Critical behaviour in the nonlinear elastic response of hydrogels

In this paper we study the elastic response of synthetic hydrogels to an applied shear stress. The hydrogels studied here have previously been shown to mimic the behaviour of biopolymer networks when they are sufficiently far above the gel point. We show that near the gel point they exhibit an elastic response that is consistent with the predicted critical behaviour of networks near or below the isostatic point of marginal stability. This point separates rigid and floppy states, distinguished by the presence or absence of finite linear elastic moduli. Recent theoretical work has also focused on the response of such networks to finite or large deformations, both near and below the isostatic point. Despite this interest, experimental evidence for the existence of criticality in such networks has been lacking. Using computer simulations, we identify critical signatures in the mechanical response of sub-isostatic networks as a function of applied shear stress. We also present experimental evidence consistent with these predictions. Furthermore, our results show the existence of two distinct critical regimes, one of which arises from the nonlinear stretch response of semi-flexible polymers.

Success Factors of International Education and Training Networks

In the last decade, several international education and training networks have been established in the nuclear field, striving to support – in general terms – the availability of qualified human resources in nuclear facilities (including research centers). Re-cently, several cooperation agreements have been signed between different net-works with the aim to further boost the impact and effectiveness of their work. The networks have become active in different geographical regions of the world, and their creation has been supported by different international organizations. Consequently, for stakeholders in the nuclear field it is increasingly difficult to receive an overview, and to differentiate substantially between the education and training impacts on their own human resource issues. In order to present an overview and a clearer view on existing education and training networks, and to assess the potential benefits of their work for concerned stakehold-ers, this paper presents 2 examples (European Nuclear Education Network / ENEN, European Fusion Education Network / FuseNet), comparing their history, their target groups and their members, their mission and objectives, their activities and working mechanisms, as well as their information and communication (web sites). The objective is to develop criteria and in particular success factors that may provide guidance for further development of international education and training networks

Why the idea of framework propositions cannot contribute to an understanding of delusions

One of the tasks that recent philosophy of psychiatry has taken upon itself is to extend the range of understanding to some of those aspects of psychopathology that Jaspers deemed beyond its limits. Given the fundamental difficulties of offering a literal interpretation of the contents of primary delusions, a number of alternative strategies have been put forward including regarding them as abnormal versions of framework propositions described by Wittgenstein in On Certainty. But although framework propositions share some of the apparent epistemic features of primary delusions, their role in partially constituting the sense of inquiry rules out their role in helping to understand delusions

Propagule and soil type affects the pathogenicity of Ilyonectria and Dactylonectria spp., the causal agents of black foot disease of grapevines

Black foot disease of grapevines is a significant economic issue for the viticulture industry worldwide. The disease is mainly associated with soil borne pathogen species within the genera Dactylonectria and Ilyonectria. The aim of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of different pathogen propagules, including chlamydospores, conidia and mycelium, to grapevine rootstocks grown in soil. A combination of nine isolates belonging to Dactylonectria and Ilyonectria genera, representative of the fungal species associated with black foot disease in New Zealand were used to inoculate grapevines in a field experiment. In the second experiment, the pathogenicity of the different propagules was assessed in different soil types, clay loam, silt loam and sandy loam soils. In the field experiment, chlamydospores and conidia resulted in higher disease incidence and severity at 0 cm above the grapevine stem base compared with mycelium. At 5 cm above the stem base, chlamydospores caused the greatest disease incidence compared with the other two propagules. Propagule type had no effect on shoot and root dry weights. In the pot experiment, soil type affected disease incidence and severity, with clay loam soil resulting in significantly greater disease incidence and severity than silt loam or sandy loam soils. Disease severity at 0 cm above the stem base was significantly higher with conidial inoculations compared with chlamydospore inoculations irrespective of soil type. Root dry weights were also affected with heavier roots from plants grown in sandy loam compared with silt loam and clay loam soils, however, shoot dry weight was greater in clay loam and sandy loam compared with silt loam soils. The results of the study confirmed that all propagule types were able to infect grapevine rootstocks when planted in inoculated soil and showed that although the pathogens were capable of infecting the rootstocks in all soil types, disease level was higher in the heavier clay loam soil. It is therefore recommended that growers either avoid planting in such soils or apply strategies to improve drainage and soil aeration

Pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B after accidental overdose in an adult critically ill patient treated with plasmapheresis: a case report and review of literature

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that is used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections. We describe the case of a 62-year-old female patient with recent aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who was treated for suspected ventriculitis and a fungal coinfection. Instead of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), 465 mg (5 mg/kg) amphotericin B deoxycholate (DOC) was inadvertently administered, leading to refractory shock with multiple organ failure and requiring mechanical ventilation. Since an overdose of amphotericin B can lead to fatal consequences and has a half-life of 15 days, plasmapheresis was started. The serum concentration decreased from 1.32 µg/mL to 0.62 µg/mL before plasmapheresis, demonstrating a mean half-life of 49 hours. After two plasmapheresis sessions, the serum concentration further dropped to 0.26 µg/mL, demonstrating a mean half-life of 17 hours. In contrast, the third plasmapheresis session had no effect on serum concentration. The patient made a full recovery, potentially facilitated by enhanced amphotericin B elimination through plasmapheresis. Positive outcomes were previously reported in two adult patients treated with plasmapheresis. However, other reports without plasmapheresis described fatal outcomes in adult patients, albeit with a twofold overdose compared to the two patients successfully treated with plasmapheresis. Moreover, plasmapheresis itself carries risks such as hypocalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and coagulation deficits. Consequently, the role of plasmapheresis in amphotericin B overdose is still debated

Context Sensitive Health Informatics: Concepts, Methods and Tools

__Abstract__ Context is a key consideration when designing and evaluating health information technology (HIT) and cannot be overstated. Unintended consequences are common post HIT implementation and even well designed technology may not achieve desired outcomes because of contextual issues. While context should be considered in the design and evaluation of health information systems (HISs) there is a shortcoming of empirical research on contextual aspects of HIT. This conference integrates the sociotechnical and Human-Centered-Design (HCD) approaches and showcases current research on context sensitive health informatics. The papers and presentations outlines theories and models for studying contextual issues and insights on how we can better design HIT to accommodate different healthcare contexts

External load differences between elite youth and professional football players:ready for take-off?

This study examines differences in weekly load between the first (FT) and the under 19 team (U19) within a professional football setting. Data were collected in 11 FT and 9 U19 players (2016-2017 season). FT data was divided into weeks with (FT-M1) or without (FT-M0) a mid-week match. Indicators were total distance (TD) and TD at 12-15, 15-20, 20-25 and >25 km‧h-1 and were analysed as external load (m), intensity (m‧min-1) and load monotony (a.u.). TD-based load was higher for U19 compared to FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely large). Differences at higher velocities were substantially less (trivial to possibly small), with TD >25 km‧h-1 being lower than FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely small). All intensity indicators were lower for U19 (likely small to almost certainly large). Load monotony was higher compared to FT-M1 (possibly small to almost certainly very large). Compared to FT-M0, monotony was higher for TD (possibly very large) and TD >25 km‧h‑1 (possibly moderate) but lower for TD 12-15 (possibly small) and 15-20 km‧h‑1 (likely moderate). So, despite higher weekly external loads at low velocity for elite youth players, external intensity and load variation increases when these players may transition to professional football. 

De aquakultuur met benuttiging van bio-industriële afvalstoffen en thermische effluenten = L'aquaculture utilisant des dechets bio-industriels et des effluents thermiques

The possibility of recycling biodegradable waste materials (manure and waste from agricultural crops) into new proteins was investigated through experiments with various aquaticfood chains. The possibility of increasing the biomass yield through recuperation of the lost energy of thermal effluents was continually taken into consideration. The most promising production procedures which could lead to industrial applificatians are: a) the controlled mass production of pickling lobsters (Artemia) in "batch" or "flow through" systems using agricultural wastes, b). the nursery production of edible shell-fish (oysters, Paphia pullastra clams) using microscopic algae which were grown on manure. Units were designed of both types on a semi-industrial scale and were built on the Belgian coast. In conclusion it can also be mentioned that the mass production of water fleas (Daphnia) using manure and agricultural waste gave very encouraging results on a laboratory scale