caesarean section are performed. Adequate volume loading, left tilt and vigilant control of circulation following regional block performance is of outmost importance

Tuning the Curie temperature of FeCo compounds by tetragonal distortion

Combining density-functional theory calculations with a classical Monte Carlo method, we show that for B2-type FeCo compounds tetragonal distortion gives rise to a strong reduction of the Curie temperature $T_{\mathrm{C}}$. The $T_{\mathrm{C}}$ monotonically decreases from 1575 K (for $c/a=1$) to 940 K (for c/a=\sqrtwo). We find that the nearest neighbor Fe-Co exchange interaction is sufficient to explain the $c/a$ behavior of the $T_{\mathrm{C}}$. Combination of high magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy with a moderate $T_{\mathrm{C}}$ value suggests tetragonal FeCo grown on the Rh substrate with $c/a=1.24$ to be a promising material for heat-assisted magnetic recording applications.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Day surgery, variations in routines and practices a questionnaire survey

AbstractBackgroundDay surgery is expanding however little is known about every day practice and routines.MethodsA web-based questionnaire including 34 questions with fixed multiple choice responses around routine and practice for the perioperative handling of patients scheduled for day case surgery was send to 100 hospitals.ResultsThere was an overall response rate of 70%. Most centres had a dedicated day surgery unit (87%). Preoperative assessment routines, when, how and by whom varied. Patient self-assessment questionnaires were common practice (87%). Upper age limit was uncommon (10%), lower age limit common (77%), and fixed high body mass index-limitation showed a mixed pattern, mean 40%. Postoperative nauseas and vomiting-risk stratification varied mean 46%. Anxiolytic premedication was uncommon. Administration of oral analgesics varied, mean 70%; paracetamol (94%), NSAIDs (80%) and opioid (28%). Preferred general anaesthesia technique varied considerable. Laryngeal mask airway was consistently used. Management of pain while in hospital was consistently performed. A majority centres provided take-home analgesics “tablet-package” (69%) or as prescription (80%). Strong opioids to be taken at home were given or prescribed by 59% of units. Written information about the postoperative care was common practice (90%), written instruction about management of pain was less frequently provided (69%). Most hospitals (93%) had standardised discharge criteria, including demand of an escort (75%) and not being alone first postoperative night (81%).ConclusionsWe found that regime for day surgical anaesthesia practice varied between as well as within countries. There is obvious room for further research on how to achieve safe and cost-effective logistics and practice for day case surgery

The Multi-Pitch Estimation Problem: Some New Solutions

n this paper, we formulate the multi-pitch estimation problem and propose a number of methods to estimate the set of fundamental frequencies. The methods, which are based on nonlinear least-squares, multiple signal classification (MUSIC) and the Capon principles, have in common the fact that the multiple fundamental frequencies are estimated by means of a one-dimensional search. The statistical properties of the methods are evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation